After school had ended, some relatives from overseas had come to stay with us in Calgary. Ever since, they have been taking us to IHOP once a week. This was the first time I had ever been to IHOP, and trust me, they have some fantastic dishes you wont want to miss. In case you’re wondering, IHOP stands for “International House of Pancakes.” This will be my first restaurant review, so please bear with me.
IHOP offers several mouthwatering dishes, and has different types of food for each part of the day (breakfast, lunch, dinner). I only go to IHOP in the morning, so I will direct this review more towards their pancakes. IHOP is located on 70 Shawville Boulevard in SE Calgary. Unfortunately, there is only one IHOP in Calgary, but I really hope they open up a few more locations to make it more accessible for customers.
Initial thoughts: When you first walk into IHOP, you will instantly feel “welcomed.” The colours of the restaurant are rather plain, but I find it works well with the food they serve. The restaurant is very clean, and you can tell the employees work hard to keep it in good shape. Restaurant I have been to in the past leave the customers hanging, and are a bit “depressing.” I feel that IHOP, however, always caters to the needs of their customers, and the employees always give off a good vibes.
Restaurant Layout: For the most part, the layout in IHOP works well. They have different sizes/types of tables that can accommodate for different numbers of customers. The seating, however, is somewhat uncomfortable. When I went to IHOP, I sat at the table that could seat up to 6 people. There were two “large” seats on each side of the table. There was cushioning on the table, but not enough. I enjoy seats that have more cushioning, because it maximizes customer satisfaction. I felt that the IHOP seats lacked cushioning, and was a bit uncomfortable, but it wasn’t too bad. The spacing in the restaurant works well, but I feel that some parts of the restaurant are a bit awkward. Many of the seats are tall, which offers privacy for the customers. At the front of the restaurant, there just have rows of tables and seats. Although IHOP is trying to make use of their space, it lacks privacy. You can see everyone around you, and it is a bit awkward. Rating: 7/10
Tables/Seating: The tables at IHOP are fantastic. You have an unlimited supply of syrup for your pancakes. The fork, spoon, and knife are wrapped up in a napkin with an IHOP sticker around it. The tables are clean, for the most part. I would also recommend IHOP works on their leg room. When I was sitting down, my feet would often come into contact with the person sitting across from me. IHOP offers an average menu, nothing too fancy. The table is very organized, which was nice for customers Rating: 8/10
Wait Time: I think the wait time is something all restaurant can work on, including IHOP. Maybe I’m just impatient, who knows? Depending on what time you arrive, when you first enter the restaurant, you may have to wait a good 10-15 minutes to be seated. This can be a bit annoying, because IHOP does not offer anything to keep customers entertained while waiting. After being seated, you have to wait another 10-15 minutes for food, but it really depends on the amount of people you have. Despite the long wait time, the waiters do supply drinks immediately after being seated, which I personally enjoy. Rating: 7/10
Employees: The employees are probably the greatest part of the restaurant! They are cheerful, friendly, helpful, and always willing to help. They will do whatever you want them to do, and they never get frustrated. They radiate positive energy! The employees at IHOP are truly amazing! Rating: 9/10
Food: And now, for the most important part of the restaurant, the food! IHOP is famous for their delicious pancakes. Lets take a look at their original buttermilk pancakes. They are definitely the best pancakes I have ever tasted in my life! They are nice, soft, buttery, and really tasty! I would recommend putting on original maple syrup when having the Buttermilk pancakes. The New York Cheesecake pancakes are also a fantastic choice! Its soft, really tasty, and the cheesecake taste makes it a good choice for customers. For sides, I personally enjoy the hashbrowns. Unlike classic hashbrowns, the ones at IHOP have a homemade style, but the taste is great. Overall, I would say the food at IHOP is pretty delicious. Rating: 8/10
Overall Rating: As we can see, IHOP is a top choice for many customers today. It has excellent food and employees. The layout, spacing, and seating are pretty good, but there is room for improvement. So next time you’re going out for breakfast, lunch, or even dinner, I would strongly recommend going to IHOP.