With the 36th Annual Atlantic City St. Patrick’s Day Parade marching down the Boardwalk this Saturday – and presuming the partying will continue at the many afterparties at local bars — this seemed like the perfect time to talk about a breakfast spot that can help marchers (or gamblers) feel like themselves again.
I recently went to Gilchrist inside the Chelsea Tower at the Tropicana.
Famous for their thin and perfectly cooked pancakes, if you can get a seat, you will be happy with your visit. This is one of two locations in Atlantic City. The other is at Gardner’s Basin.
There is also a spot in Margate and one in nearby Galloway Township. All locations are open from 6:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Try to time your visit after the early-risers leave and before the next rush at the 11a.m. checkout time for the casinos. If not, you will join a pile of people on the waitlist most weekends.
There is metered street parking on Chelsea Avenue along the outside entrance and free street parking two blocks up. Just pay the meter.
You won’t wait long before a server arrives at your table to get your drinks and/or take your order. I don’t know what happens in the kitchen, but the food arrives fresh and fast in minutes whether the place is packed or not! Plus, the kitchen has never messed up my order in all the times I have been there.
Another plus is you really do get service with a smile here. When we were there, the food runner delivered the couple next to us omelets with a grin you would expect from a doctor delivering twins!
I almost always order the same thing: The Hungry Man #2. There are options.
I always get my eggs over easy, blueberry pancakes, grits and one of the 10 breakfast meat options. You can even choose fried cod!
Pro Tip: get the grits instead of the breakfast potatoes for two reasons.
First, most restaurants don’t offer grits. Add some variety to your life. Secondly, the potatoes aren’t great. They are big chunks and lack flavor and crispness. When will they start shredding some hash browns already? If you do get them, order them well done.
The legendary pancakes live up to the hype. Get them. They are thin, as wide as the plate and cooked perfectly. There’s no upcharge for blueberry either. So get those antioxidants, people!
The regular menu is big. There’s a specials board at the front entrance that could feature such items as SOS (IYKYK), an omelet of the day and pancakes or French toast with a variety of sweet toppings.
Even though Gilchrist is in the Trop, you won’t be price-gouged as high as you would expect from a casino restaurant (I remember going to Harper’s at Ocean where a side of bacon was $13).
There are a few caveats to dining here. The coffee is bad. It’s just bad. It tastes sour to me or similar to instant.
You may be able to concoct a better cup from the coffee pot in your hotel room. I talked to the owner a couple years ago about this and found out that it is from concentrate. He added that some of his customers love it. To each his own. Taste is subjective. If you like it, enjoy. It’s hot and you get free refills. But don’t say you weren’t warned.
Also, you may have to ask for refills, extra napkins or a replacement for the fork you dropped. Servers here are on the move trying to turn tables to satisfy the long line of folks waiting in the lobby to be seated. Don’t expect a table touch every few minutes. But when you do ask for something, the answer is yes and you will get whatever you need immediately. That includes if you ask the manager on duty to get you something.
The usual host at the front podium does not deliver warmth. You may either find John a little, shall we say curt. Or, you may think he adds colloquial charm to the place.
When I check in with him, I imagine that this is what young cadets must encounter when they are entering bootcamp. Suffice to say I would not be surprised if someone told me this man either trained the Soup Nazi or gave Lurch acting tips.
I recommend Gilchrist for value (relative to casino prices), fast service, friendly staff and an overall well-oiled machine.
There is take out available to if you want to enjoy your last fleeting hours in your room before checkout. Caesars comps are 1-to-1 here too! Plates with juice or coffee are under $20 per person, making this venue a great way to stretch that funny money.
Enjoy it here the next time you are craving pancakes!
(Michelle Tomko is an entertainer and accomplished home chef with years of restaurant, catering, bartending, wine and cocktail experience.)
