Participating IHOP locations will offer guests a stack of three buttermilk pancakes, free of charge on Tuesday, March 8. In return IHOP has asked that guests donate a small amount to the Children’s Miracle Network.

“We encourage our [guests] to donate $5 or what they would have paid for the short stack to CH

OC in Orange,” Rita Diaz said.

Diaz, general manager of the Fullerton location, explains the preparation that goes into an event of this magnitude.

“The night before I have my prep cooks preparing the batches of pancake batter,” Diaz added.

According to Diaz there are about 15 buckets of pancake batter for the 12-hour event. Each bucket holds 22 quarts, or about 5.5 gallons.

A total of about 82.5 gallons of pancake batter is used for the day.

“We take pride in being prepared. I have never run out or had to turn away people because of a shortage,” Diaz said. Immediately upon the statement she knocked on the nearest wooden surface.

In addition to having several cooks in her kitchen, Diaz calls upon her micro-army of servers on this day.

“I call everyone in everyone on that day. I’m fully staffed because I need all hands on deck to help serve our customers,” she said.

About 30 servers are on hand throughout the day to help the hundreds of guests that come in through the doors.

“It’s unlike anything else. It definitely gets crazy around here,” said IHOP server Angela Perez.

Perez worked last year’s National Pancake Day and shared her experiences.

“It was my first time last year and there were people beginning to line up two to three hours before it started,” Perez added.

Efficiency is key for the servers. Perez explains that any given moment there are about 10-12 different orders for pancakes.

“We have to move quickly because someone is always coming in as someone leaves,” she revealed.

IHOP is offering one short stack per guest but according to Perez guests have tried to take advantage of the servers who see hundreds of faces throughout that day.

“We do get people that will return with different clothes or hair and try to get another free stack,” she said with a chuckle.

Blame it on the…pancakes?

“Guests are not obligated to donate but we do encourage it,” Diaz said. She explains that mon

ey collected will be given to CHOC in Orange and used to provide miracles for children in need.

Fullerton’s IHOP is located at 151 W. Orangethorpe Ave. National Pancake Day will occur from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

According to Diaz a total of $1,900 was raised at the Fullerton location last year but would love to surpass it this year.

“It’s for a great cause, so come and enjoy pancakes on us,” she adds.