I have to admit, I was a bit nervous to revisit Nic’s Grill at 1201 N. Penn.
The last time I went was about ten years ago, back when it was one of the metro's most iconic food spots—a no-frills dive with long lines and national acclaim from folks like Colin Farrell, Guy Fieri, and others.
Since then, Nic’s tried to expand into a bigger, fancier, loungier location. But like many local restaurants that bit off more than the market could chew, it closed last year. Some local reviews claimed the original location took a hit in quality during that ambitious detour. But now, with Nic and Jovon back in the saddle and refocused on their 11-seat diner instead of running a supper club, maybe the magic’s been restored.