The Pancake Queen - Oakland

menu courtesy of Patti Memoli Woodmenu courtesy of Patti Memoli Wood

The Pancake Queen was called "Oakland's First Pancake House" during the 1960s. Located at 4211 Telegraph Avenue, the restaurant offered a wide variety of pancakes and waffles in a New Orleans atmosphere.

A vintage postcard shows the location as the northwest corner of 42nd and Telegraph, lists the phone number s OLympic 4-2766. The text describes it as "Oakland's first pancake house. This unique restaurant, where you dine in a New Orleans atmosphere, features many varieties of pancakes and waffles together with a complete brunch menu. The Gift Shop features our own syrups and preserves."

A 1961 listing in the Oakland Tribune gives A. Von Egert as the proprietor. In 1967, Von Egert discovered the hard way that not everyone is a "do it yourselfer":

"Tony Von Eggert, who owns the Pancake Queen on Telegraph, quit the do-it-yourself kick. He installed a new hot water heater in the restaurant, turned it on, and water spouted out of the gas burners. Wiped out every appliance in the joint..." ¹

Von Egert and his business partner Walter Bowman branched out in 1963. As part of a larger development in Fresno including The Queen Motel, they leased The Pancake Queen restaurant. The new restaurant in Fresno seated 162 people and had two banquet rooms, and was run by Fred Dobish. ³

In 1968, a two-alarm fire did approximately $30,000 in damage. One firefighter lost consciousness while fighting the fire, but was rescued and revived on the scene. The fire department suspected arson because a gasoline can was found on the scene. ²

[Not sure when the restaurant opened for business or when it closed permanently. It is mentioned in a 1959 want ad for a waitress, listed in the 1967 directory.]

ad from 1962 Oakland Tribune