It’s late at night or early in the morning, depending on how you look at it, and your stomach starts growling for something to eat.

You think to yourself about what places are open, but only Steak n Shake and Taco Bell come to mind.

Then you remember that the best food to eat late at night is breakfast. Nothing satisfies that 2 a.m. hunger like a stack of pancakes, bacon. eggs and with all the fixings piled high on the plate.

The place to satisfy all of the above desires is Uncle Bill’s Pancake House and Diner.

Uncle Bill’s, the first pancake house in ST. Louis, opened it’s doors in 1961, and soon became a tradition. It was started by two brother-in-laws, and is still run by the family. The first location at 3427 S. Kingshighway remains popular today.

In the years that followed, two more restaurants opened up, one at 4000 Lemay Ferry Road, at the corner of Lindbergh, and one at 14196 Manchester.

All three restaurants are popular with St. Louis University students, particularly the S. Kingshighway location, the closest to campus.

Uncle Bill’s is open 24 hours a day, every day, except for closing from 3 p.m. Sunday until 6 a.m. Monday. They serve breakfast all day long, and also serve lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m., Monday through Saturday and from 12 p.m. till 3 p.m. on Sunday.

The most popular menu item at Uncle Bill’s is pancakes. No matter what time it is, nothing satisfies a hunger like a big stack of fluffy, grilled-to-perfection, golden-brown pancakes.

Add hot maple syrup and butter, and its enough to please any stomach. The pancakes come in two different sizes: the regular stack ($3.95) and the short stack ($3.40).

If you are in a little bit of a wild mood try one of the speciality pancakes like Pancakes Hawaii ($4.95), which are filled with tasty pieces of pineapple and then covered in Hawaiian syrup. It makes you want to put on a grass skirt and do a hula dance.

The Crunchy Pecan Pancakes ($4.95), evoke that southern feeling with each bite. Both are wonderful variations of an old fashioned tradition.

Uncle Bill’s also offers a wide variety of other breakfast menu items for those who don’t enjoy pancakes.

The Blueberry Waffle ($4.95), is always loaded with fresh blueberries and leaves the Waffle House’s version in the dust.

There are also 12 different egg dishes to choose from, everything from the classic Steak and Eggs ($9.95) to the cooked-just-right Special Cured Center-Cut Ham and Eggs ($6.35).

Uncle Bill’s also serves a wide variety of side dishes. The menu includes hashbrowns, bacon, ham steak and much more. So the ultimate breakfast is possible.

There is also a fine selection of dinners and sandwiches at Uncle Bill’s. Two of my favorites are the Uncle Bill’s Burger Deluxe ($4.95), which is loaded with all the fixings a quality burger should have, and the Chicken Breast Sandwich ($4.95).

The dinner menu includes a wide variety of items. My favorite dish is the Center Cut Pork Chops ($7.75). Uncle Bill’s takes fine cuts of meat and grills them like no one else can.

They are always prepared just right and have a wonderful taste.

I would de try this dish, it will quickly become a favorite of yours.

A true surprise is the taste of the Icelandic Cod ($7.95). The cod, broiled in a lemon butter sauce has a wonderful taste and is prepared better than at most full-scale seafood places.

All of the dinners are served with side dishes. The selection changes depending when you are placing your order. Some of the menu items include baked potato, chili and french fries.

The setting of Uncle Bill’s is a relaxed one. Anybody who goes there once becomes a regular. It’s one of those places where a certain table becomes your table.

It’s a great place to sit with a bottomless cup of coffee and talk to a friend. It’s even a great place to go after a party; breakfast settles well on the stomach.

Before there was a Starbucks on every corner teaching the world about espresso, there was Uncle Bill’s. It was a place that served only two kinds of coffee, regular and decaf- instead of ten different flavors.

The service is friendly, but don’t go there thinking that it’s a four-star restaurant. It is by no means a dump, but it is a nice, family restaurant that serves good food around the clock.

The next time that it’s late at night and your stomach begins to growl, pass by Taco Bell and Steak n Shake.

Try a stack of pancakes at Uncle Bill’s especially if you’re from out of town, because there is nothing quite like it.

It might be a St. Louis tradition, but no matter where you’re from you’ll love the great food and atmosphere. I guarantee that you will not be disappointed.

The hunger pains are starting and a stack of pancakes sounds great.

So I’m off to Uncle Bill’s. I hope to see you there. Maybe I will even reserve a seat for you, just not at my favorite table.