In Ann Arbor, the sunrise is merely a secondary event to the main show: the 7 AM hum of the griddle at Nick’s Original House of Pancakes. Stepping through the door, you’re hit with a nostalgic perfume of sizzled butter, toasted pecans, and high-octane coffee.
The atmosphere is a masterclass in “diner-chic”: a spotless, polished sheen that feels vintage but never dusty. You’ll hear the rhythmic clack-clack of spatulas and the practiced choreography of servers navigating the entryway line with the grace of seasoned stage performers.
The pancakes arrive as towering, golden monuments, boasting airy centers and those elusive, lacey-crisp edges that only a seasoned flat-top can produce. There is a palpable sense of care in every pour of batter, a culinary “secret handshake” shared between the kitchen and the early-morning faithful…