A Day Making the Most Popular Pancakes in NYC | On The Line | Bon Appétit

“We make the best pancakes in New York. We sell over 400 pancakes per day.” Go behind the scenes at Chez Ma Tante with Sous Chef Fernando Natividad and see how he prepares to serve 400 of their renowned pancakes per day during the brunch rush.
Director: Gunsel Pehlivan
Director of Photography: Kevin Dynia
Editor: Jamie Gordon
Featuring: Fernando Natividad
Creative Producer: Parisa Kosari
Line Producer: Jen McGinity
Associate Producer: Oadhan Lynch
Production Manager: Janine Dispensa
Production Coordinator: Elizabeth Hymes
Camera Operator: Jake Roobbins
Assistant Camera: Roberto Herrera
Sound Recordist: Mike Guggino
Post Production Supervisor: Andrea Farr
Post Production Coordinator: Scout Alter
Supervising Editor: Eduardo Araujo
Additional Editor: JC Scruggs
Assistant Editor: Justin Symonds
Filmed on Location at Chez Ma Tante
Want Bon Appétit shirts, hats and more? shop.bonappeti...
Still haven’t subscribed to Bon Appétit on KZbin? ►► bit.ly/1TLeyPn
Want more Bon Appétit in your life? Subscribe to the magazine! bit.ly/313UWRu
ABOUT BON APPÉTIT
Bon Appétit is a highly opinionated food brand that wants everyone to love cooking and eating as much as we do. We believe in seasonal produce, properly salted pasta water, and developing recipes that anyone can make at home.

[@danielfox3003]

American restaurant, European style food, Mexican chefs, I love it.

[@jchastain789]

Hella common in the foodservice industry

[@aramdeara1]

Nothing more American than making your costs lower by hiring cheaper labour and then complaining that they should all be sent back.

[@ChuAlready]

Mixing pot of culture. Equals great food

[@danielmorales1981]

The best comment 😂

[@dntansrqs1341]

Calm down

[@MrNathancast]

This chef has class, grace and charisma. More of him.

[@duncanj9696]

he's the best! i love him

[@ladymissp1880]

Could listen to him all day!

[@roberteng3567]

As a former cook/kitchen manager, I love how he asks he asks his team to taste his products.

[@BeyondDestiny]

You can tell this guy is very passionate about his job. Big props to him.

[@4ran5ilva]

so so so proud to see my mexican brothers getting the recognition they deserve

[@timothyb.4928]

Wait till u hear how popular ur guy's tacos n margaritas r up here. Ur gona freak

[@DrVonNostrand]

No mames

[@tioswift3676]

For real. Pedro at my local Taco Bell cooks up authentic Mexican tacos there. Amazing!

[@HavenUpsurge]

@@tioswift3676 idiot

[@timmyturner013]

The hefty tips I leave at my local margarita bar are me recognizing the craft

[@CoreyWBaker]

That was the SINGLE best zesting job of a lemon I have ever seen.

[@spiraljumper74]

He’s definitely got the precise amount of pressure required to get all the zest and none of the pith saved in his muscle memory.

[@stoneysscapes7544]

​@@spiraljumper74some of the best Zest Masters have shared the secret technique , " It's all in the wrist "

[@sweetshoez]

My mom makes crispy pancakes like this so I’ve never been impressed by breakfast restaurants serving me soft, floppy pancakes. These look awesome

[@chino581991]

How do you make em? I’ve never liked pancakes because the soft texture but these look great

[@TheNunakun]

​@@chino581991for crispy, use more butter and higher temp

[@sweetshoez]

@@chino581991 hard to explain but one easy way is you can used boxed pearl milling company pancake mix and just fry the batter on a flat surface with an embarrassing amount of margin or butter. Trick is to not have it so hot that it scorches but hot enough to where you get delicious crispy browning

[@gustavofring-thechickenman]

Crispy pancakes are the only way… you’ll never go back

[@riseofazrael]

@@gustavofring-thechickenman waffles are superior for this very reason

[@eatonrepeat]

I love watching the hardest working people in the industry taking on managerial jobs. I hope they are paying him well!

[@gantz0949]

Whatever u paying this chef double it. He literally can do everything

[@timcox9650]

So calm and professional. And talented in making a wide variety of dishes. Fascinating to watch. Thanks for the video.

[@robertstanley9633]

He seems like a great teacher!

[@krschulman]

Chef Natividad is so talented, hard-working and such a nice guy - I loved watching his process and the food looks so delicious. Great video!

[@zeth9965]

Guys like this make me feel proud to be in this industry.

[@Jc-nt4ro]

There is a Mexican cooking/cleaning while playing Banda in every fine restaurant kitchen across America. Glad to see the representation.

[@fresh2defff]

not really banda, most are playing cumbias or romanticas

[@hahahajackmyswag]

Why not return to your own country with your own kind

[@NatasshjaSoncini]

The most calmed kitchen I’ve seen! Amazing energy and so much passion!!

[@joshpoi886]

8:10 love that chef asks another for his opinion and immediately respects it

[@AnarchoLoserist]

did...did he eat a spoonful of raw pork for that though? or did I miss something crucical

[@carlosperalta5019]

@@AnarchoLoseristit’s been cooked 2 hrs

[@AnarchoLoserist]

@@carlosperalta5019 ah okay that makes sense

[@Bizzozeron]

As foreign as it can be to see a pigs head served to eat for me personally, I'm always thankful that the animals are getting used as best they can so they don't go to waste. Thanks for serving it!

[@simplyjanice]

This one was of the best episodes of this series! I loved Chef Natividad and this restaurant is definitely on my must try list :D

[@strange_ranger1]

mexicans are the backbone of the restaurant industry in this country. they bring a very specific and honest sort of 'blue collar artistry' to food and kitchens. mexican food is the best, imo. its a shame that the border controversy has cast a negative light on all of this. the border needs to be controlled, but we also need to give respect and credit where it's due. both can happen at the same time. we are a better country because of mexican-americans.

[@OTownReview]

Well said.

[@hoosierbaddy3052]

Absolutely! I live in California and have worked in the restaurant industry for years. The entire back of the house were Hispanic. The Spanish that I learned in high school came in handy. They also pick the produce that self entitled Americans cannot bring themselves to do.

[@diorv2402]

💯

[@mikerob2134]

Taco Bell

[@Nashinash]

We know that. It’s the cartels and the WEF militia that people have a problem with.

[@normp3273]

There's nothing more beautiful than a cook who is passionate, loves his or her job and takes pride in serving delicious food gracefully. The Sous Chef speaks clearly and is easy to understand. It's like poetry in motion. 👍

[@neatsuhdude]

it makes me happy to see immigrants finding their passion and furthermore real success and enjoyment regardless of the challenges that they are confronted with, like chicharito said "imaginemos cosas chingonas"

[@jayleno2192]

This place looks pretty legit. Fernando definitely knows what he's doing!

[@joebriggs5781]

Those pancakes looked immaculate

[@FunnyLittleGuys]

Was there a few weeks ago and I’m pretty sure this guy made my pancakes because they were FANTASTIC 🤣👏

[@GUADALUPEFABIAN-df6dh]

Nice, que bonito reconocer Latinos. We are part of the team that makes business run pero también corer nuestros propios negocios es increíble. Gracias a todos quienes invierten su tiempo. I love it! Keep spreading the love through food.

[@mattalgrand]

Mexican chefs can do any type of food and make it sing.

[@diorv2402]

bro look in the kitchen of a restaurant and mexicans are there 💯

[@williaminla]

Really was a great video. A guy who really loves what he does and passes that love onto the people he makes food for

[@NobuAtreides]

una maravilla de video gracias Bon Appetit, un orgullo ver a nuestros paisanos, hacer lo que saben hacer, buena comida

[@DrVonNostrand]

No mames

[@tonytbd6232]

I have loved this series of going to a dining location and having a chef or head barkeep give you a tour and talk about their day. Looking behind the kitchen doors so to speak... just fascinating - and what talent... BRAVO.

[@ulysses51691]

Asking the opinion of his workers for food that HE prepped says alot about the guy. Wish him all the best

[@heymike_49]

I must have these pancakes🤤

[@StevenPahe]

I worked at a sushi restaurant n the mexican workers who had 15 plusbyears experience...was watching me..n saw that i didnt complain but worked hard..n they showed all the tricks in working in the kitchen...respectos

[@timhagstrom5933]

It's nice to see someone who takes pride in and ownership of their job in a genuine way. Food looks great as well!

[@dextersmithbsee]

My grandmother made crispy little pancakes which she served with black molasses and butter. I still think about those some 40 years ago.

[@joebriggs5781]

Haha molasses can be intense, the butter prob helps

[@jorgebrito-t6u]

Love seeing this , my Mexican brothers are all in ! Next step the chef needs his own restaurant

[@mariiix3vz531]

Love this eso es todo 👏🏽🇲🇽

[@TheOne-ql8qd]

This was a great watch. He explained everything so well

[@JecBreatheYoga]

Going to NYC in December, Chef Natividad is the reason I’m coming to dine here. Love this! 🇲🇽🥞

[@MiguelHernandezbk]

You’re paying for quality! This place is amazing the pancakes alone will do the flavors are amazing! Every bite is memorable!

[@henrycruz3547]

Fantastic job chef! Seeing my fellow Mexican people doing great things in the kitchen will forever fill my heart with joy.

[@rs.9165]

i'm sure people can taste all the love he puts in his food!

[@OTownReview]

Made these this morning for Xmas. They were amazing.

[@angelica5709]

Can I have the recipe, please? I'm trying to figure it out but I can't get the ratios.

[@ridethespiral1219]

I love this guy!

[@fabianchiqui4234]

This is inspiring…thanks for sharing. This is the meaning of the American Dream.

[@gkavi330]

It's incredible how contagious and inspiring Chef Natividad's passion is. This video spotlights him fully immersed in what he loves and serves as a powerful reminder to pursue our own passions with equal fervor. Gracias Chef Natividad! Espero probar tus platos algún día!

[@g-bgcg]

Oh yeah… the pancakes look amazing. What a super nice chef. Thanks for the video!

[@true_jw]

He's a natural. Makes it look easy, a sign of mastery.

[@BigDib18]

Did you know that they sell 400 orders of Pancakes? Lol love this guy!

[@CraftsByKwan9]

This is such a pleasure to watch someone do what they love.

[@shyamalpurani]

You got me at pancakes

[@DuDieselDude]

people still eat pancakes?

[@j.s3300]

@@DuDieselDudethe smart ones

[@christrout9902]

yes, are you stupid?@@DuDieselDude

[@enriquebanuelos5151]

Mexicanos chingones haciendo cosas chingonas❤️

[@VivianRP]

Congratulations …. You are amazing and worked hard to have your business….happy to see people succeed . I love love pancakes! Thank you!!

[@Markb51291]

Great Chef and great leader

[@oliviamurray664]

He is so proud of his heritage and culture! It's a joy to watch him ❤

[@henlolneh]

One of the best On The Line episodes by far~

[@tonyc739]

My wife swears I make the best pancakes because of the crispy edges I feel validated 😂😂

[@marissa5074]

Same! I only know how to make crispy pancakes and my husband loves them!

[@jaysowavy4203]

So proud to be Mexican

[@karizmaone]

¡Viva Mexico!

[@brittanyb5942]

I love pancakes with the crispy ring around them 🤤

[@VastlyGames]

Yea this is a perfect pancake, they should be crispy on the outside and melt in the middle. Love it.

[@goudagirl6095]

Ain't nothing better than CRISPY EDGE pancakes, I tell ya. The BEST. This place - and this guy - are amazing. Wish I could visit someday!

[@barneyvelarde6648]

Impressive chef. Makes my Mexican heritage feel proud.

[@eagledice2008]

I love these Chefs

[@nikkiseashores82]

I was drooling at those pancakes

[@dafnenavarro7080]

que bonito tiene mucha diccion, buen host deberia tener su propio programa! mucha calma y apasionado, muchas felicidades Chef!! desde mexico lindo y querido con mucho amor :D

[@greenmt1100]

Thanks for using our 100% vermont maple syrup!! Can’t beat the real stuff!!

[@writereducator]

Fernando: "I must now taste these pancakes. It is my duty." Lucky fellow!

[@NostromoFeratu]

I'm no chef but I've always been a proponent of smaller and crispier pancakes. I never understood why people want big fluffy doughy pancakes when they can be crispy and caramelized and so much better.

[@vincer7824]

Yeah 90% of the time they’re just big tender pillows or tough pillows, no crisp anywhere makes me sad.

[@rossanalombardo6271]

Pancakes look wonderful, but I prefer to have the syrup on the side in the small bowl pouring the syrup over the pancakes will just make them soggy and he works so hard giving them a beautiful Crisp exterior

[@naveensilva2312]

Definitely want to go try this place whenever I get to NYC

[@hcf23445]

Well done Chef! Respect!!

[@DR-fd7sw]

I know them pancakes are 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@f25mart]

One of the great representations of the pillars of our country - Great job, Chef Natividad

[@dralissa123]

I enjoyed this chef

[@before-berry]

Those pancakes are perfect! Nice job chef I love it 💟🫶🏾

[@mohenn22smith27]

Well run kitchen. Experience and passion come together. I’m drooling over the pancakes!

[@nancylovebucket2467]

He loves what he does and he takes pride in doing his best. Loved the video.

[@prot6liv981]

Pure magic he is a master

[@parkjoe1]

Absolute Maestro. Thank you for this episode

[@felisapaul5738]

I look forward to visiting the restaurant. I will definitely order the pancakes!😊

[@ChuAlready]

This guy knows what he’s doing 🫡

[@cesardanielhernandez7965]

Guey eres grande...bien chingon guey sigue pa'rriba. Well done 👏

[@pikkuu2002]

he seems so happy making his pancakes

[@Lulu-bt3fn]

I loved hearing Chef show us these exceptional, authentic french Canadian dishes

[@danielpeters3634]

Chef is the best. Maybe not the best chef in the world. But he’s just the best.

[@candydream_123]

Mexican seasoning, simply the best there is

[@JesusLopez-kn4no]

Awesome Chef!

[@freddycugarjr]

Big ups 2 the chefs! Everything looks smackn!

[@elyset911]

I love hearing the Spanish explanations. I am trying to become more fluent and exposure helps!

[@Trielle703]

This was a nice watch. Thanks Chef🤌🏾🤌🏾

[@lorarrayolo]

Love his energy, he clearly loves what he does! The savory dishes look amazing, I would never be able to eat these pancakes, though 😬

[@itsthewestend]

These are really the best pancakes in NYC

[@alvaroapolinar7678]

chingon ver a mis paisanos

[@Shay-ShayTV]

I love a brown crispy-edged pancake. One of my favorite things ever.❤🎉

[@mep2737]

And the owner sitting somewhere with his laptop lol

[@no40]

facts, lol

[@Max-Blaze]

Yeah so? Without the owner there is no restaurant. Which means no job for those who are passionate about cooking. Everybody does their own part.

[@36_jenevieveyeo13]

the name is amazing! it means my aunts place in french, really screams comfort food

[@ofsoundmind28]

I love this episode, and I want to eat the food even more so! 🤤

[@tooniemama6959]

Beautiful story. He is living his dream. That is how i make my pancakes, fluffy, golden & crispy. Im gonna try his method and use clarified butter and lemon zest!

[@CyberDocUSA]

I've never seen these deep fried pancakes before but I'd give 'em a go!

[@rsm014]

Flattened donut

[@kjdude8765]

​@@rsm014or a thick Elephant ear.

[@theplacemats]

deep fried? he didn't deep fry them you fool

[@garyb2392]

This was awesome ! Gotta put this restaurant on my list to visit when I’m in Brooklyn !

[@Bravonewyork]

My pops name is hermogenes, I thought he was the only one in Mexico with that name 😂😂

[@JoseSanchez-oj5tm]

Representando la Raza 🤝🏽

[@smashthestateX]

everything juan touches is "to make caramelyze and crispy"