Beloved Pancake Chef is back; New ownership, same great food

The Pancake Chef, which closed in September is back open in SeaTac under new ownership. Sarbjit Singh, a chef with over 35 years experience has vowed to keep everything that was great about the beloved breakfast house but is renovating, and adding some fun new items.

Photo by Patrick Robinson

 

The lights are back on at 15215 Military Road S, marking the revival of a SeaTac institution that has served the community since July 4, 1959.

After a brief closure in September, following the retirement of long-time owner Loren Sisley, the Pancake Chef has reopened its doors under the stewardship of Sarbit Singh, a seasoned restaurateur who also operates The Great American Diner and Bar in West Seattle. For a local landmark that has remained largely unchanged for decades—retaining its original tables, wood paneling, and red vinyl booths—the reopening is more than just a business transaction; it is the restoration of a community living room.

A New Chapter with a Familiar Foundation

Sarbjit Singh saw the potential in the historic location and stepped in to ensure the restaurant’s legacy continued.

 

 

Singh, who is being assisted by his son Ranjit at the Great American, has already begun minor renovations, such as new carpets and flooring, with plans to eventually expand the business to include dinner service starting in January.

Singh’s motivation for reopening was rooted in his appreciation for the local community and his staff. “I like the location and I like the people… and I like to be an employer, so they are not sitting at home… so they can pay their bills,” Singh explained regarding his decision to take over the establishment.

While he plans to introduce dinner items like steaks, pot roast, and turkey dinners he is committed to keeping the classic pancake recipes that made the restaurant famous. He is also modernizing the offerings to include vegetarian, vegan, and halal chicken and beef options to serve the diverse neighborhood.

 

The Heart of the Restaurant: Lorae Sisley

While Singh holds the keys, the spirit of the previous ownership remains through Lorae Sisley, the daughter of Loren and Rachel Sisley, who bought the restaurant in 1974.

Although Lorae is now a Multi-Lingual Learning specialist for the Tukwila School District, she continues to wait tables at the establishment where she began working at the age of 12.

For Lorae, the reopening was deeply personal. “It meant everything,” she shared. “It means so much to our family to be able to come by and see the lights still on and see some families here and friends that I’ve known since I was a child”.

She noted that even her father, Loren, now in his mid-80s, visits almost every day because he loves the place so much. Lorae expressed confidence in Singh’s leadership, noting, “He’s going to be great… he has a great sense of humor. And for me, that is very important because my dad was one of the best bosses I ever had. You need a good sense of humor”.

Menu Highlights: Old Favorites and New Additions

The Pancake Chef’s menu remains a celebration of classic American breakfast, featuring buttermilk pancakes where eggs are whipped into the batter for a signature texture.

 

 

Highlights include:

• The Classics: Blueberry, sourdough, buckwheat, and German Pancakes served with apple compote.

• Specialty Treats: “Piggies in a Blanket,” Cheese Blintzes, and Swedish Pancakes with lingonberries.

• Savory Staples: Three-egg breakfasts, omelettes, and Homemade Corned Beef Hash.

• New Signature: Singh has introduced a Traditional Pot Roast Hash, featuring Angus pot roast that is slow-cooked for eight hours.

 

 

Why the Pancake Chef Matters

Beyond the food, the Pancake Chef serves as a vital community gathering place that attracts a multi-generational, diverse crowd. Lorae Sisley describes a unique social ecosystem within the restaurant, particularly for elderly patrons who may have lost their spouses. “They eventually find each other and they will make a group and a family, a new family,” she said. “They will have a breakfast club… and it’s just really special to see that because they find each other and it’s a special time for them to come here and eat breakfast and break bread together”.

In a rapidly changing city, the Pancake Chef remains a “time capsule” decorated with old photos of SeaTac and Boeing planes, offering a sense of continuity and belonging to everyone who walks through its doors.