IHOP

After 3 days of moving, we were exhausted and hungry. The three of us headed over to the local IHOP only to be severely disappointed. Our waitress had a great attitude and was as accommodating and she could be, but everything else was terrible. Business was slow and there was only a few minutes wait so we were surprised to sit for 20 min before someone came to get out drink order. After being here for over an hour we got our cold pancakes. We passed the time by counting the minutes the food sat and died slowly under the heating lamps. One set of pancakes sat for over 20 minutes before being served. I think its safe to say we won’t be back. Once we got our food it was mediocre at best. The eggs, hash browns and bacon were all cold and covered in grease without the slightest hint of flavor or spices.

Waiter was slow and forgot about us food was good though I was dehydrated and we got seated by the founder

Food was brought out cold and was an hour long wait! Our waitress forgot about us and we were the only people in the restaurant. Also took 40 minutes to get water. International House of Disappointment

Well this was not a do over !!! I had to cook California scramble and my wife had pancakes and a side of bacon. The food came out literally in less then five minutes. So you know they did not cook it and it was pre-​made. Country Home fries were cold and mushy. Eggs were covered in cool cheese. It has been years since I’ve been to IHOP and now I know the reason I stopped going years ago.

Just moved here a month ago from the Midwest and my lady and I needed a local restaurant to fall back on while we were getting everything unpacked and our kitchen ready to go. We have been to this particular IHOP about four times and we’re not impressed in the least bit.
The first time we went (around mid-​morning on a Monday) we got seated immediately and had an OK experience as the waitress seemed distracted despite having a relatively small workload. The cellphone sticking halfway out of her pants pocket was a dead giveaway as to what was on her mind and it wasn’t our wellbeing.
The second time was also OK only, this time, we got stuck in a corner and only got refills when I got up and approached the kitchen. Also, while the dining area was half-​full, it took a while for our food to arrive to the point where our bill arrived before our orders did.
Third time was better as we had a waitress that was attentive and friendly, bringing our drinks when we needed them and not when we asked for them. This was an uplifting experience given our past two times there.
The fourth (yesterday) was our final time going there as we got to see how well this IHOP handles during a rush (poorly). First off, the facility is horribly designed as to not accommodate enough people expediently. It’s one dining room and some jammed booths next to the kitchen (where we got seated) making it hard for servers and customers to maneuver in and can barely fit anyone. It felt horribly cramp and the staff were doing all they could to not bump into each other.
We were told there was a «7−10 minute wait» and ended up waiting 20 minutes. This happens, no big deal. Our server (Donovan, I think) was friendly but clearly overwhelmed by his waiting area the demand it placed on him. He was very nice and he did his best to accommodate us but, overall, it felt like fast food with the «you guys ok? Great! ZING!!» response. Nothing against him as I believe it is more of a staffing issue as the place seemed grossly understaffed and, coming from a guy who just moved from the oil fields in North Dakota, I KNOW what understaffing looks like.
Our food was meh as my spinach and mushroom burger was GROSSLY soggy albeit the fries were good. We also waited a great deal of time for our food and, with the cramp feeling next to the kitchen with the super-​sweaty custodian in plains-​clothes walking across us every five minutes, it seemed like forever.
All in all, this IHOP is understaffed and the majority seem unhappy being there which, ultimately, makes the overall experience not that great especially given the lackluster foods. The IHOP in Mount Vernon is good but this one is marred by slowness and other issues that make it an underperforming IHOP in general.
Skip if you can

Ummm it is IHOP what can you expect. …slow service, food only comes quickly when they have a wait in the lobby, don’t expect your server to remember anything you ask for once the meal is dropped off, «how is everything» is not in their vocabulary apparently. Anything considered a substitution carries an additional charge. You can however tell your server that you weren’t entirely satisfied with the food or service and they’ll immediately offer you a 20% discount. So if ya want breakfast with a heap of HFCS at 5pm this is your place. If you want a quality experience try something local.

Amazing how any and all substitutions are extra charge, like changing my pancakes to toast carries a charge.
It seemed like every other word out of the waitress mouth was, that will be extra.
Irritating, to say the least. Won’t be back to not only this location, but any IHOP.

Disappointed to find this site does not have a counter which would provide a single or double with quick seating during busy time period and leave more take seating open for families.
The food here might be great, but I’ll never know. I’ve tried to stop by for a bite twice now. The first time, they were giving away free pancakes for National Pancake Day, so I completely understand why they were overwhelmed even after lunch. I made a $ 5 donation to the Children’s Miracle Hospital Network and left with a coupon good for $ 5 off on my next visit.
I had no idea they were serving free pancakes for anyone wearing green on St Patrick’s Day, but, of course, that was the day I chose to return and the place was packed.
Actually, I’m happy to leave my earlier donation as a our donation without IHOP rewarding me with $ 5 off on my next visit. And, I completely understand that the St Patrick’s Day Promotion would be a hit. My objection is that a third of the tables were empty and they had a lobby full of people and a 20 minute wait! Apparently, I’m not the only one who didn’t anticipate a crowd at 3 pm. They obviously didn’t have enough personnel to serve their customers which suggests a management problem. And the hostess was completely overwhelmed which suggests a training problem.
I’m writing this note from a nearby competitive (local) restaurant where I will be paying full price, but getting great service and a great meal for a fair price.
One last thing that’s worth noting… This site is conveniently located on a major street, but the strip mall they’re in had the world’s worst parking lot. Enter at your own risk!

Very convenient to find. Fresh breakfast menu and awesome variety. Will make this a regular stop while in Bellingham

Do yourself a favor and just don’t.
The service was unbelievably slow. The wait staff was unprofessional and barely paid attention to the workers. I saw multiple instances of food being sent back to the kitchen.
I’m never going here again, that’s for sure. They don’t deserve the business.

My last two trips were horrible. Poor service, rude waitress, and my food was horrible. Here is a tip for my waitress. If I want to substitute bread for hashbrowns, make it happen. All the servers in the past did. Also IHop, I’d this going to advertise something at least try to make the good resemble the pic. Food slopped on the plate what was suppose to be hot had cold non melted cheese on it. Server never asked how it was. I’ll find some where else to eat

How I heard of this place: I know IHOP has been around for ages, but it wasn’t until about eight years ago that I remember having sampled its fare for the first time.
Type of cuisine: Pancakes. Being the International House of, it seems obvious that their specialty would be pancakes. «Although IHOP restaurants are best known for their signature pancakes, omelettes and other breakfast specialties, IHOP restaurants are open throughout the day and evening hours and offer a broad array of lunch, dinner and snack items as well.»
Ambiance: Their website says, «IHOP restaurants feature moderately priced, high-​quality food and beverage items, and table service in an attractive and comfortable atmosphere.» For me, the space is reminiscent of a 1980s diner with hospital-​inspired colors and décor (light blues and pinks with light brown accents). They offer booth and chair/​table seating for patrons, most of whom are over the age of 60 years. The space is comfortable and easy, casual and without over-​attention to detail. Fluorescent lights brighten up the space with yellow-​ed tones.
What I ordered: We were encouraged to go to IHOP on this date because the Seahawks had just scored 21 points in their game the night before and everyone in Washington is invited to print off a coupon and enjoy a free short-​stack of IHOPs signature buttermilk pancakes. Each of us ordered a side (estimating $ 2.50 each), ordered off menu: two of us selected bacon (four strips) and one ordered sausage links (4 sausages). There was also one order for drip coffee, which came in a large carafe for easy and no-​wait, no-​hassle refills.
On a subsequent visit, Saturday, December 4, 2010: A friend and I partook of the Seahawks victory and visited the Northgate International House of Pancakes for our free short-​stack of fluffy buttermilk pancakes. The server with his mullet-​style, graying hairdo, brusque face and amazingly sincere, friendly demeanor made quite an impression on me! He offered us melted butter and warmed syrup to top our three-​high pancake stacks, which definitely improved the flavor and the experience!
On a return visit, Saturday, March 2, 2013: It seems that each year, I make a hesitant trip to IHOP, and this year, it was in celebration of the first day of the Nineteen Day Baha’i Fast. A group of nine of us met at 5:30 in the morning on this cold Saturday to partake of the large portions of expensive breakfast items that any other diner would serve for half the price. My husband ordered a Spinach & Mushroom Egg-​White Omelet ($ 10.79) with a side of sausage ($ 3.79), a side of bacon ($ 3.79) and a large cranberry juice ($ 3.29). Two of our friends were seated at the same four-​person table. One chose to create his own omelet, with nearly everything in it: bacon, sausage, tomato, ham, bell peppers, onion, spinach and mushrooms, topped with Swiss cheese ($ 8.99 plus $ 0.99 per topping). The last order at our table (since I had brought my own green smoothie and whole avocado) was for Whole Grain Blueberry Pancakes ($ 9.49), scrambled eggs and a side of pancakes.
What I loved: I loved the fresh maple syrup that was brought to our table at the time our pancakes arrived. I also loved that the meal was free!
Why I loved it: The servers are friendly and feel completely at home with their customers, asking you to move over so she can sit while she writes down your order.
Cost: Low ($ 4-​$ 10 per breakfast entrée)

TBH I’m only giving IHOP a three /​out/​of/​five because out of the 5 employees I saw that night I’d say about three are prime wife material.
I went for International Pancake Day, and got free pancakes. I can’t complain obviously.

My boyfriend and I love to come here to feel like kids again :) the servers are nice and food comes quick and is very tasty! Had one poor experience, but it wasn’t bad enough to make to stop coming!

The pancakes were really fluffy! I went for the National Pancake day which meant a free short stack! It came with three very yummy pancakes that went amazingly with the butter pecan syrup. We also got the two-​egg quick breakfast because we didn’t want to just eat for free! This was the first time I have ever been to IHOP! The ones that I’ve seen look pretty ghetto on the outside but this place was very clean. The service was pretty good too, even though the place was swarming with free-​loading college students. Overall, the experience was awesome and our meal ended up being pretty cheap! I would definitely go back.

We have always had great food at this place. No complaints

It’s iHop. You can’t expect the world out of taste. But what you can expect is great service. My friend and I go here at least one Saturday morning a month. We always get the same blonde waitress who is pretty much the best waitress I have had anywhere. She is super attentive and really wants to make sure you are happy. And she is always cherry, I don’t think I have seen her in a bad mood.
Some tips for those of you who have not been to an iHop. 1. they use canned fruit on their food. 2. their drinks are devilishly sweet.

I have to be honest, I was pretty disappointed. The food was fine, the service, under par. To their credit, we were there in the morning and its a breakfast restaurant, so they were probably busy. But we were there for an hour and only about 10 minutes of that was eating and somewhere between 5 – 10 minutes waiting for the check.
Just not what I expected, it took a really long time. Also, you can go to a local diner, pay the same amount for way better food.

As far as big national chains go, IHOP is A-​OK.
I suspect this is all pretty obvious (what I am going to write) but here goes anyway!
We arrived at 9 AM on a Sunday and we’re seated within a couple of minutes. Our hostess was sweet, in an innocent «this is my first job» kinda way.
The menu is too much (haven’t they watched «Kitchen Nightmares»? Simplify!) but I was able to find something. Green Eggs and Ham… as part of their «The Lorax» promotion. I know, I am not 10, but it looked pretty good!
Our server was a little slow, it was Sunday AM after all, we were in no hurry, so it was fine. Luckily our hostess provided us a full carafe of coffee.
Breakfast was served hot and quick enough. Green eggs was scrambled eggs with spinach (nice! Veggies for breakfast) with Ham (luckily, it was not green!!), hash browns, and two of their famous pancakes. It was all fresh, well-​prepared, and tasty enough.
It took a little too long to get the check, then to pay. But it was still a nice visit.

The food is the same as any other IHOP. Decent, but nothing special. I give it two stars because there is really no point going here when the excellent (and cheaper) Hilltop Restaurant which is located just down Meridian is much much better.