Yep, the Pancake Cafe is where it's at on Madison's west side for breakfast on the weekends. Everything they make is a.) huge and b.) delicious. Families with kids go there. Old people go there. Hungover college kids go there. People bring in their one-night stand (you know who you are) for french toast and the short kiss goodbye. That's because it has this great ambiance of absolutely casual and really good. They freshly squeeze their own orange juice. They serve coffee (decent) with heavy cream, not half and half in garbagey little plastic containers. Frankly, I think their cheeseburgers are the best in Madison as well. These are just examples. The list goes on and on - it's a quality establishment.
Source of amusement: a fireplace in the waiting area that has a sign on it reading, "Caution: Hot." Hee hee!
Listen though, the Pancake Cafe is a zoo on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Get ready for a seriously long wait. It can even be out the door sometimes. People aren't stupid, they know delicious french toast when they eat it and fresh strawberries and unbelievable apple poufs as big as your goddamned head. Go!