Loris Times

Photo by Annie Rigby
Jeff Sisk stops working on the final touches before the big opening Wednesday to pose for a picture.  Also in the photo is Rector Sisk, Jeff’s father and quality control manager as well as the biggest supporter for Jeff and the staff in their grand opening.

By Annie Rigby
Staff Writer
Look out Ma!  Loris has a new pancake and waffle restaurant.  The Sunshine Pancake House, owned by Jeff Sisk, opened its doors on Wednesday, May 15, at 6 a.m. sharp.
Sisk chose Loris for the location of the Sunshine Pancake House because he wants to help the community grow.  Providing jobs to people in the area has been one step Sisk took in helping Loris grow.  Sisk states, “We are looking to purchase our fruits at a local farm.”  As he came to Loris from Calabash on Highway 9 he spotted Bellamy Farms and will work with them for his fresh fruits.  His plan is to provide many locally grown and homemade items on his menu.
Sisk contacted the Loris High School Art Department to paint a mural on the wall inside the restaurant.  “I love helping the kids out,” says Sisk, “they did an awesome job and their talents are fantastic.”  This was only a part of the extensive renovations made to the building that housed Richard’s BBQ and Scott’s Restaurant; ceiling fans, wooden ceiling beams, to closing in where the kitchen cannot be seen by the customers.  “I had another mural in another restaurant I owned in Calabash, where I learned the mural became the trademark conversation piece,” says Sisk.  The students, under the supervision of Emily Vail, painted a sunshine on the wall where it is noticeable when entering the restaurant.  Students who donated their talents and time are Casey Stroud, Paris Jordan, Rakata Andrews, Courtney Planty and Vinny Bianculli.
Sisk has 20 years experience as a restaurant owner and clearly knows what he wants and his desire to utilize local community resources.  The beginning by utilizing art students from LHS, to purchasing freshly baked breads and local farmers, the Thursday afternoon Farmers Market on Meeting Street.  “I want to continue to utilize local businesses to work with me.” says Sisk. “Our menu was printed locally, it took a little longer than the bigger companies, we care about quality and have found the menus to be exactly as we designed them.”
The Sunshine Pancake House has provided Loris and Green Sea residents to become part of a team as servers for breakfast and lunch.  Brandy Rogers, who has 20 years experience as a server, lives in Green Sea and has found a home in Loris and will be moving in the next few weeks.  Phyllis Harris, from Loris all her life, was excited to obtain a job as a server at the pancake house.  “It’s a job!” says Harris, “This has been a blessing and to work here in Loris is a bonus.”
Sunshine Pancake House will be open seven days a week with breakfast, which is served from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Lunchtime menu items begin at 11 a.m.  Some of the menu items include egg combinations from over easy, scrambled to poached, grits, country steak and of course waffles, French toast and pancakes.  The lunchtime menu includes homemade pattied burgers, hot or cold sandwiches, soups, salads, spaghetti with meatballs and chicken.  A seafood menu includes ‘real Maryland crab cakes’.  The ‘Blue Plate Specials’ feature entrees of fried chicken, open face pot roast and liver and onions.  The special is a combination of the specials listed and comes with two sides (signature steak fries, oatmeal, onion rings) and coffee or tea all at a cost of $6.50 plus tax.  Breakfast specials are $5.95 plus tax. Try their sampler special of one pancake, one french toast, one egg, one piece of bacon or sausage link.  Sunshine Pancake House brings fresh sausage links; like none other. They are larger than average links purchased in the store for home. This sausage has a pleasant taste with just a little kick to it.
Wendi Dorman was called to help manage the restaurant and holds the title of general manager of the Sunshine Pancake House.  “I have worked with and for Jeff.  He called me to ask if I wanted to help with the restaurant.  I did not question it at all; I spoke up with a yes! For sure.”  Dorman explains, “Since I worked with Jeff in Calabash, and when he offered me this position it proved to me that he had faith in me to handle things smoothly.”  Already the staff gathered to clean, scrub and prepare for the opening.  “It’s been busy, sometimes so busy getting ready, that we had to place a sign that stated, “Under construction please do not enter the building,” had been posted on the door to the restaurant to assure the safety.
Sisk states that he is looking forward to the Sunday crowd, “They can come by after church and enjoy our lunch menus or a full breakfast.”  Loris has not had a sit-down restaurant for after church patrons since The Coffee Shop closed its doors. 
To entertain your pallets with pancakes and waffles or oatmeal and grits, stop by Sunshine Pancakes House at 3499 Main Street.  There are take-out menu items available.  Sisk cannot stress enough that breakfast is served from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily.