Original Pancake House
5518 University Ave, Madison, WI, 53705
Original Pancake House Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Madison for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
5518 University Ave
Madison, WI, 53705 - Phone (608) 231-3666
- Website https://www.originalpancakehouse.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :6:30 am - 1:3
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : No
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
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Bill C.
Went back a couple weeks ago and it is still great. Since I am a "single" seating is quick, but don't bet on that for groups as it is a crowded place. Service: great Food: wonderful Go....don't delay
(4)Henry Z.
The name "Original Pancake House" suggests that it's a pancake house. That is correct. I think you would be remiss to come here for anything besides pancakes, although they do a few other things besides pancakes here. Are they good? Yes, more or less. Are they better than what the ordinary American can make at home? Maybe. Their pancakes are pretty big and fluffy and good, and at least coming here means no dishes to do at home. But I was not blown away by the food or anything else. When I came, there was a massive line outside. Luckily I was a party of one, so I could slip in and get a seat at the counter, but best of luck to you if you're a party of two or more people. The place dresses itself as a diner of breakfasts, although I was disappointed at what I felt was a somewhat short menu. I got three pancakes with eggs (I did over easy) and a sausage patty. They were OK. That is how they were neither offensive nor remarkable enough that "OK" is all I can garner to describe them. And for pancakes, this place is not cheap. Finally, it took them a while for them to get my check. Yelp defines three stars as "A-OK". That is exactly how I would describe this establishment. A-OK doesn't mean that this place is bad, it just means that I won't be regaling my friends about the meals here. A-OK is something that you do when, with three kids in the back of the minivan after soccer practice, you and your spouse want to go somewhere where the kids can have a simple and yummy meal without fuss. In my book, IHOP is A-OK. Target is A-OK. Feel free to judge this place as you wish, but I give it a solid "Neutral".
(3)Scott S.
30 minute wait on a Saturday morning? Great, no problem. Me: can I have a cup of coffee while we wait? "Server": no, we don't do that. Pathetic.
(1)Danielle W.
Good food. Fast and friendly service. The hashbrowns were crisp on the outside but not on the inside... by design, but not bad. Only issue was that the staff didn't inform me of up charges on menu items. For instance going from potato pancakes to hashbrowns was 2.20. . Then When The Bill Came I Was Double Charged for one entree. They fixed it and apologized but I'm lucky I noticed it.
(4)Angie L.
This review is now 3 years late, but better late than never? Anyways, below was my draft so it was exactly how I felt when ate there, so I'll say its still accurate. I loooooooove pancake house! I visit this location quite often as its close to my apartment. Its generally pretty packed but the front keeps things going like a well oiled machine. The most Ive waited is like 10 minutes. The banana pancake is my favorite and there is not one thing I have tried here I don't like. Its fairly priced, delicious, great service. I highly recommend it.
(5)Kelly F.
Phenomenal breakfast! Omelet was awesome and the waffle with fresh whipped cream, strawberries and their homemade strawberry syrup was the best I've had!!! Krista was the friendliest and most attentive server EVER! Will be back most definitely!
(5)Marina M.
I don't normally like breakfast food. Before I came to the OG Pancake House, I had never eaten potato pancakes or eggs benedict. After coming here, I'm hooked on both. Or at least, the pancake house version of both. Breakfast here was absolutely incredible. Never been to a diner that was as friendly or prompt. Easy enough to get in and get out on a monday morning. The eggs benedict was delight from start to finish. The bread balances out the goopiness of the cheese, and the salty meat really hits the spot. Just combines really well, easier to eat than you'd think. The potato pancakes were just as good, as they tasted like lighter hashbrowns. Mixing in the applesauce and sour cream was delicious as well. Also, my coffee cup literally never hit half full. That's how crazy on point the service was. If you're in the area at the right time, do yourself a favor and go here!!!! Get your OG pancakes on! I'll be back for sure if I'm ever in Madison.
(5)Keely S.
Right when you get seated you are served hot coffee. This was great because the wait on Sunday was about 30 min and they don't do call ahead or reservations. The food was decent, nothing spectacular. The eggs Benedict was really good but the bacon pancakes were nothing more than chopped up bacon in regular pancakes. There were always people coming around filling your coffee cup before you were half done with your current cup which was great. Friendly staff. Cash only-they have an ATM on site.
(4)Diana P.
I love this place! Great service, delicious food, freshly squeezed orange juice, it's my favorite brunch and breakfast place in madison. Delicoius ! Would recommend to my family and friends.
(5)Kelvin P.
Warning: Cash-only. Warning:HUGE portions. But how can you refuse 3 scrumptious buttermilk pancakes with your omelet or almost anything else? This little restaurant boasts traditional breakfast food the way you've come to love it. Hash, omelets, eggs, sausage, etc. I've had a few things from here, and I would continue to try more. Honestly, whatever breakfast food is your favorite, get it. The omelets are oven-baked, which gives them an interesting texture on the outside with an oh-so smooth interior. The pancakes are delicious, but as an addition to an entree, too much for me to handle (not a complaint!). I caution you to come at odd hours though, as the wait during peak lunch hours is real.
(4)Nelly M.
So yeah, this place is so famous and is serving such a good pancake so if you come later than earlier, you have to expect to wait for about 15 to 20 minutes to get a spot. But, it's all worth waiting. Their orange juice is fresh! the dutch baby is delish. I specifically like their waffle. I've tried their pecan, strawberry and coconut waffles and the later is my favorite. Coconut waffle is just unique and it comes with lemon syrup. My brunch companions today loved their choice. One had apple caramel, the other had strawberry crepe. The crepe is the richest one and can fix your sweet tooth carving.
(4)Christie L.
This is my go to place for breakfast in Madison. Cash only but they have an ATM--which is handy. Slammed busy after 930 on a weekend--so try to arrive earlier than that if you don't want to hit a new milestone in life (like midlife or menopause if you are younger). While I like to try new things, if I am going out to eat for breakfast I don't want dandelion greens with my eggs--I want awesome hash browns and thick bacon. I prefer my breakfast to be a bit on the Spartan side. This place excels at that. Love coffee refills? Every time I've been here I find myself placing my hand over my cup as I just don't want that much! I never have to ask for someone to appear at my table. Want crazy fast service? Sit at the counter. My friends have ordered pancakes, crepes (creepies are my favorite!), dutch babies, and massive omelets--and they've all been thoroughly enjoyed. Solid service and good food every time. Again, note that the later you arrive--the greater the chance of the rise and fall of the Roman empire happening as you wait to be seated. Actually, if it is that busy, you won't find a parking spot (this has happened to me once. frowny frowns).
(4)Dorcas Q.
May 1, 2015 07:00am chocolate chips pancake~ I'm a early bird.
(4)Mel M.
BEST POTATO PANCAKES EVER!! ...do I really need to say more??? But I will, just because this place was awesome. We were in town for a night and decided to try them for breakfast on the way out in the morning. I had the Egg's Benedict and my fiance had blueberry pancakes. All was absolutely delicious! The staff was very welcoming and super friendly. Someone at the table next to us got an omelette and it was HUGE! She said it was very good as well. All around just a great place for morning breakfast or brunch. I imagine this place would be the best hangover cure. I really wish we lived closer so I could stop in for the potato pancakes though. ;)
(5)Nicole I.
Best service, best food, best prices! I am happy everytime I come here. Friendly staff and authentic, delicious food! Highly recommended!
(5)Neal C.
Not bad for a more traditional breakfast spot. I opted for the 49er pancakes (three very thin, almost crepe-style pancakes) that stretch across the plate. They were very buttery and fluffy for being so thin, but there wasn't much of a taste difference to the traditional buttermilk pancakes, in my opinion. It was just like a stretched out version of a buttermilk pancake. Service was friendly and efficient, coffee is bottomless and affordable. Overall it was a decent experience, but with so many places in Madison near the same price point and with a more unique menu, I probably won't be back.
(3)Ally M.
This is the place to go for brunch in Madison! It's always a good time when you come here, whether it's with friends or family. Be ready for some sort of wait, though. It's a popular place, but I've never had to wait too long. Anything on the menu is good - but the pancakes and omelette are my favorites. The servings sizes are HUGE. If you manage to finish your whole plate, you'll be full for the next two days! Just a head's up though, they don't take cards.
(4)Chad F.
I have lived in Madison for nearly 5 years and for some reason I always wrote Original Pancake House off as a sub-par or generic chain of breakfast places like Denny's, but man...this place does it right. I ordered the 49er Flapjacks because so many other people have raved about them on here, and holy crap...how is it possible for pancakes that big to be so delicious!? Absolutely the best pancakes I have ever had. Other highlights were the perfectly crispy hashbrowns, the thick cut and perfectly cooked bacon, and constantly refilled cup of tasty and locally roasted coffee. The only negative was that it was incredibly busy and had a 45 minute wait before we sat down. The great service and the fact that our food came out in less than 10 minutes after ordering made up for that, though. I will definitely be back soon!
(5)Fei W.
The Dutch baby is insanely good with butter. Spinach omelette is big and delicious. Coffee is just ok.
(5)Jeff C.
Not 2A friendly, didn't see the sign until I was leaving. The food is good though. So all you Anti-2A supporters meet here for your rallies and to be victims for criminals who don't obey the law. I won't be back.
(1)Mat W.
Doesn't get much better than this for breakfast. I shared the asparagus omelette and sharing is the way to go, unless you haven't eaten for a few weeks. Bacon side, which was thick and juicy. Pancakes went down very well on our table. And service was excellent - stopping by to check on coffee every five minutes. Now I need to try and walk to the car...
(5)Lacey W.
I got the chocolate chip pancakes--they were yummy!. However, easily the best part was the whipped cream on top. Not sure if it's homemade, but it sure seemed like it. Also, I wanted to be mad that the side of hash browns with cheese was over $5, but man, that was a lot of hash browns...and they were delicious as well. I'll definitely be going again!
(5)Brian C.
Best chocolate chip pancakes in town. This place does diner-style food right. Cash only, which is a bit frustrating, although they have an ATM in-house. And only open until 1:30. My advice would be to get here at about 1PM if at all possible; the place is a madhouse beforehand.
(4)Jenni B.
Really good diner food for a great price. It's a small space which completely adds to the charm, but would add to the wait. We arrived at eight on a Sunday without a wait but the hosts were quoting forty five minutes when we were on our way out. I had a single strawberry crepe and it was more than enough to fill me up, I can't imagine how someone orders three! The crepe was perfectly soft and sweet and served with warm strawberries and syrup which was mostly strawberry puree. Yum! My friend got pancakes with bacon bits in the batter which was an awesome flavor combination for a savory breakfast, she let me share in the bacon feasting thank goodness. I also got to try a bite of corned beef hash which was tasty and also a bit of the Eggs Benedict. I like my English muffin a little toastier, but the hollandaise was yummy enough it didn't matter. The prices were very reasonable, if not generous to the customers. I would recommend this restaurant to any early bird!
(4)Adam M.
"We be flipping styles like pancake batter" - Beastie Boys "Say It" I've lived in Madison for eight years and never gave this institution a shot. Why not follow with this... "You Can't, You Won't And You Don't Stop Ad Rock Come And Rock The Sure Shot" Beastie Boys "Sure Shot" Enough with song lyrics... it's time to wax on/off about the joint. The place was packed yesterday an hour before close. For a table of two, we needed to wait a good 10 minutes. The decor is somewhere between family style and diner. There were also plenty of interesting matted and framed photos for sale in the lobby. After checking out the menu, we settled on omelettes with three buttermilk pancakes. We love omelettes. My partner went for a sausage omelette with cheddar and I grabbed the Western (green/red peppers, onion, ham & cheddar). After about 15 minutes our orders came. I was a little freaked out about the omelette monstrosity that belonged at a freak show (check out the picture). Look at that thing?!?!? It does not look appetizing at all. I went for it 1st. It was not greasy and it exploded with steam (likely nuked). The effing thing was dangerous. Worse yet, it was not very tasty. The cheddar formed oddly. I still have no clue how (combo insanely hot oil frying and microwaving?) or why they cooked an omelette in this fashion. It was basically a derpy & ginormous Hot Pocket made with an egg shell. Totally senseless. Why three stars? The pancakes were amazing. Between the delicious warm maple syrup, the intense white butter and the perfectly textured and flavor pancakes, the confusing and mediocre pancakes were almost forgotten. These were the best buttermilk pancakes I have ever had. To go, I grabbed there corned beef hash (with pancakes). Although the hash tasted pretty good, it's no Mickies Dairy Bar -- the potatoes were undercooked and bits were raw-ish, the recipe was unspectacular and the corned beef was minced so small there was none of its unique texture. The service was solid. Our waitress checked up on us plenty and was very friendly. On days that I have some patience, I would return ONLY for their pancakes. In all likelihood, I'll just continue going to IHOP since the prices are about the same, omelettes are a major upgrade and pancakes are only a minor downgrade.
(3)Mika M.
The original pancake house is my go to breakfast restaurant. The pancakes are not too chewey and have a great buttery flavor. They also have seasonal fruits, such as fresh strawberries, that go great as toppings. I highly recommend the chocolate chip pancakes they taste like desert for breakfast. The service is very friendly and pleasant. One time our order got help up so they gave us some free fresh fruit! Prices are decent and worth it for the great food. On weekends, especially during brunch, there is usually always a wait to be expected. I can honestly say I've never been disappointed eating here and it is a favorite that I go to frequently.
(5)Steve L.
Updated review, based on visit of 11/26/13. Met my team here for a morning breakfast meeting; quickly seated (table of 8). + Server, Daniel, was PHENOMENAL - friendly, fast, efficient, and just plain excellent + Coffee/water refills were always available; never sat with an empty anything - I drank too much coffee + Good selection of breakfast staples + Veggie omelet was excellent - very big, could only eat half - Eggs were slightly overcooked; a little tan in spots - I suspect there is pancake batter mixed-in with the omelets - Cash only + ATM onsite So... based on service: 5-stars. All things considered, a solid 3 stars.
(3)Sarah P.
Yeaaa, they are good... Hubby and I make it a point to share whenever we come here. There is absolutely no reason for him and I to be ordering our own meal unless we plan on packing half of it up. With breakfast, leftovers just never quite sound appetizing. Portions for the omelettes are ridiculously huge! They are not the traditional type of omelette with the egg folded over the ingredients, instead it is more like an omelette pie! They must use about 6 eggs for these beasts! It looks like they most likely mix everything in the skillet and then bake it in the oven for a few. It comes to you like a huge pie that you cut into and boom, there is the spinach and cheese and mushrooms oozing out onto your fork and knife as you cut. YUMMMM is all I can say.... So hubby orders that beast, AND included is a 3-stack of pancakes with the order! So all I order is some fresh strawberries and melon, and by melon I mean they bring out an entire half of a Cantaloupe with a spoon for digging! Man did we have quite the meal. We shared everything and still walked out of that place FULL, and very very happy. I definitely understand the long lines.
(4)Melissa M.
Came for Sunday morning, had a half hot wait, but it was worth it! I had the Dutch Delight, highly recommend it. I did get a side order if eggs too, just to break up the flavor. My fiancé had the eggs Michael and loved it. Definitely check this place out!
(5)Mark C.
This is the BEST breakfast place in Madison, nay, the world. Try the 49'er pancakes and you'll never go back to regular ones. My family eats there every weekend!
(5)Andrea K.
This is probably our favorite breakfast restaurant in Madison. The service is great. There are friendly faces everywhere you turn. The food is fantastic, everything on the menu is worth eating. The pancakes are outstanding, the texture is perfect and just the right amount of sweetness. Every other dish is also just as good. You definitely have to try this place. Right five out of five stars.
(5)Alex W.
The buttermilk pancakes were good, but the service was a little appalling to me. First while we were waiting my friend asked for a menu and the lady held it up behind her and said "oh this menu, you want it?" which was unnecessary and rude in my opinion. Also when I was ordering I asked if I could get one pancake because I wasn't that hungry. The server laughed and said "honey, now that's something I can't do" in a joking manner so that I was confused and didn't know if she was serious or not. She was. So I decided to get the potato pancakes which was a bad choice. They were greasy and were so thin they were like eating a fried disc with no flavor. There are better places to get breakfast in Madison.
(2)Joshua B.
I had never heard of this place until a friend of mine mentioned it. One Sunday morning all 4 of us (2 couples) headed to the Original Pancake House. When we first entered we endured a bit of a wait after claiming a number. That's ok though as they have a local photographers work posted all over the front. The waiting area is very small though and should be expanded. We waited maybe 30 minutes and finally our number was called. We sat down and a waitress immediately stopped by to get our drink order. I had the orange juice which is fresh squeezed and delicious. It reminds me of the juice from either Jennifer Street Market or Willy Street Co-op, I don't recall. The other three had apple juice which I was told was just "Ok." I had to get the original style pancakes as that's what they are famous for. My fiancee had the chocolate pancakes with chocolate chips. She did not like them, the problem is the menu makes it sound like regular pancake batter with chocolate chips inside. What comes out is way too much chocolate. My other couple enjoyed strawberry pancakes and a gigantic Western Omelet. I had a slice of the Western Omelet and it was perfect. It wasn't watery and it had plenty of bell peppers. The food only took about 10-15 minutes to bring out and the service was great. We will definitely go back here as the breakfast food was awesome minus the chocolate chip pancakes.
(4)Lillian C.
This place tops my list of most frequented breakfast/brunch spots. Pros: - yummy waffles and pancakes - freshly squeezed OJ Cons: - often 20+ minute wait on weekends - cash only (there's an ATM inside but who wants to be charged a fee? Come prepared) - decor is barebones and outdated I still fantasize about the strawberry waffle-- thick with crispy edges, fresh strawberries (none of those mushy frozen strawberries that are typically in a thick syrupy sauce that you might get elsewhere), and freshly whipped cream (not rediwhip). It's heavenly. Get it-- you won't regret it!
(4)Food L.
Love this place! Best bacon anywhere! I usually do full order of bacon and cheese hashbrowns and split with someone..Or my fave the French toast platter with strawberries and whipped cream topping for under $10!! So delicious!! Fresh OJ can't be beat either! The price is right and the food is fresh! I love!
(5)Kris L.
First, I like to say the food here was really good. The food gets 4+ stars. Unfortunately they do (or don't do for that matter) one of my pet peeves. They don't accept credit or debt cards. Other than being a pain in the rear, they're profiting extra from people who didn't bring cash with them. Yes, they have an ATM. The service charge is $1.75 per transaction. I don't see why a legitimate business in 2014 wouldn't accept credit or debt cards.
(3)Q S.
I've moved to a city without an Original Pancake House, so every time I came back to Madison I would go there for Dutch Delight. Absolutely love Dutch Delight! Normally, it's a 4 or 5 star place. However, this morning, it disappointed me. The waitress told us there was only frozen straberries instead of fresh ones. We thought it might not be THAT bad, but we were wrong. The frozen strawberries ruined the whole thing (I should've taken a pic of it). The food was certainly not pleasant, but it is not the reason why I'm writing this review here. When we were asked how was the meal when paying for it at the cashier, we told the lady how we felt. The only thing she said was: Did your waitress tell you? Believe it or not, some people really like it! I do not deny the fact that some people may like it, but what I do not appreciate was the lady's lack of empathy and her solution to customer complaint. Last time, when we went to Red Lobster (not in Madison though), we told them that the crab was too salty, and they just offered us a new 1/2 plate. I did not expect the Original Pancake House to give us a discount, but at least I would appreciate a nice gesture like "I'm sorry" with a smile on the face. For a popular place like this, I guess they simply do not worry about losing customers that are not regulars.
(2)Tyler A.
I have always had great service here. The best pancakes in town. 3 pancakes will be plenty for anyone. Chocolate chip pancakes are the way to go. They only accept cash though so be careful!
(5)Mary A.
Although I have eaten their spinach crepes weekly for years, I recently branched out to their other, more traditional, breakfast offerings. The fresh-squeezed OJ is delightful, the cooked eggs are well-prepared, and the bacon is tremendously substantial. It is wonderful to go to a restaurant where the staff continuously makes sure the patrons' beverages are to the quantity of their liking.
(5)Scott P.
Really disappointing. Wait for our food was interminable, even after we were seated, and food came out cold -- save for the bacon, which arrived 5 minutes after we started. The Swedish pancakes were almost inedible. Chewy and cold. Used to be one of my favorites. And, to top it off, it was really expensive AND the staff didn't seem the least bit interested when I suggested that the meal wasn't up to their standards. I won't be back.
(1)Robin P.
It was a disappointing experience. Our order took a very long time to arrive. Tables that were seated long after us were served first. An explanation was not offered. The food was definitely not worth the wait or price. Everything was served cold except the bacon that arrived after the meal. Very disappointing!
(1)Mo Z.
Great brunch site!! There's always a ~30 mins line but the food is worth the wait! large large portion and the price is nice too! I've tried the pancake, the crepe, egg specials, waffles..everything is delicious! love it 100 percent!
(5)Jim R.
30 min wait seems to be the standard reply while you wait to have breakfast at the original pancake house. At first I thought it just lack of training and I was hoping it would be worth in at 8:30 a.m. on a Sunday morning. In short, really glad we waited. One of the best breakfasts I've had on my dozens of visits to Mad City. The crepes were wonderful as were the eggs and pancakes eaten by others in our party. Plus they have the absolutely BEST bacon - thick, lean and cooked to perfection. Definitely planning my next visit!!
(4)Jeff L.
I eat at the Original Pancake House often because I live nearby. I sometimes get the Eggs Benedict or the Sourdough French Toast or the Potato Pancakes with sour cream or the biscuits and gravy. My particular favorites are the Swedish Pancakes with ligonberries on top (dusted with powdered sugar). I first had Swedish pancakes on a visit to the Upper Penninsula of Michigan back in the 1970s, and I've liked them ever since. My other favorite is the Cherry Kijafa crepes which are crepes topped with cherries in a cherry kijafa liqueur sauce. My mother always liked a taste of Cherry Kijafa around Chrismas time. I was really hungry and it was below zero when I went there last week, so I had the Swedish pancakes followed by the Cherry Kijafa crepes, and lots of hot black coffee. I was good for all day. The prices are reasonable and I've always had good service.
(5)Melanie S.
Exactly the same food I grew up eating (and loving) as I lived across the street from their location on Bellevue in downtown Chicago. This location is kind of depressing decor-wise, but hey, you're there to eat, not to watch an episode of HGTV. Fluffy, oven-baked omelettes, Dutch Babies, thick-cut bacon -- everything is top notch and cooked to order. Even their coffee is first-rate. You can't go wrong with anything you order. Our service was spectacular. We had a group of ten and our server never missed a beat. Everything was delivered to our table at the same time, which is hard to do with a large group. We had a number of sides and special orders; nothing was missing and everything was cooked as specified. I'm not sure if that's because one of our group is a very regular customer, but judging by the way she handled all of her other tables, I'd say that the servers here are on top of their game. It was nice to have a little taste of home away from home.
(4)Nikki F.
Hands down my favorite place to get breakfast in Madison. Plan to go slightly hungry, because they serve A LOT! But beware of the weekends. There will be a wait on the weekends. But the wait is worth it. Make sure to try the fresh squeezed orange juice, the 49'er flap jacks, and the hashbrowns well done with cheese. I have loved the omlettes and pancakes and getting the dutch baby is always a treat. But I always go a little hungry so I am always thwarted by the note for extra wait on the dutch babys. The service we have recieved at this location has always been awesome. We have gone to the other location once and that was enough. We much prefer this location and make the drive out to the west side for this breakfast pretty frequently. It's definately worth it. We have taken our son many times since he was born, he is now 14 months and they have always been extra considerate to our needs with him. One time they even gave us a larger booth so he could continue sleeping in his car seat. :-) Also, I brought my family here when they were visiting from Canada and they still talk about this place, a year later. They are coming in a couple of days and we will be returning.
(5)Jeannette G.
This was our first and only visit. We read the reviews and thought we would try it. Well, never again. We all ended up with stomachaches. We could not finish our food the taste was terrible. The hollandiase sauce was the worst I had ever had. Some of our food was cold. I do not recommend this place.
(1)Kyle H.
Still good food and service, but I just wish in the two years since I've been there they would've been wise to redecorate the place for a more "homey" feel. Everything's white! (Well, this is Madison, ba-dum-bump!). But seriously, get some gingham curtains like you used to have. Yes, some guys know what gingham is, get over it. And don't go insulting the waiter asking for the Lumberjack's breakfast- they don't have it. And there isn't a need for it. 1/2 orderBanana pancakes, hashbrowns and coffee. Perfection.
(3)Mica H.
Too expen$$$ive for breakfast. Pancakes are pretty good. I've had better. Their hash browns are excellent, but $5 for some hash browns and cheese. Ouch.... The options on the menu are somewhat limited. Most breakfast places have an option for something with eggs, hash browns, pancakes/french toast, and meat. It seems like you have to order everything separately here. The sausage was good, not great. The orange juice was definitely fresh squeezed. It should be more like $$ for price. There were 2 of us and when we were done, our bill was over $30. Definitely not a cheap place to eat breakfast (which should be the cheapest meal of the day).
(2)James F.
Pancakes are great. Many varieties. I had pumpkin pecan (seasonal) and they were delicious. I ordered a sausage omelette (4-eggs and MASSIVE) was able to upgrade the buttermilk pancakes for the difference, around $1.70. There were a couple small things I did not enjoy. The parking is limited when busy on sat/sunday morning. There was a wait around 30 minutes which seems to be normal. It is cash only. None of these things ruined my experience but it seems nice to be aware of them. I will definitely go back.
(4)Pamela S.
Love this place for its Apple Pancake! Always a hit. Worth every penny.
(4)Elaine K.
If I could give 3.5 stars, I would. I've been here twice and I definitely like it. I'm not from here but went to college in Madison so we usually go out to breakfast here when I'm in town. We went on a Sunday at 9:30 with a group of 18 and miraculously we were seated (we had a few people get there around 9:10 to warn them). This is extremely rare as far as I understand. Usually the wait time is long for even a group of 4. So that was impressive and the staff was very nice and accomdating, especially for a group of our size. I've had the apple pancake in the past and it is YUM. It's huge and delicious and like nothing I've ever had before. The downside is that it takes a long time to be prepared. So this time I opted for the apple waffle (no extra preparation time). It was really good, nice amount of apple and cinnamon. It was a regular sized belgian waffle and didn't come with anything though. I definitely could have eaten more. Many of my friends got combo platters which were definitely a better deal (like $8-9 for eggs, pancakes and meat). The pancakes were fluffy and light and there were a couple choices of syrups (regular, strawberry and maybe one other). The eggs were standard. My fiance loved the sausage. But no one stated that the combo was anything out of this world. I was intrigued by their bacon pancake. Maybe I'll attempt that one next time. I say if you want to go, go during an off peak time and try their super specialties like the apple dutch baby and apple pancake. OH and one big thing: CASH ONLY. ATM is on site but I'm sure it charges a ton so be prepared.
(3)Clay P.
I love pancakes and i really love pumpkin pancakes - but i didnt love the ones they served me. dry flavorless (no pumpkin - just hint of pie spice) whipped creamed, and overpriced - reminded me of some canned ayce buffet style casserole sweet potato dish. sad to say but perkins up the road kicks their ass in cakes dept.
(2)Chris S.
Like Clay P who posted before me, I too love pancakes. Though I love chocolate chip pancakes. But like Clay I did not love the ones that I got a the Original Pancake House. Typically, restaurants just don't do it the way I like them and I have come to expect that. Grading OPH on those terms, they did a respectable job. It is definitely a worthwhile destination for a pancake lover.
(2)Howie D.
Oh my goodness, the Dutch Delight is the perfect blend of a filling wholesome breakfast and fresh fruit goodness... It's like my birthday and Christmas rolled into one! Delicious. The pancake is so incredibly fluffy, shaped like a giant pie crust, and stuffed with sweet juicy strawberries and bananas! As for service... Well, let's just say my coffee mug never gets below an inch from the top. The server comes around for refills every few minutes. But then again, it is 7:30 in the morning, with only a few tables. It might be different when the place fills up in about an hour... Not sure.
(5)Jennifer M.
So, I love a good breakfast. Enough said. My husband and I took my brother, who is not normally impressed with breakfast to the Original Pancake House. He was really impressed. It is a busy place, due to the great service and amazing food. So, be ready to wait. It is well worth the wait however. Everything from their fresh squeezed orange juice, to the Belgian waffles, to their sausage is wonderful. It looks like a dinky hole in the wall place, and does not even have the same advertising as other Original Pancake houses around the country, but who cares because the food is exceptional. Please do not pass up the opportunity for the breakfast of a lifetime. Yum!
(5)Jessie E K.
I used to like The Pancake House for their huge menu, amazing options, great service and good coffee and that fresh OJ. Then I got the Dutch Baby.....and I don't even look at the extensive menu anymore. Show me a place in Madison, that doesn't have screaming kids and a long wait on the weekends, and I'll show you a miracle! Expect to wait for your breakfast on weekends....it's a given. If you don't like what you ordered, order something different the next time - their menu is HUGE! We have never been disappointed, and always bring out of towners here to eat - my mom starts to request her Dutch Baby as soon as she hits state lines. TIP: once the wait was 45 minutes, and we were all starving and tired and we asked the host desk for coffee while we waited and they happily obliged...coffee makes any wait easier!!
(5)Paul S.
LOVE this place. My absolute favorite breakfast place in the city. Great service, great food. You may have to wait a while for a table when they are busy, but it's worth it. My girlfriend and I are regulars, and the staff know and recognize us at this point. We find ourselves here just about every weekend. My favorite menu item is the eggs benedict. I order this nearly every time. Also delicious is the hash browns, which, if you order them extra crispy only need a little dash of salt to top them off(cheese ruins them!). But really, you can't go wrong here. Everything on the menu is great. There are TONS of different pancake variations you can get. It's really a pancake lover's dream. There is another location in Monona, which is closer to us. However, we come to this location because the cooks seem to take some extra care in the preparations, and this one just seems less "greasy spoon" to us. While they use the same recipes, the end result is just better at this location in our opinion.
(5)Christopher t.
I a fan of all the pancakes they have. Strawberry and whipped cream, blueberry, and banana. The strawberry is a huge starwberries on top of huge flat pancakes with strawberrry syrup. I also had a side of hash browns and egg combinations. The coffee isn't the best so I never ordered it twice, The waitresses aren't the sexiest but they bring food to the table and listen to what you order. They make sure to bring you butter and maple syrup. I haven't been to the River Road location but I might try and come back to give you my thoughts. How are their waitresses you ask?
(4)Jamie F.
Top notch breakfast! My first "Dutch Baby" was out of this world! Worth waiting for a table.
(5)Robert S.
My parents live less than a mile from this place, and whenever we visit (from Norcal) we make it a point to eat here -- and we've never been disappointed. If you are used to the tasteless mush they serve at IHOP or Denny's you will be pleasantly surprised. I'm rather partial to the buckweat pancakes or 49er flapjacks, and my wife is crazy for the corned beef hash, which is homemade and nothing like the stuff that comes from a can (and is what you usually find in restaurants.) One word of caution: the omelets are way too much for one person (especially since they come with pancakes) unless you are either incredibly hungry or rather porky, so we normally split one between two people. Otherwise, nothing to complain about -- good food and good service. If you come on the weekends, either come in really early or late (i.e. after 10am) if you want to avoid a rather lengthy wait. I've eaten at a number of OPHs (including Glenview Illinois, Cupertino CA, Anaheim CA, and Los Altos CA) and this one is by far my favorite. Highly recommended!
(4)Ks K.
Great breakfast place with Great service. We had: Eggs over easy, eggs over medium, hashbrowns, coffee, English muffin, rye toast. What an amazing thing to actually get eggs over medium when asked for. The sign of a truly great breakfast place. That & good coffee. Watch out for the huge pot holes in parking lot. Ah, WI winters.
(4)Jody M.
Food was good at a reasonable price. Waitress seemed impatient with taking our order when one in our group couldn't make up her mind. We stayed for a long time, we were asked if we wanted refills on coffee and water every 5 minutes after we received our food.
(3)allie k.
No reservations accepted, so one must often wait with their 80 year old Grandma in the car for quite awhile before being seated on the weekend. Also, the strict "your whole party must be present to be seated" policy is taken very seriously! We had a friend who was running late but told us what he wanted us to order- nope, had to wait until he arrived then another 10 minutes for a table. That being said, the food is fantastic! Nothing fancy, just excellent, consistent breakfast food. The Dutch Apple Pancake and Sourdough pancakes are some favorites. Once past the school marm who controls seating, you can expect very good service as well.
(3)Kay R.
Great breakfast joint with excellent, tasty dishes at a reasonable price. One of my top 3 places in Madison for breakfast. The chocolate chip pancakes are amazing -- with gooey chips blended in the batter with fresh whipped cream on top. Their over-baked apple pancakes, omelettes are also highly recommended as are the crepes and waffles. I guess, that covers pretty much most of their menu! :-) Love their fresh-squeezed OJ as well - just the right amount of sweet and tart. The place does get pretty packed though and they don't take reservations (you get a number when you check in) or credit cards. So keep those in mind. The best fast seating tip - ask to be seated at the counter. Usually it clears up faster and you don't have to wait for long (assuming you don't mind sitting at the counter with other strangers :-))
(5)Eric T.
The last time I TRIED to go here I originally wanted them to do take out. I called up and asked if they do take-out and was treated extremely rudely on the phone. The person on the other end was quite self-righteous about the notion that they don't do take out. I think it's idiotic. What if I go there, order, then ask for my dish to be boxed up immediately? Is that different than take-out? Frustrated, my companion and I tried to actually go there instead, but found the "Closed" sign very punctually displayed at 1:30 on a Sunday. Again, I found this odd. Nearly every breakfast joint in town stays open until at least 2 PM on Sundays, and the half-hour closing is odd and hard to remember. Sometime, I'd like to actually go there again, as I remember the omelets to be quite good. When this restaurant was in Hilldale's parking lot it was much more appealing. Far easier to get to from downtown, larger, and less annoying to wait at, and a wait is always required. I find the new location to be strange, on a thoroughfare between shopping areas and squat and office-like. Obviously I've had better days at ye olde OPH.
(2)Jenny L.
I really like OPH's pancakes. Especially the fresh strawberry pancakes, when in season. Like others have said, the wait is ridiculous. The service is usually very good. Prices are decent for most items. There is no waffle on the kids menu, so be prepared to shell out over 5 bucks for one. Really, the thing probably cost .80 TOPS, to make.
(4)Debra B.
Today it's 5 stars because our wait was only 10 minutes and the food and service was just excellent. We didn't wait long for our food and were always topped off with fresh coffee. Spouse ordered the most excellent omelet topped with mushroom sherry sauce. He was very happy. My bacon was thick and crispy. Freshly squeezed orange juice is a real treat! Highly recommend a visit here.
(5)Missy M.
4.5 stars I have been enjoying the food here for over 10 years, back when they were in Hilldale. The new location doesn't have the same eating-in-your-grandparent's-kitchen feel, but the food is just as delicious. The servings are generous, especially for the price point. The only downfall is the amount of time you can wait at peak meal times. I don't recommend going at 11am on a Saturday. You'll probably be waiting 20 - 30 minutes for a table, and there isn't much seating available while you wait. My favorites are the blueberry crepes with homemade whipped cream and the chocolate chip pancakes. The homemade whipped cream is fantastic. The omelets are also good. The coffee is strong but smooth and they're very good about coming around and refilling your mug.
(4)Ruthie Y.
Definitely a varied menu with many choices, but each option only differs slightly from the next and a lengthy menu equals quality by no means. Pancakes to me are a breakfast treat, a couple times a month indulgence. And so when I eat one, I want it to be really, really good. These guys just don't equate to more than some en mass batter topped with a few varied ingredients. Maybe next time I'll opt for one of the house specialties--definitely look good in the picture--look like more than your average pancake.
(2)Elizabeth H.
I've been coming to this place since early childhood, and I love it. The only problem is the crowds! You either have to get there really early, like 7:00am, or later, around noon. Either that or come on a weekday morning. I'm addicted to their strawberry syrup, and their hash browns are divine. Come here for a good breakfast!
(5)Kristen P.
Best place for breakfast in Madison. Hands down, if I'm there in the morning time, this place is my first stop, no matter how long the wait. I mean seriously, it doesn't matter, this food is always top notch. I am sad to have been blessed with the gift of having non-cooking friends in Fitchburg, only to lose them to Seattle, thus losing my connection to the Madison Pancake House. Doubt I'll go to another location, my expectation is too high.
(4)kurt s.
By far the best breakfast in town. Good, clean, simple err "classic?" breakfast food without pretension. Fresh orange juice & strawberries. It is a small, nationwide chain (around 75), although each one is managed pretty independently and the menu tailored.Also, as in anywhere the cleanliness of the kitchen & choice of ingredients matters, and this is why I think they do so much better than the others. Many of the standard items, though (like the apple pancake) is superb. This is all fine, but the staff is really what makes it excel. Everyone treats you like family. It's true that the weekend waits are long. You might take this as a sign. The early mornings and weekends are less crowded, but it doesn't have the same lively vibe.
(5)jay w.
The two years I lived in Madison, I went to this Original Pancake House location almost every Sunday. I didn't even mind the wait--it gave me an opportunity to read the newspaper. I usually got pancakes, bacon, and hash browns. Their hashbrowns are more like an oniony hashbrown cake with an almost mashed potato like interior. One time I tried their orange juice, and then that became part of my Sunday routine as well. This place made me regret each time I had previously poisoned myself with Perkins' pancakes. I try to make it a point to go here whenever I'm back in town.
(5)Jerry J.
Atmosphere is almost non-existant in this former Italian restaurant, but the food is consistently good. Obviously a breakfast place, it serves up the best bacon, sausage, pancakes, and eggs. And those hash browns? No one else bakes them like they do. For the wife, the Dutch Baby is heaven. The grandkids all want to come here. It is a busy place, especially in weekends so bring the newspaper (if you can find a print version somewhere) and enjoy the little ambience they have (outside). Prices are a little high but not at all outrageous. And if you can keep on the good side of Mary Ann, you will get VIP treatment once she knows you. Yes, you could make all of this stuff at home, but who the heck wants to?
(4)Jason C.
Always go here for breakfast when I am in town. Their omelets are the best I have ever had. Personally I always get the Western Omelet. On the weekends expect to wait about 30-40 min in the morning. Arrive Sat or Sunday an hour before they close (1PM) and get seated right away. The restaurant is very plain, so come for the food and food only. 5 stars on food, 3 stars on atmosphere. Bring Cash.
(4)mark w.
Best breakfast place, hands down in Madison. They have tenured employees, excellent food, and reasonable prices. Downsides: No debit/credit. But it isn't too big a deal. Sure, it could use some touchups, but it is a breakfast place, old school! It keeps the atmosphere of a small diner in check without getting too contemporary and then raising prices 10% to jusitfy it. They rock, hands down.
(5)Super M.
Eggs. Pancakes. Fresh Fruit. Probably cholesterol on a diner like dish, but WHOAAAA nelly!!! OH SO GOOD!!!!! It's the kinda place that you see in a Norman Rockwell vacation... And it's THAT good!!!! Screw Mickeys.... OPH is da bomb!! Bonus points if you order the 4 egg omelette that frankly will feed 3 people, and if you order it for you, you'll have a meal to go for days... OH LAY OFF PEOPLE, I"M A POOR STUDENT!!!!!
(5)Josh C.
This place was pretty good. The food was decent (I don't know how to mess up breakfast food), but not spectacular. I had an egg/pancake/bacon combo and it was pretty cheap. The bacon was done to perfection. A little crispy, a little chewy. The pancakes weren't very large or particularly delicious. The eggs were done just about right. There was also a pretty long wait. I don't like waiting, especially if the food isn't the best. I doubt I will ever plan on going here again, but if somebody were to invite me, I wouldn't say no.
(3)Megan K.
I love the pancake house. Love it love it love it. In Madison, there is no equal. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. The omelets are four eggs, fluffy and baked, and probably larger than your face. For a small upcharge, you can swap out the buttermilk pancakes on the side with any of the other specialty cakes. I'd highly recommend the wheat germ pancakes (hearty and slightly sweet) or the 49er flapjacks (flat like a crepe, but doughier, and well, gooey). All of their crepes are divine, and if you don't mind waiting a little longer, their oven-baked pancakes (the signature dutch baby and apple pancake) are phenomenal. With Brennan's across the street, they often purchase fresh fruit in the summer for daily specials - keep an eye out for anything they create with fresh peaches. The weekend wait is worth it. You can get in quickly on weekday mornings for a fast bowl of oatmeal with brown sugar and cream. Oh, be forewarned - the coffee is only for those with strong stomachs. Family owned and run, with servers who have been working there for years, if you come here often enough they'll soon learn your name, how you like your eggs, and if you're lucky, they'll provide you service with a hug.
(5)Colin D.
Maybe I'd give this place 2.5 stars if I could. Maybe. I have been to the Pancake House about three times and I have never been overly impressed. I just don't get it when people give a breakfast restaurant five stars then say something like: "OMG I loooovvveee the scrambled eggs and white toast, so good!!!!!" The food is decent, but there really is nothing on the menu that wouldn't taste just as good or better if you spent 10 minutes making it at home.
(2)John B.
Long waits for decent food. Might be worth it for something beyond just eggs and toast. There is a wide variety of special items on the menu.
(3)Kate N.
Oh how I have loved this place for so many years -- since it was located right next to Hilldale. A great, affordable breakfast (If you like greasy spoon -- which I do). It can be a pain to wait for on the weekends, to be sure. But I swear, I have never had better chocolate chip pancakes yet. And the strawberries and creme are excellent when in season.
(4)Jerrold S.
Thick cripsy bacon. The best bacon in the world. mmmmm...bacon. Supposedly they have great pancakes but who the hell knows. Its all about the thick cripsy tasty bacon. Just kidding the pancakes are great and the omlettes are huge. My favorite were the blueberry with the real blueberries in them not some crappy jam type substance. They have some other Original House of Pancakes throughout the midwest and I even went to one in Hawaii. If you go get the bacon. OHOP closes early on the weekend. Nothing is worse than being hungover thinking about bacon driving from campus and finding out its closed. Call ahead.
(5)Paul K.
One of our favorite breakfast places. Make sure to go early to avoid long waits due to the popularity of the restaurant. The specialty items like Apple Pancake, Dutch Baby, and baked 4 egg omelets plus excellent coffee and friendly service is what sets this place apart from others in town. This past weekend, they had pumpkin pecan pancakes as a special and were excellent.
(5)Harper E.
This regional chain is the place to go to eat gigantic portions of good-enough pancakes and eggs surrounded by senior citizens and high school students. The standout here is the surprisingly tasty, lacy-thin potato pancakes, which they serve, correctly, with apple sauce and sour cream. The bacon pancakes are another welcome innovation. Things to be aware of: 1. Go weekday mornings to avoid long waits. 2. Cash only. 3. Many items can be ordered in half-portions (otherwise known as "normal-sized portions") making the OP an even cheaper place to have breakfast.
(4)Nina O.
Looonnngg wait, suppose it's worth it to some, but definitely not one of my fave brunch places. Great OJ, however.
(2)Helen C.
This is how breakfast should be done everywhere. HUGE portions of fantastic and flavorful fare for super cheap with friendly and attentive staff. The Dutch Baby is their claim to fame, I think, but the other standard dishes (like simple eggs, sausage & hash browns) are also very delicious. I only wish I had one closer to me in LA.
(5)Lily C.
i guess this place is pretty good. i'm not sure i'm head-over-heels about it like everyone else is. the first time i went there, i got one of those 4-egg omelettes that they oven bake. i was definitely not too keen on it. yes, it was huge and yes, you could feed an army with it, but i felt like it was overdone 'cuz the crispy burnt outside really distracted from the eggy, hammy goodness on the inside that i wanted to taste. i actually had avoided going back since then because usually when i brunch i go the omelette route but.. . . i went back recently for a friend's birthday, however, and tried the combo plate. i liked that this option existed since it was just 1 egg (cooked however you want it), 1 sausage patty (or whatever meat option) and 3 buttermilk pancakes. it was like i got to have all the different foods but in smaller portions so that i could actually eat it all. a friend got potato pancakes with his eggs benedict which looked awesome! i'm not sure how you can go wrong with thin fried crispy slivers of mashed potatoes though. the eggs benedict themselves actually didn't look that great and honestly made me just yearn for the amazing eggs benedict at cafe continental. the wait was 45 minutes at noon on sunday. yes, it's the sunday brunch crowd, but that's quite a wait. i'm hungry and i'm hungry now. one point off for the wait. one point off for the omelette. one point for extensive menu. one point for good combo plate and those potato pancake things. one point for good service. you have won me back for now, original pancake house. don't let me down.
(3)Kate Z.
I usually order approximately 6 different things when I eat at OPH. There are no other restaurants where you can actually like that many things at once. I'm also a huge fan of the servers, some of which I have recognized for my entire life. I don't think you can beat that for charm.
(5)Dave J.
I generally prefer more of a greasy spoon or a diner experience for breakfasts but you cant deny that this is a very good place. Service is always good and the bathrooms are always clean. Try the fresh squeezed orange juice.
(4)Ashley T.
Pretty tasty, but accepts no cards, and usually has a long wait. I can't say it stands above other pancake/breakfast places around the city but it's certainly not bad and very cheap!
(3)Jim L.
This is one of the awesome breakfast joints in Madison. If you love pancakes, you will be ecstatic over this joint which offers about 50 varieties of the fluffy doughy disc-shaped treats. Very crowded with suburban families on the weekends, so be prepared for a possible lengthy wait. Its worth it though. Better yet, skip classes on weekday mornings to enjoy without the crowds and kids.
(5)Vickie M.
Over the past 15 years I have to have been here at least 100 times (seriously). The food is always good quality, hot, the service courteous and efficient, and although I see that some people have commented that the portions are small, I have no idea what they are talking about. The salami and eggs (an oven baked omelet of sorts, and a personal favorite) is literally dinner-plate sized - it covers the whole darn plate. The dutch baby (also a favorite) is an eggy baked pancake concoction that is delicious slathered with butter, sprayed with fresh lemon juice, then sprinkled with powdered sugar. The hash browns are crispy and brown on the outside, soft on the inside, and cooked in one mass. Get cheese on top and they're even better. Yes, it isn't cheap, but with dozens of varieties of pancakes, waffles, omelets, crepes, etc to choose from, everyone I've ever taken has been happy at the end of the meal. The same staff has been here over the years, which tells me that they're treated well by the owners, and that means something to me too. I love this place, and plan to visit here at least 100 more times.
(5)