Better than fast food
Written: Jul 02 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Best service I've had in years. Really cheap too.
Cons: Ice cream wasn't very good.
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| starrion's Full Review: IHOP |
I was just plain weary of Mcdonalds/Burger King/Wendy's. On yet another "emergency" trip, I was standing outside my hotel in Denver and the thought of facing another little Mcdonald's burger filled me with loathing. They are usually about the only thing you can get in most airport terminals and I had been spending entirely too much time in airport terminals. I wanted a real burger, but I have a personal quirk; I hate going to full service restaurants alone. (I think it might be the amount of time you spend staring at the chair across from you- and I find it hard to read in very noisy places.)
There was an IHOP across the parking lot.
"Let's go!" A little voice inside me said. The last time I was in an IHOP was the Saturday morning breakfast's I had with my Dad, after I finished skating practice. It was always good. Had things changed?
It's just good
So I walked in. I get the feeling that the Golden Co. IHOP isn't a happening place on Thursday nights, only ten or so people filled the spacious interior. The decor was neutral. I seem to recall brown wood paneling with highly-unoffensive artworks. (paint by number seascapes of nowhere in particular). It was strangely comforting. At first service was non-existent. (literally there were no employees in sight for about five minutes) Then a single teenage girl appeared. She was the hostess/solo-waitperson in the facility. Given this, she was entirely too cheerful. I was quickly led to a table near the other patrons. She had my drink on the table in about thirty seconds. She took my order and proceeded to check her other six tables.
Service by a friend
Then "Michelle" (might be her correct name) did something that really made me stop and take notice. Most of the patrons were seniors. It was clear that she knew them as regulars, and she absolutely doted on them. She stopped to talk to each table and talked to them at length. She also paused to talk to me for about five minutes. As soon as she found out that I was from Boston she had me talking all about it and why I was in Denver. In addition she made sure that everyone was fully taken care of. The second my soda neared 1/3rd another appeared right beside it, and my burger arrived hot off the grill. I was unable to finish a drink all night. New ones appeared well before old ones were drained. It was by far the best service I have had at a restaurant in several years. (In response I gave a tip that was significantly larger than the bill.) She was very happy with the tip, but she seemed even happier when I looked her in the eye and said "you earned it, because you did a great job". I have to remember to do that- it meant a great deal to me to get compliments when I was doing service jobs.
The food
Was just what you would expect. The cheesburger was large, (there's the beef) juicy, and cooked just like I ordered it, and served on a buttered and toasted roll. The fries were cooked just right and served real hot. It tasted just fine. They have a very large menu selection, everything from chicken sandwiches and wraps to actual steaks. (I'm sorry but I couldn't picture ordering steak at an IHOP- I also wasn't that hungry. The performance of the cook did convince me that he probably could do a steak justice) Of course you could order any form of breakfast dishes you wanted even at 6PM. (No armaments required to get breakfast after 10AM) And they have a huge breakfast selection- the pancakes did look enticing. I finished with a small dish of ice cream that had the taste of the local generic brand. All in all a highly satisfactory meal- it won't make any travel guides but people do go to IHOP for gourmet fare. Then I got the bill. Meal, drink and dessert for under $8? How can that be? Oh yeah. This place isn't supposed to be that good, so it's cheap. In reality, with the right server, it is that good.
The difference
Had to be the service. There is just something about a place where the server is that friendly and attentive. I have been to restaurants that had good food spoiled by really poor service, but this was a rare occasion that good food was made better by excellent service.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
starrion
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Member: Al
Location: Burlington, Mass
Reviews written: 63
Trusted by: 36 members
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