Damn-look at that LINE!! Ahh it''s so cozy inside! They got my carryout order wrong, again! Aw..our waitress is a sweetheart! Damn it..they left out the whipped cream from my carryout and forgot my orange juice! (after going back for the juice) WOW it's fresh squeezed! Delicious!!! Cool-they sat us far enough back so that the poor saps in line won't be ogling my omelet! Sweet LORD this Garden Dutch Baby (or pancakes, or waffles, or crepes, or sausage) is the most amazing thing I have ever put into my mouth!! JEEZ this is pricy! Why did I have that last beer last night? This line is killing me-mama needs sustenance! WHOA look at this omelet! HUGE, fluffy, steaming hot, looks like a small loaf of bread! Chock full o' veggies-I am in heaven! It's so big I don't need the hash browns they forgot. You get it. Shake up the mixed bag that is the Pancake House and the goodness stays on top. Pricy, but great food!! If you haven't tried the delectable Garden Dutch Baby you haven't fully lived!
(4)
Vince R.
I haven't been here in many many years. It used to be great. There were about 10 people in front of us to be seated. It took about 5 minutes and we were seated. A few minutes later the waitress took our order and 10 minutes later we were eating. The place was packed and they still rocked. From standing in line to eating in 20 minutes. The food was awesome as was the service. Every bit as good as I remember. Nice job maintaining quality and service over the long haul.
(5)
Kevin S.
I have been eating here since I was a kid, and every time I'm in Detroit I have to visit. Best breakfast I have ever found. Forget the eggs, and go for their specialty pancakes, Waffles and the Garden Baby.
(4)
Chris O.
The prices are great. The pancakes are some of the best I've ever had. The portions are crazy big. The service is friendly. The line to be seated will look long, but it moves very quickly. Best breakfast in the area.
(5)
Colleen D.
I have been coming to this restaurant since I was a little kid. I switch back and forth between the Big Apple pancake and the Dutch Treat. Yum!! The Pros: The FOOD! The quaint feel, it has not changed since I was little. The Cons: The wait. Coming on a Sunday morning? Prepare to wait...a long time. But, if you do have a craving on a weekend morning, there is always take-out! :) Sadly, no gluten free options for the hubby...Although he does rave about the fresh squeezed OJ I bring home for him.
(4)
Sara A.
I'm the type of girl that has and will eat breakfast for all 3 meals of the day. So needless to say, I'm a lover of pancakes, waffles, crepes, and all those morning, carb-laden dishes. So, where else better to go to get my fix of starchy, delicious foods than Grosse Pointe's Original Pancake house? Located on Mack Ave, this is one of Metro Detroit's premiers breakfast joints. I've even waited in line on a Tuesday afternoon for a late lunch, but it's definitely worth it. The fresh strawberry crepes are a mixture of sweet and tart berries, smooth, homemade whip cream and perfectly cooked crepes. The flapjacks with powdered sugar and lemon juice will have you craving more of the crunchy yet soft pancake concoction. The fresh squeezed orange juice always tastes like sugar in a glass, no matter what month and the coffee is hearty and smooth. I've never had a bad meal here or under par service. The food is always flavorful, fresh, and able to curb my carb crave. The portions are plentiful so bring a friend and get an extra plate. Oh, and have you're bed ready because you will go into a food coma after dining here.
(4)
Kevin S.
Best breakfast ever!!! The 3 egg omelet is HUGE and tasty :)
(5)
Kristina A.
Three words: Garden Dutch Baby. I am addicted. Love the O.J., my bf hates it because it is served room temp. And they don't have soft drinks. Or any tea selection. But the coffee is good- I put syrup in mine soo good. The Santa Fe omelet is good too. There is usually a wait if you go at any normal time but I usually don't.
(4)
Edison N.
Too disorganized too busy too loud...everything else is ok..just average I didn't have best experience since I had dirty cup. But I have gone a couple of times before and can say its ok good it's pretty good.
(3)
Taki M.
The Original Pancake House (in GP and Birmingham) is the best breakfast you will find in SE Michigan (The Flytrap in Ferndale and the new Pancake Factory in Shelby Twp is good too). Don't try to go on a Sunday after church because you will wait in line for a long time.
(5)
Jennifer K.
If you like custardy eggy things you will LOVE it here. Important tip *oven omelettes and Dutch baby oven pancakes take 20 min to bake* Anytime I go here my fellow diners and I have agree to wait 20min if everyone doesn't agree we just get fast and dirty breakfast foods. Last time I was here I had the Santa Fe oven baked omelette. Awesome cheesy veg egg mass (something like 8-10 eggs) with slightly spicy salsa. My son got the apple pancake. Whoa. Again with the 8-10 eggs oven puffed custardy goodness topped with a buttery, cinnamon, apple pie filling glaze. (I let him order this behemoth so I can sneak his leftovers) My husband gets the cherry crepes. To me these aren't true crepes. They are thinish but too eggy to be a crepe. That said these are a perfect assembly of rich egg, tart cherry, and real whipped cream. These three are THE top three here. Good accompaniments, thick with a hint of sweet bacon, fresh squeezed oj Also good: Dutch Baby, french toast, spinach crepe (minus the congealed mushroom "sherry" sauce yuck), buttermilk pancakes, pumpkin pancakes (in season), and peanut butter pancakes (special) Things to stay away from: hash browns. These browns are akin to IHOP's greasy under/over cooked mess. Nothing good about them. Also, the coffee is a serious let down. It's just coffee like Folger's or Maxwell House. Blech. The service here is acceptable. You sit, you will never get a table your sleeves won't stick to, and sometimes you get refills. The decor is okay. Perhaps interesting the first time but not too rememberable for anyone over 7 years old. The verdict, I will sit through no refills on bad coffee and wait 20min for a lovely eggy food coma. Really a good place to take young and old if they insist on going to Denny's or IHOP this is for sure a step up.
(4)
Jason H.
Quite possibly the most overrated restaurant in the Metro Detroit area. Why is there a line out the door every time I drive by this place? Sure they have those "giganto" apple, sugar, pancakey things that are just an excuse to eat yourself into an afternoon nap, but after that...they just flat-out screw up the breakfast basics. Their omelets are horribly over-stuffed with tasteless eggs that are shoe-leather tough. The pancakes are average at best. The scrambled eggs are always over-cooked and the coffee is unremarkable. And the place is brutally expensive compared to other breakfast joints nearby. And who wants to stand in a line for 45 minutes to over-pay for an average, over-hyped breakfast? No thanks...I'm going elsewhere and I recommend you do as well.
(2)
K B.
The food is soooo yummy here! Probably the only downer for me is waiting in line when it's busy. But so worth it once you get your food!
(4)
Giggly C.
Maybe it's the family traditions, maybe it's because i love breakfast foods, but i love this place. the big german and the big apple are to die for. so delicious and yummy. The huge slabs of bacon, 4 huge pieces of bliss,... so expensive but so amazing. I love it. The omlettes are strange, and the crepes are weird. I stay away from those. Long lines, so we try to go before 10am on weekends. the decor changes with the seasons. Sometime tacky, sometimes homey, but always changes when I go. I like it. so glad they take credit card now. phew....
(5)
Reesa T.
The Original Pancake House is MUCH MUCH better than IHOP or Denny's or the like, but overall... it's just okay. The food quality is much better, I've tried a few things here and they are generally tasty and they have good maple syrup. The portions however are insane! Not even kidding- they're simply too large! The service was fine, but the ambience was what really got me. The acoustics are TRAGIC. Its really really loud in this place, and sometimes it feels like I am sitting at the same table as the strangers sitting next to me. Privacy would be nice, maybe thats just me. Finally, the pricing also seemed a bit high for what they're serving. Good pancakes are still just that- pancakes! I'd go back, sure. But I don't dream about this place and wish I were there....
(3)
Keiths M.
Great food, cash only, usually a wait, sadly full of Grosse Pointers
(3)
Larry B.
This place has been around for decades so you know they are doing something right. The answer is the food. It is always great. A bit pricy which is why we don't eat here very often. When I do, I always have the raspberry crepes and their own homemade sausage. Fantastic! Best to go in the off hours or you'll have to wait awhile to be seated.
(4)
Jeff M.
Very Nice! Friends took us on Monday the 18th and we had a great time. The menu is quite large considering their choices and I had a difficult time, but wound up going w/ the Eggs Michael! Great choice! The potatoe pancakes are great also, crispy outside, tender inside, thin, golden brown goodness!! Our friends had the peach crepes and the corn beef hash. All were happy with the selections. Amy did a great job waiting on us, and everything came out within 1 minute of each other. Can't wait to come back!
(5)
Vince B.
All I have to say is Apple Pancake.... Oven baked with fresh granny smith apples and pure Sinkiang cinnamon glaze. I usually end up eating all the little cinnamon glaze crumbles, it is delicious. I grew up in the neighborhood and hand many good breakfasts here. The Dutchbaby is also good, too much food, end up taking part of it home. The long lines are a turn off...
(5)
N M.
Best breakfast place around. Slightly more expensive than a Coney-style diner, but worth the price. It may not be necessarily healthy, but your tastebuds will thank you, and your afternoon will be comatose. I've eaten at the "best" breakfast place in San Fran, and if this place was next to it, the line would be longer for The Pancake House
(5)
Kim H.
What is with the devotion to this place? My morning swim group goes here after our workouts on saturdays and the only redeeming feature is the bacon. The pancakes are not as fluffy a I like a pancake, the omelettes are downright awful (what is that puffy egg thing anyway) and the service is one notch above being served by a corpes. Add in that I can't get a diet coke and they have lost me. If I didn't want to stay friends with my friends I wouldn't eat here ever. Oh, and the bacon is really really good.
(2)
Michael C.
Oh my God, this place has the most wonderful breakfast on the planet. I met up with a few mates here and had a big breakfast. We weren't disappointed because the portions were HUGE. Seriously, had I known how large these breakfasts were, I would've just not ordered anything and ate everyone else's leftovers. But that's not really true. I really enjoyed everything I ordered. The waffles were top notch, the bacon was great (and not just two limp strips for ... well you know, for whatever ridiculous price the diners all charge), eggs done exactly how I like them (over medium, with just enough middle to soak up in some toast). But my absolute favorite thing was the toppings for the waffles and pancakes we all ordered. They bring out these fruit spreads in little stainless steel cups. Now, this is not that pie-filling that you see on breakfast buffets. This looks like fresh raspberries ground into a smooth puree on a mortar and pestle. It tasted like heaven, not processed junk. I still don't know exactly what it was called (simply fruit spread?) but it really made the breakfast experience all the better. I'd recommend this place to anyone and everyone who loves a great breakfast as much as I do. I don't anticipate ever being disappointed with this place. Since my first visit, each initial visit has been just as high-quality!
(5)
RE A.
always crowded on weekends - but great afternoons anytime. their pancakes and waffles are delicious. I enjoy the banana pecan waffle and also the buttermilk pancakes. prices are moderate and parking is easy. tight fit for wheelchairs and walkers. but very family friendly.
(3)
Elizabeth V.
Great food (some you won't find anywhere else). Reasonable prices. Friendly staff. Consistently great food preparation. Fast Service. Sometimes there is a line but it moves fast. A real East Side Gem!
(5)
Joe B.
This is Breakfast Heaven! The coffee is excellent (OK it's not quite coffee house coffee) and the Apple Pancake is to die for! and the rest of their fare ain't chopped liver either!
(4)
Sherbert L.
This place is a great breakfast staple you will overlook the sometimes BIG lines on the weekends. Pancakes are good, omelets are delicious, portions are huge but you won't want to share. If you are in there Oct-Nov be sure to try the pumpkin pancakes...SO GOOD!
(5)
Katie H.
Clear your schedule for the rest of the day if you are going to eat here. The portions are HUGE, and so good you will try to eat it all. The omeletes are oven baked - the spinach and cheese is my favorite and comes with a yummy mushroom sherry sauce. And you get your choice of toast or pancakes! The crepes, pigs in blankets, waffles, french toast, pancakes, etc are all good. Really you just can't go wrong here. Come on a weekend and expect to wait. But luckily it moves quickly - with a line out the door we still usually sit within 15 minutes. Be warned, they won't seat you until your whole party is there.
(5)
Ali Y.
HUGE menu. A must-stop when you visit! Food Is beyond compare. Has everything from crepes to omlettes, pancakes to waffles, bacon to sausage.
(4)
Steve T.
One of the comforting things about moving to the East side was seeing the Original Pancake House on Mack Ave. I had frequented the one on Woodward when I lived in Ferndale and missed it when I lived in Warren (it was a 30 minute drive). Now, I have one less than 2 miles away and couldn't be happier. 1. The staff is almost always friendly and attentive. The only times they seem slower or less cordial is when the place is packed with a line. While that is a frequent occurrence, the staff seem to handle it well. 2. The decor is extremely comfortable, rugged yet tasteful. The rustic cabin like feel seems to fit a breakfast mood. The only drawback: they could use about 3-6 more tables. 3. The food is well above par for breakfast. If you love your breakfast food, this is your home. I have never had an order that wasn't exactly as ordered. If you are a bacon and eggs type, you'll receive your eggs perfectly cooked and the best bacon around. I like my bacon 'limp' because it's meat; crispy bacon is like burning a steak. They always honor that request perfectly. The coffee is always excellent and the orange juice tastes fresh squeezed. I recently had blueberry waffles and the fresh blueberries on the side made them exquisite. 4. The specialty items like the Dutch Baby, Dutch Apple, Apple Pancake are absolutely wonderful. It's hard to just go for breakfast and not get one of the scrumptious Dutch Baby's. Note: these are baked per order and can take up to 20 mins to get to your table. Order them the moment you sit down and then place your full order when the waitress comes back and you'll be in great shape. Overall, this is a breakfast experience, not just a meal. There are other breakfast choices within a 2 minute drive but they are not the caliber of Original.
(5)
Kirsten J.
Great pancakes, I've been coming here most of my life. All reviewers are right, the bacon is awesome. The crepes are great, especially the ice cream one if you are in the mood for something desserty. Always get a half-order of pancakes and a crepe. I do miss the old days when you used to get a slice of orange and some grapes waiting for you at your seat though. A minus is that the wait is long, but it's really all about knowing how to time it. Don't go when everyone's getting out of church and you're golden. With a group, get there early, and make sure your whole group is there... I don't think they'll seat you unless everyone is there!
(5)
Linda T.
You can get breakfast all day! Breakfast food made from fresh, high quality ingredients. If you're looking for something sweet, try the Big Apple. For something savory, I liked the Santa Fe Garden & the Dutch Garden (I think that's what the 2nd one is called). The branches out by me in CA don't offer the savory specials, which I miss, so I can't remember the names really well. Took my parents when they came out to visit me; my dad loves the french toast there. It can get really crowded on weekends for breakfast/brunch unless you go early! I discovered this place with coworkers after we had worked a night/24 hour shift--fill your tummy with good food, then go home & sleep. They generally won't seat you until your whole party is there. Decor is decent (compared to the ones I've been to out here), with lots of wood & sort of a country motif.
(5)
jay b.
the bacon... let me tell you about the bacon : ) it's fresh, thick sliced, and sublime - so flavorful, you'll wanna slap someone upside the head. i always go here when i go see my family in detroit - it is my favorite breakfast spot. everything on the menu is amazing - i always get eggs over easy with (drooling...) bacon, and some form of pancakes. the pancakes are perfect, and come with butter and syrup. as an alternative, i spread mine with strawberry jam sometimes, or get blueberries in a blueberry sauce to go on 'em. the chocolate chip pancakes are AMAZING - served with FRESH, HOMEMADE whipped cream, yuuuuuum!!! the big apple is sooooo good... and one of my favorites are the 49'ers - i always eat those with plenty of butter and syrup (and a side of bacon too, of course! : ) their orange juice is homemade, fresh squeezed and NOT watered down - very juicy, pulpy and sweet - Y.U.M. and their coffee is great, too, with lots of fresh cream. the prices are a bit high for Michigan, but the food is great, and you can get a daily special for a buck off. The restaurant is consistently crowded and there's usually a line (for breakfast) but who cares? once you sit down in a comfy booth or cosy table, it's not long before you're tucking in to some amazing, hot breakfast. Many memories here, many family celebrations and outings. Highly recommended - you won't be disappointed at all! A++++++++++++++++++ It would be great if they served mimosas with their great orange juice, but it's really really a sort of "family" place, I doubt the (seemingly) conservative owners would ever consider it. CASH ONLY - no credit cards accepted (that kind of sucks... oh well) ***UPDATE 12/2010 i went home for christmas and they finally started accepting credit cards!!! yay!!! : ) on a less-cheery note, their portion sizes have gone down substantially over the years : ( we really noticed this time! damn, daMN DAMN!!!
(5)
Steve C.
An institution in the Grosse Pointe area. Good food always. Service excellent. Only problem is you may have to wait! Suggest arriving before 8:00 on weekends! However, the wait is worth it!
(5)
Shelly K.
I wanted the vegetarian omelet minus the broccoli. The waitress said it wasn't allowed as omelets are pre-made. She said I would have to instead start with a cheese omelet at $9:85 and pay a $1.00 per item. The vegetarian Omelet was also $9.85. If I added the 4 items I would of been paying $13.85 What a rip off. I won't return. I challenged her on this as it's ridiculous. Why couldn't I just have the omelet minus the broccoli? We left and did not order.
(1)
Christina G.
My family has been coming here for 30 years. 30 years of amazing breakfast. Discussing with my husband, we haven't had a bad experience in our entire time living in grosse pointe. They once over cooked his big apple pancake and brought him a second quickly. 2 for 1 big apple Regular pancakes, strawberry crepes and garden Dutch baby are my go to's. It's easy to drink way too much coffee with nonstop refills. Love this place
(5)
Belle L.
Our favorite pancake place since 1995! Same food quality and service. Love the kiddie menu and freebie balloons. DUTCH BABY PANCAKE -- unique. Great in the winter. DUTCH TREAT is a jazzed up version that is good in the summer for fresh bananas, strawberries with strawberry syrup. 49-ERS -- a thinner pancake. A simpler version of Swedish Pancake as it doesn't have lingonberries. CORN BEEF HASH -- comes with toast. Shareable. Serves 2+. KIDS MENU ($5.50 or less) -- on the kiddie activity sheet. SERVICE -- Janet is great. Helpful suggestions for value. Quick coffee refill. WAIT TIME -- the earlier the better. Around 10 am on weekends, the wait can be 30+ mins.
(5)
Andrea G.
Love this place! But how can you not love pancakes? We usually end up here on a Thursday night looking for comfort food. No wait in the evenings and service is friendly. Everything we've tried has been tasty. No complaints at all.
(5)
Tricia H.
It's good. But they don't have pop on the menu and a few of my friends don't drink coffee. They get their caffeine from their daily pop. They also don't mention that the omelets are baked - so they are reallllly dry. Not my favorite way to have an omelet. The pancakes are good and I love the "Eggs Micheal" for a tad healthier option.
(3)
Blake W.
This place always has a line and that is because their food is crazy good. From pancakes with home made whipped cream to their classic breakfast foods like omletes and hashbrowns, this place is amazing.
(5)
Lauren C.
There's a few things to know about Original Pancake House. The good: -It will be quality and delicious. Maybe some of the best breakfast food you've ever had. -The orange juice is incredible. Fresh squeezed. -Your coffee/water will stay full. The bad: -It is expensive. That orange juice I mentioned? One 12 oz. glass is $4. FOUR. -There aren't really breakfast combos so you'll end up piecing together a meal... which is lame and pricey. -It is PACKED. ALWAYS. Crowded and noisy. The ugly: -The wait. Waiting for your table (30-45 min). Waiting for a server. Waiting for your food. Waiting for the check. Waiting to pay. As Tom Petty said, the waiting is the hardest part. And the thing is, I haven't formed this opinion over just one bad experience... we've been going here maybe once or twice a year for a very long time. This is typical service. Even off "peak" times. But if you're craving german pancakes, it is a necessary evil.
(3)
Kai L.
I always get the three little pigs in blanket, it's my favorite! But the pancakes are really good and buttery! Nice variety of pancakes. Great service as well, just a little slow on service sometimes.
(4)
Tracy P.
I love this place! The food is always hot and delicious and the staff is always pleasant. If you're going during breakfast hours on the weekend, I suggest getting there early. Otherwise, there will be a line which is usually out the door. During rush hour, they'll only seat you if the entire party is there. So, be sure everyone arrives on time. I highly recommend this location.
(5)
Sally B.
Grew up by there and took a stroll down memory lane to see how the 'ol neighborhood was doing. The wait was way too long and looked like a Tarzan movie! Man has the neighborhood changed. Pretty soon they'll need security in the parking lot. No joke!!! Food was good to great still, but I couldn't concentrate while watching the fist fight between 2 rival "church goer" black women with their obnoxious hats. Oh well, like the old saying goes, "you can never go back again."
(2)
Ashley L.
Horrible service. Waited over 20 minutes to even be asked if we would like a glass of water. I'd understand had they been busy with lines out the door...but they were less than busy, with multiple empty tables all around. Food was pretty good, but the awful service just ruined it for me. The hostess seemed to have no idea what she was doing. We'll try the other locations next time. They're getting two stars for the food, and the food only.
(2)
Misslady N.
This is a top-notch breakfast restaurant. After driving by for years and seeing the line outside the door, I finally found out what all the fuss is about! If you get a good server, the service is great; if not, let it reflect in the tip. Their Eggs Michael (a version of the eggs benedict) is my go to favorite. It comes with potato cakes, but found out yesterday that I can substitute blueberry pancakes for potatoe cakes. Now, we can't go anywhere else for breakfast. If you're going, go early!
(4)
Gina I.
This is definitely my favorite place to eat breakfast or lunch in Grosse Pointe! The Big Apple pancake is marvelous. I also love ordering the sausage and Swiss omelet with it! I love coming here after 11:00 mass on Sundays with my family. The line is always worth the wait!
(5)
Shane R.
Love this place! Always a favorite in the Grosse Pointe Area. I love the giant omelets and pancakes. The Big Apple is also a favorite all I can say is mmmmmmmm''mmmmmm!
(5)
Rene B.
If you love breakfast, you can't beat the Original Pancake House! It's been a landmark for years. Even though you have to wait in line, it's worth the wait. The specialty breakfasts are all freshly prepared. They serve fresh squeezed orange juice and the hot tea my favorite! Today I'm having "The Dutch Baby," a smaller version of "The Big German," a fluffy large pancake on which you put lemon and powdered sugar. Mine includes fresh strawberries and bananas. The omelets are enormous, so be hungry when you come here!
(5)
Tiffany M.
Okay I want to start off by saying IHOP has nothing on this place so don't even begin ever bringing that name up again .....now the pancakes are amazing but are not complete to you officially top them up with whipped cream and the Hawaiin syrup.....
(5)
Bob R.
I've been here several times and I can say I've never had a bad meal. Would have given an one more star if it wasn't so expensive. If you like your food fluffy you'll love this place, especially the eggs, pancakes, and these monster things called "Dutch" somethings. During fall they have pumpkin pancakes for a little extra money. I wasn't impressed and stuck with original this last time. Orange and grapefruit juice is fantastic - fresh squeezed. Worth the cost. Bottom line: If you want to impress family or people from out of town take them here. It will cost you, but the food is sure to be good and they won't likely leave disappointed.
(3)
Will B.
How can you not like this place? Amazing breakfast, reasonable prices... Delicious! My favorites are fresh fruit crepes, and the big german.
(5)
Ken K.
This was my first time to this Resturant. It will not be my last. The server we had was outstanding. She asked if we had ever been to the Pancake House before, which I told her we have not. She gave us a little background information of the Resturant and made several recommendation . She then brought out a couple of samplers from the menu. I ordered the Big Apple and it was just outstanding . I would recommend this place to everyone.
(5)
Karl G.
Kinda' like the "Frankenmuth" of breakfast places, it's the place I bring out-of-town friends for their first official breakfast during a visit to Metro Detroit. Every other breakfast is just downhill from there, lol. Nice, homey atmosphere, some different menu selections, very courteous/professional staff. A bit pricey, but worth it. And like I said, I take people here when I want to impress them. If you haven't been, you gotta' go, :).
(4)
Roxanne I.
If you want a home style breakfast: Pancake House is an awesome choice. They have a great menu and I usually get their spinach omelette. It's a large portion size, but unfortunately has a price to match. Their entire menu is a little pricey (watch out for their freshly squeezed orange juice, it's delicious, but they charge by the glass!). Nevertheless, they have some really great food. I like substituting my side pancakes with their fantastic chocolate chip ones (yum!). Also have to commend them on their ice cream crepes, they're a great treat to satisfy your sweet tooth. Service is usually pretty good but be prepared for lines and not much space
(4)
Adam B.
I have a friend that constantly raves about the Original Pancake House. Last night I had my first opportunity to go, and it was delicious! I stuck with the basics - coffee, buttermilk pancakes and a side of bacon. The pancakes were perfect, and I'm VERY picky about pancakes. The bacon was thick-cut, and everyone was able to have a piece. My wife ordered the Pecan waffle (which was slightly sweet, and didn't really need the syrup), and my daughters ordered the kids chocolate-chip pancakes, and blueberry pancakes. While the food was incredible, I was a bit shocked at a few things.. namely the prices. I understand everything is fresh and from scratch, but $4.00 for a glass of Orange Juice is a bit out there. My side of bacon (4 pieces) - $4.60. We even asked for whipped cream for my daughter's pancakes, and were charged 75 cents for it. Another thing I thought was a bit strange was they don't have pop/soda. My wife is one of those people that orders a coffee and a diet coke, so she can switch back and forth. The waitress did let us know we could bring our own beverages in for future reference, but that takes the fun out of going out to eat! Overall, It was a good experience and I'll be going back to try more things.. I'll just make sure it's on pay day.
(4)
Linda M.
Love the Dutch Baby and the bacon (even if I have to order it as a side) is fantastic. It is generally always crowded and can be noisy. We've always had a good experience with the food and service. And that makes the cost a little more palatable. It is expensive for, let's face it, a very inexpensive food to prepare. But we treat ourselves to it when hubby has an appt with his doctor a little farther down the street.
(4)
Lisa M.
How can you not like this place?? My mom was raised in Grosse Pointe (literally across the street) and my grandparents lived there til I was about 7. We went here regularly and I always got excited when I knew where we were going. This summer I had the chance to take a long lunch from work with some coworkers and we decided to drive from the east side of Detroit for lunch here because it just sounded so good. Nostalgia hit me as soon as we walked in the door. I got that same feeling again and I was not disappointing. My food was tasty, the apple juice delicious, and the service was great. I can't wait til I have kids and can take them here and then drive around Grosse Point Woods and show them where my mom grew up. Thanks for being consistent and pumping out great product from the time I was younger til now (I'm 31 for the record)
(4)
Desiree M.
Great service. Nice portions. Everything fresh. I get the pumpkin pancakes when in season, and their version of the eggs Benedict made with sausage. Try the crepe with mushroom and hollindaise if they have it
(5)
Irwin F.
Love, love, love this place! Awesome crepes and great French Toast. They use real cream to make their products. And the best Bacon anywhere! This is more like a 4.5 rating as it is pricey but darn worth it.
(5)
Sarah J.
Amazing food never fails here. I love the southwestern pancake and the crepes. The hashbrowns were amazing but they seem to have switched to home frys, which were good too. The coffee is pretty darn good and the orange juice tastes home squeezed. I really like the food and haven't tried something bad. My husbands favorite is the pecan pancakes and my son loves chocolate chips. The food comes out relatively fast because they have to flip the tables quickly. The only downside is the weekend wait time and the size. We say every time we come that they should add another level. I see people walk away in the line when the wait looks long.
(5)
G C.
Can't go wrong coming here. Breakfast delight! Service is great and friendly. And the food is fantastic. The weekends are extremely busy. Especially Sunday mornings. But once your seated you'll be glad you waited. There are many on staff so you'll be severed promptly. 5 stars!
(4)
Allison C.
I would eat breakfast here anytime any day. Of course you cannot go wrong with any of the pancakes. I also love the strawberry crepes and mushroom omelette with Delish sauce. The orange juice is fresh squeezed and very pulpy :)
(5)
Jan D.
I could eat breakfast three times a day, so you have to start out knowing that. This is hands-down the best breakfast restaurant in the area. I know it's a chain, but in this case it doesn't matter. Service is friendly, coffee is fabulous, the bacon is the best I've ever had. And this is one of the few places I've eaten where you can order one or two or three strips of bacon, and just pay for what you eat without a premium. Food quality is high and consistent. The omelettes are fluffy, 3 inches high, and absolutely perfectly cooked.
(5)
Meg K.
Hands down the best breakfast spot on the east side. Subtly sweet, light and airy pancakes. The butter must have a high fat content cuz it tastes so good. Love the dense, sweet whipped cream! Just wish they offered pure maple syrup.
(5)
Mimi G.
The service is impressive, the coffee is good, the pancakes and bacon are fantastic, and the eggs are always well prepared. We've visited the other locations and this location is by far the best.
(5)
Alice F.
BEST HOT CHOCOLATE IN THE WORLD. The homemade whipped cream tastes like ice cream and the hot chocolate is the best I've ever had. Our server, Janet, was really sweet and took amazing care of us. We will be asking for her every time we go! When we walked up one of the employees was shoveling snow and he made a pathway all the way from an elderly couple's car to the front door. Great service and great food!
(5)
Mylo R.
Very crowded in the mornings but the food is so good here. The seats in the middle are too close together but the staff if friendly and take care of you. The beverages are a bit pricey since you have to pay per cup besides that i think its great.
(4)
Jacquelynn A.
The best pancakes you will ever eat... EVER! The bacon and fresh squeezed oj are also wonderful. We take all of our friends who come to visit to try the Pancake House. Everyone thinks they are the best pancakes they have ever had!
(5)
Jennifer E.
Best pancakes hands down...went Friday morning saw a local newscast cekebrity...on the way out. Ive seen ex con Mayor of Detroit years ago before he served time,; in prison the first time. Anyway..like I said pancakes are great..my eggs done okay often I have to tell them to redo., it was fine yesterday. Bacon great they use thick slice only. Coffee was feesh and the waitress serving us was great. I typical order lightly scammbled and lightly cooked with cheese; eggs, (sometimes their cooked right) bacon, well done (sometimes it is) and pancakes with a side order of pecans. Simple breakfast. My mate ordered waffles...he wouldnt give me a taste..lol. So, they looked as good taste according to him, lets just say he didnt have a doggy bag..i did. lol..normally he shares, though. Ill have to order it next time. I gave it 3 stars because it was crowded and the sitting where we sat at ....my lower back was aching a little. So avoid the window seating by the parking lot, side...a suggestion.
(3)
Michael P.
My favorite place for breakfast! Been here, and the location in Birmingham, a dozen times. I go here about twice a month and the food is AWESOME! Yes, its pricey. Yes, if you don't get there early, its a long wait. But when the food is as good as this place (try the crepes!), the money and time you spend waiting are worth it!
(5)
Devonda O.
1st I fell in love with the pancakes, which taste like doughnuts but not too sweet. Then I fell in love with the home fries, which are seasoned to perfection. Then I tasted the turkey omelet!! OMG the most fluffy cheesy deliciousness ever. And then I had the big apple.... Even more delicious than all there other foods put together. So yeah the food is great and there service is just as good. I've been there numerous times and always have a great waiter.
(5)
Bob N.
NO REAL MAPLE SYRUP!....... That's why the 2 stars. Everything else is totally 5 star. The bacon is thick sliced and divine. The Big Apple, Yum. The buckwheat pancakes are totally unique and so much more tasty than the buttermilk and yes I love their buttermilk, BUUUUUT. No real maple syrup, I'm paying $8 for pancakes and you serve me High Fructose Corn Syrup with artificial flavored maple flavor?? Cmon. I asked the manager why no real stuff and he said cost. Ok I said I understand that but why not make it an option for a buck more. I would gladly pay the extra dollar for the real stuff on awesome pancakes. Anyone else agree?
(2)
Jack L.
I a;ways like this place but after paying $7 for a cold plate of pancakes at a time when it wasn't even busy I'm rethinking this.
(1)
Abigail H.
Trust me, you will never go to IHOP again and think it tastes good. This place is amazing. I've passed this place by plenty of times and always wanted to try. This is a great destination for brunch. I had the fresh-squeezed orange juice which was great. If you are looking for caffeine here you'll have to go with coffee. One of the few restaurants I've been to that doesn't have soft drinks. They have things like chocolate milk and lots of different juices. We both had a sausage and cheese omelette. Very generous portions and they even come with 3 pancakes. The pancakes are incredible, melt-in-your-mouth good! My fiance got their bacon pancakes and he loved them. He was happy with the whole experience. Our waitress was great. She was so excited to find out it was our first time there. She even brought us some of their bacon to try. Thick-cut and so yummy! The decor reminds me a bit of the Cracker Barrel - it has that down-home, country feeling. They have waffles, pancakes, omelets, and even crepes. We'll definitely be back to try some other items.
(5)
Jon R.
Best baked Western omelette ever! The serving portion was HUGE. The meal also comes with three scrumptious, fluffy pancakes. I highly recommend going halfsies on most of the meals so you can have more room for homemade crepes for "dessert". Although doggie bags are always a great option. My take home advice: The line is worth the wait. P.S. The restaurant also caters to big groups. Call ahead for reservations.
(4)
Suzzette M.
A-mazing!! I only gave it 4 stars since I am writing this review on my first visit. I knew it was going to be great when The Hubs and I walk in on a Monday at 10:30am and there is a line for tables! Seated really quickly even though there were people waiting for tables. Quick turn-over...so if you have to wait...it seems like it will be a short one! Fresh squeezed OJ! No joke! Just the right amount of sweet, tang, and pulp! Service was great. We ordered a Garden Dutch Baby. I like that our server told us that it would take a bit longer since it is baked to order! We also ordered Bacon Pancakes!! YUM with a side of drool! The pancake itself was great, fluffy and light with a slight sweetness to it. Then salty and savory bacon....topped with whipped butter and a drizzle of syrup. DELISH!! Both were good as left-overs too. Huge servings! The only thing I didn't like was not being able to get REAL maple syrup!! I know others had said this before, but these pancakes are so good, it is almost a crime to put Mrs. Sugarworth on them. I would gladly pay to be able to get real maple syrup! Other wise, this place was great. Wonderful for brunch with the Fam, or a much needed Hangover Pick-me-up!
(4)
Dea A.
I'm still not getting why the Michigan franchise doesn't have Swedish pancakes... but whatever. I'll deal with it. That said, the waffles aren't worth it. They aren't Belgian style, they are Swedish style -- meaning shallow and Eggo like. Not worth $6 at ALL. The side of bacon though? Oh my god, heaven. Thick and perfectly cooked. I want to bow down to the pigs which these delicious crispies came from. This place will have a line out the door on the weekends. And don't come here with a group larger than 4 and expect to be seated right away. Once seated though, service was awesome. Our waitress was super attentive.
(4)
Linda Jo W.
Can't go wrong with scrambled eggs with cheese, English muffin and freshly squoze OJ. Works every time and I drive an hour to get here every time. Best bacon and pancakes EVER!!!
(4)
Ken H.
Best pancakes I ever tasted
(5)
Joe H.
Having been here numerous times in my life, I think I've had just about everything on the menu at one time or another. The food is good, but way overpriced. Still they do omelettes very well and their pancakes are tasty, especially the buckwheat & bacon varieties. However, I cannot get over the inevitably that everyone at the table is rarely ever served at once. Take tonight for example - Heather, Laila, and I ordered an omelette, side of bacon, hash browns, and 2 orders of pancakes. My omelette came at least 5 minutes before the pancakes, so I was half way done eating before Heather even started. This is the rule more than the exception, which is why I need to knock the stars down a couple. Quite honestly this is the best place for breakfast around Grosse Pointe, especially with the decline in quality at the Mack Avenue Diner. The coffee is good, the food is always above average, just be ready to eat in a staggered fashion. A suggestion: order the Santa Fe Omelette with sausage - it's spicy, cheesy, salty, and delicious. A near perfect meal any time of day.
(3)
David C.
Pretty basic breakfast food. Amazing thick bacon. Service is good. Long lines are a daily expectation. Over all, pretty good.
(3)
Lindsey W.
I'm a former employee and I STILL come back and eat here. My family has been going their for years before, since before the remodeling. The food is great, the service works hard and the kitchen is clean. They make about 90% of their food fresh from scratch including the pancakes, crepes and their fillings, orange juice, compotes and sauces and all of their special treats. Pretty much the only things that weren't homemade were the sour creme, apple sauce and apple juice, which are not their staple items. The managerial staff was excellent respectful and they actually care a lot about their employees and the customers. They listen to concerns and complaints and do the best they can to correct any problems. The kitchen is held to the highest level of cleanliness and quality. It is more expensive than your regular diner but the portions and quality reflect that. Omellettes and apple pancakes are huge and the bacon and meats are higher quality than you'd find at an IHOP. The bacon is actually thick cut and to die for. I love this place and I'm very glad working there actually improved my opinion of the restaurant. I will continue eating there for years to come! PS. COME HERE ON A WEEKDAY NIGHT, NOT A WEEKEND. THEY WILL NEVER NOT BE OUT THE DOOR BUSY ON A SUNDAY MORNING. I know it's an ideal time to eat breakfast food, but the after church crowd is huge and never ending. Some things take a long time to make like the apple pancake, so expect a bit of a wait for these items ESPECIALLY if you come during the weekend rush.
(5)
A.J. S.
I was looking for a good place to have breakfast, because I didn't want to eat at iHop. We go to the restaurant, and the line was pretty big, but it moved pretty quickly and we got in, with decent time. The server was pretty nice. I ordered the 49'rs waffles which were pretty good. They were crisp on the outside, gooey on the inside, they were very filling. There were little things which really impressed me with this place. For instance the maple syrup had been heated, I believe it was possibly real maple syrup, and not the imitation stuff most people use. The thing which brings this restaurant down is the fact that I wasn't really into their cafeteria style seating. It means if you are unlucky enough to be sitting next to obnoxious people, it can be annoying. Also the acoustics made the place really loud. Normally I would like this kind of thing, but if I had a hangover it would have been annoying as hell. I would go back over iHop, I liked the food and staff, was nice.
(4)
Michael J.
I had the unique displeasure of dining at this restaurant. A co-worker raved about your restaurant. My Fiance had the big apple supreme, I decided to try thr corned beef "speciality" with eggs on top, I asked that theh eggs be over easy, what I recieved was a corned beef dish, that was so hot it was sizzling and completely fried the eggs hard. I asked for toast, which I recieved that was hard and no butter. For a restaurant that taunts their quality on the menu, in this case it was a seriously gross exageration. When I cashed out, I was told t ocome again, I stated not in my lifetime, and no qguestions were asked. I left hungry, upset at the quality and price of the food, for what I spent, I could have had 2 large steak breakfasts at a local restaurant and money left over
(1)
Gordana F.
i literally have naughty dreams about these pancakes. These pancakes are so good, if someone tried to snatch a piece of one of mine, I'd stab them with the fork - acknowledging the fact that I'd go to jail - it'd be worth it x100. They are THAT good. I don't care of it costs way to much or you have to wait an hour. It is worth it. It is worth every second and every penny. I don't really care what else is on the menu because once you have a bite of these, you will dream about them. I've had pancakes like 5 times at other places since i went here and every time i got all "omg, these are the worst excuse for pancakes", like i got all snob like because i fancy myself a connoisseur now since I've had these. I can't even talk about it anymore, i have to go and get some. Meet me there!
(5)
Mary A.
I always love visiting this restaurant when in the area. There are so many unique choices on the menu. It is also a piece of history in the area. The only thing I always seem to find is it takes forever to get my coffee refilled. Some of the waitresses have been there forever and there is that 'old school' sense of feeling and I always have to flag down someone to get more coffee. This is my experience over the past 10 years going there most every time. But on the other hand, the staff is polite, the food is amazing, the restaurant is clean, and I love eating here. I don't mind flagging down a waitress for coffee at all. Just part of the atmosphere I suppose.
(4)
Pete D.
The best food and service you can get in the town. I'm miss living in the area, so now I have to make it a point to go to the Woods just to get the best breakfast you can get any were. And if you can afford the cal's the dutch treat will change your life at least for the day.
(5)
Tina F.
Huge portions.. no way 1 person can finish.. good for sharing. The Spanish Omelette was okay, a little watery on the inside once you cut into it (see picture) but still tasty on the inside.. the outside egg covering was a little bland though but it helped having it with some sour cream and salsa. The Big Apple pancake was delicious!! It was more like a dessert though.. so sweet!!
(4)
Will S.
You wont find omelets like this anywhere else. Fluffy, cheesy, cooked to perfection. I've been coming to the pancake house since I was a kid and I will never get tired of this place. Dutch treat, Big apple supreme are must tries, pancakes are just awesome, and the crepes are delicious.
(5)
Edward M.
So people on the east side and especially in the Grosse Pointe bubble love this place. I have had better for less. But my main complaint is that I work near by and myself and co-workers have ordered carry out many times. It seems that nine out of ten times I end up with Items missing, or my order wrong...So though my co-workers may still try them and have no problem calling to pick up the missing pieces, I have given up. Perhaps they are better as a dine-In place. Regardless I'm done. I won't be returning.
(1)
Tony S.
3.75 Stars I'm reviewing this place in answer to my Yelp friend Bob N. I do believe I would pay an extra buck for real maple syrup. The thing is though I don't know the difference because syrup is not my forte' but I trust Bob if he thinks it would be better. I've been going here since back in the day when walking on the floor was like walking on fly paper with all that syrup sticking on your shoes. Pros: Best breakfast, biggest baddest German pancakes. Made from scratch, higher quality than most. Comfort food, this is where you take your guests to eat Sunday morning. Pumpkin pancakes. Bacon. Cons: Coffee inconsistent, sometimes nasty. Small portions of sausage (although it's homemade I believe and the portions may have increased as of late... maybe) Slightly more expensive than iHop or other breakfast places.
(4)
Brian G.
I've never had a bad meal here and have been going since I was a kid. The Big Apple is great as are the potato pancakes and Pigs in a Blanket. The wait is worth it and don't be intimated by the long lines as they get people through quickly.
(4)
Phillip B.
Been here before and had good food. This trip every thing but the pan cakes was horrible. So put that with huge line and bad service, don't for see myself going back.
(1)
mariah c.
I'm in complete agreement about the "food coma" that can, and often does result from a meal here. My grandparents used to live nearby, and consequently, the Original Pancake House figures nicely into many fond childhood memories of family breakfasts. It's true, there is (and has been, for as long as I remember) the distinct possibility of long lines on weekends. However, I'm willing to say that the food (and fresh OJ) are worth a little waitin'! The dutch baby -- which is basically a large mass of doughy, fluffy goodness with powdered sugar (and lemon & butter -- but who needs the butter?!) -- was once my grandma's favorite, and I've inherited her tastes. It's probably more of a dessert than a breakfast, but since when has that ever stopped me from enjoying it? Hmmm.... I wonder if I could still get there in time for the Pumpkin pancakes Sherbert mentions?
(4)
K O.
Wow- It just doesn't get better! I have been coming to this location for 50 years! Yes that's correct. I remember coming here after making my first communion and never miss a chance to visit when I come to the Detroit area! Everything is just right. Efficient and polite service, Awesome prices, Hot delicious food EVERY time! How do you do it? My favorite is the Mushroom Omelette with those luscious 3 buttermilk pancakes! Oh and the coffee. AMAZING
(5)
Steve B.
Area's best old fashioned family style American breakfast, ..I mean lunch, ..ah screw it, pancakes for dinner too. I love the 49ers, but depending on your preference, all items pancakes or otherwise are great. The omelets are nuts, you get a huge fluffy pillow of eggs filled with anything you want. Oh and the bacon is thick as a belt but delicious.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast Parking : Private Lot 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 : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Lorna D.
Damn-look at that LINE!! Ahh it''s so cozy inside! They got my carryout order wrong, again! Aw..our waitress is a sweetheart! Damn it..they left out the whipped cream from my carryout and forgot my orange juice! (after going back for the juice) WOW it's fresh squeezed! Delicious!!! Cool-they sat us far enough back so that the poor saps in line won't be ogling my omelet! Sweet LORD this Garden Dutch Baby (or pancakes, or waffles, or crepes, or sausage) is the most amazing thing I have ever put into my mouth!! JEEZ this is pricy! Why did I have that last beer last night? This line is killing me-mama needs sustenance! WHOA look at this omelet! HUGE, fluffy, steaming hot, looks like a small loaf of bread! Chock full o' veggies-I am in heaven! It's so big I don't need the hash browns they forgot. You get it. Shake up the mixed bag that is the Pancake House and the goodness stays on top. Pricy, but great food!! If you haven't tried the delectable Garden Dutch Baby you haven't fully lived!
(4)Vince R.
I haven't been here in many many years. It used to be great. There were about 10 people in front of us to be seated. It took about 5 minutes and we were seated. A few minutes later the waitress took our order and 10 minutes later we were eating. The place was packed and they still rocked. From standing in line to eating in 20 minutes. The food was awesome as was the service. Every bit as good as I remember. Nice job maintaining quality and service over the long haul.
(5)Kevin S.
I have been eating here since I was a kid, and every time I'm in Detroit I have to visit. Best breakfast I have ever found. Forget the eggs, and go for their specialty pancakes, Waffles and the Garden Baby.
(4)Chris O.
The prices are great. The pancakes are some of the best I've ever had. The portions are crazy big. The service is friendly. The line to be seated will look long, but it moves very quickly. Best breakfast in the area.
(5)Colleen D.
I have been coming to this restaurant since I was a little kid. I switch back and forth between the Big Apple pancake and the Dutch Treat. Yum!! The Pros: The FOOD! The quaint feel, it has not changed since I was little. The Cons: The wait. Coming on a Sunday morning? Prepare to wait...a long time. But, if you do have a craving on a weekend morning, there is always take-out! :) Sadly, no gluten free options for the hubby...Although he does rave about the fresh squeezed OJ I bring home for him.
(4)Sara A.
I'm the type of girl that has and will eat breakfast for all 3 meals of the day. So needless to say, I'm a lover of pancakes, waffles, crepes, and all those morning, carb-laden dishes. So, where else better to go to get my fix of starchy, delicious foods than Grosse Pointe's Original Pancake house? Located on Mack Ave, this is one of Metro Detroit's premiers breakfast joints. I've even waited in line on a Tuesday afternoon for a late lunch, but it's definitely worth it. The fresh strawberry crepes are a mixture of sweet and tart berries, smooth, homemade whip cream and perfectly cooked crepes. The flapjacks with powdered sugar and lemon juice will have you craving more of the crunchy yet soft pancake concoction. The fresh squeezed orange juice always tastes like sugar in a glass, no matter what month and the coffee is hearty and smooth. I've never had a bad meal here or under par service. The food is always flavorful, fresh, and able to curb my carb crave. The portions are plentiful so bring a friend and get an extra plate. Oh, and have you're bed ready because you will go into a food coma after dining here.
(4)Kevin S.
Best breakfast ever!!! The 3 egg omelet is HUGE and tasty :)
(5)Kristina A.
Three words: Garden Dutch Baby. I am addicted. Love the O.J., my bf hates it because it is served room temp. And they don't have soft drinks. Or any tea selection. But the coffee is good- I put syrup in mine soo good. The Santa Fe omelet is good too. There is usually a wait if you go at any normal time but I usually don't.
(4)Edison N.
Too disorganized too busy too loud...everything else is ok..just average I didn't have best experience since I had dirty cup. But I have gone a couple of times before and can say its ok good it's pretty good.
(3)Taki M.
The Original Pancake House (in GP and Birmingham) is the best breakfast you will find in SE Michigan (The Flytrap in Ferndale and the new Pancake Factory in Shelby Twp is good too). Don't try to go on a Sunday after church because you will wait in line for a long time.
(5)Jennifer K.
If you like custardy eggy things you will LOVE it here. Important tip *oven omelettes and Dutch baby oven pancakes take 20 min to bake* Anytime I go here my fellow diners and I have agree to wait 20min if everyone doesn't agree we just get fast and dirty breakfast foods. Last time I was here I had the Santa Fe oven baked omelette. Awesome cheesy veg egg mass (something like 8-10 eggs) with slightly spicy salsa. My son got the apple pancake. Whoa. Again with the 8-10 eggs oven puffed custardy goodness topped with a buttery, cinnamon, apple pie filling glaze. (I let him order this behemoth so I can sneak his leftovers) My husband gets the cherry crepes. To me these aren't true crepes. They are thinish but too eggy to be a crepe. That said these are a perfect assembly of rich egg, tart cherry, and real whipped cream. These three are THE top three here. Good accompaniments, thick with a hint of sweet bacon, fresh squeezed oj Also good: Dutch Baby, french toast, spinach crepe (minus the congealed mushroom "sherry" sauce yuck), buttermilk pancakes, pumpkin pancakes (in season), and peanut butter pancakes (special) Things to stay away from: hash browns. These browns are akin to IHOP's greasy under/over cooked mess. Nothing good about them. Also, the coffee is a serious let down. It's just coffee like Folger's or Maxwell House. Blech. The service here is acceptable. You sit, you will never get a table your sleeves won't stick to, and sometimes you get refills. The decor is okay. Perhaps interesting the first time but not too rememberable for anyone over 7 years old. The verdict, I will sit through no refills on bad coffee and wait 20min for a lovely eggy food coma. Really a good place to take young and old if they insist on going to Denny's or IHOP this is for sure a step up.
(4)Jason H.
Quite possibly the most overrated restaurant in the Metro Detroit area. Why is there a line out the door every time I drive by this place? Sure they have those "giganto" apple, sugar, pancakey things that are just an excuse to eat yourself into an afternoon nap, but after that...they just flat-out screw up the breakfast basics. Their omelets are horribly over-stuffed with tasteless eggs that are shoe-leather tough. The pancakes are average at best. The scrambled eggs are always over-cooked and the coffee is unremarkable. And the place is brutally expensive compared to other breakfast joints nearby. And who wants to stand in a line for 45 minutes to over-pay for an average, over-hyped breakfast? No thanks...I'm going elsewhere and I recommend you do as well.
(2)K B.
The food is soooo yummy here! Probably the only downer for me is waiting in line when it's busy. But so worth it once you get your food!
(4)Giggly C.
Maybe it's the family traditions, maybe it's because i love breakfast foods, but i love this place. the big german and the big apple are to die for. so delicious and yummy. The huge slabs of bacon, 4 huge pieces of bliss,... so expensive but so amazing. I love it. The omlettes are strange, and the crepes are weird. I stay away from those. Long lines, so we try to go before 10am on weekends. the decor changes with the seasons. Sometime tacky, sometimes homey, but always changes when I go. I like it. so glad they take credit card now. phew....
(5)Reesa T.
The Original Pancake House is MUCH MUCH better than IHOP or Denny's or the like, but overall... it's just okay. The food quality is much better, I've tried a few things here and they are generally tasty and they have good maple syrup. The portions however are insane! Not even kidding- they're simply too large! The service was fine, but the ambience was what really got me. The acoustics are TRAGIC. Its really really loud in this place, and sometimes it feels like I am sitting at the same table as the strangers sitting next to me. Privacy would be nice, maybe thats just me. Finally, the pricing also seemed a bit high for what they're serving. Good pancakes are still just that- pancakes! I'd go back, sure. But I don't dream about this place and wish I were there....
(3)Keiths M.
Great food, cash only, usually a wait, sadly full of Grosse Pointers
(3)Larry B.
This place has been around for decades so you know they are doing something right. The answer is the food. It is always great. A bit pricy which is why we don't eat here very often. When I do, I always have the raspberry crepes and their own homemade sausage. Fantastic! Best to go in the off hours or you'll have to wait awhile to be seated.
(4)Jeff M.
Very Nice! Friends took us on Monday the 18th and we had a great time. The menu is quite large considering their choices and I had a difficult time, but wound up going w/ the Eggs Michael! Great choice! The potatoe pancakes are great also, crispy outside, tender inside, thin, golden brown goodness!! Our friends had the peach crepes and the corn beef hash. All were happy with the selections. Amy did a great job waiting on us, and everything came out within 1 minute of each other. Can't wait to come back!
(5)Vince B.
All I have to say is Apple Pancake.... Oven baked with fresh granny smith apples and pure Sinkiang cinnamon glaze. I usually end up eating all the little cinnamon glaze crumbles, it is delicious. I grew up in the neighborhood and hand many good breakfasts here. The Dutchbaby is also good, too much food, end up taking part of it home. The long lines are a turn off...
(5)N M.
Best breakfast place around. Slightly more expensive than a Coney-style diner, but worth the price. It may not be necessarily healthy, but your tastebuds will thank you, and your afternoon will be comatose. I've eaten at the "best" breakfast place in San Fran, and if this place was next to it, the line would be longer for The Pancake House
(5)Kim H.
What is with the devotion to this place? My morning swim group goes here after our workouts on saturdays and the only redeeming feature is the bacon. The pancakes are not as fluffy a I like a pancake, the omelettes are downright awful (what is that puffy egg thing anyway) and the service is one notch above being served by a corpes. Add in that I can't get a diet coke and they have lost me. If I didn't want to stay friends with my friends I wouldn't eat here ever. Oh, and the bacon is really really good.
(2)Michael C.
Oh my God, this place has the most wonderful breakfast on the planet. I met up with a few mates here and had a big breakfast. We weren't disappointed because the portions were HUGE. Seriously, had I known how large these breakfasts were, I would've just not ordered anything and ate everyone else's leftovers. But that's not really true. I really enjoyed everything I ordered. The waffles were top notch, the bacon was great (and not just two limp strips for ... well you know, for whatever ridiculous price the diners all charge), eggs done exactly how I like them (over medium, with just enough middle to soak up in some toast). But my absolute favorite thing was the toppings for the waffles and pancakes we all ordered. They bring out these fruit spreads in little stainless steel cups. Now, this is not that pie-filling that you see on breakfast buffets. This looks like fresh raspberries ground into a smooth puree on a mortar and pestle. It tasted like heaven, not processed junk. I still don't know exactly what it was called (simply fruit spread?) but it really made the breakfast experience all the better. I'd recommend this place to anyone and everyone who loves a great breakfast as much as I do. I don't anticipate ever being disappointed with this place. Since my first visit, each initial visit has been just as high-quality!
(5)RE A.
always crowded on weekends - but great afternoons anytime. their pancakes and waffles are delicious. I enjoy the banana pecan waffle and also the buttermilk pancakes. prices are moderate and parking is easy. tight fit for wheelchairs and walkers. but very family friendly.
(3)Elizabeth V.
Great food (some you won't find anywhere else). Reasonable prices. Friendly staff. Consistently great food preparation. Fast Service. Sometimes there is a line but it moves fast. A real East Side Gem!
(5)Joe B.
This is Breakfast Heaven! The coffee is excellent (OK it's not quite coffee house coffee) and the Apple Pancake is to die for! and the rest of their fare ain't chopped liver either!
(4)Sherbert L.
This place is a great breakfast staple you will overlook the sometimes BIG lines on the weekends. Pancakes are good, omelets are delicious, portions are huge but you won't want to share. If you are in there Oct-Nov be sure to try the pumpkin pancakes...SO GOOD!
(5)Katie H.
Clear your schedule for the rest of the day if you are going to eat here. The portions are HUGE, and so good you will try to eat it all. The omeletes are oven baked - the spinach and cheese is my favorite and comes with a yummy mushroom sherry sauce. And you get your choice of toast or pancakes! The crepes, pigs in blankets, waffles, french toast, pancakes, etc are all good. Really you just can't go wrong here. Come on a weekend and expect to wait. But luckily it moves quickly - with a line out the door we still usually sit within 15 minutes. Be warned, they won't seat you until your whole party is there.
(5)Ali Y.
HUGE menu. A must-stop when you visit! Food Is beyond compare. Has everything from crepes to omlettes, pancakes to waffles, bacon to sausage.
(4)Steve T.
One of the comforting things about moving to the East side was seeing the Original Pancake House on Mack Ave. I had frequented the one on Woodward when I lived in Ferndale and missed it when I lived in Warren (it was a 30 minute drive). Now, I have one less than 2 miles away and couldn't be happier. 1. The staff is almost always friendly and attentive. The only times they seem slower or less cordial is when the place is packed with a line. While that is a frequent occurrence, the staff seem to handle it well. 2. The decor is extremely comfortable, rugged yet tasteful. The rustic cabin like feel seems to fit a breakfast mood. The only drawback: they could use about 3-6 more tables. 3. The food is well above par for breakfast. If you love your breakfast food, this is your home. I have never had an order that wasn't exactly as ordered. If you are a bacon and eggs type, you'll receive your eggs perfectly cooked and the best bacon around. I like my bacon 'limp' because it's meat; crispy bacon is like burning a steak. They always honor that request perfectly. The coffee is always excellent and the orange juice tastes fresh squeezed. I recently had blueberry waffles and the fresh blueberries on the side made them exquisite. 4. The specialty items like the Dutch Baby, Dutch Apple, Apple Pancake are absolutely wonderful. It's hard to just go for breakfast and not get one of the scrumptious Dutch Baby's. Note: these are baked per order and can take up to 20 mins to get to your table. Order them the moment you sit down and then place your full order when the waitress comes back and you'll be in great shape. Overall, this is a breakfast experience, not just a meal. There are other breakfast choices within a 2 minute drive but they are not the caliber of Original.
(5)Kirsten J.
Great pancakes, I've been coming here most of my life. All reviewers are right, the bacon is awesome. The crepes are great, especially the ice cream one if you are in the mood for something desserty. Always get a half-order of pancakes and a crepe. I do miss the old days when you used to get a slice of orange and some grapes waiting for you at your seat though. A minus is that the wait is long, but it's really all about knowing how to time it. Don't go when everyone's getting out of church and you're golden. With a group, get there early, and make sure your whole group is there... I don't think they'll seat you unless everyone is there!
(5)Linda T.
You can get breakfast all day! Breakfast food made from fresh, high quality ingredients. If you're looking for something sweet, try the Big Apple. For something savory, I liked the Santa Fe Garden & the Dutch Garden (I think that's what the 2nd one is called). The branches out by me in CA don't offer the savory specials, which I miss, so I can't remember the names really well. Took my parents when they came out to visit me; my dad loves the french toast there. It can get really crowded on weekends for breakfast/brunch unless you go early! I discovered this place with coworkers after we had worked a night/24 hour shift--fill your tummy with good food, then go home & sleep. They generally won't seat you until your whole party is there. Decor is decent (compared to the ones I've been to out here), with lots of wood & sort of a country motif.
(5)jay b.
the bacon... let me tell you about the bacon : ) it's fresh, thick sliced, and sublime - so flavorful, you'll wanna slap someone upside the head. i always go here when i go see my family in detroit - it is my favorite breakfast spot. everything on the menu is amazing - i always get eggs over easy with (drooling...) bacon, and some form of pancakes. the pancakes are perfect, and come with butter and syrup. as an alternative, i spread mine with strawberry jam sometimes, or get blueberries in a blueberry sauce to go on 'em. the chocolate chip pancakes are AMAZING - served with FRESH, HOMEMADE whipped cream, yuuuuuum!!! the big apple is sooooo good... and one of my favorites are the 49'ers - i always eat those with plenty of butter and syrup (and a side of bacon too, of course! : ) their orange juice is homemade, fresh squeezed and NOT watered down - very juicy, pulpy and sweet - Y.U.M. and their coffee is great, too, with lots of fresh cream. the prices are a bit high for Michigan, but the food is great, and you can get a daily special for a buck off. The restaurant is consistently crowded and there's usually a line (for breakfast) but who cares? once you sit down in a comfy booth or cosy table, it's not long before you're tucking in to some amazing, hot breakfast. Many memories here, many family celebrations and outings. Highly recommended - you won't be disappointed at all! A++++++++++++++++++ It would be great if they served mimosas with their great orange juice, but it's really really a sort of "family" place, I doubt the (seemingly) conservative owners would ever consider it. CASH ONLY - no credit cards accepted (that kind of sucks... oh well) ***UPDATE 12/2010 i went home for christmas and they finally started accepting credit cards!!! yay!!! : ) on a less-cheery note, their portion sizes have gone down substantially over the years : ( we really noticed this time! damn, daMN DAMN!!!
(5)Steve C.
An institution in the Grosse Pointe area. Good food always. Service excellent. Only problem is you may have to wait! Suggest arriving before 8:00 on weekends! However, the wait is worth it!
(5)Shelly K.
I wanted the vegetarian omelet minus the broccoli. The waitress said it wasn't allowed as omelets are pre-made. She said I would have to instead start with a cheese omelet at $9:85 and pay a $1.00 per item. The vegetarian Omelet was also $9.85. If I added the 4 items I would of been paying $13.85 What a rip off. I won't return. I challenged her on this as it's ridiculous. Why couldn't I just have the omelet minus the broccoli? We left and did not order.
(1)Christina G.
My family has been coming here for 30 years. 30 years of amazing breakfast. Discussing with my husband, we haven't had a bad experience in our entire time living in grosse pointe. They once over cooked his big apple pancake and brought him a second quickly. 2 for 1 big apple Regular pancakes, strawberry crepes and garden Dutch baby are my go to's. It's easy to drink way too much coffee with nonstop refills. Love this place
(5)Belle L.
Our favorite pancake place since 1995! Same food quality and service. Love the kiddie menu and freebie balloons. DUTCH BABY PANCAKE -- unique. Great in the winter. DUTCH TREAT is a jazzed up version that is good in the summer for fresh bananas, strawberries with strawberry syrup. 49-ERS -- a thinner pancake. A simpler version of Swedish Pancake as it doesn't have lingonberries. CORN BEEF HASH -- comes with toast. Shareable. Serves 2+. KIDS MENU ($5.50 or less) -- on the kiddie activity sheet. SERVICE -- Janet is great. Helpful suggestions for value. Quick coffee refill. WAIT TIME -- the earlier the better. Around 10 am on weekends, the wait can be 30+ mins.
(5)Andrea G.
Love this place! But how can you not love pancakes? We usually end up here on a Thursday night looking for comfort food. No wait in the evenings and service is friendly. Everything we've tried has been tasty. No complaints at all.
(5)Tricia H.
It's good. But they don't have pop on the menu and a few of my friends don't drink coffee. They get their caffeine from their daily pop. They also don't mention that the omelets are baked - so they are reallllly dry. Not my favorite way to have an omelet. The pancakes are good and I love the "Eggs Micheal" for a tad healthier option.
(3)Blake W.
This place always has a line and that is because their food is crazy good. From pancakes with home made whipped cream to their classic breakfast foods like omletes and hashbrowns, this place is amazing.
(5)Lauren C.
There's a few things to know about Original Pancake House. The good: -It will be quality and delicious. Maybe some of the best breakfast food you've ever had. -The orange juice is incredible. Fresh squeezed. -Your coffee/water will stay full. The bad: -It is expensive. That orange juice I mentioned? One 12 oz. glass is $4. FOUR. -There aren't really breakfast combos so you'll end up piecing together a meal... which is lame and pricey. -It is PACKED. ALWAYS. Crowded and noisy. The ugly: -The wait. Waiting for your table (30-45 min). Waiting for a server. Waiting for your food. Waiting for the check. Waiting to pay. As Tom Petty said, the waiting is the hardest part. And the thing is, I haven't formed this opinion over just one bad experience... we've been going here maybe once or twice a year for a very long time. This is typical service. Even off "peak" times. But if you're craving german pancakes, it is a necessary evil.
(3)Kai L.
I always get the three little pigs in blanket, it's my favorite! But the pancakes are really good and buttery! Nice variety of pancakes. Great service as well, just a little slow on service sometimes.
(4)Tracy P.
I love this place! The food is always hot and delicious and the staff is always pleasant. If you're going during breakfast hours on the weekend, I suggest getting there early. Otherwise, there will be a line which is usually out the door. During rush hour, they'll only seat you if the entire party is there. So, be sure everyone arrives on time. I highly recommend this location.
(5)Sally B.
Grew up by there and took a stroll down memory lane to see how the 'ol neighborhood was doing. The wait was way too long and looked like a Tarzan movie! Man has the neighborhood changed. Pretty soon they'll need security in the parking lot. No joke!!! Food was good to great still, but I couldn't concentrate while watching the fist fight between 2 rival "church goer" black women with their obnoxious hats. Oh well, like the old saying goes, "you can never go back again."
(2)Ashley L.
Horrible service. Waited over 20 minutes to even be asked if we would like a glass of water. I'd understand had they been busy with lines out the door...but they were less than busy, with multiple empty tables all around. Food was pretty good, but the awful service just ruined it for me. The hostess seemed to have no idea what she was doing. We'll try the other locations next time. They're getting two stars for the food, and the food only.
(2)Misslady N.
This is a top-notch breakfast restaurant. After driving by for years and seeing the line outside the door, I finally found out what all the fuss is about! If you get a good server, the service is great; if not, let it reflect in the tip. Their Eggs Michael (a version of the eggs benedict) is my go to favorite. It comes with potato cakes, but found out yesterday that I can substitute blueberry pancakes for potatoe cakes. Now, we can't go anywhere else for breakfast. If you're going, go early!
(4)Gina I.
This is definitely my favorite place to eat breakfast or lunch in Grosse Pointe! The Big Apple pancake is marvelous. I also love ordering the sausage and Swiss omelet with it! I love coming here after 11:00 mass on Sundays with my family. The line is always worth the wait!
(5)Shane R.
Love this place! Always a favorite in the Grosse Pointe Area. I love the giant omelets and pancakes. The Big Apple is also a favorite all I can say is mmmmmmmm''mmmmmm!
(5)Rene B.
If you love breakfast, you can't beat the Original Pancake House! It's been a landmark for years. Even though you have to wait in line, it's worth the wait. The specialty breakfasts are all freshly prepared. They serve fresh squeezed orange juice and the hot tea my favorite! Today I'm having "The Dutch Baby," a smaller version of "The Big German," a fluffy large pancake on which you put lemon and powdered sugar. Mine includes fresh strawberries and bananas. The omelets are enormous, so be hungry when you come here!
(5)Tiffany M.
Okay I want to start off by saying IHOP has nothing on this place so don't even begin ever bringing that name up again .....now the pancakes are amazing but are not complete to you officially top them up with whipped cream and the Hawaiin syrup.....
(5)Bob R.
I've been here several times and I can say I've never had a bad meal. Would have given an one more star if it wasn't so expensive. If you like your food fluffy you'll love this place, especially the eggs, pancakes, and these monster things called "Dutch" somethings. During fall they have pumpkin pancakes for a little extra money. I wasn't impressed and stuck with original this last time. Orange and grapefruit juice is fantastic - fresh squeezed. Worth the cost. Bottom line: If you want to impress family or people from out of town take them here. It will cost you, but the food is sure to be good and they won't likely leave disappointed.
(3)Will B.
How can you not like this place? Amazing breakfast, reasonable prices... Delicious! My favorites are fresh fruit crepes, and the big german.
(5)Ken K.
This was my first time to this Resturant. It will not be my last. The server we had was outstanding. She asked if we had ever been to the Pancake House before, which I told her we have not. She gave us a little background information of the Resturant and made several recommendation . She then brought out a couple of samplers from the menu. I ordered the Big Apple and it was just outstanding . I would recommend this place to everyone.
(5)Karl G.
Kinda' like the "Frankenmuth" of breakfast places, it's the place I bring out-of-town friends for their first official breakfast during a visit to Metro Detroit. Every other breakfast is just downhill from there, lol. Nice, homey atmosphere, some different menu selections, very courteous/professional staff. A bit pricey, but worth it. And like I said, I take people here when I want to impress them. If you haven't been, you gotta' go, :).
(4)Roxanne I.
If you want a home style breakfast: Pancake House is an awesome choice. They have a great menu and I usually get their spinach omelette. It's a large portion size, but unfortunately has a price to match. Their entire menu is a little pricey (watch out for their freshly squeezed orange juice, it's delicious, but they charge by the glass!). Nevertheless, they have some really great food. I like substituting my side pancakes with their fantastic chocolate chip ones (yum!). Also have to commend them on their ice cream crepes, they're a great treat to satisfy your sweet tooth. Service is usually pretty good but be prepared for lines and not much space
(4)Adam B.
I have a friend that constantly raves about the Original Pancake House. Last night I had my first opportunity to go, and it was delicious! I stuck with the basics - coffee, buttermilk pancakes and a side of bacon. The pancakes were perfect, and I'm VERY picky about pancakes. The bacon was thick-cut, and everyone was able to have a piece. My wife ordered the Pecan waffle (which was slightly sweet, and didn't really need the syrup), and my daughters ordered the kids chocolate-chip pancakes, and blueberry pancakes. While the food was incredible, I was a bit shocked at a few things.. namely the prices. I understand everything is fresh and from scratch, but $4.00 for a glass of Orange Juice is a bit out there. My side of bacon (4 pieces) - $4.60. We even asked for whipped cream for my daughter's pancakes, and were charged 75 cents for it. Another thing I thought was a bit strange was they don't have pop/soda. My wife is one of those people that orders a coffee and a diet coke, so she can switch back and forth. The waitress did let us know we could bring our own beverages in for future reference, but that takes the fun out of going out to eat! Overall, It was a good experience and I'll be going back to try more things.. I'll just make sure it's on pay day.
(4)Linda M.
Love the Dutch Baby and the bacon (even if I have to order it as a side) is fantastic. It is generally always crowded and can be noisy. We've always had a good experience with the food and service. And that makes the cost a little more palatable. It is expensive for, let's face it, a very inexpensive food to prepare. But we treat ourselves to it when hubby has an appt with his doctor a little farther down the street.
(4)Lisa M.
How can you not like this place?? My mom was raised in Grosse Pointe (literally across the street) and my grandparents lived there til I was about 7. We went here regularly and I always got excited when I knew where we were going. This summer I had the chance to take a long lunch from work with some coworkers and we decided to drive from the east side of Detroit for lunch here because it just sounded so good. Nostalgia hit me as soon as we walked in the door. I got that same feeling again and I was not disappointing. My food was tasty, the apple juice delicious, and the service was great. I can't wait til I have kids and can take them here and then drive around Grosse Point Woods and show them where my mom grew up. Thanks for being consistent and pumping out great product from the time I was younger til now (I'm 31 for the record)
(4)Desiree M.
Great service. Nice portions. Everything fresh. I get the pumpkin pancakes when in season, and their version of the eggs Benedict made with sausage. Try the crepe with mushroom and hollindaise if they have it
(5)Irwin F.
Love, love, love this place! Awesome crepes and great French Toast. They use real cream to make their products. And the best Bacon anywhere! This is more like a 4.5 rating as it is pricey but darn worth it.
(5)Sarah J.
Amazing food never fails here. I love the southwestern pancake and the crepes. The hashbrowns were amazing but they seem to have switched to home frys, which were good too. The coffee is pretty darn good and the orange juice tastes home squeezed. I really like the food and haven't tried something bad. My husbands favorite is the pecan pancakes and my son loves chocolate chips. The food comes out relatively fast because they have to flip the tables quickly. The only downside is the weekend wait time and the size. We say every time we come that they should add another level. I see people walk away in the line when the wait looks long.
(5)G C.
Can't go wrong coming here. Breakfast delight! Service is great and friendly. And the food is fantastic. The weekends are extremely busy. Especially Sunday mornings. But once your seated you'll be glad you waited. There are many on staff so you'll be severed promptly. 5 stars!
(4)Allison C.
I would eat breakfast here anytime any day. Of course you cannot go wrong with any of the pancakes. I also love the strawberry crepes and mushroom omelette with Delish sauce. The orange juice is fresh squeezed and very pulpy :)
(5)Jan D.
I could eat breakfast three times a day, so you have to start out knowing that. This is hands-down the best breakfast restaurant in the area. I know it's a chain, but in this case it doesn't matter. Service is friendly, coffee is fabulous, the bacon is the best I've ever had. And this is one of the few places I've eaten where you can order one or two or three strips of bacon, and just pay for what you eat without a premium. Food quality is high and consistent. The omelettes are fluffy, 3 inches high, and absolutely perfectly cooked.
(5)Meg K.
Hands down the best breakfast spot on the east side. Subtly sweet, light and airy pancakes. The butter must have a high fat content cuz it tastes so good. Love the dense, sweet whipped cream! Just wish they offered pure maple syrup.
(5)Mimi G.
The service is impressive, the coffee is good, the pancakes and bacon are fantastic, and the eggs are always well prepared. We've visited the other locations and this location is by far the best.
(5)Alice F.
BEST HOT CHOCOLATE IN THE WORLD. The homemade whipped cream tastes like ice cream and the hot chocolate is the best I've ever had. Our server, Janet, was really sweet and took amazing care of us. We will be asking for her every time we go! When we walked up one of the employees was shoveling snow and he made a pathway all the way from an elderly couple's car to the front door. Great service and great food!
(5)Mylo R.
Very crowded in the mornings but the food is so good here. The seats in the middle are too close together but the staff if friendly and take care of you. The beverages are a bit pricey since you have to pay per cup besides that i think its great.
(4)Jacquelynn A.
The best pancakes you will ever eat... EVER! The bacon and fresh squeezed oj are also wonderful. We take all of our friends who come to visit to try the Pancake House. Everyone thinks they are the best pancakes they have ever had!
(5)Jennifer E.
Best pancakes hands down...went Friday morning saw a local newscast cekebrity...on the way out. Ive seen ex con Mayor of Detroit years ago before he served time,; in prison the first time. Anyway..like I said pancakes are great..my eggs done okay often I have to tell them to redo., it was fine yesterday. Bacon great they use thick slice only. Coffee was feesh and the waitress serving us was great. I typical order lightly scammbled and lightly cooked with cheese; eggs, (sometimes their cooked right) bacon, well done (sometimes it is) and pancakes with a side order of pecans. Simple breakfast. My mate ordered waffles...he wouldnt give me a taste..lol. So, they looked as good taste according to him, lets just say he didnt have a doggy bag..i did. lol..normally he shares, though. Ill have to order it next time. I gave it 3 stars because it was crowded and the sitting where we sat at ....my lower back was aching a little. So avoid the window seating by the parking lot, side...a suggestion.
(3)Michael P.
My favorite place for breakfast! Been here, and the location in Birmingham, a dozen times. I go here about twice a month and the food is AWESOME! Yes, its pricey. Yes, if you don't get there early, its a long wait. But when the food is as good as this place (try the crepes!), the money and time you spend waiting are worth it!
(5)Devonda O.
1st I fell in love with the pancakes, which taste like doughnuts but not too sweet. Then I fell in love with the home fries, which are seasoned to perfection. Then I tasted the turkey omelet!! OMG the most fluffy cheesy deliciousness ever. And then I had the big apple.... Even more delicious than all there other foods put together. So yeah the food is great and there service is just as good. I've been there numerous times and always have a great waiter.
(5)Bob N.
NO REAL MAPLE SYRUP!....... That's why the 2 stars. Everything else is totally 5 star. The bacon is thick sliced and divine. The Big Apple, Yum. The buckwheat pancakes are totally unique and so much more tasty than the buttermilk and yes I love their buttermilk, BUUUUUT. No real maple syrup, I'm paying $8 for pancakes and you serve me High Fructose Corn Syrup with artificial flavored maple flavor?? Cmon. I asked the manager why no real stuff and he said cost. Ok I said I understand that but why not make it an option for a buck more. I would gladly pay the extra dollar for the real stuff on awesome pancakes. Anyone else agree?
(2)Jack L.
I a;ways like this place but after paying $7 for a cold plate of pancakes at a time when it wasn't even busy I'm rethinking this.
(1)Abigail H.
Trust me, you will never go to IHOP again and think it tastes good. This place is amazing. I've passed this place by plenty of times and always wanted to try. This is a great destination for brunch. I had the fresh-squeezed orange juice which was great. If you are looking for caffeine here you'll have to go with coffee. One of the few restaurants I've been to that doesn't have soft drinks. They have things like chocolate milk and lots of different juices. We both had a sausage and cheese omelette. Very generous portions and they even come with 3 pancakes. The pancakes are incredible, melt-in-your-mouth good! My fiance got their bacon pancakes and he loved them. He was happy with the whole experience. Our waitress was great. She was so excited to find out it was our first time there. She even brought us some of their bacon to try. Thick-cut and so yummy! The decor reminds me a bit of the Cracker Barrel - it has that down-home, country feeling. They have waffles, pancakes, omelets, and even crepes. We'll definitely be back to try some other items.
(5)Jon R.
Best baked Western omelette ever! The serving portion was HUGE. The meal also comes with three scrumptious, fluffy pancakes. I highly recommend going halfsies on most of the meals so you can have more room for homemade crepes for "dessert". Although doggie bags are always a great option. My take home advice: The line is worth the wait. P.S. The restaurant also caters to big groups. Call ahead for reservations.
(4)Suzzette M.
A-mazing!! I only gave it 4 stars since I am writing this review on my first visit. I knew it was going to be great when The Hubs and I walk in on a Monday at 10:30am and there is a line for tables! Seated really quickly even though there were people waiting for tables. Quick turn-over...so if you have to wait...it seems like it will be a short one! Fresh squeezed OJ! No joke! Just the right amount of sweet, tang, and pulp! Service was great. We ordered a Garden Dutch Baby. I like that our server told us that it would take a bit longer since it is baked to order! We also ordered Bacon Pancakes!! YUM with a side of drool! The pancake itself was great, fluffy and light with a slight sweetness to it. Then salty and savory bacon....topped with whipped butter and a drizzle of syrup. DELISH!! Both were good as left-overs too. Huge servings! The only thing I didn't like was not being able to get REAL maple syrup!! I know others had said this before, but these pancakes are so good, it is almost a crime to put Mrs. Sugarworth on them. I would gladly pay to be able to get real maple syrup! Other wise, this place was great. Wonderful for brunch with the Fam, or a much needed Hangover Pick-me-up!
(4)Dea A.
I'm still not getting why the Michigan franchise doesn't have Swedish pancakes... but whatever. I'll deal with it. That said, the waffles aren't worth it. They aren't Belgian style, they are Swedish style -- meaning shallow and Eggo like. Not worth $6 at ALL. The side of bacon though? Oh my god, heaven. Thick and perfectly cooked. I want to bow down to the pigs which these delicious crispies came from. This place will have a line out the door on the weekends. And don't come here with a group larger than 4 and expect to be seated right away. Once seated though, service was awesome. Our waitress was super attentive.
(4)Linda Jo W.
Can't go wrong with scrambled eggs with cheese, English muffin and freshly squoze OJ. Works every time and I drive an hour to get here every time. Best bacon and pancakes EVER!!!
(4)Ken H.
Best pancakes I ever tasted
(5)Joe H.
Having been here numerous times in my life, I think I've had just about everything on the menu at one time or another. The food is good, but way overpriced. Still they do omelettes very well and their pancakes are tasty, especially the buckwheat & bacon varieties. However, I cannot get over the inevitably that everyone at the table is rarely ever served at once. Take tonight for example - Heather, Laila, and I ordered an omelette, side of bacon, hash browns, and 2 orders of pancakes. My omelette came at least 5 minutes before the pancakes, so I was half way done eating before Heather even started. This is the rule more than the exception, which is why I need to knock the stars down a couple. Quite honestly this is the best place for breakfast around Grosse Pointe, especially with the decline in quality at the Mack Avenue Diner. The coffee is good, the food is always above average, just be ready to eat in a staggered fashion. A suggestion: order the Santa Fe Omelette with sausage - it's spicy, cheesy, salty, and delicious. A near perfect meal any time of day.
(3)David C.
Pretty basic breakfast food. Amazing thick bacon. Service is good. Long lines are a daily expectation. Over all, pretty good.
(3)Lindsey W.
I'm a former employee and I STILL come back and eat here. My family has been going their for years before, since before the remodeling. The food is great, the service works hard and the kitchen is clean. They make about 90% of their food fresh from scratch including the pancakes, crepes and their fillings, orange juice, compotes and sauces and all of their special treats. Pretty much the only things that weren't homemade were the sour creme, apple sauce and apple juice, which are not their staple items. The managerial staff was excellent respectful and they actually care a lot about their employees and the customers. They listen to concerns and complaints and do the best they can to correct any problems. The kitchen is held to the highest level of cleanliness and quality. It is more expensive than your regular diner but the portions and quality reflect that. Omellettes and apple pancakes are huge and the bacon and meats are higher quality than you'd find at an IHOP. The bacon is actually thick cut and to die for. I love this place and I'm very glad working there actually improved my opinion of the restaurant. I will continue eating there for years to come! PS. COME HERE ON A WEEKDAY NIGHT, NOT A WEEKEND. THEY WILL NEVER NOT BE OUT THE DOOR BUSY ON A SUNDAY MORNING. I know it's an ideal time to eat breakfast food, but the after church crowd is huge and never ending. Some things take a long time to make like the apple pancake, so expect a bit of a wait for these items ESPECIALLY if you come during the weekend rush.
(5)A.J. S.
I was looking for a good place to have breakfast, because I didn't want to eat at iHop. We go to the restaurant, and the line was pretty big, but it moved pretty quickly and we got in, with decent time. The server was pretty nice. I ordered the 49'rs waffles which were pretty good. They were crisp on the outside, gooey on the inside, they were very filling. There were little things which really impressed me with this place. For instance the maple syrup had been heated, I believe it was possibly real maple syrup, and not the imitation stuff most people use. The thing which brings this restaurant down is the fact that I wasn't really into their cafeteria style seating. It means if you are unlucky enough to be sitting next to obnoxious people, it can be annoying. Also the acoustics made the place really loud. Normally I would like this kind of thing, but if I had a hangover it would have been annoying as hell. I would go back over iHop, I liked the food and staff, was nice.
(4)Michael J.
I had the unique displeasure of dining at this restaurant. A co-worker raved about your restaurant. My Fiance had the big apple supreme, I decided to try thr corned beef "speciality" with eggs on top, I asked that theh eggs be over easy, what I recieved was a corned beef dish, that was so hot it was sizzling and completely fried the eggs hard. I asked for toast, which I recieved that was hard and no butter. For a restaurant that taunts their quality on the menu, in this case it was a seriously gross exageration. When I cashed out, I was told t ocome again, I stated not in my lifetime, and no qguestions were asked. I left hungry, upset at the quality and price of the food, for what I spent, I could have had 2 large steak breakfasts at a local restaurant and money left over
(1)Gordana F.
i literally have naughty dreams about these pancakes. These pancakes are so good, if someone tried to snatch a piece of one of mine, I'd stab them with the fork - acknowledging the fact that I'd go to jail - it'd be worth it x100. They are THAT good. I don't care of it costs way to much or you have to wait an hour. It is worth it. It is worth every second and every penny. I don't really care what else is on the menu because once you have a bite of these, you will dream about them. I've had pancakes like 5 times at other places since i went here and every time i got all "omg, these are the worst excuse for pancakes", like i got all snob like because i fancy myself a connoisseur now since I've had these. I can't even talk about it anymore, i have to go and get some. Meet me there!
(5)Mary A.
I always love visiting this restaurant when in the area. There are so many unique choices on the menu. It is also a piece of history in the area. The only thing I always seem to find is it takes forever to get my coffee refilled. Some of the waitresses have been there forever and there is that 'old school' sense of feeling and I always have to flag down someone to get more coffee. This is my experience over the past 10 years going there most every time. But on the other hand, the staff is polite, the food is amazing, the restaurant is clean, and I love eating here. I don't mind flagging down a waitress for coffee at all. Just part of the atmosphere I suppose.
(4)Pete D.
The best food and service you can get in the town. I'm miss living in the area, so now I have to make it a point to go to the Woods just to get the best breakfast you can get any were. And if you can afford the cal's the dutch treat will change your life at least for the day.
(5)Tina F.
Huge portions.. no way 1 person can finish.. good for sharing. The Spanish Omelette was okay, a little watery on the inside once you cut into it (see picture) but still tasty on the inside.. the outside egg covering was a little bland though but it helped having it with some sour cream and salsa. The Big Apple pancake was delicious!! It was more like a dessert though.. so sweet!!
(4)Will S.
You wont find omelets like this anywhere else. Fluffy, cheesy, cooked to perfection. I've been coming to the pancake house since I was a kid and I will never get tired of this place. Dutch treat, Big apple supreme are must tries, pancakes are just awesome, and the crepes are delicious.
(5)Edward M.
So people on the east side and especially in the Grosse Pointe bubble love this place. I have had better for less. But my main complaint is that I work near by and myself and co-workers have ordered carry out many times. It seems that nine out of ten times I end up with Items missing, or my order wrong...So though my co-workers may still try them and have no problem calling to pick up the missing pieces, I have given up. Perhaps they are better as a dine-In place. Regardless I'm done. I won't be returning.
(1)Tony S.
3.75 Stars I'm reviewing this place in answer to my Yelp friend Bob N. I do believe I would pay an extra buck for real maple syrup. The thing is though I don't know the difference because syrup is not my forte' but I trust Bob if he thinks it would be better. I've been going here since back in the day when walking on the floor was like walking on fly paper with all that syrup sticking on your shoes. Pros: Best breakfast, biggest baddest German pancakes. Made from scratch, higher quality than most. Comfort food, this is where you take your guests to eat Sunday morning. Pumpkin pancakes. Bacon. Cons: Coffee inconsistent, sometimes nasty. Small portions of sausage (although it's homemade I believe and the portions may have increased as of late... maybe) Slightly more expensive than iHop or other breakfast places.
(4)Brian G.
I've never had a bad meal here and have been going since I was a kid. The Big Apple is great as are the potato pancakes and Pigs in a Blanket. The wait is worth it and don't be intimated by the long lines as they get people through quickly.
(4)Phillip B.
Been here before and had good food. This trip every thing but the pan cakes was horrible. So put that with huge line and bad service, don't for see myself going back.
(1)mariah c.
I'm in complete agreement about the "food coma" that can, and often does result from a meal here. My grandparents used to live nearby, and consequently, the Original Pancake House figures nicely into many fond childhood memories of family breakfasts. It's true, there is (and has been, for as long as I remember) the distinct possibility of long lines on weekends. However, I'm willing to say that the food (and fresh OJ) are worth a little waitin'! The dutch baby -- which is basically a large mass of doughy, fluffy goodness with powdered sugar (and lemon & butter -- but who needs the butter?!) -- was once my grandma's favorite, and I've inherited her tastes. It's probably more of a dessert than a breakfast, but since when has that ever stopped me from enjoying it? Hmmm.... I wonder if I could still get there in time for the Pumpkin pancakes Sherbert mentions?
(4)K O.
Wow- It just doesn't get better! I have been coming to this location for 50 years! Yes that's correct. I remember coming here after making my first communion and never miss a chance to visit when I come to the Detroit area! Everything is just right. Efficient and polite service, Awesome prices, Hot delicious food EVERY time! How do you do it? My favorite is the Mushroom Omelette with those luscious 3 buttermilk pancakes! Oh and the coffee. AMAZING
(5)Steve B.
Area's best old fashioned family style American breakfast, ..I mean lunch, ..ah screw it, pancakes for dinner too. I love the 49ers, but depending on your preference, all items pancakes or otherwise are great. The omelets are nuts, you get a huge fluffy pillow of eggs filled with anything you want. Oh and the bacon is thick as a belt but delicious.
(5)