Original Pancake House
ALISO VIEJO, CA 92656
Phone: (949) 643-8591
- Price:
- $
Editorial Review for Original Pancake House – by Citysearch Staff
In Short
Founded in Oregon circa 1953, this simply-furnished spot owes its success to its creative menu and fresh ingredients. Batters are made on the premises; a special "sourdough starter" keeps treats from tasting overly sweet. Patrons choose from eggs, waffles, crepes and oven-baked omelets, as well as signature plates like blueberry pancakes (served with or without compote), giant cinnamon-glazed apple pancakes, thin and chewy "49-ers" and the air-filled, lemon-and-sugar-topped "Dutch Baby."
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Insider Tips
What to DrinkWash meals down with fresh-squeezed orange or grapefruit juice, buttermilk, house-blend coffee or postum, a caffeine-free substitute.
Know Before You GoThe apple pancake is large enough for two people, but be patient--it takes 15 minutes to prepare.
User Reviews for Original Pancake House
03/22/2008 Posted by ricester
I prefer to drive to the Original Pancake House in Anaheim on Lincoln Blvd. The atmosphere is much nicer there (it's an actual house that was converted into a restaurant) and the food is A+ quality. I like to order the buckwheat pancakes with bacon and eggs. The way they brew the coffee is great and as a bonus, they have recently added hash browns to the menu. I have been to the Original Pancake House in Aliso Viejo three times hoping that it would improve, but it never has. It is unfortunate because I live about a mile away from the restaurant. The buckwheat pancakes and the regular buttermilk pancakes at the Aliso Viejo location taste like there's beer in the batter - and I hate beer. Therefore, it's not worth my money to ever go there. The hostess is very nice, but the waitresses are rude. On my last visit, the waitress told me I could not have fried egg whites - I either had to have them with the yolks or scrambled. Who wants scrambled egg whites? Yuk! That was a first for me as I had ordered the same thing with no problem during my two previous visits. They simply removed the yolks for me and I paid extra. That was certainly fair. In addition, the place is so big that it feels like I'm at Denny's because it's noisy and crowded. I know that people love the dutch baby pancakes, but I have never tried them so I cannot rate that menu item. Maybe that's what people come for at the Aliso Viejo location. Whenever I get a taste for pancakes, I either make my own organic whole grain pancakes at home, or travel up the 5 fwy to the 57 to make my way to a decent restaurant - the Original Pancake House in Anaheim. By the way, the Original Pancake House in Las Vegas gets an A+ rating as well.
Pros: Close to home
Cons: Nasty regular pancakes
05/21/2007 Posted by junlee22
Over rated pancakes, I thought it would be heaven in my mouth and it was the same as IHOP except it was hyped up so much that I expected so much more. It was not worth the wait, and it was expensive for what is was. The crepes were not real crepes, they look like omelettes, which is odd, because crepes are usually not so thick. Almost everything was cooked in Peanut oil, and to the peanut allergy sufferers, this is not an ideal restaurant. If I stayed home and made pancake mix, it would have tasted the same. Put any amount of butter and syrup on it, in huge volumes...and then you have Original House of Pancakes. I was greatly disappointed, and so were the other 2 guests who were with me. It's a one time deal. Tried it, but I don't anticipate on ever going back. It was very disappointing, not satisfying, or gratifying. If you want really good pancakes, in Seattle, go to Portage bay for the best and most justified pancakes. Otherwise stick with IHOP, unlimited refill of not freshly squeezed oj, at least it doesn't cost 4 for a gulp. Same pancakes, and for some reason, I actually do think overall IHOP is better. Plus, IHOP also has the best hashbrowns! Still trying to figure out why this place has been hyped up so much. If anything, it's okay, but more, it's less than average.
Pros: big dishes that make you go ooh and ahh
Cons: long wait, okay service, an expensive bill, peanut oil in everything except the waffles.
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