Silver Dollar Pancakes and Hermosa Beach, California

A recipe for Silver Dollar Pancakes and an overview of some of our favorite places in Hermosa Beach, California!

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase something through the link, I may receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.

Hermosa Beach

Hermosa Beach is nestled between Redondo Beach and Manhattan Beach in the South Bay of Los Angeles County. Located six miles (9.5 kilometers) south of LAX, this area became an incorporated city on January 14th, 1907.

This beach city is only 1.43 square miles, but packed with some amazing places definitely worth visiting.

Parking can be difficult. There are a handful of lots (we usually park in the one on 13th Street connected to Starbucks and Paradis) and metered street parking, but they can fill up fast during peak season. Spots become easier to find the further you get from the beach.

Hermosa Beach Pier

Nearly every visit to Hermosa Beach includes a walk down the Hermosa Beach Pier (especially over the past year while waiting on a take out order).

On a clear day, you can see the Palos Verdes Peninsula on one side and all the way across the Santa Monica Bay on the other. The kids particularly enjoy watching the surfers below.

The first 500 ft (152 meter) pier was built in 1904 and made completely of wood. It was replaced by a new 1,000 ft (305 meter) concrete pier in 1914 after being partially washed away.

The current 1,140 ft (347 meter) pier was constructed in 1965 with renovations from 1998-2005 and additional closures as needed for repairs.

Pier Plaza

At the end of Pier Avenue (one of the main streets stretching from the Pacific Coast Highway to the pier), you will find Pier Plaza. This pedestrian only zone is filled with shops and restaurants.

Café Bonaparte

Café Bonaparte is one of restaurants found in Pier Plaza. They focus on “Parisian style dining with a coastal California breeze.”

Their menu offers a variety of coffee, smoothies, omelettes, sandwiches, pastries, salads, and desserts. 

I actually first tried the café last month when a friend was visiting and brought back some pastries for my birthday.

We ended up stopping by a couple weeks later for coffee and brought home a Berry Crème Brûlée, Coppa 3 Chocolate, and some huge chocolate croissants for the kids.

Good Stuff

There are a handful of Good Stuff locations throughout the South Bay. While the one in Palos Verdes is slightly closer to our house and has easier parking, the kids prefer this spot in Hermosa Beach to watch the volleyball players and people walking on the Strand (a 22 mile paved path from Torrance Beach to Pacific Palisades) as we eat. It is also right next to the pier.

I usually gravitate towards the Milky-Nilla Nitro and Carnitas Breakfast Tacos. Claire loves their Mickey Pancake and Evan always chooses the Silver Dollar Pancakes. The omelettes are generally a favorite with Chad.

Mickey’s Deli

Mickey’s Italian Deli & Pizzeria is a little over a half mile south from Pier Plaza at 101 Hermosa Avenue. This third-generation family business opened in 1953 and is a combination of an Italian-American deli, market, and liquor store.

Their menu features a variety of pizzas, sandwiches, calzones, pastas, salads, and cold drinks. We stopped by on Valentine’s Day for their fun (and huge) heart-shaped pizza.

Gum Tree Shop & Café

Situated on Pier Avenue, Gum Tree Shop & Café is open for breakfast and lunch with a local and Australian-based menu. Photographed above is their Sausage Roll (so good!), Gum Tree Mac ‘n Cheese, and Flat White.

They also have a wonderful shop (available for shipping within the United States) with fun home decor, paper goods, jewelry, clothes, books, local gifts, and toys.

Sugar Dayne

Sugar Dayne was also on Pier Avenue (the physical storefront is now closed) with gorgeous and uniquely decorated cookies. Seasonal cookies are available throughout the year along with customizable options.

I picked up a set of skeleton cookies last Halloween for the centerpiece of our dessert board to celebrate at home.

Hi-Fi Espresso

Hi-Fi Espresso is located at 227 Pacific Coast Highway. Their French Toast Latte (double shot espresso, maple syrup, vanilla, and cinnamon) is fantastic and in my top five for South Bay coffee shops.

They even have a parking lot behind the building!

A second location has recently opened in Redondo Beach with breakfast items too.

Cultured Slice

Cultured Slice is right next door to Hi-Fi Espresso (also with free parking). Over the past year, the easy online ordering system has been wonderful for picking up cheese and accompanying items for seasonal cheeseboards at home.

With advance notice, they can also customize cheese boards and baskets for picnics, entertaining, and gifts.

I particularly love the variety of regional European cheese such as the Austrian Alp Blossom, Dutch Gouda X-O, and Spanish Mahon. They even have Geitost- a type of Norwegian Brunost (brown cheese) perfect for pairing with Hveteboller (Norwegian Cardamom Buns).

Barsha

Barsha is located a little further inland on the border of Hermosa Beach and North Redondo at 1141 Aviation Blvd.

Tucked in a shopping center (with plenty of parking), Barsha Restaurant is open for dinner with an incredible assortment of small and large bites, Tunisian-influenced flavors, wine, and other drinks.

I first tried Barsha during the January Regarding Her Food 10 day event highlighting women-owned restaurants from all over Los Angeles.

Chef Lenora Marouani created a meal inspired by her African-American and Samoan background and the women matriarchs in her family. The photo above on the left shows this amazing meal of Shrimp ‘n Grits with Fried Okra, Pani Popo (Samoan Coconut Rolls), and Tunisian Salad.

Other favorites from Barsha include the Fried Chicken & Cheddar Biscuits for 2 (Sunday only) Lamb Meatballs (on stewed couscous with spinach, mechouia, and cilantro labneh), and Chilled M’hamsa (marinated couscous with cucumber, tomato, feta, and Mediterranean relish). The kids love the chicken nibbles and mac ‘n cheese from the kids menu.

Barsha also has a wine bar and shop in Manhattan Beach.

Silver Dollar Pancakes

While going over recipe ideas to pair with this Hermosa Beach post, Evan requested Silver Dollar Pancakes since they are his favorite from Good Stuff. They were definitely the perfect pick!

These versatile, mini pancakes are such a wonderful option for weekend brunch or even on weekdays if you have a little more time. No resting of the batter is required and the ingredients come together easily with just a little mixing. The longest part is standing in front of the skillet to flip the 35-40 pancakes.

I love these mini pancakes simply with maple syrup and butter, while the kids usually eat them with chocolate chips, strawberries, or even Nutella.

If you are looking for a more striking presentation, use the Silver Dollar Pancakes as the base for a fun pancake board (styling inspired by The BakerMama)! I arranged the pancakes on a large board along with scrambled eggs, strawberries, blueberries, chocolate chips, whipped cream, Nutella, and maple syrup.

A Few Silver Dollar Pancake Tips

Take care not to overmix the batter. Whisk together until just combined with no lumps or streaks of flour.

For extra richness, swap the milk for buttermilk.

A griddle will be helpful for cooking many of the Silver Dollar Pancakes at once. Use a tablespoon or small cookie scoop for easy transferring. This will make the pancakes about 2-3 inches (5-7.5 centimeters) in diameter.

Take care not to overcrowd. I can usually fit about 3 in my 8 inch (20 centimeter) cast iron skillet. 

Adjust the heat as needed between medium and low. You don’t want the edges to darken too much before the interior has had a chance to cook.

Don’t step away from the skillet. These little pancakes will cook quickly.

Grease the pan with additional butter as needed. A thin layer of butter will help create crispy edges on the pancakes.

While preparing the remaining mini pancakes, you can keep the cooked ones hot by placing them on a baking sheet in a warm oven (150-200˚F, 65-90˚C) until ready.

Have extra Silver Dollar Pancakes? Once they have cooled to room temperature, arrange in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and place in the freezer.

Once frozen, transfer to a freezer-safe bag and store in the freezer for up to two months. To reheat, place in a 350˚F (180˚C) oven until heated through, about 10 minutes.

Silver Dollar Pancakes Recipe

Adapted from Dinner Then Dessert

Print Pin

5 from 5 votes

Silver Dollar Pancakes

A recipe for Silver Dollar Pancakes! These small, light and fluffy pancakes are perfect with butter and maple syrup.

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Keyword breakfast, brunch, pancake

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

0 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 35 -40 Pancakes

Ingredients

• 2 cups (250 grams) all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons (40 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon (12 grams) baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups (355 milliliters) milk
• 1 large egg
• 4 tablespoons (60 grams) unsalted butter melted and slightly cooled, plus more for greasing
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For serving:

• Butter
• Maple syrup
• Fresh berries

Instructions

• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
• Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Pour in the milk and egg, then whisk just until combined. Mix in the melted butter and vanilla extract just until blended with no lumps.
• Place a large pan over medium-low heat. Grease lightly with butter. Drop 1 tablespoon round dollops in the pan, taking care not to overcrowd.
• Cook until the bottom is just golden and the top is starting to set. Flip carefully and cook the other side just until golden and cooked through. Remove to a plate and repeat with remaining batter, greasing the pan as needed between pancakes.
• Serve immediately if desired with butter, maple syrup, and fresh berries.