IHOP is More Than Pancakes
Written: Aug 15 '08
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Locations, Hours, Food
Cons: Some inconsistency on service/cleaning
The Bottom Line: This is a good place for a quick, casual meal.
|
|
|
| toiletoctopus's Full Review: IHOP |
I used to be so annoyed by IHOP's "Rooty Tooty Fresh and Fruity" commercials, that I would avoid eating at one of their locations. The man who used this phrase, looked like he belonged on a sex offender registry, instead of as a spokesman for a major company. While their promotions have not exactly encouraged me to venture to an IHOP, their close location to my house, and all day and night service have. A lot of IHOP's are 24-7, which has earned them a special spot for late night workers, drunks, and other assorted characters. If you want to witness the restaurant version of a train wreck, be sure to go to one at 1 a.m. on a Saturday morning.
Menu/Food Options
IHOP has a variety of meals to choose from, and they can be ordered at any time of day. For some reason I really enjoy breakfast during the night hours, and the best choice they have is the Vive La French Toast. This meal will inspire you to wear a beret, and you might just yell "Merci Beacoup", because this is the best french toast around. You get a large portion of delicately battered toast, and they do not use stale bread, which some chains are famous for. The bread is perfect, with no sogginess, and the powdered sugar on top is truly icing on the cake. This meal comes with a side of bacon or sausage, as well as eggs, and it is great for when you are starving after a night at the local bar. Its also a great value at $6.99, and is paired well with IHOP's strong coffee.
If you are in an adventurous mood, you can order their Blueberry Pancakes. This meal will tantalize your tastebuds, but take caution, because this item is only for those that truly love blueberries. The pancakes are loaded with these, and they are great plain, or topped off with the numerous syrups that you can choose from. I prefer their traditional pancakes, which are served in a meal combo, with a total of five. They are large, and you will not leave hungry after eating this meal, that is served with eggs and a choice of sausage or bacon. Go with the bacon, as it is surprisingly a little more healthy than the links, and not as greasy. The bacon is always at the right level of crispiness, and quite tasty as well.
If you do not want to go with the breakfast menu, which is huge, you could always have the Club Sandwich. Its a good value at $5.99, and this sandwich is loaded with turkey, lettuce, tomatoes, and mayo. The bread is held together with those fancy colored toothpicks, and nothing is more appetizing looking, than this platter served with fries. They have excellent french fries, and they can be ordered as an extra side item. While most of their sandwiches are excellent, try to avoid the IHOP Cheeseburger. It is about the same quality as something you could get for less at McDonald's, and even if you order it extra well, it always seems to be served medium. The quality of the beef is lackluster, and it has an aftertaste that is not pleasant.
The best snack item is the Sampler appetizer. It really is a meal, and for $6.99, it is among the best values out there. You get a huge basket of mozzarella sticks, onion rings, and chicken strips. I do not want to think about how unhealthy this is, but if you have been out drinking, there is nothing better to order. The onion rings are the best in the industry, as they pack a lot of flavor, without being so salty that they leave you parched. The mozz sticks are always melted perfectly, and the chicken strips are great when they are dipped in Honey Mustard or Barbecue Sauce.
Service
Generally IHOPservers do a fine job, but there has been some inconsistency. A lot of this has to do with the sometimes overwhelming crowds that show up at once, with only limited staffing during night hours. On several visits we did not have our drinks refilled, and once we were wondering if the server was on the work release program from the local jail. However, most of the time, we have found the servers to be pleasant and helpful. A lot of young college students work at our IHOP, and they have enough youthful energy and optimism, to make each dining experience worthwile. Management seems to hide during our visits, and they do not make many appearances in the dining area.
Cleanliness
I've been to some IHOP's, where I was convinced that an F5 tornado landed. Some of the dining areas were an absolute mess, with tables loaded of dirty plates, and bathrooms that were out of the third world. Other locations have been spotless clean, so it depends on where you go, and at what time you decide to eat has a lot to do with this factor. If you do not like a messy restaurant, go during the daytime hours, as they have more staff to handle this important category.
Final Analysis
If you want a decent hot meal on a budget, IHOP is a good place to go. There are plenty of these restaurants across the U.S., and at international locations, so you should not have a hard time finding one. Two people can easily eat for $20 a meal, and their hours of operation allow a lot of flexibility on when to go. IHOP's main competitors are Perkins and Denny's, and they are a step above them. You cannot go wrong with a quick meal here, and make sure you yell out "Rooty Tooty" while eating there.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.