Jack Pandl’s is a family run German restaurant that has been a fixture in Whitefish Bay since it was opened in 1915 by Anna and John Pandl. It was passed on to their sons, George and Jack, and now to Jack’s son, John.  George’s sons, Jim and Jerry, owned three restaurants, including Eagan’s on Water, which has also closed and the Waterfront Deli, also on Water St. in Milwaukee.

This is the gigantic pancake Jack Pandl’s is famous for, served with the preferred garnish of sprinkled powdered sugar and the juice of a wedge or two of lemon. If you must, pure maple syrup is allowed. Jack Pandl’s Whitefish Bay Inn is located at 1319 E. Henry Clay, Whitefish Bay, Wis.; the phone number is (414) 964-3800.

Jack Pandl’s German Pancake

Ingredients:

1/2 c. flour

1/2 c. milk

Pinch of salt

4 eggs

1 T. butter

1 T. vegetable shortening

Lemon wedges

Confectioners’ sugar (sifted if lumpy)

Preheat oven to 425 F. Mix flour, milk and salt together until smooth. Add eggs and beat until smooth. Melt butter and shortening together in a 9-10″ slope-sided (frying) pan with an oven-proof handle. Pour batter in pan and cook over medium heat until the bottom of the pancake is brown, but some uncooked batter remains on top — about 3 min.

Flip the pancake over while the top is still uncooked, being careful of the splatter from hot uncooked batter. Immediately, make a crisscross “X” cut all the way through the pancake, edge to edge. Put the pan in the preheated oven, 6-10 min., until edges brown. It will rise 3-5″ above the pan, and the crisscross cut will close.

When done, remove pancake from the pan, sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar, and serve with extra sugar and lemon wedges on the side.