The Original Pancake House

Recommends

OCEVGIRL

Joined 2 years ago

Great Beakfast place!!. When I'm going out for a big yummy breakfast, I'm looking for one thing. Yummy breakfast. I don't care about how nice the place looks or how great the service is... So if you are like me, you'll love eating here. Long waits are usual so take a book or the paper.

Doesn't Recommend

ricester

Joined 5 years ago

Bad Service, Mediocre Food. 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.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Made-to-order breakfasts---including over a dozen unique flapjacks---stack the odds in this restaurant's favor.. 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."

Doesn't Recommend

junlee22

Joined 6 years ago

Over-rated Pancake place, IHOP quality for twice as much.. 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.

Recommends

duude43210

Joined 7 years ago

Excellent service. A great place for lunch or breakfast. We used a coupon and they were happy to take it. The restaurant is also tollroad close.

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ocforever422

Joined 7 years ago

For those lazy weekend mornings.... Because there is no way you're going to be able to do anything producting within 2-3 hours of eating here. The food is so good it's an effort NOT to gorge yourself.

Couple of things - The mushroom sauce is incredible. So good I order it over scrambled eggs. The omelettes are wonderful but dauntingly HUGE. And the potato pancakes with their crispy edges and soft centers are also to die for.

During the weekend breakfast rush (especially Sunday morning post-church time) the wait can be interminable (like an hour!) but the service is attentive and fast.

Recommends

larryinirvine

Joined 8 years ago

Great Selection - Terrible Wait. Avoid the "specialties" and just get what you love!. Like many good things that have found their way to west coast - the Original Pankake House is few and far between in this part of the nation. "Back home", they are all over and you can get a great meal without waiting 30 minutes to sit down. EVERY morning - weekend or weekday - seems to find this restaurant filled to capacity. And heaven help you on the weekends...bring a books and some Starbucks while you wait.

When you do get seated, my suggestion is to avoid the house "specialty" apple pankakes or dutch baby and stick to something you know you'd love. The pancakes are good and come out twice as fast as any of these other items.

Service? Fantastic. The waitresses are nice, helpful and manage to keep your coffee filled in all that madness.

Overall - I'd recommend this restaurant if you have family in town or have the day off.

Recommends

jbegalli

Joined 9 years ago

Pancakes the way you want them. The food is delicious, I especially recommend the "dutch baby".

Pain to get in on Sunday mornings, they don't accept reservations and the wait can be very long. but once inside, you'll be glad you waited.