LTH Home

Potato Pancakes

Potato Pancakes
  • Forum HomePost Reply BackTop
  • Potato Pancakes

    Post #1 - December 6th, 2006, 3:55 pm
    Post #1 - December 6th, 2006, 3:55 pm Post #1 - December 6th, 2006, 3:55 pm
    I am hosting a party this wkd and I am making an assortment of appetizers, to save myself some time I thought I would just by the potato pancakes from a store of some sort. Can anyone on the board help me out with a place to purchase good tater cakes at a reasonable price. I need about enough for 40 people give or take. Thanks.
  • Post #2 - December 6th, 2006, 4:02 pm
    Post #2 - December 6th, 2006, 4:02 pm Post #2 - December 6th, 2006, 4:02 pm
    Fox & Obel has latkes for $14 for a half dozen.

    That includes applesauce & sour cream as accompaniments.

    That's probably high end...but there's a place to start.
  • Post #3 - December 6th, 2006, 4:02 pm
    Post #3 - December 6th, 2006, 4:02 pm Post #3 - December 6th, 2006, 4:02 pm
    Since it's Hanukkah time, you can get probably get some pretty good ones at Kauffman's.

    Kauffman's Bagel and Deli
    4905 Dempster Street
    Skokie, IL
    847-677-6190
    Steve Z.

    “Only the pure in heart can make a good soup.”
    ― Ludwig van Beethoven
  • Post #4 - December 6th, 2006, 4:11 pm
    Post #4 - December 6th, 2006, 4:11 pm Post #4 - December 6th, 2006, 4:11 pm
    I would take Steve's advice assuming they're available.

    You could also give Goddess and the Grocer a try. I'm not really a particular fan of Goddess (I work across the street and go there about once every week or two now, mostly for soup), but they do a brisk catering trade around the various jewish holidays.


    The Goddess and the Grocer
    1646 N Damen Ave
    Chicago, IL 60647
    (773) 342-3200
    http://www.goddessandgrocer.com
    Ed Fisher
    my chicago food photos

    RIP LTH.
  • Post #5 - December 6th, 2006, 4:53 pm
    Post #5 - December 6th, 2006, 4:53 pm Post #5 - December 6th, 2006, 4:53 pm
    There is no such thing as a good store bought/pre made/frozen potato pancake.
  • Post #6 - December 6th, 2006, 5:11 pm
    Post #6 - December 6th, 2006, 5:11 pm Post #6 - December 6th, 2006, 5:11 pm
    kuhdo wrote:There is no such thing as a good store bought/pre made/frozen potato pancake.


    The ones at Kaufman's are not frozen. That would be unacceptable.
    Steve Z.

    “Only the pure in heart can make a good soup.”
    ― Ludwig van Beethoven
  • Post #7 - December 6th, 2006, 5:21 pm
    Post #7 - December 6th, 2006, 5:21 pm Post #7 - December 6th, 2006, 5:21 pm
    I agree, frozen are usually almost inedible.

    I've had the ones from Kaufmans, and while not horrible, they are , like all other pre-made potato pancakes I have ever tried, so far removed from the crispy ecstasy of a freshly fried latke to make the comparison almost silly. Hardly even the same dish.
  • Post #8 - December 6th, 2006, 5:22 pm
    Post #8 - December 6th, 2006, 5:22 pm Post #8 - December 6th, 2006, 5:22 pm
    If you live in or near an area with a large Polish population, most Polish [or "European"... what's up with that, anyway?] delis will have freshly-made potato pancakes available, and at a much lower price than Fox & Obel, I promise you. [Think last time I bought some I got 4 large ones for $2, but that's not a recollection I'll stand behind firmly.] A place like Rich's [which also has a location at Harlem & Lawrence] would have them, as well as any number of places on Milwaukee Ave. well into Niles. More searching for Polish delis will probably yield more.

    Giovanna
    =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=

    "Enjoy every sandwich."

    -Warren Zevon
  • Post #9 - December 6th, 2006, 6:06 pm
    Post #9 - December 6th, 2006, 6:06 pm Post #9 - December 6th, 2006, 6:06 pm
    The Jolly Inn at 6500 Irving Park is a Polish Buffet that puts out a pretty tasty potato pancake. I'm sure that you could have them made fresh. And I bet that they'll cost a lot less than some of the above suggestions.
  • Post #10 - August 10th, 2009, 8:19 pm
    Post #10 - August 10th, 2009, 8:19 pm Post #10 - August 10th, 2009, 8:19 pm
    I was visiting my parents last week and my mom made potato pancakes. I've made them a few times, but as my 12 year old says, "they're not as good as Oma's." This year I decided to record the making of the pancakes for posterity. Here are Christel's Potato Pancakes:

    The basic ingredients are white potatoes, yellow onions, oatmeal, eggs and salt.
    Image

    Shred peeled white potatoes in a food processor until it is about 3/4 full. Shred in 1/4 to 1/2 onion (or more if you like) into the potatoes.
    Image

    Put the mixing blade into the processor and add two eggs, two heaping spoonfuls of oats and 1/2 to 1 tsp. of salt. Mix until all ingredients are incorporated.
    Image

    Heat oil, shortening or a combination of both over medium-high heat. (You can also be very decadent and use bacon grease.)
    Image

    Spoon potato pancake batter into the oil and flatten a bit with the back of the spoon.
    Image

    Flip when first side is deep brown. (I was doing the frying and should have made them thinner; the finished product could have been crisper all the way through.)
    Image

    Serve with apple sauce and/or sour cream. I also like mine sprinkled with sugar.
    Image
    Ms. Ingie
    Life is too short, why skip dessert?
  • Post #11 - August 10th, 2009, 8:39 pm
    Post #11 - August 10th, 2009, 8:39 pm Post #11 - August 10th, 2009, 8:39 pm
    Ms. Ingie wrote:I was visiting my parents last week and my mom made potato pancakes. I've made them a few times, but as my 12 year old says, "they're not as good as Oma's." This year I decided to record the making of the pancakes for posterity. Here are Christel's Potato Pancakes:

    The basic ingredients are white potatoes, yellow onions, oatmeal, eggs and salt.

    Oatmeal? Very interesting. I don't believe I've ever seen one with oatmeal in the recipe but I'm intrigued. They look beautiful. How would you say the recipe compares with the typical potato pancake recipe which incorporates either flour or matzoh meal?
  • Post #12 - August 10th, 2009, 9:00 pm
    Post #12 - August 10th, 2009, 9:00 pm Post #12 - August 10th, 2009, 9:00 pm
    BR wrote:
    Ms. Ingie wrote:I was visiting my parents last week and my mom made potato pancakes. I've made them a few times, but as my 12 year old says, "they're not as good as Oma's." This year I decided to record the making of the pancakes for posterity. Here are Christel's Potato Pancakes:

    The basic ingredients are white potatoes, yellow onions, oatmeal, eggs and salt.

    Oatmeal? Very interesting. I don't believe I've ever seen one with oatmeal in the recipe but I'm intrigued. They look beautiful. How would you say the recipe compares with the typical potato pancake recipe which incorporates either flour or matzoh meal?


    Probably pretty much the same. I guess it's kind of like using oatmeal in meatloaf to bind the meat.
    Ms. Ingie
    Life is too short, why skip dessert?
  • Post #13 - August 11th, 2009, 5:15 am
    Post #13 - August 11th, 2009, 5:15 am Post #13 - August 11th, 2009, 5:15 am
    My guess is oatmeal in place of--for whatever reason--matzo meal.
    Gypsy Boy

    "I am not a glutton--I am an explorer of food." (Erma Bombeck)
  • Post #14 - August 11th, 2009, 7:05 am
    Post #14 - August 11th, 2009, 7:05 am Post #14 - August 11th, 2009, 7:05 am
    Gypsy Boy wrote:My guess is oatmeal in place of--for whatever reason--matzo meal.

    Sure, yes, agree, but never heard of, and am intrigued by, oatmeal.

    Nice Post Ms. Ingie, makes me want to make a batch of potato pancakes this morning.

    Enjoy,
    Gary
    Hold my beer . . .

    Low & Slow
  • Post #15 - August 11th, 2009, 1:34 pm
    Post #15 - August 11th, 2009, 1:34 pm Post #15 - August 11th, 2009, 1:34 pm
    I know the OP is an old one but as a reference, I would highly recommend Caesar's Deli on Damen in Ukrainian Village. She makes very nice potato pancakes as well as great pierogi, bagels, and assorted Polish products. You may be able to order the pancakes in bulk from her (sorry, I don't have a name but she's the only one there).

    CAESAR’S
    901 North Damen Ave.
    Chicago, Illinois 60622
    773-486-6190
    caesarschicago@sbcglobal.net
    http://caesarsfoods.com/
    "It's not that I'm on commission, it's just I've sifted through a lot of stuff and it's not worth filling up on the bland when the extraordinary is within equidistant tasting distance." - David Lebovitz
  • Post #16 - December 27th, 2012, 10:18 pm
    Post #16 - December 27th, 2012, 10:18 pm Post #16 - December 27th, 2012, 10:18 pm
    G Wiv wrote:
    Gypsy Boy wrote:My guess is oatmeal in place of--for whatever reason--matzo meal.

    Sure, yes, agree, but never heard of, and am intrigued by, oatmeal.

    Nice Post Ms. Ingie, makes me want to make a batch of potato pancakes this morning.

    Enjoy,
    Gary


    Ms. Ingie will be teaching how to make potato pancakes with oatmeal at the DANK Haus on 1/11/2013. The class is listed on the events board.
    viewtopic.php?f=19&t=36498
  • Post #17 - December 30th, 2012, 10:54 am
    Post #17 - December 30th, 2012, 10:54 am Post #17 - December 30th, 2012, 10:54 am
    mrsm wrote: Ms. Ingie will be teaching how to make potato pancakes with oatmeal at the DANK Haus on 1/11/2013. The class is listed on the events board.
    http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=36498


    I hadn't got a chance to post about it in an appropriate thread but after almost 6 years I made Ms. Ingie's potato pancakes for an authentic Wisconsin Style Fish Fry I did late this past Summer. The step by step picture guide up above made it so easy and they turned out GREAT. I'll never buy them pre-made again. One note though is to make sure you squeeze most of the water out of the shredded tato's. That allows them to really crisp up and not get too mushy.

    Image
    Perfection
  • Post #18 - January 7th, 2013, 2:24 pm
    Post #18 - January 7th, 2013, 2:24 pm Post #18 - January 7th, 2013, 2:24 pm
    [One note though is to make sure you squeeze most of the water out of the shredded tato's. That allows them to really crisp up and not get too mushy.]
    Image
    Perfection[/quote]

    Forgot to document that step. After the "batter" is mixed, we dump it into a strainer set over a bowl and press down with the back of a spoon to press out as much liquid as possible.
    Ms. Ingie
    Life is too short, why skip dessert?
  • Post #19 - January 8th, 2013, 3:39 pm
    Post #19 - January 8th, 2013, 3:39 pm Post #19 - January 8th, 2013, 3:39 pm
    Has anyone successfully made good potato pancakes without eggs? If so, would you be willing to share what you used as a substitute? There is an allergy issue involved for a family member.
    "I live on good soup, not on fine words." -Moliere
  • Post #20 - January 19th, 2013, 5:47 pm
    Post #20 - January 19th, 2013, 5:47 pm Post #20 - January 19th, 2013, 5:47 pm
    There are no "GOOD" store bought potato pancakes. I've looked & tried a lot of places over the Chicaho area.
    My mother made them. Labor intensive!!!
    Grade potatoes BY HAND on a grader. At the end, grade 1-2 heads of garlic into the potatoes. NO ONIONS. Add flour , egg and mix to a thick batter. In a cast iron pan, melt lard & fry 2-3 at a time. As close to heaven as you can get. I've used a food processor to grade
    potatoes. Much faster but not the same taste or consistency. Never again.
    My solution: Racine Bakery, 6500 S. Archer ( or so). Buy a square of Lithuanian Kugel. Around $ 2.99 per lb. Cut it 1/4 in. thick or to your choosing. Fry in a little butter & olive oil. Serve with sour cream & apple sauce. That's "good eats"
    If you don't like the bacon, call & ask for a square without.
    Much better than any potato pancakes.
    Enjoy
    Wally Wade
  • Post #21 - December 21st, 2024, 7:16 am
    Post #21 - December 21st, 2024, 7:16 am Post #21 - December 21st, 2024, 7:16 am
    Where to Find The Best Latkes for Hanukkah in Chicago

    https://chicago.eater.com/maps/hanukkah ... estaurants
    Never order barbecue in a place that also serves quiche - Lewis Grizzard

Contact

About

Team

Advertize

Close

Chat

Articles

Guide

Events

more