Though people are infinitely complex, I think it’s pretty easy to break up some of this individuality with some extremely important and divisive questions; however, there is one question that unearths countless new questions for either answer provided: Pancakes or waffles?

This simple question may seem harmless enough, but that’s what it wants you to think. It wants you to think, ‘Surely there’s a simple answer to this question that no one would refute!’ You thought wrong. This question has massive moral implications, whether you knew it or not. But now you do, so let’s observe both sides— yes, there are people that answer the other option!

Now, let me get one thing out there. I am a firm believer that pancakes are infinitely better. I cannot be convinced otherwise. I won’t. They are fluffy, easy to consume, wonderful to customize, and simply taste better. That being said, IHOP is a international treasure that destroys knock offs like Denny’s and Norm’s, and there’s a reason an entire restaurant franchise dedicated to pancakes reigns supreme.

Okay, now that that is out of the way, let’s move on! I brought up this discussion during a dinner with my family consisting of my mom, twin sister, older sister, and her boyfriend— let’s just say I was looking for a clean pancake sweep. However, to my horror, everyone but my twin said waffles! I’m simply ill just thinking about it. I always knew there was a reason my twin seemed reasonable sometimes, and now I know it’s because she prefers pancakes— great minds think alike!

When asked to back their opinions with logic and reasoning, they voiced that the crunch and customization set waffles apart from their cakey counterpart. However, their crunchy and confusing texture helps me feel so confident that pancakes are superior: When eating a pancake, cutting them into bite-sized pieces comes easily and in an organized way that makes the process of working through a flapjack or two a breeze as compared to the grid monstrosity that makes crumb free eating out of the question.

I know a Royal or two that agree with me, such as Adriana Arroyo ’23. Adriana backed her choice easily, as she said, “I prefer pancakes over waffles because of their taste and texture. If you make pancakes correctly, they have a filling fluffiness and a very sweet, pleasant taste. Pancakes also do a much better job at absorbing syrup and butter, which makes them all the more soft and enjoyable.”

Now, despite all of my hyperbole and grandeur, the choice is truly up to you. I personally believe that chocolate chip pancakes or some pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream trump Belgian waffles with gourmet syrup on top, but you might think the latter is the way to go.

Go ahead, you’re entitled to your own opinion— but know, somewhere out there, there’s a stack of delicious pancakes that would destroy any old plate of waffles. Take a dip into the other side and see if your opinion stands the test of opposites, and then decide which one is truly superior— I know I have!