Gwinnett Daily Post

Dos Pancakes

2525 Hamilton Mill Road, Suite B, Buford

770-271-9076

Open since: January

Owner: Sam Jimenez

Location: Dos Pancakes is located at Interstate 85 on Hamilton Mill Road attached to the Shell Station.

Hours: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays

Atmosphere: The inside of Dos Pancakes (Tex-Mex Diner) looks like an old Huddle House complete with green booths and green chairs at the bar top counter for one good reason: it was a Huddle House before owner Sam Jimenez took over. When he found this location, he cleaned the eatery top to bottom, put on a fresh coat of paint and decorated the walls with pictures from Texas.

When you enter, you can grab a spot at the counter or wait to be seated in one of the several booths that line the restaurant.

Just like at Huddle House, you can watch the line cooks prepare your food while you wait because the kitchen isn't hidden in the back -- it's right there in front of you.

For regular diners or curious guests, the daily specials are listed on a large blackboard in the kitchen advertising new burritos, egg creations or Mexican dishes.

Besides feeding the masses on any regular day, Dos Pancakes also offers catering for weddings, parties, graduations and more.

Menu: Jimenez created the menu with things that he loves: barbecue, breakfast and Mexican food.

"We're like IHOP, but way better," he said with a laugh.

Jimenez smokes pork, brisket and chicken in his smoker -- located outside of the restaurant -- for 12 hours over mesquite wood chips for a Texas flavored barbecue. Plus, he makes his own sauce for the meats.

"We have some really good barbecue," he said. "I smoke it for hours and people go crazy for it."

As for breakfast, this place has several types of pancakes including banana nut. Other morning favorites include grits, eggs, brisket, smoked sausage and anything with chorizo. If you need a hearty meal, order the Cowboy. It will keep you filled for hours.

Since Jimenez is from Texas, he has the need for Mexican cuisine, so he made sure many of the classic dishes made it to his menu. He serves quesadillas, nachos, fajitas, burritos, enchiladas, chimichangas and everything else under the sun. If you're craving it, it's probably for sale here.

Dos Pancakes serves a limited dessert menu, but all of the treats are homemade. Depending on the day, you can find sweet chimichangas, a Texas mud pie or mango pie.

Things you might not know: Jimenez has owned several restaurants over the years, including Dos Copas Mexican Grill in Dacula.