From the moment you step inside The Pantry, there’s a warmth that feels like home. With family photos lining the walls and staff calling customers by name before they’re even seated, the restaurant’s legacy in the Sterling Heights community is both cherished and enduring.
“My father, Joe Moceri, opened the restaurant in May 1978,” said owner Lisa Lauretti. “He wanted a seven-to-three place, but when we moved into the area, we ended up being open all kinds of hours.”
In the early days—when the Van Dyke corridor was still taking shape—The Pantry stayed open 24 hours to accommodate construction workers and late-night crowds.
“It used to be crazy in here,” Lauretti said.
After four decades at the helm, Joe decided it was time to retire. In 2008, Lauretti and her siblings, Michael Moceri and Leslie Burns, officially took over the business.
“We never changed anything at this location. Every recipe is still the same,” Lauretti said. “We have employees who’ve been here for 25, 30 years. They’re here for a reason. We’re all a big team.”
While The Pantry now operates with limited hours, its popularity hasn’t waned. On weekends, lines often stretch out the door—but Lauretti sees that as a testament to what they’re doing right.
“There’s a line for a reason—and it’s not that long of a wait,” she said. “We serve quality food, we’re family-oriented, and we have unique breakfast items you can’t find anywhere else. Anyone in the Sterling Heights area should give us a try.”
Among those unique offerings is the restaurant’s signature line of German pancakes—oven-baked with high, puffy edges reminiscent of a popover. The recipe was inspired by Joe’s time at the Original Pancake House, but it’s since been adapted into something uniquely theirs.
“We made everything our own,” Lauretti said. “The apple pancake is the one thing people can’t get anywhere else, but my favorite is the pineapple pancake with coconut on top.”
Whether guests are indulging in a specialty dish or sticking with a classic American breakfast, what keeps them coming back is more than just the menu—it’s the hospitality.
“We try to make everybody feel like this is home,” Lauretti said. “We want them to love our food and come back for the way we treat them. If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t be here. We have to treat them well—and feed them well, too.”
In the middle of our conversation, a customer walked over to Lauretti to share a quick joke and wave goodbye, calling out, “See you tomorrow!” on the way out.
It’s those little moments that define The Pantry—warm, familiar, and worth returning to.
Visit The Pantry at 34220 Van Dyke Ave., near 15 Mile Road. Open daily from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.