Pancake Paradise

March 22, 2024
Stack of homemade delicious banana pancakes topped with chocolate sauce, banana slices and walnut on a plate on a dark wooden background.

Pancakes, those fluffy, buttery delights that grace our breakfast tables, have been a beloved staple of American breakfast cuisine for generations. From the classic buttermilk to innovative, savory creations, pancakes continue to retain their comforting essence. A meal of pancakes for breakfast will brighten anyone’s mood no matter the age. You can share them, have them all to yourself, or even eat them in bed. So whether you like your pancakes fluffy or crispy, dense or light, topped with chocolate chips or with fruit, check out some of the best places to get your hotcakes buttered and drenched in syrup.

NICK’S COUNTRY OVEN

26400 Harper Avenue, St. Clair Shores

Nick’s Country Oven offers a cozy, welcoming atmosphere where pancakes are served with a side of hospitality. The pancakes are anything but boring here. Any cereal lovers? The Fruity Pebbles pancakes are perfect for you. Other choices include Oreo and Reese’s pancakes, both excellent for sweets lovers. And for those of you who want sprinkles, the Funfetti birthday pancakes are everything you could want. Order some breakfast meats, corned beef hash, or fresh fruit to accompany your flapjacks.

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BISCUITS AND GRAVY

331 North Main Street, Clawson

Biscuits and Gravy offers all of the breakfast staples, including its namesake, but also has some standout pancakes. These sweet flapjacks come in exciting varieties, like tiramisu, strawberry cheesecake, lemon, red velvet, and Funfetti choices. If you’d prefer to pick your own toppings, order the sweet cream ones and choose from items like bananas, pecans, Nutella, peanut butter chips, and more. For a savory option, the loaded potato pancakes come with bacon, onion, and cheddar cheese. Pair any of them with breakfast potatoes, cheesy grits, or an order of biscuits and gravy

AVALON CAFE AND BAKERY

1049 Woodward Avenue, Detroit

120 East Liberty, Ann Arbor

Avalon Cafe and Bakery, as described by General Manager Michael Shelton, is “proud to be part of the Detroit community for over 25 years now. We [have been in] the heart & soul of Detroit since 1997 with a focus and passion on brunch, lunch, bakery items, & specialty coffees.” Each location has a slightly varied menu, but each has delicious options. For the Woodward location, the lemon mascarpone pancakes are what you’ll want to get, with fresh berries, whipped lemon mascarpone cream, and Michigan maple syrup. In Ann Arbor, you’ll find blueberry quinoa pancakes on the menu that feature lemon crema, granola sprinkle, and Michigan maple syrup, as well as dark chocolate quinoa pancakes with dark chocolate chips, fresh strawberries, and whipped cream.

THE ORIGINAL PANCAKE HOUSE

33703 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham

20273 Mack Avenue, Grosse Pointe

19355 West 10 Mile Road, Southfield

The Original Pancake House stands as a testament to tradition, offering a wide array of pancakes that cater to all tastes as they’ve done since the 60s. The menu boasts everything from the simplicity of buttermilk pancakes and delicious chocolate chips to more savory options like bacon, potato, and buckwheat choices. Pair them with blueberry compote, or top them with tropical or apple syrups. Order a freshly squeezed juice, and enjoy a classic flapjack breakfast. 

OAK DINER

1400 North Campbell Road, Royal Oak

At this small spot, American fare is done simply but excellently. Oak Diner prides itself on creating food that is not only delicious but also visually stunning, making each plate drool-worthy. The hotcakes are all dusted with powdered sugar, with fruit options like strawberry or blueberry, and banana nut, which feature maple-glazed pecans, bourbon caramel, and whipped cream. Other yummy options include an Oreo version and cinnamon roll pancakes, layered with cinnamon sugar and icing. Stay up to date with their social media for specials being featured too.

 This article has been updated to include new information. The original article was published on April 20, 2018, and was authored by Amber Ogden.

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