Happy 50th Uncle Bill’s!

Throughout its fifty year history, Uncle Bill’s Pancake House has become a Jersey Shore icon and a beacon of excellent service at family-friendly prices. While the eight Uncle Bill’s locations along the coast from Cape May to Ocean City are not united as one company, they are related.

The Uncle Bill’s legacy began in 1962 with Bill and Eleanor Donahue. They opened the very first location in Stone Harbor. Their daughter Debbie later took the Uncle Bill’s reigns from her parents along with her appropriately named husband, Billy O’Hara, Jr. Billy and Debbie decided to expand the business, opening an Avalon location.

Billy’s father, the late Bill O’Hara, Sr., then decided to get in on the breakfast action. He opened Uncle Bill’s Pancake Houses in both Cape May and Strathemere in 1979. Later, Tom O’Hara took over the Cape May business and expanded the Uncle Bill’s reach once again, opening the Wildwood location. Billy, Jr.’s brother, Pat O’Hara, joined the Uncle Bill’s brand as he took over the Strathmere location and opened two more in Ocean City. Billy’s sister Beth O’Hara Boyle also opened an Uncle Bill’s Pancake House in North Cape May, Lower Township.

Today, the eight Uncle Bill’s Pancake Houses are each independently owned and operated by an O’Hara family member. To ensure the same great taste, each Uncle Bill’s location uses the same pancake formula, one developed in the early days of the business.

Uncle Bill’s has perfected the concept of service with a smile. The always attentive staff focuses on fast, quality service while catering to each customer’s needs. Employees love Uncle Bill’s cuisine and freely offer their expert dish advice. They cater to large dining parties and ensure that they are seated quickly and well attended to. As a family-run business, they specialize in creating a memorable family dining experience. In fact, the entire staff considers itself one big family and emphasizes teamwork, making Uncle Bill’s customer service second to none.

Nearly all Cape May County locals and visitors are familiar with the name “Uncle Bill’s” and the promises of great-value breakfast specialties that this restaurant legacy carries with it.
Uncle Bill’s Pancake Houses typically use 50 to 75 gallons of pancake batter a day, creating 25 to 30 different kinds of pancakes, including fruit-filled, chocolate chip, potato pancakes, buckwheat, whole wheat and pumpkin pancakes. Waffle menu options also remain vast, from ice-cream topped to blueberry and pecan to peach. Other customer favorites include made-to-order eggs and omelets, French toast, and Hawaiian Ham Steak. Craving one of these breakfast delicacies at lunch hour? Not to worry, Uncle Bill’s serves breakfast all day, until their 2 p.m. closing.

Uncle Bill’s also features an extensive menu of lunch items for afternoon diners. From the Turkey Club to the Surf & Turf Burger and the Sombrero Taco Salad to the Tuna Melt, the Uncle Bill’s lunch menu offers the best-value variety in the area.

New this summer season, Uncle Bill’s Cape May and North Cape May feature exclusively gluten-free menus offering diner favorites such as Blueberry and Chocolate Chip Pancakes. Other gluten-free favorites include the Peanut Butter, Peach, and Strawberry Pancakes or the always delicious Uncle Bill’s Gluten-Free French Toast.

Uncle Bill’s Cape May has recently become an ideal breakfast and lunch location for pet-lovers. Enjoy your meal on the pet-friendly outdoor patio, complete with pet bowls and a waterfront view.

For a taste of generations-old family tradition, family-friendly and affordable dining, and the best pancakes in the county, stop by the Uncle Bill’s Pancake House nearest you and get a jump on your day. Cape May County wishes Uncle Bill’s and the third generation O’Hara family a happy 50th business anniversary!

3820 Bayshore Road, North Cape May, NJ 08204, 609-886-0066
4601 Pacific Ave , Wildwood, NJ 08260, 609-729-7557
261 Beach Avenue, Cape May, NJ 08204, 609-884-7199
www.unclebillspancakehouse.com

By Megan Kummer