Boom this place is a win. Don't be detered by the line not quite sure how they do it but somehow our group of 8 only waited 15 min to sit on a Saturday am at 10!? What!? Then, it only continued to improve. Food was amazing and I think my favorite is that you can get a side of pancakes with everything!! Just what I needed. Service was fantastic. And the atmosphere is adorable. So classic. You gotta stop here if you're in town.
(5)
Laura F.
I don't get this place. It's cramped, hard to navigate (especially with a stroller), pricey, and depressing. I ordered the dutch baby cake. I have really been wanting to try a dutch baby cake - they look amazing. What I received was a sweet omelet. My "pancake" was more egg than anything else. And I ordered the fruit-topped one. $15 or so later and all I can say is never ever ever again.
(1)
Darian J.
Wow... This place is sheer heaven. I visited this location on a rainy Sunday afternoon for breakfast. I arrived at 10:30 and there was a small wait. I was standing in line for approximately 10 minutes. Upon entering the restaurant it looked like a cottage from a story book. The exterior matched the warmth of the interior in terms of design. Actually, it reminds me so much of the taverns I frequented when I was visiting Austria. So quaint, but filled with character and warm personalities. What I immediately loved about this place is the conversations I was having with the other families waiting in line. Everyone was excited to eat and friendly. Strange for Chicago. The hostess was super friendly and welcoming and so was my waitress, even though she neglected to ever tell me her name. The eating area is one big room and so I was snuggled at a table with a family since I was eating alone. Awkward because they were foreign, but it was easy to block them out. I ordered the Cajun Skillet with andouille sausage, chicken, red bell peppers, potatoes, and scrambled eggs with a side of pancakes. The portion size was enormous! But I definitely finished the entire meal. The pancakes were AMAZING. There is some flavor I couldn't name for the life of me but it was almost liqoury tasting. Whatever the secret ingredient is made the cakes literally orgasmic. The skillet was perfect as well. The andouille sausage mixed with the potatoes and all the cajun spices mixed...omg. The perfect breakfast of champions. My breakfast total was $13! I will definitely return
(5)
Mary S.
This places is the best for anything breakfast wise really. Crepes, waffles, eggs with bacon, omelettes, bs of coarse pancakes! Only 2 Robles for me is-no mimosas and no hash browns, only home fries. At this location we just get it to go and eat in at our studio. Mimosa problem solved! Just need to figure out the hash brown sitch. This location is super busy (another reason to order to go) but if it's nice outside its worth the wait!
(4)
Abigail W.
Food is delicious here!! Overly large portions and the price to show for it. Three strawberry crepes for just over $10 bucks seems pricey to me for breakfast, but they were incredible. The fresh squeezed orange juice was refreshing. Nothing special about the side sausage. And yes, it's ok to add fresh whipped cream to your breakfast foods ;)
(4)
Andrew S.
I'm a breakfast lover, and this is one of my all-time favorite spots to eat it. I come here at least once every time I'm in Chicago. Still not sure whether this location is local or part of the chain but guess it doesn't really matter. The seasonal pancakes (the pumpkin ones they have in the fall are the best) are always part of my order. Tip: if you get an egg dish you can get two pancakes as a side and for $2 extra can substitute the seasonal ones. The last time I was here it was cash only but not sure whether that's changed now. Total is usually $10-$15 per person if you get coffee or a juice. Which reminds me, the grapefruit juice is fresh squeezed and delicious!
(5)
Tiffany H.
Cute breakfast spot with outdoor seating on warm days. It reminded me of an IHOP type of place. Large menu with lots of options. I ordered the skillet with veggies and my friend got the farmers scramble. I love that the egg dishes come with either pancakes or toast so you can still get sweet and savory. The pancakes were delicious, but my egg skillet dish was oddly warmer on one side of the plate. Unevenly warmed up and not seasoned at all. I wasn't exactly blown away. And the coffee I think was very overpriced. $3.15 for a cup of coffee even with refills is really ridiculous. Upon asking for the bill, we were told to pay at the cashier by the door. We wanted to itemize the menu based off of my order and my friend's order. We only had TWO people and the lady said she wasn't able to itemize; she could only divide evenly. I found it a bit absurd that with a POS system and a computer system she couldn't individually charge out each item. Because of the lack of management, which was also apparent with the waitstaff, I would only give it two stars: however the pancakes were actually quite memorable and tasty so I didn't dock off that third star.
(3)
Peggy S.
Plentiful, delicious food at great prices with great service. A must-have for your American breakfast cravings! I brought some Australian friends here during our stay in Chicago for a conference. They said they wanted American food and possible pancakes, so this seemed like a good choice after reading some fellow Yelpers' reviews. We were not disappointed! We had no issues getting a table at 8:30am on a Thursday. Our waitress was polite and friendly and gave us great service throughout. I ordered a spicy skillet (their menu on here has not been updated) that came with jalapenos, potatoes, cheese and other things, two eggs (over medium), and a side of pancakes--that is an option! The skillet was huge! With the pancakes as a side, it really is enough for two meals for me. The skillet was very savory and had the right amount of spice for me. The eggs were perfect. The pancakes were also very good. The batter was sweeter than most pancakes, so I didn't even add syrup to them. I will definitely be coming back here--and getting a to-go box!
As others have said, it's basically an IHOP. (But with only one kind of watered down maple-like syrup). The service was great. The corned beef hash was tasty but oddly dry. Even stranger were the rubbery scrambled eggs on top. They would not stop steaming--not during the entire meal, it was like there was a little steam vent to the Netherworld in them. Very tasteless. Pancakes and pecan waffle were fine. Not the best I ever had but not the worst either. The place is cute in a "land that time forgot" kind of way. Price was reasonable for the area. Large nportions.
(3)
Alexandra R.
This place is generous on the servings and it is plain old good comfort food. The lines are ridiculous on the weekend, but worth waiting for on a cold Chicago morning. The spicy skillet is delish and the service is pleasant but not overbearing. They do try and hustle you out during busy rush but that's understandable.
(4)
Chris T.
When you're dying for pancakes and everywhere else in gold coast is packed or too expensive, you come here. Not because it's particularly amazing - but because you must have pancakes NOW... and you're cheap. It's drastically different from anything else in the area, which can be refreshing if you live in these parts. That being said, the hostess/cashier is dysfunctional, and the service is comparable to IHOP. I'd say the entire set up is like IHOP, except more run down. But I suppose if this is the "original" pancake house, IHOP copied them? I have no idea. Anyway, the pancakes are all good enough, and does set them apart from other pancake chains in terms of variety - I've never had a Dutch Treat or Dutch Apple before. However, after a few bites of these giant cakes, you quickly get your fill, and you think about all the cardio you're going to have to do to make up for this giant plate of carbs. I prefer many other brunch places before here, but if I happen to be in the area I wouldn't mind going again.
(3)
Blake A.
Very enjoyable restaurant. The menu has a wide variety of breakfast. The food might take awhile to cook, but because of the high quality of the food it is worth the wait. The waitresses are nice and make you feel welcome. I would caution about sitting outside because of yellow jackets that like to sit on top of the syrup container.
(5)
Mark H.
A bacon in the rough. This blue roofed, single family repurposed house might appear like an anomaly in the middle of a foo foo Gold Coast restaurant area. Come inside and travel back in time to an 80s breakfast joint. A no nonsense layout, an assortment of delectable gourmet food items on the menu and deleted are the usual hipstered out model-abees server but rather a group of normal hard working blue collars. Although famous for their pancakes, I must say their bacon has no parallel. Nice thick pieces and lightly seasoned. Perfect as a complement with eggs or simply a light bk snack with coffee. So, if you're out on Rush, stop by this well oiled and decently priced nostalgia and hope they will never run out of style.
(5)
Jennifer E.
The food was good. The service needs a lot of improvement. Firstly, the hostess was rude. I understand that their policy is to wait to have everyone in the party to able to be seated but if 3/4 of the party is already there.... doesn't it make sense to seat people??? You have to seat a party of 3 on a 4-top anyways. But no...the hostess refused to seat us. This place is another IHOP in disguise located in the Gold Coast.
(3)
Carlos T.
The Original Pancake House....90+ seating clean, above average service. From order to table 14 minutes with 15 customers in dinning area. Food was fresh and hot, pancakes was original recipe, but hashbrowns was more a par broiled dice and seasoned America fry.....no crispy edge at all from the grill on the potatoes. Coffee was fresh, and Omelet was good. Overall 6 out of 10, would return but wouldn't be a must try again spot.
(3)
David D.
My wife and three boys love breakfast diners and the old school look of this place is what originally drew my attention. Then upon reading the reviews here on yelp, I thought we might have a winner. I was nervous about the line - a 20 month old and 6 year old waiting patiently typically don't go together well - but the line moves quickly and the boys made friends in line too. Our server was very friendly and food comes out quickly. One of my breakfast staples is corned beef hash and eggs. I ordered that with a side of pancakes. Now, usually I eat my eggs and corned beef hash first and whatever stomach I have left I dive into the pancakes, but the pancakes were so good I ate all of them and had hash leftover - which is a shame because the hash was awesome too. But the pancakes = dominating. The boys and wife also loved everything but the pancakes were the definite star for our table. We'll be back!!
(5)
shamrock B.
Great traditional breakfast place. Omelets are huge! Though it's not a gourmet breakfast place it's solid good food and always on point. Service is fast. Now the bad is the wait on sat and sun are the worst be ready for a hour or longer so don't be in a rush if your going here.
(4)
Rick V.
This place is authentic and the service is great. Very friendly staff. The food tastes amazing. I would recommend this anytime.
(4)
Matt O.
Found this gem on a walk during our vacation to Chicago. Ended up eating there three days in a row, and took our visiting family there too. The service was excellent. The coffee was perfection. I had the cherry Kijaffa and banana pancakes... so awesome. I watched my family eat omelets bigger than their heads! I only wish we had found this place on our first day. It would have been seven breakfasts there instead of just three. Oh and the walk to the Original Pancake House on Bellevue was on a beautiful residential street. Overall, it was charming as hell!
(5)
Gabriele P.
The strawberry pancakes are just delicious and they come with a strawberry syrup that I could kill for! Eggs and bacon were great too, cooked right to the point. Nice service and lovely location, an overall great experience and definitely recommended if you want to have a taste of a truly American brunch!
(5)
Sundi P.
One of the best breakfast places in Chicago. My husband loves their Dutch Baby Pancakes especially the ones with the Apples. I had French Toast and my sister had their regular pancakes. Everyone loved their food and the service is pretty good.
(5)
Mike W.
I came here on a Saturday morning and as was expected there was a pretty long line. Luckily, the line moved pretty quickly and I was seated after waiting about 10 minutes. The hostess was very polite. The sitting area was kind of tight, but not a huge deal unless maybe you're in a big group. I got the steak skillet which was a nice mix of steak, eggs, onions and peppers. It also came with a small side of pancakes. The meal was delicious, I wouldn't say over the top, but I was very impressed with how nice all the staff were. I'd definitely recommend a visit when in Chi-town.
(5)
Kendra N.
While traveling for work, my hubby and I came here to grab a bite to eat before work. It was a weekday so we were seated right away on the patio. The service was nice and quick. We came in with our own coffee and the hostess wouldn't let us bring it in in our own cups, but she did pour it into a different cup for us. Good to know for people who are picky about their coffee! We had the banana pancakes (yum!), a large OJ (fresh squeezed!), and a side of bacon (delicious, thick-cut). Everything was very, very good. We shared everything and the total with tax and tip came to $22 and was more than enough food for 2 people. I would definitely recommend this place - it's very good! Only reason it didn't make it up to 5 stars is that it's pretty standard food, nothing too unique here.
(4)
Kamran L.
I don't eat breakfast much, but when I do....This is the place to be. Service is always good, the portions are enough for 2 people, and the coffee is amazing.....and the prices really are not that bad.
(4)
Scott R.
Two words.....The Bomb!!! Old school diner style portions...with a creative touch!! Cherry crepes rock...bacon is the real deal!! You get what you pay for here!!!
(5)
Darren O.
First time visitors. Visited on Saturday around 10:45. The line was just barely out the door, but we were seated in less than 20 minutes. I hate waiting in line for any restaurant but this was worth it. (TIP for first time visitors - no need to go inside to put your name in. Just get in line). Seating can be a little cozy since the place isn't very big. Food was fantastic. I'll post a pic. Only complaint is that this location does not have biscuits and gravy. Service was great ... fast and courteous. FOOD TIP: Our waitress (Becky) said she always orders hash browns (what I would normally call breakfast potatoes) "extra crispy" so the kitchen throws them on the griddle a little longer. I don't know what they would be like without the extra crispy order, but the ones they brought to us were perfect. Not actually crispy...just perfect. Bacon, pancakes, eggs, sausage...it was all excellent. We will definitely go back.
(5)
Chrystal Z.
Their skillets are AMAZING. Holy hell - I think this is better than any breakfast I've ever had. It's cheap, fills you up, has a slew of ingredients (and you can add/minus/substitute to your liking)... with two eggs on top (which honestly just makes anything and everything better). It's not that complicated to make, but boy do they make it good... I scarfed down the entire thing in about 5 minutes (and I'm a pretty slow eater!). If you like potatoes, cheese, egg yolks, and veggies (I added jalapeno peppers and bacon to mine)... get the vegetable skillet and add some stuff to your liking! So, so, so, so, SO delicious. I don't remember the last time I've sung so much praise about a restaurant on Yelp (I'm jaded now). Our server was so sweet, so smiley, and so perky on an overcast day. Fast, attentive, and so friendly - we couldn't help but smile back and enjoy ourselves. It's warm service like that that really adds to the value of a meal. I would DEFINITELY come here again. Haven't found a better bang for your buck anywhere else in the country!
(5)
Jennifer T.
This place is super busy so hop in line & be respectful. We're all in need of pancakes. It's usually a shorter wait than you'd expect. The breakfast is good but not great. I liked that the pancakes I had weren't heavy but they didn't have a ton of flavor. They're pancakes, I know, but gimme something you know? I did like that they brought a strawberry syrup and I could dip or pour as much as I'd like. It wasn't gel like or goopy either. Not the cleanest place I've seen either. I don't need the place to be spotless but it could stand for a little more care in that department. I do adore the brick walls & the homey touches of the place. Overall, I'd try this place again but I wouldn't make it a staple to bring everyone I knew to.
(3)
Michelangelo V.
Honest review: the food is ok nothing special everything is supper eggy really is not worth the time or money plus the parking sucks the dutch baby lol everybody raving about it trust me its not that good mostly egg
(1)
Willis W.
We had Breakfast here two days into our stay in Chicago. Good typical Breakfast Fare , Service was reasonably prompt. Food was delicious. Prices were about what we expected for that area of Chicago.
(4)
Erika Lyn S.
The original pancake house is packed by 0800. Initially, I felt the prices might be a bit high for an omelet and pancakes, however, I was pleasantly surprised when my omelet arrived quickly and for a brief moment I was completely overwhelmed by the size. I had my omelet made to order, with spinach, broccoli (which is NOT an option at our IHOP in Missouri), cheddar cheese and bacon. My omelet was delicious and piping hot! FYI...The OPH uses real cheddar chese and not the chess sauce used by other places. Service is incredible and Wilson (last initial T) is extremely attentive, keeping my coffee and water filled. THE OPH uses real cream. The best part is the OPH is located just across from the wonderful and sheik Thompson Chicago where my husband and I were staying, so I simple walked over and back in less than 30 seconds. I will be back likely in the morning before I hit the road and head back to Saint Louis.
(5)
Stefano Z.
The apple pancake was literally to die for - I tried as hard as I could to gulp all of it down, because it was outstandingly delicious, but it was far too much for me to eat. Everything we had was delicious, with very generous portions, and nice service. Of course we waited in line for 30+ minutes, so be prepared... but it was worth it.
(5)
Matthew I.
Great service, great food! A quick breakfast fix for whenever you have a hankering for something scrumptious! I love coming here on my lunch break with friends from the office. The service is fast and they are always attentive no matter how busy it is!
(5)
Graham B.
I love these kind of places. Great value for money, food is nothing too fancy but really tasty and ample portions. It's location is s little surreal surrounded by fancy Gold Coast restaurants but it had a steady stream of custom while we were there and that really wasn't surprising. Went back several times for breakfast during my visit :)
(5)
Johnny A.
Great, awesome food. Have one of the omelet and you'll fall in love, than you will understand me! Try it out
(4)
David Z.
An Apparent secret in Chicago, this was a great stop for breakfast and a must have is the baked apple pancake. It comes out huge but once you cut in it deflates like a tire with a hole in it. But tastes phenominal. Worth taking a ride here for breakfast. It was just a short walk from the hotel so vary convenient. The line grew longer as the morning went on so get there early if you don't like to wait.
(5)
Dana W.
Friendly service, food delivered quickly and was good, coffee was hot and refilled often. No complaints! Went as a single diner and shared table with other single diners, that's fine however, felt somewhat rushed and no time or space to read paper. If looking to relax and have a leisurely breakfast you might feel a little pressed to move it along. If looking for a quick good breakfast then you'll be good. Btw...bacon is thick and really good.
(5)
David S.
I'm originally from Madison, Wisconsin so I'm very familiar with the Original Pancake House. All locations are different, for example, the one back home gives you a "number" and puts you on a waiting list, this location does not, similar to first come, first serve with lower waiting times for smaller parties. I have been to this locations dozens of times since moving to Chicago and every time is great. Always get the same thing 49er Flapjacks and a coffee, never been a disappointment. Love this place!
(5)
Alaina D.
The only reason I gave it two stars was because of our waitress. Otherwise, the service was horrible. We walked in and said we had a party of two. The guy at the hostess stand looked annoyed and said "okay, tell her." We were seated at a 6 top with a family of 4 with two kids. It was really awkward since we were trying to have breakfast to celebrate our engagement. We decided to stay and order, but when I ordered the corn beef hash, they said they were out. I asked if they had the biscuits and gravy and they did not have them at this location. We had already ordered coffee, but we decided this was the last straw and asked for the check. Our waitress did everything she could to get us to stay, like offering to check when there would be more corn beef hash. Unfortunately, we were done at that point. We insisted we pay on coffee but she said it was on the house. We left and walked to hash house a go go. I was really disappointed because I had this place bookmarked on yelp for a long time, but I will not be back.
(2)
Susan C.
I been here many times and I love this place for breakfast food not just because I saw Bill Ranic. This place is always pack when I go since I always have to wait but the wait time is not long and my friends and I get seated right away. I love their potato pancake since it's so light and airy. When I am there I usually get their Benedict's breakfast and it taste delicious and I like their coffee. I would go back there anytime.
(4)
Stefanie B.
Heavenly! Absolute heaven... mouthwatering! I was just going to post the above sentence, but decided, I would elaborate a little bit. I know a lot of people complain about a wait, but IMO a wait generally means it is a good place to eat; if you don't want to wait, don't wait and go to IHOP and get mediocre food. This place is so good I wish I had more than one stomach (how gluttonous of me). I love, love, love the pancakes and the crepes and the omelets and the drinks and the ... well, just all of it. Go, now... and enjoy!
(5)
Travis J.
Just like it was when I was a kid. Big thick omelettes and pancakes. My mothers favorite place, whenever I am in town my mom has to go. No reason to write a lengthy review. If you have never been its a must go. A shack in the middle of the gold coast which I hope never closes.
(5)
Brian S.
The waffle texture is perfect - just a thin crisp and perfectly bready inside. We took my daughters here 3 breakfasts in a row on our vacation.
(5)
Khan K.
One word, AMAZING! I just randomly came across this place on yelp, and saw some great reviews, and lemme just say this, all those 5 star reviews were completely justififed. I walked in to a long queue, but first the queue moved quickly and then, more importantly it was totally worth it. We had to share the table with other people, but to me that just added to the color and ambiance of the place. I went there on Sunday afternoon around 1 and the brunch menu was still on. Based on the reviews, and the fact that I had just come from a run, I decided to go with the skillet. The skillet was supposed to be huge, for the appetite I had built up, and had pancakes on the side, who's gonna pass up on panxakes, right! Now I am a vegetarian, sort of, so I ordered the veggie skillet with half fried eggs, and it was worth the wait, lived up to the reviews, and was perfectly done in all respects. The pancake on the side, again, pretty awesome, and definitely a meal for a person and a half, if I had not just ran. I am definitely bringing more friends next time, this for me is one of the best American breakfasts I have had, hands down.
(5)
Michelle G.
Attention Gluten Free people! You can eat pancakes again. Not only do they serve "gluten friendly" pancakes, but they are delicious!
(5)
Jack W.
I've been seeing Original Pancake Houses for years and never stepped inside. I was very impressed with the eggs, bacon, ham, sausage and the pancakes and crepes of course. The place has a very 50s to 70s cozy feel, an anachronism for Gold Coast, and great service.
(5)
Lina S.
I was so disappointed with the behavior of the front disk today .. This is not my first time in pancake house but I've not been treated like this before. The two ladies were rude .. I was waiting for a table for more than an hour then we waited to clean it for more than 10 mins and no one called us!!! We sit in the table without menus, we called the waiter to bring them and she was surprised that the ladies in front disk didn't bring any!!. Then rudely, one of the ladies in the front disk threw the menus in the table without a single word! Didn't even apologize for the long waiting!!! The restaurant was one of my favorite breakfast restaurant in Chicago, but not anymore!
(1)
John F.
Favorite breakfast place of all time. Go with the classic scrambled eggs, bacon and pancakes. The omelette's are fantastic as well. Every time we come back to Chicago we make a special stop here. Sometimes the wait is a little long for me for a breakfast spot but it is worth it.
(4)
Nathasja T.
Ummm. Yum. I am a big fan of the Original Pancake House, and this location was the 'original' one for me. Years (and years and years) ago my husband and I used to take trips which didn't center around work. One of those trips domestically took us to Chicago and we spent some days exploring the city and putzing around. Of course we had to eat, and he decided to take me here to this little breakfast place. Because it was a weekend morning there was a lane snaked around the building, and I gave him a raised eyebrow look. Eventually we were at the front of the line and my feet forgave my husband pretty quickly. Usually I am a savory breakfast fan, but with a name like this I had to go the pancake route. I opted for a massive baked apple concoction per the waitress' recommendation, and my hubby chose the fluffy domed Dutch baby pancake (how appropriate). Both pancakes take a while to m(b)ake, but man are they good! Many more trips followed and I realized that their coffee is delicious, their fresh orange juice is the bomb, their whipped cream has a high fat content and thus great flavor, their scrambled eggs are fluffy, their regular buttermilk pancakes sweep me off my feet, their baked homemade corned beef hash is worth the additional wait for baking, the fresh strawberry crepe is hard to beat and their bacon...man, their bacon is like a thick cut slab of bacon steak. *insert Angels singing* Yes, I am a fan.. and the wait is worth every minute.
(4)
Adam S.
Solid breakfast. Nice pancakes as you would expect. Good coffee. Quick service. Long line might seem imposing but it moves quickly. Not too expensive either. Oatmeal with fruit was a disappointment, however. Way too sweet for my tastes. But, then again, all the pancakes had powdered sugar so it is not for the faint of heart (or weak of heart).
(4)
Arpita B.
We came in here late on a rainy Tuesday afternoon expecting to have skipped the lines which are a staple to this place over the weekend...I guess it was just wishful thinking on my part! The line was still in place despite it being a working day(not to mention the rain) and about an hour to closing time. After a wait of about half hr during which we salivated over the food being taken to the other patron's table we were finally seated! We started our meal with some fresh house brewed coffee(I loved the free refills). Our party of four ordered the egg Benedict, Dutch Delight, side of sausage and toast. If you are not a big eater, this is more than adequate for 4 people. Since the Dutch Delight is made to order we had a 25 minute wait for it. The Dutch Delight was delicious but not amazing. The Eggs Benedict too were tasty but I have had better( I still think the Eggs Benedict at Cafe Luna in Boston is by far the best I have ever had and I often dream of it!). The sausage patties in my opinion was the show stealer of the meal. It was flavorful and cooked to perfection. I guess I was a little disappointment by the experience especially after reading such rave reviews about the place. I had high expectation and it fell short by a lot. Overall: it was a good experience but I have had better!
(3)
Vee K.
Day 1 - Had blueberry pancakes; menu said it was fresh blueberries but it was not. Day 2 - Tried eggs and corn beef hash with a side of pancakes; hit the spot as expected but not gourmet, also as expected. My friends loved their Strawberry Crepe and Dutchbaby with bananas and strawberries. The fruit was fresh and tasty. Long lines both days, moved pretty quickly. Food came quickly and the servers were wonderful both times. Bathroom not so great, so go before and after.
(3)
John V.
Just great breakfast food for great prices and fast service. I make it a point to visit here whenever I am I'm in Chicago. Come eat and enjoy!!!!
(5)
Aimee M.
In the midst of sleek shopping and restaurants lies little ole Original Pancake House. And I emphasize little. On a Sunday morning 8ish, there was still a 10 minute wait. By 830 there was already a line in their vestibule. Pancakes, waffles, omelettes, crepes. All the basic breakfast food groups are covered. We split a veggie (tomato, broccoli and mushroom) egg white omelet, the 49'ers flapjacks and the Hawaiian pancakes. The omelet and flapjacks were really good; very well-made and a huge portion. The Hawaiian pancakes were nothing special--just regular buttermilk pancakes topped with crushed (canned) pineapple and the tropical syrup was pretty bland. Oh well, worth a try. The coffee is strong and plentiful. Service was super sweet and friendly. The layout of the restaurant is very small and pretty cramped. When the restaurant is full, there's not much elbow room so save your post meal stretch for when you step outside.
(3)
Naiying C.
I had the apple pancake and tried some of the dutch delight. My pancake was huge so it can be splitted between 2 people.
(4)
Patrick C.
Pretty typical American cafe. Nothing super extraordinary. Decor reminds me of an IHOP. Food was pretty mediocre, but I will say that the bacon was excellent. For a little bit more ($$), you can probably find a breakfast/brunch place that is much better.
(2)
Nico A.
I gotta say the past two consecutive breakfasts I had these past two days in Chicago was spectacular. The banana pancakes are stuffed with bananas and with a side of scrambled eggs and crisp bacon it left me in a sort of bliss that made me just sit back and bask in the goodness and glory of it all. I recommend the strawberry crepe also a great deal. The service is very swift and friendly, so you really feel like your treated as apart of their family. I would definitely come again! Hands down best breakfast place in Chicago!!
(5)
Bradley C.
This was very disappointing. While the food was decent I was told at the very end that I needed to give up my table for a birthday party. I had finished my meal and have been drinking coffee without food for no more than 15 minutes. The idea to rush a paying customer out is never okay. Probably will not return.
(2)
Jacob G.
I like Original Pancake House. Their food is pretty good.
(4)
Ebby V.
Order the meat lovers, you will be glad you did. The pancakes are fantastic. I thought this was another IHOP but much better. I got a piece of bone in ham, very good. The staff is very friendly. Apparently there are many regulars who love going there. The staff seem to make an effort to know their names not just the faces. I would go back in a heart beat for breakfast. It is better than spending $50-75 at the other high end places for food you are not sure about.
(4)
Ry S.
This has become my go-to breakfast joint for good cheap food since I moved to Rush & Chicago. The wait on the weekends can be up to 30 minutes, but it's worth it considering the prices for the neighborhood. I always order some variation of pancakes with turkey bacon and never feel disappointed with the food quality. There's one particular older blonde waitress who is always a pleasure every time I'm seated in her section. Cons- The time management here can seem a bit off. I've sat and ate breakfast with my roommate while two men waited 10 minutes for glasses of water and an additional 15 minutes just for a waiter to come and take their order. Worst part is the the restaurant was not even close to being as busy as it is a typical Sunday. The girls at the check-out desk are just plain rude! They could care less how you approach them because they've already made up their minds to have a gross attitude.
(4)
BJ S.
The chocolate chip pancakes with whipped cream were awesome! Will definitely be back for more!
(4)
sara s.
Huge selection! Goodness we couldn't decide which to take. The food was delicious, a perfect brunch place. Be advised there is a long line to get seated but the line moves fast so its worth waiting. I loved that though the place was hectic the staff gave you the feeling that they have all the time in the world. Loved that. Totally not rushing or pushing you out. The vibe at this place is excellent, relaxed, happy, and family oriented.
(5)
Lyn D.
It was my first time in Chi-Town and I had a ball! The ladies and I went her for brunch and it was fab...we sat outside and chatted as we people watched and looked over the tantalizing menu with so many delicious pancake choices. I decided on the banana pancake and egg whites, which was great! I also tried the Pecan pancake which was good too! This place is solid. It was overall a beautiful afternoon with lovely ladies and great grub. When I return to Chicago, I'm definitely going back!
(4)
Daniel L.
Great breakfast joint hidden off to the side of the more glitzier shops and restaurants on Rush street. As others have mentioned it's not a huge space so there's always a line on the weekends but from my experience it tends to move pretty fast. Every type of pancake I've had here has been awesome and their omelettes and eggs benedict are great too. Definitely my favorite breakfast place in the city.
(5)
Kara E.
So I've only ordered the same thing when I come here. The plain ol' pancakes. But man, these are the best pancakes I've had in the city. Perfectly soft, fluffy and buttery every time.
(5)
Joey P.
We came for breakfast on a Sunday morning about 11:00. There was a line but it went by fast. I had the bacon lovers something something. 6 pieces yes I said 6 pieces of bacon and 3 eggs and 3 small pancakes. I loved it. We will come back. Also we had the best waitress (Nikki) in the world.
(5)
Doreen W.
Very good breakfast place! I had the eggs Florentine with potato pancakes and they were delicious! The line seemed long but moved very quickly, especially because there were only 2 of us. We only waited about 15 minutes. When we left at 10:20 on a Sunday, there were 2 lines in the hallway and a line out the door. Well worth the wait!
(5)
Linda B.
Ashton Kutcher was there this past Sat; that was cool. The food...meh! What happened to this place? I've been here a few times and remember it being much better. It just didn't taste good (no seasoning in my skillet and pancakes that were blah).
(2)
Katie M.
This is truly a 3.5 star review for me. I have been to the OPH a handful of times, but its been a few years since my last visit. I know enough that this place can get very crowded, so I'll start with the good - when we arrived there was NO WAIT and we had our choice of tables. Now, I'll mention we did arrive at about 7:50 on a Saturday morning, so yes, it was early. I let the birthday girl pick the table. She chose a 4-top outside under an umbrella, which the hostess happily sat us at. When the waiter arrived 2 minutes later, he said they don't usually seat those tables until 8AM, but he would make an exception for us (gee, thanks buddy, seeing that it was 7:50, I was not overly impressed at his exception). He rushed us to order. Did not offer any drinks besides water, I probably would have gotten a juice if he hadnt seemed so annoyed we sat at the 8AM tables at 7:50Am. I opted for the Vegetarian Omelet, my daughter got the kids chocolate chip pancakes with sausage. I am a huge fan of pancakes, but I like them simple - plain ol pancakes with butter and syrup. I have never been a fan of overly sweet breakfast items - but these chocolate chip pancakes were out of this world. Served with powdered sugar and whipped cream (hello, sugar) this dish is more like a dessert than a breakfast. The sausage, however that came with it was not very good. It tasted undercooked or old. My omelet was huge, and filled with fresh, chunky vegetables and a generous amount of cheddar cheese, but literally just plopped down on a plate - so nothing pretty presentation wise, despite its $11 price tag. Daughter pegged the meal as "best breakfast ever" but she is 6, so trust me when I say, yes, the food is worth the hefty gold coast price tag, but don't expect white glove service :)
(3)
Anne L.
Love this place. Usually there is a line out the door. But the combination of weekday and mid afternoon (close at 3:00) is a winning one! Seated immediately, and the signature Dutch Baby came practically at the speed of light, or at least for this divine meal.
(4)
Derick W.
Was just walking by on a morning and went in. Even though I was alone and the place was 90% full, I was seated with a smile. Hard time deciding what to have but I had the corned beef hash and eggs. Really interesting (good) hash. The waitress came by very often filling my coffee. Prices reasonable, very friendly people and great food. I'll go out of my way next time I'm in Chicago to stop in for Breakfast.
(5)
Max S.
The Original Pancake house was simply put- awesome. Perfect way to start the day in Chicago. What I love is most of the entrees come with a few pancakes (which are awesome), so you can try multiple things. The Chorizo egg bowl was one of the better things i ate on the trip and that's hard to do in a town like Chicago. It's a must do when in the area.
(5)
Shrinath P.
AMAZING!!!! This place is unavailable, defiantly worth the 15 min wait we had to go through. The Spanish/Mexican omelette was delicious, same with the chocolate pancakes. The hash browns were a little off but they took them back and got them well done and made them perfect. Probably the best breakfast place in the Gold Coast without breaking your wallet like other places in the area.
(5)
Kelley B.
This place is so bomb.. We heard great things about it and stopped in here before heading out of Chicago. You'll most likely have to wait in line for about 5-10 mins before getting a table. Their menu is huge, it'll have anything you could possibly want for breakfast plus some Dutch or Belgium favorites. I got a simple turkey sausage and eggs breakfast with pancakes and coffee. My entire breakfast was perfect I was very happy they offered slightly healthier meat options. Their coffee was also very good. Apparently they roast it themselves and you can buy a pound for $10. I may do that, good souvenir! In all, worth the wait. You must try!
(5)
Amelia B.
Large portions, endless options, tasty food, and reasonable prices (for a Gold Coast brunch). Admittedly, I'm not a pancake person, but the omelets are massive, and pancake are always offered as a side. Toast? pfffft. Who gets toast? For you gluten-free foodies, they are now offering a "gluten-free" pancake. If you are highly allergic, not your thing, but for those that just try to avoid or are mildly sensitive, it will work. Plenty of open tables on a recent warm Saturday, and service moves quick. Only qualm was really that coffee refills were slow to come, but I really don't need to be drinking that much anyway. #jitters So walk past the "see and be seen" scene at Tavern and Lux, and mosey on into Pancake House if you just want to stuff your face.
(4)
Stephanie P.
We reached out to the OPH on behalf of our wedding guests and they were amazing!!! They gave us a stack of coupons to put in our guest hotel gift bags, that included a nice message and congrats to Mr. and Mrs. Parsch. They were located right across the street from the Thompson, so it was convenient for people as well. Also, we just received a card from them congratulating us on our marriage with a gift certificate for us to come back and eat there! How thoughtful! I highly recommend them to anyone and their food is delicious!
(5)
Sara R.
I love visiting this place every time I visit Chicago. There are just no better pancakes! And the skillets are amazing. Service is always pretty good. You might have to wait a little bit for a table, but totally worth it.
(5)
Pam A.
Dutch baby, that's the only reason I go there. I'm sure everything is good but that's my absolute fav!! It's a tiny place so there's usually a line, but it's definitely worth the wait.
(5)
Rebecca C.
It's the original pancake house. It's affordable and addictive. Can't go wrong with the french toast or pancakes.
(5)
Elyse L.
We got here at the perfect time today. As soon as we were seated, we blinked and the line was out the door. Original pancake house was our favorite breakfast spot back home in Texas. We have tried one other location in Chicagoland since moving and it was terrible. This location is so, so much better. Still not the exact replica of what we are used to but pretty damn close. It's in a great area of town too, so once you finish your big breakfast you are walking distance of pretty much anywhere of interest in the river north area. I had the strawberry waffle with fresh sliced strawberries, whipped cream, and their homemade strawberry syrup which is wonderful. My husband got a meat lovers plate that came with eggs, sausage links, ham, bacon, and a side of pancakes which he substituted for bacon pancakes and he was in heaven. Great food here, but come early or you will be waiting a while!
(4)
Julia J.
The long line moved quickly- the hostess staff was organized and friendly. Service was great- your typical family brunch stop. I felt comfortable having my kiddo with me. My waffle was delicious- cooked perfectly. My husband had the bacon pancakes and he thought they were great. A friend ordered a new twist on Eggs Benedict which he enjoyed, but the other two people in our group were disappointed with their egg dishes. We sat inside which was nice and cool, but the outside looked lovely too. I would come back here- the earlier the better to avoid the long lines. The line was three times as long when we were leaving at 11am.
(3)
Mark R.
Breakfast does not get better than this. Apple Waffle, apple pancakes, chocolate chip pancakes are like cocaine. It will change your life but in a good way. This place almost always handles and fullfills breakfast desires better than any other breakfast place.
(5)
M K.
Went to this place for the first time the other day with two others. Wait is not bad, there was a line, but we were seated within 20 minutes on saturday morning at 11:30am. We shared the "dutch treat", and each of us also had individual orders - in my case, I got the eggs florentine. Overall, the food was not bad at all. Was pleasantly surprised with the dutch treat because there probably was more egg in it than pancake batter (which was what my group thought it would be). Eggs Florentine was ok, and the potato pancakes that came with it was a good change (from regular pancakes). Overall, this is a decent brunch place (would give 3.5 stars if I could). Other than a few of their specialties (e.g. dutch baby, apple pancakes, dutch treat, etc), it's basically a slightly better version of IHOP. Since this place is close by, I probably would drop by a second time in the future.
(3)
Jose L.
Waited in line for over half an hour. Wanted to order their biscuits and gravy, which is oa on their menu, just to be told they don't serve that dish there. Ridiculous! Never go there again. Instead went to the breakfast place called Hash House 2 block down is less crowded and actually serves dishes that are on their menu.
(1)
Victor E.
Pancakes were the same as any other place and the omelette was just comically large, but neither had anything special about it that made it stand out in any way, big or small. They don't do straws, which is why water spilled all over me when the ice attacked my face, torso and lap; the cups have a really stupid design that allows for this. You can only drink half of the cup of water before it starts showering you. Service was average, which i liked.
(1)
Raven T.
Delicious doesn't even begin to describe the pancakes here. I had pecan which were not only loaded with nuts but topped with them too! I also had a scramble (more like hash) with chorizo! I didn't think I could finish it but the fat girl prevailed. Soooo good!
(5)
James W.
Arrived at around 10 am on Monday, had to wait about 5 minutes, this restaurant is tiny. Ordered the bacon lover meal, nothing special but the bacon was nice and thick. The wife ordered the Belgian waffle, so light and tender. The only problem we encountered was the syrup dispenser had sticky handles, please wipe them down from time to time. Service was very attentive. Will go again if we're ever in Chicago again!
(4)
Martha Z.
Loved that it was across the street from my hotel (Thompson Hotel). I went there almost everyday for breakfast and got something different each time and each time was delicious. I did not try the Dutch pancake or the Dutch Baby but it looked really tempting! That would probably be good for a group of 4-5 people. This is a good classic spot and they can't go wrong.
(5)
Cassie V.
The sign of a good breakfast place is the line out the door, of a crowded room/hallway, with 30+ minute wait, but no one is moving. That is exactly what Original Pancake House is, plus more. You add on the family dining room like feel and the quick witted waitresses who acts like your aunt and you've got even more. I've gotten the traditional buttermilk pancakes, some of the hashes and the eggs Benedict. None let me down. I also get their coffee, which is superb for diner coffee. It's not watery and comes with free refills, so caff up. My plate is always gone in under 10 mins and I'm always excited for the rest of the day that we got breakfast here. Two people can be well fed (usually with leftovers), including drinks for about $30. Hope you enjoy it as much as I have!
(4)
Chris W.
Holy crap that is some great food! I ordered the meat lover breakfast... So good. Came with chocolate chip pancakes. My biggest complaint is the price. Super super expensive! Be prepared to shell out more than expected for breakfast. A little cold waiting in the hallway outside the restaurant. Good service too!
(4)
Belle L.
For the last 10 years, I have been coming here when I am around Water Tower Place. Food quality is consistently good. Patrons are also consistently loyal during weekday lunch and consistently ridiculous on weekends. My only sighting of Fabio (yup, the romance novel cover boy). From a sitting position, it didn't look like Fabio is 6'3". It was easy to spot his frizzy bleached blonde hair. My favorites on the menu: Swedish Pancake and Dutch Baby Treat. European Tourist frowns that it's the same batter, but I would gladly take the American version than the salted Helsinki cardboard crepe. Fresh Strawberries is the major attraction! The plump strawberries had a lot of carbon footprint, but it's better than the soggy frozen version. Don't forget to say hello to the charming, perfectly mannered Argentinian born Italian Diego!
(5)
Jerry L.
I am a fan and have been since the early 80's...started coming here with my children when they were in strollers and we've been coming back ever since for the apple pancakes, Dutch babies, wonderful omelettes and bacon ever since...don't change a thing!
(5)
Kristina A.
The Dutch baby can be shared, it was amazing.....a little wait for it, but hubby loved it and we didn't even have to eat until dinner time, which is an accomplishment to say the least. I had the pecan pancakes which were very good, but I was eyeing the Dutch baby!!! Next time we are sharing.
(5)
Theresa C.
The best breakfast food in town and the nicest servers. There is a wait but well worth your time. I would definitely come back here on my next visit. I had the pigs in a blanket, yum!
(5)
Kurt B.
The food was delicious. Perfect eggs, fresh squeezed OJ, buttermilk pancakes that melt in your mouth. The ingredient quality really stood out. Real whipped butter, real milk in the batter. We went with simple food instead of a specialty, but simple didn't mean lame. Quick and friendly service, and short wait times even at peak busy hours. This isn't your local IHOP by any stretch.
(5)
Zody H.
The Mister and I made an impromptu trip to Chicago on Christmas day vowing to do Chicago-only things. I thought for sure this was one of those... until I walked in and saw their list of other locations.. One of which happens to be down the street from my work place in SoCal! What a fail. Anyway, we had quite a few parties ahead of us, but the staff is very efficient of getting people in and out without rushing anyone. We were seated in just under 15 minutes. I had the pumpkin waffle. It was DELISH! It's no Crema Cafe, but it's good nonetheless. I opted to shake out the excess cinnamon sugar and walnuts. The waffle itself was good enough for me although I think they could've left it on the waffle machine a little longer so that it was crispy as mine was just soft. The flavor was all there though!
(4)
Wes M.
We went on a Tuesday mid-morning and there was a line waiting to get in. The place isn't very big but has many tables outside. There was only two of us so the wait wasn't very long. The waitress was very friendly and the food was very good. We both had skillets, enough for breakfast and lunch.
(4)
Doug M.
This place rocks!! The Breakfast here is no Friggin joke!! I wish this place was in LA it's that good. First off me and my bro DB went here hoping to get a good breakfast, and they did not disappoint! I ordered the eggs Benedict, he had the meat lovers breakfast ! Both were phenomenal. The real star of the show were the order of. Pumpkin Pancakes with pecans and powdered sugar and cinnamon with whipped cream!!! Whew!!! These jewels are so insane, my boy doesn't even like pumpkins and he ate the ass outta these!! This place is way cool and nostalgic, it's been here for 35 years, and the quality shows, if you get a chance come thru, it's worth it.
(4)
Ronald T.
In short: great service, food was delicious, clean restroom; however only one person restroom per gender. Seems to get crowded fast. Details: came here for brunch with a friend day after Thanksgiving. Seating was quick as it was just the two of us. Due to the popularity and size of the restaurant, some people may be sitting in a communal setting which makes for great conversations and meeting new people. I ordered the potato pancakes which were great with the sour cream and apple sauce. Service was attentive. Restroom was clean, but only was for one person at a time. The guys restroom also did not have a baby changing table, but it was not expected when I walked in. I would definitely come back.
(4)
Amanda H.
We visit Chicago twice a year and the pancake house is a must! I always get the cherry Crepes, they are the best I've ever had! We've never been disappointed and everyone is very nice.
(5)
Geoffrey D.
Now... I'm no businessman, but I was always under the impression that "money" is better than "no money." I went to the Original Pancake House this morning with my wife and two friends. I had a cup of Dunkin' Donuts coffee with me, too. After waiting for twenty minutes in their firetrap of a vestibule, the hostess asked me if I was finished with my beverage as she was readying to take us to our table. I told her I wasn't. She proceeded to inform me that I couldn't bring my coffee in with me. Seriously? I wasn't trying to bring in a stack of someone else's pancakes. It was a cup of coffee. My coffee. I don't want your coffee, Original Pancake House. I want my coffee. So, I gave it to her and took a seat with the rest of my party. I then ordered precisely zero dollars worth of anything. So, because you tried to shake me down over a $1.50 cup of coffee, you instead lost out on the $20 worth of food that I would have ordered. I like breakfast. A lot. Again... I haven't an MBA, but isn't twenty dollars better than no dollars? A policy like the one that prohibits paying customers from bringing in something as trivial as their own cup of coffee (particularly in an urban environment where people seldom walk around without the stuff) shows nothing but shortsightedness and contempt for your customers. It's a way of flexing your muscles and trying to show just what people are willing to put up with in order to wrap their lips around your fork. Well, I'm nobody's whore. I won't put up with it. I've got news for you, Original Pancake House... you're not that original. There's two-dozen other places in Chicagoland that do exactly what you do as well as you do it. I'll go to one that lets me have my coffee and understands that twenty dollars is better than no dollars.
(1)
Chuck M.
We've been to a couple of these restaurants. This one is not overly large, but how they manage the people waiting to enter and eat is a mystery...but they do it with grace. We have the usual breakfast items, eggs, bacon, toast etc. I ordered the side of hash browns...my goodness it was the size of the plate...much more than I could eat. Friendly service with a smile, good prices.
(4)
Alicja K.
Quaint little breakfast restaurant with good food. I lived nearby and it can get crowded and loud.
(4)
Max B.
Venue might look anything special but the experience really was. Congenial service and clearly many regulars and the staff were really welcoming and chatty. Most importantly my "Dutch treat" was fantastic. A Dutch bowl style pancake filled with banana and strawberry and served with a delicious strawberry syrup. Light fluffy and so moorish. I wolfed the lot. Fresh OJ and coffee to with. Great start to the day.
(4)
Joe S.
So.....we were seated outside on the sidewalk, and this family walks by. The little girl in the group started screaming at the pigeons (kinda like that feral kid from "Mad Max"). I thought she was gonna bite off of one, a la Ozzy Osborne. The Dutch Garden was good
(4)
Diana M.
I thought this was a local restaurant only to find out later that this is a franchise. They have this same restaurant located in a few places in northern CA. No matter - I thoroughly enjoyed my experience here. Luckily, no long line for us but the place was packed! Had that dated 70s look - looked kinda dingy and lacked elbow room. Breakfast is breakfast - can't go wrong with breakfast, can you? Service was a bit slow but price and food portion was pretty reasonable. I wouldn't mind coming back and I'm certainly going to visit their northern CA locations.
(3)
Beth M.
They do take your coffee so don't bring one unless you want it thrown out. The line moves fast. Server was like a sweet, chain smoking, aunt. Pancakes were standard. I did enjoy a nice spinach crepe, but I was the only one in our group who seemed to be pleased.
(3)
Alex H.
True story: the Original Pancake House was both my first and last meal when I moved to and eventually from Chicago. In between, I probably ate here 20 times so I suppose that would make me something of an authority on the prowess of these pancakes. The portions are huge and there's a nice variety of options besides just the to-be-expected hotcakes and french toast. The service is efficient and you get a rather interesting cross section of Chicago almost any morning (think CME traders in suits next to nuns next to vacationing families). And I'd be remiss if I didn't add that the coffee is usually quite good (and bottomless, diner-style). Particularly on cold wintry days, the line can get quite long. And while the prices aren't dirt cheap, you're in the Gold Coast, so expecting a $5 grand slam breakfast really just isn't reasonable. Then again, it's a whole lot better than the $25 and up you'll pay at any nearby hotel. All in all, a solid spot for a casual breakfast. 3.5 stars
(3)
Amanda K.
Oh my! Beware the omelets are HUGE! Definitely bigger than my hand. I don't normally like pancakes but the ones I had here were very fluffy and tasty. Service was fast and price was good.
(4)
Claudia C.
Just had breakfast with friends. Food was great! In from NY. I would definitely go back! I have eaten here several times and they never disappoint! It's a very friendly atmosphere where you feel comfortable speaking to people around you. I will definitely go back next time I'm in Chicago!!!
(5)
Vivian H.
If you're in the Viagara Triangle and want to feel like you're at a nice neighborhood joint, come to the Original Pancake House. Super sweet auntie waitresses quick to refill your coffee, elderly regulars muttering "oh man I'm losing it" repeatedly, and unreasonably large portion sizes of pancakes and the like. 2 people should share one dish (maybe with a side if you're super hungry. We had the corned beef hash, pancakes, and dutch treat. All were good, but the dutch treat I think is really nothing special. I used to take my mom to the one in my hometown in California every year for Mother's Day... did not realize it was a national chain. Still a solid choice for diner breakfast, halfway across the country and 10 years later.
(3)
Elizabeth W.
I ordered an omelette, which comes with a side of toast or 3 pancakes. I asked if I could get a side of hash browns instead and they said no. That seems like a fairly simple request.... Overall, the food was just alright. Not great, but pretty quick and in a convenient location. Obviously it was overpriced, just like everything in the Gold Coast.
(3)
Percy N.
There is one reason to visit the Original Pancake House and the first clue is its name - the Pancakes - any kind. My wife ordered the buttermilk pancakes which looked huge when it arrived but were so light and fluffy that they vanished a few minutes later. My Swedish Dutch baby was super fluffy and delicious. You have to use some lemon and sugar on with for the full effect. Wish they had fresh squeeze orange juice instead of the pasteurized processed stuff.
(4)
Alex D.
Good food but terrible hostess working Friday mornings. Management should consider putting her in the back of the house.
(1)
Jay I.
I have been to this place several times over the last year, and this place always provides decent food with great portion. There is always a long line in this place, but the waiting time is not that bad. In this restaurant, we've had omelette, french toast, skillet, and pancakes. I think their pancakes are great, very tender and soft. Other dishes were hit or miss when we had them. To have some nice pancakes, a definite recommendation. For everything else, it's still a good option for a nice brunch.
(4)
Bill D.
I enjoyed my visit to the pancake house. I couldn't believe how much food they serve. I ate breakfast here almost every day during my trip to Chicago and was full for the entire day. My only negative comment was the omlettes were huge and they did not look too appetizing, the rest of the food though was fantastic!
(4)
Christopher D.
I grew up going to The Original Pancake House since I was 3 years old. Pancakes are like a religion in my family and this is our church. Get the 49ers, dutch baby or apple pancake and disregard any other "pancakes" on the menu. This is the mecca for true pancake aficionados. In addition to this location, I've been to the one on Clark, out in the burbs and in various cities, including Scottsdale and Atlanta.
(5)
Nikki H.
Outstanding! Arrived at 8:30 on a Sunday morning and just beat the rush. Blueberry pancakes were a sweet treat, and the artery clogging bacon is delicioso!
(4)
Karen C.
I can count on one hand the number of times I have ever ordered pancakes for breakfast at a restaurant - I am typically more into eggs, but when in Rome... Ordered the strawberry pancakes which were delicious and a nice change. They were nice and fluffy and the fresh strawberries and strawberry syrup were a nice touch. I opted out of the whipped cream but I am sure that would have also been good. Prices seemed a little high for what you got (then again this is the Gold Coast!) and service was just OK. Our waitress was good but the hostess was a little too rude when I tried to bring in an iced coffee from Dunkin, I understand why they would want me to get rid of it, I wasn't even thinking, but there is a nicer way it could have been done!
(3)
Stacy P.
We stayed at the Sutton Place right across the street, and stopped in here for breakfast on Friday morning. It was packed, but service was quick for inside seating (there was a wait for outside seating). Once seated, our waitress was quick, friendly, and cool. Our food arrived with no errors, and she kept the coffee flowing. I know it's a chain, but it's great to find places that do pancakes right!
(4)
Adnan B.
Best pancakes I've ever had! Chocolate chip pancakes were amazing. We also got Mandarin crêpe and mushroom omlette, both were fantastic. The location is beautiful as well. Loved it.
(5)
Katharine A.
I came here with my nephew and 2 nieces and we had a great time. The food was excellent and the service good. The line was already starting to form when we got there (pretty early) and only got worse as we ate. But we got seated pretty quickly and it was a quick turnaround once we sat down. This place is definitely popular! I assume it only gets worse as the day goes on. We got standard fare-- pancakes, eggs and breakfast meats. The kids loved the balloons they got for the walk home.
(4)
Morgan Richelle M.
raise your hand if you love the pancake house! noms!
(4)
Ceejayp P.
if you're here for breakfast, Dutch baby is a definite must order. Loved it. Waffles though were pretty ordinary. Came on a Saturday at 730 am. No wait, still had a couple of open tables inside and in the outdoor seating area. Service was quick and no frills. I recommend when you're in the area looking for a breakfast place.
(4)
Sally R.
Love it here- try their crepes! Try their Dutch Apple Pancake! Get there early especially on the weekends cause after 8am there could be a wait for a table.
(5)
Mat M.
Well, I met my friend Kate for an early breakfast and she lives nearby, so we went down to the Original Pancake House. We waited in line to get seated for a few minutes, and got in really pretty quick for a Sunday. The staff were all friendly, and the food was spot on for breakfast. I had the Denver Omelet and the fixings were plentiful. I'd def come back. A good breakfast staple.
(5)
Jen B.
Worth the wait! Everything is so yummy!
(4)
Rod D.
Breakfasts here are superb, and according to my kids this particular Original Pancake House is quite a bit better than others they've been to. I particularly enjoy their strawberry pancakes, while my kids swear by their healthier dishes. Unfortunately, the great food can lead to a line outside the restaurant, but the line generally moves quite quickly. It would be nice, though, if the manager could get some of the loiterers to leave the restaurant once they've finished their after-meal coffee -- the restaurant seems to be plagued by some local Gold Coast regulars who seem to think it's OK to spend the entire morning hanging out there.
(5)
Brooke B.
Came here for breakfast with my boyfriend and we were quite surprised by the line! So of course since I'm so curious with lines we just HAD to dine here. I must say, I am extremely pleased and thankful that my boyfriend chose this place. When it was our turn to be seated (btw , worth the wait) I had the omelet and my boyfriend and strawberry crepes. Oh my goodness, the portion was huge! And it was delicious! My omelet wasn't greasy, and it had lots of flavor. Which I was so satisfied with because I'm more of a "warm" breakfast person rather than cereal cold blah. Also my omelet dish came with a side of pancakes. Wow, I was so amazed how delicious the pancakes were. Usually, I don't enjoy pancakes but this place converted me to pancakism. 8D !!! Also my boyfriend's strawberry crepes were so good. The creme that came with it with the strawberry syrup that complimented the nice soft texture of the crepes truly made me recall French crepes which I adore. I was being a piggy and ate some of my boyfriend's crepes while he had some of my omelet and oh my goodness - we are totally going back. However, the price was a bit steep for a breakfast place, but still I think it was worth it. You should definitely try this place when you are nearby :D
(4)
Tim S.
This was a favourite back in the day when I was living in the neighbourhood. A lot has changed in the 13 years since I have lived there but not this place. It is still a great place for generous portions of delicious breakfast food. Popped in the other day for a trip down memory lane and was not disappointed. With no wait as it was 2 PM on a Monday I was seated right away. I ordered the dish with the sausage, ham and bacon ( I love their bacon) 3 eggs and toast. I know, you didn't have the pancakes?!? Top it off with some hash browns on he side. This place get BUSY on the weekends, expect a wait in line but know that it will be worth it. All in all a delicious meal and only have two complaints... 1. Really, 2.99 for hash brown's? that is a it excessive and had I know I would have not ordered them... their okay but not $3 good, sorry. 2. Management - When speaking to your employee's in front of the customer please do not belittle them and then play it off with me by using flip comments about how you need to treat them that way otherwise he will... I don't dine out to hear other peoples problems. Despite those you still get 4 stars... because of the bacon.
(4)
Dan G.
I went here for breakfast after good night of drinking and mayhem. It was just what I needed to recharge me for the day. Me and my sweetums got there around 11am (yes, a late breakfast). There was a bit of a line but it seemed to move quickly and the people around us were very entertaining. But while in line a familiar face steps out of the restaurant, Vince Vaughn. Looking full from one heck of a breakfast, he posed for a group shot and waved, then booked it out of there to the Bears game later that day. So, that alone gave this place 2 stars, and 2 thumbs up to Vince Vaughn for keeping it real. Not to long after we were sat at a table and fed coffee and juice quickly. The staff here really has it together. They move seamlessly through the small crowded restaurant. I would call it a waitress and busboy ballet. After we got our drinks we ordered. Me a bacon Belgium waffle, and her corned beef hash (what a woman!). My waffle was cooked to a perfect golden brown and was laced with bits of bacon. It was a bacon lovers dream. Topped with some hot syrup I ate it quickly. My old-lady's hash was dank as can be. It was the potatoes and veggies were fresh and the corned beef was outstanding. I really was impressed with the breakfast here. This is a place downtown that I will seek out.
(5)
C W.
This place does not have Cholula but i'll let it slide. It's the best breakfast place in the Viagra Triangle.
(4)
Margo F.
Worth the wait. Been coming here for years. Love their straightforward bacon (thick flavorful) and eggs. Served piping hot. Efficient fair prices. Great teamwork. Generous portions
(5)
Ateet A.
Awesome place to get some good breakfast but be prepared for a wait! Doesn't matter though as this is the place to be and everyone knows it. All people from local to tourists who know this spot are the ones waiting in line. the food is great, they have their special renditions of omelettes and all kinds of interesting waffles. if you are in town and need a place to go for breakfast, you must try this place. Scratch that, no matter where you eat in Chicago, you must make this a stop on your list before you leave the city!!!
(4)
Hayley N.
I really like this place because its fast and moderately priced. It also happens to be 2 blocks from my apartment. The food is yummy and simple. The line usually goes by fast for brunch on the weekends too. However, I didnt love the service. Our waitress would throw plates and things on our table instead of placing them. She also was not the most attentive. Thats pretty much my only complaint. I would recommend this place for people in the neighborhood, but I would not travel far to come here.
(4)
Chuck B.
The food was nice and the portions tooooo big. Everyone was friendly. 3.5 to 4 stars. Kind of what I would expect for a good breakfast place.
(4)
Barnabas P.
A great breakfast place in a Cool neighborhood. Their apple pancakes will shorten your life and help you die happy. There's often a line but the wait is rarely long.
(4)
Judson G.
You can never go wrong with a cup coffee and an apple pancake, if you like breakfast this is the spot to go!
(5)
Jordan P.
Original pancake house is hands down my favorite brunch place at least from a food standpoint. The pancakes are AMAZING!! My favorite are the strawberry pancakes. Their egg dishes are also particularly good. My favorite is the diced ham and eggs. The only down side about this place is that the decor is horrible. Basically this place hasn't been updated in 30 years. It's dark and has boring, hard wooden tables. Also on the weekends there usually is a wait.
(4)
Jim K.
I've been here a few times over the last year, and the Pancake House has always delivered on solid breakfast. Occasionally the waitstaff can get over-whelmed, which is understandable, but still frustrating. It's a true guilty pleasure. Also, they have a nice patio, which is an extra great way to start your day.
(4)
Aaron A.
pancakes...good ones. And syrup too. Long lines tough. Not much more to it.
(4)
Sarah S.
Went there this morning for breakfast. Waited 20 min for an outside table then waited another 20 min for waitress to take our order. Then waited another 45 min for our food to arrive. Manager was not very accommodating, extremely rude and we watched as she gave a table to customers who did not have to wait like the rest of us. Also do not bring your dog there. They are not pet friendly and they will constantly remind you. Even though they knew we had a dog upon arrival, they neglected to inform us of their pet policy until we were sitting and had ordered. The food was good and hot but not worth the wait or putting up with the manager's attitude. I will not return in the future, which is unfortunate because it was one of my regular neighborhood spots.
(1)
Matthew B.
Best pancakes I've had in quite some time, eggs were perfectly cooked. But, the best part of the meal was the chicken sausage that had apple, sage, and rosemary in it. Simply fantastic sausage. Didn't give 5 stars because the service could be better.
(4)
Melinda H.
If you are looking for a great place to have breakfast this is the place. I was craving dutch babies and it seems that most places don't even know what they are let alone have them on the menu. My meal was great and there were so many good choices I had a hard time ordering the item I came there for! I loved that I could sit outside, but wish the place was a bit cleaner....one reason I didn't give it five stars.
(4)
Olivia L.
This place is the real deal! In a neighborhood populated by high-end hotels and clothing stores, it was very fortunate that my bf and I found a cheap place for breakfast during our vacation. This location is towards the middle of the block, sandwiched between a more formal restaurant and expensive townhouses. It's homey and somewhat out of place, but that adds more to the charm. While neither of us ordered any of the specials (the Dutch Baby looked way too filling for our tastes, and the photo of the Apple Pancake was just intimidating), the food we did eat was delicious - buckwheat pancakes for him, and silver dollar pancakes for me. I would STRONGLY recommend, however, to order the 10 silver dollar pancakes for $5.99 instead of the measly 5 for $4.99 (I wonder why they even put such a ludicrous offer on the menu...). We were also very lucky that it was a beautiful, sunny day to eat outside. We got to the restaurant around 9:30am and waited less than 10 minutes for a table. I thought the short wait was because it was a Thursday morning. But at 10am, while my bf and I were sitting comfortably at a large outdoor table (they seated the 2 of us at a table meant for 4-6 people, which was surprisingly nice), the line was out the door! So come early, even on an ordinary weekday morning.
(4)
Matthew P.
A great place to grab an epic breakfast. The Pancakes are HUGE, and the portion sizes on the other entrees are not for the faint of heart. The Venetian Benedict was delicious. The crepes with spinach were fresh and buttery,but perhaps too rich. The potato pancakes were wonderfully thin and not greasy at all.
(3)
Skip M.
I was skeptical but indeed the best pancakes I have ever had!
(4)
Tres B.
This chain is pretty dependable for great bacon, huge omelettes and great pancakes. (Except for the Honolulu incarnation- yuk) This location is one of the best. On a shady noble street in Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood, it looks more like a French bistro from the outside. I visited in spring and the flowers and outside seating were terrific. If you walk a block east, you'll be surrounded by majestic row house mansions. Really a great location. I found their omelet overly fluffy. I realize to most this is a plus, but not to me. It was more like a souffle. The food was delivered by a beautiful egga-a-natrix. A tough young Ukrainian woman who told me I WILL enjoy my breakfast!!! Fun place, very efficient. Expect lines at prime times.
(4)
Bob W.
I have been loving OPH for years all across the country, but I must say this is by far the best location I have eaten at. It's also the best place for breakfast in Chicago and I have been to them all (Bongo Room, M. Henry, etc.). What makes it the best? First of all, they can make savory items very tasty, an art many breakfast/brunch places never master. The Meat Lover's Skillet is amazing and the Eggs Florentine is probably the best rendition of poached egg on english muffin I have had the pleasure of eating. However, as the name implies they also put out the best, fluffiest buttermilk pancakes anywhere. Really, the thing that makes OPH special is that nothing is bad and I have eaten most of the things on the menu. Yeah, I have favorites, but pick what sounds interesting to you and you almost assuredly will leave happy.
(5)
Brad M.
The lineup on a Saturday was about 20 mins for the patio, so that was reasonable. Now maybe I'm used to the amazing brunch in SF, but for 4 stars this place really disappointing. Tried an omelettes with pancakes and it was extremely sub-par. Little taste, so I had to douse the omelette in hot sauce. The portions were also massive so I couldn't finish, this place really went for quantity over quality. The one plus was the waitress was extremely fast to fill up our coffee cups whenever we were running low, I think I had about 3 cups of coffee without even realizing it until after!
(3)
Chris W.
The food was average; from the reviews, I was expecting better food. It was not bad, just wasn't anything special. The Southern style hash Browns were bland and cold.
(3)
Christina M.
Yay. I actually always order to go. The phone girl is alwats pleasant and my order is always correct. Thanks for doing a great job... Chocolate Chip Panckakes & Sausage!
(4)
David Z.
I got exactly what I wanted from this place. It was kind of like being in the suburbs, only we were in the heart of downtown. We sat inside because there was a wait for outdoor seating (it was such a beautiful day today!). I had the vegetarian skillet with pancakes and my fiancee had the french toast. I loved my skillet and pancakes. Honestly, it was nothing different than what you can find at the majority of other breakfast places, but I LOVE me some skillets, so I was very happy. The pancakes were good too. My fiancee liked her french toast, but she wasn't gaga over them. Service was fast and not overbearing. We didn't have to wait for our check and paid relatively quickly at the front register. What else could you ask for? Minus one star for the bathroom only being large enough for one person. This leads to long lines and crowding up by the front. I wish it were just a normal bathroom that can hold multiple people at a time. But aside from that, I'd definitely recommend this place to someone looking to get their breakfast fix in.
(4)
Resham S.
They are by far the best brunch place in downtown area. The dutch baby, Swedish crepes with spinach are some of the best I've ever had. The best part is that it's a few blocks from where we live, so come Sunday for really late risers like us ( read past 2) we motivate our lazy butts to get going for some original pancakes!
(5)
Patrick J.
Best Breakfast in the Gold Coast. Come early this place gets jammed packed. On 7-9-2011 I am the first customer in line. They open at 7am I arrived at 6:45am.
(5)
Miriam B.
Had yet another outstanding brunch this morning. Bacon and basted eggs deftly prepared. :-)
(5)
James W.
i've been going to Walker Bros. Original Pancake House in Wilmette, and the other nearby locations for years where they serve amazing breakfasts and the best pancakes....especially the apple pancake! I was in the city and thought i'd try this other "original pancake house. " Well, it was disappointing to say the least; i should have walked out as soon as i saw the employee's sitting at a table talking apparently with a couple of their friends who walked in .....in Spanish loud enough to a make you think you were in Mexico, and one guy was mopping the floor around the tables making it totally unappetizing to say it mildly. Who wants to eat in that atmosphere? I ordered the famous apple pancake and it was nothing like the amazing one i get in Wilmette or the other locations in the northern burbs. It had the atmosphere one would expect to find in a 3rd world Mexican food joint in my opinion, and i'll never go back here, that's for sure!
(1)
Arnaud W.
Came here to get a breakfast on saturday. First, the line make me doubt if I'd stay. I told myself that if the line is so long, it must be good, then I staid. The wait in line wasn't that long. I ordered regular pancakes, my GF ordered an apple pancake (their specialty). The hostess has been totally honest with us, saying we'd have to wait for 25mn to get it. As my GF is always starving (god gave her an excellent shape and an infinite appetite... he could have thought about me a little on that...) she changed her order to a peach waffle. We ordered 2 orange juices too. The service was excellent, fast and nice. The food was great, and BIG. A lot of the clients didn't half of their plate and went away with it in a bag. Orange juices were from a bottle, not fresh squeezed. A bit disappointing for a $3 small glass, but it was still "not that bad". Finally, we paid $25. Once again, a bit expensive for what we ordered (compared to the same kind of breakfast we had in nice diners in NY, we had a big fresh OJ + a hot beverage added for the same price or even less), but it was really good and big, and I think a part of the price is dure to the reputation of the place. I recommend to go there, that was good. But I wouldn't go there weekly.
(4)
Jennifer S.
I came here by myself. It was a Friday at around 10:30am and was surprised at how busy it was. Since it was just me I was able to be seated immediately, however, I was seated at a table with a family. I don't necessarily mind the Eureopean-style seating where if there's an empty spot, you're allowed to sit there. However, I don't think the family enjoyed me crashing their party. I had eggs and turkey sausage. The sausage was a little mushy and the eggs were slimy (too much butter!). The pancakes were FANTASTIC and so was the fresh squeezed orange juice. I also appreciate a cashier rather than paying the server. It always seems to flow much smoother since I don't have to wait for the server to be free in order to pay my tab. I'll probably come back, but I'll insist on my own table and only order pancakes.
(3)
Jessica C.
This quaint Breakfast place won my heart over! I ordered a skillet and my friend ordered the eggs benedict--both delicious! My only dislike is that it gets too crowded! Go early! Because I came as a party of 2, we were placed at a table with four other women! Talk about inconvenience! I wouldn't have minded except for the fact that they were running a neighborhood gossip chain! Yikes! The food was good, but I'll definitely think twice about going with a small group and risk being placed with complete strangers who are just yapping about nothing!
(2)
Jennie T.
I came here with a couple of friends and we all ended up ordering the hashbrowns. I've never had one before but I trusted my friend's taste in food so I ordered it. I thought the hashbrowns tasted kind of bland. I usually like bland food, but I found myself putting a lot of tabasco sauce into my hashbrowns. Hmmm, I don't know. I think I'll have to try hashbrowns at another place just to be sure. I'm not a pancake person, but I thought their pancakes were pretty decent. They tasted light and fluffy as I think pancakes should taste like. They're not doughy so I take that as a good sign. Nothing about this place really wow-ed me though.
(3)
Dallas C.
Good place for pancakes with the kids.
(4)
Shin M.
I would give the pumpkin pancakes a 5 star but everything else I've had after that makes my overall rating a 4 star. I tried the steak skillet (delicious!), apple pancake (pretty good and huge), pigs in a blanket (good!) and some pizza breakfast dish (not my favorite). They were pretty good but nothing extraordinary like the pumpkin pancakes were! Too bad they are seasonal.
(4)
Tommy M.
Had the Hawaiian pancakes that come with a pineapple topping and a tropical fruity syrup. Quality of pancakes is very good. Wife had the spinach crepes with a side of potato cakes and enjoyed thoroughly. If you go on the weekend, go early (before 8:30); otherwise, expect to wait to be seated. Waitress was very helpful, knowledgeable, and friendly.
(4)
Mista L.
Stumbled upon this place by accident and we couldn't have been any happier. The food is absolutely delicious. The pancakes are something special! It can get crowded very quickly in the mornings so be patient, its worth the wait. The place itself is quite small and you may rub elbows with the people sitting at the table next to you. We had exceptional service and our waitress was friendly. The coffee is pretty good and isn't your typical run of the mill Folgers coffee. If you are looking for a delicious place to grab breakfast in the heart of Chicago, this is the spot!
(5)
Donna R.
AWESOME breakfast at a very reasonable price. The long line outside the place clearly indicates this is a place to eat. It does move quickly, so do not be discouraged. My boyfriend and I almost left cause it was cold, but we really wanted to try the place out and boy am I glad we did! My blueberry pancakes were light and fluffy and had intense flavor. The blueberry compote didn't even make the pancakes overwhelming--I actually preferred that over the syrup. My boyfriend's southwestern skillet came with a fresh salsa and packed a ton of flavor! Coffee is quiet good, a little on the bitter side, but still good and fresh! Food came out pretty quickly for being as busy as it was. Seating, however, is quite jammed. We were very happy to have a table that was close to the kitchen, but we were away from the crowded room and close to the bathroom.
(4)
H T.
i've never seen omelets so big in my life. most places use 3 eggs to make omelets, but i think they use 4 here, b/c it's massive. after being scared off by the gigantic omelet, i decided to get a blueberry waffle instead, which comes w/ a side of blueberry compote. the waffle was delicious, and they didn't skimp on the blueberries in the waffle either. the fiance got a skillet, which had potatoes, peppers, eggs, cheese, and a side of toast. it was also huge, and if you have a really big appetite, you can get pancakes instead of toast on the side.
(4)
Mari K.
Long lines that go fairly quickly, fast and friendly service, yummy pancakes, and an atmosphere that won't make you feel guilty for not washing your face (I was in a rush.) =)
(4)
Jeff Y.
more like 3.5 stars but what can you do... anyways, this place is another one of the endless brunch places chicago has to offer. the service is decent and you get a strange blend of customers as is to be expected for a viagra triangle restaurant. the food i've had has all been pretty good. the portions are smaller than other places, but i guess that's a good thing since it's still enough to fill you up. i haven't actually had any of their pancakes, but i'm guessing they're pretty good given the name of the place. if you're in the gold coast area and craving breakfast food, try here or tempo down the street.
(3)
Bryan T.
did not disappoint! great atmosphere, cozy seating. very tasty Bacon Belgian Waffle!
(4)
Nancy H.
Yummy! I woke up and had a craving for pancakes, and it was the first and probably closest place I could think of where I could get quality pancakes. My bf and I had a cute Sunday breakfast here. You can find all your typical breakfast faves like omelettes, skillet-types, crepes, pancakes, and waffles. We ordered banana pancakes, the Spanish omelette, and corned beef hash. All were great! There is probably about a 20-minute wait if you go around 10 AM and no wait at all if you choose to sit outside. Bellevue doesn't get that much traffic, so sitting alongside the street wouldn't distract you from your overall dining experience. Be ware of the birdies, though; they will try to swoop down on your food, or worse, doodoo on your chair, and you will accidentally place your hand in the green goo. The service is a little rushed, but they are all very attentive; busboys, servers, and the host himself will oftentimes offer to clear your plates when you aren't finished. Lastly, the five-star rating is for the reasonable prices for this area. Otherwise, it would have been 4 stars because it's not quite Walker Brothers.
(5)
Michael B.
The breakfast here is awesome. All of it. Pancakes, eggs, sausage, potatoes, pancakes. Go in smaller groups to avoid longer waits. Definitely get the bananas and cream. If you like bananas. And cream.
(5)
Amy J.
Well, sometimes you have to wait (mainly on Sundays), but I'd say hands down it's the best breakfast I've ever had. Very cozy, homestyle mom-and -pop type of place... Food all tastes very homemade, they're quick with the coffee, and really, the line (although intimidating when you see it outside) goes really quick. I've never had a bad thing off of their menu. Excellent.
(5)
Jeremy Z.
The portion sizes are large, no doubt. But they lack a little in flavor and imagination. This place is a decent option for breakfast when you don't feel like cooking, but I have a hard time thinking of anything exceptional about it. Perhaps the best thing about this place is the menu variety. No matter how big a group you have or what people are in the mood for, chances are you'll find something that hits the spot here. It's just nothing to write home about.
(3)
Geoff M.
On your approach to the Gold Coast location you may be tempted to turn around and scurry away to Tempo or just forget brunch all together and just go to the Einstein's around the corner - the line is often out the door. Fear not, as long as you're not in a huge group the line moves quickly. You feel a bit like a celebrity when the hostess calls down the hall for a party of two and you get to walk past the masses and enjoy your pancakes earlier. This place also makes for great people watching, so the time in line and in the restaurant passes quickly. The service here is all about turnover, so make your decisions quickly and they'll get your food out to you in kind. Unless you order the apple pancake, in which case you have time to give yourself a shot of insulin while you wait. You're better off just eating half. Everything here is wonderful, but I'm particularly fond of the Dutch Baby Treat, the pumpkin pancakes, and the Mexican skillet (which comes with a side of pancakes - sub in the pumpkin goodness). Perhaps the food is sweetened by a bit of nostalgia for the Walker Bros location in Wilmette, but it hasn't lost it's luster in my mind.
(4)
Barb Y.
The Dutch Baby at this place is a must try! I have been there a million times, but I didn't think to write up a review until I went for lunch yesterday. The service depends on who is serving you. Sometimes they're quick and courteous and sometimes they're slow and semi- impolite. Guess it depends on the mood of the server too huh? If you go on a weekday after or before lunch, you'll have no problems getting a seat, but they do close at 3PM, so I wouldn't suggest going any later than 2:30PM. What else? Fresh squeezed orange juice and specially made pancakes during certain holidays- Halloween = pumpkin pancakes, etc... It's hard to find parking, but its a hop, skip and a walk away from Water Tower. Be SURE to bring CASH, no credit cards accepted! Go check it out! Enjoy!
(4)
Pat L.
Best bacon anywhere. Love eating here when I visit Chicago. Chocolate Chip pancakes are awesome. Go off peak to avoid a line.
(4)
Design G.
A glance through my reviews will show you that I'm not necessarily a diner chick... however, these pancakes rock the boat. Seriouly, these cakes are super. Ambience isn't the best but that's good-- hopefully none of your snotty friends will see you gorging yourself silly on this fried flour. Spend a serious weekday morning checking this out...
(4)
Diana F.
the first time i saw this place i was like "uh, i don't know about this" but my friend recommended it... rightfully so. now that i've moved a couple of blocks away i go there quite often. the fall special "pumpkin pancakes" are great and i also love the southwestern omelet. orange juice is fresh squeezed and delicious. the wait staff are very hospitable. the food is kind of expensive for breakfast, but the portions are huge, so go hungry. omelets are made with 4 eggs and pancakes specialties are usually 6. i'm not giving it 5 stars because of lack of options for portion sizing and one meal that i didn't care for - i think it was called vegetable dutch or something. way too cheesy. otherwise, definitely worth a visit
(4)
Chas S.
This was a Saturday morning staple for many months when I lived off of LaSalle and Division, and I miss it terribly. The food is very good, very filling, and reasonably priced for the amount of food you get. But it's the ambiance that I shed a tear for. I love this place for it's non-discriminatory attitude for everyone in the joint. Want a coffee refill Mr. Gold Coast? Fine, but you'll have to wait until the broke college kids get theirs first. Two-tops are squeezed together in a long row of 3 tables pushed together, and more than once I was sharing the syrup with the couple sitting so close I could smell their hang-overs. And the waitress barely stops by more than once, but who cares! You get everything you need in the first take. Plus, the long line out front gives you plenty of time to peruse the menu on the wall before walking in. This little shanty of a restaurant is tops in my book. Oh, and it was pretty cool walking over there wondering what celebrity you might encounter that morning. My list includes the dude from Prison Break (tall and handsome) and the dude from Who's Line is it Anyways (short and not-handsome). I miss you Pancake House!
(5)
gabriel f.
was visiting from san francisco.. and decided to jump on this place for breakfast. i'll echo what others have said: the pancakes could become very addicitive. i don't what it was.. but those were some crazy good flapjacks. salty butter and maple syrup over perfect fluffy buttermilk jacks. YUM! the omellete was huge.. not very good, though. other than the flaps and crepes..the rest of the menu looked like it could be typically oversaturated high fatty diner food. but the PANCAKES really tripped a trigger!
(4)
Mark P.
Great pancakes. But it's not the same as Walker Bros.
(4)
Michelle F.
Food is out of this world - sooo good. Be prepared to wait, though, if you come at any popular breakfast time (till noon on weekends). It's worth it, though. Prices are not cheap, but a great splurge - on $ and calories.
(4)
Ben B.
Brilliant breakfasts, which explains the line out the door most mornings. I've never had a bad meal here. The pancakes are always light and fluffy. I usually get the blueberry stack, which comes with a side bowl filled with blueberries and syrup - yum. Seasonal pumpkin pancakes are a special treat, too. Once, I ordered the gigantic apple-smothered pancakes. They were delicious, but that mound of molten apple took forever to cool. The waitstaff is always fast and friendly. Sleep in a bit, avoid the rush, and savor the mouthwatering goodness.
(5)
M H.
Overall 4 stars Price 3 ( kinda pricey for food that I can make at home, but nice when you want to a break from cooking...) Ambience 3.5 (kind of cramped) Service 4 coffee was always filled to the brim and very friendly staff Been here many Sundays, rain or shine. They usually have a line out the door, but it is worth the wait, since it goes pretty quickly. Good size portions... Today we got the famous Dutch apple dish, and it was delicious! Made with granny smith apples and it wasn't as sweet as I thought it looked. I had the blueberry belgian waffle, and thought it was decent also. Would have liked something to go with all the sweetness, though, since you don't get eggs with it.
(4)
Chanel W.
The food is always yummy. I had the dutch baby. The service was great too. There is a bit of a wait to get seated but it's worth it. Be warned that it's cramped inside. You may have to share a table with another party. Also, the restrooms aren't big enough. You can only go one at a time which means there could be a wait.
(4)
Roger E.
The best breakfast in town. Long lines that move fast. Don't give up! You'll get yours! Excellent staff and expert cooks. Very social and a real taste of Chicagoans too! Friendly, close and comfortable.
(5)
Joelle G.
Nice enough place. I had the apple pancake which was okay. Honestly, not to downgrade, but I've had better eats at IHOP & other breakfast eateries in other cities. Just sayin. But this is only one place in the Chi & I had only one item there. I look forward to trying other b-fast eatieries when back in the area.
(2)
KuangYou C.
This is a GREAT traditional American brunch/breakfast restaurant. I had a western skillet and shared a Dutch baby with a friend. The skillet was good and went with three buttermilk pancake. The cheese melted with potatoes and peppers tasted well. Dutch baby was great! They gave you some sugar powder, cream and lemon. These things went so well together. I saw many people had Apple pancake. The size was so huge and looked delicious. I will definitely try that one next time.
(4)
Melanie B.
Although it is know for the Pancakes... The omelets are what they should really be known for. Unique, and fluffy like a cloud in heaven-the egg white spinach and feta omelet was hands down the best omelet I have ever opened my mouth for in my life. I'm not sure if they bake it, but it tasted like it was baked.My father in law ordered the peach crepes which were another must eat. All in all the wait for this place was well worth the line which wrapped around from the hostess desk going out the door and to the patio sidewalk seating. At first site the line for this place was a tad intimidating but after first bite I realized how sorry I would have been if I had left Chicago without experiencing the Original Omelet, I mean Original Pancake house . It is a must stop for breakfast while visiting the "brick" city! PS... the line moves fast and I recommend getting seated inside.
(5)
Vivek M.
Good place for brunch, so many options, i really like the crepes and omlet !
(4)
Diana H.
Great friendly service! Terrific food! Quaint atmosphere. Reasonably priced. Highly recommend the dutch baby with bananas and strawberries and fresh home made strawberry syrup. So good! We r from out of town but when we come back would definitely eat here again.
(5)
Kristine G.
Went here for breakfast the other day, and I was pretty disappointed in the food given the price. The eggs were mushy, the sausage wasn't crispy on the outside, and the pancakes were just pancakes. Also, I wanted biscuits and gravy, but they don't have it at this location, so I was overall quite unsatisfied in my experience. Wait staff was nice, place was busy, but the food was only so-so.
(2)
Lisa K.
Hubby and I made a trip to Chicago and the concierge at our hotel recommended the Original Pancake House, and I am so glad that we took his recommendation. It is this tiny little building in the midst of big Chicago skyscrapers, but don't let the outward appearance fool you. This is the best pancake house ever! Even though the place was absolutely packed (which to me is always a good sign), we probably didn't even wait 5 minutes before we were seated, and once we ordered, the food was to us quickly as well. Hubby tried the Apple Pancakes, and I tried the Blueberry Pancakes, and they were both absolutely delicious! I definitely recommend this place to anyone visiting Chicago! Cheers!
(5)
Christine P.
The Dutch Baby Rules!! So do the chocolate chip pancakes! Yummmm!! after all of this my mom and I worked it off by going shopping at the Magnificent Mile.
(5)
Stephanie N.
Great for people watching, coffee, and fantastic eggs. The service is so quick you forget that you even ordered. I would highly recommend this place and even it is a wait, it is always well worth it.
(4)
Helen C.
This place obviously put me in a food coma, as i just realised when compiling my favourtie-places-so-far list that I had complerely forgotten to review it and share the joy. Both times I went was at the weekend with just two of us, so the wait was a fairly standard 15-20 minutes, but the queue is always out of the door so for bigger groups - arrive in good time. The omelettes are enormous but fluffy, perfectly cooked and with a good ampount of filling. I had the spinach one, mainly so I could try the mushroom sherry sauce - it was a good call. The sauce was excellent. The pancakes are also light and fluffy. The corned beef hash wasn't very special but came with pancakes so no complaints there. My boyfriend had the blueberry ones and I'd never experienced so much blueberry in my life. In a good way. I'll be back, undoubtedly, to try the famous apple pancake. While we ere eating, the guy next to us ordered and I had an extra cu[ of coffee so I could wait and see it when it arrived.... his eyes bulged out of his head at the quantity so I'm glad I scoped it out - definitely a 2 person pancake by the looks of it. The wait is worth it here.
(5)
Carol A.
Friendly atmosphere. Almost like communal dining, the tables are very close together. I ordered the eggs Benedict and they were fabulous. The waitress and staff were friendly and inviting. The strawberry lemonade wasn't too sweet which I enjoyed. The best part is the price, super cheap !
(5)
Jonathan C.
The food is top notch. Blueberry waffle, eggs and omelette were all very good. Prices are fair. Great location. My only gripe is that they confiscated my Dunkin donuts coffee on the way in. What's breakfast without DD?
(4)
Steve M.
I've been coming here for as long as I've lived in Chicago. Say, since '84? Yes, it's crowded, and yes sometimes there's a line, but this place is just so classic. Original wooden paneling abounds on the walls, old ladies wearing diner outfits walk around taking your order and doling out pancakey goodness. (Or eggy goodness if that's your jam.) Come for the Dutch Baby and stay for the Eggs Michael. Plenty of bottomless coffee to help you wake up and ward off the eventual sugar crash you're going to experience for eating these delectable breakfast goodies.
(5)
Spean B.
Had the buttermilk pancakes (I'm a traditionalist) and they were perfect. The coffee was pretty good too! Only drawback: sometimes being seated at a table with people you don't know. But hey, you know what to expect.
(4)
Matt C.
We were staying on the mag mile for the weekend and looking for a breakfast place other then the hotel. We found the Original Pancake House and gave it a try. The menu was pretty standard, eggs, skillets, omelets, and pancakes. The taste food was anything but standard. The omelets are baked and fantastic. The pancakes, which come with everything, are the best I've had. I had the southwestern skillet and highly recommend it. We got there around 8:30 and were seated. By 9:30 there was a line out the door. Overall, a great breakfast place!!!
What they do they do well. Breakfast, breakfast, breakfast. The trick with Original Pancake House is to go when they crowds aren't lined up outside. It's open until 3pm Mon-Fri, til 5pm Sat and Sun. If you don't mind the wait, go with the crowd. But they open at 7am every day, and keep serving breakfast until they close. So go for lunch, or a very late brunch. Original Pancake House has all the breakfast items you'll want - skillets, omelettes, a dozen different presentations of pancakes. The 4-egg omelettes are huge, and made in a unique light, fully style that changes the texture but not the taste. The atmosphere is ordinary - light woods, close tables, clean and busy. Service and the constant coffee refills are good - again, if you're not there at the busy time.
(4)
Pamela P.
Have had breakfast here a good number of times as it's close to my work. Always consistently good and no complaints. This morning I tried the wheat germ pancakes and they were AH-MAZ-ING. Seriously, I'm not usually a pancake kind of girl but these might just convert me into one. I initially ordered a stack of these bad boys and a side egg. The server was very nice and told me that I should order the short stack with egg on the side. She didn't have to do that and I really appreciated that! It was just what the doctor ordered. For about $6, that was a steal in this area! Will definitely go back. If you visit during the summer, the outdoor area is beautiful and serene and really good people watching!
(4)
Bryan C.
I love this place, and would come here basically every weekend when I lived nearby. Everything on the menu is great. The skillets were my go to order, but only because they come with pancakes too. As far as pancakes go, you've got to get the pumpkin pancakes. So, so, so good. My only issue with the Pancake house is that so many people know about it that the wait is usually tremendously long, and once you get inside it's pretty packed. You're generally seated right next to other parties so privacy is a valuable commodity. But you know what, it's worth it for those pumpkin pancakes. Their coffee is legit, and all the waiters I've ever had here were really nice. I definitely need to find a breakfast place like this in New York City...
(3)
lizzie b.
My favorite restaurant in Chicago! They typically have a wait on the weekends, but the longest wait I have had is like 45 minutes. And the Gold Coast area is fun, so it's great to be there :) I love their pancakes, but this last time I tried the apple waffle which was amazing. I ate every little bite in 15 minutes flat -- scraping the plate good. The bacon side was yummy, and the coffee was fresh. My only complaints are that they do not give you any natural sides with the meal or garnish of any kind, and they take a while to refill your water glass (which is tiny!) I love it here though. Come to Boston!!
(5)
Shawn H.
Just eat here. If you're staying in the area it is an excellent breakfast for a fair price, rare in this part of Chicago. This is a great breakfast place and a fun place to eat. Diner food nestled in the middle of all the trendy upscale places of the gold coast neighborhood. Gold Coast is just a few blocks if ritzy shops and restaurants. Pancakes are small, half dollar size. Portions of everything else are large. I had the corn beef hash and eggs. Excellent. Omelets looked excellent, huge fluffy oven baked. I almost got the spinach feta cheese omelet. Next time. I'll eat here again.
(4)
Johnson C.
Overpriced and has weak but tasty coffee. The only bright side is that it's across from the Sutton Place (where I was staying) and I was able to get a WiFi connection across the street from my hotel. Then again, I was sitting outside on the patio.
(2)
Kelly K.
The line snakes out the door for a reason! While it lacks the pretentiousness of Tavern on the Park around the corner, it makes up for the lack of trimmings in the awesomeness of its food. Whether I go with pancakes, a giant apple pancake, or one of their many tasty omelets, I'm never disappointed. The last time I was there, the waitress even sent back my omelet since she didn't think it looked up to the usual standards. Now that's customer service! Don't forget to order the fresh squeezed OJ!
(5)
Barbara B.
Good "classic" breakfast items, none of those dessert french toast towers that you'll find at other places. Just omelets, pancakes, waffles, eggs, thick cut bacon (the best I've been able to find), and really good coffee ( a must for a good breakfast). I'm partial to the 49er flapjacks- 3 plate sized thin chewy pancakes. I always eat all of them and leave stuffed. Any egg dish is good, they are always cooked as specified. Everything is cooked with butter and you can taste the difference from cheap margarine that a lot of places use. In terms of this location, not the nicest interior but comfortable. Can get pretty crowded.
(4)
Joy K.
My visit in Aug 2011... dutch baby - Eh. I didn't enjoy it at all. I was craving for breakfast food (waffles/ pancakes) but I went with the reviews and ordered the dutch baby, something different since I'm in Chi-town. It was too heavy for me. I threw it away. I'm going to try the pancakes one day and see if it lives up to the hype.
(3)
Nikki Y.
I've been here twice in the past week. And have been overly full both times. I guess that's the only reason why this is getting 4 stars? I love that this is hidden behind the Triangle. It's really nice to know that there's a not-as-fancy place amongst all the others. That and it shows that it does good business. Think about it, I'm pretty positive this would be gone if it wasn't doing well. By noon, this place was packed on Friday and Tuesday mornings. But the food. Oh, the food. You HAVE to try the apple-cinnamon pancakes. It's not the main picture on the menu for nothing. It stays warm the entire you eat it and the aroma is absolutely fantastic. Delicious. This place doesn't disappoint!
(4)
Brandon L.
If you are looking for an amazing breakfast, Original Pancake House is the place to be. It is places like this that make my miss my hometown so dearly. They prepare several breakfast dishes, but my absolute favorite is the Dutch Baby! If you decide to get it topped with the cinnamon apples, you must come hungry. The service there is prompt, friendly, and professional. The Highlights: -Dutch Baby Pancake!! (Absolute Must) -Fast & Friendly Service -Fun Environment -Easy to locate Final Thoughts: I have been to this place many times before, and this is the first time I am writing a review. If what you are looking for is a great place to take a loved one, family, and/or friends to breakfast -- this place will accommodate your party. My girlfriend and I, just loved this place. I wish I could remember our waitress's name, because she was incredible. I remember thinking I couldn't finish my coffee, because every time it was almost empty she would be there like clockwork to refill my cup. I highly recommend and I will definitely be coming to Original Pancake House next time I'm in Chicago. STAY GOLDEN!
(5)
Michael Angelo R.
Although the line was out the door for waiting , it moves fast. Stephanie served us with a smile . The food was excellent. Potato pancakes are the best ever. Extremely friendly vibe. Will always go back when visiting Chicago. Wish the Atlanta OPH was as good! We will surely come back when in Chicago. It was a very friendly environment! Service with a smile and good food you could never beat!!!
(5)
Wealhtheow W.
The service is so fast and accurate, and the waiters are attentive but don't hover. No place else makes pancakes quite like these. They're light, but so full of flavor that every bite is like a meal in itself. I particularly love their chocolate chip pancakes, which cover a huge plate and are like dessert for breakfast.
(4)
Josh G.
Definitely some pros and cons to this place. The biggest drawback is obviously the long lines and close tables. To avoid this being an issue I would suggest coming during the week if you can or after 1pm on the weekends. The lines will be shorter and you'll have a better chance of getting your own table. Especially if it's just two of you dining together there's a high probability that you'll be sharing a table with other people. They are just too close together for comfort. But that said, the food is amazing. The Irish Omelet was awesome. Stuffed with tons of Swiss and baked for a great texture. I wish there would have been more corned beef in it, felt a little skimpy, but still flavorful. The pancakes are also great of course and I also ordered a size of bacon which was perfection. All in all a great breakfast/brunch spot (especially if you want to go at non-breakfast/brunch times).
(4)
Ellen O.
You must try the Dutch Baby! So worth the 20 minute wait. Very light and flavorful. Service was very nice too--regular refills of coffee. Only a five minute wait on Memorial Day.
(5)
Christine W.
On my second morning in Chicago I turned to Yelp for a great breakfast spot close to my hotel. The Pancake House was exactly what we were looking for. We ended eating here three mornings in a row we liked it so much. It's on a beautiful street with a great little patio. There was never a long wait even when we only wanted to sit outside. The service was quick and the breakfast options were plentiful. I did see someone having the infamous Dutch Baby and I have to say it smelled delicous. Everthing we had was great but my favorite were the Banana Pancakes that are served with a side of banana syrup. My boyfriend used most of it on his french toast because he liked it so much. If you are staying at the north end of Michigan Ave. this is a great place for a quiet breakfast.
(4)
Tiffany H.
Visited Chicago and checked out the Original Pancake House and it did not disappoint. I'm one of the few people who actually doesn't like breakfast and even I had a hard time choosing because there were so many options. I settled on the chocolate chip pancakes and they were amazing. My husband and I agree probably the best pancakes we've ever had.
(4)
Max M.
These pancakes live up to the establishment's namesake. Be prepared to wait 20-30 minutes on weekends. The menu is pretty straightforward. I like the fact fact that you can get a side of pancakes with your breakfast instead of toast free of charge. I prefer savory breakfast items over sweet ones. Pancake House spares you this trade-off. You can have your bacon, eggs, or sausage with pancakes. And these pancakes are soft and fluffy with a nice buttermilk flavor. I can't say that I would be willing to wait an hour for breakfast here, but it's def a good breakfast spot especially if you're planning on spending your day shopping near Michigan Ave.
(3)
Laurie L.
The menu looks great, but I had to leave after the rude hostess yelled at me for bringing in an empty Starbucks cup. They should really have somebody up front that is a people person, all I needed was a garbage can.
(2)
Fred P.
Went here yesterday morning for breakfast. Food and service was great. No waiting time for us. Only wish it was a little bigger, but what can you do? Will definitely be back.
(4)
Kristin W.
All I have to say is WOW. And order the chocolate chip pancakes! My fiance is somewhat of a pancake expert and he said his buttermilk pancakes were some of the best he's ever had. The side of whip cream wasn't anything to write home about, but the chocolate chip pancakes were amazing. The wait wasn't too long, maybe about 20 minutes or so and we went at 12pm on Saturday. Definitely worth the wait!
(5)
Cameron M.
I'd say your safe at this place as long as you order a pancake oriented meal. I ordered the omelet and paid the price (a hefty 10+ dollars for something I could have honestly made better myself). The chocolate chip pancakes that my girlfriend got on the other hand were fantastic and absolutely delicious.
(3)
Mickey A.
It's a cute, but small, breakfast place. Sure, the wait is long but what breakfast/brunch place isn't? This place is open a bit longer on the weekends than on the week days, I'm assuming, to accommodate the hungry customers. The hostess did a pretty decent job about going down the line (which was out the door) taking the number of each party waiting for a table. Be prepared to be sitting about an arm's length from the next table. It didn't help because you could overhear another table's order. I was distracted because I wanted what everyone at that table wanted...too many choices. The service was fine despite the entire place was jammed pack. Our waitress was funny and warned us about the different pancake orders: "I just want to warn you. There are 6 pancakes. Will that be too much?" I thought it would for me, so I opted for the junior dish which offers only 3 pancakes and the choice of eggs, bacon, or sausage. Honestly, I was so hungry that I scarfed down my meal entirely and secretly wanting more pancakes. I am always down for pancakes and bacon, and I know I'll be back to try something else next time.
(4)
David W.
This place is awesome. In my 4 night stay in Chicago we made it here for Breakfast twice. The long queue outside the front of this place hallmarks it's quality - thankfully they move the queue pretty quickly I think we waited under 30mins on both occasions. I tried their two signature dishes the Dutch Baby and the Apple Pancake. The Dutch is a huge oven baked bowl of a pancake filled (in my case) with banana, strawberry and strawberry sauce. It was utterly delicious. The Apple Pancake is EPIC - it's so big. It's essentially the same bowl like oven baked pancake, but upside down and covered in sliced apple and a delicious cinnamon glaze. It's amazing. The coffee here tops of a great diner, being as it's way above par in the world of diner's. A must if you're in Chicago and want an excellent start to the day!
(5)
Elliot J.
Good food. Good service. Left feeling full and warm.
(4)
Mary T.
If I had never gotten takeout here, I probably would have gone for 4 stars. This place has great food! Get there early, because like all breakfast places in the city, you'll be waiting in line after about 8am. I'm actually not much of a gal for pancakes...breakfast breads don't really blow my skirt up. They have delicious corned beef hash and eggs benedict. And, ok, their chocolate chip and tropical pancakes are delicious, I admit it. The service is minimal, as one would expect with a small, cramped, extremely busy breakfast hotspot. They're not going to spend a lot of time topping off your coffee, because there are always other customers waiting for your table, and they need to move you out. I don't mind that particularly, though. My only gripe is that I have never called for takeout where they've gotten the order right. When my family visits, we prefer to call ahead with our order and then eat at home, rather than wait for a table. Of the 9 or 10 times I've called and picked up my order (always ready to go quickly, which is nice), I've had to walk back to the restaurant and have them correct it 8 or 9 times. Very annoying--especially the part where I have to try to get the attention of the harried hostess and try to stay out of people's way while they get me the right food. Sigh. Still, I always go back. What can I say? I'd do almost anything for their hash.
(3)
Eddie C.
As a out of town visitor, I was looking for a good breakfast spot. I left feeling OK as I was expecting better. Home made hash looked like it was out of the can but it taste fresh and home made. It was good. But everything else, pancakes included, was only OK. Please this place can get busy so service was very slow. 2/5 stars as it was good, but I have had better. If the price was maybe 15-20% less, then I would have gave it a 3 star. BTW, Friday morning for a table of 3 had no wait. Parties with more than 4 people were waiting.
(2)
Riz A.
So SO good. I have to say, Though the crazy line out the doors on Satuday and sunday mornings can be annoying at times, if you saunter in around 1pm you're usually good to go. I like to keep it simple folks, A cheese omelet with a side of pancakes. Though there are plenty of creative options on the menu for those of you feeling adventurous, I think the pancake house does best what it's name entails - pancakes. they are fluffy, delicious, and filling. One of my fav spots for breakfast no doubt.
(5)
Keerthi A.
I am seriously conflicted about how many stars to give this place. I suppose 5 for convenience and 2 for food and order time, so 2 it is. Since I live in the neighborhood, this is definitely the easiest and quickest place to go to for brunch or lunch without reservations on a weekend. Instead of putting your name down, you have to stand in line and they call you in or seat you outside based on size of party. The food is very 'diner' and mediocre as you expect. The portions are humongous, but I am sure appreciated. I have ordered and tasted most of the items on the menu, everything is as you expect, nothing out of the ordinary but fairly consistent. They do take a really long time to bring out the food however. I have had to wait 45 minutes or more on a couple of instances, so be prepared to wait once you order! If you are lurking in the neighborhood and need to eat without reservations, I would recommend this place!
(2)
Anna P.
this place is pretty good - it has a good, extensive, solid menu of brunch items plus some super specialty delicious pancakes (i want to try the dutch baby someday!), the service was very friendly, and our food came quickly and our water glasses were kept full. they make a good omelette and good pancakes. i will say that the wait on saturdays and sundays can be absolutely deadly so if you're super starving one of the other (many) brunch/lunch places nearby might be a better choice for you.
(3)
Patty T.
I grew up with an Original Pancake House around the corner from my house, so when I found out there was one in the Gold Coast, I was stoked! Although the menu and ambiance were essentially the same, the food wasn't as good. For example: the hashbrowns are cubed potatoes (not shredded), the eggs were watery, and the fresh-squeezed orange juice tasted a bit musty. The pancakes were still very tasty, and the price is very reasonable - but overall, there's some room for improvement.
(3)
S G.
I just don't get it. Really, i dont. Loooooong lines in the freezing cold. Not to mention that the owner(?)/manager blatantly lets certain people in the side-door...that really just pisses me off. The place is really crowded and be prepared to to share a table (which can be awkward). The "decor" is repulsive and the servers are ugh. And yet I find myself going there again and again- maybe because of the convenient location? After the last visit, I've vowed never to go again. Ok, ok- so let me get to the food part...I've tried lots of items from their menu... so here's what i think. The coffee is 7/10. It's great. Please note: They skimp on the splenda, you actually have to request it from your server... and even then they hand you 1 packet (2 if you're lucky). They're stingy with the cream too- and oh yeah, they don't readily offer refills. Pancakes: um, no thank you. The last time i was there, the pancakes smelled...like yeast. Don't get me wrong, it was NOT a pancake batter scent, no no no...they smelled foul. I didn't even touch them- heck, I didn't even cut into them. Crepes: um, no thank you. The actual dough isn't made properly. More than once I've been served these cold, flimsy and almost noodle-like "things" with not so generous toppings. Please don't be swayed by the picture on the menu. Corned Beef Hash: Maybe, just maybe. These might be your safest bet from the menu. You'll get a not-so-generous portion of corned-beef (I think they grind it fresh in the kitchen). But still, something is always missing and i always have to add tabasco for flavour. Steak Skillet: an option, if you're craving steak for breakfast This is not so bad, just think of a fajita. for breakfast. And while that might seem ok, it just doesn't hit the spot if you're craving pancakes. Hash Browns: Good- but not what you're expecting Be careful, these are not the shredded and fried kind-- Again they're stingy with the portions- you'll get a small plate of cubed potatoes cooked with onion. These are quite tasty actually- i've realized that they are pre-made and just sitting in the back on a warmer. So here's a hint, ask for them to be cooked a bit crispy and you can even top them off with cheese- this way you an ensure you're not getting the dish that has been under the warmer all morning Dutch-Baby: can't comment This is their "famous" item and my guy friend says it's good, but i can't vouch for it as i haven't tried it. I doubt ever will go back to try it. Nutshell? PASS on this pancake house. - If not for the food than for the fact that the management plays favorites and lets people in the side-entrance (while there are a slew of customers standing outside in the snow) Trust me, make your way 0.7 miles further and go to Nookies. I promise you, it's worth it!!
(1)
Bill G.
I've been eating excellent breakfasts here 2-3 times a week for the past 15 years. You won't find a better restaurant in Chicago. I love their chicken sausages, turkey sausages, blueberry oatmeal and diced ham & eggs. Their cherry crepes are to die for. Best coffee in Chicago too. Long may they serve.
(5)
Analisa F.
I love the Original Pancake House, in Colorado they are exceptional and a high class place to get a good quality breakfast. ... this franchise leaves much to be desired. Let's just say that if this were the first OPH I had been to, I would never seek them out in different cities. Yes, they do have the standard menu options and the french toast is still some of the best out there, but the peach waffle is something you could get at a denny's for half the price. The bacon looked as though it had been cooked before and then reheated on a griddle that had burnt food caked to it. It wasn't the red and white vibrant bacon one comes to expect for $1.00 for each piece of bacon, it was a gross gray and burnt color that was so salty I couldn't finish my first bite. Service was mediocre, nothing too special and nothing too awful. The restaurant is super old, in a desperate need of a remodel and the menu's layout is about the same (come on bad pictures of menu items? really?). It's so disappointing to see the level that this OPH is at compared to others which blow it out of the water. I don't think I will ever go back to this location, but if you're ever in Denver Colorado, that one is worth the stop.
(2)
Tina D.
This is a chain restaurant with typical breakfast fare. Nothing was bad, but nothing was spectacular either. If you're hungry and it's breakfast time on a weekend, prepare to wait in line.
(3)
Pong C.
This place never disappoints! I used to live in Chicago in the 90's and visited during late 2009. I decided to drop by for breakfast to see it they were still as good as I remembered. And they were... The place did not change much at all, the long line (the ONLY drawback about this place. But hey, that speaks for something, ain't it?), great service and totally EXCELLENT food. The Dutch Baby (like most other "Yelpers" talk about) is a must. Others like the obscenely huge and delish apple pancake and omelettes are really well done. Many of these dishes would feed the entire village!! The coffee is decent and they fill the cup so quickly, you never have to ask for it. The price is reasonable. I would have given them 5 star if they served better coffee (like French press, or European-style coffee crema---well, I'm a coffee snob) and Creme Fraiche (maybe they do, but I didnt see it?). The wait is also a pain but I can't really blame them. I'm not sure if they take reservation, but that maybe something they could do to improve the dining experience.
(4)
Mihir P.
Love it! OPH doesn't try to get all fancy with the dark chocolate ganaches, or Indonesian vanilla - tangerine blah blah blah. It's delcious basic breakfast and some lunch items. I love their silver dollar pancakes. If you go there on a weekend, I suggest you go EARLY or late.
(4)
Baris A.
Went there on a weekday morning, came across rude staff including the hostess. The service was bad and the food was mediocre at best. Baffled at the 4 stars this place received but maybe we were unlucky
(1)
Jon W.
Now that I am moving from down town I finally found the place where the locals eat breakfast.... go figure.... This place is open very early so you can get your day started with plenty of fresh fruit, eggs, corn beef hash, and amazingly delicately prepared European style breakfast crepes like the Dutch Baby treat.. The potato pancakes with sour cream are to die for! The corn beef hash is the best I ever had!! The staff is perky and friendly. There is outdoor seating too. Arrive early to avoid waiting in the long line that extends the entire length of the restaurant entry hallway if you arrive late. This place is very popular.
(5)
Kacie M.
Somehow this place is sandwhiched between the lake and one of the most expensive and fancy areas of Chi-town. I love the people watching in the mornings - Chicago cops downing their coffee, the people you'd expect to see in a little pancake diner (how'd they get to the gold coast??), and some of prim and proper residents of the beautiful nearbye gold coast homes. It is what it is. I've had their massive apple pancake, and it's waaaay too much for one person. The food isn't perfect but OOHhhh it's good. But really.... you come here for the atmosphere and the good pancake house food, not a gourmet experience.
(4)
William L.
Well, if this is the "original" then I am certainly glad there are copy cats! As mentioned there are long lines, and I certainly do not mind that for a quality establishment. It went fast and after about 10 min we were seated on a table outside. Waitress took our order. After about 20 min she said it would be coming. It finally arrived. This place needs to work on presentation. One huge plate with 2 eggs and some ham (me) and bacon (friend) looked cheap and un-appealing. The pancakes were on a side plate and they were good. I would have like to have had warm syrup and/or a choice of flavors. Never saw waitress again until the check arrived. I get - they are busy but service could have been better. Minor irritating point: The manager or owner had some friends at the next table over. He was going on and on about all that they need to fix and problems with the place. Heads up: Not a good public conversation on a busy Saturday morning. Also, he spent the ENTIRE TIME (over 30 min) standing and hovering over his friends while they ate, which was nerve racking for me just to watch. I am sure there are better places in Chicago and will search those out. Actually, the place next door looked pretty good so I may try it next time.
(2)
Erika C.
by far best buttermilk pancakes i've ever tasted. food always comes out fresh and the eggs are delicious! best place around for breakfast. :)
(5)
Dawn G.
A friend doesn't like to travel outside her general 'hood and wanted to meet for breakfast. It's my favorite meal of the day, so I did a little research and decided upon Original Pancake House and I'm glad I did. Two words - bacon pancakes. I really can't go wrong there. It does get crowded, there is a wait, and there are a lot of families, but it's tolerable. The waitress we had was attentive but not pushing to get us out to door to turn over the table. We'll definitely go back.
(4)
Tracy K.
While our meal here wasn't totally bad, I've experienced much, much better. The husband & I had a hankering for hash browns, and were walking by one afternoon, so we decided to stop in & grab something to eat. Sadly, they do not have hash browns on the menu, but by the point we realized this, we already had coffee on our table, so we weren't going to leave. They did have "breakfast potatoes" on the menu, so he ordered those, and I got an omelet that came with a bowl of salsa and had pepper jack cheese as well as tomatoes, onions, and jalapenos in it. The breakfast potatoes were a poor substitute for hash browns, even when covered in cheese and drizzled with my omelet's salsa. My salsa was good, but the omelet itself was a mess. Apparently, when they say "fluffy" they mean resembling a pillow in both appearance and taste. Yuck. Our server took the order and dropped off the food.. nothing special. I don't like their eggs, and I don't like their potatoes, so there is no reason for me to ever come here again.
(2)
Razzina z.
Omelette is probably the best I have ever had (Eggwhite Veggie and Feta) . Yumm!! Pancakes are also really tasty. The interior could use an update, but the food is great!
(5)
Robyn C.
Great breakfast spot! Parking sucks (ride a bike if you can or walk), the wait really sucks (this place is packed all the time), but the food is worth it, especially the Dutch Baby.
(3)
Julie B.
I had dreams about their pancakes last night!!! Slightly wrong but oh so tasty!!! I came here on Monday (labor day) with the family and happily waited in line (sorry folks no reservations). We ordered a bunch of their dishes to all split - Veggie Dutch, Bacon/eggs/pancakes, Dutch Apple, etc....coffee came steadily, service was a bit choppy but it was packed and a line around the restaurant! Food was delicious and their pancakes, well, shucks - they melt in your mouth!!!
(4)
Deborah R.
I went while I was in town with friends. We had a party of six and the wait was really long, around an hour and a half. I didn't mind the wait so much as we were a party of six but the hostess was rude. Every time she came by she made a face at us. Once, we got inside the service was great. The food was pretty good and a lot of it. Five of us got omelets which came with pancakes. I could not even come close to finishing mine it was so massive! I am only giving this three stars for the following reasons: - the wait was so long - hostess was rude While I liked my food it was exactly what I would have expected by that type of place. And I think that the food did not justify the rediculous wait.
(3)
Nate S.
I've been here a few times and it's been what I've expected. The baked omelets are different - not exactly what I would call the best, but the size keeps me happy. We also had banana pancakes (the banana syrup is AWFUL, stick to regular!). The Dutch baby was quite good and different. Overall this place is good, but I don't get excited to come here like I should.
(3)
KM I.
Food is standard breakfast food....too many egg dishes for my liking. They have a strict "no outside beverage" policy.....I was promptly told to drink my entire starbucks instantly or shove it in my purse....Much to my dismay 3 other patrons did not seem to get the message. Outside seating is nice with the flowers and all. Service is nothing special at all. You are better off going next door or making your own breakfast
(2)
S.J. N.
We stayed across the street at The Sutton Place and had to have breakfast at the Original Pancake House. This was such a cute place with a very simple atmosphere that gave it that good home cooking feel. We went on a weekday so we were quickly seated and did not have a wait. Our server was very friendly and made sure we received our food quickly. Although it was fast paced, we did not feel rushed and thoroughly enjoyed our meal.
(4)
Nirali S.
Brunch food done right and fast! We walked in at around noon on a Saturday, and it was crazy packed, but we waited about 10 minutes to get seated, which was fine with me. If you are claustrophobic, don't go here, it's tight seating, so beware. The service is fast (maybe a bit rushed) and friendly. I ordered my own omelette concoction of chorizo, onions and cheddar cheese with sour dough toast and coffee. Everything was really good, and I highly recommend getting a side of their salsa, it's DELICIOUS! The thing that threw me off about this place was the pricing. $2.49 for a cup of coffee? $3.79 for orange juice?! I mean it was a lot, our 2 person brunch ended up being $40, and I thought this was entirely too much. I liked the food a lot, but I i thought it was overly pricey.
(3)
Kwoky L.
I had a high expectation from this place because the one that I went to in Champaign, IL had excellent service and food. Plus, with a nice patio in the Gold Coast neighborhood on a beautiful morning, what better thing to do than have a nice classic breakfast? No, I don't need crispy rosti style hashbrown with beurre blanc and a sprinkle fleur de sel. I want good old omelettes and pancakes and tea with real cream. And the first place I thought of is OHOP. It's 9 o' clock and it's packed. There's a huge line but it moves pretty quickly. Within 30 minutes, we got a table. Well, a third of a table would be more accurate because there are two couples sitting to our left and right. I hate sharing tables, especially when you have a crabby person sitting with you. I ordered the meat skillet and my boyfriend ordered the strawberry pancake. The food was great but the service is much less so. We had a waitress with a long sour face and we didn't enjoy the atmosphere at all. I used to say that coming to OHOP is like coming to grandma's. But not this one.
(3)
Tim C.
You know a place is good when it's busy and there is still a line of people willing to wait. The seating arrangement was a little odd, as they sat my wife and I at the end of a table that already had a party of 6. Kind of like cafeteria style seating, i guess. I ordered the Dutch Garden... Quite tasty, although parts of my pancake were burnt from the baking. My wife tried the Hawaiian pancakes, which were basically their regular pancakes with pineapple topping. Portions here are quite large. We saw the wait staff bringing out some kind of bear claw type of thing at it looked like it could be shared by 2 or 3 people.
(4)
Kin L.
I arrived around 10:15AM and there was a line. If there was a line on a Thursday morning, imagine what craziness the weekend brings. Don't be fooled by the name of the establishment as it serves omelets, crepes, waffles, and other breakfast items. The omelets are oven-baked and these things are ginormous. Just picture three regular moleskin notebooks stacked together, or maybe a baby manatee. In any case, it's a meal in itself. As tempting as it was to order the omelet, I was there for the pancakes. I ordered the buttermilk bacon pancakes and the southern-style hash browns. The hash browns weren't anything special, so let's just move on to the pancakes. I was expecting a big, fluffy stack of pancakes, but it wasn't so. The pancakes were small, thin, flat, and lifeless. Did the cook sit on the pancakes? And do you know what happens to thin pancakes? They get cold really fast! And nobody likes cold pancakes. I ate them quickly to make sure the last bite would be still warm. The savory-ness of the bacon and the sweetness of the syrup went together very well, but I think I would've enjoyed them much more if I wasn't in a race against time. Is this what Chicago style pancakes are like? I was disappointed, the McDonald's hotcakes seem to be more appetizing.
(2)
Carolyn J.
Thanks Yelp for another great find. Had our first breakfast in Chicago here, and I'm glad we found this place. I expected a wait based on previous reviews but we were lucky and seated almost immediately on a Tuesday morning. I had the corned beef hash, potatoes and pancakes. The pancakes were just enough and not super huge. The second visit was during our last day in Chicago. We had to go back! This time there was a line, but we scored with outdoor seating. I had the Eggs Benedict + potato pancakes. Delish!!! Not sure what the gripe was with service in other reviews. We experienced good and attentive service both visits. I wasn't brave enough to try the Dutch Baby alone...next time! If you're planning a visit to Chicago, eat here!
(5)
Deb N.
This is absolutely my favorite breakfast haunt in the USA! The amazing cinnamon apple pancake should be ordered TO GO while you enjoy whichever combination you prefer; the skillets are excellent, the pancakes and waffles can NOT be prepared better at home and the wait staff is usually right on top of the craziness. Expect close quarters and to occassionally share tables (inside) but absolutely the BEST breakfast anywhere, guaranteed! YUM!
(5)
Lisa S.
I've only eaten here twice and the pancakes were good, but nothing terribly special. I thought they would be out of this world. It's a cute, older restaurant with a lot of people going in and coming out. It's in an awesome location.
(4)
Pepe W.
Am from San Francisco so color me touristy. This is a great joint. Pancakes are awesome. Plenty of super yummy choice BUT avoid the chicken sausage because they're joke. It's quicker if there are only two of you lining up to eat there.
(4)
Stephanie W.
Summarizing 15 years of eating at the Pancake House in one review is going to be hard, but here goes.... **The Good** - The staff is always incredibly friendly, and if you've been a regular, they'll typically remember you even after you've been gone for a year. Little kids can pick up balloons and coloring books at the door, and the ambiance is generally just super sweet. - The food usually comes out pretty quickly (except for the Dutch Babies, but the menu warns you those take time) and is always better than yummy. I've really never had a bad meal here in so many years, and I think I've tried just about everything on the menu. Besides classic eggs, I love the sausage links and the 49er Flapjacks (basically sweet crepes stacked up). - During the warmer months, the outdoor seating is delightful. They've really spruced it up in the last couple of years with some lovely flowers and expanded onto the far section of the sidewalk (might as well, since the neighbors were doing it). - If you time it right, there's no wait. Also, they'll still usually seat you even if one person in your party is running late after having waited in the line. **The Bad** - If you time it wrong, there's absolutely a line out the door and it will take you forever to get in. It's worth it, but sometimes I get really hungry for breakfast and just don't have the patience to wait half an hour or more to be seated. There's usually a line after 8 or 830 on the weekends until probably 1pm. Basically, I love the Pancake House, and if you're willing to wait in line for your breakfast, you need to check it out at least once. The food is out of this world delicious and completely satisfying, and it's just a great comfy place to have breakfast in the sometimes-not-so-comfy Gold Coast. And really, it's not called "Original Pancake House" for no reason - try the pancakes!
(4)
Lyn B.
I'm not the hugest pancake fan, but still enjoyed this place. It's in a great location, and the food is decent. Service is slow, and the wait can be very long especially on a weekend morning. I'd go back, but wouldn't rush.
(3)
Alex L.
yes!!!! my girlfriend and i finally made it here. Normally the line is out the door and we say #$C@ THAT!!! but today it was only a 15 minute wait (we did have to wait next to a really fat and smelly chick with ugly died orange hair (she kind of looked like a fat ugly version of Adele, or Fatdele in our minds)). The food and service was great, a bit snug in the restaurant though. all in all...definitely a buy!!
(5)
Audrey W.
I'm so happy this place is a 5 minute walk from my apartment. I actually picked up a to-go for my brother and I while my brother was jogging along the lake. Ordered the cornbeef hash and the southwestern skillet. Both on point and the pancakes were freaking awesome. Next time, I'm ordering the Dutch baby and/or the apple pancake. Oh yeah. The prices aren't so bad, especially since I can eat one portion for 2-3 mornings.
(5)
Peter J.
It was just great. We'll come back soone.
(4)
Elisa P.
My friend took me to this place while I was in town, that apple pancake is super egg-y but super delicious! Their coffee was really good too.
(4)
Jackie W.
This place is a wonderful gem in the Gold Coast. Don't be dissuaded if the line is out the door (and half way down the block), as it usually moves really quickly -- especially now that they have their outdoor seating. My favs are the skillets and the blissful Apple Pancake that is bigger than your head. We also had the divine experience of trying their pumpkin pancakes this past week, which are sheer bliss. YUM!
(5)
Chris N.
I'm a huge breakfast fan but not usually for pancakes. Well the Original Pancake House could have changed that. I had the banana pancakes with fresh bananas, powdered sugar and tropical syrup topping it off. Oh man was it delicious. The only thing missing was the service to match their food. I think next time I'll try the Dutch Baby because it looked tasty. Went back today and had the Dutch Baby, probably the best pancake ever! In fact it basically overrode any crappy service they have.
(5)
T L.
YUMM! This is the place to go for mouth-watering, delicious pancakes. But first things first. We went on a weekday, and even though there was a long line (we were outside the door) we were seated within 15 minutes! Efficiency definitely gets a star in my book. The hostess and our waitress were incredibly helpful. We didn't have to wait long for our food either. I have tried the strawberry pancakes and the spinach omelet. The omelet was okay, not spectacular, but oohh man, the pancakes...such heaven. Just the right texture of fluffiness combined with the sweet taste of creamy goodness. No syrup necessary. The strawberries were fresh and the whipped cream was fresher. My friends ordered the apple pancake and the chocolate chip pancake. Both were absolutely delectable. The apple pancake is a mound of joy; literally, it is humongous. And the chocolate chip pancakes were spot on. They also ordered the hot cocoa, which they also said was yummy. And you get two cups! Now I gotta head to the Original Pancake House in CA....
(5)
Mario D.
We were staying in the Sutton Place hotel across the street, overlooking OPH. There was always a line, although it moved quickly, so we checked it out. We were seated within 10 minuges despite the line at the door. We had a table outdoors, which I recommend. Service was excellent and I was very impressed with my omelet that had chorizo, peppers and onions. Other members of our party had the strawberry crepes and pancakes. Everyone was pleased. We travel somewhat often to Chicago and this will be on my list of good breakfast places.
(4)
Christopher F.
Big fan. Great food. Always good service (Rosa) We frequent this breakfast nook because of the ever accomidating enviornment. There's usually a hefty line but a quick turn over due to the consistant efficiencies. I've been to a few "OHOP's" - this has been (by far) my most fond experience. Give it a shot, I'm confident you'll like it.
(4)
Anna F.
Damn good pancakes, worth the wait. Dad and I walked over here from our stay at the Westin on Michigan Ave. I was a little worried about the line (I am not a fan of lines, particularly when they stand between me and my coffee) but the local guy in front of us said it wasn't as bad as it looked. And I was impressed that a local would be willing to stand in the line so the place must be good right? Delish, I had the two eggs and pancakes, dad had the blueberry waffle and we split a side of turkey bacon. Yum bacon. The pancakes were really good, better than those I'd had at Yolk a couple days before and dad ate the whole waffle so it must have been tasty. The coffee wasn't great but I got the feeling it was a Chicago thing, never had a great cup of coffee at a restaurant during my stay. But the pancakes and the bacon were stellar, totally worth the 20 minute wait in line.
(4)
Unity O.
Have eaten at this establishment many times & I must say that I am rarely disappointed. Their food is very tasty--although if you are trying to watch your waist line--this probably is not the place for you. The area where this is located is pretty posh--which makes it ever so much fun to sit outside & people watch--plus, you may occasionally run into a celebrity--last year the cast of My Boys was dining there when I was. On this last visit, I had a half order of the wheat germ pancakes with blueberries--it was the right portion size & extremely yummy. Their coffee is decent and the turkey sausage very good.
(4)
Hari K.
Loved it. Plenty of vegetarian options, quick service. Tried the veggie skillet scramble and eggs florentine. Will visit again.
(5)
Jean Z.
Ive been here before knowing that they have nearly the same menu as Walker Brothers. I will never come here again because of the mush they call hashbrowns. When I showed them to the server, she regrettably admitted that's the way they always are, and she was nice enough to suggest that if they cook them more well done, that they would probably be acceptable to me but.. They weren't. They were just burnt up crust outside of mushy potatoes inside. Gross to the max. Just plain gross. Better off eating bar breakfast food in this hood.
(1)
Rodrigo R.
I went there the other day with some friends. The pancakes are great, but the service is terrible. We went to the cashier to pay and one of my frinds asked the girl to charge a portion of the bill in his credit card. He was very clear about the amount that should be charged and the girl charged the whole bill. It was a corporate card, he would be in trouble if the whole bill was charged and the girl simply refused to undo the operation. We had to wait a long time for the manager to arrive to get the operation undone and each one of us to pay part of the bill.
(1)
Kista W.
Almost as good as tempo and that is saying A TON, considering I'm in love with my beloved Tempo. I love ordering the pumpkin pancakes in the fall and sitting outside with a sweater on. Ahhhh... All of the pancake varieties are amazing. But then I tried the omlettes and OH NO! those are out of this world. I love to go here with my food loving mother and ordering pancakes along with an omlette so we can both enjoy the best of both worlds! She taught me well, when it comes to breakfast!
(5)
Faith B.
Affordable and extremely busy. The line was out the door when we arrived, but moved rather quickly. Great portions and pricing was good. Our waitress was very attentive eventhough the place was packed. I had the strawberry crepes. They were fantastic!
(4)
Maher A.
The best place to go for breakfast. The omelet is good. And the pancake is even better
(5)
Olivia M.
Delicious and cheap! Not a good place if you want to sit for hours and talk because your waitress will definitely try to shuffle you out. Tables are also uncomfortably close to each other and chances are you will basically be sitting on your neighbor's lap!
(4)
Keirstin L.
I don't know about you, but when Fall rolls around I start craving carbs. We hit up OPH on a cold weekend morning and it was great! We had the banana pancakes and the pumpkin pancakes - both were delicious. It's a bit cramped in the restaurant but who cares with pancakes this yummy! Service was fast and friendly.
(4)
Louis L.
This place will not disappoint. Wait for an outside table if the weather allows.
(4)
Jessie T.
I grew up going to the Walker Brothers in Wilmette, so I was excited to find one right in my neighborhood. I ended up sorely disappointed. I was with a friend and we were seated at one of two tables for two that were pushed together. When we finally got water (no silverware though), a couple was seated at the table ours was pushed next to. We tried to separate them but there was not enough space and the table tilted too much anyway. The bill was way too high for breakfast for two people, and the food didn't make it worth it. The service was also horrible. If you want to try a Walker Brothers, do not go to this one.
(1)
Min L.
When I was told that we'd be having brunch at the Pancake House during our visit to Chicago, I worried that we'd be wasting a precious meal on ihop food, which I can get anytime I want in Boston. I'm so glad I kept my mouth shut that day because, boy, was I proven wrong! The spinach crepe with hollandaise sauce was one of the best savory crepes I've ever had. Not only were we all extremely pleased with our orders, but we were able to enjoy the food while sitting outside on the sidewalk on a gorgeous morning. I can't speak for the dining situation inside. All I know is that eating at the Pancake House was memorable for me to the point where I think about it from time to time and wonder when I'll be able to make it back for more.
(5)
Christian H.
My boyfriend was very excited to take me to the Original Pancake House for a date last year. I had never even hear of the place, but I sure do love pancakes. I wasn't very picky, but I also wasn't in a very good mood that day. I ordered my pancakes and they were good. I didn't think they were all that amazing especially since we had waited over a hour to sit down anyways. I liked their variety, but I was disappointed after a big hipe about how wonderful this place is suppose to be. I would have been just fine with a box of pancake mix and some fresh strawberries with real maple surup. But, I still had fun. Always remember to Have Fun!!!
(3)
Nora B.
Super Awesome breakfast... I want it right now!! There is usually a line on weekends, but it's worth it. My favorite pancakes are the 49'er flapjacks. They are a little like a Swedish pancake, i think. Also try the potatoes with or without onions& cheese.. I can also attest to the yummy egg dishes and the famous apple pancake! Give it a try. I'd give it a 5, but I hate waiting in line.....
(4)
Johnny B.
I'm not a huge breakfast person. I'm the guy who goes to brunch and orders something dumb like a turkey sandwich. That being said, I could get used to this. I had southern style hashbrowns with cheese, chicken sausage, 49er flapjacks, and half of my girlfriend's southwestern omelet. Best. Breakfast. Ever. Worth the thirty minute wait in line out-the-door, in the cold, with the other folks who "know".
(5)
Dave A.
Good, popular (lines out the door), neighborhood breakfast spot. Again a 4 on my Chicago Scale, 3 if it were in So-Cal. Nevertheless, the Swedish Pancakes were great. What I can only describe as a thick crepe, 3 of them stacked, and so big around they overhung the plate. The lingonberry preserve that accompanied was not the best quality, BUT went very well when smothered atop those perfectly delicate cakes. Cuppa coffee along with that and I was happy all for around $9. Unfortunately the cakes seemed to be a-la-carte so adding things like eggs and bacon makes for a spendy breakfast. Truthfully though, the cakes are big and good enough on their own to make a fine meal by themselves. The seating is communal so you will most likely be sharing a table if you are a party of one or two. THEY TAKE CREDIT CARDS NOW TOO (11/10/07). MC & VISA
(4)
Enay V.
Snotty area - staff kind of rude - but really, just give me my food and let me gorge myself into an insane fatty dream. I did not get a chance to have the apple pancake but did get the Santa Fe omelet and it was wonderful. the pancakes were the BEST I have ever had...I will think of them always...
(4)
D J.
I suppose I could toss a couple of eggs in a skillet and whip up some pancakes in my kitchen, but I'd much rather walk across the square,wait in line and get my picks at the OPH. After all, a Sunday brunch tastes better when it comes with a side of people-watching in the Gold Coast! And that doesn't take a morsel away from the main attractions - my favorites - the oven baked veggie omelet oozing with cheese, delicious blueberry waffles sprinkled with powdered sugar, an assortment of pancakes lathered in maple syrup, steaming hot hash brown potatoes, the freshly squeezed OJ - it's a good thing the lakefront is nearby to walk off the gluttony guilt! It's not trendy, it's not unique, it's always a tight squeeze at the tables, but for some simply delicious and convenient brunching, there's no place I'd rather go to than this little house on Bellevue.
(4)
Lanny S.
This morning the service continued to deteriorate. The manager sits around with a scowl on his face and is ambivilent to any complaint. His attitude seems to reflect, business is good, I don't need you. The food is consistently good, however, it may be time to go elsewhere. Hard decision as we visit this restaurant around twice a week for the last 15 years. LSS Chicago
(2)
shirley m.
do not be discouraged by the long lines on the weekend! If you happen to be a party of two you'll get seated pretty fast, they don't take reservations and it's first come first served. Don't let the dated decor fool you, this is not a greasy spoon. Seating is a little cramped, but on the weekend dilly dallying is not encouraged. The service is no nonsense, when they are at the height of the rush expect to get your order taken and your food and bill shortly after. All the servers seem to work together so your coffee and water are always refilled. FOOD is really good. Basic breakfast items pancakes, waffles, omlettes etc are avail with the occasional "special" pancake thrown in the mix. I ordered the Chicken Sausage with 2 eggs and pancakes, they let me substitute my plain pancakes for seasonal pumpkin pancakes sprinkled with cinnamon sugar and pecans. Pancakes are flavorful and cooked just right so the center is fluffy and the edges are browned and it tasted like pumpkin! most places you have to add butter and syrup, pancakes are easily flavorfull on its own. Chicken sausage (4 links) arrived browned on the outside and the center was soft, moist and naturaly sweet from the sage and apple. My BF ordered the Western Omlette filled with cheese, ham, grn peppers and tomatos.....I have yet to find a restaurant to duplicate as fluffy and tasty omlette as this. The omlette is almost the size of the plate it arrives on and so airy I almost want to lay my head on it and take a nap. Orange juice is really squeezed fresh so don't surprised in the winter it is a little more tart. Coffee is brewed well, medium body with a little nutty flavor.
(4)
Max F.
Across from the Sutton Place Hotel, this is much, much better for breakfast. Although the selection is rather limited, the food is good here, and the coffee passable. Service is nice, and, for some reason, they have awesome jam here. not hte best pancakes ever, but good.
(4)
Lisa T.
I can't count the amount of times I've been there. Food is consistent . When I don't want to wait I'll order take out; great alternative. However, the line moves fast. This is a neighborhood establishment and given the amount of people who frequent it, you quite possibly be seated at large table with people you don't know. Big deal . This happens at weddings and your stuck with them all night:) Chicken crepes in sherry sauce are a favorite, but you can't make a bad choice here, as they have breakfast food nailed. However, I'm a coffee addict but I'd skip it here. Drink water and grab Starbucks or the like after.
(5)
Nicholas H.
I HATE BREAKFAST........BUT.......BUT......BUT....This place is AMAZING. When I first moved to Chicago we sampled this joint one early morning. Since then, I have become a Weekend regular, who has been known to persistently order the banana pancakes and broc. Cheese & ham omelet. Recently I found out that this was a chain restaurant.....SUPRISE!!!!.....but the quality is unbelievable. Even the strawberries are fresh cut. WOWZERS!!!!! NOW - if you plan on visiting, I recommend that you arrive early on weekends or at least allow yourself time to wait in line before eating. The wait may exceed out the door of the restaurant, but NO FEAR, it really is not that bad at all. They manage to get people in and out fast. ONE DOWN SIDE IS THAT THEY DO NOT OFFER SODA PRODUCTS. Seeing that I eat breakfast around noon....(giggles) its kind of sad that they do not offer other alternatives to OJ, cranberry, and apple juice. YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS PLACE......IT WILL WAKE UP CRAVING THEIR BREAKFAST..........AT ALL HOURS!!!!!
(5)
Tom F.
Best pancakes around. Period. I'm personally partial to the 49er Flapjacks, which are thin, chewy, and completely addictive, but the other pancake options are equally fabulous. Some of my favories are the German pancake, thick and stuffed with cinnamon apples, the buckwheat pancakes, which sound somewhat unappetizing but are actually quite good, and even the plain ol' buttermilk cakes, which blow away those sad excuses you're chowing down at IHOP. In short, yum-o! Disclaimer: I hate Rachael Ray. I completely regret using her catch phrase in this review. But I digress. If you're not a pancake lover, fear not - the egg options at the OPH are great as well. Omelets are huge, oven-baked, and fluffy. The breakfast potatoes, topped with onions and cheddar cheese, are heart-stoppingly delicious.
(5)
jeremy c.
I've been to this place a few times, and I have to say that it gets better and better all the time. The wait that will almost assuredly occur on the weekends, while annoying, is worth muddling through. The location is great and the atmosphere is very comfortable. Come as you are and get ready for a treat. They are famous for their apple pancakes, which are ridiculously large, and in my opinion, overrated. They're tasty, don't get me wrong, but not worth the hype. Last time there I tried the Southwest Skillet with a banana pancake on the side. The skillet was soo tasty. Essentially it's a skillet with home fries, fried eggs, fresh veggies, and cheese all together. It's great comfort food, and while probably not the best idea before going to work, it's great if you have a couple of hours to let it sit. Regardless of your circumstances, the original pancake house will have what you need for breakfast and you'll be glad that you stopped by.
(4)
Liz P.
One morning, a friend and I wanted some good and greasy breakfast food, lots of it, and for not a lot of money. That's exactly what you'll get at the Pancake House. The eggs, hash browns and bacon are exactly what you'd expect at any breakfast place that knows how to throw together a decent breakfast. Very standard--not amazing, but not bad. If you're in the area and don't know where else to go for a big breakfast, then swing by the Pancake House.
(3)
Manhoso C.
after leaving Uncommon Ground due to horrible lack of service, we wound up here. Waiter was at our table instantly, and followed up twice. The food was out quickly and served all at the same time. The environment was cozy, friendly and warm. We should have come here first.
(5)
J. S.
This place cracks me up!! (In a good way). People line up and STAY lined up to chow down on what I am told is a famous Chicago staple - the Original Pancake House. What I liked a lot was how they sat people. These old school guys have it down to a science. You wait in their hallway (unless you are way outside...you will eventually make it to the hallway though). As you wait the women come out and yell things like "I have a table for 2 outside. Table for 2 outside!" If you are the closest table for 2 to her and want to sit outside well....VOILA you are in. We were 5 so we had to wait a bit and watch others be seated before us. But it was fun and when people who were behind us were able to get in we would all clap and cheer. It was like the "come on down" from the prices right hahah! They have this one dish which I guess they are famous for - The Apple Pancake....not only did we see a photo of this dish on their wall but we saw it in the flesh! Honestly, this thing looks like an enormous pile of steaming poop (seriously) piled highhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. I guess it tastes good though. I am not really a breakfast person but I enjoyed my meal (I didn't order anything special so I wont write about my entree) and the service was not only good but it was done with a smile. Kudos to the Original Pancake House.
(4)
Ben H.
I would say the eggs and such are pretty much standard, go for the pancake/ and baked items as they are delicious... I would recommend the dutch baby.. I never knew dutch babies were so delciious!
(4)
Nicole A.
Maybe I just caught them on a bad day this morning. I got the spinach crepe (everything I wanted wasn't "available" at that location) and it just wasn't good at all. Not awful... just o.k. Friend found a hair in his waffle. Yuck. It happens... but still. The real thing that ticks me off is the waitress suggested I get a half order of the crepes because they are pretty big. I was happy she made the suggestion because I didn't even make it through the half order. However, we went to pay the bill and the price for a half order was 7.99.... but the full order was 8.99. A dollar? really? I would have just taken the extra home for that price. I know this all seems super picky but overall the experience just wasn't worth it. Maybe I should try again, but I probably will avoid this place.
(1)
Kris B.
great food. don't the line fool you. it moves quick. coffee was nice and strong. omelettes fat and fluffy. Dutch baby was ok, would have liked to try the apple pancakes instead. Dutch baby was like a thick crepe
(4)
Jeremiah L.
The Pancake House is as consistent as they come. The food here is always worth the wait. I've had pretty much everything off the menu and have never been dissapointed. My favorite is the Blueberry Crepes followed closely by the skillet with Andouille Sausage. The staff is always nice. Great way to start off a day.
(4)
Corinne M.
Pancakes are triple yum. Light, fluffy with a very slight buttery taste. I had the banana pancakes, which were very good. I'm only giving the place three stars for the following reasons: 1. Most importantly of course- because a bird defecated on me twice during my meal. (I was in the street front cafe.) 2. It was more expensive for pancakes and eggs than my favorite neighborhood brunch dining experience at Bistro Zinc. 3. The coffee wasn't that great. 4. They don't accept my preferred currency-- plastic. Still, you can't really go wrong food-wise here. It's good stuff.
(3)
Pamela R.
Simple and DELCIOUS! What more can I say except, I dream about their bacon. I live in Nebraska right now, and the local diner here didn't serve butter with pancakes, they serve margarine. WTF!
(5)
Masanori T.
This is a very good breakfast/brunch place. Friendly prices, not fancy. Went here for a Sunday brunch while visiting an old friend in Chicago. Although based in that State & Rush neighborhood with tons of other (more flashier, yuppier) restaurants, but this modest pancake/crepe specialty joint always has a long line. I was pretty hungry so ordered savory crepes with spinach (came with delightful little hashbrowns cooked like thin pancakes) & berry crepes (much thicker for some reason, but still good).
(3)
Callan C.
Wait took a while, but definitely solid breakfast spot.
(4)
Tim J.
Breakfast just doesn't get any better than this! It's a diner-type atmosphere without a lot of space (it's one downfall), but AMAZING food. Background: Brunch, 12:30 on a Sunday afternoon. The line was out the door when we arrived, but it only took 15 minutes to get seated. Food: I had the Southwest scramble and a side of chicken sausage. The scramble was GREAT. It actually had kick to it. The mix of vegetables was good and the eggs were cooked perfectly. The sausage was fine. I also shared the apple pancake with the other person I was there with. This was by far the best dish. More of a dessert than a breakfast item, the apples reminded me of apple pie while the pancake base was a sort of doughy goodness. Service: Service was prompt, she checked back several times. Since we were sharing an item she even asked when we wanted it brought out. Cost: In line for breakfast - I think the scrambles ran $8 or $9. Other considerations: As I noted at the top of this review, this place is fairly small and the tables are close together. If you have a larger group (more than four), I can see the wait being substantial.
(5)
Heather E.
Before giving a place five stars, I have to check it out a few times. This week I was visiting Chicago and my husband insisted that we go eat breakfast here. While I have always loved breakfast here with my honey, I never dreamt that I would take my three young children and mother-in-law. (Because lines and toddlers don't mix well). Thankfully, my husbad was dead-set on this place and so glad we did. The corn beef hash is always delish and everyone LOVED the buttermilk pancakes! Of course the bacon is yummy too. The kids could not stop talking about how great the food was and this was delightful because it meant they were QUIET long enough for us to enjoy our meal! This is a must when living or visiting Chicago.
(5)
Dave M.
Outdoor seating is very nice on a good day. Service is friendly and attentive. Food is very good, fresh, prompt, tasty. Thumbs up.
(4)
Mariel K.
LOVE this place. I seriously go here almost every weekend. Their pancakes are the best, the staff is friendly and efficient and though sometimes there is a wait (okay not sometimes, almost always on the weekends) it's worth it!! Now that I am moving out of Chicago I've made it a point to go here every chance I could before I leave...I'll miss them in AZ!!!
(5)
Ivanka B.
Been here twice and always in off-peak times so didn't have to experience the wait. Love the pigs in a blanket, though the first time i had them the sausages were way overdone and awfully dry. Strawberry lemonade was great. Pumpkin pancakes were really really phenomenal. I don't think I can ever eat at another diner again after experiencing breakfast here. This is definitely a casual "no frills" place but the food speaks for itself.
(4)
Bella D.
MMMmmm Mmmmm mmmmm is what i need to say about Orig pancake house! Came here with my jellybean sweetie for some skillets and pancakes I hear the crepes are fresh and yummy. Can't wait to go back and try them. Nice staff and service. Great location and people watching....enjoy all of chicago's great breakfast establishments!! Mmmmm mmmmm its worth it!
(5)
David T.
This is the "original" of the Original House of Pancakes, before Wilmette, and other locations. Its a hole in the wall pancake joint, there isn't a bad thing on the menu ! fresh squeezed OJ , bacon that I've never tasted like anywhere else, great coffee and those Swedish pancakes are the best , my favorite . They are famous for their Apple and German pancakes as well. For someone with a smaller appetite they have smaller "dollar " pancakes that you can order a couple or a 6 pack of. There is usually a wait, but its worth it ! If your ever in WIlmette, there is one located on Green Bay Rd. its bigger and some great stained glass windows and the exact same menu. not sure if they take credit cards or not, so bring cash.
(5)
Susie B.
So wonderful! The baked omelets are big and fluffy and the Dutch baby pancakes are moist and delicious. The decor feels like a 1940s department store lunch counter. It's homey and inviting.
(1)
Liwei Y.
I advise coming here with 4 or fewer people. Came here with 5, and it took forever to get a table :( But it was worth the wait! First of all, my table didn't think the portions would be big, but we were all lethargic and couldn't finish the food at the end. The food defeated us. Basically everything on the menu comes in large portions. I tried a couple of skillets which were delicious (I'm sure they all are), and a savory chicken crepe. It was also good...usually I don't like eating olives but it wasn't bad in the crepe. The potato pancakes taste like hash browns. My table also shared the apple pancake...it is huge (DON"T ATTEMPT TO EAT THIS YOURSELF)...it's probably 1000 calories and very filling. It was very interesting tasting...not what I expected...the bottom was kind of like a flan and the overall "pancake" tasted like bread pudding. I still liked it since I'm a huge fan of bread pudding. Great place for brunch! And good prices too!
(5)
Rhonda O.
This place is so busy Sunday, theres a line out the door every time i come here thats because the food is really good here. My favorite are the cherry crepes and the veggies omelet. The only bad thing about this place is the service and the parking.
(3)
Lauren M.
Only 4 stars bc I hate to wait.- get in early on weekends to skip the long lines. Best breakfast in the area. Get the strawberry walnut pancakes. YUM! Close second to Meli in Geektown.
(4)
Jen M.
This place is always crowded--weekdays or weekends. Yeah, it's that good. It looks like a little Dutch house from the outside. The inside is cramped with tables and chairs including a few community tables for parties of 1 or 2. Service is fast and efficient, and the food always comes out hot. I wish they would add pop/soda to their menu--I don't like just having a choice of juice, milk, or water, but then again, breakfast is their gig so I guess it makes sense. I'm just one of those weirdos who wants a Diet Coke with breakfast. The buttermilk pancakes are always a good choice. Because of its location it does attract a lot of tourists but that is probably the only downside of this place.
(4)
Buttermilk P.
I am pancake connoisseur. They are my favorite food. I am always searching for great pancakes wherever I go. I like them plain. Plain buttermilk pancakes. The Original Pancake House has the best buttermilk pancakes I have ever tasted. They use a sourdough starter in their mix that gives the cake a unique flavor. The texture of the pancake is perfect and they serve them with a deliciously flavored maple syrup that is kept warm until the pancakes arrive. While reading reviews of other restaurants that specialize in breakfast food, I see the plain pancake is a dinosaur near the verge of extinction. However, if one is in the mood for the most basic of the early morning fare, the Original Pancake House is a world-class contender.
(5)
Maggie H.
Once you've had International House of Pancakes, everything just sort of blends in, except of course their super delic Turkey Sausage. The pancakes like most pancakes that I have ever had in my life were sinfully delicious. (ESPECIALLY the Chocolate Chip Banana Pancakes) The turkey sausage was what really got me my first time at the Original Pancake House. It feels like a time warp inside and makes you wonder where all of these people came from. The wait time for 3 people was about 35 minutes, and I really wished that we were only a party of two. It was a long time to wait, but the food was great. The atmosphere was casually refreshing, especially for the Gold Coast.
(3)
Megan K.
It looks like this little shack blew in from across Lake Michigan and landed in fancy pants Gold Coast, but no one took note and just kept going to whatever place it landed on. The game here is to get in the end of the line that pours into the entry hallway and out the door, and the lady at the front will eventually figure out how many people are in your party and put you on the list. If you have a small group, you may even get seated at someone else's table, which makes eavesdropping an easier task. I would advise sharing several dishes among your party to try some of everything, or swap out fancy pancakes (to echo everyone else's sentiments, the pumpkin pancakes in the Fall are worth a try) in place of the buttermilks that you get as a side with your eggs.
(4)
Lee W.
Some of the best pancakes around! This location can get crowded given it's location so I recommend showing up at opening or slightly before 7am. Pancakes always taste best early in the am! Bacon pancakes are the best ever! I hardly ever order anything else. Restaurant recently began accepting credit cards.
(4)
Darlene L.
This is a fun little Gold Coast restaurant that has been there for years. Always wanted to try it, and today was the day. Though crowded, my party was seated quickly. The server arrived immediately offering coffee. Overall, service is outstanding. The menu is large and varied at different price points. Was not to hungry but one scrambled egg along with delicious wheat toast hit the spot. The oatmeal was a huge serving accompanied by brown sugar and raisins. Omelets are lovely and chock full of vegetables, cheese or whatever you like. The prices are most reasonable. One area to improve: the coffee is strong and bitter. This is an important consideration for a breakfast spot.
(4)
Bill T.
THE breakfast place on the Gold Coast. Usually a line and wait so going there on 12/26/11 I wasn't surprised. Small space so can get family style seating, but with 4 of us - not a problem. Nice menu options, but Philly has better b'fast options (sorry). Yet, I give it high marks for the lightest, airiest egg white omelets I've ever had.
(3)
Faith H.
You can't go wrong with the Original Pancake House. Sure, the line is out the door on weekends, but it goes quickly, and the service is super quick. Nothing incredibly unique on the menu, but the pancakes are delish and I keep coming back for more!
(4)
Dashaun S.
The food here is delicious. Not a bad location if you plan on doing some sight seeing and want a good carefully made breakfast. The pancakes are great and the servings are on point. Some of the seeting is not ideal though. The table I sat at is kind of near the door and entrance to the kitchen. Not so nice. However the place is so busy you'll be glad to get a seat quick period.
(3)
Misse D.
Don't be fooled by the long line... my party of two was able to be seated in 18 minutes. I went here for the first time for brunch on Sunday. I ordered a belgium waffle- it was cheap and tasty. I wish the hot water for my tea was a bit hotter-- but I didn't complain. I would come here if you are looking for a simple and quick breakfast/ brunch place in the Gold Coast.
(4)
Whitney B.
i wish I knew this was here sooner! i went with my family when they were visiting, and it was great! The line was out the door, but it moved quickly and we got a great table to ourselves. And the food came out even faster! I had an omelette and it was massive, but really good. My family all enjoyed their food as well. Don't come here if you don't like being close to other people, as the tables are all packed in and you may actually be sharing a table with people you dont know. And for that reason, it can get sorta noisy in here, but it's a fun environment, and the food and service make it worth it! I'll be back as soon as I get the chance!
(4)
Anna P.
Had a simple order of banana pancakes to go. Not bad just pretty simple flapjacks nothing outrageous? The order was a good amount (6 total in a full order not large usual sized pancakes). Pretty decent next time Im in town Ill try maybe the other more well known pancakes that have all this hype behind them.
(3)
Lars L.
What a great breakfast place should be: bustling, tasty, friendly service. Great spot.
(4)
Samantha K.
Super cute, old fashioned pancake house. What more can you ask for? I've been here twice and loved it. It's been a while since I've been here so I can't describe what I ate, but I know that I enjoyed it. First time I came here with my parents. We ate inside because there was no tables available for the patio. The second time I came here with a couple girl friends and we got to sit outside. What I don't like is that there are four restaurants that sit side by side, including this pancake house. The prices here are extremely reasonable. The quality of the food is amazing. This may be one of my favorite breakfast restaurants in Chicago. The second time I came here was for brunch. Lots of trendy, upscale people walk around holding Barneys NY, Diesel, and Jimmy Choo carrier bags. Can I also mention that a few good looking guys came up to our table? Yes, getting asked various questions while stuffing my face with the delicious food is exactly what I was expecting. Oooooh I love Chicago. All in all, I highly reccommend this place. I'll be back for sure.
(5)
Izzy N.
Oh Sweet.. another native of Portland, Oregon right in Chicago! This is much, MUCH better than the original of the original pancake houses in Portland. Bleh, the one in Portland sucked hardcore.. they were just inconsistently good, bad, always sketchy as hell. I remember walking out one time. This location in Chicago is pretty good. A lot cleaner than the one in Portland. I shared a dutch baby, the apple pancakes, and side of bacon with friends. Very good. Looked so indulgently good in a down home kinda way. So satisfying when you're in the breakfast mood. Great friendly service with good food.
(5)
Dustin H.
Very hopping place, even shortly after they open at 7a! Nice buckwheat pancakes too... was my first time today and definitely I'll be back...
(4)
Mark F.
I've eaten here often. It's cozy. Most recent visit was on a Saturday, around 9:30AM. Super busy. Waited 15 mins or so for a table. A little too cramped inside -- some seating is back to back and some seating will have you beside some random stranger (okay if you like random strangers I guess). I ordered the sausages and eggs (with an English muffin side). Very tasty. My girlfriend ordered the peach crepes (very good and a lot of food). With an orange juice and coffee this alal came to around $21. Reasonably priced to say the least. They turn over tables quickly and the kitchen is quick. Service today was good (but has been a little erratic in the past).
(4)
ricardo m.
YES!! super fast service and nice waiters meet good food at a tasty price. The location is great and it is getting harder and harder to find a restaurant that allows people to have their morning meal and coffee outside. Dennys dosent have it and neither do other places in the area. You have got to get the Pancakes without a doubt. The only downside is that there are a good deal of people there on the weekends and it can get a bit touristy.
(5)
Grace H.
I feel somewhat comfortable in this place. maybe because it reminds me of pancake houses in the suburbs? ya, it looks kinda odd being located in between upsacle restaurants. Anyways, they have great omeletts skillets and drinks (OJ and coffee) Once in a while I crave for breakfast food and this is the place I go every time (I dont usually eat breakfast).
(4)
Jake O.
We were on a business trip to Chicago and found this place out on yelp and the reviews were correct. A very good place for breakfast and reasonable prices. It was great
(5)
Lucia Z.
Hands down best breakfast in Chicago...despite the long line at the door, the Pancake House hasn't sold out. The portions are huge, the food is consistently delicious (with some really unusual options mixed in with the standard breakfast choices), the service is impeccable, and the prices are cheap. One of the top breakfast choices in Chicago, and definitely the top breakfast joint in the Gold Coast.
(5)
Adrienne L.
So maybe I'm a bit biased, because to me, Pancakes are a major food group... But I LOVED this place... I got the apple pancake (huge, sugary, applely goodness), husband got the tropical pancakes. Awesomeness on a plate. Big portions and low prices. I saw in reviews that this place is busy and the servers have bad attitudes, but I didn't notice any of that when we went; 9:30am on a wednesday. When I'm in Chicago again, I'll definatly be going here again! (I saw they also have one closer to me, so I'll probably go there too!)
(4)
Deborah H.
Ate here for the first time this morning based on the reviews on this site and was delighted. It's very cold today (temps hovering around zero) so even though it's a Saturday morning, the wait was only about 15 minutes and all indoors (we were the last people to fit inside). Food was delicious. Everyone was happy with what they ordered. Meats were exceptional, pancakes were fluffy and light. And you HAVE to get the hot chocolate if it's chilly out - what a treat. Also highly recommend a side of hash brown potatoes with cheese for the table to share - grilled with onions, so good.
(5)
wheatberry s.
Pretty good diner - nothing terribly special in my opinion but certainly in a good location. Just the normal fare. Ordered an omelette and it was huge. I think four eggs were in the omelette not to mention a hefty portion of cheese. Too much for me, though. The side order of pancakes were alright and a pretty good deal considering the inordinate amount of food served. The restaurant was busy but not packed for a weekday brunch. Service was decent but got better after I ended up asking for water refills just about every time one of the wait staff passed by.
(3)
Esther Y.
I don't know...I'm on the fence about this one. There are other dinerish places to get great breakfast food without the hit or miss service. If you are not in the mood to make your own breakfast this is good, but it's nothing spectacular.
(3)
Christel D.
All my family members LOVE this place!! Maybe I always order the wrong thing??? Great service, but reminds me of a waffle house...
(2)
Joao G.
The omelettes and pancakes are good. The service, however, is TERRIBLE - the worst I have ever experienced in Chicago. From the moment we got into the restaurant (when an impolite, kind of angry waitress took us to the table) to the moment we had to pay the check it was awful. We were a group of friends trying to each one pay his / her own food, but unlike anywhere else we had to pay with just ONE card. And we found it out just after the cashier charged a friend's card with the whole amount (although he had clearly stated that he would like to pay just a part of the check). To cancel that transaction, we had to wait around 20 minutes for the impolite manager to come (being impolite and not prepared to serve is a common characteristic there). I will NEVER go back to that place.
(1)
Baby B.
Grew up eatting here and I am always willing to wait in line on Sunday it is totally worth it! My favorite is the swedish pancakes, 2nd favorite is dutch babies. The BEST pancake house any where!!!
(5)
Jessica N.
It should be a crime that I had not been here up until this weekend. Shame, shame on me. On my quest to try breakfast at every place that offers it in Chicago we ended up here at 8:45 Sunday morning. And oh yes there was a line down the street already. I have to assume part of that is the fact that there are not many other places open that early, but part is because it is just so darn good. Now I ask you this- what other place in the city could get an entire patio worth of customers to eat outside in 40 degree weather? Yes, we ate outside too- but heck they gave me a free hot cocoa so I thought it was a fair trade off. I had pumpkin pancakes that were unbelievable. the food was quick, yummy and somehow made me forget we were sitting outside in near winter temperatures. I also had to laugh as every other place around there opened up their patios also, obviously feeling if the Pancake House can do it then by god- so can we! If you haven't been here, check it out. But get there early and be ready to wait. But it is well worth it!
(5)
A.S. V.
Again, the lines don't merit the quality. They're good pancakes, but you can get just as good at, say, Kitsch'n on Chicago without waiting. And the rest of the menu there is much better than this place.
(3)
Doug M.
The perfect breakfast place. Great diner style breakfast with the rare combination of good coffee. Handy dandy tip - one omelette is more than enough for two!
(4)
Blair B.
Solid morning food.. but with all the great breakfast options in chicago, and the long line this place constantly has, I can't bestow a 5th star. I don't like that to wait for my table I have to wait in line.. literally. standing up in a cramped area... HOWEVER, when you get inside, the wait seems worth it. Food is relatively inexpensive and the pancakes are amazing. I also had the egg skillet which was yummy, but would have liked to see more cheese than the sparse amount I got. Maybe ask for extra cheese if you are a cheese nut like me?
(4)
Jerry T.
This place is pretty solid, though there isn't anything original about this location (it's a chain). I haven't had the whole menu obviously, but the blue berry sour cream crepes, and the dutch garden is fantastic. my lovely lady also really like the normal dutch baby. Our tale is pretty sweet. There's usually a pretty big line for brunch at this place, and our last visit was no exception. We walked in, and there was a line out the door. I had a group of five so I thought this would take forever. There we stood at the end of line, almost out the door in the cold, when suddenly the hostess called our table within two minutes of our arrival! It was worth all the scornful looks from fellow linees to get seated so quickly.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Anna B.
Boom this place is a win. Don't be detered by the line not quite sure how they do it but somehow our group of 8 only waited 15 min to sit on a Saturday am at 10!? What!? Then, it only continued to improve. Food was amazing and I think my favorite is that you can get a side of pancakes with everything!! Just what I needed. Service was fantastic. And the atmosphere is adorable. So classic. You gotta stop here if you're in town.
(5)Laura F.
I don't get this place. It's cramped, hard to navigate (especially with a stroller), pricey, and depressing. I ordered the dutch baby cake. I have really been wanting to try a dutch baby cake - they look amazing. What I received was a sweet omelet. My "pancake" was more egg than anything else. And I ordered the fruit-topped one. $15 or so later and all I can say is never ever ever again.
(1)Darian J.
Wow... This place is sheer heaven. I visited this location on a rainy Sunday afternoon for breakfast. I arrived at 10:30 and there was a small wait. I was standing in line for approximately 10 minutes. Upon entering the restaurant it looked like a cottage from a story book. The exterior matched the warmth of the interior in terms of design. Actually, it reminds me so much of the taverns I frequented when I was visiting Austria. So quaint, but filled with character and warm personalities. What I immediately loved about this place is the conversations I was having with the other families waiting in line. Everyone was excited to eat and friendly. Strange for Chicago. The hostess was super friendly and welcoming and so was my waitress, even though she neglected to ever tell me her name. The eating area is one big room and so I was snuggled at a table with a family since I was eating alone. Awkward because they were foreign, but it was easy to block them out. I ordered the Cajun Skillet with andouille sausage, chicken, red bell peppers, potatoes, and scrambled eggs with a side of pancakes. The portion size was enormous! But I definitely finished the entire meal. The pancakes were AMAZING. There is some flavor I couldn't name for the life of me but it was almost liqoury tasting. Whatever the secret ingredient is made the cakes literally orgasmic. The skillet was perfect as well. The andouille sausage mixed with the potatoes and all the cajun spices mixed...omg. The perfect breakfast of champions. My breakfast total was $13! I will definitely return
(5)Mary S.
This places is the best for anything breakfast wise really. Crepes, waffles, eggs with bacon, omelettes, bs of coarse pancakes! Only 2 Robles for me is-no mimosas and no hash browns, only home fries. At this location we just get it to go and eat in at our studio. Mimosa problem solved! Just need to figure out the hash brown sitch. This location is super busy (another reason to order to go) but if it's nice outside its worth the wait!
(4)Abigail W.
Food is delicious here!! Overly large portions and the price to show for it. Three strawberry crepes for just over $10 bucks seems pricey to me for breakfast, but they were incredible. The fresh squeezed orange juice was refreshing. Nothing special about the side sausage. And yes, it's ok to add fresh whipped cream to your breakfast foods ;)
(4)Andrew S.
I'm a breakfast lover, and this is one of my all-time favorite spots to eat it. I come here at least once every time I'm in Chicago. Still not sure whether this location is local or part of the chain but guess it doesn't really matter. The seasonal pancakes (the pumpkin ones they have in the fall are the best) are always part of my order. Tip: if you get an egg dish you can get two pancakes as a side and for $2 extra can substitute the seasonal ones. The last time I was here it was cash only but not sure whether that's changed now. Total is usually $10-$15 per person if you get coffee or a juice. Which reminds me, the grapefruit juice is fresh squeezed and delicious!
(5)Tiffany H.
Cute breakfast spot with outdoor seating on warm days. It reminded me of an IHOP type of place. Large menu with lots of options. I ordered the skillet with veggies and my friend got the farmers scramble. I love that the egg dishes come with either pancakes or toast so you can still get sweet and savory. The pancakes were delicious, but my egg skillet dish was oddly warmer on one side of the plate. Unevenly warmed up and not seasoned at all. I wasn't exactly blown away. And the coffee I think was very overpriced. $3.15 for a cup of coffee even with refills is really ridiculous. Upon asking for the bill, we were told to pay at the cashier by the door. We wanted to itemize the menu based off of my order and my friend's order. We only had TWO people and the lady said she wasn't able to itemize; she could only divide evenly. I found it a bit absurd that with a POS system and a computer system she couldn't individually charge out each item. Because of the lack of management, which was also apparent with the waitstaff, I would only give it two stars: however the pancakes were actually quite memorable and tasty so I didn't dock off that third star.
(3)Peggy S.
Plentiful, delicious food at great prices with great service. A must-have for your American breakfast cravings! I brought some Australian friends here during our stay in Chicago for a conference. They said they wanted American food and possible pancakes, so this seemed like a good choice after reading some fellow Yelpers' reviews. We were not disappointed! We had no issues getting a table at 8:30am on a Thursday. Our waitress was polite and friendly and gave us great service throughout. I ordered a spicy skillet (their menu on here has not been updated) that came with jalapenos, potatoes, cheese and other things, two eggs (over medium), and a side of pancakes--that is an option! The skillet was huge! With the pancakes as a side, it really is enough for two meals for me. The skillet was very savory and had the right amount of spice for me. The eggs were perfect. The pancakes were also very good. The batter was sweeter than most pancakes, so I didn't even add syrup to them. I will definitely be coming back here--and getting a to-go box!
(5)Lauren K.
For those of you like me whose absolutely favorite meal of the day is breakfast it would be blasphemous of you to enjoy breakfast anywhere else (unless of course you're not by a Walker Brothers Original Pancake House which would be a damn shame). I had actually never gone to one of their locations before a week ago (I don't know how in the world I ever let it slip my radar) but I'm so happy that I finally did try it. My fiancé and I were able to enjoy a blissful breakfast outside on their patio because it was perfect outside the day thay we went. I highly recommend that if you are eating here in the spring or summer you sit outside because not only can you enjoy the sunshine while you eat deliciously sinful food, but you can also people watch - it's quite a fun hobby, especially if you're a Psychology major like me and my fiancé. Aside from the people watching, the food is what you're really going for, right? You won't be disappointed, especially if you start with coffee and cream. Now, to those of you who drink your coffee black - set this notion aside and order cream with your coffee...you will thank me. My fiancé doesn't even usually drink cream in his coffee but he was raving about this cream. It's smooth and thick with the perfect amount of sweetness - it was beyond delightful. I'm not crazy, okay...it's that good! Their coffee is some of the best that I've had when going out to restaurants and it's my firm belief that you can judge a breakfast place on their coffee. Next, if you're going with someone else my suggestion is for one of you to get the apple pancake and one of you to order something else...that way you can split each other's plates and enjoy more of what Walker Brothers has to offer! But seriously, you have to get the apple pancake. It is epic. Epically fluffy. Epically sweet. And epically filling. It's just epic. You have to try it at least once - it will make your eyes roll to the back of your head. It's more of a dessert than anything so you could even pick this up as a late night snack, if you really want. Just an idea. Believe me, you will be completely satisfied with whatever you order and the cost of it won't hurt your wallet too badly, especially considering how good it all is.
(5)Gretchen D.
As others have said, it's basically an IHOP. (But with only one kind of watered down maple-like syrup). The service was great. The corned beef hash was tasty but oddly dry. Even stranger were the rubbery scrambled eggs on top. They would not stop steaming--not during the entire meal, it was like there was a little steam vent to the Netherworld in them. Very tasteless. Pancakes and pecan waffle were fine. Not the best I ever had but not the worst either. The place is cute in a "land that time forgot" kind of way. Price was reasonable for the area. Large nportions.
(3)Alexandra R.
This place is generous on the servings and it is plain old good comfort food. The lines are ridiculous on the weekend, but worth waiting for on a cold Chicago morning. The spicy skillet is delish and the service is pleasant but not overbearing. They do try and hustle you out during busy rush but that's understandable.
(4)Chris T.
When you're dying for pancakes and everywhere else in gold coast is packed or too expensive, you come here. Not because it's particularly amazing - but because you must have pancakes NOW... and you're cheap. It's drastically different from anything else in the area, which can be refreshing if you live in these parts. That being said, the hostess/cashier is dysfunctional, and the service is comparable to IHOP. I'd say the entire set up is like IHOP, except more run down. But I suppose if this is the "original" pancake house, IHOP copied them? I have no idea. Anyway, the pancakes are all good enough, and does set them apart from other pancake chains in terms of variety - I've never had a Dutch Treat or Dutch Apple before. However, after a few bites of these giant cakes, you quickly get your fill, and you think about all the cardio you're going to have to do to make up for this giant plate of carbs. I prefer many other brunch places before here, but if I happen to be in the area I wouldn't mind going again.
(3)Blake A.
Very enjoyable restaurant. The menu has a wide variety of breakfast. The food might take awhile to cook, but because of the high quality of the food it is worth the wait. The waitresses are nice and make you feel welcome. I would caution about sitting outside because of yellow jackets that like to sit on top of the syrup container.
(5)Mark H.
A bacon in the rough. This blue roofed, single family repurposed house might appear like an anomaly in the middle of a foo foo Gold Coast restaurant area. Come inside and travel back in time to an 80s breakfast joint. A no nonsense layout, an assortment of delectable gourmet food items on the menu and deleted are the usual hipstered out model-abees server but rather a group of normal hard working blue collars. Although famous for their pancakes, I must say their bacon has no parallel. Nice thick pieces and lightly seasoned. Perfect as a complement with eggs or simply a light bk snack with coffee. So, if you're out on Rush, stop by this well oiled and decently priced nostalgia and hope they will never run out of style.
(5)Jennifer E.
The food was good. The service needs a lot of improvement. Firstly, the hostess was rude. I understand that their policy is to wait to have everyone in the party to able to be seated but if 3/4 of the party is already there.... doesn't it make sense to seat people??? You have to seat a party of 3 on a 4-top anyways. But no...the hostess refused to seat us. This place is another IHOP in disguise located in the Gold Coast.
(3)Carlos T.
The Original Pancake House....90+ seating clean, above average service. From order to table 14 minutes with 15 customers in dinning area. Food was fresh and hot, pancakes was original recipe, but hashbrowns was more a par broiled dice and seasoned America fry.....no crispy edge at all from the grill on the potatoes. Coffee was fresh, and Omelet was good. Overall 6 out of 10, would return but wouldn't be a must try again spot.
(3)David D.
My wife and three boys love breakfast diners and the old school look of this place is what originally drew my attention. Then upon reading the reviews here on yelp, I thought we might have a winner. I was nervous about the line - a 20 month old and 6 year old waiting patiently typically don't go together well - but the line moves quickly and the boys made friends in line too. Our server was very friendly and food comes out quickly. One of my breakfast staples is corned beef hash and eggs. I ordered that with a side of pancakes. Now, usually I eat my eggs and corned beef hash first and whatever stomach I have left I dive into the pancakes, but the pancakes were so good I ate all of them and had hash leftover - which is a shame because the hash was awesome too. But the pancakes = dominating. The boys and wife also loved everything but the pancakes were the definite star for our table. We'll be back!!
(5)shamrock B.
Great traditional breakfast place. Omelets are huge! Though it's not a gourmet breakfast place it's solid good food and always on point. Service is fast. Now the bad is the wait on sat and sun are the worst be ready for a hour or longer so don't be in a rush if your going here.
(4)Rick V.
This place is authentic and the service is great. Very friendly staff. The food tastes amazing. I would recommend this anytime.
(4)Matt O.
Found this gem on a walk during our vacation to Chicago. Ended up eating there three days in a row, and took our visiting family there too. The service was excellent. The coffee was perfection. I had the cherry Kijaffa and banana pancakes... so awesome. I watched my family eat omelets bigger than their heads! I only wish we had found this place on our first day. It would have been seven breakfasts there instead of just three. Oh and the walk to the Original Pancake House on Bellevue was on a beautiful residential street. Overall, it was charming as hell!
(5)Gabriele P.
The strawberry pancakes are just delicious and they come with a strawberry syrup that I could kill for! Eggs and bacon were great too, cooked right to the point. Nice service and lovely location, an overall great experience and definitely recommended if you want to have a taste of a truly American brunch!
(5)Sundi P.
One of the best breakfast places in Chicago. My husband loves their Dutch Baby Pancakes especially the ones with the Apples. I had French Toast and my sister had their regular pancakes. Everyone loved their food and the service is pretty good.
(5)Mike W.
I came here on a Saturday morning and as was expected there was a pretty long line. Luckily, the line moved pretty quickly and I was seated after waiting about 10 minutes. The hostess was very polite. The sitting area was kind of tight, but not a huge deal unless maybe you're in a big group. I got the steak skillet which was a nice mix of steak, eggs, onions and peppers. It also came with a small side of pancakes. The meal was delicious, I wouldn't say over the top, but I was very impressed with how nice all the staff were. I'd definitely recommend a visit when in Chi-town.
(5)Kendra N.
While traveling for work, my hubby and I came here to grab a bite to eat before work. It was a weekday so we were seated right away on the patio. The service was nice and quick. We came in with our own coffee and the hostess wouldn't let us bring it in in our own cups, but she did pour it into a different cup for us. Good to know for people who are picky about their coffee! We had the banana pancakes (yum!), a large OJ (fresh squeezed!), and a side of bacon (delicious, thick-cut). Everything was very, very good. We shared everything and the total with tax and tip came to $22 and was more than enough food for 2 people. I would definitely recommend this place - it's very good! Only reason it didn't make it up to 5 stars is that it's pretty standard food, nothing too unique here.
(4)Kamran L.
I don't eat breakfast much, but when I do....This is the place to be. Service is always good, the portions are enough for 2 people, and the coffee is amazing.....and the prices really are not that bad.
(4)Scott R.
Two words.....The Bomb!!! Old school diner style portions...with a creative touch!! Cherry crepes rock...bacon is the real deal!! You get what you pay for here!!!
(5)Darren O.
First time visitors. Visited on Saturday around 10:45. The line was just barely out the door, but we were seated in less than 20 minutes. I hate waiting in line for any restaurant but this was worth it. (TIP for first time visitors - no need to go inside to put your name in. Just get in line). Seating can be a little cozy since the place isn't very big. Food was fantastic. I'll post a pic. Only complaint is that this location does not have biscuits and gravy. Service was great ... fast and courteous. FOOD TIP: Our waitress (Becky) said she always orders hash browns (what I would normally call breakfast potatoes) "extra crispy" so the kitchen throws them on the griddle a little longer. I don't know what they would be like without the extra crispy order, but the ones they brought to us were perfect. Not actually crispy...just perfect. Bacon, pancakes, eggs, sausage...it was all excellent. We will definitely go back.
(5)Chrystal Z.
Their skillets are AMAZING. Holy hell - I think this is better than any breakfast I've ever had. It's cheap, fills you up, has a slew of ingredients (and you can add/minus/substitute to your liking)... with two eggs on top (which honestly just makes anything and everything better). It's not that complicated to make, but boy do they make it good... I scarfed down the entire thing in about 5 minutes (and I'm a pretty slow eater!). If you like potatoes, cheese, egg yolks, and veggies (I added jalapeno peppers and bacon to mine)... get the vegetable skillet and add some stuff to your liking! So, so, so, so, SO delicious. I don't remember the last time I've sung so much praise about a restaurant on Yelp (I'm jaded now). Our server was so sweet, so smiley, and so perky on an overcast day. Fast, attentive, and so friendly - we couldn't help but smile back and enjoy ourselves. It's warm service like that that really adds to the value of a meal. I would DEFINITELY come here again. Haven't found a better bang for your buck anywhere else in the country!
(5)Jennifer T.
This place is super busy so hop in line & be respectful. We're all in need of pancakes. It's usually a shorter wait than you'd expect. The breakfast is good but not great. I liked that the pancakes I had weren't heavy but they didn't have a ton of flavor. They're pancakes, I know, but gimme something you know? I did like that they brought a strawberry syrup and I could dip or pour as much as I'd like. It wasn't gel like or goopy either. Not the cleanest place I've seen either. I don't need the place to be spotless but it could stand for a little more care in that department. I do adore the brick walls & the homey touches of the place. Overall, I'd try this place again but I wouldn't make it a staple to bring everyone I knew to.
(3)Michelangelo V.
Honest review: the food is ok nothing special everything is supper eggy really is not worth the time or money plus the parking sucks the dutch baby lol everybody raving about it trust me its not that good mostly egg
(1)Willis W.
We had Breakfast here two days into our stay in Chicago. Good typical Breakfast Fare , Service was reasonably prompt. Food was delicious. Prices were about what we expected for that area of Chicago.
(4)Erika Lyn S.
The original pancake house is packed by 0800. Initially, I felt the prices might be a bit high for an omelet and pancakes, however, I was pleasantly surprised when my omelet arrived quickly and for a brief moment I was completely overwhelmed by the size. I had my omelet made to order, with spinach, broccoli (which is NOT an option at our IHOP in Missouri), cheddar cheese and bacon. My omelet was delicious and piping hot! FYI...The OPH uses real cheddar chese and not the chess sauce used by other places. Service is incredible and Wilson (last initial T) is extremely attentive, keeping my coffee and water filled. THE OPH uses real cream. The best part is the OPH is located just across from the wonderful and sheik Thompson Chicago where my husband and I were staying, so I simple walked over and back in less than 30 seconds. I will be back likely in the morning before I hit the road and head back to Saint Louis.
(5)Stefano Z.
The apple pancake was literally to die for - I tried as hard as I could to gulp all of it down, because it was outstandingly delicious, but it was far too much for me to eat. Everything we had was delicious, with very generous portions, and nice service. Of course we waited in line for 30+ minutes, so be prepared... but it was worth it.
(5)Matthew I.
Great service, great food! A quick breakfast fix for whenever you have a hankering for something scrumptious! I love coming here on my lunch break with friends from the office. The service is fast and they are always attentive no matter how busy it is!
(5)Graham B.
I love these kind of places. Great value for money, food is nothing too fancy but really tasty and ample portions. It's location is s little surreal surrounded by fancy Gold Coast restaurants but it had a steady stream of custom while we were there and that really wasn't surprising. Went back several times for breakfast during my visit :)
(5)Johnny A.
Great, awesome food. Have one of the omelet and you'll fall in love, than you will understand me! Try it out
(4)David Z.
An Apparent secret in Chicago, this was a great stop for breakfast and a must have is the baked apple pancake. It comes out huge but once you cut in it deflates like a tire with a hole in it. But tastes phenominal. Worth taking a ride here for breakfast. It was just a short walk from the hotel so vary convenient. The line grew longer as the morning went on so get there early if you don't like to wait.
(5)Dana W.
Friendly service, food delivered quickly and was good, coffee was hot and refilled often. No complaints! Went as a single diner and shared table with other single diners, that's fine however, felt somewhat rushed and no time or space to read paper. If looking to relax and have a leisurely breakfast you might feel a little pressed to move it along. If looking for a quick good breakfast then you'll be good. Btw...bacon is thick and really good.
(5)David S.
I'm originally from Madison, Wisconsin so I'm very familiar with the Original Pancake House. All locations are different, for example, the one back home gives you a "number" and puts you on a waiting list, this location does not, similar to first come, first serve with lower waiting times for smaller parties. I have been to this locations dozens of times since moving to Chicago and every time is great. Always get the same thing 49er Flapjacks and a coffee, never been a disappointment. Love this place!
(5)Alaina D.
The only reason I gave it two stars was because of our waitress. Otherwise, the service was horrible. We walked in and said we had a party of two. The guy at the hostess stand looked annoyed and said "okay, tell her." We were seated at a 6 top with a family of 4 with two kids. It was really awkward since we were trying to have breakfast to celebrate our engagement. We decided to stay and order, but when I ordered the corn beef hash, they said they were out. I asked if they had the biscuits and gravy and they did not have them at this location. We had already ordered coffee, but we decided this was the last straw and asked for the check. Our waitress did everything she could to get us to stay, like offering to check when there would be more corn beef hash. Unfortunately, we were done at that point. We insisted we pay on coffee but she said it was on the house. We left and walked to hash house a go go. I was really disappointed because I had this place bookmarked on yelp for a long time, but I will not be back.
(2)Susan C.
I been here many times and I love this place for breakfast food not just because I saw Bill Ranic. This place is always pack when I go since I always have to wait but the wait time is not long and my friends and I get seated right away. I love their potato pancake since it's so light and airy. When I am there I usually get their Benedict's breakfast and it taste delicious and I like their coffee. I would go back there anytime.
(4)Stefanie B.
Heavenly! Absolute heaven... mouthwatering! I was just going to post the above sentence, but decided, I would elaborate a little bit. I know a lot of people complain about a wait, but IMO a wait generally means it is a good place to eat; if you don't want to wait, don't wait and go to IHOP and get mediocre food. This place is so good I wish I had more than one stomach (how gluttonous of me). I love, love, love the pancakes and the crepes and the omelets and the drinks and the ... well, just all of it. Go, now... and enjoy!
(5)Travis J.
Just like it was when I was a kid. Big thick omelettes and pancakes. My mothers favorite place, whenever I am in town my mom has to go. No reason to write a lengthy review. If you have never been its a must go. A shack in the middle of the gold coast which I hope never closes.
(5)Brian S.
The waffle texture is perfect - just a thin crisp and perfectly bready inside. We took my daughters here 3 breakfasts in a row on our vacation.
(5)Khan K.
One word, AMAZING! I just randomly came across this place on yelp, and saw some great reviews, and lemme just say this, all those 5 star reviews were completely justififed. I walked in to a long queue, but first the queue moved quickly and then, more importantly it was totally worth it. We had to share the table with other people, but to me that just added to the color and ambiance of the place. I went there on Sunday afternoon around 1 and the brunch menu was still on. Based on the reviews, and the fact that I had just come from a run, I decided to go with the skillet. The skillet was supposed to be huge, for the appetite I had built up, and had pancakes on the side, who's gonna pass up on panxakes, right! Now I am a vegetarian, sort of, so I ordered the veggie skillet with half fried eggs, and it was worth the wait, lived up to the reviews, and was perfectly done in all respects. The pancake on the side, again, pretty awesome, and definitely a meal for a person and a half, if I had not just ran. I am definitely bringing more friends next time, this for me is one of the best American breakfasts I have had, hands down.
(5)Michelle G.
Attention Gluten Free people! You can eat pancakes again. Not only do they serve "gluten friendly" pancakes, but they are delicious!
(5)Jack W.
I've been seeing Original Pancake Houses for years and never stepped inside. I was very impressed with the eggs, bacon, ham, sausage and the pancakes and crepes of course. The place has a very 50s to 70s cozy feel, an anachronism for Gold Coast, and great service.
(5)Lina S.
I was so disappointed with the behavior of the front disk today .. This is not my first time in pancake house but I've not been treated like this before. The two ladies were rude .. I was waiting for a table for more than an hour then we waited to clean it for more than 10 mins and no one called us!!! We sit in the table without menus, we called the waiter to bring them and she was surprised that the ladies in front disk didn't bring any!!. Then rudely, one of the ladies in the front disk threw the menus in the table without a single word! Didn't even apologize for the long waiting!!! The restaurant was one of my favorite breakfast restaurant in Chicago, but not anymore!
(1)John F.
Favorite breakfast place of all time. Go with the classic scrambled eggs, bacon and pancakes. The omelette's are fantastic as well. Every time we come back to Chicago we make a special stop here. Sometimes the wait is a little long for me for a breakfast spot but it is worth it.
(4)Nathasja T.
Ummm. Yum. I am a big fan of the Original Pancake House, and this location was the 'original' one for me. Years (and years and years) ago my husband and I used to take trips which didn't center around work. One of those trips domestically took us to Chicago and we spent some days exploring the city and putzing around. Of course we had to eat, and he decided to take me here to this little breakfast place. Because it was a weekend morning there was a lane snaked around the building, and I gave him a raised eyebrow look. Eventually we were at the front of the line and my feet forgave my husband pretty quickly. Usually I am a savory breakfast fan, but with a name like this I had to go the pancake route. I opted for a massive baked apple concoction per the waitress' recommendation, and my hubby chose the fluffy domed Dutch baby pancake (how appropriate). Both pancakes take a while to m(b)ake, but man are they good! Many more trips followed and I realized that their coffee is delicious, their fresh orange juice is the bomb, their whipped cream has a high fat content and thus great flavor, their scrambled eggs are fluffy, their regular buttermilk pancakes sweep me off my feet, their baked homemade corned beef hash is worth the additional wait for baking, the fresh strawberry crepe is hard to beat and their bacon...man, their bacon is like a thick cut slab of bacon steak. *insert Angels singing* Yes, I am a fan.. and the wait is worth every minute.
(4)Adam S.
Solid breakfast. Nice pancakes as you would expect. Good coffee. Quick service. Long line might seem imposing but it moves quickly. Not too expensive either. Oatmeal with fruit was a disappointment, however. Way too sweet for my tastes. But, then again, all the pancakes had powdered sugar so it is not for the faint of heart (or weak of heart).
(4)Arpita B.
We came in here late on a rainy Tuesday afternoon expecting to have skipped the lines which are a staple to this place over the weekend...I guess it was just wishful thinking on my part! The line was still in place despite it being a working day(not to mention the rain) and about an hour to closing time. After a wait of about half hr during which we salivated over the food being taken to the other patron's table we were finally seated! We started our meal with some fresh house brewed coffee(I loved the free refills). Our party of four ordered the egg Benedict, Dutch Delight, side of sausage and toast. If you are not a big eater, this is more than adequate for 4 people. Since the Dutch Delight is made to order we had a 25 minute wait for it. The Dutch Delight was delicious but not amazing. The Eggs Benedict too were tasty but I have had better( I still think the Eggs Benedict at Cafe Luna in Boston is by far the best I have ever had and I often dream of it!). The sausage patties in my opinion was the show stealer of the meal. It was flavorful and cooked to perfection. I guess I was a little disappointment by the experience especially after reading such rave reviews about the place. I had high expectation and it fell short by a lot. Overall: it was a good experience but I have had better!
(3)Vee K.
Day 1 - Had blueberry pancakes; menu said it was fresh blueberries but it was not. Day 2 - Tried eggs and corn beef hash with a side of pancakes; hit the spot as expected but not gourmet, also as expected. My friends loved their Strawberry Crepe and Dutchbaby with bananas and strawberries. The fruit was fresh and tasty. Long lines both days, moved pretty quickly. Food came quickly and the servers were wonderful both times. Bathroom not so great, so go before and after.
(3)John V.
Just great breakfast food for great prices and fast service. I make it a point to visit here whenever I am I'm in Chicago. Come eat and enjoy!!!!
(5)Aimee M.
In the midst of sleek shopping and restaurants lies little ole Original Pancake House. And I emphasize little. On a Sunday morning 8ish, there was still a 10 minute wait. By 830 there was already a line in their vestibule. Pancakes, waffles, omelettes, crepes. All the basic breakfast food groups are covered. We split a veggie (tomato, broccoli and mushroom) egg white omelet, the 49'ers flapjacks and the Hawaiian pancakes. The omelet and flapjacks were really good; very well-made and a huge portion. The Hawaiian pancakes were nothing special--just regular buttermilk pancakes topped with crushed (canned) pineapple and the tropical syrup was pretty bland. Oh well, worth a try. The coffee is strong and plentiful. Service was super sweet and friendly. The layout of the restaurant is very small and pretty cramped. When the restaurant is full, there's not much elbow room so save your post meal stretch for when you step outside.
(3)Naiying C.
I had the apple pancake and tried some of the dutch delight. My pancake was huge so it can be splitted between 2 people.
(4)Patrick C.
Pretty typical American cafe. Nothing super extraordinary. Decor reminds me of an IHOP. Food was pretty mediocre, but I will say that the bacon was excellent. For a little bit more ($$), you can probably find a breakfast/brunch place that is much better.
(2)Nico A.
I gotta say the past two consecutive breakfasts I had these past two days in Chicago was spectacular. The banana pancakes are stuffed with bananas and with a side of scrambled eggs and crisp bacon it left me in a sort of bliss that made me just sit back and bask in the goodness and glory of it all. I recommend the strawberry crepe also a great deal. The service is very swift and friendly, so you really feel like your treated as apart of their family. I would definitely come again! Hands down best breakfast place in Chicago!!
(5)Bradley C.
This was very disappointing. While the food was decent I was told at the very end that I needed to give up my table for a birthday party. I had finished my meal and have been drinking coffee without food for no more than 15 minutes. The idea to rush a paying customer out is never okay. Probably will not return.
(2)Jacob G.
I like Original Pancake House. Their food is pretty good.
(4)Ebby V.
Order the meat lovers, you will be glad you did. The pancakes are fantastic. I thought this was another IHOP but much better. I got a piece of bone in ham, very good. The staff is very friendly. Apparently there are many regulars who love going there. The staff seem to make an effort to know their names not just the faces. I would go back in a heart beat for breakfast. It is better than spending $50-75 at the other high end places for food you are not sure about.
(4)Ry S.
This has become my go-to breakfast joint for good cheap food since I moved to Rush & Chicago. The wait on the weekends can be up to 30 minutes, but it's worth it considering the prices for the neighborhood. I always order some variation of pancakes with turkey bacon and never feel disappointed with the food quality. There's one particular older blonde waitress who is always a pleasure every time I'm seated in her section. Cons- The time management here can seem a bit off. I've sat and ate breakfast with my roommate while two men waited 10 minutes for glasses of water and an additional 15 minutes just for a waiter to come and take their order. Worst part is the the restaurant was not even close to being as busy as it is a typical Sunday. The girls at the check-out desk are just plain rude! They could care less how you approach them because they've already made up their minds to have a gross attitude.
(4)BJ S.
The chocolate chip pancakes with whipped cream were awesome! Will definitely be back for more!
(4)sara s.
Huge selection! Goodness we couldn't decide which to take. The food was delicious, a perfect brunch place. Be advised there is a long line to get seated but the line moves fast so its worth waiting. I loved that though the place was hectic the staff gave you the feeling that they have all the time in the world. Loved that. Totally not rushing or pushing you out. The vibe at this place is excellent, relaxed, happy, and family oriented.
(5)Lyn D.
It was my first time in Chi-Town and I had a ball! The ladies and I went her for brunch and it was fab...we sat outside and chatted as we people watched and looked over the tantalizing menu with so many delicious pancake choices. I decided on the banana pancake and egg whites, which was great! I also tried the Pecan pancake which was good too! This place is solid. It was overall a beautiful afternoon with lovely ladies and great grub. When I return to Chicago, I'm definitely going back!
(4)Daniel L.
Great breakfast joint hidden off to the side of the more glitzier shops and restaurants on Rush street. As others have mentioned it's not a huge space so there's always a line on the weekends but from my experience it tends to move pretty fast. Every type of pancake I've had here has been awesome and their omelettes and eggs benedict are great too. Definitely my favorite breakfast place in the city.
(5)Kara E.
So I've only ordered the same thing when I come here. The plain ol' pancakes. But man, these are the best pancakes I've had in the city. Perfectly soft, fluffy and buttery every time.
(5)Joey P.
We came for breakfast on a Sunday morning about 11:00. There was a line but it went by fast. I had the bacon lovers something something. 6 pieces yes I said 6 pieces of bacon and 3 eggs and 3 small pancakes. I loved it. We will come back. Also we had the best waitress (Nikki) in the world.
(5)Doreen W.
Very good breakfast place! I had the eggs Florentine with potato pancakes and they were delicious! The line seemed long but moved very quickly, especially because there were only 2 of us. We only waited about 15 minutes. When we left at 10:20 on a Sunday, there were 2 lines in the hallway and a line out the door. Well worth the wait!
(5)Linda B.
Ashton Kutcher was there this past Sat; that was cool. The food...meh! What happened to this place? I've been here a few times and remember it being much better. It just didn't taste good (no seasoning in my skillet and pancakes that were blah).
(2)Katie M.
This is truly a 3.5 star review for me. I have been to the OPH a handful of times, but its been a few years since my last visit. I know enough that this place can get very crowded, so I'll start with the good - when we arrived there was NO WAIT and we had our choice of tables. Now, I'll mention we did arrive at about 7:50 on a Saturday morning, so yes, it was early. I let the birthday girl pick the table. She chose a 4-top outside under an umbrella, which the hostess happily sat us at. When the waiter arrived 2 minutes later, he said they don't usually seat those tables until 8AM, but he would make an exception for us (gee, thanks buddy, seeing that it was 7:50, I was not overly impressed at his exception). He rushed us to order. Did not offer any drinks besides water, I probably would have gotten a juice if he hadnt seemed so annoyed we sat at the 8AM tables at 7:50Am. I opted for the Vegetarian Omelet, my daughter got the kids chocolate chip pancakes with sausage. I am a huge fan of pancakes, but I like them simple - plain ol pancakes with butter and syrup. I have never been a fan of overly sweet breakfast items - but these chocolate chip pancakes were out of this world. Served with powdered sugar and whipped cream (hello, sugar) this dish is more like a dessert than a breakfast. The sausage, however that came with it was not very good. It tasted undercooked or old. My omelet was huge, and filled with fresh, chunky vegetables and a generous amount of cheddar cheese, but literally just plopped down on a plate - so nothing pretty presentation wise, despite its $11 price tag. Daughter pegged the meal as "best breakfast ever" but she is 6, so trust me when I say, yes, the food is worth the hefty gold coast price tag, but don't expect white glove service :)
(3)Anne L.
Love this place. Usually there is a line out the door. But the combination of weekday and mid afternoon (close at 3:00) is a winning one! Seated immediately, and the signature Dutch Baby came practically at the speed of light, or at least for this divine meal.
(4)Derick W.
Was just walking by on a morning and went in. Even though I was alone and the place was 90% full, I was seated with a smile. Hard time deciding what to have but I had the corned beef hash and eggs. Really interesting (good) hash. The waitress came by very often filling my coffee. Prices reasonable, very friendly people and great food. I'll go out of my way next time I'm in Chicago to stop in for Breakfast.
(5)Max S.
The Original Pancake house was simply put- awesome. Perfect way to start the day in Chicago. What I love is most of the entrees come with a few pancakes (which are awesome), so you can try multiple things. The Chorizo egg bowl was one of the better things i ate on the trip and that's hard to do in a town like Chicago. It's a must do when in the area.
(5)Shrinath P.
AMAZING!!!! This place is unavailable, defiantly worth the 15 min wait we had to go through. The Spanish/Mexican omelette was delicious, same with the chocolate pancakes. The hash browns were a little off but they took them back and got them well done and made them perfect. Probably the best breakfast place in the Gold Coast without breaking your wallet like other places in the area.
(5)Kelley B.
This place is so bomb.. We heard great things about it and stopped in here before heading out of Chicago. You'll most likely have to wait in line for about 5-10 mins before getting a table. Their menu is huge, it'll have anything you could possibly want for breakfast plus some Dutch or Belgium favorites. I got a simple turkey sausage and eggs breakfast with pancakes and coffee. My entire breakfast was perfect I was very happy they offered slightly healthier meat options. Their coffee was also very good. Apparently they roast it themselves and you can buy a pound for $10. I may do that, good souvenir! In all, worth the wait. You must try!
(5)Amelia B.
Large portions, endless options, tasty food, and reasonable prices (for a Gold Coast brunch). Admittedly, I'm not a pancake person, but the omelets are massive, and pancake are always offered as a side. Toast? pfffft. Who gets toast? For you gluten-free foodies, they are now offering a "gluten-free" pancake. If you are highly allergic, not your thing, but for those that just try to avoid or are mildly sensitive, it will work. Plenty of open tables on a recent warm Saturday, and service moves quick. Only qualm was really that coffee refills were slow to come, but I really don't need to be drinking that much anyway. #jitters So walk past the "see and be seen" scene at Tavern and Lux, and mosey on into Pancake House if you just want to stuff your face.
(4)Stephanie P.
We reached out to the OPH on behalf of our wedding guests and they were amazing!!! They gave us a stack of coupons to put in our guest hotel gift bags, that included a nice message and congrats to Mr. and Mrs. Parsch. They were located right across the street from the Thompson, so it was convenient for people as well. Also, we just received a card from them congratulating us on our marriage with a gift certificate for us to come back and eat there! How thoughtful! I highly recommend them to anyone and their food is delicious!
(5)Sara R.
I love visiting this place every time I visit Chicago. There are just no better pancakes! And the skillets are amazing. Service is always pretty good. You might have to wait a little bit for a table, but totally worth it.
(5)Pam A.
Dutch baby, that's the only reason I go there. I'm sure everything is good but that's my absolute fav!! It's a tiny place so there's usually a line, but it's definitely worth the wait.
(5)Rebecca C.
It's the original pancake house. It's affordable and addictive. Can't go wrong with the french toast or pancakes.
(5)Elyse L.
We got here at the perfect time today. As soon as we were seated, we blinked and the line was out the door. Original pancake house was our favorite breakfast spot back home in Texas. We have tried one other location in Chicagoland since moving and it was terrible. This location is so, so much better. Still not the exact replica of what we are used to but pretty damn close. It's in a great area of town too, so once you finish your big breakfast you are walking distance of pretty much anywhere of interest in the river north area. I had the strawberry waffle with fresh sliced strawberries, whipped cream, and their homemade strawberry syrup which is wonderful. My husband got a meat lovers plate that came with eggs, sausage links, ham, bacon, and a side of pancakes which he substituted for bacon pancakes and he was in heaven. Great food here, but come early or you will be waiting a while!
(4)Julia J.
The long line moved quickly- the hostess staff was organized and friendly. Service was great- your typical family brunch stop. I felt comfortable having my kiddo with me. My waffle was delicious- cooked perfectly. My husband had the bacon pancakes and he thought they were great. A friend ordered a new twist on Eggs Benedict which he enjoyed, but the other two people in our group were disappointed with their egg dishes. We sat inside which was nice and cool, but the outside looked lovely too. I would come back here- the earlier the better to avoid the long lines. The line was three times as long when we were leaving at 11am.
(3)Mark R.
Breakfast does not get better than this. Apple Waffle, apple pancakes, chocolate chip pancakes are like cocaine. It will change your life but in a good way. This place almost always handles and fullfills breakfast desires better than any other breakfast place.
(5)M K.
Went to this place for the first time the other day with two others. Wait is not bad, there was a line, but we were seated within 20 minutes on saturday morning at 11:30am. We shared the "dutch treat", and each of us also had individual orders - in my case, I got the eggs florentine. Overall, the food was not bad at all. Was pleasantly surprised with the dutch treat because there probably was more egg in it than pancake batter (which was what my group thought it would be). Eggs Florentine was ok, and the potato pancakes that came with it was a good change (from regular pancakes). Overall, this is a decent brunch place (would give 3.5 stars if I could). Other than a few of their specialties (e.g. dutch baby, apple pancakes, dutch treat, etc), it's basically a slightly better version of IHOP. Since this place is close by, I probably would drop by a second time in the future.
(3)Jose L.
Waited in line for over half an hour. Wanted to order their biscuits and gravy, which is oa on their menu, just to be told they don't serve that dish there. Ridiculous! Never go there again. Instead went to the breakfast place called Hash House 2 block down is less crowded and actually serves dishes that are on their menu.
(1)Victor E.
Pancakes were the same as any other place and the omelette was just comically large, but neither had anything special about it that made it stand out in any way, big or small. They don't do straws, which is why water spilled all over me when the ice attacked my face, torso and lap; the cups have a really stupid design that allows for this. You can only drink half of the cup of water before it starts showering you. Service was average, which i liked.
(1)Raven T.
Delicious doesn't even begin to describe the pancakes here. I had pecan which were not only loaded with nuts but topped with them too! I also had a scramble (more like hash) with chorizo! I didn't think I could finish it but the fat girl prevailed. Soooo good!
(5)James W.
Arrived at around 10 am on Monday, had to wait about 5 minutes, this restaurant is tiny. Ordered the bacon lover meal, nothing special but the bacon was nice and thick. The wife ordered the Belgian waffle, so light and tender. The only problem we encountered was the syrup dispenser had sticky handles, please wipe them down from time to time. Service was very attentive. Will go again if we're ever in Chicago again!
(4)Martha Z.
Loved that it was across the street from my hotel (Thompson Hotel). I went there almost everyday for breakfast and got something different each time and each time was delicious. I did not try the Dutch pancake or the Dutch Baby but it looked really tempting! That would probably be good for a group of 4-5 people. This is a good classic spot and they can't go wrong.
(5)Cassie V.
The sign of a good breakfast place is the line out the door, of a crowded room/hallway, with 30+ minute wait, but no one is moving. That is exactly what Original Pancake House is, plus more. You add on the family dining room like feel and the quick witted waitresses who acts like your aunt and you've got even more. I've gotten the traditional buttermilk pancakes, some of the hashes and the eggs Benedict. None let me down. I also get their coffee, which is superb for diner coffee. It's not watery and comes with free refills, so caff up. My plate is always gone in under 10 mins and I'm always excited for the rest of the day that we got breakfast here. Two people can be well fed (usually with leftovers), including drinks for about $30. Hope you enjoy it as much as I have!
(4)Chris W.
Holy crap that is some great food! I ordered the meat lover breakfast... So good. Came with chocolate chip pancakes. My biggest complaint is the price. Super super expensive! Be prepared to shell out more than expected for breakfast. A little cold waiting in the hallway outside the restaurant. Good service too!
(4)Belle L.
For the last 10 years, I have been coming here when I am around Water Tower Place. Food quality is consistently good. Patrons are also consistently loyal during weekday lunch and consistently ridiculous on weekends. My only sighting of Fabio (yup, the romance novel cover boy). From a sitting position, it didn't look like Fabio is 6'3". It was easy to spot his frizzy bleached blonde hair. My favorites on the menu: Swedish Pancake and Dutch Baby Treat. European Tourist frowns that it's the same batter, but I would gladly take the American version than the salted Helsinki cardboard crepe. Fresh Strawberries is the major attraction! The plump strawberries had a lot of carbon footprint, but it's better than the soggy frozen version. Don't forget to say hello to the charming, perfectly mannered Argentinian born Italian Diego!
(5)Jerry L.
I am a fan and have been since the early 80's...started coming here with my children when they were in strollers and we've been coming back ever since for the apple pancakes, Dutch babies, wonderful omelettes and bacon ever since...don't change a thing!
(5)Kristina A.
The Dutch baby can be shared, it was amazing.....a little wait for it, but hubby loved it and we didn't even have to eat until dinner time, which is an accomplishment to say the least. I had the pecan pancakes which were very good, but I was eyeing the Dutch baby!!! Next time we are sharing.
(5)Theresa C.
The best breakfast food in town and the nicest servers. There is a wait but well worth your time. I would definitely come back here on my next visit. I had the pigs in a blanket, yum!
(5)Kurt B.
The food was delicious. Perfect eggs, fresh squeezed OJ, buttermilk pancakes that melt in your mouth. The ingredient quality really stood out. Real whipped butter, real milk in the batter. We went with simple food instead of a specialty, but simple didn't mean lame. Quick and friendly service, and short wait times even at peak busy hours. This isn't your local IHOP by any stretch.
(5)Zody H.
The Mister and I made an impromptu trip to Chicago on Christmas day vowing to do Chicago-only things. I thought for sure this was one of those... until I walked in and saw their list of other locations.. One of which happens to be down the street from my work place in SoCal! What a fail. Anyway, we had quite a few parties ahead of us, but the staff is very efficient of getting people in and out without rushing anyone. We were seated in just under 15 minutes. I had the pumpkin waffle. It was DELISH! It's no Crema Cafe, but it's good nonetheless. I opted to shake out the excess cinnamon sugar and walnuts. The waffle itself was good enough for me although I think they could've left it on the waffle machine a little longer so that it was crispy as mine was just soft. The flavor was all there though!
(4)Wes M.
We went on a Tuesday mid-morning and there was a line waiting to get in. The place isn't very big but has many tables outside. There was only two of us so the wait wasn't very long. The waitress was very friendly and the food was very good. We both had skillets, enough for breakfast and lunch.
(4)Doug M.
This place rocks!! The Breakfast here is no Friggin joke!! I wish this place was in LA it's that good. First off me and my bro DB went here hoping to get a good breakfast, and they did not disappoint! I ordered the eggs Benedict, he had the meat lovers breakfast ! Both were phenomenal. The real star of the show were the order of. Pumpkin Pancakes with pecans and powdered sugar and cinnamon with whipped cream!!! Whew!!! These jewels are so insane, my boy doesn't even like pumpkins and he ate the ass outta these!! This place is way cool and nostalgic, it's been here for 35 years, and the quality shows, if you get a chance come thru, it's worth it.
(4)Ronald T.
In short: great service, food was delicious, clean restroom; however only one person restroom per gender. Seems to get crowded fast. Details: came here for brunch with a friend day after Thanksgiving. Seating was quick as it was just the two of us. Due to the popularity and size of the restaurant, some people may be sitting in a communal setting which makes for great conversations and meeting new people. I ordered the potato pancakes which were great with the sour cream and apple sauce. Service was attentive. Restroom was clean, but only was for one person at a time. The guys restroom also did not have a baby changing table, but it was not expected when I walked in. I would definitely come back.
(4)Amanda H.
We visit Chicago twice a year and the pancake house is a must! I always get the cherry Crepes, they are the best I've ever had! We've never been disappointed and everyone is very nice.
(5)Geoffrey D.
Now... I'm no businessman, but I was always under the impression that "money" is better than "no money." I went to the Original Pancake House this morning with my wife and two friends. I had a cup of Dunkin' Donuts coffee with me, too. After waiting for twenty minutes in their firetrap of a vestibule, the hostess asked me if I was finished with my beverage as she was readying to take us to our table. I told her I wasn't. She proceeded to inform me that I couldn't bring my coffee in with me. Seriously? I wasn't trying to bring in a stack of someone else's pancakes. It was a cup of coffee. My coffee. I don't want your coffee, Original Pancake House. I want my coffee. So, I gave it to her and took a seat with the rest of my party. I then ordered precisely zero dollars worth of anything. So, because you tried to shake me down over a $1.50 cup of coffee, you instead lost out on the $20 worth of food that I would have ordered. I like breakfast. A lot. Again... I haven't an MBA, but isn't twenty dollars better than no dollars? A policy like the one that prohibits paying customers from bringing in something as trivial as their own cup of coffee (particularly in an urban environment where people seldom walk around without the stuff) shows nothing but shortsightedness and contempt for your customers. It's a way of flexing your muscles and trying to show just what people are willing to put up with in order to wrap their lips around your fork. Well, I'm nobody's whore. I won't put up with it. I've got news for you, Original Pancake House... you're not that original. There's two-dozen other places in Chicagoland that do exactly what you do as well as you do it. I'll go to one that lets me have my coffee and understands that twenty dollars is better than no dollars.
(1)Chuck M.
We've been to a couple of these restaurants. This one is not overly large, but how they manage the people waiting to enter and eat is a mystery...but they do it with grace. We have the usual breakfast items, eggs, bacon, toast etc. I ordered the side of hash browns...my goodness it was the size of the plate...much more than I could eat. Friendly service with a smile, good prices.
(4)Alicja K.
Quaint little breakfast restaurant with good food. I lived nearby and it can get crowded and loud.
(4)Max B.
Venue might look anything special but the experience really was. Congenial service and clearly many regulars and the staff were really welcoming and chatty. Most importantly my "Dutch treat" was fantastic. A Dutch bowl style pancake filled with banana and strawberry and served with a delicious strawberry syrup. Light fluffy and so moorish. I wolfed the lot. Fresh OJ and coffee to with. Great start to the day.
(4)Joe S.
So.....we were seated outside on the sidewalk, and this family walks by. The little girl in the group started screaming at the pigeons (kinda like that feral kid from "Mad Max"). I thought she was gonna bite off of one, a la Ozzy Osborne. The Dutch Garden was good
(4)Diana M.
I thought this was a local restaurant only to find out later that this is a franchise. They have this same restaurant located in a few places in northern CA. No matter - I thoroughly enjoyed my experience here. Luckily, no long line for us but the place was packed! Had that dated 70s look - looked kinda dingy and lacked elbow room. Breakfast is breakfast - can't go wrong with breakfast, can you? Service was a bit slow but price and food portion was pretty reasonable. I wouldn't mind coming back and I'm certainly going to visit their northern CA locations.
(3)Beth M.
They do take your coffee so don't bring one unless you want it thrown out. The line moves fast. Server was like a sweet, chain smoking, aunt. Pancakes were standard. I did enjoy a nice spinach crepe, but I was the only one in our group who seemed to be pleased.
(3)Alex H.
True story: the Original Pancake House was both my first and last meal when I moved to and eventually from Chicago. In between, I probably ate here 20 times so I suppose that would make me something of an authority on the prowess of these pancakes. The portions are huge and there's a nice variety of options besides just the to-be-expected hotcakes and french toast. The service is efficient and you get a rather interesting cross section of Chicago almost any morning (think CME traders in suits next to nuns next to vacationing families). And I'd be remiss if I didn't add that the coffee is usually quite good (and bottomless, diner-style). Particularly on cold wintry days, the line can get quite long. And while the prices aren't dirt cheap, you're in the Gold Coast, so expecting a $5 grand slam breakfast really just isn't reasonable. Then again, it's a whole lot better than the $25 and up you'll pay at any nearby hotel. All in all, a solid spot for a casual breakfast. 3.5 stars
(3)Amanda K.
Oh my! Beware the omelets are HUGE! Definitely bigger than my hand. I don't normally like pancakes but the ones I had here were very fluffy and tasty. Service was fast and price was good.
(4)Claudia C.
Just had breakfast with friends. Food was great! In from NY. I would definitely go back! I have eaten here several times and they never disappoint! It's a very friendly atmosphere where you feel comfortable speaking to people around you. I will definitely go back next time I'm in Chicago!!!
(5)Vivian H.
If you're in the Viagara Triangle and want to feel like you're at a nice neighborhood joint, come to the Original Pancake House. Super sweet auntie waitresses quick to refill your coffee, elderly regulars muttering "oh man I'm losing it" repeatedly, and unreasonably large portion sizes of pancakes and the like. 2 people should share one dish (maybe with a side if you're super hungry. We had the corned beef hash, pancakes, and dutch treat. All were good, but the dutch treat I think is really nothing special. I used to take my mom to the one in my hometown in California every year for Mother's Day... did not realize it was a national chain. Still a solid choice for diner breakfast, halfway across the country and 10 years later.
(3)Elizabeth W.
I ordered an omelette, which comes with a side of toast or 3 pancakes. I asked if I could get a side of hash browns instead and they said no. That seems like a fairly simple request.... Overall, the food was just alright. Not great, but pretty quick and in a convenient location. Obviously it was overpriced, just like everything in the Gold Coast.
(3)Percy N.
There is one reason to visit the Original Pancake House and the first clue is its name - the Pancakes - any kind. My wife ordered the buttermilk pancakes which looked huge when it arrived but were so light and fluffy that they vanished a few minutes later. My Swedish Dutch baby was super fluffy and delicious. You have to use some lemon and sugar on with for the full effect. Wish they had fresh squeeze orange juice instead of the pasteurized processed stuff.
(4)Alex D.
Good food but terrible hostess working Friday mornings. Management should consider putting her in the back of the house.
(1)Jay I.
I have been to this place several times over the last year, and this place always provides decent food with great portion. There is always a long line in this place, but the waiting time is not that bad. In this restaurant, we've had omelette, french toast, skillet, and pancakes. I think their pancakes are great, very tender and soft. Other dishes were hit or miss when we had them. To have some nice pancakes, a definite recommendation. For everything else, it's still a good option for a nice brunch.
(4)Bill D.
I enjoyed my visit to the pancake house. I couldn't believe how much food they serve. I ate breakfast here almost every day during my trip to Chicago and was full for the entire day. My only negative comment was the omlettes were huge and they did not look too appetizing, the rest of the food though was fantastic!
(4)Christopher D.
I grew up going to The Original Pancake House since I was 3 years old. Pancakes are like a religion in my family and this is our church. Get the 49ers, dutch baby or apple pancake and disregard any other "pancakes" on the menu. This is the mecca for true pancake aficionados. In addition to this location, I've been to the one on Clark, out in the burbs and in various cities, including Scottsdale and Atlanta.
(5)Nikki H.
Outstanding! Arrived at 8:30 on a Sunday morning and just beat the rush. Blueberry pancakes were a sweet treat, and the artery clogging bacon is delicioso!
(4)Karen C.
I can count on one hand the number of times I have ever ordered pancakes for breakfast at a restaurant - I am typically more into eggs, but when in Rome... Ordered the strawberry pancakes which were delicious and a nice change. They were nice and fluffy and the fresh strawberries and strawberry syrup were a nice touch. I opted out of the whipped cream but I am sure that would have also been good. Prices seemed a little high for what you got (then again this is the Gold Coast!) and service was just OK. Our waitress was good but the hostess was a little too rude when I tried to bring in an iced coffee from Dunkin, I understand why they would want me to get rid of it, I wasn't even thinking, but there is a nicer way it could have been done!
(3)Stacy P.
We stayed at the Sutton Place right across the street, and stopped in here for breakfast on Friday morning. It was packed, but service was quick for inside seating (there was a wait for outside seating). Once seated, our waitress was quick, friendly, and cool. Our food arrived with no errors, and she kept the coffee flowing. I know it's a chain, but it's great to find places that do pancakes right!
(4)Adnan B.
Best pancakes I've ever had! Chocolate chip pancakes were amazing. We also got Mandarin crêpe and mushroom omlette, both were fantastic. The location is beautiful as well. Loved it.
(5)Katharine A.
I came here with my nephew and 2 nieces and we had a great time. The food was excellent and the service good. The line was already starting to form when we got there (pretty early) and only got worse as we ate. But we got seated pretty quickly and it was a quick turnaround once we sat down. This place is definitely popular! I assume it only gets worse as the day goes on. We got standard fare-- pancakes, eggs and breakfast meats. The kids loved the balloons they got for the walk home.
(4)Morgan Richelle M.
raise your hand if you love the pancake house! noms!
(4)Ceejayp P.
if you're here for breakfast, Dutch baby is a definite must order. Loved it. Waffles though were pretty ordinary. Came on a Saturday at 730 am. No wait, still had a couple of open tables inside and in the outdoor seating area. Service was quick and no frills. I recommend when you're in the area looking for a breakfast place.
(4)Sally R.
Love it here- try their crepes! Try their Dutch Apple Pancake! Get there early especially on the weekends cause after 8am there could be a wait for a table.
(5)Mat M.
Well, I met my friend Kate for an early breakfast and she lives nearby, so we went down to the Original Pancake House. We waited in line to get seated for a few minutes, and got in really pretty quick for a Sunday. The staff were all friendly, and the food was spot on for breakfast. I had the Denver Omelet and the fixings were plentiful. I'd def come back. A good breakfast staple.
(5)Jen B.
Worth the wait! Everything is so yummy!
(4)Rod D.
Breakfasts here are superb, and according to my kids this particular Original Pancake House is quite a bit better than others they've been to. I particularly enjoy their strawberry pancakes, while my kids swear by their healthier dishes. Unfortunately, the great food can lead to a line outside the restaurant, but the line generally moves quite quickly. It would be nice, though, if the manager could get some of the loiterers to leave the restaurant once they've finished their after-meal coffee -- the restaurant seems to be plagued by some local Gold Coast regulars who seem to think it's OK to spend the entire morning hanging out there.
(5)Brooke B.
Came here for breakfast with my boyfriend and we were quite surprised by the line! So of course since I'm so curious with lines we just HAD to dine here. I must say, I am extremely pleased and thankful that my boyfriend chose this place. When it was our turn to be seated (btw , worth the wait) I had the omelet and my boyfriend and strawberry crepes. Oh my goodness, the portion was huge! And it was delicious! My omelet wasn't greasy, and it had lots of flavor. Which I was so satisfied with because I'm more of a "warm" breakfast person rather than cereal cold blah. Also my omelet dish came with a side of pancakes. Wow, I was so amazed how delicious the pancakes were. Usually, I don't enjoy pancakes but this place converted me to pancakism. 8D !!! Also my boyfriend's strawberry crepes were so good. The creme that came with it with the strawberry syrup that complimented the nice soft texture of the crepes truly made me recall French crepes which I adore. I was being a piggy and ate some of my boyfriend's crepes while he had some of my omelet and oh my goodness - we are totally going back. However, the price was a bit steep for a breakfast place, but still I think it was worth it. You should definitely try this place when you are nearby :D
(4)Tim S.
This was a favourite back in the day when I was living in the neighbourhood. A lot has changed in the 13 years since I have lived there but not this place. It is still a great place for generous portions of delicious breakfast food. Popped in the other day for a trip down memory lane and was not disappointed. With no wait as it was 2 PM on a Monday I was seated right away. I ordered the dish with the sausage, ham and bacon ( I love their bacon) 3 eggs and toast. I know, you didn't have the pancakes?!? Top it off with some hash browns on he side. This place get BUSY on the weekends, expect a wait in line but know that it will be worth it. All in all a delicious meal and only have two complaints... 1. Really, 2.99 for hash brown's? that is a it excessive and had I know I would have not ordered them... their okay but not $3 good, sorry. 2. Management - When speaking to your employee's in front of the customer please do not belittle them and then play it off with me by using flip comments about how you need to treat them that way otherwise he will... I don't dine out to hear other peoples problems. Despite those you still get 4 stars... because of the bacon.
(4)Dan G.
I went here for breakfast after good night of drinking and mayhem. It was just what I needed to recharge me for the day. Me and my sweetums got there around 11am (yes, a late breakfast). There was a bit of a line but it seemed to move quickly and the people around us were very entertaining. But while in line a familiar face steps out of the restaurant, Vince Vaughn. Looking full from one heck of a breakfast, he posed for a group shot and waved, then booked it out of there to the Bears game later that day. So, that alone gave this place 2 stars, and 2 thumbs up to Vince Vaughn for keeping it real. Not to long after we were sat at a table and fed coffee and juice quickly. The staff here really has it together. They move seamlessly through the small crowded restaurant. I would call it a waitress and busboy ballet. After we got our drinks we ordered. Me a bacon Belgium waffle, and her corned beef hash (what a woman!). My waffle was cooked to a perfect golden brown and was laced with bits of bacon. It was a bacon lovers dream. Topped with some hot syrup I ate it quickly. My old-lady's hash was dank as can be. It was the potatoes and veggies were fresh and the corned beef was outstanding. I really was impressed with the breakfast here. This is a place downtown that I will seek out.
(5)C W.
This place does not have Cholula but i'll let it slide. It's the best breakfast place in the Viagra Triangle.
(4)Margo F.
Worth the wait. Been coming here for years. Love their straightforward bacon (thick flavorful) and eggs. Served piping hot. Efficient fair prices. Great teamwork. Generous portions
(5)Ateet A.
Awesome place to get some good breakfast but be prepared for a wait! Doesn't matter though as this is the place to be and everyone knows it. All people from local to tourists who know this spot are the ones waiting in line. the food is great, they have their special renditions of omelettes and all kinds of interesting waffles. if you are in town and need a place to go for breakfast, you must try this place. Scratch that, no matter where you eat in Chicago, you must make this a stop on your list before you leave the city!!!
(4)Hayley N.
I really like this place because its fast and moderately priced. It also happens to be 2 blocks from my apartment. The food is yummy and simple. The line usually goes by fast for brunch on the weekends too. However, I didnt love the service. Our waitress would throw plates and things on our table instead of placing them. She also was not the most attentive. Thats pretty much my only complaint. I would recommend this place for people in the neighborhood, but I would not travel far to come here.
(4)Chuck B.
The food was nice and the portions tooooo big. Everyone was friendly. 3.5 to 4 stars. Kind of what I would expect for a good breakfast place.
(4)Barnabas P.
A great breakfast place in a Cool neighborhood. Their apple pancakes will shorten your life and help you die happy. There's often a line but the wait is rarely long.
(4)Judson G.
You can never go wrong with a cup coffee and an apple pancake, if you like breakfast this is the spot to go!
(5)Jordan P.
Original pancake house is hands down my favorite brunch place at least from a food standpoint. The pancakes are AMAZING!! My favorite are the strawberry pancakes. Their egg dishes are also particularly good. My favorite is the diced ham and eggs. The only down side about this place is that the decor is horrible. Basically this place hasn't been updated in 30 years. It's dark and has boring, hard wooden tables. Also on the weekends there usually is a wait.
(4)Jim K.
I've been here a few times over the last year, and the Pancake House has always delivered on solid breakfast. Occasionally the waitstaff can get over-whelmed, which is understandable, but still frustrating. It's a true guilty pleasure. Also, they have a nice patio, which is an extra great way to start your day.
(4)Aaron A.
pancakes...good ones. And syrup too. Long lines tough. Not much more to it.
(4)Sarah S.
Went there this morning for breakfast. Waited 20 min for an outside table then waited another 20 min for waitress to take our order. Then waited another 45 min for our food to arrive. Manager was not very accommodating, extremely rude and we watched as she gave a table to customers who did not have to wait like the rest of us. Also do not bring your dog there. They are not pet friendly and they will constantly remind you. Even though they knew we had a dog upon arrival, they neglected to inform us of their pet policy until we were sitting and had ordered. The food was good and hot but not worth the wait or putting up with the manager's attitude. I will not return in the future, which is unfortunate because it was one of my regular neighborhood spots.
(1)Matthew B.
Best pancakes I've had in quite some time, eggs were perfectly cooked. But, the best part of the meal was the chicken sausage that had apple, sage, and rosemary in it. Simply fantastic sausage. Didn't give 5 stars because the service could be better.
(4)Melinda H.
If you are looking for a great place to have breakfast this is the place. I was craving dutch babies and it seems that most places don't even know what they are let alone have them on the menu. My meal was great and there were so many good choices I had a hard time ordering the item I came there for! I loved that I could sit outside, but wish the place was a bit cleaner....one reason I didn't give it five stars.
(4)Olivia L.
This place is the real deal! In a neighborhood populated by high-end hotels and clothing stores, it was very fortunate that my bf and I found a cheap place for breakfast during our vacation. This location is towards the middle of the block, sandwiched between a more formal restaurant and expensive townhouses. It's homey and somewhat out of place, but that adds more to the charm. While neither of us ordered any of the specials (the Dutch Baby looked way too filling for our tastes, and the photo of the Apple Pancake was just intimidating), the food we did eat was delicious - buckwheat pancakes for him, and silver dollar pancakes for me. I would STRONGLY recommend, however, to order the 10 silver dollar pancakes for $5.99 instead of the measly 5 for $4.99 (I wonder why they even put such a ludicrous offer on the menu...). We were also very lucky that it was a beautiful, sunny day to eat outside. We got to the restaurant around 9:30am and waited less than 10 minutes for a table. I thought the short wait was because it was a Thursday morning. But at 10am, while my bf and I were sitting comfortably at a large outdoor table (they seated the 2 of us at a table meant for 4-6 people, which was surprisingly nice), the line was out the door! So come early, even on an ordinary weekday morning.
(4)Matthew P.
A great place to grab an epic breakfast. The Pancakes are HUGE, and the portion sizes on the other entrees are not for the faint of heart. The Venetian Benedict was delicious. The crepes with spinach were fresh and buttery,but perhaps too rich. The potato pancakes were wonderfully thin and not greasy at all.
(3)Skip M.
I was skeptical but indeed the best pancakes I have ever had!
(4)Tres B.
This chain is pretty dependable for great bacon, huge omelettes and great pancakes. (Except for the Honolulu incarnation- yuk) This location is one of the best. On a shady noble street in Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood, it looks more like a French bistro from the outside. I visited in spring and the flowers and outside seating were terrific. If you walk a block east, you'll be surrounded by majestic row house mansions. Really a great location. I found their omelet overly fluffy. I realize to most this is a plus, but not to me. It was more like a souffle. The food was delivered by a beautiful egga-a-natrix. A tough young Ukrainian woman who told me I WILL enjoy my breakfast!!! Fun place, very efficient. Expect lines at prime times.
(4)Bob W.
I have been loving OPH for years all across the country, but I must say this is by far the best location I have eaten at. It's also the best place for breakfast in Chicago and I have been to them all (Bongo Room, M. Henry, etc.). What makes it the best? First of all, they can make savory items very tasty, an art many breakfast/brunch places never master. The Meat Lover's Skillet is amazing and the Eggs Florentine is probably the best rendition of poached egg on english muffin I have had the pleasure of eating. However, as the name implies they also put out the best, fluffiest buttermilk pancakes anywhere. Really, the thing that makes OPH special is that nothing is bad and I have eaten most of the things on the menu. Yeah, I have favorites, but pick what sounds interesting to you and you almost assuredly will leave happy.
(5)Brad M.
The lineup on a Saturday was about 20 mins for the patio, so that was reasonable. Now maybe I'm used to the amazing brunch in SF, but for 4 stars this place really disappointing. Tried an omelettes with pancakes and it was extremely sub-par. Little taste, so I had to douse the omelette in hot sauce. The portions were also massive so I couldn't finish, this place really went for quantity over quality. The one plus was the waitress was extremely fast to fill up our coffee cups whenever we were running low, I think I had about 3 cups of coffee without even realizing it until after!
(3)Chris W.
The food was average; from the reviews, I was expecting better food. It was not bad, just wasn't anything special. The Southern style hash Browns were bland and cold.
(3)Christina M.
Yay. I actually always order to go. The phone girl is alwats pleasant and my order is always correct. Thanks for doing a great job... Chocolate Chip Panckakes & Sausage!
(4)David Z.
I got exactly what I wanted from this place. It was kind of like being in the suburbs, only we were in the heart of downtown. We sat inside because there was a wait for outdoor seating (it was such a beautiful day today!). I had the vegetarian skillet with pancakes and my fiancee had the french toast. I loved my skillet and pancakes. Honestly, it was nothing different than what you can find at the majority of other breakfast places, but I LOVE me some skillets, so I was very happy. The pancakes were good too. My fiancee liked her french toast, but she wasn't gaga over them. Service was fast and not overbearing. We didn't have to wait for our check and paid relatively quickly at the front register. What else could you ask for? Minus one star for the bathroom only being large enough for one person. This leads to long lines and crowding up by the front. I wish it were just a normal bathroom that can hold multiple people at a time. But aside from that, I'd definitely recommend this place to someone looking to get their breakfast fix in.
(4)Resham S.
They are by far the best brunch place in downtown area. The dutch baby, Swedish crepes with spinach are some of the best I've ever had. The best part is that it's a few blocks from where we live, so come Sunday for really late risers like us ( read past 2) we motivate our lazy butts to get going for some original pancakes!
(5)Patrick J.
Best Breakfast in the Gold Coast. Come early this place gets jammed packed. On 7-9-2011 I am the first customer in line. They open at 7am I arrived at 6:45am.
(5)Miriam B.
Had yet another outstanding brunch this morning. Bacon and basted eggs deftly prepared. :-)
(5)James W.
i've been going to Walker Bros. Original Pancake House in Wilmette, and the other nearby locations for years where they serve amazing breakfasts and the best pancakes....especially the apple pancake! I was in the city and thought i'd try this other "original pancake house. " Well, it was disappointing to say the least; i should have walked out as soon as i saw the employee's sitting at a table talking apparently with a couple of their friends who walked in .....in Spanish loud enough to a make you think you were in Mexico, and one guy was mopping the floor around the tables making it totally unappetizing to say it mildly. Who wants to eat in that atmosphere? I ordered the famous apple pancake and it was nothing like the amazing one i get in Wilmette or the other locations in the northern burbs. It had the atmosphere one would expect to find in a 3rd world Mexican food joint in my opinion, and i'll never go back here, that's for sure!
(1)Arnaud W.
Came here to get a breakfast on saturday. First, the line make me doubt if I'd stay. I told myself that if the line is so long, it must be good, then I staid. The wait in line wasn't that long. I ordered regular pancakes, my GF ordered an apple pancake (their specialty). The hostess has been totally honest with us, saying we'd have to wait for 25mn to get it. As my GF is always starving (god gave her an excellent shape and an infinite appetite... he could have thought about me a little on that...) she changed her order to a peach waffle. We ordered 2 orange juices too. The service was excellent, fast and nice. The food was great, and BIG. A lot of the clients didn't half of their plate and went away with it in a bag. Orange juices were from a bottle, not fresh squeezed. A bit disappointing for a $3 small glass, but it was still "not that bad". Finally, we paid $25. Once again, a bit expensive for what we ordered (compared to the same kind of breakfast we had in nice diners in NY, we had a big fresh OJ + a hot beverage added for the same price or even less), but it was really good and big, and I think a part of the price is dure to the reputation of the place. I recommend to go there, that was good. But I wouldn't go there weekly.
(4)Jennifer S.
I came here by myself. It was a Friday at around 10:30am and was surprised at how busy it was. Since it was just me I was able to be seated immediately, however, I was seated at a table with a family. I don't necessarily mind the Eureopean-style seating where if there's an empty spot, you're allowed to sit there. However, I don't think the family enjoyed me crashing their party. I had eggs and turkey sausage. The sausage was a little mushy and the eggs were slimy (too much butter!). The pancakes were FANTASTIC and so was the fresh squeezed orange juice. I also appreciate a cashier rather than paying the server. It always seems to flow much smoother since I don't have to wait for the server to be free in order to pay my tab. I'll probably come back, but I'll insist on my own table and only order pancakes.
(3)Jessica C.
This quaint Breakfast place won my heart over! I ordered a skillet and my friend ordered the eggs benedict--both delicious! My only dislike is that it gets too crowded! Go early! Because I came as a party of 2, we were placed at a table with four other women! Talk about inconvenience! I wouldn't have minded except for the fact that they were running a neighborhood gossip chain! Yikes! The food was good, but I'll definitely think twice about going with a small group and risk being placed with complete strangers who are just yapping about nothing!
(2)Jennie T.
I came here with a couple of friends and we all ended up ordering the hashbrowns. I've never had one before but I trusted my friend's taste in food so I ordered it. I thought the hashbrowns tasted kind of bland. I usually like bland food, but I found myself putting a lot of tabasco sauce into my hashbrowns. Hmmm, I don't know. I think I'll have to try hashbrowns at another place just to be sure. I'm not a pancake person, but I thought their pancakes were pretty decent. They tasted light and fluffy as I think pancakes should taste like. They're not doughy so I take that as a good sign. Nothing about this place really wow-ed me though.
(3)Dallas C.
Good place for pancakes with the kids.
(4)Shin M.
I would give the pumpkin pancakes a 5 star but everything else I've had after that makes my overall rating a 4 star. I tried the steak skillet (delicious!), apple pancake (pretty good and huge), pigs in a blanket (good!) and some pizza breakfast dish (not my favorite). They were pretty good but nothing extraordinary like the pumpkin pancakes were! Too bad they are seasonal.
(4)Tommy M.
Had the Hawaiian pancakes that come with a pineapple topping and a tropical fruity syrup. Quality of pancakes is very good. Wife had the spinach crepes with a side of potato cakes and enjoyed thoroughly. If you go on the weekend, go early (before 8:30); otherwise, expect to wait to be seated. Waitress was very helpful, knowledgeable, and friendly.
(4)Mista L.
Stumbled upon this place by accident and we couldn't have been any happier. The food is absolutely delicious. The pancakes are something special! It can get crowded very quickly in the mornings so be patient, its worth the wait. The place itself is quite small and you may rub elbows with the people sitting at the table next to you. We had exceptional service and our waitress was friendly. The coffee is pretty good and isn't your typical run of the mill Folgers coffee. If you are looking for a delicious place to grab breakfast in the heart of Chicago, this is the spot!
(5)Donna R.
AWESOME breakfast at a very reasonable price. The long line outside the place clearly indicates this is a place to eat. It does move quickly, so do not be discouraged. My boyfriend and I almost left cause it was cold, but we really wanted to try the place out and boy am I glad we did! My blueberry pancakes were light and fluffy and had intense flavor. The blueberry compote didn't even make the pancakes overwhelming--I actually preferred that over the syrup. My boyfriend's southwestern skillet came with a fresh salsa and packed a ton of flavor! Coffee is quiet good, a little on the bitter side, but still good and fresh! Food came out pretty quickly for being as busy as it was. Seating, however, is quite jammed. We were very happy to have a table that was close to the kitchen, but we were away from the crowded room and close to the bathroom.
(4)H T.
i've never seen omelets so big in my life. most places use 3 eggs to make omelets, but i think they use 4 here, b/c it's massive. after being scared off by the gigantic omelet, i decided to get a blueberry waffle instead, which comes w/ a side of blueberry compote. the waffle was delicious, and they didn't skimp on the blueberries in the waffle either. the fiance got a skillet, which had potatoes, peppers, eggs, cheese, and a side of toast. it was also huge, and if you have a really big appetite, you can get pancakes instead of toast on the side.
(4)Mari K.
Long lines that go fairly quickly, fast and friendly service, yummy pancakes, and an atmosphere that won't make you feel guilty for not washing your face (I was in a rush.) =)
(4)Jeff Y.
more like 3.5 stars but what can you do... anyways, this place is another one of the endless brunch places chicago has to offer. the service is decent and you get a strange blend of customers as is to be expected for a viagra triangle restaurant. the food i've had has all been pretty good. the portions are smaller than other places, but i guess that's a good thing since it's still enough to fill you up. i haven't actually had any of their pancakes, but i'm guessing they're pretty good given the name of the place. if you're in the gold coast area and craving breakfast food, try here or tempo down the street.
(3)Bryan T.
did not disappoint! great atmosphere, cozy seating. very tasty Bacon Belgian Waffle!
(4)Nancy H.
Yummy! I woke up and had a craving for pancakes, and it was the first and probably closest place I could think of where I could get quality pancakes. My bf and I had a cute Sunday breakfast here. You can find all your typical breakfast faves like omelettes, skillet-types, crepes, pancakes, and waffles. We ordered banana pancakes, the Spanish omelette, and corned beef hash. All were great! There is probably about a 20-minute wait if you go around 10 AM and no wait at all if you choose to sit outside. Bellevue doesn't get that much traffic, so sitting alongside the street wouldn't distract you from your overall dining experience. Be ware of the birdies, though; they will try to swoop down on your food, or worse, doodoo on your chair, and you will accidentally place your hand in the green goo. The service is a little rushed, but they are all very attentive; busboys, servers, and the host himself will oftentimes offer to clear your plates when you aren't finished. Lastly, the five-star rating is for the reasonable prices for this area. Otherwise, it would have been 4 stars because it's not quite Walker Brothers.
(5)Michael B.
The breakfast here is awesome. All of it. Pancakes, eggs, sausage, potatoes, pancakes. Go in smaller groups to avoid longer waits. Definitely get the bananas and cream. If you like bananas. And cream.
(5)Amy J.
Well, sometimes you have to wait (mainly on Sundays), but I'd say hands down it's the best breakfast I've ever had. Very cozy, homestyle mom-and -pop type of place... Food all tastes very homemade, they're quick with the coffee, and really, the line (although intimidating when you see it outside) goes really quick. I've never had a bad thing off of their menu. Excellent.
(5)Jeremy Z.
The portion sizes are large, no doubt. But they lack a little in flavor and imagination. This place is a decent option for breakfast when you don't feel like cooking, but I have a hard time thinking of anything exceptional about it. Perhaps the best thing about this place is the menu variety. No matter how big a group you have or what people are in the mood for, chances are you'll find something that hits the spot here. It's just nothing to write home about.
(3)Geoff M.
On your approach to the Gold Coast location you may be tempted to turn around and scurry away to Tempo or just forget brunch all together and just go to the Einstein's around the corner - the line is often out the door. Fear not, as long as you're not in a huge group the line moves quickly. You feel a bit like a celebrity when the hostess calls down the hall for a party of two and you get to walk past the masses and enjoy your pancakes earlier. This place also makes for great people watching, so the time in line and in the restaurant passes quickly. The service here is all about turnover, so make your decisions quickly and they'll get your food out to you in kind. Unless you order the apple pancake, in which case you have time to give yourself a shot of insulin while you wait. You're better off just eating half. Everything here is wonderful, but I'm particularly fond of the Dutch Baby Treat, the pumpkin pancakes, and the Mexican skillet (which comes with a side of pancakes - sub in the pumpkin goodness). Perhaps the food is sweetened by a bit of nostalgia for the Walker Bros location in Wilmette, but it hasn't lost it's luster in my mind.
(4)Barb Y.
The Dutch Baby at this place is a must try! I have been there a million times, but I didn't think to write up a review until I went for lunch yesterday. The service depends on who is serving you. Sometimes they're quick and courteous and sometimes they're slow and semi- impolite. Guess it depends on the mood of the server too huh? If you go on a weekday after or before lunch, you'll have no problems getting a seat, but they do close at 3PM, so I wouldn't suggest going any later than 2:30PM. What else? Fresh squeezed orange juice and specially made pancakes during certain holidays- Halloween = pumpkin pancakes, etc... It's hard to find parking, but its a hop, skip and a walk away from Water Tower. Be SURE to bring CASH, no credit cards accepted! Go check it out! Enjoy!
(4)Pat L.
Best bacon anywhere. Love eating here when I visit Chicago. Chocolate Chip pancakes are awesome. Go off peak to avoid a line.
(4)Design G.
A glance through my reviews will show you that I'm not necessarily a diner chick... however, these pancakes rock the boat. Seriouly, these cakes are super. Ambience isn't the best but that's good-- hopefully none of your snotty friends will see you gorging yourself silly on this fried flour. Spend a serious weekday morning checking this out...
(4)Diana F.
the first time i saw this place i was like "uh, i don't know about this" but my friend recommended it... rightfully so. now that i've moved a couple of blocks away i go there quite often. the fall special "pumpkin pancakes" are great and i also love the southwestern omelet. orange juice is fresh squeezed and delicious. the wait staff are very hospitable. the food is kind of expensive for breakfast, but the portions are huge, so go hungry. omelets are made with 4 eggs and pancakes specialties are usually 6. i'm not giving it 5 stars because of lack of options for portion sizing and one meal that i didn't care for - i think it was called vegetable dutch or something. way too cheesy. otherwise, definitely worth a visit
(4)Chas S.
This was a Saturday morning staple for many months when I lived off of LaSalle and Division, and I miss it terribly. The food is very good, very filling, and reasonably priced for the amount of food you get. But it's the ambiance that I shed a tear for. I love this place for it's non-discriminatory attitude for everyone in the joint. Want a coffee refill Mr. Gold Coast? Fine, but you'll have to wait until the broke college kids get theirs first. Two-tops are squeezed together in a long row of 3 tables pushed together, and more than once I was sharing the syrup with the couple sitting so close I could smell their hang-overs. And the waitress barely stops by more than once, but who cares! You get everything you need in the first take. Plus, the long line out front gives you plenty of time to peruse the menu on the wall before walking in. This little shanty of a restaurant is tops in my book. Oh, and it was pretty cool walking over there wondering what celebrity you might encounter that morning. My list includes the dude from Prison Break (tall and handsome) and the dude from Who's Line is it Anyways (short and not-handsome). I miss you Pancake House!
(5)gabriel f.
was visiting from san francisco.. and decided to jump on this place for breakfast. i'll echo what others have said: the pancakes could become very addicitive. i don't what it was.. but those were some crazy good flapjacks. salty butter and maple syrup over perfect fluffy buttermilk jacks. YUM! the omellete was huge.. not very good, though. other than the flaps and crepes..the rest of the menu looked like it could be typically oversaturated high fatty diner food. but the PANCAKES really tripped a trigger!
(4)Mark P.
Great pancakes. But it's not the same as Walker Bros.
(4)Michelle F.
Food is out of this world - sooo good. Be prepared to wait, though, if you come at any popular breakfast time (till noon on weekends). It's worth it, though. Prices are not cheap, but a great splurge - on $ and calories.
(4)Ben B.
Brilliant breakfasts, which explains the line out the door most mornings. I've never had a bad meal here. The pancakes are always light and fluffy. I usually get the blueberry stack, which comes with a side bowl filled with blueberries and syrup - yum. Seasonal pumpkin pancakes are a special treat, too. Once, I ordered the gigantic apple-smothered pancakes. They were delicious, but that mound of molten apple took forever to cool. The waitstaff is always fast and friendly. Sleep in a bit, avoid the rush, and savor the mouthwatering goodness.
(5)M H.
Overall 4 stars Price 3 ( kinda pricey for food that I can make at home, but nice when you want to a break from cooking...) Ambience 3.5 (kind of cramped) Service 4 coffee was always filled to the brim and very friendly staff Been here many Sundays, rain or shine. They usually have a line out the door, but it is worth the wait, since it goes pretty quickly. Good size portions... Today we got the famous Dutch apple dish, and it was delicious! Made with granny smith apples and it wasn't as sweet as I thought it looked. I had the blueberry belgian waffle, and thought it was decent also. Would have liked something to go with all the sweetness, though, since you don't get eggs with it.
(4)Chanel W.
The food is always yummy. I had the dutch baby. The service was great too. There is a bit of a wait to get seated but it's worth it. Be warned that it's cramped inside. You may have to share a table with another party. Also, the restrooms aren't big enough. You can only go one at a time which means there could be a wait.
(4)Roger E.
The best breakfast in town. Long lines that move fast. Don't give up! You'll get yours! Excellent staff and expert cooks. Very social and a real taste of Chicagoans too! Friendly, close and comfortable.
(5)Joelle G.
Nice enough place. I had the apple pancake which was okay. Honestly, not to downgrade, but I've had better eats at IHOP & other breakfast eateries in other cities. Just sayin. But this is only one place in the Chi & I had only one item there. I look forward to trying other b-fast eatieries when back in the area.
(2)KuangYou C.
This is a GREAT traditional American brunch/breakfast restaurant. I had a western skillet and shared a Dutch baby with a friend. The skillet was good and went with three buttermilk pancake. The cheese melted with potatoes and peppers tasted well. Dutch baby was great! They gave you some sugar powder, cream and lemon. These things went so well together. I saw many people had Apple pancake. The size was so huge and looked delicious. I will definitely try that one next time.
(4)Melanie B.
Although it is know for the Pancakes... The omelets are what they should really be known for. Unique, and fluffy like a cloud in heaven-the egg white spinach and feta omelet was hands down the best omelet I have ever opened my mouth for in my life. I'm not sure if they bake it, but it tasted like it was baked.My father in law ordered the peach crepes which were another must eat. All in all the wait for this place was well worth the line which wrapped around from the hostess desk going out the door and to the patio sidewalk seating. At first site the line for this place was a tad intimidating but after first bite I realized how sorry I would have been if I had left Chicago without experiencing the Original Omelet, I mean Original Pancake house . It is a must stop for breakfast while visiting the "brick" city! PS... the line moves fast and I recommend getting seated inside.
(5)Vivek M.
Good place for brunch, so many options, i really like the crepes and omlet !
(4)Diana H.
Great friendly service! Terrific food! Quaint atmosphere. Reasonably priced. Highly recommend the dutch baby with bananas and strawberries and fresh home made strawberry syrup. So good! We r from out of town but when we come back would definitely eat here again.
(5)Kristine G.
Went here for breakfast the other day, and I was pretty disappointed in the food given the price. The eggs were mushy, the sausage wasn't crispy on the outside, and the pancakes were just pancakes. Also, I wanted biscuits and gravy, but they don't have it at this location, so I was overall quite unsatisfied in my experience. Wait staff was nice, place was busy, but the food was only so-so.
(2)Lisa K.
Hubby and I made a trip to Chicago and the concierge at our hotel recommended the Original Pancake House, and I am so glad that we took his recommendation. It is this tiny little building in the midst of big Chicago skyscrapers, but don't let the outward appearance fool you. This is the best pancake house ever! Even though the place was absolutely packed (which to me is always a good sign), we probably didn't even wait 5 minutes before we were seated, and once we ordered, the food was to us quickly as well. Hubby tried the Apple Pancakes, and I tried the Blueberry Pancakes, and they were both absolutely delicious! I definitely recommend this place to anyone visiting Chicago! Cheers!
(5)Christine P.
The Dutch Baby Rules!! So do the chocolate chip pancakes! Yummmm!! after all of this my mom and I worked it off by going shopping at the Magnificent Mile.
(5)Stephanie N.
Great for people watching, coffee, and fantastic eggs. The service is so quick you forget that you even ordered. I would highly recommend this place and even it is a wait, it is always well worth it.
(4)Helen C.
This place obviously put me in a food coma, as i just realised when compiling my favourtie-places-so-far list that I had complerely forgotten to review it and share the joy. Both times I went was at the weekend with just two of us, so the wait was a fairly standard 15-20 minutes, but the queue is always out of the door so for bigger groups - arrive in good time. The omelettes are enormous but fluffy, perfectly cooked and with a good ampount of filling. I had the spinach one, mainly so I could try the mushroom sherry sauce - it was a good call. The sauce was excellent. The pancakes are also light and fluffy. The corned beef hash wasn't very special but came with pancakes so no complaints there. My boyfriend had the blueberry ones and I'd never experienced so much blueberry in my life. In a good way. I'll be back, undoubtedly, to try the famous apple pancake. While we ere eating, the guy next to us ordered and I had an extra cu[ of coffee so I could wait and see it when it arrived.... his eyes bulged out of his head at the quantity so I'm glad I scoped it out - definitely a 2 person pancake by the looks of it. The wait is worth it here.
(5)Carol A.
Friendly atmosphere. Almost like communal dining, the tables are very close together. I ordered the eggs Benedict and they were fabulous. The waitress and staff were friendly and inviting. The strawberry lemonade wasn't too sweet which I enjoyed. The best part is the price, super cheap !
(5)Jonathan C.
The food is top notch. Blueberry waffle, eggs and omelette were all very good. Prices are fair. Great location. My only gripe is that they confiscated my Dunkin donuts coffee on the way in. What's breakfast without DD?
(4)Steve M.
I've been coming here for as long as I've lived in Chicago. Say, since '84? Yes, it's crowded, and yes sometimes there's a line, but this place is just so classic. Original wooden paneling abounds on the walls, old ladies wearing diner outfits walk around taking your order and doling out pancakey goodness. (Or eggy goodness if that's your jam.) Come for the Dutch Baby and stay for the Eggs Michael. Plenty of bottomless coffee to help you wake up and ward off the eventual sugar crash you're going to experience for eating these delectable breakfast goodies.
(5)Spean B.
Had the buttermilk pancakes (I'm a traditionalist) and they were perfect. The coffee was pretty good too! Only drawback: sometimes being seated at a table with people you don't know. But hey, you know what to expect.
(4)Matt C.
We were staying on the mag mile for the weekend and looking for a breakfast place other then the hotel. We found the Original Pancake House and gave it a try. The menu was pretty standard, eggs, skillets, omelets, and pancakes. The taste food was anything but standard. The omelets are baked and fantastic. The pancakes, which come with everything, are the best I've had. I had the southwestern skillet and highly recommend it. We got there around 8:30 and were seated. By 9:30 there was a line out the door. Overall, a great breakfast place!!!
(4)Kenny C.
OHOP, what we call it back home, is located in the shadow of the John Hancock Tower. This old school restaurant seems out of its element considering who it's neighborhood establishments are, but OHOP has a purpose for this neighborhood. There is good public transportation to this area, however, if you're driving, you'll park at your own risk. Although this is a chain, OHOP has the soul of a classic throwback diner. This place has all the charm of 70's kitsch. It's "Alice" meets "the Brady bunch" with the sprinkling of Steve Kings "Dream Catcher" cabins inter décor. The furniture is dark, the windows are right out of elementary school and the lighting is hazardous to your health. If you're there in summer the A/C might not be working at 100%. You can sit on the patio at the right time of the year. Things to know: most importantly, be prepared to wait in a line. They only take cash, you will only be seated when your entire party is present, it's loud, and there will be a mix of hyperactive kids and over 65's. Selections include the obvious pancake in many varieties, waffles, crepes, and omelettes. One of the most popular specialties is an apple pancake that is more like an apple turnover or coffee cake. I love that their pancakes have a nice spring to them and just the right amount of fluff. They come out at the perfect temperature and so the butter melts upon contact and they soak up the syrup perfectly! The also serve real and thick meat! Nothing says lovin' like a thick piece of bacon!!! On my most recent trip, I opted to forgo the pancakes, a boys gotta watch his figure and chose an omelette. I'd never had anything here other than eggs over easy and I was surprised at the size and depth of my omelette. It was ginormous! My picture doesn't do it justice. It was filled with glorious amounts of cheddar cheese, mushrooms, ham, and spinach. Cheese was oozing out. (Homer Simpson drool) Throw in some toast, sausage patties and juice and you've got a man-lette sized meal of glorious proportions. This omelette was so big I couldn't finish it. That is another problem with OHOP, everything is so tasty and I never finish my meal. I usually warn people when there is something on the menu to avoid; here the only thing to avoid is over ordering! The staff is old school, it appears none of the waitresses are under forty and their spunk & sarcasm adds to the atmosphere, don't be offended if they slip you the check mid-meal and ask you if you want anything else, before asking you how long you're going to be, as there most likely is a line. The price is right considering OHOPs location and that it shoulders up to some trendy more expensive restaurants.
(5)Dennis S.
What they do they do well. Breakfast, breakfast, breakfast. The trick with Original Pancake House is to go when they crowds aren't lined up outside. It's open until 3pm Mon-Fri, til 5pm Sat and Sun. If you don't mind the wait, go with the crowd. But they open at 7am every day, and keep serving breakfast until they close. So go for lunch, or a very late brunch. Original Pancake House has all the breakfast items you'll want - skillets, omelettes, a dozen different presentations of pancakes. The 4-egg omelettes are huge, and made in a unique light, fully style that changes the texture but not the taste. The atmosphere is ordinary - light woods, close tables, clean and busy. Service and the constant coffee refills are good - again, if you're not there at the busy time.
(4)Pamela P.
Have had breakfast here a good number of times as it's close to my work. Always consistently good and no complaints. This morning I tried the wheat germ pancakes and they were AH-MAZ-ING. Seriously, I'm not usually a pancake kind of girl but these might just convert me into one. I initially ordered a stack of these bad boys and a side egg. The server was very nice and told me that I should order the short stack with egg on the side. She didn't have to do that and I really appreciated that! It was just what the doctor ordered. For about $6, that was a steal in this area! Will definitely go back. If you visit during the summer, the outdoor area is beautiful and serene and really good people watching!
(4)Bryan C.
I love this place, and would come here basically every weekend when I lived nearby. Everything on the menu is great. The skillets were my go to order, but only because they come with pancakes too. As far as pancakes go, you've got to get the pumpkin pancakes. So, so, so good. My only issue with the Pancake house is that so many people know about it that the wait is usually tremendously long, and once you get inside it's pretty packed. You're generally seated right next to other parties so privacy is a valuable commodity. But you know what, it's worth it for those pumpkin pancakes. Their coffee is legit, and all the waiters I've ever had here were really nice. I definitely need to find a breakfast place like this in New York City...
(3)lizzie b.
My favorite restaurant in Chicago! They typically have a wait on the weekends, but the longest wait I have had is like 45 minutes. And the Gold Coast area is fun, so it's great to be there :) I love their pancakes, but this last time I tried the apple waffle which was amazing. I ate every little bite in 15 minutes flat -- scraping the plate good. The bacon side was yummy, and the coffee was fresh. My only complaints are that they do not give you any natural sides with the meal or garnish of any kind, and they take a while to refill your water glass (which is tiny!) I love it here though. Come to Boston!!
(5)Shawn H.
Just eat here. If you're staying in the area it is an excellent breakfast for a fair price, rare in this part of Chicago. This is a great breakfast place and a fun place to eat. Diner food nestled in the middle of all the trendy upscale places of the gold coast neighborhood. Gold Coast is just a few blocks if ritzy shops and restaurants. Pancakes are small, half dollar size. Portions of everything else are large. I had the corn beef hash and eggs. Excellent. Omelets looked excellent, huge fluffy oven baked. I almost got the spinach feta cheese omelet. Next time. I'll eat here again.
(4)Johnson C.
Overpriced and has weak but tasty coffee. The only bright side is that it's across from the Sutton Place (where I was staying) and I was able to get a WiFi connection across the street from my hotel. Then again, I was sitting outside on the patio.
(2)Kelly K.
The line snakes out the door for a reason! While it lacks the pretentiousness of Tavern on the Park around the corner, it makes up for the lack of trimmings in the awesomeness of its food. Whether I go with pancakes, a giant apple pancake, or one of their many tasty omelets, I'm never disappointed. The last time I was there, the waitress even sent back my omelet since she didn't think it looked up to the usual standards. Now that's customer service! Don't forget to order the fresh squeezed OJ!
(5)Barbara B.
Good "classic" breakfast items, none of those dessert french toast towers that you'll find at other places. Just omelets, pancakes, waffles, eggs, thick cut bacon (the best I've been able to find), and really good coffee ( a must for a good breakfast). I'm partial to the 49er flapjacks- 3 plate sized thin chewy pancakes. I always eat all of them and leave stuffed. Any egg dish is good, they are always cooked as specified. Everything is cooked with butter and you can taste the difference from cheap margarine that a lot of places use. In terms of this location, not the nicest interior but comfortable. Can get pretty crowded.
(4)Joy K.
My visit in Aug 2011... dutch baby - Eh. I didn't enjoy it at all. I was craving for breakfast food (waffles/ pancakes) but I went with the reviews and ordered the dutch baby, something different since I'm in Chi-town. It was too heavy for me. I threw it away. I'm going to try the pancakes one day and see if it lives up to the hype.
(3)Nikki Y.
I've been here twice in the past week. And have been overly full both times. I guess that's the only reason why this is getting 4 stars? I love that this is hidden behind the Triangle. It's really nice to know that there's a not-as-fancy place amongst all the others. That and it shows that it does good business. Think about it, I'm pretty positive this would be gone if it wasn't doing well. By noon, this place was packed on Friday and Tuesday mornings. But the food. Oh, the food. You HAVE to try the apple-cinnamon pancakes. It's not the main picture on the menu for nothing. It stays warm the entire you eat it and the aroma is absolutely fantastic. Delicious. This place doesn't disappoint!
(4)Brandon L.
If you are looking for an amazing breakfast, Original Pancake House is the place to be. It is places like this that make my miss my hometown so dearly. They prepare several breakfast dishes, but my absolute favorite is the Dutch Baby! If you decide to get it topped with the cinnamon apples, you must come hungry. The service there is prompt, friendly, and professional. The Highlights: -Dutch Baby Pancake!! (Absolute Must) -Fast & Friendly Service -Fun Environment -Easy to locate Final Thoughts: I have been to this place many times before, and this is the first time I am writing a review. If what you are looking for is a great place to take a loved one, family, and/or friends to breakfast -- this place will accommodate your party. My girlfriend and I, just loved this place. I wish I could remember our waitress's name, because she was incredible. I remember thinking I couldn't finish my coffee, because every time it was almost empty she would be there like clockwork to refill my cup. I highly recommend and I will definitely be coming to Original Pancake House next time I'm in Chicago. STAY GOLDEN!
(5)Michael Angelo R.
Although the line was out the door for waiting , it moves fast. Stephanie served us with a smile . The food was excellent. Potato pancakes are the best ever. Extremely friendly vibe. Will always go back when visiting Chicago. Wish the Atlanta OPH was as good! We will surely come back when in Chicago. It was a very friendly environment! Service with a smile and good food you could never beat!!!
(5)Wealhtheow W.
The service is so fast and accurate, and the waiters are attentive but don't hover. No place else makes pancakes quite like these. They're light, but so full of flavor that every bite is like a meal in itself. I particularly love their chocolate chip pancakes, which cover a huge plate and are like dessert for breakfast.
(4)Josh G.
Definitely some pros and cons to this place. The biggest drawback is obviously the long lines and close tables. To avoid this being an issue I would suggest coming during the week if you can or after 1pm on the weekends. The lines will be shorter and you'll have a better chance of getting your own table. Especially if it's just two of you dining together there's a high probability that you'll be sharing a table with other people. They are just too close together for comfort. But that said, the food is amazing. The Irish Omelet was awesome. Stuffed with tons of Swiss and baked for a great texture. I wish there would have been more corned beef in it, felt a little skimpy, but still flavorful. The pancakes are also great of course and I also ordered a size of bacon which was perfection. All in all a great breakfast/brunch spot (especially if you want to go at non-breakfast/brunch times).
(4)Ellen O.
You must try the Dutch Baby! So worth the 20 minute wait. Very light and flavorful. Service was very nice too--regular refills of coffee. Only a five minute wait on Memorial Day.
(5)Christine W.
On my second morning in Chicago I turned to Yelp for a great breakfast spot close to my hotel. The Pancake House was exactly what we were looking for. We ended eating here three mornings in a row we liked it so much. It's on a beautiful street with a great little patio. There was never a long wait even when we only wanted to sit outside. The service was quick and the breakfast options were plentiful. I did see someone having the infamous Dutch Baby and I have to say it smelled delicous. Everthing we had was great but my favorite were the Banana Pancakes that are served with a side of banana syrup. My boyfriend used most of it on his french toast because he liked it so much. If you are staying at the north end of Michigan Ave. this is a great place for a quiet breakfast.
(4)Tiffany H.
Visited Chicago and checked out the Original Pancake House and it did not disappoint. I'm one of the few people who actually doesn't like breakfast and even I had a hard time choosing because there were so many options. I settled on the chocolate chip pancakes and they were amazing. My husband and I agree probably the best pancakes we've ever had.
(4)Max M.
These pancakes live up to the establishment's namesake. Be prepared to wait 20-30 minutes on weekends. The menu is pretty straightforward. I like the fact fact that you can get a side of pancakes with your breakfast instead of toast free of charge. I prefer savory breakfast items over sweet ones. Pancake House spares you this trade-off. You can have your bacon, eggs, or sausage with pancakes. And these pancakes are soft and fluffy with a nice buttermilk flavor. I can't say that I would be willing to wait an hour for breakfast here, but it's def a good breakfast spot especially if you're planning on spending your day shopping near Michigan Ave.
(3)Laurie L.
The menu looks great, but I had to leave after the rude hostess yelled at me for bringing in an empty Starbucks cup. They should really have somebody up front that is a people person, all I needed was a garbage can.
(2)Fred P.
Went here yesterday morning for breakfast. Food and service was great. No waiting time for us. Only wish it was a little bigger, but what can you do? Will definitely be back.
(4)Kristin W.
All I have to say is WOW. And order the chocolate chip pancakes! My fiance is somewhat of a pancake expert and he said his buttermilk pancakes were some of the best he's ever had. The side of whip cream wasn't anything to write home about, but the chocolate chip pancakes were amazing. The wait wasn't too long, maybe about 20 minutes or so and we went at 12pm on Saturday. Definitely worth the wait!
(5)Cameron M.
I'd say your safe at this place as long as you order a pancake oriented meal. I ordered the omelet and paid the price (a hefty 10+ dollars for something I could have honestly made better myself). The chocolate chip pancakes that my girlfriend got on the other hand were fantastic and absolutely delicious.
(3)Mickey A.
It's a cute, but small, breakfast place. Sure, the wait is long but what breakfast/brunch place isn't? This place is open a bit longer on the weekends than on the week days, I'm assuming, to accommodate the hungry customers. The hostess did a pretty decent job about going down the line (which was out the door) taking the number of each party waiting for a table. Be prepared to be sitting about an arm's length from the next table. It didn't help because you could overhear another table's order. I was distracted because I wanted what everyone at that table wanted...too many choices. The service was fine despite the entire place was jammed pack. Our waitress was funny and warned us about the different pancake orders: "I just want to warn you. There are 6 pancakes. Will that be too much?" I thought it would for me, so I opted for the junior dish which offers only 3 pancakes and the choice of eggs, bacon, or sausage. Honestly, I was so hungry that I scarfed down my meal entirely and secretly wanting more pancakes. I am always down for pancakes and bacon, and I know I'll be back to try something else next time.
(4)David W.
This place is awesome. In my 4 night stay in Chicago we made it here for Breakfast twice. The long queue outside the front of this place hallmarks it's quality - thankfully they move the queue pretty quickly I think we waited under 30mins on both occasions. I tried their two signature dishes the Dutch Baby and the Apple Pancake. The Dutch is a huge oven baked bowl of a pancake filled (in my case) with banana, strawberry and strawberry sauce. It was utterly delicious. The Apple Pancake is EPIC - it's so big. It's essentially the same bowl like oven baked pancake, but upside down and covered in sliced apple and a delicious cinnamon glaze. It's amazing. The coffee here tops of a great diner, being as it's way above par in the world of diner's. A must if you're in Chicago and want an excellent start to the day!
(5)Elliot J.
Good food. Good service. Left feeling full and warm.
(4)Mary T.
If I had never gotten takeout here, I probably would have gone for 4 stars. This place has great food! Get there early, because like all breakfast places in the city, you'll be waiting in line after about 8am. I'm actually not much of a gal for pancakes...breakfast breads don't really blow my skirt up. They have delicious corned beef hash and eggs benedict. And, ok, their chocolate chip and tropical pancakes are delicious, I admit it. The service is minimal, as one would expect with a small, cramped, extremely busy breakfast hotspot. They're not going to spend a lot of time topping off your coffee, because there are always other customers waiting for your table, and they need to move you out. I don't mind that particularly, though. My only gripe is that I have never called for takeout where they've gotten the order right. When my family visits, we prefer to call ahead with our order and then eat at home, rather than wait for a table. Of the 9 or 10 times I've called and picked up my order (always ready to go quickly, which is nice), I've had to walk back to the restaurant and have them correct it 8 or 9 times. Very annoying--especially the part where I have to try to get the attention of the harried hostess and try to stay out of people's way while they get me the right food. Sigh. Still, I always go back. What can I say? I'd do almost anything for their hash.
(3)Eddie C.
As a out of town visitor, I was looking for a good breakfast spot. I left feeling OK as I was expecting better. Home made hash looked like it was out of the can but it taste fresh and home made. It was good. But everything else, pancakes included, was only OK. Please this place can get busy so service was very slow. 2/5 stars as it was good, but I have had better. If the price was maybe 15-20% less, then I would have gave it a 3 star. BTW, Friday morning for a table of 3 had no wait. Parties with more than 4 people were waiting.
(2)Riz A.
So SO good. I have to say, Though the crazy line out the doors on Satuday and sunday mornings can be annoying at times, if you saunter in around 1pm you're usually good to go. I like to keep it simple folks, A cheese omelet with a side of pancakes. Though there are plenty of creative options on the menu for those of you feeling adventurous, I think the pancake house does best what it's name entails - pancakes. they are fluffy, delicious, and filling. One of my fav spots for breakfast no doubt.
(5)Keerthi A.
I am seriously conflicted about how many stars to give this place. I suppose 5 for convenience and 2 for food and order time, so 2 it is. Since I live in the neighborhood, this is definitely the easiest and quickest place to go to for brunch or lunch without reservations on a weekend. Instead of putting your name down, you have to stand in line and they call you in or seat you outside based on size of party. The food is very 'diner' and mediocre as you expect. The portions are humongous, but I am sure appreciated. I have ordered and tasted most of the items on the menu, everything is as you expect, nothing out of the ordinary but fairly consistent. They do take a really long time to bring out the food however. I have had to wait 45 minutes or more on a couple of instances, so be prepared to wait once you order! If you are lurking in the neighborhood and need to eat without reservations, I would recommend this place!
(2)Anna P.
this place is pretty good - it has a good, extensive, solid menu of brunch items plus some super specialty delicious pancakes (i want to try the dutch baby someday!), the service was very friendly, and our food came quickly and our water glasses were kept full. they make a good omelette and good pancakes. i will say that the wait on saturdays and sundays can be absolutely deadly so if you're super starving one of the other (many) brunch/lunch places nearby might be a better choice for you.
(3)Patty T.
I grew up with an Original Pancake House around the corner from my house, so when I found out there was one in the Gold Coast, I was stoked! Although the menu and ambiance were essentially the same, the food wasn't as good. For example: the hashbrowns are cubed potatoes (not shredded), the eggs were watery, and the fresh-squeezed orange juice tasted a bit musty. The pancakes were still very tasty, and the price is very reasonable - but overall, there's some room for improvement.
(3)S G.
I just don't get it. Really, i dont. Loooooong lines in the freezing cold. Not to mention that the owner(?)/manager blatantly lets certain people in the side-door...that really just pisses me off. The place is really crowded and be prepared to to share a table (which can be awkward). The "decor" is repulsive and the servers are ugh. And yet I find myself going there again and again- maybe because of the convenient location? After the last visit, I've vowed never to go again. Ok, ok- so let me get to the food part...I've tried lots of items from their menu... so here's what i think. The coffee is 7/10. It's great. Please note: They skimp on the splenda, you actually have to request it from your server... and even then they hand you 1 packet (2 if you're lucky). They're stingy with the cream too- and oh yeah, they don't readily offer refills. Pancakes: um, no thank you. The last time i was there, the pancakes smelled...like yeast. Don't get me wrong, it was NOT a pancake batter scent, no no no...they smelled foul. I didn't even touch them- heck, I didn't even cut into them. Crepes: um, no thank you. The actual dough isn't made properly. More than once I've been served these cold, flimsy and almost noodle-like "things" with not so generous toppings. Please don't be swayed by the picture on the menu. Corned Beef Hash: Maybe, just maybe. These might be your safest bet from the menu. You'll get a not-so-generous portion of corned-beef (I think they grind it fresh in the kitchen). But still, something is always missing and i always have to add tabasco for flavour. Steak Skillet: an option, if you're craving steak for breakfast This is not so bad, just think of a fajita. for breakfast. And while that might seem ok, it just doesn't hit the spot if you're craving pancakes. Hash Browns: Good- but not what you're expecting Be careful, these are not the shredded and fried kind-- Again they're stingy with the portions- you'll get a small plate of cubed potatoes cooked with onion. These are quite tasty actually- i've realized that they are pre-made and just sitting in the back on a warmer. So here's a hint, ask for them to be cooked a bit crispy and you can even top them off with cheese- this way you an ensure you're not getting the dish that has been under the warmer all morning Dutch-Baby: can't comment This is their "famous" item and my guy friend says it's good, but i can't vouch for it as i haven't tried it. I doubt ever will go back to try it. Nutshell? PASS on this pancake house. - If not for the food than for the fact that the management plays favorites and lets people in the side-entrance (while there are a slew of customers standing outside in the snow) Trust me, make your way 0.7 miles further and go to Nookies. I promise you, it's worth it!!
(1)Bill G.
I've been eating excellent breakfasts here 2-3 times a week for the past 15 years. You won't find a better restaurant in Chicago. I love their chicken sausages, turkey sausages, blueberry oatmeal and diced ham & eggs. Their cherry crepes are to die for. Best coffee in Chicago too. Long may they serve.
(5)Analisa F.
I love the Original Pancake House, in Colorado they are exceptional and a high class place to get a good quality breakfast. ... this franchise leaves much to be desired. Let's just say that if this were the first OPH I had been to, I would never seek them out in different cities. Yes, they do have the standard menu options and the french toast is still some of the best out there, but the peach waffle is something you could get at a denny's for half the price. The bacon looked as though it had been cooked before and then reheated on a griddle that had burnt food caked to it. It wasn't the red and white vibrant bacon one comes to expect for $1.00 for each piece of bacon, it was a gross gray and burnt color that was so salty I couldn't finish my first bite. Service was mediocre, nothing too special and nothing too awful. The restaurant is super old, in a desperate need of a remodel and the menu's layout is about the same (come on bad pictures of menu items? really?). It's so disappointing to see the level that this OPH is at compared to others which blow it out of the water. I don't think I will ever go back to this location, but if you're ever in Denver Colorado, that one is worth the stop.
(2)Tina D.
This is a chain restaurant with typical breakfast fare. Nothing was bad, but nothing was spectacular either. If you're hungry and it's breakfast time on a weekend, prepare to wait in line.
(3)Pong C.
This place never disappoints! I used to live in Chicago in the 90's and visited during late 2009. I decided to drop by for breakfast to see it they were still as good as I remembered. And they were... The place did not change much at all, the long line (the ONLY drawback about this place. But hey, that speaks for something, ain't it?), great service and totally EXCELLENT food. The Dutch Baby (like most other "Yelpers" talk about) is a must. Others like the obscenely huge and delish apple pancake and omelettes are really well done. Many of these dishes would feed the entire village!! The coffee is decent and they fill the cup so quickly, you never have to ask for it. The price is reasonable. I would have given them 5 star if they served better coffee (like French press, or European-style coffee crema---well, I'm a coffee snob) and Creme Fraiche (maybe they do, but I didnt see it?). The wait is also a pain but I can't really blame them. I'm not sure if they take reservation, but that maybe something they could do to improve the dining experience.
(4)Mihir P.
Love it! OPH doesn't try to get all fancy with the dark chocolate ganaches, or Indonesian vanilla - tangerine blah blah blah. It's delcious basic breakfast and some lunch items. I love their silver dollar pancakes. If you go there on a weekend, I suggest you go EARLY or late.
(4)Baris A.
Went there on a weekday morning, came across rude staff including the hostess. The service was bad and the food was mediocre at best. Baffled at the 4 stars this place received but maybe we were unlucky
(1)Jon W.
Now that I am moving from down town I finally found the place where the locals eat breakfast.... go figure.... This place is open very early so you can get your day started with plenty of fresh fruit, eggs, corn beef hash, and amazingly delicately prepared European style breakfast crepes like the Dutch Baby treat.. The potato pancakes with sour cream are to die for! The corn beef hash is the best I ever had!! The staff is perky and friendly. There is outdoor seating too. Arrive early to avoid waiting in the long line that extends the entire length of the restaurant entry hallway if you arrive late. This place is very popular.
(5)Kacie M.
Somehow this place is sandwhiched between the lake and one of the most expensive and fancy areas of Chi-town. I love the people watching in the mornings - Chicago cops downing their coffee, the people you'd expect to see in a little pancake diner (how'd they get to the gold coast??), and some of prim and proper residents of the beautiful nearbye gold coast homes. It is what it is. I've had their massive apple pancake, and it's waaaay too much for one person. The food isn't perfect but OOHhhh it's good. But really.... you come here for the atmosphere and the good pancake house food, not a gourmet experience.
(4)William L.
Well, if this is the "original" then I am certainly glad there are copy cats! As mentioned there are long lines, and I certainly do not mind that for a quality establishment. It went fast and after about 10 min we were seated on a table outside. Waitress took our order. After about 20 min she said it would be coming. It finally arrived. This place needs to work on presentation. One huge plate with 2 eggs and some ham (me) and bacon (friend) looked cheap and un-appealing. The pancakes were on a side plate and they were good. I would have like to have had warm syrup and/or a choice of flavors. Never saw waitress again until the check arrived. I get - they are busy but service could have been better. Minor irritating point: The manager or owner had some friends at the next table over. He was going on and on about all that they need to fix and problems with the place. Heads up: Not a good public conversation on a busy Saturday morning. Also, he spent the ENTIRE TIME (over 30 min) standing and hovering over his friends while they ate, which was nerve racking for me just to watch. I am sure there are better places in Chicago and will search those out. Actually, the place next door looked pretty good so I may try it next time.
(2)Erika C.
by far best buttermilk pancakes i've ever tasted. food always comes out fresh and the eggs are delicious! best place around for breakfast. :)
(5)Dawn G.
A friend doesn't like to travel outside her general 'hood and wanted to meet for breakfast. It's my favorite meal of the day, so I did a little research and decided upon Original Pancake House and I'm glad I did. Two words - bacon pancakes. I really can't go wrong there. It does get crowded, there is a wait, and there are a lot of families, but it's tolerable. The waitress we had was attentive but not pushing to get us out to door to turn over the table. We'll definitely go back.
(4)Tracy K.
While our meal here wasn't totally bad, I've experienced much, much better. The husband & I had a hankering for hash browns, and were walking by one afternoon, so we decided to stop in & grab something to eat. Sadly, they do not have hash browns on the menu, but by the point we realized this, we already had coffee on our table, so we weren't going to leave. They did have "breakfast potatoes" on the menu, so he ordered those, and I got an omelet that came with a bowl of salsa and had pepper jack cheese as well as tomatoes, onions, and jalapenos in it. The breakfast potatoes were a poor substitute for hash browns, even when covered in cheese and drizzled with my omelet's salsa. My salsa was good, but the omelet itself was a mess. Apparently, when they say "fluffy" they mean resembling a pillow in both appearance and taste. Yuck. Our server took the order and dropped off the food.. nothing special. I don't like their eggs, and I don't like their potatoes, so there is no reason for me to ever come here again.
(2)Razzina z.
Omelette is probably the best I have ever had (Eggwhite Veggie and Feta) . Yumm!! Pancakes are also really tasty. The interior could use an update, but the food is great!
(5)Robyn C.
Great breakfast spot! Parking sucks (ride a bike if you can or walk), the wait really sucks (this place is packed all the time), but the food is worth it, especially the Dutch Baby.
(3)Julie B.
I had dreams about their pancakes last night!!! Slightly wrong but oh so tasty!!! I came here on Monday (labor day) with the family and happily waited in line (sorry folks no reservations). We ordered a bunch of their dishes to all split - Veggie Dutch, Bacon/eggs/pancakes, Dutch Apple, etc....coffee came steadily, service was a bit choppy but it was packed and a line around the restaurant! Food was delicious and their pancakes, well, shucks - they melt in your mouth!!!
(4)Deborah R.
I went while I was in town with friends. We had a party of six and the wait was really long, around an hour and a half. I didn't mind the wait so much as we were a party of six but the hostess was rude. Every time she came by she made a face at us. Once, we got inside the service was great. The food was pretty good and a lot of it. Five of us got omelets which came with pancakes. I could not even come close to finishing mine it was so massive! I am only giving this three stars for the following reasons: - the wait was so long - hostess was rude While I liked my food it was exactly what I would have expected by that type of place. And I think that the food did not justify the rediculous wait.
(3)Nate S.
I've been here a few times and it's been what I've expected. The baked omelets are different - not exactly what I would call the best, but the size keeps me happy. We also had banana pancakes (the banana syrup is AWFUL, stick to regular!). The Dutch baby was quite good and different. Overall this place is good, but I don't get excited to come here like I should.
(3)KM I.
Food is standard breakfast food....too many egg dishes for my liking. They have a strict "no outside beverage" policy.....I was promptly told to drink my entire starbucks instantly or shove it in my purse....Much to my dismay 3 other patrons did not seem to get the message. Outside seating is nice with the flowers and all. Service is nothing special at all. You are better off going next door or making your own breakfast
(2)S.J. N.
We stayed across the street at The Sutton Place and had to have breakfast at the Original Pancake House. This was such a cute place with a very simple atmosphere that gave it that good home cooking feel. We went on a weekday so we were quickly seated and did not have a wait. Our server was very friendly and made sure we received our food quickly. Although it was fast paced, we did not feel rushed and thoroughly enjoyed our meal.
(4)Nirali S.
Brunch food done right and fast! We walked in at around noon on a Saturday, and it was crazy packed, but we waited about 10 minutes to get seated, which was fine with me. If you are claustrophobic, don't go here, it's tight seating, so beware. The service is fast (maybe a bit rushed) and friendly. I ordered my own omelette concoction of chorizo, onions and cheddar cheese with sour dough toast and coffee. Everything was really good, and I highly recommend getting a side of their salsa, it's DELICIOUS! The thing that threw me off about this place was the pricing. $2.49 for a cup of coffee? $3.79 for orange juice?! I mean it was a lot, our 2 person brunch ended up being $40, and I thought this was entirely too much. I liked the food a lot, but I i thought it was overly pricey.
(3)Kwoky L.
I had a high expectation from this place because the one that I went to in Champaign, IL had excellent service and food. Plus, with a nice patio in the Gold Coast neighborhood on a beautiful morning, what better thing to do than have a nice classic breakfast? No, I don't need crispy rosti style hashbrown with beurre blanc and a sprinkle fleur de sel. I want good old omelettes and pancakes and tea with real cream. And the first place I thought of is OHOP. It's 9 o' clock and it's packed. There's a huge line but it moves pretty quickly. Within 30 minutes, we got a table. Well, a third of a table would be more accurate because there are two couples sitting to our left and right. I hate sharing tables, especially when you have a crabby person sitting with you. I ordered the meat skillet and my boyfriend ordered the strawberry pancake. The food was great but the service is much less so. We had a waitress with a long sour face and we didn't enjoy the atmosphere at all. I used to say that coming to OHOP is like coming to grandma's. But not this one.
(3)Tim C.
You know a place is good when it's busy and there is still a line of people willing to wait. The seating arrangement was a little odd, as they sat my wife and I at the end of a table that already had a party of 6. Kind of like cafeteria style seating, i guess. I ordered the Dutch Garden... Quite tasty, although parts of my pancake were burnt from the baking. My wife tried the Hawaiian pancakes, which were basically their regular pancakes with pineapple topping. Portions here are quite large. We saw the wait staff bringing out some kind of bear claw type of thing at it looked like it could be shared by 2 or 3 people.
(4)Kin L.
I arrived around 10:15AM and there was a line. If there was a line on a Thursday morning, imagine what craziness the weekend brings. Don't be fooled by the name of the establishment as it serves omelets, crepes, waffles, and other breakfast items. The omelets are oven-baked and these things are ginormous. Just picture three regular moleskin notebooks stacked together, or maybe a baby manatee. In any case, it's a meal in itself. As tempting as it was to order the omelet, I was there for the pancakes. I ordered the buttermilk bacon pancakes and the southern-style hash browns. The hash browns weren't anything special, so let's just move on to the pancakes. I was expecting a big, fluffy stack of pancakes, but it wasn't so. The pancakes were small, thin, flat, and lifeless. Did the cook sit on the pancakes? And do you know what happens to thin pancakes? They get cold really fast! And nobody likes cold pancakes. I ate them quickly to make sure the last bite would be still warm. The savory-ness of the bacon and the sweetness of the syrup went together very well, but I think I would've enjoyed them much more if I wasn't in a race against time. Is this what Chicago style pancakes are like? I was disappointed, the McDonald's hotcakes seem to be more appetizing.
(2)Carolyn J.
Thanks Yelp for another great find. Had our first breakfast in Chicago here, and I'm glad we found this place. I expected a wait based on previous reviews but we were lucky and seated almost immediately on a Tuesday morning. I had the corned beef hash, potatoes and pancakes. The pancakes were just enough and not super huge. The second visit was during our last day in Chicago. We had to go back! This time there was a line, but we scored with outdoor seating. I had the Eggs Benedict + potato pancakes. Delish!!! Not sure what the gripe was with service in other reviews. We experienced good and attentive service both visits. I wasn't brave enough to try the Dutch Baby alone...next time! If you're planning a visit to Chicago, eat here!
(5)Deb N.
This is absolutely my favorite breakfast haunt in the USA! The amazing cinnamon apple pancake should be ordered TO GO while you enjoy whichever combination you prefer; the skillets are excellent, the pancakes and waffles can NOT be prepared better at home and the wait staff is usually right on top of the craziness. Expect close quarters and to occassionally share tables (inside) but absolutely the BEST breakfast anywhere, guaranteed! YUM!
(5)Lisa S.
I've only eaten here twice and the pancakes were good, but nothing terribly special. I thought they would be out of this world. It's a cute, older restaurant with a lot of people going in and coming out. It's in an awesome location.
(4)Pepe W.
Am from San Francisco so color me touristy. This is a great joint. Pancakes are awesome. Plenty of super yummy choice BUT avoid the chicken sausage because they're joke. It's quicker if there are only two of you lining up to eat there.
(4)Stephanie W.
Summarizing 15 years of eating at the Pancake House in one review is going to be hard, but here goes.... **The Good** - The staff is always incredibly friendly, and if you've been a regular, they'll typically remember you even after you've been gone for a year. Little kids can pick up balloons and coloring books at the door, and the ambiance is generally just super sweet. - The food usually comes out pretty quickly (except for the Dutch Babies, but the menu warns you those take time) and is always better than yummy. I've really never had a bad meal here in so many years, and I think I've tried just about everything on the menu. Besides classic eggs, I love the sausage links and the 49er Flapjacks (basically sweet crepes stacked up). - During the warmer months, the outdoor seating is delightful. They've really spruced it up in the last couple of years with some lovely flowers and expanded onto the far section of the sidewalk (might as well, since the neighbors were doing it). - If you time it right, there's no wait. Also, they'll still usually seat you even if one person in your party is running late after having waited in the line. **The Bad** - If you time it wrong, there's absolutely a line out the door and it will take you forever to get in. It's worth it, but sometimes I get really hungry for breakfast and just don't have the patience to wait half an hour or more to be seated. There's usually a line after 8 or 830 on the weekends until probably 1pm. Basically, I love the Pancake House, and if you're willing to wait in line for your breakfast, you need to check it out at least once. The food is out of this world delicious and completely satisfying, and it's just a great comfy place to have breakfast in the sometimes-not-so-comfy Gold Coast. And really, it's not called "Original Pancake House" for no reason - try the pancakes!
(4)Lyn B.
I'm not the hugest pancake fan, but still enjoyed this place. It's in a great location, and the food is decent. Service is slow, and the wait can be very long especially on a weekend morning. I'd go back, but wouldn't rush.
(3)Alex L.
yes!!!! my girlfriend and i finally made it here. Normally the line is out the door and we say #$C@ THAT!!! but today it was only a 15 minute wait (we did have to wait next to a really fat and smelly chick with ugly died orange hair (she kind of looked like a fat ugly version of Adele, or Fatdele in our minds)). The food and service was great, a bit snug in the restaurant though. all in all...definitely a buy!!
(5)Audrey W.
I'm so happy this place is a 5 minute walk from my apartment. I actually picked up a to-go for my brother and I while my brother was jogging along the lake. Ordered the cornbeef hash and the southwestern skillet. Both on point and the pancakes were freaking awesome. Next time, I'm ordering the Dutch baby and/or the apple pancake. Oh yeah. The prices aren't so bad, especially since I can eat one portion for 2-3 mornings.
(5)Peter J.
It was just great. We'll come back soone.
(4)Elisa P.
My friend took me to this place while I was in town, that apple pancake is super egg-y but super delicious! Their coffee was really good too.
(4)Jackie W.
This place is a wonderful gem in the Gold Coast. Don't be dissuaded if the line is out the door (and half way down the block), as it usually moves really quickly -- especially now that they have their outdoor seating. My favs are the skillets and the blissful Apple Pancake that is bigger than your head. We also had the divine experience of trying their pumpkin pancakes this past week, which are sheer bliss. YUM!
(5)Chris N.
I'm a huge breakfast fan but not usually for pancakes. Well the Original Pancake House could have changed that. I had the banana pancakes with fresh bananas, powdered sugar and tropical syrup topping it off. Oh man was it delicious. The only thing missing was the service to match their food. I think next time I'll try the Dutch Baby because it looked tasty. Went back today and had the Dutch Baby, probably the best pancake ever! In fact it basically overrode any crappy service they have.
(5)T L.
YUMM! This is the place to go for mouth-watering, delicious pancakes. But first things first. We went on a weekday, and even though there was a long line (we were outside the door) we were seated within 15 minutes! Efficiency definitely gets a star in my book. The hostess and our waitress were incredibly helpful. We didn't have to wait long for our food either. I have tried the strawberry pancakes and the spinach omelet. The omelet was okay, not spectacular, but oohh man, the pancakes...such heaven. Just the right texture of fluffiness combined with the sweet taste of creamy goodness. No syrup necessary. The strawberries were fresh and the whipped cream was fresher. My friends ordered the apple pancake and the chocolate chip pancake. Both were absolutely delectable. The apple pancake is a mound of joy; literally, it is humongous. And the chocolate chip pancakes were spot on. They also ordered the hot cocoa, which they also said was yummy. And you get two cups! Now I gotta head to the Original Pancake House in CA....
(5)Mario D.
We were staying in the Sutton Place hotel across the street, overlooking OPH. There was always a line, although it moved quickly, so we checked it out. We were seated within 10 minuges despite the line at the door. We had a table outdoors, which I recommend. Service was excellent and I was very impressed with my omelet that had chorizo, peppers and onions. Other members of our party had the strawberry crepes and pancakes. Everyone was pleased. We travel somewhat often to Chicago and this will be on my list of good breakfast places.
(4)Christopher F.
Big fan. Great food. Always good service (Rosa) We frequent this breakfast nook because of the ever accomidating enviornment. There's usually a hefty line but a quick turn over due to the consistant efficiencies. I've been to a few "OHOP's" - this has been (by far) my most fond experience. Give it a shot, I'm confident you'll like it.
(4)Anna F.
Damn good pancakes, worth the wait. Dad and I walked over here from our stay at the Westin on Michigan Ave. I was a little worried about the line (I am not a fan of lines, particularly when they stand between me and my coffee) but the local guy in front of us said it wasn't as bad as it looked. And I was impressed that a local would be willing to stand in the line so the place must be good right? Delish, I had the two eggs and pancakes, dad had the blueberry waffle and we split a side of turkey bacon. Yum bacon. The pancakes were really good, better than those I'd had at Yolk a couple days before and dad ate the whole waffle so it must have been tasty. The coffee wasn't great but I got the feeling it was a Chicago thing, never had a great cup of coffee at a restaurant during my stay. But the pancakes and the bacon were stellar, totally worth the 20 minute wait in line.
(4)Unity O.
Have eaten at this establishment many times & I must say that I am rarely disappointed. Their food is very tasty--although if you are trying to watch your waist line--this probably is not the place for you. The area where this is located is pretty posh--which makes it ever so much fun to sit outside & people watch--plus, you may occasionally run into a celebrity--last year the cast of My Boys was dining there when I was. On this last visit, I had a half order of the wheat germ pancakes with blueberries--it was the right portion size & extremely yummy. Their coffee is decent and the turkey sausage very good.
(4)Hari K.
Loved it. Plenty of vegetarian options, quick service. Tried the veggie skillet scramble and eggs florentine. Will visit again.
(5)Jean Z.
Ive been here before knowing that they have nearly the same menu as Walker Brothers. I will never come here again because of the mush they call hashbrowns. When I showed them to the server, she regrettably admitted that's the way they always are, and she was nice enough to suggest that if they cook them more well done, that they would probably be acceptable to me but.. They weren't. They were just burnt up crust outside of mushy potatoes inside. Gross to the max. Just plain gross. Better off eating bar breakfast food in this hood.
(1)Rodrigo R.
I went there the other day with some friends. The pancakes are great, but the service is terrible. We went to the cashier to pay and one of my frinds asked the girl to charge a portion of the bill in his credit card. He was very clear about the amount that should be charged and the girl charged the whole bill. It was a corporate card, he would be in trouble if the whole bill was charged and the girl simply refused to undo the operation. We had to wait a long time for the manager to arrive to get the operation undone and each one of us to pay part of the bill.
(1)Kista W.
Almost as good as tempo and that is saying A TON, considering I'm in love with my beloved Tempo. I love ordering the pumpkin pancakes in the fall and sitting outside with a sweater on. Ahhhh... All of the pancake varieties are amazing. But then I tried the omlettes and OH NO! those are out of this world. I love to go here with my food loving mother and ordering pancakes along with an omlette so we can both enjoy the best of both worlds! She taught me well, when it comes to breakfast!
(5)Faith B.
Affordable and extremely busy. The line was out the door when we arrived, but moved rather quickly. Great portions and pricing was good. Our waitress was very attentive eventhough the place was packed. I had the strawberry crepes. They were fantastic!
(4)Maher A.
The best place to go for breakfast. The omelet is good. And the pancake is even better
(5)Olivia M.
Delicious and cheap! Not a good place if you want to sit for hours and talk because your waitress will definitely try to shuffle you out. Tables are also uncomfortably close to each other and chances are you will basically be sitting on your neighbor's lap!
(4)Keirstin L.
I don't know about you, but when Fall rolls around I start craving carbs. We hit up OPH on a cold weekend morning and it was great! We had the banana pancakes and the pumpkin pancakes - both were delicious. It's a bit cramped in the restaurant but who cares with pancakes this yummy! Service was fast and friendly.
(4)Louis L.
This place will not disappoint. Wait for an outside table if the weather allows.
(4)Jessie T.
I grew up going to the Walker Brothers in Wilmette, so I was excited to find one right in my neighborhood. I ended up sorely disappointed. I was with a friend and we were seated at one of two tables for two that were pushed together. When we finally got water (no silverware though), a couple was seated at the table ours was pushed next to. We tried to separate them but there was not enough space and the table tilted too much anyway. The bill was way too high for breakfast for two people, and the food didn't make it worth it. The service was also horrible. If you want to try a Walker Brothers, do not go to this one.
(1)Min L.
When I was told that we'd be having brunch at the Pancake House during our visit to Chicago, I worried that we'd be wasting a precious meal on ihop food, which I can get anytime I want in Boston. I'm so glad I kept my mouth shut that day because, boy, was I proven wrong! The spinach crepe with hollandaise sauce was one of the best savory crepes I've ever had. Not only were we all extremely pleased with our orders, but we were able to enjoy the food while sitting outside on the sidewalk on a gorgeous morning. I can't speak for the dining situation inside. All I know is that eating at the Pancake House was memorable for me to the point where I think about it from time to time and wonder when I'll be able to make it back for more.
(5)Christian H.
My boyfriend was very excited to take me to the Original Pancake House for a date last year. I had never even hear of the place, but I sure do love pancakes. I wasn't very picky, but I also wasn't in a very good mood that day. I ordered my pancakes and they were good. I didn't think they were all that amazing especially since we had waited over a hour to sit down anyways. I liked their variety, but I was disappointed after a big hipe about how wonderful this place is suppose to be. I would have been just fine with a box of pancake mix and some fresh strawberries with real maple surup. But, I still had fun. Always remember to Have Fun!!!
(3)Nora B.
Super Awesome breakfast... I want it right now!! There is usually a line on weekends, but it's worth it. My favorite pancakes are the 49'er flapjacks. They are a little like a Swedish pancake, i think. Also try the potatoes with or without onions& cheese.. I can also attest to the yummy egg dishes and the famous apple pancake! Give it a try. I'd give it a 5, but I hate waiting in line.....
(4)Johnny B.
I'm not a huge breakfast person. I'm the guy who goes to brunch and orders something dumb like a turkey sandwich. That being said, I could get used to this. I had southern style hashbrowns with cheese, chicken sausage, 49er flapjacks, and half of my girlfriend's southwestern omelet. Best. Breakfast. Ever. Worth the thirty minute wait in line out-the-door, in the cold, with the other folks who "know".
(5)Dave A.
Good, popular (lines out the door), neighborhood breakfast spot. Again a 4 on my Chicago Scale, 3 if it were in So-Cal. Nevertheless, the Swedish Pancakes were great. What I can only describe as a thick crepe, 3 of them stacked, and so big around they overhung the plate. The lingonberry preserve that accompanied was not the best quality, BUT went very well when smothered atop those perfectly delicate cakes. Cuppa coffee along with that and I was happy all for around $9. Unfortunately the cakes seemed to be a-la-carte so adding things like eggs and bacon makes for a spendy breakfast. Truthfully though, the cakes are big and good enough on their own to make a fine meal by themselves. The seating is communal so you will most likely be sharing a table if you are a party of one or two. THEY TAKE CREDIT CARDS NOW TOO (11/10/07). MC & VISA
(4)Enay V.
Snotty area - staff kind of rude - but really, just give me my food and let me gorge myself into an insane fatty dream. I did not get a chance to have the apple pancake but did get the Santa Fe omelet and it was wonderful. the pancakes were the BEST I have ever had...I will think of them always...
(4)D J.
I suppose I could toss a couple of eggs in a skillet and whip up some pancakes in my kitchen, but I'd much rather walk across the square,wait in line and get my picks at the OPH. After all, a Sunday brunch tastes better when it comes with a side of people-watching in the Gold Coast! And that doesn't take a morsel away from the main attractions - my favorites - the oven baked veggie omelet oozing with cheese, delicious blueberry waffles sprinkled with powdered sugar, an assortment of pancakes lathered in maple syrup, steaming hot hash brown potatoes, the freshly squeezed OJ - it's a good thing the lakefront is nearby to walk off the gluttony guilt! It's not trendy, it's not unique, it's always a tight squeeze at the tables, but for some simply delicious and convenient brunching, there's no place I'd rather go to than this little house on Bellevue.
(4)Lanny S.
This morning the service continued to deteriorate. The manager sits around with a scowl on his face and is ambivilent to any complaint. His attitude seems to reflect, business is good, I don't need you. The food is consistently good, however, it may be time to go elsewhere. Hard decision as we visit this restaurant around twice a week for the last 15 years. LSS Chicago
(2)shirley m.
do not be discouraged by the long lines on the weekend! If you happen to be a party of two you'll get seated pretty fast, they don't take reservations and it's first come first served. Don't let the dated decor fool you, this is not a greasy spoon. Seating is a little cramped, but on the weekend dilly dallying is not encouraged. The service is no nonsense, when they are at the height of the rush expect to get your order taken and your food and bill shortly after. All the servers seem to work together so your coffee and water are always refilled. FOOD is really good. Basic breakfast items pancakes, waffles, omlettes etc are avail with the occasional "special" pancake thrown in the mix. I ordered the Chicken Sausage with 2 eggs and pancakes, they let me substitute my plain pancakes for seasonal pumpkin pancakes sprinkled with cinnamon sugar and pecans. Pancakes are flavorful and cooked just right so the center is fluffy and the edges are browned and it tasted like pumpkin! most places you have to add butter and syrup, pancakes are easily flavorfull on its own. Chicken sausage (4 links) arrived browned on the outside and the center was soft, moist and naturaly sweet from the sage and apple. My BF ordered the Western Omlette filled with cheese, ham, grn peppers and tomatos.....I have yet to find a restaurant to duplicate as fluffy and tasty omlette as this. The omlette is almost the size of the plate it arrives on and so airy I almost want to lay my head on it and take a nap. Orange juice is really squeezed fresh so don't surprised in the winter it is a little more tart. Coffee is brewed well, medium body with a little nutty flavor.
(4)Max F.
Across from the Sutton Place Hotel, this is much, much better for breakfast. Although the selection is rather limited, the food is good here, and the coffee passable. Service is nice, and, for some reason, they have awesome jam here. not hte best pancakes ever, but good.
(4)Lisa T.
I can't count the amount of times I've been there. Food is consistent . When I don't want to wait I'll order take out; great alternative. However, the line moves fast. This is a neighborhood establishment and given the amount of people who frequent it, you quite possibly be seated at large table with people you don't know. Big deal . This happens at weddings and your stuck with them all night:) Chicken crepes in sherry sauce are a favorite, but you can't make a bad choice here, as they have breakfast food nailed. However, I'm a coffee addict but I'd skip it here. Drink water and grab Starbucks or the like after.
(5)Nicholas H.
I HATE BREAKFAST........BUT.......BUT......BUT....This place is AMAZING. When I first moved to Chicago we sampled this joint one early morning. Since then, I have become a Weekend regular, who has been known to persistently order the banana pancakes and broc. Cheese & ham omelet. Recently I found out that this was a chain restaurant.....SUPRISE!!!!.....but the quality is unbelievable. Even the strawberries are fresh cut. WOWZERS!!!!! NOW - if you plan on visiting, I recommend that you arrive early on weekends or at least allow yourself time to wait in line before eating. The wait may exceed out the door of the restaurant, but NO FEAR, it really is not that bad at all. They manage to get people in and out fast. ONE DOWN SIDE IS THAT THEY DO NOT OFFER SODA PRODUCTS. Seeing that I eat breakfast around noon....(giggles) its kind of sad that they do not offer other alternatives to OJ, cranberry, and apple juice. YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS PLACE......IT WILL WAKE UP CRAVING THEIR BREAKFAST..........AT ALL HOURS!!!!!
(5)Tom F.
Best pancakes around. Period. I'm personally partial to the 49er Flapjacks, which are thin, chewy, and completely addictive, but the other pancake options are equally fabulous. Some of my favories are the German pancake, thick and stuffed with cinnamon apples, the buckwheat pancakes, which sound somewhat unappetizing but are actually quite good, and even the plain ol' buttermilk cakes, which blow away those sad excuses you're chowing down at IHOP. In short, yum-o! Disclaimer: I hate Rachael Ray. I completely regret using her catch phrase in this review. But I digress. If you're not a pancake lover, fear not - the egg options at the OPH are great as well. Omelets are huge, oven-baked, and fluffy. The breakfast potatoes, topped with onions and cheddar cheese, are heart-stoppingly delicious.
(5)jeremy c.
I've been to this place a few times, and I have to say that it gets better and better all the time. The wait that will almost assuredly occur on the weekends, while annoying, is worth muddling through. The location is great and the atmosphere is very comfortable. Come as you are and get ready for a treat. They are famous for their apple pancakes, which are ridiculously large, and in my opinion, overrated. They're tasty, don't get me wrong, but not worth the hype. Last time there I tried the Southwest Skillet with a banana pancake on the side. The skillet was soo tasty. Essentially it's a skillet with home fries, fried eggs, fresh veggies, and cheese all together. It's great comfort food, and while probably not the best idea before going to work, it's great if you have a couple of hours to let it sit. Regardless of your circumstances, the original pancake house will have what you need for breakfast and you'll be glad that you stopped by.
(4)Liz P.
One morning, a friend and I wanted some good and greasy breakfast food, lots of it, and for not a lot of money. That's exactly what you'll get at the Pancake House. The eggs, hash browns and bacon are exactly what you'd expect at any breakfast place that knows how to throw together a decent breakfast. Very standard--not amazing, but not bad. If you're in the area and don't know where else to go for a big breakfast, then swing by the Pancake House.
(3)Manhoso C.
after leaving Uncommon Ground due to horrible lack of service, we wound up here. Waiter was at our table instantly, and followed up twice. The food was out quickly and served all at the same time. The environment was cozy, friendly and warm. We should have come here first.
(5)J. S.
This place cracks me up!! (In a good way). People line up and STAY lined up to chow down on what I am told is a famous Chicago staple - the Original Pancake House. What I liked a lot was how they sat people. These old school guys have it down to a science. You wait in their hallway (unless you are way outside...you will eventually make it to the hallway though). As you wait the women come out and yell things like "I have a table for 2 outside. Table for 2 outside!" If you are the closest table for 2 to her and want to sit outside well....VOILA you are in. We were 5 so we had to wait a bit and watch others be seated before us. But it was fun and when people who were behind us were able to get in we would all clap and cheer. It was like the "come on down" from the prices right hahah! They have this one dish which I guess they are famous for - The Apple Pancake....not only did we see a photo of this dish on their wall but we saw it in the flesh! Honestly, this thing looks like an enormous pile of steaming poop (seriously) piled highhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. I guess it tastes good though. I am not really a breakfast person but I enjoyed my meal (I didn't order anything special so I wont write about my entree) and the service was not only good but it was done with a smile. Kudos to the Original Pancake House.
(4)Ben H.
I would say the eggs and such are pretty much standard, go for the pancake/ and baked items as they are delicious... I would recommend the dutch baby.. I never knew dutch babies were so delciious!
(4)Nicole A.
Maybe I just caught them on a bad day this morning. I got the spinach crepe (everything I wanted wasn't "available" at that location) and it just wasn't good at all. Not awful... just o.k. Friend found a hair in his waffle. Yuck. It happens... but still. The real thing that ticks me off is the waitress suggested I get a half order of the crepes because they are pretty big. I was happy she made the suggestion because I didn't even make it through the half order. However, we went to pay the bill and the price for a half order was 7.99.... but the full order was 8.99. A dollar? really? I would have just taken the extra home for that price. I know this all seems super picky but overall the experience just wasn't worth it. Maybe I should try again, but I probably will avoid this place.
(1)Kris B.
great food. don't the line fool you. it moves quick. coffee was nice and strong. omelettes fat and fluffy. Dutch baby was ok, would have liked to try the apple pancakes instead. Dutch baby was like a thick crepe
(4)Jeremiah L.
The Pancake House is as consistent as they come. The food here is always worth the wait. I've had pretty much everything off the menu and have never been dissapointed. My favorite is the Blueberry Crepes followed closely by the skillet with Andouille Sausage. The staff is always nice. Great way to start off a day.
(4)Corinne M.
Pancakes are triple yum. Light, fluffy with a very slight buttery taste. I had the banana pancakes, which were very good. I'm only giving the place three stars for the following reasons: 1. Most importantly of course- because a bird defecated on me twice during my meal. (I was in the street front cafe.) 2. It was more expensive for pancakes and eggs than my favorite neighborhood brunch dining experience at Bistro Zinc. 3. The coffee wasn't that great. 4. They don't accept my preferred currency-- plastic. Still, you can't really go wrong food-wise here. It's good stuff.
(3)Pamela R.
Simple and DELCIOUS! What more can I say except, I dream about their bacon. I live in Nebraska right now, and the local diner here didn't serve butter with pancakes, they serve margarine. WTF!
(5)Masanori T.
This is a very good breakfast/brunch place. Friendly prices, not fancy. Went here for a Sunday brunch while visiting an old friend in Chicago. Although based in that State & Rush neighborhood with tons of other (more flashier, yuppier) restaurants, but this modest pancake/crepe specialty joint always has a long line. I was pretty hungry so ordered savory crepes with spinach (came with delightful little hashbrowns cooked like thin pancakes) & berry crepes (much thicker for some reason, but still good).
(3)Callan C.
Wait took a while, but definitely solid breakfast spot.
(4)Tim J.
Breakfast just doesn't get any better than this! It's a diner-type atmosphere without a lot of space (it's one downfall), but AMAZING food. Background: Brunch, 12:30 on a Sunday afternoon. The line was out the door when we arrived, but it only took 15 minutes to get seated. Food: I had the Southwest scramble and a side of chicken sausage. The scramble was GREAT. It actually had kick to it. The mix of vegetables was good and the eggs were cooked perfectly. The sausage was fine. I also shared the apple pancake with the other person I was there with. This was by far the best dish. More of a dessert than a breakfast item, the apples reminded me of apple pie while the pancake base was a sort of doughy goodness. Service: Service was prompt, she checked back several times. Since we were sharing an item she even asked when we wanted it brought out. Cost: In line for breakfast - I think the scrambles ran $8 or $9. Other considerations: As I noted at the top of this review, this place is fairly small and the tables are close together. If you have a larger group (more than four), I can see the wait being substantial.
(5)Heather E.
Before giving a place five stars, I have to check it out a few times. This week I was visiting Chicago and my husband insisted that we go eat breakfast here. While I have always loved breakfast here with my honey, I never dreamt that I would take my three young children and mother-in-law. (Because lines and toddlers don't mix well). Thankfully, my husbad was dead-set on this place and so glad we did. The corn beef hash is always delish and everyone LOVED the buttermilk pancakes! Of course the bacon is yummy too. The kids could not stop talking about how great the food was and this was delightful because it meant they were QUIET long enough for us to enjoy our meal! This is a must when living or visiting Chicago.
(5)Dave M.
Outdoor seating is very nice on a good day. Service is friendly and attentive. Food is very good, fresh, prompt, tasty. Thumbs up.
(4)Mariel K.
LOVE this place. I seriously go here almost every weekend. Their pancakes are the best, the staff is friendly and efficient and though sometimes there is a wait (okay not sometimes, almost always on the weekends) it's worth it!! Now that I am moving out of Chicago I've made it a point to go here every chance I could before I leave...I'll miss them in AZ!!!
(5)Ivanka B.
Been here twice and always in off-peak times so didn't have to experience the wait. Love the pigs in a blanket, though the first time i had them the sausages were way overdone and awfully dry. Strawberry lemonade was great. Pumpkin pancakes were really really phenomenal. I don't think I can ever eat at another diner again after experiencing breakfast here. This is definitely a casual "no frills" place but the food speaks for itself.
(4)Bella D.
MMMmmm Mmmmm mmmmm is what i need to say about Orig pancake house! Came here with my jellybean sweetie for some skillets and pancakes I hear the crepes are fresh and yummy. Can't wait to go back and try them. Nice staff and service. Great location and people watching....enjoy all of chicago's great breakfast establishments!! Mmmmm mmmmm its worth it!
(5)David T.
This is the "original" of the Original House of Pancakes, before Wilmette, and other locations. Its a hole in the wall pancake joint, there isn't a bad thing on the menu ! fresh squeezed OJ , bacon that I've never tasted like anywhere else, great coffee and those Swedish pancakes are the best , my favorite . They are famous for their Apple and German pancakes as well. For someone with a smaller appetite they have smaller "dollar " pancakes that you can order a couple or a 6 pack of. There is usually a wait, but its worth it ! If your ever in WIlmette, there is one located on Green Bay Rd. its bigger and some great stained glass windows and the exact same menu. not sure if they take credit cards or not, so bring cash.
(5)Susie B.
So wonderful! The baked omelets are big and fluffy and the Dutch baby pancakes are moist and delicious. The decor feels like a 1940s department store lunch counter. It's homey and inviting.
(1)Liwei Y.
I advise coming here with 4 or fewer people. Came here with 5, and it took forever to get a table :( But it was worth the wait! First of all, my table didn't think the portions would be big, but we were all lethargic and couldn't finish the food at the end. The food defeated us. Basically everything on the menu comes in large portions. I tried a couple of skillets which were delicious (I'm sure they all are), and a savory chicken crepe. It was also good...usually I don't like eating olives but it wasn't bad in the crepe. The potato pancakes taste like hash browns. My table also shared the apple pancake...it is huge (DON"T ATTEMPT TO EAT THIS YOURSELF)...it's probably 1000 calories and very filling. It was very interesting tasting...not what I expected...the bottom was kind of like a flan and the overall "pancake" tasted like bread pudding. I still liked it since I'm a huge fan of bread pudding. Great place for brunch! And good prices too!
(5)Rhonda O.
This place is so busy Sunday, theres a line out the door every time i come here thats because the food is really good here. My favorite are the cherry crepes and the veggies omelet. The only bad thing about this place is the service and the parking.
(3)Lauren M.
Only 4 stars bc I hate to wait.- get in early on weekends to skip the long lines. Best breakfast in the area. Get the strawberry walnut pancakes. YUM! Close second to Meli in Geektown.
(4)Jen M.
This place is always crowded--weekdays or weekends. Yeah, it's that good. It looks like a little Dutch house from the outside. The inside is cramped with tables and chairs including a few community tables for parties of 1 or 2. Service is fast and efficient, and the food always comes out hot. I wish they would add pop/soda to their menu--I don't like just having a choice of juice, milk, or water, but then again, breakfast is their gig so I guess it makes sense. I'm just one of those weirdos who wants a Diet Coke with breakfast. The buttermilk pancakes are always a good choice. Because of its location it does attract a lot of tourists but that is probably the only downside of this place.
(4)Buttermilk P.
I am pancake connoisseur. They are my favorite food. I am always searching for great pancakes wherever I go. I like them plain. Plain buttermilk pancakes. The Original Pancake House has the best buttermilk pancakes I have ever tasted. They use a sourdough starter in their mix that gives the cake a unique flavor. The texture of the pancake is perfect and they serve them with a deliciously flavored maple syrup that is kept warm until the pancakes arrive. While reading reviews of other restaurants that specialize in breakfast food, I see the plain pancake is a dinosaur near the verge of extinction. However, if one is in the mood for the most basic of the early morning fare, the Original Pancake House is a world-class contender.
(5)Maggie H.
Once you've had International House of Pancakes, everything just sort of blends in, except of course their super delic Turkey Sausage. The pancakes like most pancakes that I have ever had in my life were sinfully delicious. (ESPECIALLY the Chocolate Chip Banana Pancakes) The turkey sausage was what really got me my first time at the Original Pancake House. It feels like a time warp inside and makes you wonder where all of these people came from. The wait time for 3 people was about 35 minutes, and I really wished that we were only a party of two. It was a long time to wait, but the food was great. The atmosphere was casually refreshing, especially for the Gold Coast.
(3)Megan K.
It looks like this little shack blew in from across Lake Michigan and landed in fancy pants Gold Coast, but no one took note and just kept going to whatever place it landed on. The game here is to get in the end of the line that pours into the entry hallway and out the door, and the lady at the front will eventually figure out how many people are in your party and put you on the list. If you have a small group, you may even get seated at someone else's table, which makes eavesdropping an easier task. I would advise sharing several dishes among your party to try some of everything, or swap out fancy pancakes (to echo everyone else's sentiments, the pumpkin pancakes in the Fall are worth a try) in place of the buttermilks that you get as a side with your eggs.
(4)Lee W.
Some of the best pancakes around! This location can get crowded given it's location so I recommend showing up at opening or slightly before 7am. Pancakes always taste best early in the am! Bacon pancakes are the best ever! I hardly ever order anything else. Restaurant recently began accepting credit cards.
(4)Darlene L.
This is a fun little Gold Coast restaurant that has been there for years. Always wanted to try it, and today was the day. Though crowded, my party was seated quickly. The server arrived immediately offering coffee. Overall, service is outstanding. The menu is large and varied at different price points. Was not to hungry but one scrambled egg along with delicious wheat toast hit the spot. The oatmeal was a huge serving accompanied by brown sugar and raisins. Omelets are lovely and chock full of vegetables, cheese or whatever you like. The prices are most reasonable. One area to improve: the coffee is strong and bitter. This is an important consideration for a breakfast spot.
(4)Bill T.
THE breakfast place on the Gold Coast. Usually a line and wait so going there on 12/26/11 I wasn't surprised. Small space so can get family style seating, but with 4 of us - not a problem. Nice menu options, but Philly has better b'fast options (sorry). Yet, I give it high marks for the lightest, airiest egg white omelets I've ever had.
(3)Faith H.
You can't go wrong with the Original Pancake House. Sure, the line is out the door on weekends, but it goes quickly, and the service is super quick. Nothing incredibly unique on the menu, but the pancakes are delish and I keep coming back for more!
(4)Dashaun S.
The food here is delicious. Not a bad location if you plan on doing some sight seeing and want a good carefully made breakfast. The pancakes are great and the servings are on point. Some of the seeting is not ideal though. The table I sat at is kind of near the door and entrance to the kitchen. Not so nice. However the place is so busy you'll be glad to get a seat quick period.
(3)Misse D.
Don't be fooled by the long line... my party of two was able to be seated in 18 minutes. I went here for the first time for brunch on Sunday. I ordered a belgium waffle- it was cheap and tasty. I wish the hot water for my tea was a bit hotter-- but I didn't complain. I would come here if you are looking for a simple and quick breakfast/ brunch place in the Gold Coast.
(4)Whitney B.
i wish I knew this was here sooner! i went with my family when they were visiting, and it was great! The line was out the door, but it moved quickly and we got a great table to ourselves. And the food came out even faster! I had an omelette and it was massive, but really good. My family all enjoyed their food as well. Don't come here if you don't like being close to other people, as the tables are all packed in and you may actually be sharing a table with people you dont know. And for that reason, it can get sorta noisy in here, but it's a fun environment, and the food and service make it worth it! I'll be back as soon as I get the chance!
(4)Anna P.
Had a simple order of banana pancakes to go. Not bad just pretty simple flapjacks nothing outrageous? The order was a good amount (6 total in a full order not large usual sized pancakes). Pretty decent next time Im in town Ill try maybe the other more well known pancakes that have all this hype behind them.
(3)Lars L.
What a great breakfast place should be: bustling, tasty, friendly service. Great spot.
(4)Samantha K.
Super cute, old fashioned pancake house. What more can you ask for? I've been here twice and loved it. It's been a while since I've been here so I can't describe what I ate, but I know that I enjoyed it. First time I came here with my parents. We ate inside because there was no tables available for the patio. The second time I came here with a couple girl friends and we got to sit outside. What I don't like is that there are four restaurants that sit side by side, including this pancake house. The prices here are extremely reasonable. The quality of the food is amazing. This may be one of my favorite breakfast restaurants in Chicago. The second time I came here was for brunch. Lots of trendy, upscale people walk around holding Barneys NY, Diesel, and Jimmy Choo carrier bags. Can I also mention that a few good looking guys came up to our table? Yes, getting asked various questions while stuffing my face with the delicious food is exactly what I was expecting. Oooooh I love Chicago. All in all, I highly reccommend this place. I'll be back for sure.
(5)Izzy N.
Oh Sweet.. another native of Portland, Oregon right in Chicago! This is much, MUCH better than the original of the original pancake houses in Portland. Bleh, the one in Portland sucked hardcore.. they were just inconsistently good, bad, always sketchy as hell. I remember walking out one time. This location in Chicago is pretty good. A lot cleaner than the one in Portland. I shared a dutch baby, the apple pancakes, and side of bacon with friends. Very good. Looked so indulgently good in a down home kinda way. So satisfying when you're in the breakfast mood. Great friendly service with good food.
(5)Dustin H.
Very hopping place, even shortly after they open at 7a! Nice buckwheat pancakes too... was my first time today and definitely I'll be back...
(4)Mark F.
I've eaten here often. It's cozy. Most recent visit was on a Saturday, around 9:30AM. Super busy. Waited 15 mins or so for a table. A little too cramped inside -- some seating is back to back and some seating will have you beside some random stranger (okay if you like random strangers I guess). I ordered the sausages and eggs (with an English muffin side). Very tasty. My girlfriend ordered the peach crepes (very good and a lot of food). With an orange juice and coffee this alal came to around $21. Reasonably priced to say the least. They turn over tables quickly and the kitchen is quick. Service today was good (but has been a little erratic in the past).
(4)ricardo m.
YES!! super fast service and nice waiters meet good food at a tasty price. The location is great and it is getting harder and harder to find a restaurant that allows people to have their morning meal and coffee outside. Dennys dosent have it and neither do other places in the area. You have got to get the Pancakes without a doubt. The only downside is that there are a good deal of people there on the weekends and it can get a bit touristy.
(5)Grace H.
I feel somewhat comfortable in this place. maybe because it reminds me of pancake houses in the suburbs? ya, it looks kinda odd being located in between upsacle restaurants. Anyways, they have great omeletts skillets and drinks (OJ and coffee) Once in a while I crave for breakfast food and this is the place I go every time (I dont usually eat breakfast).
(4)Jake O.
We were on a business trip to Chicago and found this place out on yelp and the reviews were correct. A very good place for breakfast and reasonable prices. It was great
(5)Lucia Z.
Hands down best breakfast in Chicago...despite the long line at the door, the Pancake House hasn't sold out. The portions are huge, the food is consistently delicious (with some really unusual options mixed in with the standard breakfast choices), the service is impeccable, and the prices are cheap. One of the top breakfast choices in Chicago, and definitely the top breakfast joint in the Gold Coast.
(5)Adrienne L.
So maybe I'm a bit biased, because to me, Pancakes are a major food group... But I LOVED this place... I got the apple pancake (huge, sugary, applely goodness), husband got the tropical pancakes. Awesomeness on a plate. Big portions and low prices. I saw in reviews that this place is busy and the servers have bad attitudes, but I didn't notice any of that when we went; 9:30am on a wednesday. When I'm in Chicago again, I'll definatly be going here again! (I saw they also have one closer to me, so I'll probably go there too!)
(4)Deborah H.
Ate here for the first time this morning based on the reviews on this site and was delighted. It's very cold today (temps hovering around zero) so even though it's a Saturday morning, the wait was only about 15 minutes and all indoors (we were the last people to fit inside). Food was delicious. Everyone was happy with what they ordered. Meats were exceptional, pancakes were fluffy and light. And you HAVE to get the hot chocolate if it's chilly out - what a treat. Also highly recommend a side of hash brown potatoes with cheese for the table to share - grilled with onions, so good.
(5)wheatberry s.
Pretty good diner - nothing terribly special in my opinion but certainly in a good location. Just the normal fare. Ordered an omelette and it was huge. I think four eggs were in the omelette not to mention a hefty portion of cheese. Too much for me, though. The side order of pancakes were alright and a pretty good deal considering the inordinate amount of food served. The restaurant was busy but not packed for a weekday brunch. Service was decent but got better after I ended up asking for water refills just about every time one of the wait staff passed by.
(3)Esther Y.
I don't know...I'm on the fence about this one. There are other dinerish places to get great breakfast food without the hit or miss service. If you are not in the mood to make your own breakfast this is good, but it's nothing spectacular.
(3)Christel D.
All my family members LOVE this place!! Maybe I always order the wrong thing??? Great service, but reminds me of a waffle house...
(2)Joao G.
The omelettes and pancakes are good. The service, however, is TERRIBLE - the worst I have ever experienced in Chicago. From the moment we got into the restaurant (when an impolite, kind of angry waitress took us to the table) to the moment we had to pay the check it was awful. We were a group of friends trying to each one pay his / her own food, but unlike anywhere else we had to pay with just ONE card. And we found it out just after the cashier charged a friend's card with the whole amount (although he had clearly stated that he would like to pay just a part of the check). To cancel that transaction, we had to wait around 20 minutes for the impolite manager to come (being impolite and not prepared to serve is a common characteristic there). I will NEVER go back to that place.
(1)Baby B.
Grew up eatting here and I am always willing to wait in line on Sunday it is totally worth it! My favorite is the swedish pancakes, 2nd favorite is dutch babies. The BEST pancake house any where!!!
(5)Jessica N.
It should be a crime that I had not been here up until this weekend. Shame, shame on me. On my quest to try breakfast at every place that offers it in Chicago we ended up here at 8:45 Sunday morning. And oh yes there was a line down the street already. I have to assume part of that is the fact that there are not many other places open that early, but part is because it is just so darn good. Now I ask you this- what other place in the city could get an entire patio worth of customers to eat outside in 40 degree weather? Yes, we ate outside too- but heck they gave me a free hot cocoa so I thought it was a fair trade off. I had pumpkin pancakes that were unbelievable. the food was quick, yummy and somehow made me forget we were sitting outside in near winter temperatures. I also had to laugh as every other place around there opened up their patios also, obviously feeling if the Pancake House can do it then by god- so can we! If you haven't been here, check it out. But get there early and be ready to wait. But it is well worth it!
(5)A.S. V.
Again, the lines don't merit the quality. They're good pancakes, but you can get just as good at, say, Kitsch'n on Chicago without waiting. And the rest of the menu there is much better than this place.
(3)Doug M.
The perfect breakfast place. Great diner style breakfast with the rare combination of good coffee. Handy dandy tip - one omelette is more than enough for two!
(4)Blair B.
Solid morning food.. but with all the great breakfast options in chicago, and the long line this place constantly has, I can't bestow a 5th star. I don't like that to wait for my table I have to wait in line.. literally. standing up in a cramped area... HOWEVER, when you get inside, the wait seems worth it. Food is relatively inexpensive and the pancakes are amazing. I also had the egg skillet which was yummy, but would have liked to see more cheese than the sparse amount I got. Maybe ask for extra cheese if you are a cheese nut like me?
(4)Jerry T.
This place is pretty solid, though there isn't anything original about this location (it's a chain). I haven't had the whole menu obviously, but the blue berry sour cream crepes, and the dutch garden is fantastic. my lovely lady also really like the normal dutch baby. Our tale is pretty sweet. There's usually a pretty big line for brunch at this place, and our last visit was no exception. We walked in, and there was a line out the door. I had a group of five so I thought this would take forever. There we stood at the end of line, almost out the door in the cold, when suddenly the hostess called our table within two minutes of our arrival! It was worth all the scornful looks from fellow linees to get seated so quickly.
(3)