Pancake Sandwiches

Here’s one serious, satisfying, stick-to-your-ribs breakfast combination that shows up on menus all over town: the pancake sandwich--two pancakes, eggs and a breakfast meat.

* Bread and Porridge: The “breakfast combo” is two eggs any style, two buttermilk pancakes and two strips of bacon. For a buck more, you can have Cajun or chicken sausage instead of bacon. You can substitute blueberry, banana, pecan or strawberry pancakes, priced accordingly. Real maple syrup is available for $1.45. (Pancake sandwich, $5.95 to $6.95.) Bread and Porridge, 2315 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, (310) 453-4941.

* Broadway Deli: The pancake sandwich is two plate-spanning buttermilk pancakes topped with two eggs and bacon or a juicy chicken sausage. Buckwheat, blueberry and buckwheat-blueberry pancakes are available on request. (Pancake sandwich, $7.25.) Broadway Deli, 1457 Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica, (310) 451-0616.

* Original Pantry Cafe: At this landmark 24-hour, seven-day downtown cafe, look for the #4 breakfast: two hot cakes and one egg with ham, bacon or sausage. (Pancake sandwich, $5.35.) Original Pantry Cafe, 877 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, (213) 972-9279.

* Hill Street Cafe: Before heading up the Angeles Crest Highway, fortify yourself at this popular La Canada breakfast spot where the pancake sandwich is literally a sandwich: The eggs and sausage, bacon or ham are placed between the two pancakes. (Pancake sandwich, $4.95.) Hill Street Cafe, 1004 Foothill Blvd., La Canada, (818) 952-1019.

* Uncle Bill’s Pancake House: The basic pancake sandwich consists of two buttermilk pancakes, two eggs and bacon or sausage (link or patty). For a dollar more, you can substitute macadamia, blueberry, strawberry, chocolate chip, buckwheat, multigrain, cinnamon apple or pineapple pancakes . . . although the friendly host cautions that pineapple pancakes may not be the most delicious pairing with eggs. (Pancake sandwich, $6 to $7.) Uncle Bill’s Pancake House, 1305 Highland Ave., Manhattan Beach, (310) 545-5177.

* La Belle Epoque: It’s hard to pass up the pastry case at this Los Feliz cafe, but the pancake sandwich (two pancakes, one egg, bacon or Jody Maroni chicken Italian sausage) is a classic. Vegetarians can substitute fresh fruit for the breakfast meat. And you can always take home that irresistible noix: a chocolate-covered cream puff filled with mocha butter-cream. (Pancake sandwich, $7.95.) La Belle Epoque, 2128 Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 669-7640.