Butters Pancakes & Cafe — Restaurant in Scottsdale

Tucked into the Mercado on Hayden in Scottsdale, Butters Pancakes & Café is a bright, bustling spot that’s earned its reputation as a breakfast and brunch staple. With multiple locations around the Phoenix area, including this gem just a short drive from Tatum Boulevard, I stopped by to see if the hype held up. Spoiler: it’s a resounding yes for anyone craving fresh, hearty comfort food with a side of Arizona sunshine. Walking in, the vibe is immediately inviting—clean lines, a sunny dining room, and a patio perfect for people-watching. Open daily from 6:30 AM to 2:30 PM, it’s clear they cater to early risers and leisurely brunchers alike. The menu, expansive and thoughtfully designed, boasts everything from classic pancakes to inventive skillets, all made with a commitment to fresh, scratch-made ingredients. I started with their signature Freshly-Squeezed Orange Juice, a zesty wake-up call that’s worlds apart from the concentrate stuff. It’s squeezed to order, peel-free, and bursting with flavor—a small detail that sets the tone for the meal. For my main, I couldn’t resist the Blueberry Danish Pancakes. These fluffy, golden stacks arrived dusted with powdered sugar, studded with plump blueberries, and paired with whipped butter that melted into every bite. The texture was spot-on: light yet substantial, with a subtle sweetness that didn’t overwhelm. It’s the kind of dish that makes you understand why “Pancakes” is in the name. To balance the sweetness, I added the New Mexico Skillet—two eggs with runny yolks perched atop chorizo, black beans, and jack cheese, served with a side of corn tortillas. The flavors were bold and satisfying, with the chorizo bringing just enough heat to wake up my palate. The accompanying hash browns were crispy perfection, a testament to their attention to detail. Service was a highlight—our server was attentive without hovering, quick with coffee refills (a robust brew worth sipping), and happy to chat about the menu. The place was buzzing, especially around 10 AM, but the staff kept things moving smoothly. I’d heard weekends can get packed, so joining the waitlist via Yelp might be a smart move if you’re planning a...

This is where you’re going to find one of the most extensive and diverse breakfast menus I have yet to encounter in the Valley! From pancakes to French Toast or waffles and crêpes, to omelets and scrambled concoctions, to skillet dishes and Benedicts, and a host of sides ready to please a whole lot of people – regardless of your taste buds! Along with this massive menu, the most important aspect of this joint is that everything we tasted here was beautifully prepared and presented, fresh and very, very tasty. And the service was impeccable. They advertise their claim of “attention to detail” and you can taste and experience that they stick to it. Knowing they cook for us with organically grown and sustainable farming is a great addon. My wife started off simple with her fresh squeezed orange juice and my great grapefruit juice. Our breakfast consisted of her Country Benedict with Chez Grit – an excellent preparation of 2 beautifully made poached eggs, very, very tasty and tender sausage, a mouthwatering tender and fresh biscuit with one of the best tasting sausage gravies ever! I went for the Irish Benedict with Hash Browns, again, beautifully made poached eggs, corned beef hash with onion that was so tasty and succulent it made my mouth water, atop a traditional flaky English muffin and a fab hollandaise sauce. And the servings are substantial – one will not leave hungry from here! There is no wonder Butters Pancakes & Café rates such a strong Yelp 4.5 on their Richter scale! This place is big, spacious, comfy and that goes for both inside and out. An expansive inside, and an extensive open air and covered outside. Although I wouldn’t call this place fancy, it is an attractive, low key yet in your face contemporary serving some of the best breakfast vittles in the Valley....

I am a pretty analytical person. When I watch a movie I look to see how they created what they did. I say this because I do the same thing at retail establishments, especially service oriented as I have been in service my entire life. I also have dined at some of the finest establishments in the country. Here is my assessment: Facility: Unusual but perfect. The entire service staging area was behind glass but still visual. The POS systems were there in a row, all away from the customers. This is genius as you are no longer listening to the servers talk and complain as they congregate and create bills. You also don't hear the conversations between servers and cooks. Food: I asked for an extra egg in my omelet and forgot to request it being "wet." I was expecting a dry overcooked omelet as most restaurants do. It came out perfect. Moist and delicious. So was the Bacon and sausage patties. Especially, the sausage patties. Very juicy and perfectly cooked. Best breakfast I have had, period. Julie (my server) was awesome, but it was a team effort. Servers don't just stand there and talk amongst themselves. They patrol the floor looking for empty plates, anyone looking for extra service and cleaning and wiping down booths, walls, etc. Unreal. The training of these servers (mostly young women) will positively affect them the rest of their careers. Discipline in their work ethic will serve them well. After speaking with Brooke, (manager) it is clear they pay attention to details and training usually only found in the finest of 5-Star restaurants. I don't live in Scottsdale but will be sure to eat there every time I am...