There are pancake houses, and then there’s John’s. Located on Spartanburg’s eastside, John’s Cafe & Catering is where pancake dreams come true—served hot, fluffy, and bigger than your average dinner plate!
It’s no exaggeration to say this family-owned spot serves up some of the best breakfast in Spartanburg County. With loyal regulars, that small town feel, and food that hits all the right notes, it’s easy to see why this place is beloved…and growing! That’s right, John’s will be opening a second location in Chesnee, SC by the end of 2025.
Quick Look at John’s Cafe & Catering
Opens 6:30 am Mon-Sat
Closes 2 pm Mon-Wed, 8:30 pm Thu-Fri, 11 am Sat
📍 Location: 311 Bennett Dairy Road, Spartanburg, SC 29307
🚻 Restrooms: Single-Use Men’s | Single-Use Women’s
🚼 Changing Table in Women’s Restroom
🚭 Rules: No smoking indoors
🎁 Extras: Gift cards + catering
📞 Phone: 864.579.7969
The Pancake Place That Knows Your Name
When you walk into John’s Café & Catering, you’ll be greeted by the same smiling faces. This is a family-owned and operated establishment, and I have yet to meet a less than delightful member of their team. There are always regulars coming in and out who are greeted by name, and it’s clear this isn’t just a workplace: It’s part of the community.
The owner is John Linder, a local from Cannon’s Campground who turned a lifetime of cooking with family into a full-fledged culinary career. Summer kitchen jobs turned into full-time work as a chef at different restaurants around the Upstate, and before long, he came home to build John’s Cafe & Catering from the ground up. The restaurant has been successful since opening in 1995, and they’re now celebrating 30 years as one of the best breakfast spots around!
The dining room when you first enter has that cozy, time-honored southern feel, with memorabilia and personal touches—including nods to the owner’s culinary journey, family photos, and even a little local history. It’s the kind of place where kids are welcome, regulars gather at “their” table, and newcomers are greeted like old friends.
This main dining room is totally screen-free, with no distracting televisions for those who want to enjoy a quiet meal with their kids. There is an additional dining room in the back with a TV for those who want to catch up on the news or watch a game while enjoying their coffee! This room is also a great for larger groups who may need multiple tables but still want to talk together in the same space. An outdoor dining area is also available, weather permitting, on Saturdays.
Best Breakfast in Town? You decide.
Dinner is served on Thursdays and Fridays when John’s Café is open later, and those are definitely worth checking out. Their sandwiches, wraps, and Make-A-Plate options with several country favorites for side dishes are delicious. But I’ll be honest, it’s their breakfast that keeps me coming back again and again! John’s opens at 6:30am, Monday through Saturday, so they are always ready to feed us when my kids wake up ready to eat!
Pro-Tip: We’ve never had a wait when we go to eat on weekday mornings, but John’s Cafe & Catering is only open a few hours on Saturdays and closed Sundays—so be prepared for a short wait (usually 15-20 minutes) if you decide to check them out on Saturday morning!
I’ve tried breakfast at places across the Upstate, but no one does pancakes quite like John’s. Their pancakes are huge—think frisbee-sized, thick and fluffy with golden insides that just soak up the syrup or honey. Just one of these beauties is plenty for your average grown-up, and my kids can usually split one or go for a stack of the kid-sized ones.
And I know my kids are not the only ones obsessed with fruit. Well, you’ll be glad to hear that John’s fruit cups are some of the best we’ve ever had! They’re not just afterthought here, but a generously portioned bowl of variety: Our most recent helping included cantaloupe, pineapple, watermelon, strawberries, grapes!
Pair that with their perfectly crispy bacon (don’t come at me, all you chewy-bacon lovers) and a mug of a hot coffee—and you’ve got a breakfast that’s simple, satisfying, and full of flavor! Plus, consider some of their delicious natural honey in your coffee in lieu of the usual sweeteners—it is so good and good for you!
Looking Ahead: New Location in Chesnee
John’s Cafe announced that a second location is officially in the works in Chesnee, SC, and is expected to open by the end of the year! They’re currently hiring for all positions, so if you’re looking for a job with a close-knit team and plenty of community love, now’s your chance to join a place that keeps people coming back.
We’ll update this story when the Chesnee location opens, but in the meantime, it’s worth heading to Spartanburg to taste the pancakes that started it all.
Learn More from the Manager
We got the inside scoop on John’s Cafe & Catering from Jordan Huckabee, one of their super sweet Managers who took the time to speak with us on one of our visits!
What are your post popular menu items? For breakfast, check out the Sunrise Special: 2 eggs, grits or hash browns, 2 pieces of sausage, and a gravy biscuit! For lunch, people love the Calabash Chicken Plate: 5 strips, with 2 sides. Onion rings and mac & cheese are customer favorites for side dishes!
What makes your establishment truly unique? John makes most menu items from scratch, including our HUGE pancakes, biscuits, gravy, sausage, livermush, onion rings, pimento cheese, and chicken salad.
What can customers do to show their appreciation? We love to see positive reviews on Facebook and Google!
Business Details
Hours:
• Mon-Wed, 6:30 am – 2 pm
• Thu-Fri, 6:30 am – 8:30 pm
• Sat, 6:30 am – 11 am
Phone: 864.579.7969
Address: 311 Bennett Dairy Road, Spartanburg, SC 29307
Website: John’s Cafe And Catering
John’s Café & Catering Facebook
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