Anyone who wants to argue that pancakes or waffles are better than French toast has obviously never had good French toast. Which is a shame, because it’s delicious and you’re really missing out.

 

The first bite of a perfectly crafted helping of French toast just melts in your mouth. I don’t know about you, but on pretty much every occasion, pancakes and waffles tend to be dry and don’t possess the desirable melt-in-your-mouth effect, which is necessary in order to have the optimal eating experience.

 

Each time I’ve taken a seat at a table to enjoy a plate full of pancakes, much to my naivety, I’ve expected them to just be the most delicious things in the world. But don’t let the sweet, buttery smell fool you. In my experience, the first bite will turn your mouth into the Sahara Desert and you will be forcing it down with your cup full of apple juice. You’ll then add a mountain of butter and an ocean of syrup just to choke down what you mistakenly have to pay for. (Replace the word “pancakes” with “waffles” and you still end up regretting what you ordered.)

 

Do yourself a favor: Just order the French toast and all will be right in the world. It’s sweet, it’s buttery, it’s moist, it’s hot, it’s not going to leave you wondering why in the world you ever thought it was a good idea to go with the pancakes or waffles. And best of all, you can make it any flavor you want. Chocolate chip, you got it. Stuffed with sweet strawberry cream cheese, say no more. Brown sugar and cinnamon, no problem. Pumpkin spice for all you fall lovers out there, climb on board. Flavorize to your heart’s content.

 

Now, I know what you’re thinking: French toast is usually more expensive than ordering pancakes or waffles. Well, sometimes that is the case, but don’t forget about homemade French toast, which is cheaper, better and easier to make than the other two sad excuses for breakfast items. 

 

You can find the perfect bread for making french toast from the comfort of your own home at Aldi for $3.99 per loaf. It is a soft and thick-sliced brioche bread that perfectly absorbs the egg mixture and cooks to a golden brown. Top it with a pad of butter, a swirl of syrup, a sprinkle of powdered sugar, and your favorite fruit, and you’ve got yourself the breakfast (or dinner) of champions. The bread also comes in chocolate chip, which offers a decadent treat for all you chocolate lovers.

 

However, if you do happen to be at a restaurant where the French toast is a little bit pricier, just remember that the benefits outweigh the costs. You can get some especially delightful French toast at Frisch’s Big Boy for just $4.89. In addition to one of the best things you’ll ever put in your mouth, you will get the choice of bacon, sausage, ham, or turkey sausage on the side at no extra charge. 

 

IHOP has several prime French toast offerings. Enjoy the French Toast Combo, which comes with your choice of flavor, two eggs, hash browns, and two strips of bacon or two sausage links, for only $8.99. Don’t think you can eat that much food? Order the Original French Toast for just $6.79 and dig into six fluffy triangles topped with butter and sprinkled with powdered sugar. How could you go wrong ordering this? (By ordering the pancakes instead, that’s how.)

 

Not convinced yet and want something a little more exotic than just regular bread? Don’t fret because IHOP also offers Brioche French Toast for a taste of thick, buttery goodness for $8.29. And the french toast menu doesn’t stop there: Feast your eyes on the wonder that is Strawberry Banana French Toast. Your eyes will widen at the sight of six golden triangles topped with strawberries and sliced bananas for just $7.79.

 

IHOP should change its name it IHOFT (International House of French Toast). But not an IHOP fan, you say. Head on over to Wild Eggs to treat your palette to even more delicious french toast options. You can’t go wrong with the Classic French Toast for $7.99. The thick-sliced sourdough bread slathered with butter and syrup will leave you dreaming about the last bite. Really spice up your french toast experience with the $9.99 Bananas Foster, which features banana rum caramel sauce, fresh banana slices, vanilla bean ice cream, and powdered sugar and cinnamon. Ask for it in french toast style, and you won’t be sorry.

 

Want a more filling meal? Stuffed french toast is a thing and it is beautiful. Take a bite into Wild Eggs’ Stuffed French Toast at just $8.99. Your mouth will water at the taste of the sourdough bread filled with sweetened cream cheese, blueberries, and strawberries, all topped with syrup and whipped cream. Are you gluten-free and think you can’t ever enjoy a nice french toast breakfast out at a restaurant? Wild Eggs has got your back. You can substitute gluten-free bread for $.79.

 

If you’ve never been to Cracker Barrel, in general, you’re missing out. Seriously, what are you doing with your life? But if you have been to Cracker Barrel, but have never tried the french toast, then you’re really doing something wrong. Everyone raves about the pancakes topped with the warm blackberry topping. I admit that the fruit topping is absolutely delicious, but ask your waiter to put it on the french toast. Thank me later for the tip.

 

The Momma’s French Toast Breakfast, which comes with four slices of sourdough bread dipped in eggs and grilled to perfection, two eggs made your way, and your choice of sausage or bacon, is only $7.99. Not that hungry? Order the French Toast on its own (with the fruit topping) for just $6.99.

 

While I admit that there are occasionally places that can make pancakes and waffles that aren’t entirely dry and boring, you’re better off not taking the chance and getting a perfect plate full of french toast instead. Wild Eggs’ Wild Chicken and Waffle for $11.49 is the only waffle I will ever order out at a restaurant, and it’s pretty pricey. You’re paying more to actually get something edible, and I’d argue that it’s the chicken and the spiciness that makes this waffle good.

 

Finally, you may be able to get a stack of hotcakes at McDonald’s for just $2.49, but when you think about it and really listen to your taste buds, it’s really just the syrup that is good and not the actual pancakes. And for anyone who wants to come up with a far-fetched argument against French toast because you don’t like or don’t eat eggs, come at me because you can easily find French toast recipes with egg substitutes online with a quick Google search. So, all you pancakes or waffles advocates, step aside. French toast is here and it is far superior. Just take a bite of the yummy, fluffy goodness and find out for yourself.