They are. I can't have onion, but dropping them out of the recipe doesn't seem to hurt too much. Most restaurants that have them seem to make them thick & moist in the center. I prefer slightly crispy & thin.
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/14089/potato-pancakes-i/
Looking at one right now. My Mom's male Maine Coon, all 21 lbs of him, curled up in a dog bed (there is no dog). We got these odd grey pet sleeping pads from PetSmart and all 4 cats love them.