I went to the beach for sunrise and stayed for the pancakes: a stack so soft it folded around the syrup like a second blanket. At Pocahontas Pancake & Waffle Shop, the people in the booths look like regulars and the batter tastes like something your aunt would hide in a family cookbook.
Comforting, unapologetic, and exactly what mornings are for, this Virginia Beach institution has been feeding hungry beachgoers since the 1970s.
A Morning That Starts With Salt Air And The Smell Of Buttered Griddles
Parking near the boardwalk means you can already hear the waves before you even step out of your car. The hiss from the griddle drifts through the front door, mixing with coffee steam and the chatter of families settling into booths.
Surfers in wetsuit tops share tables with retirees reading the paper. I traded my planned sunrise photo session for a breakfast seat without a second thought…