THE ORIGINAL PANCAKE HOUSE
Neighbourhood: River Heights
Address: 1170 Taylor Ave
Phone: 204-947-5077
Entrees: $12 – $20
While Winnipeg’s status as a food city spurs self-appointed gourmands to a predilection for the trend of the moment, certain places and dishes have complete staying power, beyond trend factor. Perhaps it is nostalgia, tradition, or just the right combination of butter, sugar, flour and cinnamon—in any case, The Original Pancake House won’t be giving up its place in Winnipeg’s heart any time soon.
Though its first location, which opened its doors on Pembina Hwy in 1958, and The Forks destination have been replaced with stylish spaces boasting espresso makers for fancier coffees, this daytime hub remains a family friendly stalwart for Winnipeggers seeking nostalgia with their indulgence.
The most recent addition emerged last summer on Taylor Avenue, amid seasonal construction, and inconvenient traffic delays. The messy surroundings didn’t discourage enthusiastic fans that flooded in as soon as it opened and still happily wait in queue for a table at peak times.
Strange magic is at play that allows shifting ratios of ingredients to create a plethora of breakfast foods. Batters producing classic fluffy buttermilk pancakes, Belgian-style waffles, French toast, and delicate crêpes, are used as vehicles for toppings of fresh berries, or, for the unabashed sweet tooth, banana split fixings.
Nods to current dining trends dot the menu, keeping pace with the times like the new stylish settings. From creative cocktails and pancake flights to bountiful lunch bowls and Nashville chicken paired with waffles or stacked in a sandwich, new specialties are beautifully prepared.
Blintzes are a longstanding crowd pleaser. The plump packages of tangy ricotta and cream cheese are lightly crisped on top and served with fresh fruit. Ricotta cheese, featured in a new lemon ricotta pancake, is equally pleasing. The delicately flavoured pancake, topped with citrus curd and whipped cream delivers fresh tangy bites.
Despite noteworthy additions, German-style pancakes are the main attraction for many loyalists. Oven baked treats with chewy, crêpe-like centres and crispy edges are accented simply with lemon wedges and powdered sugar, or taken to the savoury side with ham, cheese, or veggies. The best iteration is the giant apple pancake, laden with a bubbling mixture of cinnamon sugar-coated apples which add caramelized nooks and crannies to the equation. With a delicacy like this served all day, it’s hard to resist the call of tradition.
