1960's

1965 - GILBERT PLACE, ADELAIDE - SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Two lowly newspaper artists in their early twenties were walking through a hidden lane way deep in the heart of Adelaide, Gilbert Place, when they passed what they had always known to be a burnt-out delicatessen. There was a new sign prominent. It simply said “The Pancake Kitchen.”

With high hopes and little money, the building site had been secured for five pounds a week, a mere ten dollars these days. The co-founders, Allen and Helen Trachsel and Roger Meadmore, had definite ideas on what their pancake kitchen would be; a friendly place, a rendezvous, somewhere you could relax, read the newspaper, play a game of chess or simply enjoy a cup of coffee.

They wanted somewhere that was a home away from home, reflected the character of the city and its people and most of all, an Australian restaurant with a distinct atmosphere and culinary style. The plan was to serve pancakes all day long for breakfast, lunch, dinner and supper with both sweet and savoury toppings.

“The fare,” the founders had chosen was what most Australians knew of as “Sunday supper with lemon and sugar.”

People peered into the building site jeering “Pancakes?", "A whole restaurant?", " Hmm, good luck with that!”

But they opened ... and held their breath.

The people came.

Right from the start people seemed to appreciate this was something different and obviously they liked it from the way the crowds immediately grew and familiar faces kept coming back.

From Bill Hickling, the very first customer, to a swell of patrons, it turned into chaos. Customers were washing dishes, waiting tables ... and just waiting!

 With The Pancake Kitchen on a direct line to most of the live theatre venues, the restaurant rapidly became the place to be. Most of the overseas artists ate there before or after their shows and even Barry Humphries was a regular!

 1969 - MARKET LANE, MELBOURNE

In 1969 Allen and Helen made the move to Victoria to expand their industrious enterprise. In the heart of the city in Melbourne’s Market Lane, the very first Melbourne Pancake Parlour was established. Restaurants were now licensed and America was on the moon.