Sign Says IHOP, but Syrup Says Vermont

[cali]

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. — For years, diners at the International House of Pancakes nationwide have slathered their pancakes, waffles and French toast in a variety of flavored syrups, like fluorescent strawberry and “old-fashioned,” the chain’s artificially-flavored take on maple syrup.


The label “old-fashioned” was bound to raise red flags for many Vermonters, who will tell you it is neither old-fashioned nor maple syrup (corn syrup does not come from trees).

So when the land of piping-hot pancakes and fresh maple syrup became the 50th state to welcome an IHOP last month, the franchise owners sought permission to depart from the chain’s standard fare. The IHOP here is the only one of about 1,400 in the United States, Canada and Mexico to serve real maple syrup.

“You can’t open up a Vermont pancake shop without Vermont maple syrup,” said Sam Handy Jr., who is the restaurant’s general manager and whose family owns the franchise.

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http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/21/dining/21ihop.html?hpw

[MrSlayer]

1. That is as it should be.

You are cheating yourself if you are having anything less than Grade A Medium on your pancakes.

[cali]

2. Actually, I don't agree

although, friends of mine gave me some of this year's crop, a quart of grade A medium, I actually have taken to (gasp) buying Grade A dark and adulterating it. Syrup has become so expense, even here in VT, and I use so much of it, that I've taken to making a syrup of brown sugar and water and adding it (about 2 parts real to 1 part fake) to the real thing. And honestly, it's pretty damn good. The dark has such an intense maple flavor that cutting it is really not the culinary heresy it sounds like.

[Orsino]

7. Yeah. Corporations ought to show some flexibility. n/t

[surrealAmerican]

8. I prefer grade B, nice and dark.

It's more flavorful.

[Rebubula]

3. damn...

...now I am all hungry for some Biscuits and gravy!

Mmmmmmm....IHOP

[Uben]

4. Sugar and carbs

Uggggh! I'll stick to my bran flakes and fruit!

[teamster633]

5. Meanwhile, 100 miles to your east...

[marmar]

6. Sorry Vermonters. ..... The best maple syrup in the world comes from Quebec.

C'est bonne.