My dad's family made these, minus the onion, though I bet they're great with onion. Also, in our version the potatoes have to finely-grated, no exceptions. My grandparents (and greats) were of Germans-from-Russia heritage. It was only after I was grown that I found these are actually latkes. We eat them with a bit of butter melted on top and salt and pepper. An aunt informed me that her brother ate them with syrup, which she thought was a disgusting waste of good syrup (they grew up in Depression era)! I think we'll make these soon, which will greatly please my dad.