Thursday 8 September 2011

Nom Nom Nom in The Peg: Original Pancake House


Every time I'm back in Winnipeg, I try to make it to the Original Pancake House on Pembina Highway for a Baby German pancake. It's my favourite kind of pancake and I can't (*sob*) get one anywhere in Edmonton.

A Baby German pancake is baked in the oven. Brown, with slightly upturned edges, it has a denser texture than a griddle cake. And you don't eat it with syrup, oh no. You squeeze fresh, juicy lemon wedges all over it and then shake icing sugar on top. The thick sugar dissolves in the lemon juice and makes a creamy, delicious sauce. Mmmmm, heavenly!

The Original Pancake House was one of my old stomping grounds when I was a university student. It was a little shabby and rundown in those days. The owner obviously did not want to put a lot of money into upgrading or refreshing the decor. A skinny old geezer, he always sat on a hard wooden chair near the cash register at the entrance so he could keep his rheumy gimlet eyes on the waitresses and kitchen staff at the same time. He just sat there hour after hour, the undoubted king of his castle, barking out an occasional command.

After his death, the family extensively renovated the restaurant and added a beautiful solarium wing. No wonder it's one of Winnipeg's most enduringly popular brunch spots. I think they have a couple more locations now too. But I always return to the original Original.

And you know what? Even with all the changes, they still use the same brown coffee mugs they used in the 1970s! I suspect the old geezer's ghost likes that.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

great little bit of history of a place i frequent often. well, i frequent the local pancake house, not the original.

Anonymous said...

how cool is that.I like that they still use the same mugs,, some things not changing is what can bring real joy to our lives.I have never had a german pancake but they sound heavenly,,

Andrea on Third Street said...

Sounds scrumptious!

Plowing Through Life (Martha) said...

I've never had one of these, but it sounds delicious. I like that they still use the same mugs. It's always sweet that a little bit of your past is still around.

Caroline said...

OMG...LOVE me a German pancake! The old brown mugs...not so much! LOL

A Beer for the Shower said...

That sounds fantastic, and I love a good pancake, but I'll have to admit I giggled a little when you said you were eating a baby German.

Wendilea said...

Nice little bit of nostalgia Debra. I enjoyed your telling of it!

Snap said...

I think I'll go have breakfast ... again! :D :D

mermaid gallery said...

it does sound very good....but every mug has it's day....might be time for a bit more of a make over...hope they clean the kitchen and don't get all nostalgic over that!

mxtodis123 said...

Sounds delicious. I'd love to try one.
Mary

Tamara said...

ooooo yum!! Those pancakes sound amazing..i'm a pancake lover thats for sure lol You are the 2nd blog that has talked about food this morning and now I'm starving! lol

Blueberry said...

I've never ever had a Baby German pancake (or heard of it). Sounds yummy!

Travis Erwin said...

I can smell the bacon.

Elena said...

Mmmmm sounds heavenly! Love places with history like that. Thanks for sharing!

yellowdoggranny said...

don't you just love places like that..?...and that German pancake sound delicious.

young-eclectic-encounters said...

Isn't it wonderful when you can go back to the past and find it every bit as wonderful as you remebered or as in your case even better. For this last birthday I got Chicago style pizza from the same restuarant (my favorite) I went to as teenager. They now deliver all across the US and I was in heaven.
Johnina :D

DB Stewart said...

*jealous face*

Anonymous said...

I am literally salivating. SALIVATING I tell you!

Jim said...

Sounds heavenly!

Jeanne said...

Have never heard of a Baby German pancake... will have to search around here in the States for one....
In the mean time, will have to suffer through the heavenly pancakes Hubby makes from a recipe handed down from his Grandmother.

Tricky Nag said...

I love places like this. Next time I'm through there I'm hunting down the original and having a baby German pancake.

Andrew said...

OH, God. There are few things I love more than a good old fashioned pancake house like that....
Love the sign!

Helen said...

I was just lamenting this week about how the local pancake restaurant was no more. It is so sad when something special like that is gone forever.