“On a Scale of Zero to Legit, It’s on Legit”
Sometimes Guy Fieri encounters a dish so wonderfully bizarre that it defies all culinary logic—and yet somehow works perfectly. That’s exactly what happened in Burlington, Vermont’s Old North End, where a spot called Butchered Babes is serving up what Guy called “the weirdest thing I’ve seen on the menu in a long time”: Mac and Cheese Pancakes topped with hot dogs and habanero maple syrup.
Grandma’s Chic with a Modern Twist
The philosophy at this Burlington joint is simple but compelling. As the chef explained to Guy, “I like to make old-school classic dishes with my own modern twist.” She describes the menu as “produce driven, grandma’s chic”—a phrase that had Guy doing a double-take. And rightfully so. This isn’t your grandmother’s pancake breakfast.
The restaurant is run by “two gals taking it old school,” as Guy put it, and they’ve created something that sounds like it shouldn’t exist but absolutely does—and it’s “so legit” that Guy couldn’t stop praising it.
Don't lose this list! Drop your email and we'll send it to you, so you've got it handy next time you're hungry or planning a trip.
The Build: How They Make Mac and Cheese Pancakes
The foundation starts with a classic buttermilk pancake batter—flour, salt, baking soda, eggs, and buttermilk, mixed together. But that’s where normal ends.
Into the batter goes cooked elbow macaroni, Vermont cheddar cheese, and hot dog slices. The chef noted that the hot dogs were her husband’s addition to the recipe. Once the batter hits the griddle, they press it down and spray the top with nonstick spray. Then comes the magic: they flip it, letting the cheese melt and create what Guy called a “gigantic skirt” of crispy, crunchy cheese around the edges.
The finishing touch? Scallions and a drizzle of habanero maple syrup—made by bringing Vermont maple syrup (grade-A dark color, robust taste) to a boil with habaneros and letting it steep for about three hours.
Guy’s Reaction: Pure Enthusiasm
Guy didn’t hold back on this one. “This is outrageous,” he declared while eating. The cheese skirt reminded him of “the Squeeze in Sacramento back in the day”—high praise from someone who’s eaten at thousands of restaurants. He broke down exactly why it works: “The crunchy part and the creamy part of the mac and cheese, the saltiness of something you don’t get enough of which is hot dogs, then you dip it into a slightly spicy Vermont maple.”
His final verdict? “It’s all my favorite things… it sounds like the weirdest thing I’ve seen on the menu in a long time and it is so legit. Well done.”
Tips from the Kitchen
If you’re inspired to try something creative at home, here’s what we learned from this segment:
Make your own infused syrup: Steep habaneros in maple syrup by bringing it to a boil, then letting it sit for about three hours. The result is a “slightly spicy” sweetness that complements savory dishes beautifully.
Create a cheese skirt: Spray the top of your pancake before flipping, and let the cheese melt out onto the griddle. That crispy cheese edge is what Guy called “money.”
For more adventures in creative comfort food, check out dishes like a Butter Burger at Crest Cafe or the unexpected brilliance of Chicken Chili Corn Chip Pie. And if you’re looking for Triple D spots to visit, explore our full restaurant directory.