Hmm. Maybe it’s regional? I spent years of my life finding all the best pancakes and French Toast of Auckland cafes and they all (at least aspired) to be thick and fluffy- unless they were intentionally crepes which are also very common.

The outlier I remember being when McDonalds started doing breakfast and they offered pancakes - I think I got them once when I had a super early flight at the airport and they were almost inedible- thin and rubbery! Easily the worst pancakes I’ve had in my life.