Standing, from left, employee Michelle Osenkowski and owner Ulysses Ayala; seated, customers Dorothy Flaugh, Jim Wilson and Jerry Flaugh.
Beginning its third week of operation, the Blueberry Pancake House II, located at 106 South Main Street in downtown Payne, may have a rather unusual name — unless you’re familiar with its predecessor.
The first Blueberry Pancake House, located in Monroeville, Indiana, is linked by name to the new Payne eatery. “I worked for other (restaurant owners) two years ago,” says restaurant owner Ulysses Ayala. “The owner asked me if I wanted to do it. He was a nice guy.”
The Monroeville establishment apparently had some fans from Payne as well, because it wasn’t long before Ayala found out about another restaurant there. “The customers said, ‘there’s a place open in Payne; you should try over there,’” he said.
Eventually Ayala and his wife Sildain Atienzo opened up the Blueberry Pancake House II, which is open from 7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. seven days a week, although Ayala is considering closing the place on Mondays.
But while pancakes are deservedly a menu staple there, the restaurant offers a great deal more for hungry customers, including waffles, French toast, breakfast burritos, various types of eggs, biscuits and gravy, breakfast skillets, fluffy omelets, various steak and egg combinations, frittatas with choice of toast or pancakes, ala carte items, and breakfast specials, including an early bird special featuring eggs, pancakes, toast, coffee and choice of meat from 7:00-8:00 a.m.
The lunch crowd doesn’t go unnoticed either, with choices including sandwiches, half-pound burgers and melts, wraps, salads, soup of the day, low calorie items, house favorites including chicken parmesan, Oriental stir fry, country fried steak, charbroiled pork chops and many other items. Breakfast items are available throughout the day, and kids’ breakfast and lunch menus are available.
With customers from the original Blueberry Pancake House as well as newcomers, Ayala and his staff believe the restaurant is off to a good start.
“It’s our goal to serve great food at a good price with great service,” notes restaurant employee Michelle Osenkowski.
“We’ve gotten lots of people and lots of compliments,” says Ayala.
