Original Pancake House
2625 N Downer Ave, Milwaukee, WI, 53211
Original Pancake House Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Milwaukee for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
2625 N Downer Ave
Milwaukee, WI, 53211 - Phone (414) 431-5055
- Website https://www.originalpancakehouse.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:00 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Breakfast
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Stephanie R.
Milwaukee is fairly short on brunch places that open before 11 a.m. on weekends. At the Original Pancake House, you won't find bloody marys and mimosas, but you will find really good food, all starting at 7 a.m. (although if you want to avoid a possible hefty wait for a table, arriving before 10 a.m. helps). The menu is large (both in size and content), so there is pretty much something for everyone. I've had the corned beef hash, which had a nice brown crust on the outside and lots of meaty, oniony goodness on the inside. I've had the Dutch baby, which was huge, fluffy, dusted with powdered sugar and delicious. I've had the Danish Kijafa cherry crepes. I mean really, with that name and description, how could you not try this? And I've never met a crepe I didn't like. These were no exception to that rule. I've had bacon, coffee and fresh squeezed juice, all of which didn't disappoint. I haven't tried the omelette yet because I've seen the size of them (massive) and they also come with pancakes. They run around $12 which may seem pricy until you see how big they are and that they include three pancakes with the order. We've always had good service, and I know I'll be back because there are several things on the menu I still want to try including the eggs Benedict, the Tahitian Maiden's Dream, the Swedish pancakes, the coconut pancakes, and oh yeah, that brown sugar banana thingy.
(4)David M.
A little pricey just for breakfast, but damn! The food rocks, and I don't know what brand of coffee they serve, but I love their coffee. And you never run out. Always a little crowded, so be prepared for a sometimes lengthy wait, which I'm usually not willing to do, so that's lost business for them as I feel others probably make the same decision. Too bad, because the food is superior.
(4)Kelsey S.
I'm pretty confident that it's nearly impossible to get a bad breakfast here. Everything (seriously, everything) is delicious. And massive. And delightful. The menu here suits both the sweet and savory fans. Pancakes are as perfect as you'd expect one from the "Original Pancake House" to be. The omelettes and other egg dishes are gigantic and flavorful. I recently dined here with a large group, and someone had the brilliant idea to share dishes -- which took away the pressure of committing to one dish and allowed me to sample so many more things. Totally worth it and highly encouraged. Also, they apparently got rid of the tiny glass bottles of soda, meaning the fountain soda is a-flowin' and plentiful. And, of course, the coffee is even better. Two happy, satisfied thumbs up, Original Pancake House. Keep doing your thing because it. is. perfect.
(5)Natasha J.
Head here for the biggest bang for your breakfast buck, but not for much else. The omelettes are massive, and they taste alright. Just decent diner food. The whipped cream is super decadent and my only recommendation is to get pancakes so you can try that. The three stars is for the apathetic hosts, and one particular experience where the host skipped our name in line for an extra 30 minutes, totaling us at almost an hour wait. The host did not take responsibility, merely dragged her feet as she showed us to a table.
(3)Ron R.
Good Grapes Batman! How have we never been here? For some time we struggle for a new place to take out of town friends, Colectivo? Nah- Too busy, Honey Pie? Awesome but too small. Blues Egg? yeah- right...I don't have that much time! My BFF noticed the Pancake House last time we were at Via Downer- and good thing she did. We came in on Memorial Day with 6 people. Seated almost immediately. The server was prompt with water and coffee- Some have claimed the Coffee to be the best in MKE- I suppose not for me. Not offensive, but nothing terribly impressive. I gave up my cup and went for the ice tea. Shortly our breakfast arrived- and Ehrmagherd what a plate. The bacon side was four pieces of thick cut, bacony goodness. The Over medium eggs were perfectly over medium. PERFECTLY over medium. And the pancakes and syrup. Well, I mean how freaking good were the pancakes and syrup? Pretty darn awesome- that's how freaking good they were. I hate getting in a car to drive to breakfast, but this one? Yeah, we'll be back again. Soon.
(4)Audrey H.
This is the place to come if you want great pancakes! Awesome atmosphere, friendly service and kids are always 1st. The coffee is so good that I don't even need a ton of creamer!
(5)Tim S.
I stumbled across this place on yelp. By far the best french toast.Simple and delicious The coffee is good. The service is good also.Ive been here about a half dozen times and the food is very consistent.
(4)Kari H.
I called and made a reservation for 8 people at 1015 am. I confirmed with the girl on the phone 3 times that she wrote down 1015 am. Our party of 8 arrives and she then says there is a 30 minute policy after you call that you must arrive from the time you called. On the phone the girl never said once you had to arrive within 30 minutes. I clearly made a reservation for 1015 am and arrived on the dot. Whoever answers phones needs to be trained of the 30 minute window and not promise something that can be made. Once we finally sat down 45 minutes later (after they told us it would be 25 extra) they seat 8 in a booth that seats 6 at the max
(1)Doug j.
WOW! The best breakfast in Milwaukee by far. I had the Swedish pancakes and they were wonderful, challenging Al Johnson's in Door County as the best i have ever had. It has been a couple of weeks since we were there and i am dreaming of a return visit. My wife had the pecan waffle and said it was great. Our waitress was prompt, helpful, and friendly without being fake. Our coffee cups never got empty.
(5)Lori A.
Wife loved the corned beef hash, I had the western omelette and it was great. Very busy when we stopped in and had about a 20min wait. Waitress was very friendly, great place to eat. Will definitely stop back there next time we are back in town.
(5)Emily R.
Extremely overpriced! It was $40 for two people to eat. Orange juice was $4 for what they called a large glass and it was maybe 6 oz. it really wasn't any better than had I just made pancakes at home. Also, I ordered what I thought would be regular fluffy pancakes with cinnamon and apple syrup on top and what I got was a a huge, heavy chunk of dough with apple slices and syrup on top. No fluffiness and no trace of pancake taste. The potatoes were good but they could have been crispier. Also, the waitress seemed very cold and uninviting. I won't ever waste my money here again.
(2)Rose Marie M.
Alright, so one star is a little extreme. This place has the best breakfast food in MKE. And waitstaff is great. Having said that, SERIOUSLY can a girl order carry out from a restaurant and walk out with the right food? NOT HERE!! I don't know why I keep coming back, but 3 visits in a row they gave me the wrong food and/or forget the chorizo in my omelette. Now what is a fiesta omelette without chorizo!?!? And this time they charged me extra for someone else's hashbrowns that they threw in my bag!!! WHAT? Okay, maybe I should have learned my lesson the first 2 times, but seriously the food is GOOD. Just never get carry out. Also the chicks at the front desk should maybe stop coming in hungover. PLEASE.
(1)Katharine M.
Went for pancakes and waffles during the lunch hour on a Monday. Not busy at all. I ordered a gluten-free bacon Belgian waffle. I've had my share of nasty gluten-free waffles--this one was actually quite delicious. I think the bacon helped :). When I ordered sausage, a line cook came out to tell me that they do prepare them with some flour, so be warned. Nice of them to tell me, though. I also ordered chocolate milk and was happy to discover that it was actually chocolate milk, not regular milk with syrup added. My gf ordered a half order of pancakes (good idea if you're not starving). Our waitress was friendly, but I would have liked her to come by with more coffee at least once. We had to ask another waitress. She seemed a little off her game though (dropped a few things, but recovered well). It happens. It's what you expect. Pancakes. Waffles. Nothing spectacular, but again, I was impressed with the gluten-free options.
(3)Joonhee S.
Had to drive up to Milwaukee for work again and the store was literally right next to my company so i decided to give it a shot. When I walked in the host was busy and said "I will be with you in a min" so I just step aside and waited. During that time, another group of four college/high school girls walked in the and host just serviced them, feeling salty I just left. 0/40 pts Taste/Flavor/Texture (did not order) 0/20 pts presentation (did not order) 0/10 pts Service 8/10 pts Environment 0/10 pts Menu (did not see the menu) 0/10 pts value (did not see the menu) Grade F
(1)Kelsey P.
I usually end up here for breakfast which must be a good sign. Omelettes are masssssive. You can easily split one with a friend. The dutch baby is a puff of buttery goodness. The chocolate chip pancakes are everything a chocolate chip pancake should be. The bacon is thick cut and always perfectly done. The OJ is fresh. I'm pretty sure I've had almost everything on the menu and I like it all. And the service is generally spot on.
(5)Kellie M.
I'm a lover of breakfast, and this play was pretty good. The omelet was absolutely gigantic and not really what I expected but still delicious. I was slightly underwhelmed with the pancakes, however. I got the fruit pancakes and while they gave me plenty of pancakes and fruit, they weren't very fluffy. I expected a little better quality than what I got. Still tasted good though.
(3)Merete M.
Warning: consuming a full plate of anything from the original pancake house may cause happiness as well as internal hemorrhaging because your guts aren't made to hold that much food. But it's that delicious, you'll still be happy. I went with a party of four. I know one person ordered some pancakes (when it Rome, etc), someone ordered a waffle, someone ordered the cherry crepes, but I...... I ordered the baked German Apple Pancake. More like Mount Fuji Apple pancake. (I'm sure that's not really the type of apples they use. It just worked better for the joke) It was gigantic. I thought using serving platters as plates would be expensive and a space-waster, but this monster could not be contained by a mere dinner plate! I liken the dish to what I imagine it would be like if an apple pie got drunk at the bar and met a pancake (who might have dressed a little bit promiscuously on purpose). That pancake was out with her girlfriends, and was a little tipsy herself. Apple pie was flexing his crust for her in some kind of strange mating dance, but it was unnecessary as the cosmopolitans had already spoken. A few hours later, they were only 9 months away from welcoming ze German Apple Pancake into the world. (Don't worry. Both Apple Pie and Pancake turned out to be great parents) What was I talking about? Oh yeah. My apple pancakes was enormous, so I recommend getting it to share with a friend. I saw a review that said it can get boring. I understand that complaint, but that's only because if you tried to eat the whole thing, it would probably take you all day. Share, and get something small to break up the monotony. Our server was friendly and attentive. The neighborhood is quaint, so if the weather is right, sit on the patio!
(4)Kendra P.
Consistently quick, delicious food, and kind service. I have been going The Pancake House since I was young and have always enjoyed it. Hint: if you don't like waiting for a table, try and hit it on the off hours (weekdays or 1:00/2:00pm on the weekends) otherwise expect quite a long wait..although it's worth it!
(5)Isaac S.
I would come back. The food was ok. Nothing spectacular but nothing bad. My favorite was the orange juice and the potatoes. The Belgian waffle was ok and I tried some of my friends' pancakes and they were ok. It's good for certain items and ehhh for others. The waitstaff was extremely friendly and very nice.
(3)Jay S.
Their omelets are HUGE. Let me repeat that so it sinks in, if you order one of their omelets, you'd better be hungry or there should be more than one of you because THEIR OMELETS ARE HUGE. Every time I order one, I take the leftovers for at least one more meal. They are really really friggin' big. Indeed. Their eggs benedict is so so. The eggs are generally, but not always, overcooked, and the hollandaise sauce isn't quite right. The potatoes are good, but nothing particularly special. Did I mention that the omelets are quite large?
(3)Cory T.
THERE IS REDEMPTION Because I needed to run errands at a nearby Downer Ave business, I took my uncle to the Original Pancake House out of sheer convenience. I was surprised that the restaurant that I had ripped to ribbons had improved so much. THE WAITRESS The wait staff was efficient and pleasant. Coffee refills were offered frequently enough to be appreciated, but not too frequent to be annoying. THE FOOD I had pointed out to the waitress that I wanted my eggs fluffy and yellow (and I surreptitiously pointed to a plate at another table). I had given her a short narrative of the burnt eggs I'd received on previous visits, and made it known that I did not want those. I got perfectly delicious eggs, along with some rye toast. My uncle had eggs with ham and a potato pancake. THE MANAGEMENT When I paid my bill, I mentioned how impressed I was at the turnaround. The staff thanked me, and said that there had been a complete change in management. Mystery solved. THE RATING The food was delicious. But I cannot offer up more than THREE stars for the simple reason that the prices here are outrageous. Two coffees, and the above mentioned entrees were just above $25 with tip. I'm not expecting a George Webb pricing structure, but I don't expect to get financially raped for a couple breakfast entrees. I will stick by my original statement: East-siders wet themselves with excitement over the opportunity to be parted from their money. But seriously, kudos to this restaurant for making some positive changes.
(3)Bartleby F.
I love their Swedish pancakes! The food is good in general, although the bacon pancakes are a bit too dry and not very flavorful. They handle substitutions well. The service is hit-or-miss. Either you're ignored or they are literally right on top of you. And I do mean literally. At least three times our waitress reached across the table to fill water glasses while we were eating. She never asked or said excuse me, just reached through and bumping our hands.
(3)Damon R.
If this is the original house of pancakes then the imitators have done a good job of being better than the original. I went on a weekend morning and i was really excited about the food i thought that i would be eating....i was so wrong. Let me start by saying that the interior was nice. The waitstaff we all really nice and pleasant. The place was very clean. Now with the food............ I have never had bad pancakes.....ever. I would compare my experience with my pancakes to meeting a nice young lady, she cook breakfast for me before i knew she couldn't cook and it tasted like the cardboard that came in the 3 pack of hanes that kept my briefs nice neat and creased while sitting on a walmart shelf before I purchased them! So i was fooled when i was told that a full stack of pancakes was 6....instant joy! The plate came...instant disappointment! The pancakes were the size of a kids order. My daughter ordered the french toast and the egg was still on the bottom of the bread....really? Yes really! The pancakes had a horrible after taste. Im not sure if they were buckwheat or had sour cream in the batter? Either way our whole order was so inappropriate!... I will mos def stick with denny's or ihop. I didn't have to wait on a table, we sat right down. So no wait for me. I also order the home style potatoes that were supposed to be seasoned that weren't really seasoned and i had to add salt every time i took a bite. This has to go down in history as one of most wasteful times i spent money on food.......ever. I couldn't be paid to go back....sorry!
(1)Don A.
We came for my mother in laws birthday for breakfast and it was our first time here and the food was amazing. Real thick bacon and the pancakes were so delicious!! A must place to come if you've never been here.
(5)Tee G.
Had breakfast here on Saturday. I've eaten here before but forgot what I'd had, so I previously didn't write a review. I wanted to write something accurate that reflected my actual experience, so I decided to wait until I ate here again before I wrote anything. This is more of a 3.5 star dealie, to be more accurate, so pretend you see another half star up there. We were seated promptly even though the place was busy. The service was polite & prompt; the coffee was yummy. Aww yiss, we're off to a good start, I thought. It's a bit more upscale-y than a greasy spoon diner, but definitely not a "fine dining" type of establishment. Hey, for breakfast that suits me just fine. I had been crawling through the desert of my mind thinking about pancakes for about a week prior to this visit, but when I opened the menu the vegetarian omelet said my name aloud, so I ordered that with a side of pancakes. It's a good thing I waited until I ate here again to write this: I'd forgotten how GIGANTIC their omelets are. It was the size of a frisbee! It was hot & cheesy, & stuffed full of nom-tastic veggies. (For some reason I really love broccoli & eggs for breakfast, & the veggie omelet was stuffed full of broccoli. 1up!) My side of pancakes were fluffy little guys who soaked up the butter I slathered them with, & were just enough to fill my pancake craving. I liked them so much I ate the remaining 1.375 pancakes my friend left on his plate after he finished his meal. I could only stuff 1/4 of the omelet into my tummy before I was full up to my eyeballs. I took the rest home & made 2 additional meals out of it. Seriously. Good coffee, good service, yummy pancakes. What's not to love?
(3)Ronald S.
The hostesses are not the greatest when it comes to reservations and seating arrangements. If the place isn't busy they won't ask if you have a preference on seating or will sometimes be on their phones. The servers are excellent and food is always amazing. I manage to make it out here almost once a week for a good breakfast to start the day. Parking is sometimes difficult during the week but with a near by lot that is free on Sundays you can't complain when the morning rush comes in and there is always a spot open within 5 minutes.
(4)Ann C.
It is hit or miss here. The wait is usually pretty long, but that is to be expected for Milwaukee brunch. If you are ordering food, stick with the pancakes (or pancake like food). Those have always been good. The "other" food, has never been that great for us. What they call an omelet, is not an omelet. It is a weird, large baked egg thing. It was not very good. The next time I came I decided to get an egg scramble. I had Swiss cheese, ham & onion added in. The onions came under cooked, the ham was good and the cheese was obviously super cheap bad cheese, since it didn't melt very well. So I ended up with globs of weird cheese stuff all over, with very under seasoned eggs. Lesson learned, stick to the types of food in a restaurant's name, not anything else!
(2)Jules M.
Recently dined here twice. Time #1 Saturday 1pm Waited 20 minutes. Diner A: Ordered apple pancake and coffee Diner B: Ordered Eggs Benedict with potatoes and Oj Waiter: Young (They all are seems like all the staff is under 21) but decent Overall: Decent eggs benny was good but nothing unique, apple pancake was good but a huge portion that became boring to eat. Coffee sucks- there is no excuse for that. Time # 2 Monday 10am Wait none Diner A: Ordered Ham and cheese omelet with 3 buttermilk pancakes and diet coke Diner A: Ordered Corn Beef Hash (which stated it came with potatoes) with sunny side up eggs and 3 buttermilk pancakes and hot tea w/cream Waiter: Young girl, confusing and seemed to make assumptions Overall: Ham and cheese omelet was a huge portion that could not be finished and left over omelet is not so good, diet coke came in the tiny cans - no fountain? Corn beef hash- mushy lacking texture and NO potatoes. I asked the waitress if potatoes were suppose to be included in the meal and the buttermilk were also included as stated on the menu. Her response was a confusing combination of word regarding how some people don't want both the potatoes and the pancakes....Hmm well I asked if potatoes were included and wanted them as well as the buttermilk pancakes that were included. I am not really seeing a reason to return here. BTW I have not tried their dutch baby but it is one of the easiest things to make. We use 1 c milk, 1 c flour and 5 eggs. whip in blender until airy and then pour into a cast iron or glass pan that has been preheated in a 400degree oven had 4tbls of butter melted in the pan just before you add the batter. bake for 30 minutes (while you prep the rest of your yummy homemade brunch)
(2)Danielle I.
Ok, honestly IHOP had better pancakes and omellette than this place is serving up. yes, I WOULD rather go to an IHOP. the only thing this place has going for it is a decent establishment to look at. Service was fine no complaints there but really i doubt i'd eat here price + quality = bad
(2)Adam K.
The service is the best part of this place. The food is not unique it doesn't fail to satisfy. Standard pancake place with quick delivery and friendly atmosphere.
(3)Beni H.
I love pancakes, so I love OHOP! Delicious, fluffy, golden disc from heaven are certainly done right, in every way here. It's alittle price but I have never left hungry or unsatisfied. Several types of pancakes, waffles, crepes, eggs and other tasty vittles cover the menu. I typically order the same thing when I come here, Buttermilk pancakes, side of meaty( yet crispy) bacon, side of home fries and all the coffee I can toss down my gullet. The hubs and I typically spend about 40 quid ( before tip) each visit. Thing to keep in mind during your visit... 1. Go early, the lines are killer after 10am and you'll be sure to wait 45 mins plus 2. Parking stinks, but it's the Eastside, you already knew that right... 3. Pancake orders come on a platter of like 8 or so, so if you don't have that huge of an appetite share em or order off the kids menu for a a more reasonable portion. Yeah I said it, kids meal!! 4. They aren't open late so keep in mind, closing is at 3:30pm during the week and 4pm on weekends. 5. If you order The Apple pancake or Dutch Baby be prepared to share. Unless you are a Paul Bunyan, lumberjack type then by all means gorge yourself honeybun!
(4)Shane H.
Why would anyone ever eat anything other than breakfast food? I'm not usually one for reviewing chains, but I've decided that chains that only serve breakfast food are exempt from that because bacon. I know there are technically "better" breakfast spots out there, but sometimes you go for PORTION SIZE over BETTER FOOD. I often find myself in this predicament. If you've had the horror of seeing me eat a thing ever, then you know that, to quote Ron Swanson, "when I eat, it is the food that is scared" is appropriate. But I must say, at Pancake House...I always have to take home leftovers. Always. It is beautiful in its sadness.
(4)Danielle B.
I've been encouraged to visit the Pancake House for years, but it never ended up with enough votes from those in the brunch party to be our final destination... until now. A friend had her heart set on brunch at Pancake House, so after 5 years of hearing about it, I finally had my first meal there. I was shocked at how many people were milling around the entrance on our arrival! Luckily we had called ahead so we had a very short wait. I understand they allow you to call 30 minutes before your arrival. The decor of the restaurant is cozy & log cabiny. I loved all the wood finishes and the layout is right for the space as you don't feel crowded in the massive booths and the throngs of people at the front door don't ruin your meal. The food was not so special. The beverage menu was no frills - juice, soda, tea or coffee. The food menu was a lot more interesting than the one listed online which I was excited about. I ended up ordering something that sounded a bit crazy: a crepe stuffed with eggs, cheese & ham, dusted with powdered sugar, served with a side of potatoes & blackberry preserves and (optionally) topped with hollandaise. I asked for veggies instead of ham which was no problem at all, and got ready for an adventure. I just can't say no to hollandaise! Eggs benedict was an option, but I wanted to try out something new. What I received was actually a pancake, not a crepe, and a lot more food than I expected. It wasn't bad, but the pancake was really sweet; it contrasted strangely with everything else. This wasn't like salted caramel. It was just odd, and I wasn't a fan of having a super thick pancake instead of the thin crepe I expected. The hollandaise was pretty bland, but more salt maybe would have been a better contrast with the sweet pancake. The potatoes were really boring. No real flavor, not crispy enough, the big cubes were under-cooked. I'm not sure what the blackberry preserves were for, but I tried to dip parts of my pancake that were hollandaise & egg-less. The preserves were delicious. Highlight of the meal. As husband didn't think his meal was anything special either, I don't think we'll be back soon. I don't have any interest in waiting for a so-so meal; especially when Milwaukee has so many much more delicious brunch options, but if a friend really wanted to visit again, I wouldn't say no.
(3)Todd H.
Warning if you don't like kids- find somewhere else to get your pancake fix. Went with a friend for Sunday brunch. The restaurant is very busy, lots of families with kids, but also a good mix of people. Food was decent, standard fare pancakes and sides. I had the eggs Benedict. They were average with a taste of made from a box taste. Service was very good. A good three stars.
(3)Sarah P.
Nom Nom Nom Nom!!! I was pac-woman in Original Pancake House! We were seated immediately and I was able to take a good look around.. I loved the newness of the decor, and the cream city brick peaking out on some walls.. atmosphere was awesome, lotta people - very busy! Our waitress was a sweetheart who was trying hard but she was very busy. Considering she was high school age and really working her butt off, she got a smile and a wink from me when she forgot to bring hot sauce and ketchup for my home-fries, and didn't bring us water when we asked for it. She just needed to be reminded and I am a-ok with that. Why add the pressure by being a jerk? The food: Belgian waffle with whipped butter and syrup Eggs Benedict with turkey sausage and home-fries with cheddar and onions. The home-fries win first place! Hubby and I were both digging in and they give a pretty hefty portion. My Eggs Benedict was good but I was a little OD'd on the Hollandaise sauce, just a tad too drenched for my liking. The Belgian waffle was fluffy and nummy and I loved it, although hubby says he is still in search of the perfect Belgian waffle - he is a fanatic about Belgian Waffles for some reason, still searching for that one that got away from him in Florida....
(4)Pete P.
Pretty good pancakes... I usually just make pancakes at home (and those are good too) but the Doctor wanted gluten-free pancakes and I have not yet mastered those, but these guys have. Generous portions for sure. Crowded but not insane... we waited maybe 15 minutes for a table on a Sunday morning. The staff was nice and seemed pretty efficient. Great experience!
(4)Jessica G.
Usually, when my parents visit the city, this is where we get breakfast. However, we are currently in the market for a new "usual" spot. This place has been going downhill. Twice in a row now, someone in the group I was with got hair in their food. Wait staff does not usually appear to be in a hurry. If your food is hair-free, it can be very delicious, but the employees' attitudes can bring your experience down.
(2)J W.
Service is good, coffee is great. Lots of food choices, but portions are way too big for normal people. They have allowed me to order off the senior menu, 25 years ahead if my time, so points for that. This is a pricey spot--breakfast for 2 came in at $30. Please do something about your checkout-- long slow moving line to pay. Either a second register or a more experienced cashier. Because of the prices and the portions, this is a once in a while treat. Took a while to clean empty tables with lots of people waiting in the lobby. So I guess some service issues to fix, but very good food.
(3)Sadie T.
I LOVE Original Pancake House. I choose it every year for my birthday breakfast (+other days during the year). This is a nice location, very big, neat wooden rafters. The Brookfield location is just as good (but usually has a much longer wait). This Downer location has a more extensive menu than the Brookfield location. I recently went to a level deeper than love on my most recent birthday (early July, 2012) and enjoyed "gluten-friendly" pancakes. They mean gluten-free (but can't guarantee free of all gluten since the same grill top is used). Delicious! Light and fluffy, beautifully golden brown. I thought they tasted perfectly like normal pancakes. Boyfriend said he could taste the difference but that they were still good. SO GOOD! Things that make this place so special even though it is a chain: Fresh orange juice. Homemade syrup. Foods that are absolutely amazing: Pancakes. French toast. Mandarin crepes. Pancakes: seriously, the best. I usually order the fresh fruit pancakes (this comes with seasonal berries or other seasonal fruit). I have also tried the coconut pancakes and Tahitian pancakes. All good. French toast: other than homemade (message me and I will share my recipe), this is the BEST french toast around. I consider myself a french toast connoisseur, and Original Pancake's french toast is remarkable. Mandarin crepes: really sweet, and even a little bit acidic from the citrus. They make them with canned mandarin oranges, so the whole dish is very soft and super sweet. Great flavor though. I have also tried the spinach crepes and did not greatly care for them. Omelets: Not my favorite kind of omelet. They are huge, seriously, huge, and come with 3 pancakes. They are made in the oven, and frankly just overcooked. I appreciate the idea, but in practice, these omelets are too big and too dry. Go starving.
(4)Alyssa N.
Everything on the menu is amazing at this place. Chocolate chip banana pancakes are definitely the best though. Good service and a cute environment to eat at. One thing i think they could improve on is if they had combos on the menu or sell things a la cart instead of having to buy multiple entrees if you would like eggs and pancakes for example. I would definitely recommend this place. And apparently they make everything from scratch, even their whipped cream, which is quite nice.
(5)Lindsay L.
This is my favorite breakfast spot to go with my dad for any or no reason at all! We absolutely love the banana pancakes that come drizzled with the sweet tropical syrup. A side of bacon is a must. If I don't go with the banana pancakes and eggs, they have this delicious omelette with sun dried tomatoes, feta cheese and spinach...perfection! The service is always friendly, the seating is almost always immediate and they keep your cup of java full! Maybe I love this place too much because I love spending time with my dad, or maybe it's just that great.
(4)Warren D.
Quietly tucked in between the disappointing Via Downer and the world's most eclectic CVS Pharmacy is this East Side institution, the Original Pancake House. As you may have read from other reviews, waiting for a table is de rigueur here, so be prepared. Thankfully there is a fairly sizable waiting area as well as a vestibule. It was nice out today, so you could have even waited outside for a table. Staff is pleasant and efficient (and our waiter was super cute) and the menu has a good variety of choices without making you feel insanely overwhelmed (cough, cough, Maxfield's). Plus, all of the egg items come with a side of pancakes--score! I had the ham and cheese omelet which was enormous and unlike most omeletes I've ever seen. You may have read others complain about the "brown stuff," but it is just well-cooked eggs, no biggie. Like any omelet you have to do some digging to get to the good stuff, and this was no different. Also nice was that there were no errant ingredients from someone else's omelet mixed into mine. How annoying is it to enjoy a specific omelet and having a random onion or piece of gyro meat show up like a Jehovah's Witness at your door? What I appreciated the most was that the omelet was big enough that I can warm it up for lunch tomorrow because it was so large. On to the pancakes! They were light, fluffy, and fabulous--even better than Maxfield's if I do say so myself. Misfires were minor: orange juice is fairly pulpy, which grosses me out more than talking about lady bits. Why anyone would want solids floating in their liquids is beyonf me; would have liked a little more checking on the food, I was almost half-done before CuteWaiter asked if everything was ok/we needed anything. Would definitely go back (even if that waiter isn't there).
(4)Becky M.
Amazing food--I want to go back and try everything on the menu. Service was prompt, but not very friendly. If the servers would learn to smile--they'd get a 5 star from me! Good value and great for someone from out of town. I thought the architectural detail and design of the restaurant was beautiful.. it made it seem a bit more upscale than you might expect from a pancake house.
(3)Julee M.
I've been living in Europe for 5 years and there was only 2 things I've really missed about America--wide roads and breakfast! So maybe I've rated this a bit high because I've been American breakfast deprived. Me and my crew each ordered different items--pancakes, waffle, french toast, and crepes and then we shared. We had no leftovers. We got there on a Sunday @ 1100 and our party of 6 didn't have to wait even though the place was busy. A bit later I saw that people had to wait for tables.
(4)Betsy S.
Holy crap-delicious! My friend and I had a meager ten minute wait on a Sunday morning and I spent the time reading the menu-there are many choices. I ordered banana pancakes and the mediterranean omelette, my girlfriend ordered the western omelette and potato pancakes. The coffee was on the strong side (perfecto), and the water came in ridiculously small cups! My only complaint-well, sorta. The banana pancakes were like manna from heaven. Moist and sweet - all they needed was a drizzle of syrup. Butter would've been overkill. My Mediterranean omlette was delicious, other than the ridiculous amount of feta jammed in. Seriously - there were feta chunks the size of small rocks in there, which tended to overwhelm my taste buds when I didn't notice what I was putting in my mouth. Other than that...I'd definitely return. The next time I'm in Milwaukee, that is.
(4)Joseph M.
My experience here is limited to two items: The banana pancakes, which I will continue to order EVERY TIME I'm go here because they are that good; and the apple pancake, which is really a tasty apple pie masquerading as a pancake to fulfill its lifelong dream of being on the menu of a pancake shop. Service is good; courteous and mostly prompt. The food is excellent. The prices on food are excellent considering what you're receiving. The prices on drinks are not great at all. A "large" chocolate milk (I'm not there for my health) is about 10 ounces, if that. And for those who drink soda; no free refills which is sort of odd nowadays. I should be ordering the fresh squeezed OJ, which appears to be a better deal but, banana pancakes just beg for chocolate milk.
(3)Xavier A.
- Very good - Wide selection - Great food (large portions, awesome for sharing) - Good/friendly environment - Staff has almost always been pleasant and courteous I've been coming here for years, and now that I've moved away, I've made it a point to come w
(4)Neveen M.
Best breakfast spot in Milwaukee. Every thing is great, just stay away from egg white omelets, eeeek was very watery but guess that happens when you have a lot of fresh veggies. The chocolate chip pancakes are to die for, and just about everything else!
(5)Lindsey O.
Updated review since April. Come prepared to wait. It is hard to tell what day/time to go to Original Pancake House. They have the thick cut bacon my hubby loves so we tried it again. We waited for 30 minutes and then again for another 30 to get our meal once ordered. Any time we are put in the back room its like we are forgotten. This time we were the second table seated in the back room and the last to get our food. You get a lot of food. I don't usually finish what's on my plate. You can choose your side on most orders (e.g. potatoes, toast or pancakes).
(3)Mattias J.
I just love this place. The buttermilk pancakes are the best I've ever had. I usually order an omelet, but everything I've had has been good. The omelets are giant, too. You'll definitely take leftovers home. Friendly staff, too.
(4)Karl C.
The Pancake House is my favorite breakfast joint in Milwaukee. I make a point to eat here each time I visit my adopted hometown. Here are the ingredients for the breakfast I dream of whenever "Milwaukee" is mentioned: Banana Pancakes: they are great here. Their pancakes are cooked in smaller sizes here but you get more of them. I like it because you're able to drizzle syrup on a few of them at a time, so the other ones don't get too soggy. There's something comforting about saving a few pancakes from syrup-induced sogginess that makes my heart warm. Speaking of syrup, the Pancake House's tropical syrup is delicious. It's a taste explosion and, remarkably, they do it without making the syrup unbearably sweet. Try it out if you have the chance. Coffee or Manually-Squeezed Orange Juice. Both items are solid, and I'll opt for the OJ only if I'm dehydrated from the night before or if I'm looking forward to a nap shortly after my meal. A Side of Bacon. Their bacon is excellent here. It's always well-cooked but never burnt. You won't find any limp, flaccid bacon pieces here. Top that off with some good company and maybe some friendly service and you're good to go. The atmosphere of this restaurant is very family friendly but it's still an Eastside establishment, so it keeps the "cool" vibe somehow. I highly recommend the Pancake House if you're planning on breakfast or brunch in Milwaukee.
(5)Becky S.
Fabulous breakfast food place. I've never come at peak times so service has always been good. The omelets are humongous, cheesy, and yummy. Today I had brown sugar banana french toast which was soo tasty. The little things like coffee, creamer, butter, and syrup are really good here too. Would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a delicious breakfast or brunch.
(4)Catie F.
We stopped in here last week while visiting Wisconsin . We went for the corn beef hash and I was unimpressed. It wasn't browned all the way through so the top was pretty good and crunchy but the bottom was just raw mush straight from the can. The potatoes were greasy and didn't seem to have much flavoring to them. The pancakes were ok but you get a MASSIVE amount of food. Since pancakes don't save well it just seemed a little over the top to me. I would probably go back if other people in my group realllllyy wanted to go but I would definitely share something and not get the hash.
(2)Autumn H.
Probably the best breakfast out I can remember having. The coffee is amazing! We had Swedish pancakes, sausage, a veggie omelette and bacon. Everything was absolutely perfect. The omelette was super fluffy and filled with delicious veggies. A great experience, would go back in a heartbeat next time I'm in town and up for breakfast. May be a little expensive for some folks, but I thought it was worth it (our bill was $31 for two people, which does seem steep for breakfast).
(4)Da J.
Stuffed to the gills with food. Portions are generous! Beware! We especially loved the strawberries and bananas with whipped cream. The kids had a lot of fun coloring, and whatever egg dish I ordered was about 4x as big as I expected (compared to downtown Chicago portions, I suppose). If I'm back in Milwaukee, I'd definitely jump at the opportunity to return.
(4)Chad C.
I know it's odd, but I am NOT a huge breakfast food guy. I do occasionally have a craving for some pancakes and when I do I'm glad this restaurant is nearby. It's usually very busy so be ready to wait if you're going during typical dining hours. In the summer they have a few tables outside, which is very nice. Service can vary, but the food is usually very consistent. Great pancakes and sides.
(3)M M.
I admittedly am not a huge fan of brunch. I was willing to give this place a try per a request from a guest. The ambience was good minus a screaming child two booths down. The service seemed very rushed like they were more concerned about turning the table then letting us enjoy the experience. My guest ordered and bacon and egg omelet and I ordered blueberry pancakes. My mistake was ordering the pancakes. They were too sweet and topped with powdered sugar. My guest enjoyed his omelet but we were both left with leftovers. I'd say the food is good but I wish they'd kick it up a notch with the service.
(3)Dapo O.
I was recently taken out to breakfast at the Original Pancake House by a friend. The following words are my initial impression: The appearance of the place is quite nice and cozy. Very clean and well designed so that there isn't a bad table in the house. The staff was very helpful and out server was very attentive to our needs. I started off with a hot chocolate which was very good. For my breakfast I had the sausage and aged cheddar cheese omelet. The portion sizes are very generous and were so large I was unable to finish my omelet (which is rare for me). The omelet itself was decent. It was a little plain and I felt I needed some type of hot sauce to boosts its flavor. I also had a side of pancakes which again were average. In summary, I believe this breakfast place deserves another try. Although the particular dishes I got weren't amazing, the facilities and staff are very nice.
(3)Ari S.
This place is sooooo yummy! They have a huge menu and their portions are large. I will be very surprised if you are not stuffed upon leaving. The atmosphere is very relaxed and happy with an added bonus that the facility is always clean. This place is a hot spot for breakfast so expect a wait during peak times. The staff are very accommodating and happy to help you. I love how you have to bring your ticket up to the counter by the door to pay. So no matter how many people you have, you wont have to worry about splitting the bill. If you are not from Milwaukee, make sure you stop here for breakfast! You won't regret it!
(4)Eric G.
The service has gotten a lot better here. The menu is so amazing, every single dish is great try an omelet or pancakes. There is something for everyone.
(5)Steve S.
I cannot believe this place is still in business. I went a few weeks ago and had a horrible experience. Service was slow and barely attentive. My omelette seemed okay but after a few bites, I noticed an bizarre green color to it. Our sever never came back during the meal until the end and asked how everything was. When I let him know that my omelette did not seem right he said "Oh" and cleared the table. He came back with our check and said "I checked with the chef; don't worry; you won't get sick or anything." I was floored. No apology. Nothing. when we walked up to the register to pay we were asked how was everything. "not good" we replied. Her response was "oh that's too bad". I stood there blankly thinking this was a joke. No establishment that has been in business for a while could have such horrible service and food but here I was witnessing it. While I should have pushed to speak to someone higher up, I had a feeling they would have the same "don't care" attitude as the first two employees. I wish First Watch would come to Milwaukee so they could wipe this place off the face of the earth.
(1)Jamie B.
This is one of the more delicious chain pancake houses. It's only open until 2pm though, which blows, because sometimes I like my breakfast late in the day. It's small and oddly shaped inside, the decor is bizarre, 80s popular "southwest" art meets the geriatric cafeteria. I always order pancakes, coffee and a side of sausage, I get different pancakes each time, but the Montmorency cherry pancakes are my favorite. They have free Wi-Fi, so sometimes I bring my laptop with me, and the service is attentive, but not hovering, my coffee is always kept full. **EDIT: They have extended their hours and are now open later Wed - SUnday [Sundays only until 3pm, Wed and Thurs I believe 7pm and Fri and Sat 9pm].**
(4)Maika M.
I would actually give this a 3.5 star. I went there with my husband on a Saturday morning. It was quite busy. We had to wait 15 minutes for a table, not too bad. I ordered apple pancakes and my husband ordered bacon waffle with canadian bacon on the side. Apple pancakes were delicious. Bacon was ok. Waffle was good. I understand they are called pancake house so they have a lot of different pancakes but I wish they would offer more variety of breakfast meats.
(3)Erika B.
Don't go here if you are NOT hungry! The food was great, hot and cane fast! The portions are huge; my friend and I shared one entree! We had a veggie omlet, which came with a plate of 3 pancakes and a side of meat. Needless to say, I didn't eat again till dinner!
(4)Steffi S.
My hubby had an omelette which was the size of a human head, it came with original pancakes. He said it was delish. I had coconut pancakes pretty ok. The bacon which we spring for is definitely 10 star quality. The orange juice was super fresh. Next time all I will get is the bacon...maybe two orders :). Please don't tell my cholesterol though ;)
(3)Ryan B.
Best Breakfast food in Milwaukee Area!
(5)Shelley M.
On a visit to Milwaukee over the weekend & I've been hearing about this place for awhile now, so we had to try it. I really enjoyed my waffle & the turkey sausage was pretty good too. I was disappointed I couldn't try the pancakes. I am very much allergic to one of the ingredients they use in some of their pancakes & since they're all cooked on the same griddle, it was recommended I avoid all pancakes entirely. Better be safe than sorry. Props to the waiter though for being knowledgeable about this without having to check with the kitchen staff. Decent but not extraordinary service. I am not sure if I'll come back just because I can eat elsewhere & not have to worry as much. Would recommend to others though!
(3)Richard P.
Dutch Baby! A million calories, but it's what you need.
(4)Emily S.
Although I often make the mistake of coming here during its peak hours on Sunday mornings, I think the food is well worth the wait! I like to try their different pancakes each time I come here, and I have never been disappointed. I wouldn't recommend their egg dishes, they're a bit bland, but then again, I think they're called the "Original Pancake House" for a reason. The food always comes out pretty quickly after ordering, and I have always experienced good and attentive wait staff.
(4)J. I.
I went to this location today and I'll never go back. The staff were very rude to my party. I'll just go to the Brookfield location from now on. The staff there are always nice and helpful.
(1)Beth F.
Swedish Pancakes + Lingonberries = Love. More restaurants need to serve them. These weren't the best I've ever had but they were certainly nothing to complain about. And when I ordered a diet Coke, they brought me an 8 oz. glass bottle. Getting soda in a can at a restaurant usually bothers me. But for some reason getting it in a glass bottle worked for me. Go figure!? I'd like to give them 3.5 stars, but since the Yelp gods don't permit it, take another .5 star on me Pancake House.
(4)Joey T.
For a couple of years I have enjoyed this places counterpart in Denver, CO; so I was very happy to find one in Milwaukee, and it didn't let me down. Unlike the one in the Denver Tech Center, this location had virtually no wait (5 minutes vice 50 minutes). All the food I had grown to love was at this place though the serving sizes seemed a bit smaller.
(4)Jim F.
Very tasty breakfast joint. I personally love the banana pancakes with the thick sliced bacon (best bacon in town). My wife loves the dutch baby and will often call in and order it on the way (it takes some time to prepare). The portions are huge, so splitting is always a good option. Great place for kids. The only negative: the coffee passable, but not the best (if coffee is your top priority and you are on Downer, go to Hollander).
(5)James W.
Good customer service...awesome food. I will totally come here again !!!Very clean!
(4)Sara F.
The Original Pancake House had replaced a restaurant I was very fond of in my neighborhood. During the summer days it always seemed that the line was out the door and that the place was all the rage. I ended up going there last weekend over my birthday for a Sunday brunch with six other friends. We all decided to meet there and since it was a cold, winter day we all drove. Parking was a disaster! We drove around for more than twenty minutes until we decided to park many blocks away and walk. Since we all took forever to find parking we got there at the same time. Everyone complained about parking but with the Eastside of Milwaukee, you expect that. Next, the wait was ridiculous. Luckily, I had called and placed our name on the list in advance (which no new customer would know to do) and there were nine people ahead of us. Sitting in the waiting area (with very little seating) the smells and sights of the scrumptious food began making all of us quite hungry. After about another twenty minutes we were finally seated at a booth and asked our drink order immediately. Since we had waited about forty minutes to be seated we were all starving at this point. They had a variety of breakfast drinks to choose from including fresh-squeezed orange juice which is what I ordered. The juice was full of pulp and absolutely delicious. Since the large size was maybe twelve ounces and almost four dollars, I drank it sparingly throughout my breakfast quenching my thirst with complimentary water. The water cups were about six ounces and we found ourselves refilling them often. Once we ordered (everyone ordered something different), the wait was another twenty minutes or so because of the prep time for the omelettes. I ordered two eggs over-medium, with a side of sausage links and pancakes (all their egg specialities come with a side of pancakes). Finally when the food arrived, our mouths were watering from the smell. Everyone's food looked delicious and the portions were generous, from banana pancakes, to crepes, to egg white omelettes! As I began to devour my food, my taste-buds were pleasantly overwhelmed with the perfect amount of flavor making me want more. After finishing my eggs and links which were cooked perfectly to my liking (and not greasy!) I began to eat my pancakes. These pancakes were the best I have ever had. They were light, fluffy, perfectly concocted and left me wanting more. Everyone else at the table agreed and were devouring their food at the same speed. The omelettes were the largest and fluffiest I have seen! I tried a bite of my friends ham and cheese egg-white omelette and it was amazing! The egg practically melted in my mouth with the perfect amount of cheese and ham. By the end of breakfast, we were all so satisfyingly full but still took home any leftovers we could scrounge up. Everyone's experience was incredible and we already spoke of going back to The Original Pancake House soon. The service, portions, and food was marvelous, it almost makes up for the wait time! Plus, the quality and quantity of the entire experience is worth the price! I recommend going there as soon as possible but make sure to call ahead and put your name on the list first!
(5)Meena V.
As far as chains go, it's way, WAY better than others in this league (ahem, IHOP) The menu is extensive with HUGE portions, and the pancakes are pretty good. In all, it's just OK though -- if I'm going to have to wait in a line Sunday morning for brunch, I'd rather do it across the street at Cafe Hollander.
(3)Tony C.
I was in Milwaukee from Chicago this past weekend attending a festival with a group of family and friends. Sunday morning a group of 13 decided to have breakfast together before driving back home. Given it was a Sunday morning at 11am, we waited patiently for a little while before we could all be seated. They seated us in the back room along with another group of folks. The staff is professional and courtious. They quickly got us started with something to drink (coffee, water, juice, milk, pop). Appetizers quickly followed. The main meal came along quickly as well. All of our food arrived piping HOT! each of our food cooked with love and care. Huge servings all around and great prices. Coffee was amazing. So good I didn't even add sweetner (simply cream). The orange juice as freshly squeezed! My ham and eggs were cooked to perfection. Pancakes were very tastey. My fiance had the eggs benedict. She was simply amazed!!!! We found our new favorite breakfast spot when visiting Milwaukee. I recommed you do too! I wish we had a spot like this in Chicago. Clean place. Great location. Friendly staff. Great service. Great food. Great prices. Simply five stars all the way!
(5)Lara F.
Really good...everything is always decent. We get the fresh berries with whipped cream, French toast, homemade applesauce, and granola. The granola is really good and homemade and comes with raisins and brown sugar and milk, you don't need the brown sugar as it's already very sweet. The apple sauce is chunky, soft, and cinnamon_y buy cold and I wish it was warm. Service is good and prompt. Can't disappoint with the pancake house.
(3)Jill K.
Really good pancakes. Fresh squeezed oj, good coffee. Friendly service.
(4)Paul M.
Giant portions. could have shared a breakfast option among 2 or 3 people. unique offerings. I'll be back
(4)Carolyn E.
When I entered this establishment the first thing I noticed (not surprisingly) was the comforting smell of breakfast. The portions promise more breakfast than you have ever eaten in the past week. Delicious, great service, calm atmosphere. (3.5 stars)
(3)Lindsay T.
if you're omni or vegetarian, go for it, but if you're vegan, don't bother. almost nothing on their menu is vegan-friendly, and once i finally thought i'd found something (the deluxe potatoes, hold the cheese), i was told that they prepare them in butter and there was no vegetable/olive oil in the restaurant to use instead. i finally convinced them that peanut oil was fine with me, but it took three trips to the kitchen to get that ok'd. i also ordered an english muffin with a side of peanut butter. whoopee.
(2)Linda S.
5 of 5 stars Pending review This is my favorite place in Milwaukee for breakfast. I've been here only twice, and have ordered the same thing both times--the vegetable omelette with some added sausage. This omelette is so big that it fed two people and there was still some to take home. There is no shortage of cheese in these things, and the veggies are crisp and fresh. Also, each omelette is served with a pancake. There can be a wait on weekends, so I always go on a weekday. Can't wait to go back! Visited October 2014 tripadvisor.com/ShowUser…
(5)Shawarma H.
Let's start off with I wake up sometimes SUPER early way before they open and wait just to go have breakfast there and I live all the way in the south side. I've tried multiple dishes there and I even made my own breakfast and they impressed me every single time. As far as service, I think it's pretty good. I've never experienced any bad service here. I love this place and it's my #1 breakfast spot for me and thank guy for being in Milwaukee. Great addition to MKE restaurants.
(5)Jenna O.
This place is pretty good! They have a very cozy interior the and there is always fun people watching right on Downer Ave! I have tried a few different things here ranging from eggs, a Dutch baby to banana pancakes all of my experiences were good! The food is always tasty and on the weekend the wait is always a bit crazy! They are a bit slower during the week so that's a good time to check it out if you can!
(4)Julie C.
I love to come here at 7 am for some gluten-friendly pancakes. Today I asked for blueberries... And they came with smiley faces on them!! Nice way to start my day.
(4)