Josh Anderson, a California native turned Mississippi pancake maker has been serving up smiles on the Mississippi State University Drill Field through the power of free pancakes.
Anderson has been making and serving free pancakes every Monday morning on the Drill Field since last spring. Anderson said he wanted to make Mondays more enjoyable for students.
Students with Monday morning classes can stop by Anderson’s table and grab a pancake, some syrup and a high five to help them through the day.
Anderson said his goal is to chase away the ever-pervasive Monday blues.
“I really enjoy cooking, and I like cooking for other people,” Anderson said. “Mondays are already pretty rough, so why not make them better? Some people have early classes, and they might need the boost.”
Anderson grew up and attended college in California, where the pancake tradition all began.
“I made pancakes for people when I was in college, and I found myself thinking, you know what Mississippi State University’s students need? Free pancakes,” Anderson said.
Anderson works with the Reformed University Fellowship, a campus ministry. The pancakes, however, are not RUF-affiliated.
“Pancakes are for everybody,” Anderson said, flipping a golden, sizzling pancake on the griddle. “I’m just here to provide pancakes to people on campus in general. I want to encourage everybody, and what better way to do that than with free pancakes?”
Anderson sets up with his griddle and his pancake mix on a white plastic table every Monday morning on the Drill Field. Once his setup is complete, Anderson gets to work and does not slow down until he is out of pancake mix.
When asked about his recipe, Anderson laughed. He flipped another pancake.
“It’s just Bisquik,” Anderson said. “I wish I could say it was a recipe my grandma taught or something, but it’s just not,” he joked as he handed over a warm pancake on a paper towel. “I usually have plates and forks, but I ran out. I’ve had more people than expected recently, which is a good thing. This was my first time running out of plates.”
Anderson said he has a secret ingredient, and it is all in the butter.
“Kerrygold butter is the secret, but you can put that in the paper. It is an Irish imported butter, and it is the best butter you will ever have,” Anderson said. “I cook the pancakes in the butter so that the butter can caramelize. I don’t just put the butter in the mix. It makes the pancakes really good and really brings out the flavor.”
Students who congregated around Anderson’s table to laugh, talk and eat pancakes attested to the pancakes’ excellence.
Ellen DuPre, a student and pancake fan, only had one suggestion.
“I wish he did have a dairy-free option,” DuPre said. “But that’s my only wish.”
While Anderson may not have dairy-free pancakes, he does occasionally offer chocolate chip pancakes.
“Last week I did have chocolate chip,” Anderson said. “Those were pretty popular.”
Matthew Aulthouse, a junior mechanical engineering major, overheard the discussion of pancake flavors. He praised the chocolate chip.
“Those chocolate chip pancakes were good. They are a ten out of ten,” Aulthouse said, drizzling some syrup over a pancake.
Will Porada, a sophomore marketing major, reached for another pancake. He said the free pancakes gave him a mental health boost.
“I really appreciate what Josh is doing out here on the Drill Field. I have a 9 a.m. and it’s nice and encouraging to be able to get a pancake,” Porada said.
Anderson said the demand for pancakes is always increasing.
“It just keeps growing and growing,” Anderson said. “I keep having more and more people come. I guess it’s catching on, or people are becoming more aware. I’m definitely going to have to buy more plates.”

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Courtesy Photo | Tierrah J. Tidwell

Ashley Holcomb, a senior, enjoys a free pancake outside the union.