A Norco cafe owner thought a waitress was joking when she discovered what looked like the face of Jesus on a pancake the morning of Good Friday, April 18.''
Running a cafe during the recession has been tough. She and husband Gary downsized four years ago, selling their Norco house and horses to keep the cafe going.
She said the night before she prayed for God to continue watching over the Cowgirl Cafe.“For that to happen the next morning, on Good Friday -- I felt like it was a sign for me,” she said.
Hendrickson texted friends and family, posted a photo on Facebook and contacted the local media.
Sales seemed to jump and new people turned up at the cafe Saturday.
Customer Nancy Valles, who lives in Corona, said she got chills Tuesday looking at the pancake’s picture because of the way the eyes, nose, beard and hair stood out. Some Catholics bless bread the Thursday before Good Friday in honor of Jesus’ last meal, she said.
Valles said she has heard stories of tortillas with Jesus’ image made on Good Friday -- and has seen some made by an aunt.
“Not on pancakes -- just on tortillas,” she said.
Not everyone sees a religious image on the pancake. Some poked fun at the picture on Facebook, saying it looked like Charles Manson.
Customer Ernie Soliz, 46, of Norco looked at the photo on his way out.
“It looks more like Abraham Lincoln,” he said, laughing.
Hendrickson, who is preserving the pancake for eternity in her freezer at home, said she’d bring the pancake back if enough interest was shown but keep the pancake under close watch after reading someone broke into a coffeehouse to steal a cinnamon roll said to contain Mother Teresa's face.
“I was just afraid somebody would take [Jesus] for themselves. I don't want to take any chances,” she laughed.
Sigh. I do this so you don't have to - you're welcome.