Photo by Maggie Vaughn
The family owned, family oriented restaurant made its way from Illinois to Fox Point via marriage a few years back. The Wauwatosa branch is three years old. Both restaurants feature an amazingly abundant menu that’s also health conscious. Dishes with fresh fruits, veggies, nuts and granola abound. Pancakes and waffles can be ordered multigrain or buckwheat. Gluten-free pancakes, waffles and toast are offered.
The room in Wauwatosa is set with tables in the center and booths surrounding. Red clay-colored walls give an earthy look, a carpet dulls the clatter and warm lighting makes conversation easy. The place was full when we arrived but the wait was short. We were given a roomy booth and the restaurant’s many-paged menu. Geez Louise, what choices! And with every kind of substitution and side order readily available, you can pretty much design your own meal.
The pancake possibilities are stunning: plain, old-fashioned, buckwheat, apricot, cinnamon-apple, walnut-raisin, pecan, bacon, pigs in a blanket, Oreo Cookie, chocolate chip, peanut butter, chocolate chip and peanut butter, and multiple berry options. There are also oven-baked German, potato and apple pancakes that take longer to prepare.
There are a dozen kinds of crepes from sweet flavors to the Popeye with spinach, cheddar, onions and Hollandaise sauce; a dozen waffle possibilities from Belgian to banana split; ten French toasts from classic to fruity; five blintzes from cheese to fruity; and oatmeal with fruit. The orange juice is fresh-squeezed.
If protein’s your aim, there are egg platters with meats including corned-beef brisket, chorizo, Polish and Italian sausage, gyro meat, chicken and steak; a half dozen Benedicts from classic Florentine to crab; grilled salmon; croissant or bagel sandwiches with eggs and any of the meats above; and a Fiesta Burrito with eggs, chorizo, veggies, cheese, jalapeños, salsa and sour cream.
The omelet list has everything including the Kitchen Sink, an omelet with ham, bacon, sausage, tomatoes, onion, mushrooms and cheese. There’s also the Meat Lover’s omelet, the Shrimp & Crab omelet and the Garden of Eatin’ with broccoli, spinach, mushrooms, tomato and cheese. Every omelet becomes a skillet upon request.
The Skinny is an egg white omelet with chicken breast, mushrooms, broccoli and tomatoes, sides of fresh fruit and two pancakes. It overflows with big pieces of chicken and vegetables. The cantaloupe, honeydew and grapes were ripe; the pancakes all you would expect them to be. The serving at $9.49 was generously proportioned. The Very Berry Healthy Pancakes consist of three thick and flavorful multigrain pancakes with sides of whipped butter and hot maple syrup, accompanied by a soothing bowl of sliced strawberries, blueberries and blackberries in plain yogurt topped with granola—a fine combination with the cakes. Wolfed it.
Maxfield’s is open daily from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. so there’s also an extensive lunch menu with many burgers, hot and cold sandwiches, soups, salads and a lox and onion plate. There are also kid’s breakfast and lunch menus with items from Mickey Mouse pancakes to chicken fingers.
The staff was attentive and friendly from the moment we arrived. Coffee and water were steadily refilled by our cheerful waiter who checked with us nicely regarding our needs without overdoing it. We thoroughly enjoyed our tasty, inexpensive meal. This relaxed, family restaurant clearly means to please.
Maxfield’s Pancake House
2727 N. Mayfair Road
414-453-6000
$-$$
Handicap access: Yes
