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The Lemon Curd Pancakes at Jack Flaps, topped with a berry compote, graham cracker crumble and confectioner's sugar

(Photo by Peter Chakerian, Special to Cleveland.com)

Cold weather, fleece, holiday movies and comfort food. It's the recipe for the approaching holidays, and it all gets Clevelanders feeling warm, fuzzy and nostalgic.

Vacations from work offer lingering over meals (and more) that just don't happen during the regular work week. For a moment, breakfast transcends critical nourishment status to become an event of relaxation, reflection and gratitude.

Pancakes are often a part of those slow-approach mornings. The rich, pillowy goodness of a piping hot stack off the griddle—with butter and maple syrup or your toppings of choice—feel luxurious in those moments.

But if you're on the go like everyone is this time of year, maybe camping out in front of the stove isn't an option. Or maybe you're not happy with your recipe or that one out of a yellow box.

Fear not, C-town. We've got your back. We're about to give you the 9 greatest pancake stacks in Cleveland, "To the 9s."

Sure, a decent cake can be found at a local IHOP or Original Pancake House... after all, it IS what they do.

But we're gonna take you out of your comfort zone a little and skew local with some dynamite stacks that will warm the cockles of your heart, fill you with holiday spirit, and stuff that belly until it "jiggles like a bowl of jelly."

In other words, eat, people, eat! Nobody likes a skinny Santa.

As always, if we missed your favorite, don't be a Bumble. Just toss a snowball in the comments below:

The Inn on Coventry (2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights; 216-371-1811, www.innoncoventry.com). We'll start with the cream of the proverbial crop. The Inn has been doing breakfast right for a very, very long time (open since 1981) and they have a whole host of delectable pancakes that are moist, dreamy and satisfying—and they have a dozen different types to satisfy. The originals are tops here, but if you can steel your nerves, both the Lemon Ricotta and Reese Cup varieties are absolutely ridiculous. There's usually a wait there, but these cakes are worth every minute.

Borderline Café (18510 Detroit Ave., Lakewood; 216-529-1949, Facebook). You may find yourself trapped with indecision by their delicious menu. And you may find yourself wanting to order several different things. You will get yourself a stack of their perfect, pillowy, moist buttermilk pancakes for breakfast. And you will swear to yourself that they're your grandmother's homemade recipe. You might find yourself saying you'll get the stupendous Bacon Avocado Benedict next time, but you might beat yourself up when you go back and get the pancakes again. And you, dear Clevelander, will not be alone.

Town Hall (1909 W. 25th St. Cleveland; 216-344-9400, www.townhallohiocity.com). This is one of two amazing stacks of Sweet Potato Hotcakes to be had in town. They come out piping hot and delicious, with Ohio maple syrup and served with fresh fruit. We're not exactly sure how they're seasoned, but there's something about the heft and fluff that the mashed sweet potatoes give these pancakes that invites addiction. Town Hall does a lot of things right (their Bangkok Bazaar bowl sits firmly at #1 on this reviewer's long list) but these sit near the top.

Grumpy's Café (2621 W. 14th St., Cleveland; 216- 241-5025, www.grumpys-cafe.com). The other great stack of Sweet Potato Pancakes? Right here at Grumpy's. This stack is full of Southern comfort and hospitality, pairing that heft and fluff with a sweet-savory balance. Grumpy's tops this delicious batter batch with crushed walnuts, a maple-barbecue drizzle (!!!) and whipped cream. They have several other varieties—blueberry, hefty apple-oatmeal, chocolate chip, pumpkin, all great—but these are serious cakes for serious cake lovers. Bonus: huge number of great savory breakfast options.

Jack Flaps (3900 Lorain Ave., Cleveland; 216-961-5199, www.jack-flaps.com). A relative new-kid on the block, Jack Flaps purports reasons they're an "urban breakfast," and in terms of location they are, but the fortuitous plate of Lemon Curd Pancakes they serve at this Lorain Avenue kitchen are like something straight out of Country Living magazine! The cakes are topped with wild berry compote, lemon curd, a graham cracker crumble, and then angelically dusted with confectioner's sugar. With a side of Coke-glazed pork belly? We guarantee that you'll lose sleep over—or at least dream about—them.

Around the Corner Café (18616 Detroit Ave., Lakewood; 216-521-4413, www.atccafe.com). It's a bar and an institution, having been in the biz for 40 years. And while most locals have fond memories of live music, cold brews and burgers and appetizers from here, the Hot Coconut Cakes from their brunch menu are well worth a stop. The batter is laced with coconut flakes, griddled until fluffy, and topped with blueberry and strawberry sauce—then served up with fresh fruit, your choice of bacon or sausage, and really good home fries. Worth waking up for.

Big Al's Diner (12600 Larchmere Blvd., Cleveland; 216-791-8550, Facebook). This place isn't much to look at, but a lot of the places around town with the best food aren't. Big Al's has great, working-class breakfasts that are generously proportioned and outstandingly satisfying. Best known as the place where Michael Symon trumpeted the best corned beef hash he ever had on Food Network, this is one of "Cleveland's crossroads." Great pancakes (regular, blueberry or strawberry-topped with more whipped cream than you can shake a wooden spoon at) are here.

XYZ the Tavern (6419 Detroit Ave., Cleveland; 216-706-1104, www.xyzthetavern.com). OK, so the brunch menu at this Gordon Square staple has some truly great things—the Breakfast Wrap, House-smoked Salmon Croissant and the outstanding BLT&A Sandwich among them—but when you want a treat, their kitchen does great buttermilk pancakes. They're light, airy, perfectly golden and they need nothing more than syrup, butter and a strong mug of their house Joe to accompany them. Though you'll be tempted by more, for certain. Add a matinee at the Capitol to this breakfast and life is good.

Fire Food and Drink (13220 Shaker Square, Shaker Heights; 216-921-3473, www.firefoodanddrink.com). We end with one of the best brunch menus in Cleveland. Doug Katz does so many things well; the sheer volume of choice and reliability here is paralyzing. Do you get the Croque Madame? BBQ Beef Crepes? Crispy Duck Confit Stutzman Grits? Or Almond-Stuffed French Toast—a dish that, frankly, sends this reviewer's marzipan addiction into overdrive? No, it's the light, zesty Lemon Souffle Pancakes with berry compote. Sinful. Seductive. Take my money already, Doug. Please.

Chakerian is a freelance writer in Bay Village