Welcome to American Pancake House: Where Every Meal Feels Like Home
In the heart of Mishawaka, IN stands a restaurant that serves as an anchor of the community. Founded in 2001 by Jimmy Kladis, The American Pancake House is renowned for its big breakfasts, warm smiles, and even warmer welcomes. Jimmy has since stepped away from the helm and the restaurant’s three locations in Mishawaka, South Bend, and Goshen are run by Jimmy’s children, Zoi and Nick. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Zoi Kladis to discuss her experience owning a restaurant in Michiana as a Greek immigrant, a woman, and a single mother. I learned that The American Pancake House extends beyond a mere restaurant. It’s a gathering place, steeped in the rich flavors of Greece and sprinkled with the love of a family-run kitchen.
From Greece with Love
Zoi’s culinary journey is as rich as the coffee she brews each morning. She grew up in Greece, around a bustling family table where food was always the centerpiece. Under the watchful eye of her grandmother, Zoi mastered the art of turning simple ingredients into soulful meals. “Sharing meals brought me a lot of joy and made me feel closer to the family,” Zoi exclaims. “In the Greek culture, get togethers are always about the food and eating.” At twenty-one years old, Zoi moved to America with her father and brother as a single mother, bringing with her a love of food and making people happy. “That’s what inspired us to open a restaurant,” Zoi says.
In 2001, Jimmy, Zoi, and Nick opened the doors to the American Pancake House. It’s a family-owned breakfast and lunch establishment known for its friendly service, impeccable cleanliness, and epic portions. In 2005, the Kladis family wanted to expand the restaurant from a single location to a multi-restaurant endeavor. Zoi purchased the original restaurant on McKinley Ave from her father and brother to make that dream a reality. “It was a good feeling because I knew they trusted me with the future of the restaurant,” Zoi exclaims.
Coming from Greece, it was traditionally the men who ran businesses. As a woman, knowing they believed in me meant the world to me.” Stepping away allowed Jimmy and Nick to focus on a new location in South Bend, while Zoi maintained the traditions that made the American Pancake House successful and infused the restaurant with her spirit and culinary flair. Since then, Zoi and Nick have opened a third location in Goshen, IN, bringing their unique hospitality to a new city.
A Menu Rooted in Tradition
At the American Pancake House, every dish tells a story. From the fluffy pancakes that are a nod to American breakfast traditions to the savory richness of the Mediterranean omelet, Zoi’s menu embraces her love of breakfast and Greek cuisine. Regulars rave about the Dutch Apple Pancake—a sweet, indulgent treat with fresh apples and a cinnamon sugar glaze—and the homemade soups that she’s been known to send customers home with.
Zoi enjoys adding a personal spin to the menu with her monthly specials. She will sit in her kitchen and ask, “What can I create with these ingredients?” She loved one particular special so much that she named it after herself. “I love bread,” Zoi laughs. “So, I took a slice of sourdough and put diced tomatoes, feta, and olive oil on it.” The dish became so popular that it has remained on the menu ever since. “I have a really good palette, and I love food,” Zoi explains, her eyes sparkling with the passion that has driven her all these years. “I come up with things that I love cooking. It makes me happy to see other people happy and enjoying my food.” She must be doing something right because her customers continue to come in for breakfast and lunch over and over again.
Community at the Core
Every so often, a restaurant will transform from a mere place to grab a bite of food to a full-blown gathering place and American Pancake House has done just that. They’ve become a cornerstone of the community. Zoi knows her customers by name—fresh faces quickly become regulars, and regulars become friends. She recounts stories of patrons who met at the restaurant, later returning to celebrate anniversaries or share the news of a new child. “Our customers have made friendships with the servers and cooks as well,” says Zoi. “Most of our employees have been with us since we opened 23 years ago, and they’ve become family to me.”During the economic downturn of 2007 and the recent pandemic, Zoi’s leadership ensured that the restaurant survived.
She adapted with grace, shifting to take-out when needed and adjusting her space to ensure guest safety, all while maintaining the quality and comfort the community had come to expect. “I did what I had to do because it was like this for all restaurant owners,” Zoi says. “I always say that nothing lasts forever. We went through it, we overcame it, and now we’re OK.”
Building a Legacy
As Zoi looks to the future, her vision extends beyond her current success. She aims to pass the torch to her children the way her father did with her, hoping to instill in them the values of hard work and hospitality that have been the restaurant’s hallmark. “I want to ensure that we continue to form long-lasting relationships with the customers,” Zoi remarks. “That’s important to me. I’m planning to keep doing the things that have worked for me and the customers all these years.” She admits that there’s always room for expansion if an opportunity presents itself and she’s ready for it, but her commitment to her customers will remain the same and she hopes her children will do that as well.
Becoming Family
The next time you’re hungry for a taste of home, drop by one of American Pancake House’s three locations. You can expect to find Zoi running the helm at 1008 W. McKinley Ave in Mishawaka, IN. because “I can’t be at home,” she says. “I need to be around people to be happy.” Whether you’re craving a classic pancake breakfast or something uniquely Zoi, you’re sure to leave with a full stomach and a warm heart. Keep up with Zoi’s culinary adventures by following American Pancake House on Facebook or visiting www.americanpancakehouse.net. Come in, make yourself at home, and become a part of the American Pancake House family. Here, every meal is served with a dose of love, just as Zoi’s grandmother would have wanted.
