Pancake tacos lead the lineup of sweet eats at G&G Restaurant in Vandergrift
May 17—A random plastic taco holder in Pittsburgh's Strip District served as inspiration for a quirky, tasty twist on traditional pancakes at G&G Restaurant in Vandergrift.
"I just looked at it and thought that would be cool to stick a pancake into," said G&G co-owner Chris Kakias, creator of a variety of tricked-out, over-the-top pancake tacos that are served only on weekends.
Kakias creates all of the specialty pancakes on the menu and offers them as specials, including the taco-style variety, and said his sweet tooth serves as his main motivation.
"I'm always looking at dessert menus," he said. "I like sweets, junk food, and I try and transition that into the specialty pancake."
"Oh, wow! What's that?" exclaimed Tina Zanotti of Hyde Park on Tuesday as Kakias created taco pancakes for a TribLive photo shoot.
"I've never seen this. They look and taste amazing," Zanotti said after Kakias surprised her with a free order of said taco pancakes.
Zanotti and Autumn Jakosh of Leechburg didn't hesitate to dig right in, using both hands to wrangle the large Boston creme pancake tacos, served three per order.
"It's not too sweet. It's perfect," Jakosh said.
Server Lexi Martin said customers get a big reaction when the pancakes are on parade.
"When I bring them out, everyone's eyes get so big," Martin said. "They love it. Some try and pick it up and eat it like a taco, but most ask for another plate and cut it up."
The cherry bomb tacos that resemble a cannoli are the most popular, Martin said.
Kakias took over the family business in 2016 and began to think of different ways to market the always-popular pancake.
"I started doing these weekend specials — Saturdays and Sundays — I knew I wanted them to be sweet, and it grew and it's crazier and crazier. The customers love them, and I never thought it would become such a big thing," Kakias said.
Kakias took the restaurant reins from his father, Michael Kakias, and wife/co-owner Debi Kakias.
"I never dreamed it would become this big of a thing," Kakias said. He and his wife, Ashley, have a toddler son, Enzo.
G&G's Facebook page has more than 26,000 foodie followers.
Weekend specials are posted on G&G's social media accounts at 8 a.m. Fridays.
"There have been weekends when we sell more than 300 of the weekend specials, which is rotated with pancakes, waffles and French toast," Chris Kakias said.
An order of the taco pancakes is $10.99.
A sampling of featured flavors includes coconut cream, cheesecake, lemon blueberry with ice cream, carrot cake, strawberry cream, Lucky Charms, cherry bomb, strawberry pretzel salad and banana pudding.
This weekend, the pancake specialty is key lime pie.
"I try and create my pancakes with the seasons in mind," Kakias said.
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
