For well over 50 years, a sign hanging out the front of the Pancake Kitchen restaurant read “This door will never close”, but times are changing at the iconic Gilbert Place diner.

Pancake Kitchen owner Mark Sandgren posted a note on Facebook telling his customers: “The Original Pancake Kitchen have decided to pull our midweek hours back. But Friday to Sunday night will maintain our long tradition of 24 hours.”

media_camera The Original Pancake Kitchen will no longer open 24/7.

media_camera For decades it’s been a favourite spot for post-midnight munchies.

The new times means the doors will close after 11pm Monday to Thursday.

Pancake Kitchen regulars were saddened to see doors close late on weekdays.

“No more pancakes for this night shift worker I guess,” Michael Kearns posted on Facebook. “You’re literally famous for being open 24 hours,” Deni Karayilan wrote.

“The reality is not many people have been coming into PK’s during the middle of night,” Sandgren noted.

“So we will only be open 24 hours over the weekend (Friday to Sunday) and public holidays.

“We still employ over 30 people to provide good fresh food to Adelaide. We hope you to see you soon at PK’s.”

Mr Sandgren, who took over the reins at the Pancake Kitchen in 2017, has vowed to keep the original pancake recipe at the Adelaide institution.

media_camera Proprietor Mark Sandgren tucks into a stack of pancakes, made to the original secret recipe. Picture: Mike Burton

“The pancake remains the most popular dish, served as a short-stack with maple syrup and whipped butter. That is the secret recipe that goes back 52 years and is kept in a locked vault,” Mr Sandgren told The Advertiser when he took over the venue.

“We have tried to add new menu items and have retained all the favourites with the same recipes.

“We have also renovated the front, floors, added new kitchen equipment, new airconditioning, new wood floors and continue to provide fresh food and employ over 30 people. This change in opening times is to ensure our continued service to the majority of customers,” Mr Sandgren noted on Facebook.

The Pancake Kitchen dates back to 1965, when Roger Meadmore and Alan and Helen Traschsel opened the restaurant dedicated to pancakes, having been inspired by roadside eateries in America.

media_camera Pancake Kitchen founder Roger Meadmore. Picture: Keryn Stevens

The 24-hour restaurant marked its 50th anniversary in May 2015 and is one of Adelaide’s oldest existing restaurants.

The Original Pancake Kitchen is now open Monday to Thursday 7am-11pm; then Friday 7am through till Sun 11pm.

ON THE HUNT FOR AN AFTER MIDNIGHT BITE?

Here’s your go to list of places open 24/7

OTR (metropolitan Adelaide and regional South Australia) offers various food brands including Wok in a Box, Hungry Jacks, Oporto, Subway, Brumby’s, Guzman Y Gomez, Moe’s Dog and Shakes.

Krispy Kreme (Port Rd, West Croydon, Port Wakefield Rd, Bolivar)

Cafe Brunelli, 187 Rundle St, city

Café de Vili’s, 2-14 Manchester Rd, Mile End South

Bakery on O’Connell, 128-130 O’Connell St. North Adelaide

Enjoy Bakery, 112 The Parade, Norwood

McDonald’s, West Tce and Hindley St, city