Robyn. This is all your fault. Your comment got me all excited about pancakes (and breakfast in general). so today I had...more pancakes! I come to Cinnamon's in Kailua when I'm craving flavored pancakes. For plain buttermilk, Jack's wins, hands down but for apple cinnamon, carrot and even gingerbread pancakes, come to Cinnamon's.

Like most breakfast places, Cinnamon's has that cozy warm feeling with wooden interiors. Outside patio seats are available in addition to indoor seating. This place is packed on weekeds with families from all ends of the island and who one of my dear friends refer to as "little old ladies." The service here is consistent, friendly and never rushed. They even offer free coffee and newspapers for you to read while waiting for a table.

My breakfast buddy Kelly had the Farmer's Omelette ($9.50), a gigantic three egger filled with chunks of browned potatoes, bacon, onions, ham, tomato and plenty of chedder cheese. It comes with a choice of rice, homefries, biscuit, pancakes or hasbrowns. Go with the pancakes. We came to the conclusion that while the omelette was visually appealing, it wasn't a very traditional omelette as the eggs didn't wrap around the filling but functioned as a "hat." Aside from the awkwardly big chunks of potatoes, it was a decent omelette. Nothing to go out of your way for but, but good and filling. Very filling.

Erica had the Loco Moco ($7.50)(add sauteed mushrooms and onions for $1.75). A good breakfast standby. I didn't have a chance to try the dish, but the patty was big and slightly misformed (good sign it's not straight out of a Costco freezer pack!)Gravy wasn't as thick as what you get from Rainbow Drive Inn's or Big City Diner but oh man, the mushrooms and onions really rounded off the dish. It must have been good as it was the biggest order at our table and Erica was the first to finish. Her most memorable comment during the meal: "I want more rice." I don't think people from Hawaii could ever stop eating rice no matter how long they on the mainland. Perhaps that is a good thing.

Cinnamon apple pancakes - plain pancakes topped off with tender apples sauteed in butter and cinnamon. The plain pancakes here are very simple (I guess pancakes can't really get too complicated). Soft and warm with a nice sized syrup soaking sponge holes - such belly satisfying food.

The "Special" pancakes of the day were...da da dah...Peanut Butter Banana ($4.95)! My only complaint is that they were on the puny side - don't we all look forward to big, happy round circles of sweet starch? These were dense pancakes with splodges of peanut butter and thin slices of bananans mixed in the batter. I like how some bites stuck to the roof of my mouth, like I was eating spoonfuls of peanut butter. Only now I get soft banana cakeyness to go with it!

It's true "little old ladies" come here. I think we all come to Cinnamon's on slow weekdays and early sunday mornings to unleash the little old ladies inside of us who crave deliciously odd flavored pancakes, wonderful service and free coffee and newspaper. It's always the "free" that pulls locals in! hehe. Nah, the food is awesome and the people are happy.

Cinnamon's Restaurant
315 Uluniu Street
Kailua, Hawaii 96734
(808) 261-8724