Gelkote

I noted earlier about the unofficial video torrents floating around for a few of the HOPE talks. The official audio appears to now be available as well.

I dedicated this post to the Pancake House of Beckley, WV who closed back in February 2007 after 30+ years. I suspect your demise had a great deal to do with shiny IHOP next door but I’ll never know for sure. You were a staple on a trips to points South. I always enjoyed your friendly service, home cooking and some of the best sweet tea around. I hear you’re opening as a Mexican restaurant soon. Best of luck in your new reincarnation.

The Beckley, WV IHOP killed the Pancake House – July 20th, 2007

Google the worst way to die, you’ll find burning at or near the top of the list. So would you wish a fiery death on your worst enemy? What if your enemy wasn’t a he or she but a thing? Say a restaurant called International House of Pancakes?

That’s exactly what happened to the Findlay, OH location of my least favorite restaurants of all time shortly after midnight Monday morning. Firefighters had the blaze under control within 30 minutes but the place is being reported as a total loss. Rumor is it was arson. I despise IHOP but it wasn’t me. I’d never deprive its followers of the IHOP’s legacy of unruly crowds, poor service and cold greasy food.

UPDATE: Drove past the IHOP, the decorative lights on the front of the building still had power so I’m now questioning the $800,000 damage estimate noted in The Courier.

UPDATE 8/23: The local news paper The Courier announced IHOP will rebuild and reopen within 4 to 6 months. Bah!