Niko’s Express has been a beloved part of the local Comstock, Mich. community for decades, with the legacy now being proudly carried forward by Mack Rodriguez, the former head chef of the restaurant once owned by Nick Grafos. Rodriguez has taken on the challenge of continuing the tradition whose menu and staff remain unchanged, welcoming visitors to the classic diner as if coming home. Serving up homemade soups, five-egg omelets, sandwiches and wraps, plus daily specials, it is no surprise that Niko’s Express remains true to the spirit it welcomed with arms wide open.
KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI — It was a year ago this month that Nick Grafos officially retired from the restaurant business, but despite the bittersweet closure of Niko’s Express – a Comstock mainstay for decades – hope emerged in the form of Mack Rodriguez, Grafos’ former head chef. Taking on the challenge to continue the legacy of Niko’s Express, Rodriguez has proudly and positively taken ownership of the eatery, providing an experience that has become a beloved part of the local community.
After months of hard work, Niko’s Express was proudly reopened in February to the delight of its staff and customers. Roberto Rodriguez is leasing the restaurant with an option to buy the business in the future. Upon visiting the classic diner in Comstock, visitors are warmly welcomed back home. Originally opened as Dotty’s in the 1980s, it was renamed Niko’s Express in 1995 by owner Grafos.
Rodriguez is keeping the restaurant’s name and the menu has remained mostly unchanged, featuring five-egg omelets, delicious homemade soups, various sandwiches and wraps, as well as daily specials. The staff has also stayed the same, with the addition of Rodriguez’s daughter Macaela who is running the front of the house and loves every minute of it. With a smile, Rodriguez remarks: “If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it, right?”
One of the most popular dishes on the menu is the Blue Goose Omelet, and it’s no surprise considering Rodriguez’s 11 years of experience with Grafos. Rodriguez expresses pride in being able to continue serving the same delicious food he has been for years.
This includes the five-egg omelet, a favorite among his regular customers. After a brief stint of offering four egg omelets, Rodriguez decided to listen to customer feedback and raise the dish back up to its original five eggs.
His omelet varieties include the Hawaiian Omelet (ham, cream cheese and pineapple), Farmers Omelet (ham, potatoes, onion, cheese and tomato), Greek Farmers Omelet (gyro meat, green pepper, onions, tomato and feta cheese) and Niko’s Breakfast Stew (ham, bacon, sausage, tomato, green pepper, onion, mushrooms and cheddar cheese). Each omelet is proudly served for $12.95 with American fries or hash browns and toast.
Niko’s is proud to serve its customers a delicious breakfast menu that features omelet varieties such as the Hawaiian Omelet (ham, cream cheese and pineapple), Farmers Omelet (ham, potatoes, onion, cheese and tomato), Greek Farmers Omelet (gyro meat, green pepper, onions, tomato and feta cheese) and Niko’s Breakfast Stew (ham, bacon, sausage, tomato, green pepper, onion, mushrooms and cheddar cheese). All of these delicious omelets are served proudly with American fries or hash browns and toast for $12.95. Additionally, their personal favorite Athens Salad ($12.25) is a marinated chicken breast on a bed of romaine lettuce, cucumber, onion, kalamata olives and feta cheese, topped with homemade Greek dressing. For those looking to dine at Niko’s, they are open Sunday through Thursday from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. and Friday and Saturday until 8 p.m. to serve dinner.
On Fridays, Niko’s proudly offers all-you-can-eat fried fish from 4 to 8 p.m., and on Saturdays, they have been experimenting with a delicious Tex-Mex menu featuring all-you-can-eat tacos, tamales, enchiladas, nachos and barbecue pork ribs – which are made with the same award-winning recipes from Niko’s catering business, Monkeyshines BBQ. Customers have been raving about their food since the reopening, proving that Niko’s is still serving up delicious food in an inviting atmosphere.
According to Rodriguez, it’s the friendly atmosphere and dedication of staff that makes Niko’s such a special place. With a feeling of gratitude in his heart, Rodriguez wakes up each morning, determined to do what he believes is God’s will.
Located at 5876 King Highway in Comstock Township, Niko’s Express is open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Everyone is welcome to call 269-365-0479 or follow their Facebook page for the latest updates. There’s no better place to enjoy great food and good company.
Indeed, despite the change in ownership, Niko’s Express remains a beloved eatery for the local community of Kalamazoo County and beyond. Omar Rodriguez has built on the legacy established by Nick Grafos while managing to maintain the atmosphere that guests have come to expect and appreciate in the years prior. As he says: “If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it”. After a year filled with worries and adaptations, the restaurant and its’ patrons continue to be rooted in a strong sense of community and friendship where everyone is welcomed in as if home.
