This AZ diner is famous for its pancakes. So it tried to set the record for tallest stack

Dina Kaur, Arizona Republic
Updated ·3 min read
2

It’s National Pancake Day and Shrove Tuesday, so what better way to celebrate than by trying to break a Guinness World Record?

That’s what Joe’s Diner, at 4515 N. 7th Avenue in Phoenix, set out to do at 7:30 a.m. Feb. 13: beat the Guinness World Record for the tallest stack of pancakes.

Joe Seriale, who owns the diner with his wife Joan, said it was also the perfect opportunity to introduce their business to new people. The diner has been serving homemade food using local ingredients since 2010. They’re known for their signature pancakes, and also offer New York steak and eggs, biscuits and gravy, omelets, French dip sandwiches and burgers.

“I like to think I have the best pancakes in Phoenix, so what better way than to make the tallest stack of them you can,” Seriale said.

Why do we eat pancakes on Shrove Tuesday?

Shrove Tuesday immediately precedes Ash Wednesday, which is the beginning of Lent in Western Christian churches. Shrove, which is derived from the word shrive, refers to the confession of sins in preparation for Lent. Shrove Tuesday is typically celebrated with a festival or parade.

The holiday has many customs pertaining to food. In particular, sweet dishes with eggs, sugar and fat were typically forbidden during Lent and would go to waste between Ash Wednesday and Easter. So, pancakes became a traditional choice for pre-Lenten treats, according to Britannica.

A portrait of Joe Seriale (owner) in the kitchen, June 8, 2020, at Joe's Diner, 4515 N 7th Ave., Phoenix.
A portrait of Joe Seriale (owner) in the kitchen, June 8, 2020, at Joe's Diner, 4515 N 7th Ave., Phoenix.

So, did Joe’s Diner set a world record for tallest stack of pancakes today? Keep reading to find out.

What is the current Guinness World Record for tallest stack of pancakes?

The current Guinness World Record for the tallest stack of pancakes sits at 3 feet, 4 inches tall with 213 pancakes. It was set in 2016 by Center Parcs Sherwood Forest in the United Kingdom.

VDay! Low-effort Valentine's Day gifts that will show your 'situationship' how little you care

Did Joe’s Diner break the Guinness World Record for tallest pancake stack?

Unfortunately, Joe’s Diner fell just a foot short of breaking the world record. The stack was 2 feet, 4 inches, and Seriale plans to try again next year.

“There’s too much butter in my pancakes; they slid around a bunch,” Seriale said. “I don’t think they made them for taste when they beat the world record.”

Seriale said his favorite part of the attempt was seeing all the regular customers and new faces stopping by to see the attempt at history being made.

“That show of support from all my customers, my regulars, that’s just so heartwarming and that’s what I enjoy,” Seriale said. “Cooking is giving and that’s the best part of cooking.”

Details: 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday-Saturday. Joe’s Diner, 4515 N. 7th Ave., Phoenix. 602-535-4999, joesdineraz.com.

Reach the reporter at dina.kaur@arizonarepublic.com. Follow @dina_kaur on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Did the world's tallest stack of pancakes just get built in Arizona?