Love their pancakes and omelets and how quick the service is.
(4)
Deborah C.
I'm so glad I'm not the only one! I will never, ever, ever eat here again. I tried this place once on a Sunday morning. Although it wasn't too busy I had to wait 30 minutes to be seated. When finally seated the hostess insisted that I could not be seated at a table since I was eating alone. After I argued with her about my 30 minute wait she finally seated me at a small table. I then waited for at least 15 minutes for some nasy womanto take my drink oorder. I asked if I could also order my food since I'd been waiting for so long. Nasty waitress said no, I had to continue to wait. About 10 minutes later she finally brought my orange juice but refused to take my order. She said she was too busy. Believe me, they were not that busy. So I asked for my check to pay for my jiuce. I told her I was not going to wait for my check and would leave without paying if she did not give it to me. I was so angry at this point I was in tears. She gave me the check which said I owed a whopping $7.00 for a glass of orange juice? Seriously? So I paid the bill and left. I have told everyone I know at work, friends, neighbors, etc. How bad this place was and how they treated me. I'm really glad for Yelp and to have an opportunity to share this with people I don't know. I will never eat here again and would never recommend it to anyone! Horrible service and highly over priced. I never at any food there so I can't rate it but considering what others here have said about the food, I believe them! Ewwwww!
(1)
Heather s.
The pancake house in Martinez is so much better but this one is closer to me. I've been here twice & have been disappointed both times. I wanted a smaller portion of bkfst than what is on their menu & the waitress gave me a hard time about it. She didn't want to change the meal on the menu. instead of a 3 egg omelet, i just wanted a 2 egg omelet but no can do. The service sucks. The waitress approached my table & instead of saying "hello" she immediately says " are you ready to order.' People that got seated after me waited a good 5-7 min before the waitress even acknowledged their presence. I never got a refill on my water & apparently 2 is the maximum of refills on coffee because I never got another. This has happened both times I've been here. The eggs were not over medium like I asked, they were over easy. The buttermilk pancakes are good though. I won't be back to this location EVER! The mgr is of Middle East descent & treats his female staff like crap. He scolded one of the waitresses in front of me at the register. he never even acknowledged my presence at the register until he was finished filing away the tickets he had in his hand. The last time I was here he yelled at the hostess in the middle of the dining room. This behavior is unacceptable
(2)
John F.
Over 25 years, we've eaten at more than a few of the Original Pancake House locations, and this is one of the better ones. Akrum, a Lebanese immigrant has been running the place for 25 years, he's friendly with a loyal staff. We travel over from Pleasanton for special occasions or sometimes just a treat. That said, I'd recommend sticking to their specialty, the oven baked apple pancake and the baby Dutch. Yes, their eggs and omelets are fine, but you can get that breakfast food anywhere - pretty hard to mess them up. Sides of bacon or sausage are fine albeit a tad pricey. Coffee kept coming and coming.
(4)
Will M.
This A frame low roof building looks like it was once an IHOP. We were seated fairly quickly, and that's not always the case on a Saturday morning. For those into decor and ambiance, there really isn't much here. There were the usual crying babies and kids ready to play little league or girls to dance studios. But most of the clientele are friends/or and families just out for the morning. The table next to us were all ears hearing that my niece was going to Tasmania for grad school. Three of us ordered pancakes or crepes. My niece ordered the apple pancakes which really is more like hot apple bread pudding. It smells and looks great, and is probably bad for you with its massive sugar and butter. But it is one of the better values here, most people take half of it home. I had the Swedish pancakes which are ultra thin. I like mine a little thicker but I enjoyed the ligonberry sauce with butter though I think whipped cream would be great wtih it. Maybe next time. My chocolate loving nephew had the chocolate pancakes filled and topped with sweet melted chocolate chips. My brother ordered two eggs and sausage with hash browns platter. That bacon was very crispy and looked good. The potatoes was more like home fries, but not bad. Service for a Saturday morning was a little slow but decent. When we walked in at 9:15 AM. It was nearly placked, but by the time we left at 10:30 it was nearly empty. We were the only ones left in the section near Fremont Blvd. Total tab for four people was $54.00 plus tip. Not as cheap as Denny's. But a tad more interesting.
(3)
Janel Q.
The food is average, nothing special. However, the prices are ridiculous! $7 for a side order of four sausage links? After eating here for lunch with my mom, we were out $42 for an orders of banana pancakes, an order of pecan waffles, and two orders of sausage. The banana pancakes tasted strongly of burnt grease and the waffles were edible but not tasty... Service was terrible; one waiter kept eyeing me like I was a piece of meat (disgusting!) and the other mucked up our drink orders drastically. Does coffee sound like hot chocolate? Or pumpkin latte sound like water? Generally the service was slow and unorganized. Asked for a box to take the waffles home and never saw the guy again. Had to ask two other waitresses. What appeared to be the owner or manager had a huge fight with two other customers who were forced to wait 2 hours for their food. After the angry customers left the scene, the owner/manager proceeded to walk around to every table and bad-mouth the customers and say how it was "their fault" not the restaraunts. Uhh, what? I'm never coming here again. Terrible service, mediocre food, and way overpriced.
(1)
Kristine W.
Wth is a Dutch Baby? Basically, the best baby ever---one you can eat and not go to jail for. But according to the menu it's, "an air filled delight oven baked to golden perfection and served with lemon, whipped butter..." Get it if you're into simple goodness...or like eating babies. Veggie omelette: freakin' huuuuge and like nothing I've ever seen! Which means gooood! There's got be something besides egg in the thing to make it so dense! Aaaand it comes with pancakes or hash browns! To-go service: SUPER friendly, even at 7 am. Lame: a side of fresh berries @ market price = $12! Most expensive thing on the bill. Just wrong.
(3)
Mark L.
Reading other reviews, I've seen that there is a mixture of good and bad. Well I'd like to add my bad review to the mix. Today, I went in wanting to try this place I pass by almost every day on the way home, and I figured since the wait was decent and the amount of people wanting to eat here was a good enough sign that this might be a good place. Well, I was wrong, the 20 minute wait isn't too bad for any place on a sunday around noon time, but what was bad was the lack of service I had after sitting down at the table. I mean the waitress was kind enough to ask if we were ready to order, but it was the bus boy who actually got us our drinks, and I wanted a coffee and was asked if I wanted creamer, but it seemed like he forgot all about it as soon as he walked away. The waitress was good about refilling our glasses of water ONCE, after that I always had to wave someone down to get anything else. But our waitress did come back one more time to get our food orders. After waiting more than 30 minutes, I was actually glad to see that the portions were huge and they food looked and smelled good. But you can't smell how salty anything really is. That's what happened with us. The corned beef hash that my girlfriend ordered tasted like they used ham instead of beef and the bacon in my bacon cheese omelette was way too salty. My girlfriend couldn't even finish her food, that's how salty her food was. After that, no one checked back with us to see if the food was okay or if we needed anything else. I had to wave someone down for more water since the food was so salty. I was just not happy with my overall experience of the service and the food. I would have preferred IHOP over this place.
(1)
Christina G.
My husband has been to this place before as he was raised in the area. This was my first visit. We came for lunch but of course ordered breakfast. I had a bacon waffle that was delicious. A side of 2 eggs over hard which were cooked perfectly. Hubby had blueberry pancakes that were chock full of huge real blueberries. He had a side of Canadian ham. The maple syrup was served warm which was great, and the butter was already on the plates so we did not have to scoop it out of a container. And while I do not experiment with my breakfast, they had quite a few selections for various types of pancakes and waffles. Pros: Loved my food. Large variety in the menu. Bathroom was clean. Service was good. The owner was at the door both greeting people and saying goodbye. It seemed very popular with the locals. Cons: A bit pricey for breakfast. Most items are ala carte. Hubby's ham was $3.25 for 2 small and very thin slices. Over all I really enjoyed this restaurant and would like to come back to try a lunch menu item next time. We both enjoyed our meals. It is nice to eat at a local smaller establishment and ditching the chain places.
(4)
Haley S.
I thought our waitress just might have a bad day, but when reading other reviews, I realize that that wasn't the case. My fiance mentioned that he felt her being condescending towards him, because he is not, (excuse my words,) white. After reading several reviews, I see that other also have noticed this from the same waitress. This is just not acceptable, therefore I bump this place down to one star. She wouldn't pay attention to our table at all, even though there were only one other person in the entire restaurant. She spent all her time talking to this person, we didn't even get water. The food took forever to get out to us and the prices are way high for what you actually get. I feel ashamed on her behalf, if you run a business, you can not act like this. Never, ever coming back. We'd rather go to IHOP, where the they know what service means.
(1)
Marcelo M.
I feel I am not being just here, because 1 start is too much for this business. Something more correct should be about -2 or -3 stars. This place is simply disgusting. The food is so-so, but when you get the bill, you will feel like pulling up your pants through your head !!! they charge incredibly high for everything. But what shocked me the most was that the waitress was clearly prejudicing non-American customers. There was a table with some Americans, and another table with Indians close by. The way she treated the Americans was completely different the way she treated the Indians or us. We got no refills (even after asking for it), and she would just toss the plates on the table, instead of setting them nicely in front of you. Her tone was condescending at all times, while she was all over getting refills and telling jokes and laughing at the American table. Our food took a long time to arrive and when it did it was cold. Even the bill took along time to arrive. Well... she did not get her tip, and I am never (really... never) coming back to this place. And you shouldn't either !!!
(1)
becky w.
Meeeehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! This is the word that comes to mind when i ate here. I cant believe i am saying this but even Denny's tasted a million times better than this place! i orders the ham and cheese omelet and it was not fluffy, had a weird taste, was extremely oily, and was wayyyyyy overcooked. I mean really??? how hard is it to cook an omelet? And to add another thing... there was no ketchup bottle on the table either!!!! This is standard at any diner breakfast place. I had to keep asking for ketchup for my tatos and eggs and they literally give you 2 tablespoons each time. The buttermilk pancakes were pretty good though,,,, had a tangy taste to it which made it interesting. The bill for breakfast for 3 ppl came out to $50 something bucks. It hurt.....Overall, i will get my pancake fix at McDonalds THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!!!!!!!! Peace!
(1)
Manyasha S.
Enthusiastic hosts and coffee really help start off the day in good mood
(5)
ABBY A.
I'm here now. Monday morning. One car in the parking lot. The guy who sat us was on his cell phone when we walked in, but he noticed I was shivering and offered to seat us beside the fireplace. The menu had a lot of interesting items that other breakfast places don't have, like Clam Pancakes. I was gonna go for the popular Dutch Baby, but it looked like an empty sourdough bread bowl, and I'm hungry. I even asked the server, "It's empty?" and he said, "Yeah. Only lemon and butter and powdered sugar." It's been 12 minutes. Still waiting for my Apple Pancakes and a mushroom, sausage, and swiss omelette. A plus! FRESH, HAND-SQUEEZED O.J.!! Not "fresh squeezed" Odwalla o.j. But a large cup is about 3 inches tall. 15 minutes later our food is here. My Apple Pancakes are on steroids. Big enough for two, maybe three. Super fluffy. Thinly sliced apples are spread all over the top and smothered with a warm, sweet-cinnamon paste. It's good. Very sweet. But this ain't no pancake. More like Dutch Apple Pie. The omelette. Lots of cheese & fried until it's golden. Mushrooms & sausage in every bite. Satisfying! Dislikes: I noticed that not only was the omelette drenched in cooking oil, but my "pancake" left quite a bit amount of oil too! That was nasty. Two entrees, one coffee, and one o.j. = $32+ I'll be back for the Dutch Baby and I'll have another delicious omelette too. One of the best omelettes I've tasted so far!
(4)
Steven S.
Best buttermilk pancakes ever. That is usually all I order, but they are so good. Service is great. The place is usually packed on Sundays and Saturdays which could be the reason for slow service. Great place.
(5)
Christine A.
I like this place a lot better than the "International House of Pancakes" because its so much more homey and- I mean, it's the ORIGINAL! The waiters were all nice and they seemed to have pretty good business on a Tuesday morning. I ordered the Dutch baby, which was different...good, but different. The crust was better than the custard insides; and since it's so large I started to get sick of the filling taste.
(3)
Chad S.
Let me start out by saying that 1 out of 5 stars is too much. I wish Yelp had an option for a lesser rating. My Brother and I took my Mom out for what we thought was going to be a great Mother's Day breakfast. Today turned out to be the worst experience I've EVER had in a restaurant anywhere I've ever been. There was only about a 5 minute wait to be seated. Once seated, it took us 50 minutes to receive our food. A table next to us which came in at least 30 minutes after us (and had more people than us), got their food first. Even the people at that table said to us that we should have gotten our food first. As hard as it may be to believe, every single customer at every single table looked annoyed and extremely irritable that they had not received their food yet. In addition to all this, 2 of the forks that were given to me were dirty (little particles of food were still stuck to them). Also, one of the things that really threw me off was that our server was touching her face and hair and then proceeded to grab the toast by the counter with her bare hands. FINALLY, our food comes. I got the half order of chocolate chip pancakes which were fine and my Brother got the ham and cheese omelette which was also fine. My Mom got the Belgian waffle which was not acceptable. For one thing, the place is overpriced. But what really was unacceptable was the fact that the waffle was not much thicker than a pancake and they have the nerve to charge over $8 for it! All of what you read was the LEAST of the problems. As soon as we got our food, I asked the Waitress to please send over the Manager. I had to ask twice before he finally came over (it was the older man). I respectfully and quietly told him that my Brother and I were trying to treat my Mom to a nice Mother's Day breakfast and we were not satisfied. His reply was pretty much what I expected to him say, that since it was Mother's Day, it was slow. I then told him that we had been there several times and even though we've had extremely slow service there before, we'd give them another chance. He then cut me off and told me even if we went to McDonald's today, it'd be a 50 minute wait. Mind you, he was extremely boisterous and disrespectful while saying this (lots of hand movements and not speaking calmly). We then told him that's no excuse and we should have went to Classic Diner (another restaurant here in Fremont). This is where it started to get ugly...he then told us: "well you should have went there". My Brother then said that the things we ordered (a waffle, pancakes and an omelette) are quick order items and DO NOT take 50 minutes. While giving us some more nonsensical excuses, he's pointing with his fingers towards my Brothers omelette almost touching it as well as still make unwelcoming and unprofessional animated hand gestures. After all of that (and some more), I finally said "you know what, we're leaving". I only had a few sips of my Sprite, my Brother only had a bite or 2 of his omelette and I had about half of a pancake. My Mom was the only one who finished her waffle so I offered to pay for hers, which the Manager disrespectfully declined. Mind you, a gentleman at the table next to us who observed the whole ordeal looked at me and said: "smart move". Even after all of this, it gets worse...as I'm leaving, some more words were exchanged between the Manager and I and I basically said: "you have no kind of Managerial skills and you definitely don't know how to treat your customers". What he said next to me not only infuriated me, but frankly it shocked me. He said: "what do you want me to do, kiss your butt?!?!" After that I felt it was best that I exit the building. Never ever again will I ever step foot in the Original PanCRAP House and I don't think you should either!
(1)
Julia Z.
Met up for brunch in Fremont with my dear friends this past Saturday. Fremont was a little lacking in choices but upon my suggestion, we went to The Original Pancake House because I had a good experience at one in socal. I remembered the pancakes were hot and fresh, with homemade whipped cream and fluffy, huge omelets. Service wasn't as horrible as I feared from reading the other reviews. The waiters just shared a different kind of humor..My friend was running late and one of the waiters decided to be funny and hold the door while he was trying to get in. I guess that could be funny but um..we don't even know you....but food and water came out in a timely manner. What we ordered: Ham and cheese omelet with hash browns - the omelet was big like I had remembered and tasty enough but the hash browns were not really what I'd call "hash browns". They were not shredded potatoes. They were potato cubes just fried up so basically homestyle potatoes..BIG DISAPPOINTMENT.. Bacon Pancakes - Bacon and pancakes go well together but somehow I got kind of sick of eating these. The pancakes just didn't taste like anything special, made with run of the mill batter and the bacon bits were a little too crunchy. Apple Pancakes - It's apple bread pudding not pancakes. This is a huge dessert like dish that you have to share or you will have a sugar overload. Banana Pancakes - Though I'm sure the pancakes were made fresh they still didn't taste like it. How does that happen? I thought food chains were usually consistent with their food no matter where they were located but I guess Norcal Pancake Houses just don't follow that rule..
(3)
Jessica G.
Pancakes are huge and great but prices are ridiculous!
(3)
Anna T.
(+) One Star because breakfast always deserves a star. (+) One Star because it's just down the street. (-) One Star for real slow service. (-) One Star for non-exciting food. (-) One Star for over-priced menu. = One hour wait for one under-ordinary BLT costing $11.
(2)
Deborah C.
I will never go here again.. if the choice is between Denny's and the pancake house I would chose Denny's (and Denny's will make you ill because they never change there grease, and even that would have been better) .. they are WAY over priced, and the food is at best average. $12 for 2 eggs over easy and 2 sausages on a huge plate, (at the very least hey could have used a much smaller plate). no potatoes.. not toast .. just 2 cold under done eggs and 2 cold lifeless sausages floating around on an enormous plate. on a second small plate, cold french toast. this was the best part of the meal..this place would have to be promoted to horrible you are better off eating at home. .
(1)
Paul A.
The service sucks. We waited hella long for our food, and when it arrived at our table, the food was barely warm. The server failed to check on us on a timely manner. They're pancakes were yummy though - I had the swedish with the lingonberry and tried the chocolate chip kind as well. For a breakfast joint, the prices aren't worth it.
(2)
Vinh N.
It was New Years Day and we decided to start the year off with brunch. We were all nostalgic for home and decided to hit up this place only to find out that it tasted nothing like the Original Pancake House in Salem. One star goes to their manager and service. We walked in and were greeted by the manager, who shook each of our hands and wished us a Happy New Year. We were quickly seated and had a great waitress, but the food was blech. We had ordered 1. Dutch Baby -- I had seen this bad baby for years and always promised myself that I would try it. I wish I could turn back time to take back this experience because it was awful. It was reminiscent of FLAN, a very chewy flan. I tried chewing it without breathing through my nose to help drown out the awkward taste, but everyone at the table gave up on trying to like it. 2. Mandarin Crepes -- Never in my life have I tasted crepes so thick. The mandarins were also really warm which gave them a taste that can only be compared to what I think stinky feet would be. 3. Bacon Waffle -- The only redeeming item in my head because it had bacon in it. Waffle was still too soggy though. 4. Side of bacon -- You would think that they couldn't mess up bacon, but it was't crispy at all! 5. Side of Potatoes -- Not crispy, just tasted like flavorless diced potato. Meh. Maybe it was a fluke day, but I don't think I can ever come back here.
(1)
v m.
Best Pancakes and they have some great omelets. They have big portions and great service. You must go and visit and try it yourself. I bet you will not regret it.
(5)
Aishling R.
People like to hate, but when it comes down to it, this is the spot to get pancakes. I've had the omelettes and crepes. They're alright, but if you really want to get some bang for your buck, order the pancakes. For ~$8.50, you can get beautiful, powdered sugar covered perfection in pancake form. Every time I've gone I've gotten 6 pancakes as a normal serving. Pretty legit if you ask me. Oh, and after you go, don't sit around waiting for them to come pick up the check. You bring it up to the front. It took me a while to get that one.
(4)
Anthony R.
Was getting my car worked on near by, and decided to grab some bfast with my 2 1/2 year old daughter. It had been years since I went to an OPH down in San Diego, which was really good. Walked in and only two people were working (1 server & 1 busing). Service was poor, and the meal was very disappointing. However, that wasn't the worst part. I got a meal for myself and a coffee. My daughter had 1 egg, two pieces of bacon and an apple juice. By the way the kids menu had way too much food for $8. My total bill was $29.49. Seriously!! A couple weeks before we went to Nations near by and paid $10 for the same amount of food, that tasted much better. No bueno Original Pancake House !
(1)
josie f.
This place is way OVERPRICED! I'm not kidding! My friend and I decided to go there for brunch with her grandma. She ordered a crepe with fresh berries and coffee. Her grandma ordered 2 scrambled eggs, one English muffin and a cup of coffee. I ordered Swedish pancakes and hot chocolate. We also ordered a side of one scrambled egg and 4 bacons. The service was really slow at the time we were there. Then after finishing our brunch, we asked for our bill. We were astonished when we saw that our bill was $60. My friend and I couldn't believe it, so we decided to carefully checked our bill. We saw that the side order of 1 scrambled egg and 4 bacons was $11.00! We were like "Holy cow!" Just for bacon and eggs they charge you for that much? The Swedish pancake was $10.00 without any side of egg and bacon. Shit this place! I told my friend lets not go back to this place again as they will ripped you off!
(2)
Kristen W.
Sticky table. No silverware? $2.50 for coffee? Warm, chunky coffee cream... When asked for a fresh creamer, a new one was set down as the lady mumbled, "this one's the same." Not staying for the $10 pancakes.
(1)
Sonny W.
I would say this is so-so. May suit your taste, but the omelettes are a little weird...seems to be like a omelette pancake. We also got the mixed fruit crepe which was very good. Overall, slightly pricey, knowing what I could get at, say Country Way. However, it was too crowded and service was decent.
(2)
Daniel G.
Too Damn Spendy! Breakfast for two for 40 bucks and it wasn't anything special. And the entire staff has an Oscar the Grouch attitude. We don't plan to go back anytime soon - or ever.
(1)
Jovi C.
Sweet, sweet pancake goodness. I'm one of those creatures of habit. Once I try something and it's amazing, I'll have it over and over and over again till I get sick of it. I can say to you that I never get sick of the pancakes here. I always order the same thing... the Junior Plate: 2 link sausages (which are sooo delicious) and a stack of buttermilk pancakes with a cup of hot cocoa. I've tried other things, like the apple pancake which was fine, and the dutch pancake with lemon which was also okay. But I think the most simple is the best... if you go, stick with the buttermilk. This place is rather busy, and the decor is very kitschy, but it's worth the wait for a fabulous breakfast.
(4)
Joanne R.
I usually go here to get my potato pancake fix. However, every time I go there, I feel like the food is decent, but the service is really off. Granted, if the place was extremely busy, I'd understand. But I usually go there after the huge rushes. If you're not a pancake person, then check out the crepes. They're pretty heavenly (but be prepared to have all that sugar in your system). This place is pretty fun if you like a huge variety of breakfast items. Also, they serve chicken apple sausage, which is a great alternative to greasy bacon.
(3)
Jay S.
I REALLY WANTED THEM TO BE GOOD. We visited the place on Sunday Morning expecting a wait. As we entered I noticed there we some vacant tables, to my surprise we sat down right away. That was the best part! The waiter asked us if we wanted drinks and right off the bat we ordered juice. we looked over the menus and after about 5 minutes our juice arrives and the waiter says he will return...5 minutes later he takes our order. After about, 25 minutes and four tables being served to people that came after us, we got our food...well half of it. I had to wait another 10 minutes to get my toast and our pancakes and by the way this was the only time I was asked for a refill....uhm my drink was finished when I ordered. I guess this is why before I came here the placed looked packed....it does not serve in a timely manner so people are always sitting and waiting for food, So it has the perception that people are always here (good marketing...i think) Need less to say I was not impressed, I could have went to the store bought the food and cooked it and it would have been better, warmer, and everything at the table at once. But what fun is that? Perhaps better than waiting.
(1)
Clarissa R.
Excellent breakfast and brunch food made in a slow, old-fashioned, delicious way. First-rate coffee (at least, if you're not obsessed with the over-roasted dark stuff that's so bafflingly popular in the US) and unusually good sausage. But, of course, the main attraction is THE CARBS! Working your way through the menu could take months or years, especially if (like me) you get stuck on a couple of favorites. I especially love the 49er Flapjacks, which are kind of like a sourdough crepe--ask for the butter on the side; the Swedish Pancakes, which are lacy and crispy on the edges and come with lingonberry jam; and the Dutch Baby, an enormous, puffy, oven-baked thing which you sprinkle with powdered sugar and douse in squeezed lemons, resulting in a delicious lemon-sugar glaze. The Apple Pancake is also oven-baked; gooey, cinnamony, and very good, but I can only eat part of it. Buy that and an order of sausage patties, and split both. They also have some sandwiches and savory things, including oddities such as Clam Pancakes. The Chicken Crepes are very good. Their prices may seem a bit high compared to other breakfast chains, but you are getting real food, generally made from scratch with real ingredients: real butter (not margarine), freshly-squeezed orange juice (not from concentrate), real maple syrup (not artificially flavored and colored high fructose corn syrup), etc. I've heard people gripe about the service, but as far as I can tell, that's because the owner has an unusual policy of not expecting his staff to take abuse from customers. Personally, I think that's a good thing. Yeah, it's neighborhood-style service; there aren't many servers on staff, and you should not come here when you're in a rush. Everything is made to order! Who wants pancakes that have been sitting around? Forget it. Piping hot and fresh is worth waiting for. On the other hand, if you come here a few times, you'll quickly get to know the staff and owner (who also runs all or most of the other Bay Area OPHs). Your photo might even wind up on one of the corkboards! (If you look hard, you can find my wedding picture there.)
(5)
Danielle L.
They make the best apple pancake ever! It's the size of a plate, so I recommend sharing it with someone. Sometimes they burn it a little around the edges, but it is such a huge portion that it doesn't matter too much.
(4)
Lea B.
OK. The cat's out of the bag. This is not the "original" Pancake House. That being said, it is still pretty old school. The inside has the sweet triangular walls and lots of windows. The old school building gets 5 stars. I had been wanting to come here because I love the one near my aunt's house in Ohio ... but it turns out this location does not have my beloved almond cinnamon french toast. Horrors! But the menu was still pretty darn extensive, especially in regards to the pancakes. They offer breakfast until they close at 3 p.m. Clearly I should have looked at the picture on Yelp of the apple pancake before going. Because I ordered it. They need a little asterisk next to the apple pancake that reads "*Warning: You just ordered an entire pie all for yourself, fatty." Because that's nearly what it is. It's baked, which makes the dough doughier (softer, eggier tasting). It was OK. The apples are the true star of this pie -- er, pancake -- because they are covered in this cinnamon glaze that is delish. I ate somewhere between 2/3 to 3/4 of this thing, and to be honest, I didn't feel stuffed but plenty full (please reference my buffet reviews for proof that I can pack it in). It was a definite "experience" kind of meal, but I don't think I would order it again. As for my dining companion's meal, he ordered his eggs sunny-side down, and they came sunny-side up, but our server took it back to cook some more. The food gets 3 stars. And speaking of the service. Sketchy at best. We watched a hostess and the manager pass menus back and forth trying to decide who would seat us. We got water right away and were offered coffee fairly fast (though we didn't get any), but the server didn't take our orders for quite some time. There appeared to be only one server for the whole section, which had about five tables occupied. He got the job done, but it was quick and to the point. Service gets two stars. Prices are OK, but a tad on the high side. $19.50 for two breakfasts (no drinks), not including tip. Prices get 2.5 stars. I doubt I'd make the effort to return since we don't live in Fremont, but if you're in the area, it might be worth a stop just for the kitschiness of it all.
(3)
Neil K.
I really enjoy this place. I don't know why, but it' seems it's the only pancake house in the area. I know it's not, but it's hole in the wall location gives it a kind of charm you don't find at other places. The pancakes and breakfast items are tasty and the customer service is pretty good. Nice place to have a quick breakfast.
(4)
Mel S.
It's expensive but the Dutch Baby was worth the money!!! It's like a huge German Pancake that can feed 2-3 people...but the other items are pretty much IHOP food. The workers were nice but you can get it all cheaper elsewhere....
(3)
Tom G.
Not so great. Everything about it was 2-star. Food was ok, service was ok, prices are a bit high. Plenty of other places to go for breakfast.
(2)
Phu H.
You know that feeling when you walk into a place and you already know something's gonna go wrong? Well that's exactly how I felt. Right when we walked in there was no host at the front, some guy eating his breakfast got up from the bar area and decided to seat us. "I'm sorry we interrupted your meal buddy." The server wasn't very pleasant, he looked like he was an ex KGB who hated his job. We were ready to order ages ago and sat there wondering when we were going to be helped. Well at least we got cups of water in 5 minutes. Finally we get to ordering the food, it took approximately 25 minutes to get our food, which was only acceptable this time because we were told the Dutch Baby my roommate's gf ordered would take 20 min. The Western I ordered wasn't too bad, just kinda bland and boring, my roommates strawberry crepes and the Dutch baby were pretty good. And back to service again, we were not checked up on until we were pretty much done with our food, and maybe because he finally noticed my empty glass of ice tea. Normally I'm used to being asked if there's anything else we needed and "normally" when we're done with our food before being handed the check, but hey if you want just drop it off while we're still eating and mutter a simple "here ya go" be my guest. You think I'm harsh, you shoulda heard what the table behind me were saying.
(2)
Jim D.
This place is OK. They don't have the food combinations I usually like. I have been here three times and I have never really liked their food. I have never really disliked it either.
(2)
Sarah H.
I wonder how this place is still open. My mom and I went here with a family friend for breakfast one day. The place was pretty much deserted, so one would think the staff would be attentive. But, no...no one ever came to seat us, so we finally sat ourselves. After vainly attempting to get someone's attention nearly 20 min. later someone came to take our drink order. We all 3 asked for coffee. We also asked for menus....the dude looked seriously offended that we either a) did not know what we wanted, or b) had not taken menus all on our own. Either way our coffee came with the menus. They also brought us a little pot of milk (not the nice, sanitary sealed containers of cream). When we commented that we thought the milk looked and smelled funny we were sort of blown off. Well, the milk tasted funny too. We each drank about half a cup of coffee, but we weren't overly happy. And no one ever returned to take our order. 20 min. later we walked out, no one noticed. We all felt kind of sick so we went home instead of getting breakfast like we had planned (with our nearly hour long wait we had plenty of time to chat, if not eat). You know what happened next? We all 3 spent the next hour in the bathroom, sick. The milk was not okay. Never coming back here again, yuck.
(1)
Christina Y.
I had the Eggs Micheal and they were good. I was anticipating just one English muffin with the sausage & poached egg, but I got two. :) Plus, the potato pancakes weren't what I expected, but they were still yummy. I hoped for a little crunchiness, but they were more soft than anything. I ordered take-out and didn't get a chance to eat it an hour & a half later, but regardless, the food was still alright. I guess you could say they travel well. The prices seem to be reasonable considering the portions you get, but when ordering specialty pancakes, I would've figured potatoes, meat, or eggs would come with the meal.. but nope. :(
(3)
Audrey W.
Not my favorite OPH location, but my food arrived in a timely manner. My Apple Waffle and sausage links were pretty good. The service was average. Looking for an average breakfast this is the place.
(3)
Tadas P.
This place rocks. Love the dutch baby and the potato pancakes. I wish there were a breakfast place close to San Ramon but we manage to make the trek out to Fremont for this place. If you are in the area you should try them out.
(5)
Mark C.
As others have said, the wait can be long and it's a little pricey, but I love the food. Big portions and good taste. I've had a couple of the omlettes and they fill me up. I think I had the pecan pancakes before and they were a little dry, but the regular pancakes are good. I come here when I'm willing to spend and have a good, filling brunch.
(4)
Ben P.
i can only speak for the buttermilk pancakes . that's all i ever order and they are amazing . the combination of their butter , syrup , and pancakes is the best i have ever had anywhere anytime . menu is a little pricey , but sam ( the owner ) and the crew there are great !
(4)
Beverly C.
I discovered this place by accident when I was pregnant with my 2nd kid. I looovvveeeee the choco chip pancakes and the freshly squeezed orange juice. This is our Saturday breakfast hang-out; the place gets crowded so be there before 10 am. The staff is great...from the servers to the busboys. They really pay close attention to servicing your table...THUMBS UP ALL THE WAY!!!
(4)
John B.
Okay food. I ordered an omelette that could easily be mistaken for an ostrich egg omelette. This thing is massive. It was a bacon and cheese omelette that I fought real hard to try to finish. It was too salty and the eggs became too much. Definitely an item to share. The pancakes were good, but nothing special. For shame, I would have expected more out of "The Original Pancake House". Also the food here is expensive. 35 bucks for 2 people! Safe to say that I probably won't come back here.
(2)
Corin H.
We went in on a Sat, early afternoon. We were seated, and the person who waited on us was far from paying attention. I had to ask for coffee refills numerous times, they forgot to deliver a sprite. Once we ordered (after being rather surprise at the high prices) we waited a long time for food, even though the place was not crowded. I ordered a vegetable omelet that came out unflavored, and burnt tasting. We had to ask for ketchup after the waiter basically dropped our food and ran. We complained to the manager who took my horrible omelet off the bill. Even the Boyds coffee wasn't worth the 2.50 a cup. Do not think we will go back here again. We weren't the only people having issues at this time. I guess for the prices, we just expected more.
(1)
M Q.
This place was horrible...Horrible service and food was not good at all. We ordered a apple crepe that tasted like sour cream and nuts...I will never go back again.
(1)
peter k.
writing a quick update. i love the food here still. the portions are still huge. service can still be a little slow, but the wait is worth it.
(4)
Ella B.
i will give this place two stars for having quite a selection of pancakes but i think the service is mediocre and the restaurant itself smells strange, like too many kitchen smells. I used to LOVE this place when it was a Hobee's... so perhaps this is review is a little skewed due to nostalgia. I think the place keeps in business with all the various Rotary & community groups that have breakfast meetings. Slightly more expensive, i would just go the Nations in the same plaza if you don't care to eat in.
(1)
Mike G.
Slow service. Expensive. Not worth the visit.
(1)
Steve N.
The apple pancake is one of the best things in the world. If I wasn't trying to lose weight, I'd stop in once a week for an Apple Pancake. Service is pretty poor, though. I've been to another Pancake House (I believe it was truly the original one..down in southern california..and the service and ambiance there was 1000% better than the Fremont location). That being said, the apple pancake is worth the bad service. It's like one of those Souffle pancakes. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it :)
(4)
noah a.
It pains me to give this place even 3 stars. This is only because the food is great (well its not THAT hard to make great pancakes and sides!!) but all 4 times that I have gone the service has been SO SLOW!!!! I'm talking 45+ minute waits (of course I can only make it weekend mornings when its the most crowded). Anyhow, I will probably not be going back because I can make the same breakfast for my family and clean the dishes in well less time then it takes just to get your order at the Pancake house...
(3)
Eric Q.
Had breakfast there this morning my wife and some of our friends. We were seated promptly, and the servers were friendly and fast. I ordered the diced egg/ham special, and it seemed average. Portions did not seem that big to me either. If I ever go back maybe I'll just stick to the pancakes ( that apple pancake looks interesting); otherwise seemed pretty average.
(3)
Chris B.
Last time I ate here was back in 2005. Since then, I've gone to the Los Altos and De Anza locations a number of time. When it first opened, the food and service was great, and the owner was there to make sure that everything went flawlessly. And it did. When that guy was around, everything operated like a well-oiled machine. Since then, he's moved on to open another location in South San Jose. Based on the reviews I've read so far, I think he needs to take a close look at how his business is being run while he's not there. Managers are not keeping customers satisfied. Food is fine, and some percentage of the staff are fine workers. But it's the few (many?) lazy ones that give the place a poorer reputation than it should have.
(3)
Jonathan Y.
I would come here again...and again...and again! I'm used to long waits and horrible service from the Chinese places around the area (sorry but its true!) so I'm rating this completely on food and value. What can I say..Great gourmet pancakes, don't come here for normal breakfast stuff. It's called the Original Pancake house for a reason! Try the dutch, apple, or crepes! YUuUmM.
(5)
Keri M.
A great place to go when you're starved. My favorite thing to keep me full most of the day is the sourdough pancakes. You can order a half order for about half price, and it's still plenty of food.
(5)
Carmen M.
A bit on the pricey side for crepes with fruits and the food was simply made, but the portions were a good size. This place tasted less on the oily side like how I felt in being at IHOP. Very busy on weekends for breakfast so make reservations!
(4)
Rob C.
disappointing. (walker brothers, you are the real original pancake house, thank you.) had one of their waffles here, and it wasn't any better than a frozen one from the store. could use some better quality control. service mediocre.
(2)
Elisa A.
we went to this restaurant form breakfast and we hated it, we went back and gave it a 2nd chance but the wait was long, service was bad, pricey and the food was not good, i learned my lesson and will not go back .
(1)
Todd V.
this is my favorite place to eat. i love pancakes and i think theirs are the best; the price isn't bad either. just a warning, they really jab you on the drink orders. i found the best deal is the hot chocolate and water. because if you order a large orange juice, you will be VERY disappointed when you get your cup with no free refills. My friends and I like to joke that they don't like me, because everytime i go with them they sit us in the back area that's, like, off to the side in the corner. but when we're with our family we get a nice seat by a window or something. coinsidence? 20 thumbs up
(5)
Rob M.
Ok, it's not the "original" original pancake house (they have several dozen of these scattered across the country but the pancakes are fabulous. Mmmmm, getting hungry for a dutch baby and some potatoes on the side right now. These guys get busy but they hustle so you won't wait long. I kind of wish they were open for dinner, I like pancakes at all hours. Otherwise worth checking out. The Bacon pancakes (the bacon is inside the pancake) are also worth trying out.
(4)
Jon S.
Good pancakes and a huge variety. Omelets are not my style, overcooked, but everyone else seems to like them. Service has always been good. They provide paper and crayons for the kids. Baldies is better for a small group, but Pancake House can take larger groups and has less of a wait at peak times. Way, way, way better than IHOP and Dennys.
(4)
Diana T.
I knew the wait at OPH would be horribly long. Water/coffee came promptly but ordering took about 10 minutes. We got 1/2 order choc chip pancakes $4.5, strawberry bowl w/whipped cream $7.5, buckwheat pancakes $7, and eggs w/links and ww toast $8.50. Getting the food to our table took about 30-35 minutes and we were then starving like everyone else around us. I guess I wasn't so annoyed because I read the reviews and knew this was the case. I've come here maybe once last year and once before that and I can't remember the service being so horrible then. The food was delicious but they use wayyy too much butter for teh eggs and toast. $40 for 3 ppl is kinda expensive for stuff I've gotten faster and cheaper elsewhere.
(3)
zoe b.
This place has really really delicious pancakes. The other stuff is okay. Eggs & hash browns are simple and good. Omelets are kind of weird, it's like they put flour in them?? They are too fluffy. And way too big to eat the whole thing. The tables are never wiped down well enough, and it smells kind of like grease. It's also kind of overpriced ($10 for any breakfast meal). But... the pancakes are really good. I am extremely picky about pancakes, they are one of those foods that I always think will be good but I'm always disappointed that they are too dry, too chewy, too something. But these ones... MMMMMMMMMMMM. Fluffy. Buttery. Syrupy. MMMMMMMMMM.
(4)
Kristen R.
I only came to read the reviews for this place to see if I was an anomaly of awful service at this restaurant. Partially to my disappointment, partially to my satisfaction I am not. I really want to like this place, it's so close to my house and the one in Torrance (so cal) is awesome. But JESUS THE SERVICE IS SO BAD!! so so so bad. The first time I tried eating at OPH we were seated, waited, waited waited, etc but eventually we got coffee and an hour or so later we got food. It was decent, overpriced, but decent. The second time we tried I was craving pancakes like crazy so I thought we would give it a second try. We flagged a busboy down for coffee aaaaaand that was about it. We had to ask the busboy again for coffee before we actually got it. Needless to say, I've never EVER walked out of a restaurant before and I walked out furious enough to eat at Denny's to get my god damn pancakes! Awful! I will never go back and will never recommend this to anyone.
(1)
Jane Y.
let's be clear, this ain't no IHOP. after having tried the original pancake house in san diego, i was overjoyed to find out that there was a fremont location. thought it would be the same but nope...so disappointing! it just wasn't as tasty as i remember and the service, horrible (even though we were the only customers!) i hear the san jose location is good, so i'll have to check that one out. if you happen to be in the sd area or perhaps the original one in portland, oregon, be sure to check out this superb breakfast joint...you'll be full until dinner!
(3)
Dave M.
This is one of two places we regularly go for breakfast in Fremont. It's breakfast, and it's good, and we like the staff.
(4)
Bonnie T.
Wow, I'm shocked by the rave reviews! This place is really mediocre, in my opinion. The pancakes are cakey and often slightly burnt, the juices are way overprices (as others previously mentioned), the bacon and sausages are standard generic supermarket fare. The service fluctuates between smothering to completely indifferent. Overall, it's a few notches below your ubiquitous local IHOP. And I don't think being "family-run" is enough to get me to go to a mediocre restaurant.
(2)
Joanne C.
Not a bad choice to meet up with friends in this nice pancake house. But what impresses me the most is not their pancake, it's their coffee! I think I must have drunk like 4 cups that morning. It's just really smooth and has great coffee flavor. So make sure you have their coffee to go along with your pancake next time!
(3)
Ling L.
Best dutch oven pancake and fresh fruit crepes ever! I haven't really tried the other dishes here, since I can never seem to order anything else beyond the 2 items above every time I come here.
(4)
Rick T.
i have always had great service here. yes, i probably pay more than i do at other breakfast joints, but it is worth it. of course there is the apple pancake, but i usually get the sourdough pancakes and snack on them for the rest of the day. we also get a twelve dollar fruit plate for the kids and then chow down on it. good stuff! be aware that they are in a dispute with amex and don't accept it currently.
(5)
Shannon T.
Weird ass omeletes is all I can say, They bake them!!! Who bakes omeletes? Good portion of food, kind of expenseive, just OK service. Uncomfortable chairs.
(2)
A R.
if i could, i wouldnt give any stars at all....HOW can a restaraunt like this stay in business after so many awful reviews?? so to agree with everyone else, the service is some of the worst i have ever gotten, the omelettes are like calzones (lmao...they're like breaded or something...not even really egg-like!) and the rest of the food is definitely not worth the wait or even the gas money driving there...stay away, stay away!!!
(1)
Jessica O.
Horribly slow service. Our waitress was way over worked. The remaining staff was sitting around and eating food while she worked her butt off. Food was good but so overpriced. Especially for the ridiculous wait... It took almost 40 minutes to get our food once we ordered (which also took a long time). It's eggs and pancakes people.. These aren't particularly hard things to make. Vin Diesel wannabe at the front was rude and pompous. To top it off, this place is obviously run by a cheapskate. Under staffed, high prices, no condiments available except when requested, no credit cards, a P.O.S system that is older than most dinosaurs This place is a joke.
(1)
Anup P.
Bad service. No one seems to be happy. They forgot to bring us our pancake at pancake house. Won't be back here ever. The hostess guy signals with his hands to follow him vs asking me how I am and how many people.
(1)
Jaime I.
I was pleasantly surprised by selection of pancakes and waffles. They have so many options you need to go many times to try them all. I tried the blueberry pancakes and LOVED the sweet butter! There's a few more I'd like to try next time. The caramel latte wasn't strong so I don't recommend it.
(4)
Woody W.
Perhaps I got there on a bad day for them. The food was not to my liking. I had a simple ham and cheese omelette. It was definitely huge, however it was over cooked. The ham was oddly tasteless as well. It came with a side of buttermilk pancakes that I hoped would save the day. Alas this was not to be. They tasted like they were cooked on hamburger grease. On the upside the glass of milk was cold and fresh. $22 for a simple omelette. No thank you. The only real positive is the staff was friendly and prompt.
(1)
Miranda J.
The Original Pancake House is excellent! Great quality food, friendly service, and quick for a high quality breakfast. Not a fast food restaurant, an old fashioned brunch. We hadn't been here in months but the staff remembered us and greeted us warmly. I had french toast with scrambled eggs and thick bacon, the french toast was just the right texture - crispy, not soft. My husband had a dutch baby with lemon and whipped butter that was _delicious_! The atmosphere is relaxed and it's a great place to chat over coffee, I never feel rushed out. OPH really cares about its patrons. An old local fave.
(5)
John P.
Came in on a Sunday early afternoon and the place was empty except for one group. Maybe it was because the credit card machine was down but I guess I'll never know why... I would agree with most folks on yelp that the interior of the place is pretty old and is in need of a remodel but hey if the foods good who really cares. Menu wise, they do specialize in pancakes, waffles, omelets, typical stuff you would expect from a pancake house. For us we tried the sausage patty breakfast and the Canadian bacon breakfast with pancakes and hash browns. Food came out pretty quick and I would say the portions are pretty good. Nothing that really blew me away, but it was good and pretty full filling. Price wise, breakfast plates were around 11 to 13 dollars...kind of expensive in my opinion for the portions they gave. Overall, the price is a little too high for the portions, and although the breakfast was good, it'll probably be awhile before we eat here again. If you're looking for an alternative cheap breakfast in that area I'd recommend nations.
(3)
Ben R.
Not very good breakfast. Pancakes left a lot to be desired and the syrup had a very strange flavor that ruined the whole experience. I asked if they offered real syrup but they do not. I live on the peninsula and am used to prices being about 10-15% higher than the east bay, but this place did not apply. The price was outrageous for how lame the food was and how dated and creepy the interior of this place is. Staff also seemed to not be very happy or charming, they need some younger people helping out there. Needless to say I won't be coming back. Breakfast has to be one of the easiest foods to do right, but so few do.
(2)
H H.
I don't go out for breakfast much- but when we do, we like this old local fave. Owner is super nice & certain things are hard to find elsewhere such as potato pancakes w apple sauce & sour cream & that gorgeous Dutch baby. Our favorite is the fruit crepe. The omelettes are good not great & I'm too much of a coffee snob to have even tried their coffee ( I'll go down the street to Peets) Sure it's a bit dated, but as an occasional outing we're happy w this place.
(4)
GalloStar X.
Well, it seems I must of ordered rough TOFU pancakes! Cus my pancakes was rough, flavorless and taste bad. I was better off having pancakes at motel 6!!! *How can this be a pancake house and fail at making pancakes* this place is really outdated with the food quality. So, if you lost your taste buds and likes to spend money! this place will be for you..
(1)
Sean C.
Tried again, still not up to par. Omelette arrived in the form of burned eggs in the shape of the frying pan they sat in. Pancakes ok but the syrup seems like it was watered down - yuk. Sorry but this is the 3rd attempt over the same number of years and you are just OUT. There is a reason this place is not full Saturday morning. Service was OK
(1)
Sheila H.
Best fresh food in Fremont! Own And his are delightful people. Food and service is Top notch!
(5)
D.wight L.
I guess this place is a chain/franchise but this one doesn't look the part. It is kinda dated and the inside marketing and style of service better fits a mom/pop shop. But that isn't why I feel this place doesn't rock though. As other reviewers have already mentioned, this place is kinda spendy for breakfast. Nothing outrageous, but a breakfast here with coffee is about $15ish. Factor in a breakfast mate and we're talking $30+. And remember, this is a dated, not stylish atmo. So huh?! If you come here and don't like pancakes, then you must have larger issues. Their buttermilk is okay, it is light and crisps a bit on their griddle. Their stand out for me is their Buckwheat. It has a nutty, toasted flour feel that I feels goes hand in hand with soft butter a smidgen of syrup. It is so right for me that I honestly haven't tried any others. Though the Apple Pancake has seriously teased me. When paired with eggs and your choice of breakfast meat, it is quite the quintessential salty/sweet breakfast pairing. This is why I come here. Not for the ambiance, not for the coffee, not for the service and definitely not for the pricing. But for the occasional indulgence, it is A-OK. But why do you close at 2 pm? Are you discriminating my night owlish sleeping habits? Sometimes I don't even wake up til 2pm and guess what? It is breakfast time then. Which explains why I only visit you once/twice per year.
(3)
Otto V.
Great old location in the gaslight square! I had "the Tahitian Maiden's Delight". Does not sound like something you should eat for breakfast, but this crepe filled w bananas and cream cheese really hit the spot.
(3)
K H.
This place used to be soooo good. Not so much anymore. The strawberry waffles that was a little expensive at $10 is now over $15!!! What?!?!?! And you don't get any sides. Ordered 3 meals and 2 came. Then about 10 minutes later another plate came but was done all wrong. They apologized and said they would take the meal off the tab and not charge but then decided in the end to charge for it and didn't charge for extra bacon. Bad customer service all around.
(1)
Mayra R.
Completely outdated, busy although there wasn't a full house, long wait for the food. Pecan waffles were about four stars, the eggs Michael (eggs Benedict, sausage and four "potato pancakes" were so bad I can't even rate them. We barely ate the eggs Benedict with a lot of Tabasco sauce. To top it all off, my husband went to the restroom and saw the bussboy simply push his apron to the side to pee. Really?!? I hope we don't get food poisoning.
(1)
Jacqueline J.
horrible horrible service!! Food was alright. I prefer the pancake house in pleasant hill, it's a lot cleaner, food is more flavorful and customer service is great over there.
(2)
Danielle C.
This place looks like a dump from the outside. I've been told that the Original Pancake House is actually a decent chain, so I'm not sure what happened here. Inside, it was actually a decent diner. Service was a bit slow though. The prices here seem a little high - two eggs any style for $4.60? A box of eggs costs like $2, for crying out loud. Anyway. The portion sizes are pretty good considering you're paying like $10+ for a breakfast meal. I thought the food was rather mediocre, nothing to write home about.
(3)
Vannessa W.
OMG best breakfast I've had in a long time. Initially I thought it was a little pricey for breakfast....until there was nothing left on my plate. Everything individually was tasty and cooked to perfection. The eggs weren't runny as they can be sometimes, the bacon was thick and tasty, sausage links were perfectly golden, pancakes were light and fluffy, the country potato hash browns were flavored and DELICIOUS! Everything was made from scratch (aside from the bacon n links) and the cook staff works like a well oiled machine. The place was super busy but we sat at the bar which speeded the service up. We were also able to watch the magic happen and thanked our cooks for the fantastic meal (something I always want to do but so rarely get the opportunity). The portions are large but you'll probably eat it. Things to try next time: baked apple pancake (looks like monkey bread), and it's lemon baked sibling and the crepes! Parking is ample in the attached lot. Also next to a must-try German deli next door.
(5)
Eduardo A.
The best 12 people and the dint and no time food was on the table the servers wer the best and food EXELENT
(5)
Chris T.
The worse Pancakes I ever had! I ordered buttermilk pancakes and texture was flaky plus there was bitter alcohol or liquor smell to it. With the name pancake house I was expecting really good pancakes but it was the worst !
(1)
Morgan V.
The food is good, especially the apple pancakes and omelettes, but the customer service is terrible, and the atmosphere is very run down.
(2)
Drea H.
What a disappointment. My husband & I came here for a late breakfast on Saturday morning around 10:30AM. A pancake restaurant should've had a line out their door during the weekend morning peak hours, but they didn't. This should've been our sign to leave, but we didn't. They have a unique, homey, almost cabin-like interior decor. It was definitely interesting. We were seated quickly, but that was about the only positive aspect of our venture here. Waitstaff was slow & inattentive, plates were scratched & dis-colored, and the food was just sad. The toast was over-cooked and my sausages were burnt & super salty. I could've cooked a far better meal at home! It wasn't horrible, but we were expecting more. We don't plan on returning, ever.
(2)
Gary T.
Visted today for late breakfast, early lunch. Terrible service....food was EXTREMELY over priced...no wonder the place was empty at noon. Why would you eat here when Fremont has The Country Way and Dino's.....better food, reasonable prices.
(1)
Nikhil A.
Nothing really exciting about this place, extremely expensive for no reason, poor service, broken chair, etc. Will not recommend anyone.
(1)
Jessi H.
Do they serve carton eggs?? The scrambled eggs tasted of butter. The potatoes tasted of butter. Shared a bacon waffle with my daughter or was good nice big pieces of bacon in the waffle but a very thin waffle for $10 Over priced , I think i will stick with their fresh fruit crepes, those are the best! I do want to say the service was great the girl waiting on us was very attentive and smiling.
(2)
Raoul F.
The food is just barely okay, but the prices are outrageous. I don't know why we keep coming back here. Oh yeah, because IHOP, Denney's, Black Bear Diner, and the Country Way are always packed on Sat and Sun mornings. Breakfast for 5, including 2 little kids, was over $100.00!! Mind you, this included 2 kids meals, which were $10 each, and included 2 flavor-less, lackluster pancakes and EGGS or choice of meat; not all three. Portions aren't all that big, like people have said. I wasn't impressed. Don't get me wrong. I have no aversion to paying good money for a good meal, but the food here did not meet that description. Yeah the place looks old and needs a paint job, but these could have been easily overlooked if the food at least warranted the high price. Look elsewhere for a better meal for a better value.
(1)
Sarina P.
First time here thought it was great. Second time here, horrible. Waited for over an hour for our food. Never received an apology for the long wait nor got asked for any refills. Crepes weren't cooked well, steak was horrible. Potatoes are good though, I guess.
(1)
Raman S.
This is an average pancake place in Fremont. We tried the Spanish omelet and sausage and eggs. They are your typical breakfast dishes. The staff are very friendly.
(3)
Madhur B.
Most of the food is mediocre and the service is generally subpar, but the greatest chocolate chip pancakes of all time keep me coming back. I recommend getting the spicy omelette, swapping the three pancakes that come with it for the chocolate chip pancakes (just $1 extra), and splitting it with someone.
(3)
Janet P.
I went to have breakfast on Monday morning I did not have a great experience. As a former waitress who worked at a diner I can honestly say they need to hire friendly people who know how to do their job. The waitress that we got seemed annoyed and gave us attitude. If your not happy with your job why are you working there in the first place. The food was okay. The food is very overpriced! 11 dollars for bacon and eggs it's a joke.
(1)
Pravin S.
I like this place for breakfast. The staff and owner are really nice~! The breakfast items are really tasty. I opted for a sausage and egg breakfast with hash browns. - P
(4)
Rochelle C.
This was my favorite breakfast spot until today. The food and service from the times I've been here have been pleasant, however, today the waitress who served us had no interest in serving us whatsoever. She talked to us twice the whole time there, once when she asked us what to eat and the second time was when she brought us our food. My boyfriend and I look rather young and perhaps maybe that is why she showed zero customer service to us. We both noticed she was catering to the other tables except for our table. As of today, I am no longer titling this place as my favorite breakfast place and am not planning on eating here again.
(1)
Jessica P.
I asked for it, I did. I said "How could an Original Pancake possibly have such bad reviews? No way." Well, apparently yes way. Parking was fine - they have a lot, you can park in it. It's right next to the building. This would probably be considered the highlight of our visit. The people in front of us left the hostess stand and I made eye contact with her, then said we were a party of 3. She shot me a disgusted look and shoved the clipboard at me, advising me to "do it"... I look at the piece of paper attached to the clipboard and see a list of names scratched off of the list that fill all of the available lines and then some additional, non-scratched off names added in the blank space below the printed lines. I jot our info below and set it down. The hostess yanks the clipboard over, glares at it and then marks the names off that are not written on lines. She then gestures to the blank space to the right of the existing list and makes me re-write my name down. Ookay. You know what would've avoided all of this? If this were a normal restaurant where the hostess asks your name & party size and writes it down. But whatever. We weren't given an estimated wait (communication is kept pretty limited around these parts) So we sat down in the waiting area. There are very old looking photos and clips all over the place, some colored pages, which lend a cluttered feeling alongside the stacks of antiquated items including a broken soda refrigerator that has a "do not touch" sign on it... it was a bit like waiting in an old relative's hoarder-esque sitting room full of precious junk. Fun times keeping my 2 year old from touching things for 15-20 min. My guess is that the building was once a Weinerschnitzel - it has the mid-century Chalet shape and is oddly laid out for a sit-down restaurant. The lighting isn't great, nothing looks super clean, and the mismatched furniture screams "low budget" instead of "eclectic and hip" so I am guessing it wasn't a deliberate style choice. Our server seemed nice enough, although again not very skilled at communicating. I asked a question about the fresh fruit crepes (I wanted to find out if I could get just strawberries instead of mixed berries) and after a few attempts at explaining we finally established that yes, I could do this. Once we had placed our order, she brought our drinks and then disappeared. After we waited a little bit, she came back to let us know that a large party had ordered just before us and therefore our order was going to take a long time. Oh goody. I appreciate the heads up, but 30+ minutes later I wasn't terribly excited to know that I was waiting because they had a large table in front of us - this is breakfast food we're talking about here, not rocket ships... a short order cook is a thing for a reason. Drinks were fine, although we ordered my son some chocolate milk and were provided with the tiniest thimble-sized to-go cup I've ever seen. It was thoughtful to provide us with a more spill-proof cup, but I'm pretty sure they made out by charging us for a regular milk (and charged for another when I asked for a refill) Our server did not check in during the wait for our food, and we flagged another server down and asked that she mention we needed our server. Either she didn't convey the message or our server ignored it as she did not come back around (we were hoping to get our drinks refilled) Food came. My husband got Bacon and Eggs with a side of pancakes. I got the aforementioned Fresh Fruit Crepes and a side of Bacon. The bacon was... greenish? It looked kindof like normal bacon but had a greenish hue. It was also burnt on some parts and raw on others (not really sure how that is accomplished) Each of us tried to eat a piece, but it tasted as awful as it appeared and wasn't edible. Fresh Fruit Crepes: this was ONE crepe. I pulled a menu to be sure I was indeed crazy and apparently I am, because I was SURE that this had to be more than one crepe. The price tag ($15) did not tip me off to the fact that this was a single crepe, nor did the fact that all of the other crepe dishes (priced at $10-11 each) were labeled as "crepes" while this one was indeed simply a "crepe", singular. Oh Fremont Original Pancake House, you're such a trickster! Way to get an extra $6 out of me. Other notes on the crepe were the fact that it wasn't very crispy on the edges and the strawberries had a soapy taste (likely left over from cleaning them) My husband's pancakes were typical, however they were served with fake maple syrup, yuck. Another thing I'd considered to be a hallmark of Original Pancake Houses, but which apparently is not, is using real maple syrup. It makes all the difference and the stuff they provided tasted horrible. I love Original Pancake Houses (I have announced this previously.) Whoever runs this particular location should have their franchise revoked (or however that works.) This mars the generally awesome brand and it is upsetting
(1)
Ruby R.
This place is absolutely amazing! The food is exceptionally delicious (no matter what you order). I would have dropped one star because the service was horrible in the afternoon once but the servers in the morning are great! If you can, go before noon. I've had their pancakes, French toast, and vegetable omelette. My boyfriend has had all the above as well as the make your own omelette and steak sandwich. All of these were perfect!
(5)
Gee T.
Service was dry like the omelette I ordered. The check was given to me while our food was still warm. Besides the Pancake that my kid ordered, we couldn't really appreciate the rest of the food... Please smile and take more time to appreciate your customers.
(2)
Frank B.
This place was a miss for me. From the moment I walked in it had a old musty smell to the place. We were seated by the pseudo fireplace next to the window. Our server was so distracted by a "regular" while taking our order carrying on a conversation with the other patrons. We actually arrived before them but they were served before us. This typically doesn't bug as I'm there for two reason; enjoy my breakfast and get the hell out. In reading the menu the pigs in a blanket caught my eye so I went ahead and ordered it with a side of hash browns. Our waitress advise me "you know the hash browns aren't your typical hash brown it's more of a country potato." It was unfair of me that I had the vision of the same country potato that Country Way serves up so this of course set the bar way too high and disappointment was eminent. BOY WAS I RIGHT!! The potatoes were luke warm like they were frozen at one point and warmed up in the microwave. It arrived with a ceramic tray of pigs in blanket with confectioners sugar sprinkled on top with a glob of butter. Even with the sugar sprinkled on top the dish was flavorless. How can sausage be flavorless?????? Again this was a big miss for me and I was thoroughly disappointed! I love breakfast and it was my cheat day. I almost felt like my diet was still intact because I couldn't get through my meal......BUZZKILL
(2)
CJ C.
Like where its located and its never too crowded even on the weekend. Service is very slow and the pancakes have no taste to them unless you pour lots of syrup to make them edible. But staff here is pleasant and nice. Price is high considering the portions.
(3)
Ava I.
Food was good and large quantity! Service was attentive and friendly. Typical breakfast place I would rate up there with IHOP.
(4)
Betty K.
I came here almost every weekend....every time I come I feel like I'm a family, they really take care of me and my family.today I had pecan waffle.
(5)
Cindy M.
I came across this place driving in Fremont. I thought it looked cute and seemed to be the ORIGINAL iHop typa place. Well everything in there is dated but that doesn't bother me. Some of my favorite places to eat are smaller hole in the wall places. Prices were way too high for OK food. I think me and my honey spent almost $50 on basic breakfast! Not including tip. I'd rather go to Nations in the same parking lot for breakfast
(2)
Rox R.
The groupon was too temping and I love breakfast. Not easy to find a real pancake so we gave this place a try. We went to the OPH in ga and it was an ok experience. This place, though old school decor in a old stripmall far far away, has it's locals charm. Service was ok, not blown away and it was pretty ghosttownish today. The maple vanilla latte on special was amazing! I drank it down like a good glass of ga sweet tea...just sweetly done guys! Buttermilk pancakes with lots of fresh whipped butter And yummy maple goodness. Tops! Next time if get the 2x4, which has the 2 eggs. My little one never ate so much scrambled egg, a good sign. Con/ water not refilled and no water brought for my little one. They also would not run my card for an amount under $10- which btw breaks the agreement with the credit companies. Even though I didn't have cash he wouldn't do it. Usually I will not visit again because of this but since this isn't the only OPH I may just visit another location. Apple pancake looks divine but I had to have the original. Till the next yum visit
(4)
John P.
"What do you want?" was how we were greeted by our server. It was our first time coming here and were quite unsure as to whether or not we should eat here, but we took a big chance. EPIC FAIL! The customer service was horrible. I felt bad that we had to ask help from another server that was busy. We were grateful he took the time and helped us. So when we ordered, "Original Pancake" House was not so original. The pancakes we ordered were soggy. I should have went to Lucky's and microwaved my own pancakes. I guess that's my fault for going here. Food: 1 star. Customer Service: 1 star. Even paying for the bill was a hassle. We stood in line and watched, what appeared to be either the manager or owner tell customers, "Don't tell me what I'm doing!" Well, if he knew what he was doing, he would have known how to split the check. EPIC FAIL, don't waste your time.
(1)
Eka L.
The waitress is very friendly and helpful. We ordered Eggs Michael and Dutch Baby. All of them were good. The potato pancakes in the Eggs Michael were definitely something new for us. They were delicious though. You can add some chocolate chips on your Ditch Baby if you want, my friend did it and it was yumm as well :)
(4)
Don F.
Old, 50's style facility & menu; wifi advertised but NOT working; fair to poor service, good omelette (once we got the bacon to go with originally ordered bacon & cheese, overwhelmed with spinach & mushrooms).
(2)
Teresita M.
Pancakes tasted bad. Ignored by server for about 15-20 minutes as well as other servers when asked for help.
(1)
My T.
Came here for brunch, was greeted, sat us quick and serve is coffee and drinks quick, but it took the awhile to take our order. I was a bit confused about who was the waiter because there was this lady that clean up the table and sweeping the floor so we looked around so they can see that we are ready to order. No one, until this guy showed up. Apparently, he was the only waiter at that time. So note to self don't come here around 1:30pm for brunch. Food wasn't so great either.
(3)
Melanie L.
Came here this morning with hubby to use the money I paid ($20) on an expired Groupon. He had the eggs and hash with pancakes and I had the spinach omelette and added chicken apple sausage. Food was great although it took them forever to take our order and bring our food out but when it finally came it was hot so that's good The problem came when I tried to apply my $20 that I paid for my expired Groupon towards the bill and the older man at the register whom also seated us REFUSED to honor it and argued with me and even went so far as to cover his ears and tell me he was done when I was trying to explain to him that although the offer was expired, I was still able to use the $20 I PAID!! My poor husband was standing behind me and finally offered to just pay the full amount while he lovingly escorting me outside . . . meanwhile I was already calling Groupon to complain on my way out of the door!! This is NOT how you treat your customers and I will NOT come back nor will I recommend them to ANYONE!!! Groupon gave me a $20 credit to use toward a future offer to compensate for this jerk offs' ridiculous behavior!
(1)
Coree B.
- The service was friendly and fast. - The food was 'average'; not anything special. The bacon in our omlette was bordering on burnt, but the onions and peppers were almost raw. - The portions were quite small compared to other similar 'mom & pop' diners
(2)
Jay S.
Avoid this place. Way overpriced for terrible food. I'll never return. Out $30. French toast and omelette tasted like it was microwaved.
(1)
Dee F.
Their fresh fruit crepe never disappoints. Always ask for extra strawberry sauce. I swear I just wanna drink it!! Their French Toast is perfect and today I finally tried the Dutch Baby! So glad I did!! Prices are higher than other breakfast joints but you get what you pay for. The service has always been good and the owner is super sweet. I only wish they were open all day.
(4)
Danica L.
A single waffle for like $8 No side dishes or anything Creepy waiter The chair cushions are caved in and uncomfortable, I felt like I was sinking into hell. I actually liked the waffle though. But then again I freakin love any and all waffles
(1)
Mai W.
This place was great!!!! I ordered their famous Dutch Baby and was not disappointed!!!!!. I must say that our bill cam out to be a little bit on the pricey side though. Brunch for $65...... might be a little too much. BUT we did order a bunch of stuff: 1. Apple Pancake 2. Dutch Baby 3. Fresh Berries 4. 2 espresso drinks. Everything was delicious and we had a ton of left overs. I would definitely recommend everyone trying the Dutch Baby.
(4)
Melinda Y.
My friend suggested this pancake house to try. After doing some research, I found out that it's a West Coast chain restaurant and their specialty is the Dutch baby with rave reviews. Not wanting to be foolish and not try the house specialty, we both ordered one each. Since the Dutch baby takes 30 minutes to prepare, be sure to bring some good company with you. Since the item was listed under pancakes, we were prepared for something similar to the buttermilk kind we all know and love. When they arrived, you will be floored by the immense size of the Dutch baby. It resembles a big bowl. As you cut into it, you'll realize how eggy it is. I liken it to an egg souffle. In order to downplay the egginess, you squeeze fresh lemon juice onto and liberally sprinkle powdered sugar. The dish was accompanied with butter, but I usually avoid adding it. Adding syrup may be too sweet. Overall, we were hoping for something more like a pancake than an omelette. If you want to try the Dutch baby, share it with someone because you may not like it and the thing is HUGE. I do like how they have so many different varieties of pancake, with flavors like bacon, coconut, or pineapple. I do wish I ordered the coconut pancake. My favorite part of my breakfast was my hot chocolate with a huge topping of whipped cream...DELISH! I tried to drink it as lady-like as possible without wearing a beard of white on my face. The service was great. There were dedicated coffee guys walking around to make sure you have your caffeine fix. Overall, we probably won't be returning to Original Pancake House.
(3)
miss b.
Pretty good service but terrible pancakes. Tasted like there was a ton of baking soda in them. Won't be going here again anytime soon.
(2)
Priscilla M.
The food was pretty good, but it's overpriced. Breakfast for 2 was $45 and we shared one of the large apple pancakes. I will not be returning.
(2)
Mey S.
Good solid breakfast items. Loved the apple cinnamon pancake and omlettes. The portions are huge. Staff is friendly and food is good. Great alternative to Denny's.
(4)
Juliet L.
Honestly, I really like this place. I've never had a bad experience with the food. Which seems strange after all the bad reviews. But, I admit the service can be bit slowish and the atmosphere a tad dusty. So, what keeps us coming back? The chocolate chip pancakes are delish! The crepes are pretty good too.
(3)
John C.
Terrible service! Terrible service! Terrible service! Service with an attitude! I would not recommend this place. Management needs to enforce a more customer friendly environment.
(1)
Justin M.
Plain and simple, only come here for the pancakes... the rest of the food is overpriced and lacks character in terms of flavor. In fact, the pancakes were the third star. If it hadn't been for the fluffy consistency of the pancakes this could have easily been a two star review.
(3)
K S.
Not a good experience at all.... way over priced for average food. I don't mind paying for food, but only if it's worth it. I don't think this place is worth $34 for 2 people. This was definitely a one time visit only.... will not be coming back. I like supporting non-commercialized business, but this was a let down. DON'T COME IN UNLESS YOU WANT TO PAY WAY TOO MUCH FOR LESS THAN AVERAGE BREAKFAST FOOD. Horrible, extremely disappointed.
(1)
Abdulah A.
This place is Awesome. All these other people who are giving this place a bad review are retarded. Best customer service and the food is the best.
(5)
Hyperchiq Y.
Just finished eating brunch with my friend and omg it was so good. We both ordered egg Michael but I substitute my potatoe pancakes with fresh banana pancakes. It was great substitute because I tried the potatoes pancake and I wasn't feeling it. We shared the dutch baby and omg it was so yummy. My friend was the one that wants to order that and he said it was the best dutch baby he had ever had and he was right. I don't know if it's the best since I have never had it before. But it was super good. Service was good and attentive. I ordered coffee and our server would kept refilling it. I did felt bad because we came during closing time and felt a little rush when paying. Beside that it was good. I will definitely coming back because food was yummy and will get the dutch baby again. Only next time we will be sharing one entree instead we both had our own entree hahaah
(5)
Umika K.
This has been my favorite place ever since I was four years old! Their french toast is to die for. I also recommend the Dutch baby. The server who is almost always there is a kind and efficient person.
(5)
Angie M.
Horrible restaurant! We went there today because we absolutely love the Original pancake house in ANAHEIM (we go there when we travel to Disneyland) So I thought it would be nice to go on our way to San Jose today. The place seems so old and dusty, the bathrooms are disgusting. The food was not very good, I ordered the famous Dutch baby but it was underdone so it wasn't very good. I will NEVER come here again. Any one looking for a breakfast restaurant go somewhere else.
(1)
Lanisha A.
Talk about being over priced. I payed 12.75 for some 10 dollar coin pancakes and a coffee...... The pancakes them self cost 9.05, at any others establishment I would at least get a side of eggs and potatoes. It's kind of disappointing. Yes my food was good but the price for the amount was outrageous. I most likely will not be coming back any time soon!!! Eat here at you own liking......
(2)
Daniel C.
Went last weekend with my girlfriend because we were craving some serious pancakes. We were seated promptly and our order was taken right away. The service itself was great although the seemed to be so over staffed because we had 3 different people checking in on us in 3 minute intervals to the point were it seemed quite excessive. When we got our menu we were stunned by the prices. 10 dollars for a pancake with nothing else is just insane. For just bacon and eggs, you would have to spend close to 8 dollars. I can go to Country Way and get the same food but better prepared for like almost 1/3 of the price. So in that regard, I think pancake house definitely is far to over priced. The food was alright, not bad but not amazing enough to warrant what they were charging. I would recommend the pancake house if you are in the mood for good service, and pancakes without having to wait to long and you don't mind paying an arm and a leg.
(2)
Shan S.
I came back to read the reviews to see if it was just me that had a bad experience. But I was proved wrong. Overall, this place offers the following: -Horrible ownership -Bad customer service -Expensive average breakfast food -Negative reviews -Unclean atmosphere -Nice bus boy/girl service Surprised and sad this place is still open for being an old establishment in Fremont. This should be a wake up call for the ownership for its survival.
(1)
Jon S.
I made a big mistake coming here instead of Black Bear Diner. It was $22.00 for the nastiest brown rubber omelette I have ever had. The pancakes were good but those are small on the side. Such a wannabe old timers diner. There were 3 other people eating there at 8am Saturday so I guess people have caught on about their bad food.
(1)
Tiffany D.
I'm not too much of a pancake person but when i have a craving for chocolate chip pancakes I come here..I don't come here too often because their prices are OUTRAGEOUS!!! But the chocolate chip pancakes are worth it.
(3)
Marissa f.
This place is awful. I brought my son here after a doctor's appointment. I had the apple pancake and I was HUGELY disappointed. The waitress told me I had to wait 15-20min extra if I wanted to order an apple pancake, and that should have been a clue. The pancake was huge but tasted burnt and bitter. It was literally one of the worst meals I have ever had. And at $12? That's way too much for an order of pancakes. No sides or anything. Everything has to be purchased separately. I ended up spending wayyy too much for a bad meal for myself and my son. The vibe of the restaurant is very odd too. Like too many family members working in one place. The owner is nice, but the staff is not very professional. Please believe me when I say: This place is horrible! Don't waste your money here!!!!
(1)
Winona B.
My mother and I ended up waiting 20-25 minutes for being asked what to order, and yet another half-hour to receive them. This would be understandable if the restaurant was packed during the lunch hour, but it was anything but. The food overall was.. unremarkable. I ordered a steak dish and what I saw immediately was how dirty the plate was and how my sunny-side up eggs were slightly undercooked. I couldn't ignore also how poorly thrown together the dish was, it clearly looked like it was rushed. I also tried my mother's order of mushroom omelette and banana-strawberry crepe, and no good surprises came from there either... The omelette was nearly flavorless, and the crepe was just too sugary. Thankfully my mother had a groupon coupon handy for our first time trying this restaurant. I think... having any sort of coupon for this place warrants another try, but not with much enthusiasm.
(2)
Sonnia K.
As much as possible, I avoid writing a negative review, but I had to tell the truth about my dining experience here this morning. It was my first time at this restaurant and by its name it made me expect a lot. There were ample parking outside which was a good deal for me. When we got in, we had to automatically sign up to wait for a table. We didn't wait too long though. We got a nice comfy table after two minutes. We placed our orders: coffee, vegetarian omelet with bacon (Yes, I love lots of veggies but I'm a meat lover as well, especially bacon), western omelet with cheese and all the omelet orders came with three small palm-sized pancakes. Here's the first bad thing: the people who came in after us got their orders first. There was totally no system with regards to the coming out of orders. We waited around 45 minutes for our food. A family of four arrived near us when our food reached our table. I didn't eat yet because not everything was served. We had to wait for the pancakes. When it arrived, our omelet was sort of cold already. (This time, the family of four beside us just got their drinks.) The worst thing after getting our food, was our server placing our check in front of us without any word of excuse at all. It was very rude to do that. He just served us our food and he gave the check as well! It's like indirectly telling us that we needed to eat quickly and leave. Very bad gesture! The pancakes were all right, but the syrup was kind of watered-down. The omelet, for me, was bland. But I''m not the type of person who returns her food just because it's cold or bland. I try to make it work out. Coffee was hot anyway. I felt that I needed to hurry up so I can leave the terrible place. Almost an hour (because we were chatty to each other), my husband and I finished our food, the family of four was still waiting for theirs. By the time we decided to go to the cashier to pay, the family of four walked out the restaurant pissed. That was just horrible. To have a customer walk out of your restaurant because they've been waiting for their food for too long. Their kids were hungry sitting for an hour. I don't blame them for walking out. The restaurant beside OPH might have served them quicker with hot food and a wonderful smile. Definitely not going back.
(1)
Jackie D.
My husband and I have been coming here for their famous Dutch Baby & Potato Pancake for over 10 years. Just luv these 2 dishes! Granted their price is high, but it's so worth it. I hate to leave a negative review for this place and it's not because of their food, but the horrible service from the owner (old guy) when I was using a groupon. I was raving about this place to my friend & decided to bring her here on a weekday. What made it so bad is that the owner was so rude from the beginning. As he takes us to our seat & before we even had a chance to sit down, he asked, "do you have a groupon?" and I said yes. Then he said, "why are you trying to hide it? " I was so surprised by this question that I did not even know how to reply. My butt has not even touched the seat!! I decided to dismiss this remark and gave him my groupon. I did not want this incident to sour my happy mood. Then, before we had a chance to order, the owner came back and said that my groupon was used. I questioned him if he was sure, and he insisted. Luckily I had another voucher in the car, and informed him that I will use that one. He was sneering at me and questioned why I should have another voucher, made me feel like I was printing multiple vouchers to reuse.I told him that I purchased more than one voucher, but he looked doubtful. I watched him scanned my second groupon voucher, and I noticed that the voucher took, but it appears that he does not know how to use the scanner. He was trying to tell me that the second voucher was also not good and that it's been used. I told him that it's been used because he just scanned it and redeemed it. He finally figure it out and honored my voucher. No apologies whatsoever. After getting home, I realized that I may have been scammed by him on my first voucher due to his incompetence with the scanner. I decided to call Groupon to complain about this poor service, and they were nice enough to refund my first voucher. Bottom line, don't expect good service from the owner if you come with a groupon voucher. You can also read other reviews when groupon voucher was presented. To the owner: Why do you even bother advertising your business on groupon if you are going to treat your customers so poorly? This does not help your business.
(1)
Alissa K.
Love coming here for weekend breakfasts! Amazing selection of pancakes...our favorite are the coconut pancakes! I have never had a meal that I've been dissatisfied with, although we have had some terrible service. Today I was pleasantly surprised at the fantastic and super friendly service we received. Our waitress was a breath of fresh air compared to the last one we had! I asked for her name and I believe it is Anna. She is no doubt the best they have and she made our experience so enjoyable today! We will definitely keep coming back.
(4)
Kelly R.
Sadly due to their similarities this is compared to Country Inn. First, the service was terrible. It seemed like our server didn't like us or we were a burden to him. Second, the menu was a little pricey. I mean, a LARGE O.J. looked like a little sippy cup. I almost wanted to order a small O.J. just to see what that looked like. Bleh. And the pancakes? They were ok. Not great. So all together, meh.
(2)
Jessica T.
Walked in, took about 5 minutes to be seated, looked over the menu and walked back out. The prices here are ridiculous, especially for breakfast. Nothing spectacular that caught my eye that would be worth the price. Sorry......
(1)
Nelly Y.
Yes, it's expensive but you won't find tastier pancakes in the Tri City area. I've tried plenty of pancakes during my lifetime in and out of California. Since Pancake House has differentiated themselves from competitors with the best pancake recipe, why not charge more? It's just business. I've dined here many times throughout my eight year residency in Fremont and I've have never experienced bad service or bad food. My favorites are the buttermilk and clam pancakes.
(4)
Steve D.
This is a nice place for breakfast. Just avoid getting seated in the room in the right rear corner- it is loud because the sound echoes. The corned beef hash is home-made and high quality, even if it is sort of like prime rib slices cut into one inch squares. It may not cover the entire plate, two inches thick, but it is plenty. They know how to poach an egg correctly, which shouldn't be that hard, but some places screw it up. The French Toast is just right and probably the best thing here. The service is friendly and attentive. Your coffee will be frequently refilled. The crepes are generally good, but some are better than others. I think fresh berries are better than canned cherries in glaze, so pay attention to the ingredients. They have a board listing the fresh fruit. The prices are reasonable, maybe a few bucks more than Denny's, but compare the quality of the bacon, for example, and you will appreciate the difference. I don't get the negative reviews at all. How can you gripe about the price when it is plainly stated on the menu and you decided to stay and pay the listed price for the meal? If you are that cheap, go somewhere else. You get good value here, meaning good food for a fair price.
(4)
Amber L.
I understand most of the bad reviews on here. I mean, yes, the service is not the best, yes, it's a bit overpriced, but I always come back for more! I always get the French toast (which is fabulous) so I can't really comment on the other options. My son loves their pancakes, the bacon is always delicious, and I enjoy the hash brown potatoes as a side. What really gets me coming back is the people. The owner and a couple of the servers that are usually there are super friendly. They remember us every time and ask how we've been. Sometimes they bring out free Mickey pancakes for my son. If it's a busy day, you're going to get slow service, so be prepared, but enjoy your meal.
(4)
Nelly H.
I love breakfast and our family has tried high end places to mom and pop dives and I have to say this place was one our worst experiences. Service -- slow, forgot to place our order, didn't give the children in our group coloring pages or crayons.... to a five year old this matters. Ambiance -- meh, it was okay, forgiven if the food is good... Food -- I feel as if a 10 year old was cooking in the kitchen -- salami omelette was spongy, tasteless and pretty much inedible as were the joke of potato pancakes. yuck. Chocolate chip pancakes -- plain pancakes with a sprinkle of chocolate chips -- really? And the crepes were an insult to decent crepes anywhere -- too eggy, fell apart and rubbery. And the prices were ridiculously expensive for the slop they served.... Never again.....
(1)
Melody Y.
+1 star for food -5 stars for service I should've listened to Yelp's 2.5 stars. Sigh. But I didn't, because I know that their apple pancake is the bomb, so against my better judgment, I took my family here to celebrate mother's day. We called ahead of tim
(1)
Dave V.
I could talk about how it took half an hour to get my food or I could talk about how bland my omelet tasted, but nothing tops this: I FOUND A HAIR IN MY HASH BROWNS. Hash browns that my wife and daughter ate. I can't explain how disgusted I felt seeing that on my plate. I told the waitress to tell the cooks about it and to her credit she was very apologetic about it. She took the plate and my credit card to the back for over 10 minutes and then came back with the full price of the check. Management made no effort to rectify this. I really wish I had checked here before going there so I might have been led to go somewhere else. I will never come back to this place and will steer anyone away who asks. To the guy who gave a 5 star review on 10/12, tell your boys to keep their hair out of my food!
(1)
Marevie T.
I was hopping to like this place ... not really. The pancakes seemed like it was sitting out for a while and my bacon... really didn't taste like bacon. It seemed a little off, like it was sitting out for a while too! Took a long time to get a waitress to walk by so I can ask for extras like another refill or some napkins.
(2)
Geneva W.
Food is way over priced $7.00 for 4 slices of bacon $6 for a glass of chocolate milk. $11.99 for some scrambled eggs with diced ham. I would try finding somewhere wake to eat
(1)
Chera T.
Big menu selection. Okay service, quaint little atmosphere. Wish the coffee was a bit better and the prices a bit lower but I must say I do like it here.
(3)
Cat M.
I should have read the reviews before coming! Food is way overpriced. $8 for one waffle, which was flat and small. $12 for an omlette, which was weird looking. It looked like an egg cake. Definitely something you could make at home... Service was okay. We waited 20 min for our food, for some reason all the people around us who ordered way after us got their food first? Overall, I would NOT return...
(1)
Pinky L.
The bad reviews at this place are correct. Service terrible. Food extremely mediocre. Way over priced. There are much better mom and pop breakfast places in the area that give double the amount of food for half the price. Will never return again
(1)
Carol N.
Worst breakfast ever. My stomach is still trying to recover. It used to be good, don't know what has happened.
(1)
Michelle T.
This adventure started out with.......a Groupon. $20 for $40 of food but has to be 4 people. OK.. we decide to go but have 3 people. We call and speak with Aziz (sp?) who tells us that he'll honor it if we order 4 meals, doesn't matter if it's to go for one meal or not. So yay! That's a plus because we really wanted to try this place out for a while now. Aziz told us he's there til 1pm. I'm not happy he lied to us. Instead of telling us that the place closed at 2pm, he went one step beyond and said he's leaving then. We got there at 12:55pm, whew! and then guess what? Aziz never left. What a liar. LYING IS NOT ACCEPTABLE in my book, especially for new customers. We'd told him this was our first time there. If he's so confident that his food will speak for itself, then don't lie to your customers. We may not want to come back based on that alone. Which is exactly what we're going to do... I'll go the location on DeAnza before this one if I have to. I ordered the veggie omelette and added mushrooms. It was FANTASTIC! I can't tell you how slowly I ate my food. I savored every bite and couldn't finish it. The omelette was so big, enough for 2 meals for me. I'm really glad we tried their food. My boyfriend ordered a nice pancake combo and was stuffed! Instead of getting the 3 buttermilk pancakes, I opted for the $1.00 upcharge for potato pancakes. Awesome! They tasted so delicious and I was so not disappointed. Prices... YES they're a tad bit on the pricey side but if you used a groupon, it was worth it to us. We spend that much on food at a crummy place sometimes. So I wasn't too disturbed by it. 3 stars for excellent food. I'd give them 1 star if I could base it on lying to your customers only but the food does speak for itself. It's delicious and I recommend the food (maybe not the staff so much) to everybody. The staff was very abrupt and wasn't patient at all.
(3)
Irene S.
One of my clients recommended this place for breakfast. Upon arriving, I went by myself for a quick breakfast in between clients, I enter and wait to be seated, servers and other employees walked right by me. Finally, someone approached me, didn't say a word to me and motioned me to the table area and I pretty much sat myself anywhere. The server who took my order seem preoccupied and took my order standing across a wall barrier, like it was too much effort to walk around and take my order from my table. I ordered an apple waffle; I've tasted better and it was overpriced. Nonetheless, I won't be going back.
(1)
Chitra S.
no NO you wanted to come here but you thought wrong I wanted to come in search of the ultimate waffle in Fremont. honestly, I was in the area and just wanted SOME good waffle in Fremont. and I ignored the negativity, but, NO gross soggy cold no the prices here are ridiculous. and for the quality of the waffles, man, the food should have been free. I never write reviews but I just wanted to let you know... NO now turn around, go somewhere else and have an A1 day
(1)
Edwin T.
Won't recommend this place to anyone. The food is bad. Price is over. Service is so so.
(1)
Kumar R.
We have been their customer for couple of years. Food is fine and yes, little pricy. We went their on 2/28/15 with kids and my daughter ordered crepes with fresh fruits. After few bites, she noticed a PIECE OF PLASTIC about 1/2 inch diameter. We called the waitress and she gladly took care of the plate and asked if she wanted replacement or something different. My daughter was just got scared and did not eat anything else after that. While I was paying my bill, the young guy, who was taking care of the bill, told us he cooked it and did not believe the plastic came from them. He kept on BLAMING MY DAUGHTER for the piece of plastic instead being apologetic. He was rude and ruined our day. If waitress had told me this then would had taken the picture of the piece of plastic. We would not like to eat it again at this unsafe place ever.
(1)
Mansi A.
Nearly empty on a Saturday morning. What happened to this place? The Original Pancake House apparently has one too many competitors in the area, because people obviously aren't craving their pancakes from here any longer...or maybe it was just an off day? In any case, I came here for breakfast after quite some time and wasn't that pleased. The Spanish omelet didn't have much of a flavor at all -- of eggs, of Spain, or anything else for that matter. The coconut pancakes were probably the highlight of the table and that's not really saying a whole lot, given that they were also fairly flavorless and the coconut quite brittle. ::sigh:: Unfortunately, I see the demise of another Fremont staple in the near future...
(2)
Vanessa H.
The owner was incredibly rude, overlooking my mother and I. He got two menus and handed them to the lady bwhind us, not even acknowleding us and then tells us that he is on meds and can not hear. There were so many tables available but he couldn't just seat us. Bad form dude, and there are other places that are better!
(1)
Sally D.
OVERPRICED!!!!!! How does this place stay in business. The owner is SO rude that the whole restaurant is a horrible place to be. He would not split our check three ways, we had to have the waitress split it. There were 7 of us and the bill was $ 121 bucks. The pancakes and waffles are a la carte and at $ 10 to $ 15 it is very expensive. Will never return here.
(1)
Breya D.
I really hate to do this but I need to. I wanted to try this place because it's 'The Original Pancake house" sounds like a score but I left here very disappointed. I was disappointed in the sloppy service from the server (Lack of enthusiasm from the employee) I was seated by the kitchen and I couldn't help notice a food server/busser dip into a bucket full of fruit, I caught him red handed. He walked away and served customers their meals without washing his hands. I wanted to leave the restaurant immediately but didn't want to cause a scene. Makes me think twice of what other unsanitary practices they do behind our backs. The food here is not all that great for the price you pay. I wanted to give this breakfast house a fair shot but has failed me every time. I will travel the extra distance to Baldies in Union City for a satisfying meal with superb customer service.
(1)
Chris F.
Was thinking I'd be the only bad review - nope. Food is amazing, here's my story of trying to pay for it. -Finish eating and decline 3rd offer for more water and offer my credit card and the bill -Bill says I paid, 0 balance. Waitress unable to visually recognize payment offer and for some reason not charging me -Walk to front "we don't take AMEX" -"Ok, it's all I have" -Owner walks up "how are you going to pay me? Are you going to wash dishes?" Not realizing the waitress gave me a free pass I declined because honest. -"No, I'll bring cash back" then hand credit card to waitress to hold so they stop acting like I'm not going to pay and let me do the right thing -"When are you coming back?" -"Right now" -Get cash from roommate at home, first good conversation of day -Come back, pay, take card, ask for owner. He stepped out -Entertain idea that there really is a higher power, steering me away from the morbid obesity afflicting the presumably regulars I wish I didn't notice at other tables
(2)
Pedro F.
Update: I just got done writing a four paragraph e-mail to the franchise in hopes they clean up there act; this location is giving them a bad rap. I don't think a lot businesses comprehend that social media websites like yelp and others impact business on a high level, the scrutiny could mean break or make for them. Initial comment: It's been over 30 minutes and we're still waiting for our food! Granted, it's not that busy and so far I've seen two other people complaining since we arrived. The prices are outrageous for what you get, if you're going to pay this much at least get what you pay for, right? What a horrid experience, please don't waist your time or money here.
(1)
Grietson N.
I'm surprised this place has stayed in business as long as it has. The prices are too high and the food is bleh. Clam pancakes - really? Canned clams. Yum. Service - OK if you're lucky enough to get someone decent on a weekday. Weekends, forget it. Why they don't have more servers on weekends i don't know. Don't bother bringing a large group or family - there's not enough manpower to cover it. Come on, owner, cough up some extra bucks and hire some extra wait people so your customers can enjoy their meals and not have to stress over bad food, bad service, or the long wait time to get their meal. We'll stick with IHOP. Better food, better service, better prices.
(1)
Devika A.
One of my favorite breakfast places in Fremont. Good service and appropriate prices. Pumpkin and chocolate chip pancakes are some of the best. I would like to try their crepes at some point. Parking is easy and service is relatively quick. Much better than Denny's or a diner! Come here!
(4)
Christina C.
I kinda love this place. Yeah, it's more expensive than other breakfast places (Ã la IHOP or Denny's), but the food you get here is the real deal. Legit, thick slices of bacon, thick whipped cream made from actual cream, fresh berries. All that good stuff. The owner and employees are really nice and make me feel like a regular, even though I don't think I quite qualify (I appreciate it anyway :). Best meals here hands-down are the Dutch Baby and the fresh fruit crepe - insane amount of berries on that one. I worked on making my way through every kind of pancake on the menu for a while, but I never could bring myself to try the clam pancakes.
(4)
Devon H.
For food cooked with so much butter it's pretty flavorless. I never understood how people mess up simple scrambled eggs. The banana pancakes were stiff and flavorless except for the pound of butter that came on it. They said 20 minutes for the food since we ordered a Dutch pancake but it took about 40. Stay home save some money and time and make your own breakfast.
(2)
A M.
So don't come here if you are in a hurry, if you have time the food is ridiculously good. Portions are huge and quality is outstanding.
(5)
Christopher L.
Came here once for breakfast a month or two back. I was excited to finally try the place, as I drive by it all the time, but always in the afternoon or on my way to work in the morning, so hadn't had a chance to try it. I had sourdough pancakes, which were alright, but overpriced. It is an old-timey feeling place, which I enjoy, but it wasn't nearly as good as I had hoped for.
(2)
Mel A.
The pancakes are great. Try the Dutch, it takes 20 min to bake but it's different-- light and airy. The crepes are great too. I like the pumpkin coffee. What else?? Oh, I don't like the steak and eggs-- but I'm rating the pancakes so I won't hold it against them. The service is ok, but the owner is very sweet.
(5)
Nutty B.
First of all its a Super expensive place for a simple breakfast or brunch !! Secondly the service is bad,really bad !! It took them 25-30 mins to get a vegetable omelette. We had a groupon for two, which didn't mention anywhere that we had to order two full meals, so when we went to pay the bill, the cashier told us rudely that we were suppose to order two meals and that we were hiding the coupon !! Talking about the food now, nothing exceptional, you can probably get better service with better food and smiling faces to greet you !! Avoid the place !!
(1)
Angie E.
We should have read the reviews before coming here. Food is overpriced and average tasting. I could make better pancakes out of a box mix. The syrup tasted watered down and the omelet was so-so. A $31 bill for two people for breakfast - this place is not worth it.
(1)
Sara A.
I came here after a good hike but I can't say the food was good. I ordered the omelette with side of two half size French toast and dear God the omelette was huge the size of a cake- not good it lacked taste and it looked like it was an over inflated pancake. I asked the waitress how many eggs are in here she said at least 7!!! Oh lord! Not good, but the french toast was good, a bit too much butter but overall not bad. The service however was good which I gave it another star but overall I wouldn't be coming back, sorry.
(2)
Brandon G.
This place wasn't bad but I wouldn't come back again. The food is way to over priced. I purchased a single waffle for 10 dollars. In addition the workers looked like they didn't want to be there and my cup still had leftover egg on it from the last time someone used it
(2)
Merced M.
Don't go to this place if you are looking for a fair price breaksfast Food is not fresh Place is not clean And the waiter needs more personality The most expensive breaksfast ever
(1)
Carlos A.
I decide to try this place on a whim without doing my check on Yelp. Well, let me start by saying that the name "Original Pancake House" does not fit this place. 0nce you see the menu, get your order and pay those high prices...you will want to name this place "Wanna Be a Breakfast Place". The prices are way to high for he type of food this place turns out. The prices are more suited to a S.F. posh gourmet bistro. Pros: - None. Cons: -Prices ($2.65 for a weak cup of coffee....wtf!!!) -Omelette's (they are more like a Fritata & $12 for a veggie omelette OMG!!!) -The menu items are not impressive at all (and again the prices!!!) -Did I mention the prices of this place.....The owner needs a reality check. I can get the exact same meal (and tastier) at Denny's for half the price. My wife and I ordered two veggie omelletes & two coffee's and the bill was $33. At Denny's I could get two veggie omellete and two coffee's for $18. BTW at Denny's the omelletes are much tastier with more veggies at that. The ones here dry, flat & round like a pancake without any egg taste at all. It makes me wonder how this place has managed stay afloat. I will definately not come back or recommend this place.
(1)
Laura D.
I got french toast and it's basically what I could make at home and it was really expensive. But their apple pancake thing is good.
(2)
Chuck C.
From the outside it looks like one of those breakfast/lunch places that ends up being really good, unfortunately it wasn't that good. Service was a bit slow, but good enough. The food was ok, but not that great & the prices were 20-25% higher than similar style restaurants. With tax and tip it was about $40 for breakfast for 2. In my opinion it wasn't a good value for what was paid. 2 1/2 stars would be more accurate.
(3)
Jagan K.
This is my first time writting a review in yelp, I am writing so that I will help others in chosing this place as their break fast place. We rencently visited this place as we were craving for good breakfast especially pancakes and waffles. I must say I had the worst waffle in my life, their pancakes were good though.
(2)
Sheila C.
That was some expensive orange juice and the buttermilk pancake was just okay. Now I know why I haven't been here in a while.
(3)
Lola G.
So I decided to give this place a try again. Why not, it's been 2 years. I ordered bacon pancakes. wow wow wow! These were delicious! The service was great! The man at the cashier, maybe he was the owner. Was very pleasant. I will definitely go back. Oh ya forgot to mention the smoothie that Eric ordered. Very tasty. I will get one for myself next time.
(4)
Joanna H.
I love their food!! Their crepes are excellent! I don't know if I've had a better slice of bacon anywhere! The atmosphere is a little tense. The servers aren't super friendly, almost curt. My last visit, I was able to watch a lot of maintenance on the restaurant that probably could've waited until there weren't patrons there & that weren't OSHA approved. (climbing on a swivel chair & shoes on the counter top). The food is excellent, so I will continue to go!
(4)
Liz C.
Terrible service and food taste awful. I've been to many Original Pancake House and never been this disappointed.
(1)
Michael G.
I struggled to decide what to give this place after my first experience. I think two stars is generous. From the get go the location isn't very impressive. I'm willing to forgive that, though. It looks older and that appears to be part of the charm. The interior is clean and looks pretty organized, though nothing stands out. Service could be better. As soon as we walked in we were greated, which is great, but then we had to wait to be seated while the owner talked to the waitress about nothing at all. We were asked right away what we wanted, then had to wait a good ten minutes to see our waitress again when we were actually ready, despite there not being many people in the restaurant at the time. I ordered the apple pancake and an orange juice... then had to remind her about my orange juice after my food came. The apple pancake was good, but not worth the $12 I paid for it. And the minute maid generic orange juice was not worth the $5 a glass. Not at all. Seriously. $5 for orange juice. Couldn't have been more than 10oz and no free refills. When I got the check I was kind of shocked that a pancake breakfast for two cost $50. Waiting to pay I asked the owner if the pricing was correct, because it seemed high... his response was "it's fresh squeezed orange juice, so definitely worth it." It's one thing to charge me an outrageous price, and quite another to lie to me about the quality. Otherwise it wasn't a bad experience. The pancakes were good, if a little undercooked, and service was mostly prompt. I probably wouldn't dine here again if given other options. But if you've got deep pockets and don't mind pay more than you need to, try it out.
(2)
Jocelin L.
Great neighborhood brunch spot. Everyone is so friendly, and the diner vibe is simply perfect for breakfast. The pancakes are always fluffy, and the omelets even fluffier! Not that everything on the menu is in very large portions. I always have trouble getting through my food! One complaint - why is the orange juice so incredibly expensive??!
(4)
Mei Y.
The food has surely improved much from my first time here. I got the Hawaiian pancakes and the portion was huge! I think it really could have fed 3 people. I can't give it a full 5 star since I feel like it isn't the best pancakes I have had but for the price and portion, it is reasonable. My boyfriend got some breakfast thing and it came with potato pancakes that you dip into applesauce. That was pretty interesting and very tasty. I think if my usual breakfast places are closed or I am super craving pancakes, I would come back!
(4)
Deeley K.
owner needs to retire, all staff members need to be fired. chef either needs a raise bc, once upon of time food was good and now everything has gone to shit land (excuse my french) but note to the wise, go some place else, hell go to ihop. atleast there you get what you pay for.
(1)
Vanessa G.
Nothing beats a breakfast spot with a mom and pop feel! If you are expecting a red carpet rolled out for you, artificial smiles and high-pitched greetings, and to pay 99 cents for uniform and pretty-looking food with mediocre taste, this is not the place for you. The service may not be syrupy sweet, but the more you patronize the business, your typical orders and particular tastes are remembered. The servers are flexible (e.g. I couldn't decide between the banana and coconut pancakes one day. They created a beautiful and delicious hybrid that is making my mouth water as I type this). The pancakes have a fresh, homemade taste. In addition to the glorious hybrid I previously mentioned, I recommend the pumpkin pancakes, apple pancakes, and dutch baby (such a custardy texture in the middle :) ).
(5)
Cassandra G.
I'll keep this short and simple my husband and I wanted to try this place out and we will never go back we left so disappointed and a nasty taste in our mouths. Terrible customer service our waitress never checked on us never refilled our water or coffee never smiled or looked at us when passing by our pancakes were not fully cooked my sausage was way over cooked eggs slimy. And way over priced and waited way to long for everything should of gone somewhere else nations country way or black bear
(1)
christina m.
Service is horrible and the food is okay.prices are way over priced. Wouldn't waste my time or money to go again. Dome of the menu items are "fresh frozen".. Witch makes no sence at all . Saw the waitress re use dirty plates
(1)
S H.
Haven't been here for awhile, but decided to try it again using a Groupon. We ordered food for 4 and at best it was mediocre. The serving size was average. I was extremely disappointed in the quality and taste for what seemed a nice diner. When we went up to pay, we realized our Groupon was not valid on Sundays. We spent nearly 70 dollars on a pretty awful meal. Would never come back again, but now I have a Groupon to use.
(2)
S L.
Ok...arrived here (party of 2) at 10:30am....wait staff clearly understaffed! They were running around like chickens with heads cut off. Went on 03.22.15 (Sunday). Didn't get seated til 11:00 even though tables emptied and only 3 other parties ahead of us on the sign-in sheet!! No one to bus them in a timely manner. Finally got seated but didn't actually order for another 15 minutes then waited 30+ for a simple pancake order...nothing fancy, just pancakes with a side of sausage. Yes, the food was good BUT it is overpriced in general for pancakes and the wait was so long that we won't eat here again regardless of quality. We didn't leave til past noon!!! That's how long it took to wait, be seated, wait again, order, and wait for the food, eat and then pay/leave! No simple breakfast should take almost 2 hours to complete....wasted most of our morning. Country Way may be crazy packed on weekend mornings but they DO turn tables quickly, food arrives fast, always great quality, and reasonably priced.
(2)
Angela C.
Everytime I pass this restaurant, i always say, "i' wanna try this place." So today my fiance and I decided to be "adventurous" and step outside of our usual breakfast spots. We expected a long wait with people crowding the waiting area. No. There was no wait at all...Until we got to our seat. We got water and coffee served right away. But it took the waitress a good 20 minutes and my stink face in order for someone to come take our order! We did try to stop a waiter before that, but was rudely and quickly ignored. WTF? I hate going into an establishment and being ignored (see my review on the Marriott Fremont) I get loud...but, I'm trying to change my temper. So another waitress see's my annoyance and gets someone to take our order. My fiance get's the canadian bacon and eggs. It looked like a child's plate. The scrambled eggs were super runny! Then she forgets about the pancakes and forgets he ordered NO BUTTER. Basically he get's it towards the end of his meal. Oh ya, the size of the pancakes were super small and it seemed like it had been sitting under a warmer all morning...it was kinda "toasted" on the outside and soft on the inside. I had the bacon and cheese omelette. It was huge! Not bad....I also got a side of lingonberry, which they will charge you $2.60 or something like that! For that price, you'd think you're getting a whole jar. No, it was sample size. When we go to pay, come to find out, she charges us someone else's meal and drinks! Sorry, I just don't have the patience for all of this. All we wanted was Sunday morning breakfast. Bad service. Overpriced food!!!! I'm not paying $10 for JUST pancakes....you better throw in some eggs and bacon with that bad boy!!!
(2)
Robert S.
Ordered bacon, eggs, pancakes, and toast and let's just say I had to immediately use the restroom after my meal. Not sure how you screw that up. Place was empty yet still took forever to pay my bill I would not recommend.
(1)
Julio D.
Omelets are out of this world. So fluffy and delicious. Pricey but you get what you pay for.
(5)
Joseph B.
DO NOT GO HERE! Dirty, sad, and weird. I don't know how they manage to hang onto the OPH brand name. Awful.
(1)
Albert H.
This place blows! The wait was ridiculous for food that was mediocur. My wife ordered a veggie omelette that did not come with all the veggies listed on the menu and when we told the waitress she said it did not come that way. She then checked and realized that she was wrong and attempted to bring the veggies on a separate plate. This place is WACK!
(1)
Sharon B.
Disappointed that they used frozen strawberries in the crepes! Couldn't distinguish between the whipped cream and butter. Must every plate be covered in powdered sugar?! And seriously...$6.60 for FOUR sausages?! Overpriced & over rated! The name of this restaurant is deceiving.
(1)
Jessica J.
I think this place is a tad underrated on here. The pancakes are really good, and they bake the blueberries (or chocolate chips or whatever) into the dough rather than throwing it on top. I love that. In non-pancake related news, I recently had the corned beef hash which, although unconventional, was really good. The corned beef was lean and the potatoes and onions were cooked perfectly. Breakfast options are really limited in Fremont, which is why a place that would only get 3 stars in say, San Francisco (or somewhere uppity like Los Gatos), gets 4 stars here. Keep that in mind. I'm also upgrading to 4 stars based upon the waitress I had the last time I was here - she was efficient AND accommodating.
(4)
Harsha G.
Mediocre food! Expensive and snail like service..Don't waste your time..
(1)
Landon V.
First & "LAST" visit to this place. Complete disappointment. The entree's on the menu are incomplete & VERY expensive. Example: I ordered corned beef hash and eggs over medium. I received 2 raw eggs (egg whites were dripping), and sandwich meet corned beef mixed with a bunch of potatoes. No toast, nothing else for a whopping $14.30! Last note: if you have kids and are accustomed to a kids menu forget it. No kids menu but a mere "one" item for kids on the adult menu. To summarize: Too expensive, poor & cheap food quality, & entree's lacking content.
(1)
Eric H.
Decent breakfast but pricing isn't doing this place any favors. On the outside, it seems like your typical breakfast spot, nothing fancy but nothing to deter you from eating here either. There was literally no wait when I came here Saturday morning (should've been a sign). They have pretty much anything you'd expect from your sit down breakfast joint except with inflated prices. The corned beef hash was $14.30! I'm not one to complain about prices, and I certainly don't mind paying more for quality food, but for crying out loud I've paid less for the same dish and better quality at the Grand Luxe Cafe in Vegas! Taste wise, it wasn't necessarily bad but certainly did not warrant the price. Next time I'll stick to Country Way down the street.
(2)
Jason D.
First time leaving a review for anything and it kinda sucks to start off by leaving a bad review... Decided to come here after church with my wife and 18 month old son. Got seated pretty quickly but that was the only think that was quick about this place. Food took over 30 minutes! My wife and I began to get worried that our son would start fussing from waiting to long cause we already knew he was hungry...luckily we had some toy cars to distract him with. My wife ordered sausage and eggs with a side of pancakes that ended up being around $11-$12 and the plate that came out had basically nothing! I ordered an omelet with a side of pancakes and the pancakes didn't come out another 10 minutes later! Talk about small portions and horrible overpriced food!! After waiting another 20 minutes just to get the check (and at this point I serious didn't want to pay for what we got) we left and didn't leave a tip. Our server didn't check up on us, see if we needed refills on water, or even bring out the orange juice we had ordered. NEVER coming back here again!!!
(1)
Eric A.
$6 for a glass of juice. There are so many other great places just blocks away from this place. Save your time and money.
(2)
Thuyvi M.
Came here for breakfast one morning and the service I must say is very good and the employees are very nice. However the food was just average and expensive imo. You do get huge portions though. We ordered the chocolate chip pancakes and piggies in a blanket. The presentation was very appealing but there was not wow factor that made me want to come back when I can just hit up Ihop or other local mom and pop breakfast places.
(3)
Shiela T.
My lil' family and I LOVE this place! We can't get enough of their Buttermilk Pancakes for Sunday Brunch. And don't even get me started on their signature 'Dutch Baby' (if you don't know what this is - you'd have to see it to believe it). Their portions are great - although I don't like paying so much for their sides. $2.95 for a side order of ONE egg?? Still, I come here for the Buttermilk Pancakes ..... it takes like no other stack you've ever had before! The only thing I would change is the amount of time it takes to get service. Everytime I come here I have to wait atleast 5 mins before someone comes to the table to take my order. On top of that, I never get a refill on my coffee (is it not FREE?). And I almost ALWAYS have to flag down a waiter just to ask for a take-out box. Seems like no one ever checks up on our table to see if we need anything. For me, that's a big issue but the owner's friendliness (atleast) makes up for it. We come here again and again because of the food. Gotta love Sundays!
(4)
Miss H K.
Came here today with my friend for brunch since the wait for the Vine was too long. We were seated and served promptly. I had the chocolate chip pancakes with the hash brown potatoes. The pancakes were good....definitely perfect if you are a chocolate lover! Very rich and sweet. The potatoes were a nice compliment also. Prices here are reasonable, most plates are $9-12. Portions are large and they have a decent selection of waffle, pancakes, etc. They also have sandwiches, tacos (?!) if you are looking for a non brunch item Great place to take the family, a good alternative from IHop. Parking is easy also. Would return again soon!
(4)
Terrie R.
Go to the Original Pancake House.Go Now. Order the dutch baby. Enjoy. Go home. sleep. Ahhhhhhh.
(5)
Pammy L.
Great customer service and great food! My first time here we were greeted by the owner, older friendly fellow and quickly seated. Spinach and cheddar omelet - I hate greasy omelets, but here they have a different cooking method so the omelet is cooked like a pancake fried on both side w the filling enclosed...Omeletcake lol. If you like your omelet overflowing with filling this is not your place lol. The omelet is huge but for $12 it better be huge! French toast - Tastes like average French toast. Customer serivce - The bf ordered the Spanish omelet but they gave him the mushroom omelet. When we told the server about the mistake she immediately apologized and told him to munch on the mushroom omelet while they cook the Spanish omelet for him. The server even brought out some strawberries for my bf to munch on also.
(5)
Russ C.
Avoid this place . Read all the reviews before going. He will not honor groupons and will make up new rules to avoid using them. There are a lot of good breakfast joints Up and down Fremont Blvd at half the price.
(1)
Anjana S.
I went for breakfast..seating was not an issue..Food came after 45 minutes of ordering..they didn't even bother to bring the drinks..Ordered bacon and egg..Bacon was over cooked and burnt. Service was very very bad..Will never ever go back there again..
(1)
Paula D.
Simple, tasty breakfast food: really filling omelets, yummy dutch babies, and all the breakfast basics you'd expect. Good portion sizes and the food is a very solid step up from your average Denny's or IHOP. Service is good but it's Mom-and-Pop; once we had trouble flagging down the waiter because everyone else called in sick, and we once left because the AC was so high on a summer day that my husband (!) was shaking from the cold. The host first thought it was a joke but eventually since it was true he was clearly uncomfortable about the whole thing, but no one else was complaining (they were all wearing jackets), so what was he to do? We really wanted to eat there, but not in an ice box. We'll definitely try again.
(4)
Mark P.
There's really no excuse for the prices they charge for ordinary food. There's nothing wrong with the food and I've found the service o.k. but it seems as the prices are based on "whatever the suckers will pay". Well this sucker will get his breakfast someplace based less on greed and more on just giving a fair value for a fair price.
(1)
Katya S.
The worst service and food I ever had in US. Awful place! Save yourself some time and money and go elsewhere. I don't understand how this place is still in business . The food: We had Apple pancake and Baby Dutch. The dough wasn't done and kind of raw. Tables and floors are awfully dirty. The waiter was rude and "in hurry" . Bad, bad experience!
(1)
Ann L.
I don't like going out for breakfast since I can make quick oatmeal in 1 min, but I decided to finally try out the Original Pancake House in Fremont. It's just a chain that I was curious about. I picked a house specialty Dutch Baby Pancake $10.11 - They should warn people that it takes FOREVER to get your food. It's cooked in the oven, but really over 30 min for a stupid pancake is really too long. It's a giant thing, crispy outside, custardy inside. It's too big for one person to finish, plus after a few bites it's Boring to eat. B. got the 2x4 which is 4 pancakes & 2 eggs $8.46. He couldn't finish the average pancakes, he did eat the eggs which he likes runny. Coffee - unlimited amount. $2.41. Bathrooms: Right of the restaurant behind a wall in the center. Women's had 2 stalls, 1 sink. Total was $22.82 before tip. We won't be back.
(2)
Jeff G.
It's been over a year since we last visited, and that's the reason for this review. After the last visit, we all decided to try the alternatives in the area and come back if we remembered to. Yesterday morning at one of our new breakfast cafes, we were trying to remember the place with the expensive coffee that we used to go to, and it took us searching online for pancake houses to remember. The service, the food, the location all were unremarkable, to the point we decided to not visit again. We had been regulars, every weekend, for 2-3 years, out of habit. I advise checking out some of the other mom-n-pop cafes in the Fremont and Newark areas. You won't be disappointed like we were here.
(1)
Krishna M.
They have good buckwheat and hearty wheat pan cakes. Good french toast.... ask for side of jams because they are homemade.. Some of the waitresses can be rude if you try to modify your order, so be prepared to just order off the menu with little to no adjustments, and don't show them you are confused because they will show some irritation towards you. An all around nice family place to enjoy breakfast. I think they do have some egg-free items for strict vegetarians. Oh yeah. Their orange juice is really fresh.
(3)
Stephanie M.
This place is no good! Mediocre food, I could have made buttermilk pancakes if not the same, better than these! Also, the apple pancake was just O.K. After using a $10 for $20 worth of food groupon the total came out to $18. If I had to pay the total price for my order + 2 coffees, I would be so disappointed! There are way better places nearby, try those instead! Food: poor Service: poor Will not be going back.
(1)
Clint R.
I know that every restaurant out there must have its share of stupid customers. Just look at the people who write Yelp reviews. However, this particular Original Pancake House seems to have more than its fair share. I've seen one person get angry at the wait staff because they got too much food for the amount of money they paid, another because the pancakes were in a stack, a third because their orange juice tasted too much like oranges, and a fourth because they wanted a few large potato pancakes instead of a bunch of smaller ones (and they didn't mention that when they ordered). I kid you not. Now, here's one neat thing about this particular Original Pancake House. The dude who owns it has high expectations of his staff and won't tolerate any slacking on their part, but he also WILL NOT tolerate customers being rude to his employees for no good reason. I've seen this a few times. Here's how it plays out. CUSTOMER: I'd like something unreasonable. Very unreasonable. And I'm going to yell at you until you give in! SERVER: Maybe you should talk to the owner. CUSTOMER: Sure thing. I'll just continue being needlessly hostile until he gives me what I want. OWNER: Is there any particular reason you are being rude to my server? CUSTOMER: Look, I'm paying good money to be here, so I expect the right to be rude to anyone who works here. Plus, I have unreasonable demands and I expect special treatment. OWNER: How about I treat you to a special trip out the door? CUSTOMER: I'm going to give you a one-star Yelp review and tell everyone what terrible service you have! OWNER: Don't let the door hit you on the way out, punk. I love that dude. Here's another neat thing. The staff are all very good at their jobs, and also extremely cool human beings. In fact, here's a super secret insider tip: talk to them. Get to know them. I know most of you only eat out because it gives you a chance to be rude to people, but pretend you're playing a video game where talking to other people gives you more of the backstory. tl;dr Don't be a jerk to the wait staff. Here's something else you should know. They serve real food. Some of you may not be used to it. That's real butter you're tasting. Their orange juice is made from oranges, so if you normally get your OJ from, say, McDonalds or out of a bottle of Sunny D, their juice will taste strange to you. The whipped cream that comes with their fruit is actually made by whipping cream. If the flavor surprises you, that's because it didn't come out of a spray can. Their cheese is not "cheese food." Food made with real ingredients does more than just freak out the kind of person who puts on a suit when the family goes out for a fine dining experience at the Burger King, It costs more, so don't be surprised if a meal here costs a lot more than a couple of Croissan'wiches. Also, some things on the menu are better deals than others. Personally, I'd avoid things that even the least competent among us can safely make at home, like oatmeal, eggs, and toast. It's not that they're bad. It's just that you probably don't want to pay that much for them. Plus, there are so many things on the menu that are really worth a try. If you are a big eater, or if you and a couple of your friends are regular-sized eaters, give the apple pancake or the Dutch baby a try. The apple pancake isn't a pancake as you think of pancakes. It's a huge, oven-baked, eggy and apple-y and cinnamon-y mountain of goodness. The Dutch baby is rich and eggy, and the powdered sugar and lemons that come with it make a wonderful glaze. They've got more normal pancakes, too. If you plan to make it through the apple pancake on your own, I'd suggest an order of sausage patties. They're kind of pricey, but they're also pretty good. If you don't get something savory, you'll be overwhelmed by the sweet. At least, that's my experience. I'm usually more a fan of savory breakfast foods, though. Their omelets are not the little, delicate things you get at a lot of restaurants. They're big and full of eggs and cheese. I really enjoy the spinach omelet. If you really, really like meat, a bacon or ham omelet probably contains half of a pig. (Not really, but I don't think anyone would believe me if I told the truth.) I also enjoy their chicken crepes, potato pancakes, and eggs Michael (an English muffin with sausage, egg, and mushroom sauce). None of these is very small, so come hungry. Also, again, don't be a jerk. UPDATE: What is it with some of you folks? You decide to go to a place called the Original Pancake House, where the signature dishes are apple pancakes and Dutch babies, you order something like ham and eggs that even a six-year-old could safely prepare with a toy kitchen set, and then you whine about it on Yelp? Are you the same people who get all upset when they find out how much a soda costs at a bar?
(5)
Jennifer W.
I absolutely love this place for being exactly what I imagine a pancake house would be. It's in a lovely brick building with a steep triangular rooftop with a large fireplace inside. It's beautiful, but too bad it's right next to a tire store. The staff is welcoming and nice too. They make you feel at home. The blueberry pancakes are my favorite, but I have a soft spot for the Swedish pancakes too because it's served with lingonberry berries. If you're into novelty pancakes, try the dollar pancakes. They have other breakfast items too, but why go to a pancake house and not order pancakes? Well priced.
(4)
Jolly H.
Been wanting to eat here for a long time. Wish I had just skipped it. Got seated right away but waited a while for waitress to take our order. Immediately noticed how sticky the table was. It wasn't a pancake syrup sticky though. More like a crappy attempt to refinish. Everything stuck to it. Couldn't pick up the coffee cup without spilling. Got the Western Omelet. 12 bucks worth of fluffy blah. Over cooked and next to nothing inside. A few chunks of bell peppers, pimentos, onions and ham. Chose half order of hash browns to go with my omelet. Got country fried potatoes instead with no seasoning. Wife got half order of pancakes for 6 bucks. That's three 4 inch pancakes. Definitely not the worlds best either. Had to ask twice for a glass of water and one of the glasses still had lipstick on it from the last customer. And I'm still hungry. Don't think I'll be back again.
(1)
Alan P.
Had a bad experience last weekend at this place. The only reason I went was because I had bought a Groupon, which it turns out I was not able to redeem anyway. I never thought I'd need to read the fine print for a pancake restaurant. Turns out I can only use it M-F before 2PM... The people right next to me made the exact same mistake. I ordered a pecan waffle with tropical sauce....thank God I asked for that on the side. The waffle cost was approx $11, and was about 4" in diameter, limp as a noodle, with some pecans sprinkled on top. The "tropical sauce" was nothing more than OJ concentrate with less water added to make it slightly thicker than a glass of juice. Can you imagine dumping that on the top of a waffle?? No chance! When I complained at checkout about the waffle, the owner said peopled drive from miles away to have that waffle, and if I wanted it crisper I should have sent it back to the kitchen (I assume to pop it back into the toaster it came from). I guess I've heard too many horror stories about what happens to your food when you send it back to the kitchen in a place like this. My girlfriend had 2 eggs & a slice of basic ham, and we both had coffee (only good part of the meal). For that the total tab was like $37 without tip included!! This Groupon was an obvious ploy to get people into this dying establishment - probably knowing they'll never come back anyhow. My meal was so bad I marked my stupid Groupon as redeemed so I won't have any reason to come back to this fine establishment..
(1)
J D.
Expensive for the quality of food on the plate. $40 for breakfast for two? For this price the food better be cooked properly and delicious with great service. My omelet was overlooked, sausage patties were dry, the guy at the cashier booth was rude...where is the value? I will not go back...
(1)
Deanna V.
4 Stars for the food! However don't expect too much in service, not that it was horrible or bad, but you don't get the friendly, welcoming feeling with the servers. The breakfast however, is really good. Huge portions, I always split with one of my kids and still have plenty left over.
(4)
Peter B.
Well prepared breakfast and brunch...one of the best. Very rich and the omelettes are incredible. Most dishes can be split because the dishes are huge. Service is ok but could be better. Stay away from the OJ because at $5.30/8oz glass is robbery.
(4)
Craig D.
First time ever at this restaurant and he two stars include 1/2 star for the food and 1 1/2 for the service. I visited with my wife and 2 kids, 9 and 7 on a Sunday morning. The Good: The service was actually great. Workers were friendly, prompt and kept our water and coffee topped regularly. They had their system down. The Bad: The food. Especially, the pancakes, which honestly surprised me since that is the namesake of their restaurant. They were dry, and when I picked them off my plate, they kept their form - nice and flat like a frisbee. They tasted no better and I could taste the gritty texture of the batter. I suspect they had been setting under a heat lamp for a long time. The scrambled eggs were just slimy and ullppp...sorry, almost threw up in my mouth thinking about them. The potatoes were just plain dry. The freshly squeezed orange juice was okay but nothing I would order again. All I could think is that they must use the cheapest, lowest quality ingredients available. The Ugly: The price topped almost $70.00 before tip, for a pretty basic breakfast. It simply was not worth anywhere near that much. I seriously would have been more satisfied if I had eaten at McDonalds and it would have been a third of the cost. If they could get some better food, it would be a good place considering how good the staff operated.
(2)
Dianna W.
Great service! Donna, the waitress, will take of you. The owner Sam is very friendly and attentive to all of his guests which he says is at his "house". Had sausages, which were crisp, hash browns that were not too salty, just perfect, and their buttermilk pancakes which weren't flat but fluffy. I also recommend the coffee with their special cream! I had 3 cups of it!! You can really say a diner is a good diner by their cup of coffee. If your in the area, skip Denny's or IHOP, give this place a go. Will return soon!
(5)
Kelly R.
The food is delicious, and great portions for the price. Our server was friendly and attentive. Will be back!!
(5)
Larissa R.
Came to this place with a Groupon.....no where did it say only to be used on a weekday and we were there on a Saturday morning....spoke to the owner about it who was not apologetic and has the worse customer service...he was confrontational and told us to never come back! Wow, how about that for customer service? To top it off, for 3 people it cost us $60 for breakfast including tip... The place is old, run down, dirty and overpriced!! The breakfast is nothing out of the ordinary and I don't recommend this place at all!! If if there was a negative star I would rate this place that!
(1)
Annalyn A.
I really wanna give this place another go, but first experience just killed it for me. Came here a few days ago for my dad's birthday breakfast and I guess my expectations were much, much higher. For the taste of the food, the price is not worth it. I understand that it's not a corporate company like iHOP, but its ridiculous. The hash brown potatoes had no flavor. meh.
(2)
Lisa R.
My dad, sister, and I took my mother out for a mother's day breakfast to thank her for all that she has done for us, and the breakfast was a disaster. The food was mediocre and the service was the worst I have ever seen. We all left flustered. Here is what happened. First, we were told that our wait to be seated would be 20 minutes. We waited for 40 minutes when we realized our name was crossed out and someone had written their name over ours. Then the manager told us that we had to wait because we didn't write our name on the list. Even though there were plenty of openings, my father had to show him a sample of his handwriting to prove that we were not lying. Then we sat down and the AC was on full blast. My mother and I were freezing and when we asked if there was another seat that was warmer, the manager told us that turning off the AC would make the restaurant too hot and offered us another table, which was big enough to seat 2 people at most. Then he threw his hands up and walked away when my mother said that the table would not fit us. We ended up grabbing a BLANKET from the car to be even close to comfortable. On top of that, the waitress brought my dad an empty coffee mug and didn't return for another 30 minutes. And when the coffee was brought, there was no creamer. And when my dad asked for creamer, the manager came and said that he sent someone to give us creamer. It OBVIOUSLY didn't happen since my dad was sitting there with no creamer, jerk! Next, it took 50 minutes for our food to come. Right when we were about to get up and leave, the waitress brought our food and waited until then to inform my sister that they were all out of the pancakes she ordered. She had to wait at least another 10 minutes for her food to be there. At this point we were all furious. It was only after I said loud enough for the manager to hear, "This place is horrible and the manager is so RUDE," that he began to ask attentively and fakely if we needed anything every 10 minutes or so. So on our way out, my mother told the manager that we were extremely dissatisfied. Instead of apologizing, he talked backed to my mother, bringing up one excuse after another, such as "It's mother's day. You would have to wait 50 minutes no matter where you go. Have you ever eaten out on mother's day?" Not going there EVER again. And neither should you. Not worth the high prices and wait.
(1)
Karyn L.
This place used to be so much yummier back in the day (but maybe I found places like Stacks and Mama's that knocked this place down a bit). They have a few chains (Los Gatos, San Jose) and can definitely get crowded on weekends - closes at 3pm. Over the years, eating there seemed to get a little more depressing, food was just ok. However the owner is super nice and will always remember you - they get 4 stars for great attitude! Kinda torn, but there are much heartier and tasteful pancake/breakfast places out there.
(2)
Carl D.
Ok. Decent food, service, and decor. Los Altos location is much better. Better atmosphere, better service, and better food.
(3)
Mary S.
Breakfast for 2 with tip, $36.00! Sausage and eggs with hash browns, you have to pay extra for toast! I had the bacon waffle, it was overcooked. A glass of grapefruit juice, $4.79! Coffee was mediocre. The service was good, however, that's the one star. Will not be returning.
(1)
Linda K.
They definitely have a wide variety of pancakes! Me and some buddies came here at around 10am but it seemed like they were short on staff... for a breakfast place... We walked in and it took a couple minutes for someone to finally greet us. But out waiter was amazingly kind and helpful. He always had a smile on his face and was willing to do anything to make us comfortable (although we didn't ask for much...) It's a huge cozy place that reminded me of ihop but definitely a lot better. The menu had very strange prices like my potato pancake was $10.61 including tax. It literally tasted like mushy hashbrowns. And it came with about 8 thin tiny pieces.. but I got tired of it after 3 pieces :\ I shared with my friends and got to mooch off of theirs too :) - the buttermilk pancakes smelled DELICIOUS when it came out.. maybe because I was super hungry - The mushroom omelet looked like a slice of cake cake with cream on top. It had a really creamy texture in the inside with slices of mushrooms and a thick layer of egg that wrapped it. - the mushroom omelet also came with a side of french toast which was fluffy and yummy! But without the syrup tasted like straight up eggs... - the dutch baby? or SOMETHING like that.. was HUGEEEE... but it didnt look as good as I thought it would be... it was wayyy too smothered with butter.. it was like yellow water floating in the middle of a baked flour bowl.. But overall it was good food with good company. Would come here again to try their pancakes if it wasnt so far...
(3)
rich P.
Most over priced breakfast I have ever had. The food is below average at best. Even coffee is over priced. $13 for an average breakfast plate. add $1 if you want hash browns too. $3 for a cup of coffee.
(1)
Susan K.
BAD experience, Food was way over priced for small portion. You can pay the same price for better food and much bigger portion or all you can eat buffet. Service was slow, owner was not friendly, he ask if we pay the bill on the way out. I told him we know the meals are not free, then he said he was not talking to me he said he was asking his waiter. I felt a little offended. Definitely not recommend this place, unless you want to know what Bad experience feels like.
(1)
Andrea F.
I've had good experiences in the past but over the last couple of years it seems like the service and SOME of the food (not all) has gone a bit down hill. Its almost as if they are just going through the motions of their day. Today, the waiter who served us breakfast just basically plopped it on the table, said 'okay' in a stern tone and walked away. He didn't ask if we needed anything else, he didn't tell us to enjoy our meal...he just threw out a rude 'okay' and moved along. When we came in, we were the first couple to be seated on the right side. Over the course of the next 10-15 minutes several other people came in and were seated. Four other tables were served before us. When I saw the waiter take our food from the window, I realized most of the meal had been sitting up there a while. The pancakes have always been and will most likely always be really good. My omelet was good but the sausage was way too salty. I went to lift up my napkin and half of it stuck to the table. I tried to lift my plate to scoot it over and I had to tug on it to unstick from the table. I have no idea what that was about. Unless I want to go there for the pancakes and don't care about what type of service I get, I doubt I will be back anytime soon.
(2)
Jon W.
This is definitely my favorite breakfast spot in Fremont. I usually get their omlettes and have tried several of them. What makes these omlettes special is that they're baked rather than fried. They rise in the oven and are thick, moist, and fluffy.
(5)
Maricris G.
My family and I have eaten here on several occasions over the years. We have not had any significant issues with our orders, and the staff seem very friendly. We now have a toddler with us, and the restaurant has been kind and accommodating when we eat out with our tot. (Something not all restaurants are quite friendly or welcoming at times). My only gripe with this particular restaurant is the cleanliness of the bathroom (loose paper towels, water around the sink, etc.) - much of it can be put on the customers and hoping that people generally clean up after themselves, but knowing how much customers they receive, my wish would be having someone maintain the general appearance and cleanliness of the stalls and sinks.
(4)
Ashley J.
If you're craving pancakes, come here! There are SO many different kinds of pancakes, there is something for everyone! I had the coconut pancakes and the boyfriend enjoyed the pineapple pancakes. I loved the coconut pancakes because there was not only coconut in the pancakes but sprinkled on top as well with a light dusting of powdered sugar. For around $8 (at least for the ones we ordered) you receive 6 large, fluffy pancakes. Next time I'm getting a half order even though I managed to wolf down 5 out of the 6. My only complaint is that after I began to munch on my pancakes I craved sausage so I ordered a side of links. For 4 sausages I was charged $5.57!!!!! Crazy expensive for 4 links. Get the pancakes, forget getting a side. Will I be back? Expect me there again sometime this week....... (=
(4)
Greg H.
The pancakes that are served here are definitely supreme among most diners, but the Original Pancake House still has a lot to compensate for. I went during a non-busy time of day; but from the moment that my order was written down to when the dish arrived to the table, was about 20+ minutes. Come on now... I'm not a stickler about how fast food is served but these are pancakes... ~1 minute sit then flip, right? I'm not really sure what was going on in the kitchen but there were only 2 other tables that were filled, and they were already eating when I got there. Aside from that, the pancakes were still pretty good. I think I'd be willing to give this place another try.
(3)
Laurice F.
I love diners. I love breakfast. Original Pancake House is a charming diner that is all about breakfast. Ben F. and I were so excited to have found this place while scouring the town during our mini-vacay. I ordered the Blueberry Waffle with a sausage patty and he ordered bacon, eggs and toast. Such an awesomely delicious breakfast! The service was fine, the coffee was good and the ambience was homey and full of history. I removed 1 star bc we spent about $30 between the 2 of us and we didn't even order that much. Kinda disappointing that OPH is so expensive. But oh well, I got a good meal out of it :/
(4)
Amy G.
We have been going here for 13 years now. We used to love this place. Yes, it is a bit pricey, but was always very good. Their crepes are delicious! However, this morning we went there because I purchased a goupon. I was super excited about having a goupon because this place is a little more expensive than most breakfast places. I presented the groupon to the waitress as soon as we sat down. She told us that it is good for 2 meals. My husband ordered the basic bacon and eggs and I ordered the basic fruit crepe. The waitress asked me what type of fruit I wanted? She asked if I wanted the mixed fruit and if so, it would be an additional $2. I asked her what type of fruit does it already come with? She explained that it comes with my choice of either Strawberries, Blueberries or Raspberries. I opted for the Raspberries. When we got our bill, they charged me an additional $2 for my crepe. When I took the bill up to pay, the owner was at the register. I asked him why I was charged an additional $2? He said because I ordered mixed fruit. I explained that I did not and that I ordered the Raspberries, NOT the mixed fruit. He then said, "Oh, well that is the most expensive item I have". I told him about the conversation I had with the waitress and he admitted that she was wrong. He went on to explain that Raspberries are very expensive and that is why he has to charge me more. I told him that what he is doing is not only unprofessional, but illegal. He then began to argue with me. All I wanted was to go to a nice breakfast with my husband. I was not looking for an argument. So, on top of the additional $2 that he charged me for the very expensive Raspberries. He added another $9.50 on top of that. I still have no idea what for. I was tired of arguing with him. He obviously is burned out from his job and does not care about running a legitimate business. This was some of the worst customer service that I have ever experienced. $41 for 2 people for just a mediocre breakfast. Ya, we will definitely not be going back here.
(1)
Taralyn R.
Eat here! My friends and I were staying in a hotel nearby and found this place. We liked it so much that we went back the next morning. The second day we went back earlier and so the wait staff was more attentive than during brunch, but both days we had friendly waiters and our coffee constantly refilled. The pancake order is enough to share with around 4 people. The crepes had wonderful fresh fruit. The sausage, Canadian bacon, and steak were all well cooked and tasty. The omelets are baked. Surprisingly, the bacon pancakes were really good.
(5)
Pauline N.
Parking - Easy Service - Accommodating, friendly Food - Friend's favorite Dutch Baby, take 20 mins to bake. I think it tasted rather nasty, but friend loves it! Buckwheat pancake - Pretty good Ham/Egg/Harsh Brown - Poached eggs were very nicely done. Ham was very tough. Harsh Brown was very salty and UN-tasty. OJ - I think it was too sweet, friend loved it Maple Vanilla Latte - It was very watery and too sweet. I will not come back if I'm on my own.. But I am sure I'll be back because one friend loves it. :(
(3)
betty T.
Disclaimer: I do not work or know anyone who work at OPH or Dino or IHOP in Fremont. Just one satisfactory customer who wants to share good food experience. This place is a true dining gems in the Fremont. Comfort as a mom & pop restaurant, but yet the food are prepared with care and services are very friendly and prompt. This is not a place where you pop-in in for your breakfast and the waitress expected you to pop-out as soon as you are done, because someone outside is waiting to get in to eat. Let just says we lived within walking distance to Dino Restaurant and we have been there for many years, until we get sick of smelling like hash and bacon food when we walk out, not to mentioned the overly crowded and long waiting line outside for greasy food. BTW, the food there isn't cheap for the family of four either. We average out $10-$15/per before tax and tips. I took both my kids to OPH in Fremont this morning. We loved the ambiance of the restaurant. We sat at the back of the restaurant, lot of outside light, just like eating out of your kitchen dinette. The restaurant was 80% full during our dining experience. So, yes, it was busy and the waiter seated us really quickly and offers us water and coffee right away. We ordered: Dutch baby, Danish Kijafa Cherry Crepes, Chocolate Crepes, and Bacon & Cheese Omelet, coffee and hot chocolate for my girl. Crepes = Excellent! not greasy like IHOP, very comparable to dining in Carmel-by-the-Sea Omelet = Lots of non-fat bacon and cheese and the best part - not greasy at all. Kudos!! Dutch Baby = Excellent! very original and comparable to dining in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Coffee = Excellent!!! better than the watery down Dino or IHOP, my cup was always refilled and love it when it comes with table cream, strong with nice aroma. Price= Very comparable for the same quality food at Dino and IHOP, but 1/2 the price for the same dishes in Carmel. We love this place and we will be back!
(5)
T A.
We spent over $14 for 3 orange juices here..and ya know what? I'd do it again... Best orange juice in all the land! I had my regular go-to on the menu..The Bacon Pancakes. Just as good as the OG Pancake House in Laguna Niguel, but, not as big. :/ Still, very fucking delicious. My boyfriend got the coconut pancakes, the texture and flavor were on point. We felt like hogs trying to force feed all 6 pancakes down our cakeholes. But, see, here's the deal..you come here to eat like a lumberjack..so, there should be NO leftovers. This is the kinda meal that will keep you full till dinner..or even beyond. So, don't fuck around.. eat it all up! I was totally bummed by the mediocre fried potatoes, but that's cool..at least my orange juice and pancakes were perfect. The guy working the front/cashier area wasn't very... suited for that position. He should be playing as The Rock's double in some action movie.. totally weird vibe from that guy. But, it didn't really ruin anything about my meal or anything. Sure you could come here and bitch about the price like 50% of the other people reviewing... or you could shut the hell up and eat the delicious food and fresh squeezed orange juice and call it a quality breakfast. I'm told the paper towels in the men's room are exceptionally absorbent, which is good to know because it proves my man washes his hands after he pees even when I'm not in ear shot . Hygiene..it comforts me so. :)
(5)
Jeanette L.
I came here with a friend for breakfast recently. It was my first time and I wasnt expecting much. It was hard to select what i wanted from the menu because the stuff on the menu either sounded delicious or not my taste. I ordered the strawberries waffles and it was YUMMYY. i finished it pretty quick since it was just one regular sized waffle with a bunch of cut strawberries on top. The waffle itself tasted great, the batter was well made. The strawberries on the other hand werent all sweet [i wouldnt blame them, its not necessarily strawberry season haha] They also had whip cream on the waffle, so there was no need for syrup at all :] downside: this place is a bit pricey for the amount of food you get. for my meal it was $10 for one waffle and alot of strawberries. If you ask me, i would prefer ihop just cause i could get a side of eggs, sausage, and hash browns with watever i order. but dont get wrong i do like this place :]
(4)
Shreya G.
I've been here so many times, yet I cannot remember why I have not written a review for this place yet. I've always had a good experience here, and I normally come here in a large group for breakfast on weekend mornings. The service here is pretty fast for serving a large group of people plus the coffee is pretty much endless (my favorite). The workers here are really nice as well. The quality of the food here is great too. A lot of people see the menu and think the food is expensive, but the portions of the food are big so, in my opinion, everything is a pretty good deal. I've had the pancakes, the eggs, and the waffles, which are all really good. My favorite food to get is the Belgian waffle with strawberries. I've never seen a great-tasting waffle topped with so many FRESH strawberries. I find it well worth its price. I find myself craving the Belgian waffle specifically from here. Never a disappointment. Great family environment. Parking is easy. Located in the center of Fremont. Original Pancake House, you are a winner in my book.
(5)
Susana C.
We went trying to use up the 3 groupons which we were given as gifts to us totalling $50, face value. The meal was nothing spectacular, apple pancakes and potato pancakes, didn't actually see any potatoes in the potato pancakes though. The service was non existant. After our meal, I attepted to pay w/ the Groupons at face value, not the Groupon value. The owner refused to accept any of the Groupons despite the bill being $30 and i offered to give him ALL the groupons totalling $50 just to never have to deal with the miserable service. The owner cited there was nothing he could do, that we'd have to take it up w/ Groupon as the Groupons had all expired. Sneaky and underhanded is what i call this place. We were stuck paying cash and the owner already made off w/ funds purchased via Groupon ($50) and collected another $30 bucks off of us for today's meal. When we left after paying in cash and closing his register, the owner said he would have honored the full groupon price if we were nice to him but we looked at him w/ red eyes, completely insane
(1)
Joe G.
We enjoy coming to the Pancake house but unfortunately we're limited because our daughter is allergic to nuts and almost everything on the menu is made with peanut oil. The service here is always friendly and anytime we've had an issue with our food they are quick to correct it. The best thing to stick with is pancakes or crepes, these are their specialties. We love potato pancakes (latkas) so we were excited to try them here but they were horrible (marinating in oil) so stay away. The coffee and other side items have always been good and a meal typically runs us about $12/per.
(3)
Lizz W.
I think this goes between a 2.5 and a 3. The Swedish pancakes are delicious. Hot chocolate is pretty yummy and served with a lot of whipped cream on top. But the stuff is pricier than it should be. The omelets are huge, but dry. The fact that they're dry just makes me push them away after a couple of bites. I had a mushroom omelet and it was just...my biggest problem is dryness, and it's also kind of bland. When I went with my friends, the manager (an older gentleman) and our waiter were very friendly and joked around with us but even though there were only a couple of people including our group of friends, service was kind of slow. We sat there and after talking a bit realized...dude, when do we order our food? All our food and drinks came at different times(my friend's latte thing came after I was halfway done with my Swedish pancakes) and sometimes I felt like the people were outright ignoring us when we tried to ask for something. The time I came with my mom was even worse. We waited for so long until someone finally came to take our order, and the two waitresses were just chatting the whole time we were waiting. I won't come back unless I have a huge craving for Swedish pancakes.
(3)
Jake W.
Nice breakfast spot. The host is very friendly and the food is what you'd expect from a greasy spoon. The cheese and bacon omelet was delicious (fluffy) and the pancakes were good. It doesn't do anything that I haven't seen before, but it does what it does well.
(3)
Libby T.
Decent food, horribly expensive for what you get and terrible service. Parking in the lot is plentiful, just don't come on a holiday or your wait will be 2 hrs.
(2)
Sunil R.
Good old fashioned food especially for a cold day when you are not counting calories. The chicken crepe was good but not as good as Le Moose or Frodo Joe's Creperies which are also in Fremont. Good friendly service.
(3)
Lance N.
Food is good and portions are big but service is extremely slow. And orders were filled at other tables that were seated after us. Not worth the money.
(2)
Brendan B.
The girlfriend decided to treat me to a late breakfast today, and we've been wanting to try this place out. We came in and were seate quickly, since it wasn't too busy. We were asked for our drink order, and both asked for water (our usual choice) and were served child-sized glasses. This was a problem for me, since I always drink a LOT of water with my meals, and the refill service (along with any other type of service) was lacking. I asked our server for a straw, and after 10 minutes of watching him wait by the kitchen "food window" for other tables' orders finally had to ask the girl busing tables to bring me one instead. Our server didn't take any better care of us from there. When taking our orders he kept calling my girlfriend "baby". I don't think he meant any harm, but it rubbed me the wrong way since he called her that repeatedly throughout taking our orders. Then, after a wait that seemed much longer then the relatively slow flow of customers warranted, he brought out our food. Unfortunately, none of my sides were cooked to order. I asked for both the bacon and hashed browns well done, and our server brought them out limp and under-cooked. After sending them back to the kitchen for some more time on the grill, they finally came back out by the time I had nearly finished the rest of my meal. As a former server for several years myself, I feel that if a server sees that the food isn't cooked as the customer asked for it, they should take the initiative to have it fixed, rather than taking it out to the table only to have it sent right back. When I noticed that our table settings didn't include knives (?!) I asked for two knives, and was then brough one full table setting (fork, knife, spoon), before having to then ask again for the second knife. Suffice to say, very unimpressed. I overhead a group across from us complaining to their server that they had been waiting over 45 minutes for their food (again, the restaurant was NOT busy), and one member of the table next to us didn't get his food until 10 minutes after everyone else was served. It was a party of 6, yet everyone's food seemed to come out haphazardly. Every few minutes an entree or side dish would be brought out. Before our food had even come out, my girlfriend and I decided that this place would be "one and done" on our list of local restaurants. Coutry Way offeres a MUCH better dining experience, service, and pricing than Pancake house. Speaking of pricing, Original Pancake House is WAY overpriced for what they offer. $8 for a plain waffle is a bit much. Then add on $3.50 for two strips of so-so bacon and another $3.50 for two sausage links each the size of my index finger, then another $4 or so for the hashbrowns. All told, we paid $34 for two waffles (one with strawberry and whipped cream topping), two bacon strips, two sausage links, and a side of hashed browns, and no extra drinks besides the water that our server carelessly spilled on the table while giving me a refill after my glass had been empty for nearly 10 minutes, then he dashed off to spend more time standing with the other servers near the kitchen window. Maybe they were short a cook? Or another server? But I have never been in a restaurant where the service was so slow when it wasn't even very busy. Maybe they could have asked the hostess to help out, since she spent most of the time that she wasn't seating guests staring blankly at her coworkers go about their work. Overall: overpriced, slow, unattentive (understaffed?) service, for food that is pretty good but not great. You can find food that is just as good if not better for prices equal to or lower than you'll find here. You'll also likely receive much better service elsewhere, as Original Pancake House seems to have missed the mark on many of the restaurant basics. We won't be back.
(2)
Mike M.
First off,prices are ri-goddamn-diculous! I was looking over the menu for more than a few minutes and noticing that there wasn't really anything under $10. The breakfast combos here are crap as well.You get the menu item and ONE side of either pancakes OR toast OR hash browns.This was making my decision tough,since I'm used to Dennys or IHOP where you can get all of that at half the price. The food itself was pretty bad too.My pancakes tasted like they had been cooked in Blue Moon or that fuckin PAAS stuff that you make easter egg color with.I'm talking about yeast,fool.A mouth full of it.Vinegary ass pancakes that I ate one bite of.Theyre the nastiest pancakes I've ever had.In all of my years. The omelet that I ordered was acceptable.It was huge,round [about the size of a personal pizza] like it took a carton of eggs to make and I could only eat half of it. Oh yeah and like someone else said,they seat everyone together on one side of the restaurant.Right next to each other as if it were the last spot on earth. $30 for breakfast for two is a little much.Especially for mediocre food that you probably wont eat anyways.Avoid.Go to Dennys.Its cheaper,the food is better and they dont have the air conditioner on full blast to make you want to leave. EDIT:Make sure theres a restroom around within 30 minutes of eating this shit.
(1)
Pamela R.
So this place is in Texas and we love the one in Dallas so we figured we would try the one in Fremont. First off the staff was great! The menu was completely different than Texas, so hubby decided to try to sourdough pancakes --- did not go over well. I got the veggie omelette, which was not bad but was way too fluffy for my taste. Overall I would go back, we would both just order something else
(3)
Sheena C.
I've never experienced such blatant disrespect and racism in my life! We were seated and offered nothing... 5 minutes later 3 white men was seated and immediately brought water and they're drink orders were taken. I will never go there again. We left without eating... I wouldn't give a penny to that place!
(1)
Raj K.
I have been to other OPH locations. By far this place got the worst customer service. The man at the front desk is very friendly to his regulars, he hugs them and sends many flying kisses to them. However, his attitude towards new customers leaves much to be desired. 2 stars for the food, minus 3 stars for the cashier at the front desk.
(2)
L G.
This is my second time back at this place because I wanted to use my groupon. The first time I was there, it was Saturday and the groupon is only good from Monday to Friday. I called to confirm to make sure they accepted the groupon of $40 for 3 people. The owner told me I have to order 4 entres, which is fine, I took the leftover home. We enjoy all the foods we ordered. I agree with other yelpers that the foods are good but way too pricey. Honestly, I would only go back if there's discounted price.
(4)
Melissa T.
I came here after I saw their little clip on the Food Network about the Dutch Baby. I had to give it a try. I came here on a relatively slow day and their service was terrible. It took forever to even place our order, let alone get our food. It wasn't even that amazing. I was thoroughly disappointed.
(2)
Kenny C.
I came here due to the Groupon deal and because I am a fan of breakfast foods. I ordered the Western omlette and my gf ordered the swedish pancakes. My omlette was good and so were the side of buttermilk pancakes. The swedish pancakes were decent too! The server was pretty attentive and kept my coffee cup full (bjg plus for me). The price is a little more than it should be though. I would come back again to try other specialty pancakes!
(3)
Nancy J.
5 stars for service. 4 stars for food. 2 stars because they only seem to be open in the morning... What options do you have for great service and food when you want pancakes for dinner?
(3)
Ariel L.
My family comes in here when we can. My wife always gets the 49er it's her favorite thing to order there. I usually go for one of their fluffy baked like omelets. Their pancakes are good and I love their corn beef hash. That is off the hook. I had the Dutch Baby once. It was ok just not my kind of breakfast. The place is old and the service is always good. Everyone is so friendly and nice. The food is on the pricier side witch stops us from coming in more.
(3)
Jeanette B.
If I could give this place NO STARS I would! We went there today to use our Groupon for breakfast. When we arrived the owner approached our table, initialed our Groupon and told us to give it to the waitress with the check. We ordered breakfast: Ham and Eggs for me $11.00 + $1.00 for toast and coffee and my son ordered a glass of milk $3.29 and a stack of bacon (6 pieces) $6.59 for a total bill of $27.20. The owner told the waitress to tell us we could not use our Groupon because we did not order two full plates. I asked her to show me where it stated that on the Groupon restrictions. She sent over the owner and he pointed to the Fine Print. I said it does not say that, show me where it says that. He said they print it in different places, I will show you but he could not because it was not printed anywhere. He said I let you buy this so you bring in another person and order meals. I began to explain to him that the milk was $3.29 and the bacon was the price of a meal but he wanted nothing to do with it and started being a donkey. So I was a witch right back and we did exchange words that were not nice and where very loud. When he rang me up I let him know that he just screwed his waitress out of a tip, he said he does not screw anyone. He told me to never come back, OH he does not need to worry about that I WOULD NEVER be back to this overpriced and horrible customer service place. I let him know I would be contacting Groupon and writing a Yelp Review. He said to hell with that Yelp, now I see why based on his reviews!!! When I got home to contact Groupon I found out that he had already redeemed the Groupon at 10:16 am shortly after we sat down to eat and before we had even ordered. What a SHYSTER! Thank gosh for great customer service from Groupon who within 5 minutes on the phone explaining how horrible my experience was had my purchase refunded!
(1)
Angie R.
The Original Pancake House serves some of the best pancakes in town. I always order their Blueberry Pancakes, Pecan Waffles, and French Crepes. They are delicious! The service is fast and the prices are right. I haven't been back in a while but I hope to revisit the Original Pancake House soon.
(3)
Robbie N.
This place is awful. Over priced, bad service and the food bad. Manager/Owner is no help. Doesn't care...
(1)
Adam C.
I had a half order of bacon pancakes and a half order of banana pancakes. The bacon was crisp and I enjoyed the meal. It was more than I could eat.
(4)
Kaysha H.
I've been visiting this place for about 6 years, and it's always been a favorite. I am not a big breakfast fan, but this is my go-to place. It has wonderful pancakes and hash browns. The manager is incredibly friendly and personable, and is frequently working. I have always had great service from the other staff members as well. I always get the same thing, half an order of buttermilk pancakes, and half an order of hash browns. It is still more than enough food, but priced pretty reasonably. I do wish they offered more complete meal options.
(5)
Scott D.
While waiting for my tires to get replaced I figured I would have myself some breakfast given I saw this place across the street from where I was. Being my first time here I should have gone with a pancake given their name, but I figured I would go with the corn beef hash on special. The corn beef was just chopped up corn beef sandwich meat combined with some american potatoes and served with two eggs. They couldn't even get the eggs right. I ordered them sunny side up and they came out way to runny. Should have been left on the griddle for a another minute. What really disappointed me was price. It wasn't listed on the specials menu, but given the prices of everything in their menu I didn't think it could be more than $10, should have asked because when I got the bill I was in shock that it was $12, plus $2.50 for a terrible cup of diner coffee. Not only was this one of the worst breakfasts I have had in a while, it was also one of the more expensive I have had. I will not be visiting here again. Next time I want a mediocre breakfast I will go to IHOP or Denny's.
(1)
joe t.
Had a terrible experience here. Me and my old lady came here and ordered omelettes. She got the Spanish and I made up my own. Food came out, and well, they cook their omelettes like a frittata or a Spanish tortilla, in the oven, but they were overlooked and dry. Ever burn your scrambled eggs and tasted what's on the bottom of the pan? Ya that was what we got. My girlfriends came with a Spanish sauce that was anything but a Spanish sauce, one of the 5 mother sauces of French cuisine. Tasted like top ramen broth thickened with cornstarch with some tomato paste mixed in there. Returned the food, tried to pay the bill, but they didn't want me to, so I left a good tip and left. Service was fine, our waitress was a nice woman and I felt bad sending the food back, but it wasn't that we just didn't like it, it was inedible.
(1)
Jeff E.
I have only been here 2 times - if this review was based on the first time alone, I'd give it two stars because of what I ordered - bacon, eggs and toast, and paying a premium for nothing special as well as getting acceptable, but not excellent service - took a while to get seated when it wasn't busy and not really checking in for refills of coffee. However, my visit this morning made up for the first time. My waiter was very, very friendly. I asked him what his favorite dishes were and he recommended the bacon and cheese omelette with grilled onions, bell pepper and mushrooms and banana pancakes with chocolate chips on the top and strawberry syrup and butter on the side. Almost finished the whole thing in one sitting, and the servings were huge. The whole meal was $15 - pricy, but if I had known, this order could have been split between 2 and been reasonable. The waiter was very attentive and servers came around constantly to refill coffee and water. It was a good day. I will try this place again and see if the great service and decent food stay consistent. My only gripe is one that many others have - on the pricy side for breakfast and if you order the wrong thing, you won't enjoy it. Ask your server first for suggestions - that's the problem with too many menu items sometimes - quality gets diluted.
(4)
Matthew F.
Just say we got there at 12:30pm and ordered by 12:40. At 1:10 I asked how much longer, the waiter said a few more mins. Then I waited until 1:30 still no food. I then asked the server how much longer. She said 10 mins. I then asked why it is taking so long. She was embarrassed because it was taking a long time. Taking an hour to get three meals is totally ridicules. We ordered one pancakes, one French toast and one omelet. BY this point, we were very not happy so I saw the owner and asked him why it takes so long to get our food. He asked what we ordered I told him. He said oh the omelet takes a while to cook. I said well 50 mins for an omelet is a little long. He said "SO I AM THE BAD GUY BECAUSE THE FOOD TAKES TO LONG"... Well it is your restaurant... IT IS CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE. We left with out eating. Then they had the nerve to ask us to pay for our drinks. The menu is a little over priced. PLEASE DO NOT COME HERE. HORRIBLE OWNER. The server was a nice young woman; she was embarrassed because it was taking so long. I felt bad for her. We were not the only people waiting a long time for their food. As an owner of the restaurant he should have been I am sorry, let me make this right to you. HORRIBLE HORRIBLE HORRIBLE.... Also I seen the one older lady waitress touch food with out gloves. she did not even wash her hands. The worst thing there was a Latin server middle aged (40). Sneezed into his hands then grabbed someones plate with food on it with OUT WASHING HIS hands. GROSSS... I will never eat here..... Glad we left before we got our food that was taking FOREVER. This was on June 19th at 12;30pm.
(1)
B P.
I really like the breakfast vibe of this place! The breakfast was good and fresh, and I got lots of fresh coffee. I would go back, sure.
(4)
Patrick D.
Came here this morning for the first time. I read the reviews while waiting to be seated and was hoping to catch their workers on a good day. I was wrong. Although i was seated fast and my order was taken, my food came about 30 -45 min later. They weren't too busy, however waiting that long for 2 omelettes (came with my wife) and their dutch baby is way too long. Their excuse was because the dutch baby takes time to cook. I gave them 3 stars because the service is SLOW. The people behind me were also complaining that their food took too long and they did not order a Dutch Baby. The food is good though. Their "Dutch Baby" is basically a pancake cooked in the oven. I liked it a lot. Creamy in the middle and crispy on the edges (that's what she said..i know i know) The omelette was so so. Way too fluffy for me. It almost tasted like a cake. All in all, I would come back here only for their pancakes and if I wasn't too hungry.
(3)
Jeffrey L.
$9.12 for a 'lehhgo my eggo' sized waffle and $5.40 for 2 sausage patties with a 1 inch diameter?! Bitch be trippin'!
(2)
Elaine Y.
thank you groupon! this place has great customer service! 4 stars for that 3 stars for food overall. they have a good blueberry waffle (not dry but fluffy) and an ok western omelet. the omelet was more like a fritta than an omelet. but it's local so you can't hate on that.
(3)
Stacey W.
OKAY, this place is way too expensive for what it is. I don't think they need to over price their items like they do. I'd come back... if their prices were lowered... by... a lot. I'm pretty sure everyone else agrees that the prices are no bueno. If they wanted to charge the prices they do, they should have more of a selection!
(2)
Liana W.
Been here 2x and will be returning... often. I don't even care that I have to get on a freeway to come here, because they know what vegetarian means! The food is good, and yeah, it can be a bit of a wait between ordering and receiving, but is that real time or "I'm really fricking hungry" time? It's not like a crap place that makes you wait 45 minutes and then brings you cold, inedible food. The food is good, and the wait is not unreasonable. The food: pancakes, lots of options including sour-dough(!) and potato. I've had the potato pancakes, which are nothing like latkes (and I loves me some latkes) and they're yum! They come with apple-sauce and sour cream. The blueberry comes with a berry compote, which I don't care for, but my future husband loves. The Eggs Michael was delicious and filling. It normally comes with sausage, but my server suggested getting the sausage on the side so my meat eating companion could chow down. The omelets are a little unconventional. They are cooked in a pan, unfolded, with all the fillings cooked in the egg. It's not so much delicate as it is a disc-shaped mass of eggs and "fillings." I had so much, I saved half my plate for lunch. They also have a beautiful looking dish, crepes with fresh berries served with whipped cream. Haven't tried it yet, but will soon. All in all, this is a solid breakfast place that deserves a repeat. It's not a fancy or particularly pretty place, but it is clean and the food is good.
(4)
Sabrina Marie H.
Everyone needs a good waffle or pancake these days, so I turn to this place. Its a little small but not bad in taste. The owner Sam is pretty cool, and always has photos of the community/customers as their "hall of fame" people. They also post the kids coloring pages around the place which is cute. I come to this place randomly and get different types of customer service...it really just depends on the day. On weekends they are packed and slow with the refills and ordering. But if you saw the place you'll understand, I suggest coming in early as possible before the rush gets in. I've had different servers which is a hit or miss too b/c some are better than others. During the week its not bad, the service is usually better, the food comes out faster but all in all, it still taste the same. Im a fan of the 49er Flapjacks (go Niners!) and the Chicken apple sausage.
(4)
Janette ..
Dutch baby not all that, decor needs updating,waiter forgot our pancakes. Prices are high for what you get. Overall not all that.
(2)
Vicki C.
Went here for the first time about a couple of months ago. I always drove by it but never had the ocassion to stop since it's never breakfast time when I drive by. Well I have to say that from now on, I will eat there weather it's breakfast time or not! Their bacon pancakes are amazing!! I know it might sound a little weird, but they are delicious, I dream of these bacon pancakes. I always tell myself I will try something different on the menu the next time I come in, but I just can't!! Trust me, try the bacon pancakes!! I've always had the same waitress when I go, she's very nice and very attentive. I just can't get over her acrylic nails, being in the medical field, I know how much bacteria those nails can harbor. Just a little turn off.
(4)
Caro S.
I am so NOT impressed. This experience + the bill left me with the " I should have went to the Nation's down the way" feeling. Me and my Man went here for breakfast. The menu made ever thing sound good. I ordered OJ, 2 scrambled egg beaters, a pecan waffle with added sliced bananas which got me a crazy look, and a side of sausage. Although the server was very nice he forgot my OJ. Then he forgot my bananas. :( They later brought them on the side, not the same). When I got my waffle I was totally disappointed $9 for a large Eggo. Yes, it looked like a slightly larger Eggo waffle. WACK not fluffy, no powdered sugar on top, no mouth watering waffle crevasses, you get the picture. I was majorly disappointed. Not even the sausage was good. All of the sides where at least $4 and the "Large" OJ when it finally came was only like 6 ounces (okay so maybe I am exaggerating but it was small!). If you want good breakfast and are in this area go down to Nation's and order the two egger breakfast way better and definitely cheaper!
(2)
Elise A.
This breakfast joint has almost become our default breakfast location. It's not the best, by any means. Quite frankly, there's another "Original Pancake House" in Grosse Pointe Michigan where I was born that is *way* better than this place. I can tell they do the same recipes as the Michigan place - but the Fremont establishment's food isn't nearly as good and the place itself isn't nearly as nice or cozy inside at it is at the one in Grosse Pointe. And yet, despite its shortfalls, it's still not a bad breakfast experience. We end up ordering the bananas and whipped cream for our 14 month old... she usually has only a tiny amount of the whipped cream with her bananas - but it's a big treat for her and one that she obviously enjoys. I end up ordering one of the breakfasts that come with three small pancakes and using leftover bananas that my daughter didn't eat on the pancakes... I would prefer strawberries - but they seem to charge an outrageous amount for a side order of strawberries! The first time I ordered a small side of strawberries - they gave us just a tiny cup and charged us not much money. But the second time they charged us over ten dollars for the strawberries! Sheesh! The other weird thing is that its sometimes hard to order *only* what I know that we'll actually eat. So overeating over here is a little bit of a problem. It's actually cheaper to order a bigger breakfast, than to get only what we want - and they have very few options on their menu that involves smaller portions, other than maybe the kiddie plate for those under 12. It might be better if you could share with someone else - unless you really enjoy taking home leftovers. But I find that breakfast leftovers don't really reheat that well. They do offer half portions of pancakes, by the way... in case you really don't want to put up with staring at six pancakes on your plate. But they seem to lack the "light" option for most of their other standard fare - which makes me hope that my husband and I will manage to agree on something to share next time around.
(3)
Bharti S.
The food is excellent! However, the service is horrible!!! While taking the order, the waiter did not ask whether eggs should be scrambled or if I wanted sour cream or applesauce with my potato pancakes. The food took over 1 hour to get to us and thats only because the owner noticed we didn't still have our food and he asked the waiter and cook about it. The final insult was that they added 15 percent tip for a party of 5. So we basically paid for bad service. I love the food but I'm never going back!!!!
(1)
Brady M.
This place is AWESOME! I haven't eaten anything that I didn't think was delicious. French Toast, Chocolate Chip Pancakes, Coconut Pancakes, Potato Pancakes, Crepes, and FRESH SQUEEZED ORANGE JUICE! Yeah, it is a tad on the expensive side, but I don't mind paying more for a good meal!
(5)
Liberty Lady L.
We've eaten here quite a few times over the last five years (since we moved to Fremont) but have finally marked it off our list. It's just not worth it. The food is mediocre. The service is always slow/very slow and often seriously screwed up. There is a weird vibe from the owner (as if he looks on his customers as "suckers") and the wait staff (unhappy people who hate their jobs). Prices are significantly higher than they ought to be even if the food were good (and it definitely is not). It's all bad. We've started going to Cabrillo Cafe instead and are a lot happier with it.
(1)
Renee F.
There aren't many really good breakfast places in the area. In all fairness I have very picky taste. I find the food to be okay, the service to be okay, and the prices high. For the most part it's a la carte so it all really adds up. I gave it a few shots but haven't been back.
(2)
Sandy C.
I would rather go to Denny's over this place anyday! Wide selection of pancakes on the menu (they even have Clam Pancakes), but everything is overpriced and the service is bad. I have been here maybe 5 times, and have never felt appreciated for my business. The main waitress is always grumpy and makes me feel like she's doing me a big favor by taking my order. The owner/other waiters are also unfriendly. They never come by to check on the food, and usually forget to bring some condiment that we ask for. The food itself is nothing special. I just wasn't that impressed with the taste of the pancakes...maybe everything's made from scratch or are more "authentic", but nothing I would come back for. I think I would enjoy a McDonald's breakfast more! Oh, and the price. Last time my husband and I went there for breakfast and the bill was $30+!! Thirty bucks for some pancakes and eggs? I've given this place enough chances to improve on the service and food, but now I won't be coming back.
(2)
Donna W.
Invited a friend to make the trek to Fremont for breakfast here. We've eaten at the other OPH that's in Los Alamitos. This one beats it out, hands down. Way more spacious (or at least more spacious-feeling as there was lots of light), really super quick service, and friendly/considerate service. The guy who seated us was nice and joking with us when we walked in the door and after the meal when we went up to the cashier's stand to pay for our meal. Our waitress was willing to let me try the clam pancakes and change them out if I wasn't happy. I was totally happy with my clam pancakes. They're done in a thin dough, more like a crepe than pancake, with clams mottled throughout. It's served with lemon and butter. It reminded me of the flaky layers of a hot, fresh-baked biscuit with a little extra meat for flavor. DO NOT recommend syrup with the clam pancakes. My friend had the Dutch baby. So good with the lemon and powdered sugar. Syrup sort of overpowers it, so stay simple.
(4)
Jerry Y.
Waiting is 30 minutes, the food is not good and pricy. I feel like that even the staff is not happy. I willnever come back.
(1)
Bertha V.
The worst breakfast experience ever!!!! Atmosphere is dingy and smelly. Food is mediocre and overpriced! Without a groupon I would have paid $44 for what costs $22 at Denny's!!!!
(1)
Jen E.
Like Ken, I wish I would have read the reviews. It was between here and Nations, and I said to my husband "Mmmm, Nation's is usually kind of dirty, let's try the other place." We got there at around 8, and there were 3 other tables sat on only one side of the restaurant - the entire other side (close to Fremont Blvd.) was empty. So we sit down and wait a few minutes to be acknowledged and asked about coffee, etc. It appeared after I watched for a bit that there is only one server on until around 9ish. I saw two others show up between 8:45am-9:00am. But we are early risers, so I can't wait around until 9am to eat. I almost wish he'd have taken a bit longer to ask about the coffee, because after reviewing the menu and prices - holy crap! Seriously? But, alas, we were sitting down with coffee when we really got to looking at the menu. I ordered 1/2 an order of French Toast - two small slices of undercooked french toast - all for over $5. The middles were so soggy that after I took a bite, I had to cut around the center of the bread to avoid the undercooked egg portion. Husband ordered pigs in a blanket, which he seemed happy with. I ordered a child's meal for my son (should have skipped myself and eaten his) which was supposed to come with 3 pancakes, a meat (went with bacon) and an egg, which I specifically ordered over medium. His food arrives and no egg to be seen. I was annoyed enough at this point that I didn't even mention it. The price on the bill was about $.75 less than the menu price, so I'm assuming they dropped the egg from the deal and didn't update the menu. Or the guy realized he screwed up and took it off. The pancakes were decent - they didn't completely dissolve when you added syrup. The other Pancake House I've been to was MUCH better. I wouldn't go back to this place at all. I miss Hobee's.
(1)
Peg S.
Well, it's better than Denny's ... for the sweet and savory fix, we always order the ham & scrambled eggs combo (generous amount of fluffy eggs and diced ham) and usually the blueberry or georgia pecan pancakes (which are dusted with powdered sugar, topped with whipped butter, and comes with tropical syrup/blueberry compote). Tip: if you don't want your pancakes to be a big buttery mess, remove the whipped butter before it melts . . . The egg dishes come with a stack of three small buttermilk pancakes, but you can substitute most of the larger, special pancakes for a buck more. The apple pancakes and dutch baby are good enough to kill you. I like sitting on the left side of the restaurant - there's a bit more space and light on that side. Service is ok, we actually had to get up a couple of times to get syrup, ask for a take out box, etc., and they weren't quick to seat us when we got there even tho' I could see empty tables. They also ration off how much ketchup/syrup you get - there's none on the table, so you coaters can't get all crazy. And, you might want to check out the utensils for cleanliness . . . Despite all that, for neighborhood, go-in-your-sweats breakfast, we go here.
(3)
Ken J.
I REALLY should have read the reviews. Its the first time in a long time I actually got up and walked out after looking at a menu-- the two plates that walked past me for the only other couple in the large empty breakfast restaurant at 8 AM. on a Friday morning convinced me that there was a reason the place was empty. The menu prices are outrageous -- and looking at the plates, a real rip off. Coffee is $2.50 for small cups (with free refills) and was no better than Starbucks. Everything on the menu was about $10-- for pancakes? Oh, come on. I read one of the reviews as I was posting this and the writer said he should have gone down the street to Nations. I did... and glad for it.
(1)
Rachel A.
If I could give this place a lower rating, I would. First, we were seated at a table for 6 in the very back corner of the restaurant, very close to other diners. The other side of the restarant was practically empty. I guess it is more important for the waiters to have their tables close to each other, rather than comfort of the patron. When we first sat down, my husband said "no one looks happy in here." When we got our food, we found out why. The food was just plain bad. Their prices are exceedingly high prices ($2.50 for an extra egg?). Their "hash browns" are apparently fried in old butter (or butter-like grease). My husband got STALE bread with his meal (he has his toast dry, so it was really noticeable). The pancakes were not edible (I think they were sourdough, but couldn't tell from the taste and sourdough is the best I could identify). And then when we were paying our bill, we could overhear the waitstaff/cooks/busboys complaining about how other locations were closing. There was a very sullen/unfriendly person posted at the cash register (not the cashier, mind you, just a hanger-around). Anyway, we paid $35 (+$6 tip) for a "breakfast" that didn't compare favorably with McDonald's! Next time, we'll just stick to Country Way.
(1)
Vivien B.
I loathe this place!!! I came with an open mind and was immediately turned off!! It's way too cramped, which I think is a safety/fire hazard. And just to make my point, the gentleman behind me and I got into a bit of a disagreement over space. There's a little bump on the floor which I had the unfortunate pleasure of trying to sit on. It was Sunday and the staff seemed frazzled when anyone tried to ask them for anything. Basically, they seemed unprepared. Our order took way to long and the food was just so-so. I know this is a chain restaurant, maybe the other locations are better. But my experience here was horrible. And here's the real kicker....I actually went here about 5 years ago and I still remember what a horrible experience I had. Never again!
(1)
Tam T.
Terrible! Terrible service. Very unfriendly. My toast came out when I was half way through with my breakfast, I had to ask waitress 2 times for it and she looked annoyed when I asked for it too. Potatoes were bland. She didn't bother to clean our plates when bringing our bill (after having to ask for our bill twice). Way overpriced for breakfast! We ordered a LARGE orange juice which cost $4 and it was no more than 6 oz!!! Will not be back.
(1)
Suminder S.
We walked and the unwelcoming experience began. I think it was the owner who asked for my name. Finding my name difficult to spell he scribbled it out but promptly offered us a table. As our party was trying to find parking in the busy parking lot, this owner shows up again offers us if we wanted to be re-seated after our entire party arrives. Granted it was father's day rush, you do not suggest this to the customer who is already seated and drinking coffee. Anyway, the service was horrible. None of the waiters wanted to be working at this place. They were miserable and service was unpleasant. The food was brought to the table after 30 minutes or so, and at the end it was simply bland, overpriced blurb on the table. And to top it off, they had the audacity to add tip to the bill for a party of 4 adults + 2 kids (under 4). Bottomline: not worth visiting again and not worth recommending to anyone.
(1)
Pak Y.
Nasty food, Expensive, small portion, bad seating, long wait
(1)
Paul C.
A friend introduced me to this place, i guess I was far too involved in my conversations with her to notice how expensive this place is, but after going back this weekend, holy cow! Just shy of 10 bucks for a waffle. No extras, no juice, nada. Just a stinkin' waffle. I ordered that, a plate of eggs (5.50 for a side of bacon, WTF!) and a small glass of OJ, and my pockets jingled with the meager amount of change I got back from a $20. When the food arrived, the eggs could have been mistaken for a rubber ball dipped in melted butter, they were that springy. Tasted about the same too. The waffle was crispy on top, but the bottom was soggy, and frankly, I've had Eggos that tasted better. The juice was the highlight of the meal, it seemed to be fresh squeezed (don't tell me if I'm wrong!) I'll pass from now on.
(2)
C M.
YUCK. the baby dutch and waffles were almost raw. they even re-made the waffles. i used to go to the original pancake house in san jose and sunnyvale for the baby dutch pancakes and it is SOOOO much better. the food was so good at both locations. the service SUCKED. my sister puked after breakfast. ugh. don't waste your money at this location.
(1)
Shane R.
Standard american breakfast fare. Nothing unique. Not particularly good. About the same as ihop, but more expensive. I got the buttermilk pancakes. weren't terrible, but i could've made them myself. the side of potatoes wasn't crispy enough for me and the flavoring was too subtle.
(2)
Jennifer A.
We saw the good reviews on yelp and decided to give the place a try. However, I would not recommend this place to anybody. We were escorted to our tables upon which we sat and waited for at least fifteen minutes before I got up and asked if anyone would take our order. When the hostess told the server we were ready, his reply was "oh I didn't even notice them". We were only a party of two and there were about four other tables occupied. I did not see the difficulty in "noticing" us when the place was no where near full. We did not even get an apology. In my opinion, this is completely and utterly unacceptable, and I am usually quite lenient with servers and tip pretty generously. Well, definitely not this time.
(1)
Jeremy S.
I was joined by my girlfriend and my adult daughter as we made the hour plus trek from north Marin to Fremont to have my Father's Day brunch at the Original Pancake House - for a meal I had been remembering for 15 years - and we were not disappointed! From 1972 to 1995 I lived in Chicago and enjoyed breakfasts and Sunday brunches at one of the four Original Pancake Houses at least once every month or so - always struggling over whether to indulge in their 49er Flapjacks - simply the best pancakes with butter and pure maple syrup I've ever had - or the Dutch Baby - baked crispy custard-like with powdered sugar, butter and fresh lemon wedges and as good as in Amsterdam. After a decade and a half without a decent pancake breakfast, I discovered a branch of the OPH in Fremont, only a little more than an hour from Novato, and my girlfriend and daughter agreed to join me for Father's Day and indulge me in both of my favorites. Each bite of each dish was, if possible, better than I had remembered them to be. The restaurant was clean and pleasant, the service friendly and efficient, and Sam, the host, was a great help, asking me to call a bit before arriving so he could have a table ready for us, as he did. The prices, as always, are on the higher end for breakfast, but more than reasonable for the quality, quantity and taste. One does not quibble over the price of perfection. Other reviewers who compare this place to IHOP are essentially comparing the Louvre to The Wax Museum - Harris Steak House to Sizzler. If you wait for a table, it's because of the quality. Arrive late on Sunday (2pm) as we did and sit down immediately. If you order one of the dishes that make this place great, like the Cinnamon Glazed Apple Pancake or the Dutch Baby, expect to wait 20 or 25 minutes. Have a first course, or call ahead with your order to speed things up. It is impractical for me to drive over an hour for a meal except on special occasions. Otherwise, I would probably eat here every week.
(5)
Ryan C.
Always a treat on an early weekend morning, I head out to the Original Pancake House to get some good grub. I usually go to the location in San Jose on Sundays. That one is packed and the service is usually pretty slow and poor. However, in Fremont on a Saturday, it wasn't too bad. Got seated quickly and the service was pretty decent. The pancakes are delicious. The oven-baked Apple Pancake takes some time to make, but it is huge and it will give you some leftovers. Very sweet and the dough is tasty. The Dutch Baby, another oven-baked specialty, has lemon, whipped butter, and sugar. Again, very tasty! The Swedish pancakes are super thin and lacy, and the lingonberries are great, making it almost a dessert type pancake. Good, but pretty small and it won't fill you up. We had this other dish that had potato pancakes, and open face english muffins topped with sausage, mushrooms, and poached eggs. That was quite a meal! Huge! And I love potato pancakes! A great place to go for breakfast, with big portions in general if you stick to the specials!
(4)
Sarah K.
I'm a little shocked that this place only has three stars. It has its bad sides, but on its good side is some really, really amazing pancakes. The portions for the pancakes are quite large. My favorites are the apple pancake, the pumpkin pancake (seasonal), and the blueberry pancake. The apple pancake can easily feed two or even three people - it is just that big. The atmosphere of this place is nice. It's tucked in a small cluster of olden-styled buildings, has vaulted ceilings and is brick throughout. Though the service may be a little poor sometimes, especially when it is crowded (weekend mornings), the staff is always friendly. The owner of this place is super nice and likes to check in with the customers to see how they're doing. That said, what I do understand are people's complaints about the price. This place is moderately priced, and you get less bang for your buck if you go with thew waffles or omelets (they're same in price, but smaller portions, and not as delicious as the pancakes). As long as you stick with the pancakes, this place is well-worth it.
(4)
Jackie O.
Food here is delicious, they have changed their servers which is good because there was an older lady that was completely completely hated life and took it out on the customers which is why I never came back. But someone convinced me to go recently and the service was nice and the owner was very sweet as well. I will be coming back.
(5)
Jean L.
I love the large selection of all the different breakfast choices. From my experience, I either love what I've ordered or hated it. I highly recommend the pancakes (w/ bacon or sausage and eggs!). I'm not a big fan of their omelettes. They're too "spongy" for my taste. Specifically, skip the Mushroom omelette...it's a nasty gelatinous mess and not what I was expecting. I had one bite and pushed it away. Fortunately my friend let me share her yummy pancakes. My only other gripe is that their large glass of orange juice costs as much as a carton of orange juice from the grocery. I dont' care if it's fresh squeezed...that's damn expensive! I'll be back again to try the crepes and waffles.
(3)
Brian M.
Yummmmmmmy breakfast dishes, wonderful coffee...apple pancakes are a knockout!
(5)
john m.
TERRIBLE restaurant! Dry, small omelette -- no coffee refills -- wait staff argues with each other -- DO NOT GO HERE
(1)
Joyce P.
So yes, I am a fan. I enjoy the food. I don't enjoy the sometimes sticky tables. I love the coffee. I don't enjoy paying $4 for a glass of OJ. It totally cracks me up every time we go there. $4 for a glass of OJ?? Anyway, I always ask for the french toast well done. My son loves their chicken apple sausage. I've had their omlette once I think. It was pretty good. They've got an awesome and somewhat pricey berry platter. They've got some great crepes I think it's rather expensive for what it is. Like I understand that you pay higher prices at fancier restaurants, but some of the pricing is kinda crazy. Service is not bad. I think it's a better alternative to IHOP and especially Denny's. However, I'll be back.
(4)
Ari Z.
French Toast and frest squeezed oj is soooo good!
(5)
A T.
I agree with the overall 3 stars that this place gets (at least as of date of this review). I drove by that area looking for a place to have great pancakes for breakfast, and I saw 'free wifi' so I went in without 2nd thought (I had to check some emails, that's why). First, the oatmeal pancakes that I ordered are almost $10 and it is big portion, but they don't offer like a short-stack. At the end of the day, I could only eat 2 of the 5 big pancakes, and turns out the breakfast was pretty pricy for the kind of portion I wanted. Also, I couldn't tell if there's really oatmeal in the pancake. The waiter said it's oatmeal batter, but who knows, so I could only take his words for it. Also, if you want to be productive on wifi while eating there, don't even bother. Their wifi is ridiculously slow that it's counter-productive. (I know it's free but hey, even free wifi these days can be very fast.) I don't think I will go back again, at least not in the foreseeable future.
(3)
Edwin N.
I stopped by for breakfast Saturday morning while waiting for my car at the tire shop. I sat at the counter and ordered a Spanish omelettes with three small pancakes. My meal arrived and nothing else came with it. Pretty plain, nothing fancy. The omelettes was a little overdone for my taste and the salsa was bland. The pancakes however were excellent! It is a pancake house! If I do come here again I will order either pancakes, waffle, or creeps and stick with what they are good at. While I was disappointed with my meal choice, I watched the wait staff bring beautiful plates of pancakes,creeps to other customers. The prices are little on the high side for breakfast $17.50 include tax and tip so that's part of the lower ratings.
(2)
Elizabeth C.
Ordered the omelet it was good. But the wait was terrible over 45 minutes for the food, not enough help here! Don't order waffles plain you only get one.
(1)
Aivy C.
After spending the better part of my Monday night in a Silicon Valley stress-induced alcoholic stupor which led to me waking up the next morning massively hung over and curled up in a fetal position on the wrong side of my friend's bed, he decided to bring my ass here. Maybe I was just too sick to my stomach to fully appreciate the food, but I ordered potato pancakes and only made it through about 1/3 of it, then I ordered a side of chicken apple sausages, simply because the name reminded me of something I used to eat at Top Dog right near UC Berkeley... it ended up being something quite different. All in all it was good food, I think it was just too much for my stomach in its fragile state to completely appreciate. I'll come here the next time I have some hardcore "munchies". I really loved the coffee though! :)
(3)
J. C.
I've always driven by this place so I was curious and decided to give it a shot. The portions are definitely on the generous side. I had a Western Omelet (it also comes with three pancakes.) The omelet is NOT folded and is round and covers the entire plate -- it's almost like one big pie! They also use a lot of batter with their Omelet so the Omelet doesn't even look very "eggy." The pancakes were delicious... but what do you expect with buttermilk + butter + maple syrup? YUUMMAY! I agree with Mel S. -- the food is kinda IHOP'ish. I think it's a decent value considering how much food you get. Unfortunately, I didn't try the Dutch baby which seemed to be the unique menu item that everyone else was ordering. If I do come here again, I'd definitely order the Dutch. Overall, the place is decent and gets the job done if you want a solid breakfast to start a big day... in central Fremont.
(2)
Daisy S.
I had the eggs and sausage plate and the server let me get potato pancakes and a buttermilk pancake (instead of the three buttermilk pancakes). She was very helpful and accommodating. I also ordered the FRESH SQUEEZED GRAPEFRUIT JUICE!!!! It was perfectly sweet and you could tell it was fresh. I wish it had a little more pulp but it was delicious. I went around 8:30 and was surprised that it wasn't very busy (for a sunday morning) but the service was good and the food was just what I ordered so I was happy.
(4)
Kimberly S.
I am not a picky person, but one of the workers was rude, though our waitress was nice. I ordered the Eggs Michael, and the egg dish itself was good, but the potato pancakes it came with tasted like fish.
(1)
Lou A.
1 Star = FOOD (Buttermilk Pancakes - GOOD, NOT GREAT) 0.5 Star = SERVICE (Teen waitress - Took an order from a couple with 2 small children, took our order, took another order from table of regulars (spent 5 minutes talking with them then finally went to the kitchen to place all 3 orders. The regulars got their food first... hmmm... 0.5 Star for noticing that we were about to leave) 1.5 Stars = TOTAL (based on 2nd visit on a early sunday morning with a decent amount of available seats, seated at 10:15am finally served our meal at 11am, left at 11:25am) 'Nuff Said...
(2)
Sam R.
Yesterday we decided to stop for breakfast here and it was a regrettable decision we made. For starters the food is very blend the pancakes had a funny smell and the most upsetting part was a small glass of orange juice that cost $4.79 that was spoil/rotten undrinkable. Service was very poor. At the end we felt we paid $35.00 for straight cafeteria food :0(. Never coming back!!!!
(1)
Lisa H.
My first time here. The wait was super long and I couldn't help but notice two other tables receiving service before we did. The food was really good, but I not sure I'll be back. Thirty minutes to get your food on a weekday is a bit much.
(2)
Ha U.
It takes over 30min to have all orders if you order the original pancake. They confused my order and push them twice to correct them. I ordered a pancake, fruits and OJ, and paid over $30. I don't know if it is worth or not...
(2)
Tiffany L.
The one thing here that really is just kick-ass delicious are the omelets. I have no idea why but man the one omelet I got here, YUM! It was a bacon and cheese omelet. The omelet was huge! I was really surprised, I think it was baked in a pan after it was flipped or something cuz that thing was fluffy and HOT! Just like how I like my omelets. The cheese and bacon were delicious with every bite of egg mixed in. I would come back here just for the omelets. The place itself is a little run down and kind of an odd restaurant. I don't think egg specialties give you that much for your money but the pancakes and omelets sure do! So go here if you like pancakes and omelets, looking for something simple, not so much worth your time. I would also suggest trying the potato pancakes, those things are pretty tasty!
(4)
Donna Z.
I thought about giving the OPH 2 stars, both for the food, none for the service, but can't bring myself to do it. I'm depressed just trying to decide what to write. Here's an attempt at our horrible experience: After a long night, pancakes sounded perfect to our party of five (ha), so never having been to the OPH, we drove over for breakfast around 11am this morning. It was pretty busy, so a little slower than normal service is completely understandable. However, it took 20 minutes just to get waters (that our waitress had the busboy bring out), and our coffee and juice took another 20 minutes. We then had to flag the busboy down for cream. The waitress (whose name, I'm sorry to say, is also "Donna"--I only know this from the tab, since she never introduced herself). An hour later (and about 5 more flag-downs for refills, etc), our food arrives. My Swedish pancakes (no sides), cost almost $9. A total rip-off. My friend enjoyed her chocolate chip pancakes, but the potato pancakes another of us ordered were horrible. Another Donna flag-down and we had our check...which after we went over it, discovered we had been over-charged. Great. Flag-down #2008 got us our corrected check, we went to the front, paid, left a generous (if undeserved) tip, and left. I will never come back here. Mere words cannot describe how crappy the service is here (but believe me, I've tried). During our stay we watched as a table of 4 got up and left out of frustration. So sad. I wanted to scream from the waiting area: "I hope you like waiting, because you'll feel like pulling your hair out by the time you leave this place!"
(1)
Joie G.
We saw the feature on the Food Network and found the Fremont location online. Despite the reviews, we thought we would try it. I liked my Dutch baby a lot. The pancakes were yummy.
(3)
Ryan T.
Truly amazing creations here, such as the dutch baby and apple pancake. Although I have had the dutch baby quite some time ago, yesterday morning I tried the blueberry pancakes. Great compote on the side came with my order. Sadly, my friend had less-than-stellar potato pancakes, but her bowl of luscious berries with the in-house prepared whipped cream nearly made up for that miss. Although there are other great breakfast places in town (Country Way, Cabrillo Cafe), this one truly takes the cake.
(4)
Hoiling W.
Let me preface this review by saying that I have been here on one other occasion and did in fact enjoy my meal hence the one star rating.... With that being said, let me know tell you about the most HORRENDOUS dining experience that I have had EVER. The whole disaster started around 11:15 am when I decided to treat my parents out to breakfast. They had never tried the Original Pancake House before, so I decided to broaden the horizons of their "strictly bound to Chinese food" taste buds and take them there. We arrive at the restaurant at around 11:30 and wait about 15 minutes before we are seated. Given that it is pretty packed, I didn't mind the waiting but the owner did not so much as even offer us a "hello". After staring at our menus for a good 20 minutes, I asked the bus boy if he could locate our waitress as she had not even been by our table yet and I was beginning to wonder whether or not she even knew we were there. Another 15 minutes pass before a dour looking older woman comes by and barks out "What do you guys want???". She takes down our orders and walks away without any apology or explanation for the long wait. 30 minutes pass again and my parents are starting to mumble about how "this would never happen at a Chinese restaurant" and how "American restaurants don't know how to run a business". Our waitress is MIA again and I contemplate speaking to the manager about her after our meal until I realize...oh wait, she never even introduced herself to us so i don't even know her name. Another 15 minutes pass and still, no sign of food or our horrible waitress. I see the owner walking around seating more people I am SURE he noticed the disgruntled looks on our faces as well as on the faces of the other patrons. Perhaps he's use to seeing unhappy faces at his restaurant judging from a lot of the other reviews here or perhaps he just doesn't care. After realizing that we have been waiting almost an HOUR for our food, I just can't take it anymore. I tell my parents that we're leaving and so we went and got some great Thai food at Salathai instead. I know you're thinking: Thai for breakfast?? Well we had waited so long by now, that it was LUNCH. I can handle less than awesome food...but less than awesome service, *especially* at a local restaurant is just unacceptable. You complain about the competition from big chains but really now...I don't care how many newspaper clippings you have of yourself and your restaurant Mr. Original Pancake House, but the way you treat good paying customers is just UNACCEPTABLE. My review may not affect your "booming" business with the older crowd in Fremont, but you will never again receive ANY of my hard earned money (or that of my friends if I can help it).
(1)
Rese D.
I've always enjoyed eating here! I guess I dropped in at the right times because I never had to wait long...weekdays or Sundays right when they open. Their omelettes and pancakes are what I usually order. The omelettes are pretty big and is more like a Piroshki lookin style omelette. Instead the dough is the egg then the goodies are stuffed inside. So don't be shocked when it comes to you! Average brunch prices Kinda like a Ihop feel Service was good Family crowd I've seen one out here in MI, hope the experience is just as good!
(4)
Phil S.
not the fastest, but it is the best. not cheap, but worth the money.
(5)
Christina J.
Food was pretty good, service was horrible. Rude servers hardly ever came to refill water, bring ketchup, etc. The place wasn't even busy, which I am understanding of. I just felt neglected and food got cold before we got everything we needed to eat. Not my fave. I am not a demanding customer I just ask for decent service. I don't expect people to wait on me hand and foot or be cheery and peppy. Just do your job. I feel that the minimum standard was not met here. The pancakes are good but then again I make some pretty good pancakes at home without having to feel awkward and like I am bothering someone if I ask for a refill on my water. If you are really hungry their oven baked omelets are pretty unique.
(2)
Sherl F.
This was my first time here for Sunday breakfast and the only highlight was my chocolate chip pancakes which were delicious. Other then that service was terrible from the not so nice hostess who seated us to the server who ignored us.
(3)
Rachelle R.
I was meeting up with a friend for brunch here today. When I got there to look for her, an older gentleman called out, "Rachelle" and grabbed for my hands, and said, "it's been so long...do you remember me?" Apparently, my friend said that she was waiting for me and mentioned my name. LOL. Sam was a crack up the whole time we were there and turns out be be the owner. The food was good but the service was excellent and friendly. I would actually drive out of my way to come here for the service if the one closer to my house sucks.
(4)
Samantha O.
Never tried the pancakes here. But OMG, the rest of the stuff I got was TOO DIE FOR. Went here about 3 times, I always saw this place, but never thought of going there because there's a iHOP and Denny's and I always thought they would be better. HELL NO, iHOP and Denny's don't even come close to the Original Pancake House. What me and my friend ordered first time we came. -Strawberry Waffles, and I ordered Blueberry because it was cheaper. -a side of hashbrowns -i think she got sausages - and i got eggs and asked for extra cheese on top. - and we wanted a drink so we asked for a small class of OJ which costs like 3 something I think? all i know was it was expensive as fuck. Strawberry Waffles, omg! one of my favorites. Anytime I have 9 bucks to spare, i'll go to pancake house and buy them! Blueberry waffles were okay, doesn't beat strawberry. Side of hashbrowns were delicious, but I prefer shredded potatoes instead of chopped. When the waiter brought out the orange juice me and my friend balled out laughing! We tried not to be rude and laugh, but we couldn't help it, because it was sooooo small! Like shot glass small! It was fresh and tasted good, but omg. so expensive! Lol. Anyway, second tiem I went there, pretty disappointed because we ordered for take-out and they were really busy and forgot my Strawberry Waffle! ); But I tried my cousins Pecan Waffles, and those are probably my new favorite! I ordered the usual, side of hashbrowns, eggs with extra cheese on top. Definately coming back, all the other people writing reviews are trippen, they obviously don't have good taste in food. Lol! Comes to show you can't always trust other peoples reviews. My FAVORITE breakfast place.
(5)
S S.
I wish I had reviewed this place when I loved it. We went in on a weekday mid-morning and I was really disappointed to see such a great place has gone south on so many levels. At the very least, the food should be good, even if times are tough and they don't have as many people on staff. I ordered my favorite item on their menu - Eggs Michael. It's 2 english muffin 1/2s with sausage patties, poached eggs and mushroom sauce all over it - yummy usually! Served with 4 potato pancakes with a side of sour cream. It looks like the price went up, but the mushroom sauce had very few mushrooms and wasn't even very warm. The sausage may have even changed to a cheaper brand. My dining partner ordered bacon and eggs, which comes with a couple of buttermilk pancakes - that cost $9-10??? Seriously? For bacon and eggs? The bacon was tough! Our waitress was fairly efficient, but had 1 busser to help (who I think was also working in the kitchen too) and she was working the cash register as well! It was uncertain whether we would get coffee refills, our silverware was not clean so I just got up and got some from an empty table. It took a while to get our order and it took a while after that to get our food, I chose that place because it's usually quick and I was on a schedule. Flagging people down for things like creamer, hot sauce and syrup (should automatically arrive with pancakes) which did not arrive till most of the meal was gone (had I waited, the food would have been cold), was disconcerting and a constant distraction to our conversation. I have waitressed at lots of breakfast places - there are ways of making these things automatic and our waitress was clearly not new on the job. They (server and busser) were both obviously working hard, but it wasn't working. I have been there many times over a few years - even on very very busy weekend breakfasts, and have always considered it a treat and been treated well. If my last visit had been my first, this place would have gotten fewer than 3 stars. The owner, who was not there this time, is the nicest guy ever. I think he is a hard-working man who takes pride in his business and I doubt things would have gone that way had he been there. I hope he can bring his business and service back up to par and make this a place I enjoy treating myself to again.
This place is always busy, thus, service could be on the slower side. Pancakes are fluffy and pretty good! Today, we tried the banana pancakes which tasted plain (no banana taste to it). Their scrambled eggs are different- it's like a "pancake", very fluffy and kind of dry. The waffles and buttermilk pancakes were satisfactory. Overall, i'd say IHOP would be a better value in terms of cost and quality.
(3)
Meghan F.
If I could give a zero, I would. My boyfriend and I just went here this morning and were so upset by our experience that we rushed home to write this review. We ordered the Eggs Michael and Swedish Pancakes, planning to share both of them between us. We started with the eggs michael, the only edible part of this dish was they didn't mess up the english muffin, the sausage patty, or poached egg. The "mushroom gravy" tasted like nothing but flour (read: flavorless) with maybe 4 pieces of canned mushrooms in it. This was served with four potato pancakes on the side. I love potato pancakes so was pretty excited about this, except that they had a very weird texture and tasted bitter. We each took a bite of these and then pushed them away. Plus, this unappetizing dish was over $11!!! Swedish pancakes next....they were ok. But basically they were just 3 crepes with a small ramekin of berry sauce on the side. They tasted bland, the sauce was ok, but the price for this...$9.67???? I can see if it was a crepe filled with berries or something, then I am at least paying for the berries. This just seemed a complete rip off. In addition to the food being terrible, the service took forever! I saw our swedish pancakes sitting under the hot lamps for at least 10 minutes. The place was not busy and I saw our waitress pick them up several times to look at them before she finally brought them over. I kept muttering "those better not be ours, they have been there forever" to my boyfriend, and sure enough...they were ours! Bad service and slow, bland and bad food, way overpriced!!!
(1)
Mark W.
I've been here at least a dozen times already and I will keep going back. This place is special. I would give it five stars for the food, but he service is not quite five star level and the decor is "authentically" retro. Where else can you get clam pancakes with freshly chopped jalapenos mixed in served with lemon wedges? (seriously. If you know message me) They have the best selection of pancakes I've ever seen. It is nestled inside a "vintage" shopping center called the Gaslight Square in the "heart" of "downtown Fremont." Yea. This is the fine dining location for Fremont. Surrounded by a bus stop, tire store, German Store and a bank. Great place for romantic walks... I spoke with the owner of the business yesterday. He really likes people. He prides himself on the fact that they do not use anything canned -- all fresh ingredients. I like that, sometimes. It makes for great food, however it comes at a price. Not only will you pay for it with money, but it also takes a bit more time to prepare the food. This is not a place to go for fast food, it is a place to go for a breakfast culinary adventure. Tip: Try the blueberry pancakes. They are great. If you don't like sweet then try the clam pancakes. My Korean friend said they remind her of pancakes she used to eat in Korea with clams, oysters, onions, and kimchee. Well, they don't have oysters and kimchee here, but they will chop up a jalapeno and mix it in for you if you ask.
(4)
Will A.
Ok, I've had every pankcake from this place... yep, including the clam pankcakes. Yes, I was a little queasy afterwards, but it is like a fear factor episode with me and pancake places. I need to try every single one. This was an ex-gf's favorite place, so I always nicely indulged b/c she was great company :) But, in all honesty, if it weren't for her, I'd probably would have mixed it up a lot more on the breaksfast place. Never had to wait for seating and their plain pancakes were good.
(3)
Patricia R.
It may be a chain restaurant but the owner Sam and his longtime employees make it feel like a small wonderful mom and pop breakfast joint. The food is consistently excellent.
(5)
Tim S.
The food was ok , nothing special , It was very expensive, pretty much felt ripped off for such a high dollar breakfast.
(2)
Erich V.
Share the omelet.
(3)
Tom L.
Wow, what a dive. Went here to get some breakfast and came out with a disturbed look on my face. The wait to get in was long. Once we were seated, I noticed that EVERY UTENSIL AND CUP/GLASS had some problem with it - whether crusty food particles, lip stick or even a hair in the water glass....it was disgusting. Even the tables were sticky. Got up to use the restroom and when I came back, they cleared my table as if I had already left! Geeze, I was gone for a whole 3 minutes! The portions were ginormous, but of low quality for sure. I really felt nasty after eating here and will most definitely never go back.
(1)
Lizzie C.
Chocolate chip pancakes all the way. I'm a sucker for chocolate chip pancakes, and this place has the best ones. I haven't tried anything else here, but I love this place just for chocolate chip pancakes. Unfortunately, I don't live in Fremont or its surrounding area at all to be going here as often as I'd like.
(5)
E L.
This place does not have a lot of choices. I ordered the Bacon and Cheese Omelette. It was dry and the cheese was not distributed evenly. My son ordered a pancake meal with two sausages and it was not worth the price.
(1)
Jay S.
Good food but over priced. I was realy hoping to find a replacement for mimis cafe waffles but was disappointed. Portions are not worth what you pay for.
(2)
Rachel S.
It took a while to get our food and the service wasn't great, but I do like the souffle omelettes.
(3)
Claire C.
Oh yeah...just hand over those chocolate chip pancakes please. Or the Dutch stuff. And hold the bad service. Server where are you? What, we can't split the check? Or use more than one credit card? How rude. To conclude: - Bad service - Really good pancakes (not too thick, not dense, comes out the kitchen still warm) This is a dilemma. What would you do?
(3)
Heather H.
Apple waffle :D We come here about every other weekend and the apple waffle is where it's at. Great staff, yummy food.
(5)
Keoni B.
A reviewer before mentioned the service, so I thought I would put my 2 cents in. My experience here SUCKED. We ordered food, and after an hour, no one came. Nobody came to check on us, and our waitress disappeared. My gf and I walked out of the restaurant really upset, which is something that I do not normally do. It really was a shame, because the food that was going to all the other tables around us looked so good.....
(1)
Mikolo R.
My husband and I went to this place and we experienced the WORST customer service EVER. It took a while just to be seated, and once we were seated, it took forever to get any service. The food was painfully slow to come out, and the wait staff just kept walking passed us as if we were invisible. Any time we needed something, I had to get up and get it myself!!! Once I had to ask the bus boy to get me utensils. TWICE, I had to walk across the restaurant to take my tiny empty glass to the counter to ask someone there for a refill of my soda!! Nobody ever came by to ask us if we needed anything or how we were doing. It was the most insulting experience. We will NEVER go back to this place.
Good breakfast place but give your self some time for the Dutch baby if you can finish it good service owner is a nice guy and will make sure that you are taken care of clean and good service
(5)
Brian M.
This review comes with two totally different sides I am giving the four stars for the food and service, both excellent. But the price, holy molly a breakfast out with my wife and two small kids shouldn't cost $50 but that is exactly what it cost me! Four plates of pancakes or waffles, two coffees an very small apple juice and a very small chocolate milk, FIFTY BUCKS? FIFTY DOLLARS! FIFTY DOLLARS for a little breakfast of pan cakes and waffles without so much as a strip of bacon? JUST pancakes and waffles for FIFTY DOLLARS? That was pretty hard to swallow if you'll pardon my pun. But darn it was good, my wife's "Dutch baby" was way too good to be called a pancake. It was more of an egg custard/bread like treat. And my Swedish pancakes, very crepe like, light as can be but a little crunchy, very good. My daughters chocolate chip pan cakes were good but WAY too big of a plate for her and almost 10 bucks! My son's plain waffle, again, forget how much but certainly not a "kids plate" price. The waiter was great, service was prompt, the place was nice, made me feel like I was out somewhere a thousand miles from home on vacation, it was a nice treat. Did I mention this pancake breakfast cost me FIFTY DOLLARS?
(4)
Pika C.
We were looking for a place to eat breakfast at and didn't want to go to Denny's, so ended up here. I ordered the crepe with fresh strawberries. It was very good, but a little pricey for what it was. The service was friendly, but not as attentive as other places. It's decent and I'd probably go again, but it wouldn't be my first choice..
(3)
Steve G.
I've been coming to this place several time since it is not far from my house. I came back yesterday with a friend. I ordered bacon omelette and coffee. Total bill $20 per person. I ordered the same omelette before and I enjoyed it. Yesterday...the bacon had strange smell. They smell like either they were cooked in old cooking oil or had been out for a long time. I was thinking to send it back to the kitchen or complain to the manager but afraid the retaliation from the kitchen crew. Yes I watched the movie "Waiting"..... I ended up only eating the egg part and threw away all the bacon bits. I understand that the economy is not good right now and the restaurant may be trying to cut costs but not at the customer's expense. $20 is quite a lot of money for breakfast.
(2)
Golds M.
My favorite place to go for breakfast. Cozy place with friendly people and awesome breakfast food. My fav is the French toast.
(4)
Brenda H.
This place never lets me down. I frequent this place for breakfast now a days, especially because i'm not a big fan of "commercialized" breakfast joints (ie: IHOP or Dennys). My favorite of all time here is the "dutch oven" pancake. The only downfall is that it takes 20 minutes to cook. But seriously, it's worth it. The only thing that sucks is when the people you come here with gets their food and finishes it, you will probably recieve your pancake at this time. It is a light airy pancake and all you need to do is drizzle it with butter, powdered sugar, and squeeze a bit of lemon. PERFECTION! Although this time, I went with my cousins and I was pretty hungry. And i didn't want to wait for my food while they were eating. So I got these crepes. Gosh i dont remember exactly which one they were. But they were yummy. My recommendation is to always select something on their menu that has stars next to the name, or a notation that it is the place's specialty. You can't go wrong!
(5)
Shawn C.
Good News. Boyd's coffee. Bad News. I counted 7 ( seven ) health code violations on my one ( and only ) visit to this location. I manage restaurants. I love pancakes. I grew up in Portland and am a fiend for the menu items. Clean this place up so I don't have to drive to Willow Glen to have good coffee and pancakes. seriously. This location needs a couple days of being closed and cleaned.
(1)
Abdul M.
This place is VERY good. Had the banana pancakes with fresh strawberries and fresh OJ. You can tell it was hand squeezed. Glad I stopped here today. Much better then Ihop. Service was OK not great. Only came by to check on us once and didn't ask if I want a refill. This is why I gave it a 4 star instead of a 5. Oh it's a little more $$$ then other place but well worth it.
(4)
Cindy B.
I haven't ventured to try anything else besides the Dutch Baby at this joint. I figure anything else, I can go to Denny's and get it for cheaper. Though it take long to cook and it feels like you've probably have just eaten a carton of eggs...its pretty good.
(3)
Vic S.
Having grown up in Fremont, I can say that this probably the most worthwhile place to visit in the entire city for any reason. Every time I'm in town on a Sunday, I eat breakfast here. As you would expect from a pancake house, this place does indeed have a nice selection of tasty pancake-related items. Everything I've ordered thus far, and I've ordered a lot, has been delicious. Personal favorites include the sourdough pancakes, the bacon waffle, and of course the infamous Dutch Baby (clear your schedule after eating this one, since you'll probably want to sleep it off). I will say that, as others have noted, the omelettes leave something to be desired. However, I'm of the opinion that if you go to a place called "The Original Pancake House" and order something that's primarily not pancakes, you sort of take your chances. Someday, I'll be brave enough to order the clam pancakes.
(5)
Vicky L.
We were promtly seated at a table. we got our coffee, had our orders taken. but it took FOREVER to get our food. I understand it's a sunday, so i would understand a wait for a table, but not a long wait for our food. When our food finally showed up, we promptly dug in. For some unknown reason, they like to put the foods in different plates, so our large table got quickly filled up with plates. I orders a western omelet, and it was very fluffy and hot. it was definitely a pricey breakfast. for two, it was about $35. I don't know if i'll be back again. the food was good, but i hated the long wait, and the high prices.
(3)
Michael M.
I went there on a Monday and while I read the prior reviews, I went in with an open mind :) They seated me quickly and had my pancakes out in decent amount of time. Slow service? Well this is not McDonald's where they pre-make all the stuff and nuke it in a microwave :P It DOES take time to make a small stack of pancakes. Ever try to make a large amount of pancakes @ YOUR house to feed a large group? It's going to take a few minutes. I got standard blueberry stack and it was good! And unlike IHOP, they didn't screw it up! Going to have to come back and try something different. I'm all about trying something new. Might take a minute to pick which one I want so if the wait-staff takes a minute, sorry!
(4)
Jessica K.
I don't even like breakfast food (and I mean I REALLY don't like it), and I go out of my way to eat here. I'd say that if you're in a rush on weekends, it's probably not the right time to stop in, but when you've got nowhere to be, definitely check it out. The food and drinks seem a little bit pricey, but when you consider that they squeeze their juice fresh every morning, cook each dish to order, and have special ingredients in even their sour cream, it doesn't seem so absurd. The place has heart, and if you go frequently enough, your drinks will be on the table the moment after you sit down. However, you may gain fifty pounds...the portions are unbelievable! Despite all the iffy reviews, if you go in with an open mind (and a little extra time), I feel certain that you'll enjoy your experience.
(5)
Food Y.
I went back, because everyone deserves a second chance. It was just as bad as the first time, if not worse. I don't know that I've ever had worse service? The food isn't bad, but the service is just SO bad that I know I won't be back. Too bad. I sure wish it was still Hobee's!!!
(1)
Edelee R.
I never even knew this place existed! I've always thought that businesses around the area where this is at are closed! I guess I was wrong. I went here with my friends on a Sunday around 11ish, we got seated quickly plus as soon as we sat down we got our waters and was offered coffee right away. Now, let's get down to their specialty - the pancakes. I scanned the menu looking for a good pancake to have. I decided on the: Swedish Pancakes The description for this says: "Authentic lacy Swedish pancakes are always a treat. Served with lingonberries from Sweden and whipped butter". And it has 3 stars next to it. (which I took as a fan favorite? -- don't know). My friend, Janice and I ordered the same thing. Our other friend ordered the chocolate crepe. I really didn't like what I ordered. Note to everyone: Swedish pancakes are not like the fluffy ones hence they're lacy. So I get this 3 pieces of lacy pancakes and a lingonberry jam. I thought I'd be getting real lingonberries! I guess not. And the jam was too little, that I seriously just have to spread it in the middle while I awkwardly folded my 3 lacy pancakes. Ugh! My friend said the chocolate crepe was just ok. It was too sweet for her that after just how many bites she's had enough of it. The only good thing that we ordered was our hash brown. That's it!!! I think the prices are way overpriced as well. It'd give this place another try and this time I will stick to the omelets since everyone seems to be raving about it.
(2)
Joy A.
had a craving for pancakes so we drove down to the fremont area. this place used to be so much better - (it's been a while since we moved to dublin) - but the menu seems to have changed a bit too. i could have sworn they used to have a corn beef hash omelet...oh well. had the dutch baby and it was really yummy - it's one of their signature dishes and it is a pancake souffle (note - takes about 20 minutes to make). hubby had a cheese and bacon omelet and surprisingly could not finish it. overall, the food was good and satisfying. however, prices are a bit high and service a bit uneven. not enough waiters (we had 1 guy for our entire area). this place used to be soooo packed but this time, had no problems getting a seat. i guess with increased prices it is a sign of the times.
(3)
Nancy P.
The food is excellent. I love the Dutch baby. They use quality ingredients which increases the price. I do wish they were less expensive so I could go everyday. But don't compare to IHOP. IHOP uses cheap ingredients and it tastes like it.
(4)
Ethel-Lynn Q.
They have a wide selection of pancakes. If you decide to drop in, please order the pancakes, that's their money maker. The omelettes are huge but it's not their speciality. The place is kind of old but I think they keep it that way to show how long they have been around.
(4)
Luke P.
Don't go to this place! It's a rip off and bad service. The waiter is some dumb foreigner who doesn't know or care about this very American fare. In America when one orders a combo breakfast dish like pancake/egg/sausage, the 3 items should be brought together. This waiter brought out pancakes first, then the 2 eggs in one plate, then told me to get started with the eggs while the sausages are been cooked. Then, 10 minutes later, came the sausages. Was he serious ??? Am I supposed to eat in this Ford assembly line manner? With tea, the total bill was $14 !!! Oh, the pancakes tasted very doughy and raw! I just left the restaurant in a hurry.
(1)
Arnold G.
***UPDATE 6/10/07*** The food is fine, but this place has the worst service in Fremont. It's almost unbearable. They took our order and I asked for coffee...15 minutes later, we had to flag down someone to bring it to us, and a couple times, a guy walked by with a full pot of coffee giving everyone else refills. It also took us more than half an hour to get our food after ordering. Shouldn't the pancakes be ready to go when there's a rush? It's so annoying that I don't even know if I want to eat here anymore, which sucks because their pancakes are pretty good. ***ORIGINAL REVIEW - 4 stars *** I was having a major pancake craving this weekend and luckily there was an Original Pancake House nearby. The pancakes here were just how I wanted them...brown and slightly crispy but fluffy on the inside. They also have some crazy huge omelettes that are pretty good, although pairing spinach with cheddar cheese was odd. One cool thing is that if you don't order off the pancake section of the menu (omelettes, ham and eggs, etc.), you get pancakes anyway! And the prices are pretty reasonable considering all the food you get. The only knock on this place is that the service is kinda slow. You pretty much have to flag someone down to get what you want, but once you actually talk to someone, they bring you what you need pretty quickly.
(2)
Stella S.
Only been here once. The owner was nice and friendly. The food was tastly. Had the blueberry waffle. The kids split the silver dollar pancackes and had hot chocolate. The pancakes and hot chocolate were good too, I mean how can you mess them up? Hubby ordered Swedish pancackes with side of bacon, eggs, chicken apple sausage. Big appetite right? but we ended up sharing the meaty plate. Overall, I think the food was good, not super duper great but will definitely come back when we're lazy to fix bfast!
(3)
Nikki B.
Probably the worst service I've encountered in a while. After asking 4 separate times for a cup of hot chocolate, it finally arrived at the end of the meal. The waiter was unapologetic and seemed to hate his job; hope he's found one that better suits him. Tables around us did a similar waiting, one lady got up and walked to the hostess to get a fork because the waiter just wouldn't bring her one. You have to understand that this was on a Thursday morning, the restaurant wasn't busy, so his lack of service is inexcusable. Food wasn't bad, but definitely not worth more than $30 for 2 breakfasts.
(1)
R M.
This is a pretty good breakfast place in Fremont. Great pancakes -- nice options no matter what your taste. Staff is family-like and friendly. Coffee is good. The prices are a little high for what you get (for a diner like place). I have not had dinner/lunch here -- only breakfast, so my rating is based on that.
(4)
Esther A.
We came here for breakfast the other morning. The place was not all that packed however it took forever to get a waitress/waiter to take our order. We were famished therefore our threshold for bad service was not that high. Even a group of people next to us got up and left b/c it took so long for someone to come by and provide water and take their order. So finally we flagged someone down and they took our order. Some time later I noticed everyone had their food except us. Even a couple that were seated 10 minutes prior (they must have blurted out their order as soon as they were seated) had their food and here we were about half an hour of being seated, completely foodless and almost waterless. I looked around and everyone in our side of the dining area were stuffing their faces. WTF? We sat with annoyed don't-mess-with-this-bitch look on our faces and our food FINALLY arrived. The food we waited so long for was just mediocre. I had ordered the vegetarian "omelet" and it was bland and looked more like a quish than an omelet. I may give this place another try. Hopefully my next visit will result in a better experience.
(3)
Lauren W.
We went there on a Sunday morning at noon. Our party of two was seated in about 10 minutes, but larger parties seem to have taken a little longer. I read the yelp reviews beforehand and so I was expecting really bad service, but actually we were pleasantly surprised. The service we got was fast, diner-like and efficient. We had to beat the coffee guy off with a stick (it is a little annoying to put sugar and cream in there every two minutes after they top off the cup). The food is solid breakfast fare, with some interesting choices. These guys know breakfast. We got buckwheat pancakes and a spinach omelet with hash browns and shared, which was about right. That with two coffees was $23 before tip. I mean, look, it's a A-frame pancake house, so don't expect too much. If you want a Denny's/IHOP upgrade, this is a good choice.
(4)
Alastair G.
Another neighborhood restaurant in Fremont. I headed to the pancake house because I was kind of curious to see how good these pancakes really were. I do drive by every day so I just said. "Let's give it a try". I ordered Bacon,eggs, with 3 buttermilk pancakes. When the order arrived bacon looked a little crispy. Which it was... You ever had Bacon where you know its kinda crispy but its just tender enough that you don't send it back. Or when you cook bacon at home and get sidetracked with the tv you accidentally overcook the bacon. LoL. That's what I had. Eggs were bland and plain. Not much flavor. Pancakes were good but had a battery doughy aftertaste. Orange Juice was I guess freshly squeezed, but had a Orange juice pineapple taste. For some reason I think it would have been better ice cold. The waitress was a little abrasive and very stern. Kinda reminded me of the big scary cafeteria lady at your elementary school. You know the cook with the sleeves rolled up and a tattoo who smokes on her break. Food was brought out extremely fast, maybe because we were the only patrons in the establishment...... All in All. Ehhhh...... I've had better.
(2)
Willis W.
What's great about this place is the owner. He's got tons of charisma and really makes you feel welcome. Sure it's a chain, and pancakes aren't all that hard to make, but in Fremont, we need all the warm and comfortable breakfast spots we can get, and this is one of the best in the area. My wife really likes the coffee here, because the cream they serve with it is rich like heavy whipping cream. I like the old fashioned diner coffee cups. The buckwheat pancakes are pretty good. We just wish that when you order eggs + pancakes they would give some fruit on the side or something. One star shy of an ultimate breakfast fantasy.
(4)
Marisa E.
I've had really good luck with the pancakes. Can't remember all the types I've tried, but there's one with pineapple and tropical syrup &it's just really good. I actually wish the portions were a bit smaller, since after a while of eating & eating pancakes you kind of get sick of them. What would be great is silver dollar sized pancakes in all the different varieties that they offer. I haven't been as happy with the crepes. I like the concept of exotic crepes, but so far I've been disappointed with most of the types I've tried here. In any case, I'm glad this place exists. Fremont really doesn't have many breakfast places to choose from... Fremont doesn't really have much to choose from when it comes down to it. In summary: Pancakes = good Crepes = not as good
(3)
Joc V.
I've christened them "Ye Olde Pancake House" because of that old-timey feeling I got when I first walked through the door. At first glance, Ye Olde Pancake House looked like a Swiss chalet with the sloping roof and overhanging eaves but after a closer look and a few minutes of my elbows on the sticky tabletop, it began to feel more like an IHOP or a Denny's. Getting a table was a bit of a production as there was only one person to handle both paying customers ready to leave and patrons ready to be seated. Once we were seated, the coffee flowed continuously and the waitress, albeit abrupt, was fast and responsive. She was like Flo from Alice without the accent and the big hair and the gum snapping and the "Kiss my grits!" Ok. Maybe she wasn't so much like Flo, but she did have a bit of a 'tude. Good recommendation on the apple pancake though. Fluffy, moist and just the right amount of sweet with the whipped cream on the side. Butter and syrup were also options but may have been too rich for the already rich apple pancake. I chose the western omelet which I could've easily made at home, so I'll skip that when I return to try the dutch baby, this obscene creation of a pancake that is the shape of a giant pothole except it's a really tasty-looking pothole sprinkled with powdered sugar.
(3)
Carmel M.
Good breakfast, awful service. Waited about 10 minutes for the waitress to come to the table. She takes our order and disappears for 20 minutes. No refills on coffee - she just never came to our table. She dropped the food off and disappeared again and we had to wait 10 minutes or so to get the bill. Country Way is a much better diner!!
(2)
Jennifer H.
I'm sorry: this place is WAY overpriced and their pancakes are nothing to write home about. For the money they charge, it is not worth it.
(2)
Alyson C.
two words: Bacon Pancakes! It sounds weird, I know. But once you try it... wow. Dutch Baby: sooooo good. The Apple pancake is basically like ordering an apple pie. this is good too... Generally this place is good. :)
(4)
jacky m.
Pancake House is a wonderful place. They make the most flavorful buttermilk pancakes. I wonder what their secret ingredient is...maybe beer batter. If you don't have much of a sweet-tooth, their delicious Clam Pancakes is perfect for those with a savory palate. Yes I know, clam pancakes sound weird and gross but trust me, they are very delicious..I just don't recommend it with syrup. But be prepared to pay about $7-12 for your meal..Pancake House is not cheap. For the unreasonable prices, it loses a star. Since I'm a tough critic, I hardly EVER give restaurants 5 stars. Service is great if you get the Latino man who always wears a red Pancake House cap. He comped me for the overly sweet and soggy Tahitian Crepe. How sweet and considerate of him!
(3)
Marco C.
This used to be a very excellent breakfast. I guest new owner took over and ruined for good. I don't think we're coming back
(1)
Nate M.
Everyone has had pancakes before. But these are some AMAZING pancakes. The batter they make is killer! There are entirely too many choices of pancakes to choose from... the plain pancakes are still delicious. I had a friend who worked here, that is how I knew about it. Unfortunately, previous comments are correct: The service is dreadfully slow for some reason. And the juice is expensive! I hate that! Overall, the food is really good if you have the time to spend there to wait for it.
(3)
Diana R.
This placed served the absolute worst breakfast I have ever eaten! I am reviewing it now cause I was just n the area and seeng it gave me post traumatic stress. Service was crappy. Food was expensive and had no flavor. I would rather drink a bottle of castor oil!
(1)
Hiram L.
After reading all the reviews I have to say this place is consistent. The food is good, but pricey. The service is agonizing slow. I've driven by this place for 25 years. I finally grabbed my son and stopped by. Interesting decor. From the outside it has an americanized Bavarian look to it. From the inside it's like a really old weinerschnitzel. Very close quarters. After being seated it wasn't an awfully long wait to order. I got scared when I first looked at the menu. I hadn't noticed that most orders include pancakes. The items were pricey and when you add pancakes they are astronomical. After a little more reading I realized most items include pancakes. I quickly got a cup of delicious coffee. I found out that is just a tease though. I ordered a ham and cheese omelet. After not a extremely long time the food came. I went into a panic. The omelet was round as a ball and kind of strange looking. Looks mean nothing I found out. The waiter asked if we needed anything else. I asked for a refill of coffee. He disappeared. I bit into the omelet, oh man, it's delicious! It's huge, enough for 2 people or one very hungry one. Hmmm no coffee, there is a waiter walking around with a pot, filling every cup around except mine. I'm "excuse me" and throat clearing, but no joy. The pancakes are special. I had the buttermilk and they are delicious and cooked perfectly. They are smallish but tasty. I discovered they have 2 sizes. If you order pancakes you get huge ones, if you get pancakes with something like my omelet they are smallish. They give you a bottle of warm syrup, no little tiny cup like Denny's. Still trying to flag down a waiter for that coffee refill. Twice I tell a waiter I'd like a refill. They run off, the coffee comes out but never makes it to me. I've drunk my water, my sons and his friends. The guy in the table next to me offers to give me some of his. I refuse, but think twice about it. We eat and everything is good (would be better with some coffee to wash it down with). I noticed the potato pancakes and thought I'd get an order. My son had never had them, I thought they would be a treat. We finish our meal. I tell the waiter to bring an order of potato pancakes with some coffee. I told him if he doesn't have coffee don't bring a bill or the pancakes. He shows and YES he has some of that delicious coffee. Finally! The potato pancakes are nothing like I remember that my mom used to make. Kinda of disappointed in them. Food=good, service=needs serious help, coffee=great if you can get some. Will I be back. Not sure, I may get a craving for their pancakes, I'm not sure I could take another coffee tease though.
(4)
Courtney K.
HUGE omelets, definitely something to share! I usually get an omelet (first one ended up with pineapple in it) and potato pancakes which serves as two meals for $10. Been with a few people who have had to send their food back for whatever reasons, but service is generally fast & friendly... once you get their attention. Great hangover food, but if you're looking for something gourmet, go elsewhere.
(3)
Jenn F.
The service was SOO slow... I know it was a Sunday morning, but the place wasn't all that busy. It took forever for our food to come out, and even when it did, our waitress forgot our drinks. I was really disappointed with the hashbrowns, because they were just blanched potatoes in french fry shapes-- not crunchy, not crispy, not even a little browned. They should call them bland country potatoes, but definitely not hashbrowns. My omelet was huge, and had broccoli inside, which was wayy overcooked. Lastly, the bill was absurd. I mean, if I'd known, I would've just gone to Nation's in the same parking lot for 1/4 of the price. Gimme a break-- this is the first and last time I'm coming here.
(2)
Jeff C.
If your in the mood for some pancakes, this is your place.......F*** IHOP and Denny's and all of them. Have some potato pancakes with your omelette and be happy, don't forget the sour cream! And ya, if you want a huge pan"cake" with apples on it, get the apple pancake because, boy its a whopper that fills you up. As far as prices go.......it is kinda price for what it is, but i'll be honest with you, I can't find a place that does what they do just for breakfast in our area. So try it out if anything, service is ehhh there, food and quality are A-OK. It's worth checking out atleast once and you can decide if you love it or hate it.
(3)
Phil M.
Western Omlette with French Toast and coffee. They even let us sit down 30 minutes before closing.
(4)
Dan Y.
There really is an art to making pancakes. My mother and aunt knew the secret, but these days it's hard to find those light fluffy cakes I used to enjoy as a kid. The Original Pancake House is one of the few places left where you can get a REAL PANCAKE. With whipped butter and maple or blueberry syrup, these things are better than sex. The restaurant looks and feels like 1960--if only the prices were the same. (Forty bucks for breakfast for two adults and two kids?? OUCH) Even so if I have to choose between a $5 Grand Slam and a $10 Dutch Baby I'll take the Dutch Baby and skip lunch.
(4)
Valerie F.
What can I say about OPH? that hasn't been said. The Dutch Baby is like a gynormeous Yorkshire pudding. Frankly if somebody brought this to England that's what they'd think "Crikey it's the worlds blood massive Yorkshire pudding." Yum Bake omelets for those greasy free days.
(5)
Libby L.
This rating is based solely on their fresh fruit Strawberry Crepe. I know, I know, who doesn't order pancakes when experiencing the self-proclaimed Original Pancake House for the first time? Well, not me! I'm glad I ordered the crepe. The strawberries were so huge and juicy! There was even extra strawberries on the side. Yum! I also ordered a side of bacon, which was too pricey and overcooked. Boo.
(4)
Jennifer d.
The waffle my son and I enjoyed here was one of the best so far in The Great Waffle Quest. I ordered the apple waffle, and it had small pieces of apple in it, was dusted with cinnamon, and was served with fresh apple compote and apple syrup. If I order it again, I will ask to replace the apple syrup with regular maple syrup, as I found the apple syrup a bit cloyingly sweet. The waffle had great texture, though it could have had a more crisp exterior so it could withstand the syrup a little better without getting soggy. Why not more stars, then? What it comes down to is value. OPH simply charges too much for what it gives you. I ordered one apple waffle (more than $8), one scrambled egg (more than $3), and a small orange juice (more than $3), and it came to $15.50 with tax. When you add a tip, that's almost $20 for one person! For twenty dollars per person I can get good breakfast, cheap kitschy ambience, and diner-style service at OPH or get excellent brunch and gracious service at Essanay Cafe. I'm going to choose the latter. And I'll expand on what I mean by "diner-style service": I found what looked alarmingly like a pubic hair in my scrambled egg -- after I had eaten half of it already. When I showed my waitress, she looked at it, said, "Eeyu," and then took it away without asking if I wanted it replaced or offering to take it off my bill. I got a new scrambled egg, but I now that I think about it, I don't think I should have had to pay for it.
(3)
Elo N.
My cousin brought me here about a year ago and I wasn't too impressed but after Black Friday shopping I was up to give it another try. Things really didn't change. The service is SLOW!! They sat our party of 4 right away but it took them about 10 minutes to take our drink order. The menu seems to have a wide selection. Not sure what the fresh frozen strawberries are but...whatever is clever. I ordered the french toast and ordered bacon and hash browns as my sides. The food itself was ok but it was over priced. We split the bill and it came up to $19 each for an ok breakfast. Next time if I'm in the same area I'll just drive further down the parking lot for breakfast at Nations. Better and cheaper!
(2)
Audrey M.
I've been going to this restaurant for years now. I've rarely had bad customer service here and yesterday I received wonderful service from Victoria. (She even told me about a pancake that's not on the menu!) The bacon and cheese omelet was huge and you get your choice of side. I chose my special pancakes for my side. Next time I'll have to try their famous dutch baby. This may be a chain but it's owned by local mom and pops. Support them and get great food and service at the same time!
(4)
Robert S.
Service is terrible.
(1)
Jesse W.
Slow ass service. If I'm able to check all my work emails and write facebook updates before the waitress even comes....yeah. Now, on to the food, it's all breakfast food with a European twist. Ordered two egg whites, toast and two pancakes. Pretty standard fare. Overall, not the most memorable, if you are in a bind and REALLY want pancakes over Nations next door, then try at your own risk!
(3)
Sean M.
Ham and Cheese Omelette - 4 stars Eggs and Sausage - 4.5 stars Pancakes - 4 stars French Toast - 5 stars Hash Browns - 5 stars OJ - 4.5 star Coffee - 4 stars The food is really awesome. The downside is the price, but it comes with HUGE portions.
(4)
Bella L.
My SO's been coming here for years for breakfast, and finally the both of us stopped by for breakfast on a Saturday. I didn't feel like pancakes, so I ordered the chocolate crepes. They were meh. It was a very generous portion with three crepes, but they just didn't do it for me. I only finished half, but my SO's blueberry pancakes were MUCH better. I guess it was my fault for ordering crepes at restaurant named Pancake House!
(2)
Megan W.
Was super surprised at this place. I thought it was gonna be eh so so on the food and not so good on the service. i was blown away by both! The food was amazing and so was the service. I had a strawberry waffle and OMG!!!! sooooo tasty. I know my boyfriend and I will be returning, its closer to home and better food and service than country way.
(5)
Layla R.
The service is friendly and perfectly fine. No it's not on greased wheels, but the food is cooked to order and they watch that window to make sure your food gets to you HOT. I've never even had a cold piece of bacon, let alone anything else. The food. Anyone who doesn't get that this place uses top quality ingredients and can in no way be compared to the Countryway, is better off at Dennys. The bacon is thick cut and so fabulous. The ham is meaty and not saturated with salt. They use really awesome sharp cheese (and a ton of it) in their omelets. The orange juice is fresh squeezed and really good. And guess what? All those top quality ingredients cost money. So yes, you do pay a bit more for the food here. But it is worth it. But they ARE the pancake house. And their PANCAKES ROCK. We've tried 6 different types of pancakes and the 49er flapjacks and buckweat, and sourdough are soooooooooooooooo good. My husband loves just the regular buttermilk but the silver dollars are his favorites. The dutch baby is fun and really yummy. This place doesn't cut corners. You aren't getting nasty filler and cheap cheese and skimpy bacon. Their ingredients are great and IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT (which clearly the cheap-hunters who only care about the bill DON'T) you know that this place serves GREAT breakfast. Oh... They don't serve eggs benedict here (eggs micheal aren't close)... so if that's what you want, try Spin a Yarn for breakfast. But if you want pancakes or omelets. This is your place! ETA: I will admit that I do wish they would remodel. The interior is an eyesore.
(5)
Vicky L.
This place is truly a 2 star disappointment. Sam and I dropped in awhile ago to grab breakfast. The Pancake House down in San Diego had always been a fav of mine to go to when I lived down there... and this was leagues away. The service was insanely slow. The omelettes weren't as fluffy as the ones down south, and the veggies were undercooked. Yeche. Can I remind all current and future restaurants that I go to that I HATE RAW MUSHROOMS IN MY FOOD. ARghhh!! How hard is it to make a decent breakfast!? Even Denny's has it down even though it is institutionalized but at least they can make a decent omelette!!
(2)
Jamie G.
I was really excited to learn that this place had potato pancakes. I haven't had any really good ones since Christkindl Markt in Chicago. I was surprised when a giant platter of them came out with a tiny shot of sour cream and an eensy cup of applesauce. Definitely not enough for such a feast. The pancakes themselves were an utter disappointment. I was also really unhappy with the price of this place. For $3.50, you get a half side order of bacon. Had I know a half side order was TWO STRIPS, I definitely would have skipped it. You can get a full side order (which I assume is 4 strips) for SIX DOLLARS. I can seriously get a Grand Slam at Denny's for that price. If the food had been spectacular, I may have given it another star. Be sure to eat here if you love spending cash and eating mediocre food.
(2)
Erin M.
FRIKKEN A this place has pissed me off multiple times. food is pretty grool, and i guess the place is nice and quaint, but it takes HELLA DAYS to get served. i have been here multiple times and ordered the simple dishes like two eggs, sausage, and hash browns and have had to wait over 45 minutes to receive them. i get so irritated that i have to leave and go somewhere else. the older man who i THINK owns the place is pretty nice, but the servers are like zombies with no personalities. either that or they hate their job. eeks to either one. the pancakes are bomb though, but i have to be in a certain mood to go here. aka super patient and super craving pancakes. all in all, food is good but service is bad. so i have to be able to endure really bad service (and dirty water cups) in order to go here.
(2)
Anne N.
3.5 stars So it took me more than 3 years to actually visit this place! I took my sister out to brunch and we ordered blueberry pancakes and waffle (yes, one waffle). It was a great meal and we were pretty full. For about $8.50, pancakes will pile up on your plate; they give you about 5 large pancakes. So expect leftovers when you order pancakes! The downside was the waffle. For the same price, you get one waffle, ONE! My sister said it tasted great but for that price...you could make a week's worth of waffles with a waffle maker at home. I thought they'd at least give us 2 waffles, but the pictures in the menu do not lie. You get what you order. Parking is a little funky so be careful of hungry pedestrians.
(3)
Derya A.
The food here is a bit pricey, and would have received 2 stars based on cost. However, the meal itself has phenomenal. I got the oatmeal pancakes which I absolutely LOVED and will definitely be ordering again. It's a very big serving of 4-5 pancakes. The whipped cream that was served with it was truly heavenly. It was so good I had to ask what it was, it doesn't taste like normal whipped cream, not even normal homemade whipped cream. I could seriously have eaten it alone with a spoon. Before I go on forever about that, the mushroom omelette my boyfriend got was funny looking (oddly fluffy?) but so tasty!! He didn't love his hashed browns because they were more like diced potatoes, but was satisfied overall. The food quality boosted my review to 4 stars. Mostly because of the whipped cream. Seriously, it's good.
(4)
Sonny T.
First things last small portions .that being said my sausage patties were delicious and my daughters cream of wheat was perfect and im a cream of wheat fanatic . The bad took a while for the food the and when i asked the owner if i can keep the menu to look over it he looked at me like i asked him to give me head wtf . Besides that food is quality but dam pricey country way is the best bet . Oh small but annoying had to ask for water .
(1)
Lora R.
Slooooow. We enjoy coming here, but my goodness do we regret the wait each time. It's good enough that we forget between visits, but slow enough we vow not to go back on the weekend each and every time we go! Each time they've been curt about waving away the wait...rather annoying. That being said, their sour dough pancakes are beyond yummy yummy yummy! Perfectly fluffered!! I have not had a dish I didn't love, and I suppose that's why I forget about the hour + wait for the food each time!
(3)
AJ M.
I've come here a multitude of times (was there today). Ordered the Apple Pancake, and have had their crepes and regular Pancakes in the past, along with an assortment of their side dishes. I find it hard to believe that people are giving this place low ratings because it's cheaper than Denny's and it sure as hell takes 100x better. I've tried their dutch baby in the past and it tastes fantastic. Also, people complaining about a weird flavor? There must be something wrong with your taste buds, because If I can come here over a span of 4 years and receive the same excellent service and food, you're obviously doing something wrong or acting like complete jerks to the waiters or waitresses. For what its worth expect to pay $15/person for a good breakfast that WILL fill you up. The apple pancake is smashing, sweet, fresh apples, crispy, and all of the above. The times that I've tried the Dutch Baby, I was left in awe with the thickness, deep rich flavor, and the compliments between butter, Lemon, and Powdered Sugar. The service was always as I expected it to be- its a diner. It's big. It's not your average small restaurant. They constantly check to see if your coffee is topped off, and they constantly check to make sure that you are satisfied with the meal. If people here are complaining about service, again, you must have been acting like a bunch of jerks to offend the VERY nice staff of hard working individuals. Some of the dishes take a LOT of time to prepare, others not so much. They won't break out the food until everything is prepared for proper serving. My family ran and owned Kens Family Restaurant in Menlo Park back in the days for over 40 years, and I am VERY used to Breakfast/Diner food like this, and I KNOW when I eat something good and something not so good.
(5)
Jennifer S.
Hands down the best pancakes known to mankind. The omelets are also amazing! I had the bacon and cheese omelet and every bite was filled with their delicious thick cut bacon and gooey cheese.... perfection. If come here you must must must eat the pancake... amazing I tell you. On top of their outstanding food.. .the service is great as well.
(5)
Erin K.
um, hello giant delicious apple pancake, where have you been all my life? at original pancake house, you say? i've seen you on the menu before, but your size and appearance was always a little too intimidating for me. today i took the plunge, and boy was i ever so glad i did. the waiter told me that i would "have a laugh" when he brought you to the table; it was more a combination shocked uttering of 'ohmygoodness' and chuckling. i was only able to eat 1/3 of you, but that meant i was able to give 2/3 away to a friend, which is always nice. the staff was also friendly and charming and the friends i was with enjoyed their food, too. if you come here, you have to try the specialty pancakes -- it is called Original Pancake House, after all!
(4)
Rich R.
Great pancakes but service sucks
(2)
E D.
If you have kids... don't eat here! I went with my 3 kids and spent 50 bucks on BREAKFAST!! Of course going here they wanted pancakes and waffles... 9 bucks each! No kids discount menu or portions. 3 dollars for a small glass of milk and 4 dollars for toast! Really!!! I could buy a loaf for that much. If you are going just yourself then yes I guess it's okay if you want to pay 15 dollars for breakfast. Yes the food is good but not worth paying 15 dollars for breakfast. The coffee I admit was good and the waffle but I could eat "almost as good" waffles somewhere else for HALF the price than here. I usually have breakfast with my kids every weekend and drop about 30 bucks for all 3 of us with sides. My two kids split a HALF order of pancake and I still spent 50 dollars!
(2)
Hari D.
Great pancakes, a lot of variety like wheat germ, oatmeal pancakes and bunch. Little pricey compared to iHop, but worth for the variety.
(4)
Emerald M.
I'm not usually a pancake fan, but I'm down with the OPH. Service here is inefficient, but they make up for it with the occasional delivery of friendliness. The delicious food also helps make up for the mediocre service. My favorites at this spot are the Eggs Michael and the HUUUUUGEEE apple pancake whose name has escaped me. If eating with others, these are perfect to share together. You get the dose of savory with the Eggs Michael and the sweet with the apple pancake. As far as a description of my two favorite dishes, the Eggs Michael is an english muffin, topped with sausage, a poached egg and covered in thick gravy, accompanied with potato pancakes, sour cream, and apple sauce. DELICIOUS. The apple pancake is thick, like a quiche, topped with baked apples and cinnamon. Prices are a little expensive here, but the two aforementioned dishes are filling and great to warm up and nosh on as leftovers. The apple pancake also doubles as a dessert! If you're looking for a hearty, comforting breakfast, head to OPH for some deliciousness. Don't expect great service, but do expect good food.
(3)
Ness A.
YES, the wait staff was very friendly but unfortunately it doesn't make up for the food. This place is way over priced for what you get. My plate was 10.00 and what I got was a plate of scrambled eggs with ham and a half order of french toast which was only 1 slice of bread cut in half. No potatoes, fruit or anything else. My friend ordered the Swedish pancakes with a side of bacon. She ended up getting crepes passing as the pancakes. Come on now, did you not think we would not know the difference. Her bacon was old and it was cold. The grease on the bacon already turned white and thick. I will never come back.
(1)
Natalia K.
Horrible service and over price ! The food is average ! We are not going back there, not after they service the gave us and the price we paid.
(1)
Victor H.
I used to love this place but I think the quality of their food has gone down a bit. Their omelettes used to taste a lot better and had a great souffle texture. Replaced is a souffle looking mess that was bland and way overcooked. Pancakes also tasted more normal than original, nothing that separates it from the pack. Hard not to expect more from a place that calls itself "original". It also feels a bit run down and has lot a bit of the homey vibe that it gave in the past.
(2)
Jeff H.
This is a mom and pop shop, which mean the servers' are old! Only come here if you want to enjoy slow morning breakfast/brunch. If you are really hungry and is impatient I suggest you go get your speedy MacDonald. Environment: Cute, old restaurant. The outside of the restaurant looks like an 1980 farm house. Inside is pretty charming. Food: I come here for their fluffy omelet, dutch baby, and their 49er's pancake. Fluffy omelet is pretty special, they baked the omelet abit so it taste more chewy. The dutch baby is a "baked" pancake, which fluff up like a cake. pretty cool to see and taste pretty good w. syrup and lemon. The 49er's pancake is a very thin pancake (my personal favorite, but not my friends so i guess depends on people?) Their food can make you really full. If you eat it during breakfast you might skipped lunch. If you eat it during brunch then you might not be hungry till late night. Service: This is a mom and pop shop, which means don't expect speedy services. Stop expecting chain or high class restaurant service. You can see they can only hired so many waiters and chefs. The food WILL come out 20-25 mins. Most of time i come here I am with one or two friends, and has alot of time to chat while waiting. If you are really hungry i suggest you go to MacDonald instead of OPH. Price: The omelet and the pancake is about 11-13. It's a bit pricy i admit, but consider the fact that (1) they are mom and pop shop, they don't buy large quantity of food material (2) they never change staff, I seen the same person serving over 4,5 years? I am willing to deal with the price. I think what makes this place special to me is their menu. I think they have pretty creative menu; unlike alot of other breakfast place. I come here once a while, like every one month or two month (because after all its not too healthy) I saw so many bad reviews feel bad for them :( I still believe its a special place for breakfast/brunch...once every two months.
(4)
Krizia E.
I have been to the OHOP in Temecula and Poway and I feel like though the service was better at the Fremont location the food was meh. My food was bland and the eggs were runny. If I come here I only and I mean only get the potato pancakes. Parking also sucks of course Inthe weekends. The decor is dated, but the owner and staff are super friendly.
(2)
Amy D.
Hands down the worst breakfast my son and I have ever had. His sausage was dripping in grease, pancakes tasted like eating paper and my blueberry pancakes had an odd green color to them and made me nauseous after 3 bites. The final straw was when flies started gathering in the dining area. This was our first experience here and we won't be back. Don't waste your time or money here. If I could give this restaurant 0 star, I would have.
(1)
Daniel H.
Pancakes were average, I'm not mad at them. Had the banana which was forgettable, but filled me up. The omelets are interesting, but full of fresh ingredients and cooked and blended well into the omelet. Perhaps the omelets are baked, but there was a little browning on them Gotta tell the cook that the worst thing you can do to eggs is brown them, but didn't completely kill the dish. Service is slow, but to be expected, it isn't too pricey and the margins are slim. Hash browns suck, they should be called boiled potatoes.
(3)
Latimer L.
The food is actually pretty good and the portions are large, but I don't think it's worth the wait. I've been here twice and on both occasions, I had to wait over 35 minutes before getting my food. Keep in mind, the wait to get seated wasn't the problem, it was the time AFTER ordering that was brutal. This is certainly not a good place to have breakfast with someone you can't stand to talk to.
(2)
Lucye V.
45min waiting for our food :( still waiting, is it normal?
(1)
Theresa S.
Food was fast, hot and delicious. The portions were huge and I was full after eating half of my scrabbled egg with ham. Service was friendly and attentive. Will definitely be back here again. Of course pricing is a litlte high but food is well worth it.
(4)
Pawan R.
I recommended this place to someone once; they came back to me and said "I'ts not that great dude." Then i asked them what they ordered... They ordered an omelet!!! Who orders an omelet at a pancake place then complains about the food? This place is pretty much just a really really really good ihop, with better selection. So if you are in the mood for pan cakes, come and check it out!
(4)
Yvette S.
Friendly atmosphere. Service was spot on. The blueberry pancakes definitely hit the spot. If you are craving pancakes, they definitely have a flavor that will fit your liking.
(4)
zafir s.
service was bad. they acted like they had never seen a groupon before. then the host tried to convince me that i had already used it so he couldn't accept it (which was not true). food was ok, nothing special. it was overpriced ($6 for a side of hash browns? really? at a diner??) i hated that the groupon's usage was so limited. it was honestly ridiculous. a restaurant deal that cant be used for dinner, or on weekends? we won't be back
(1)
Jason L.
Honestly..... Denny's is better than this place. I thought, "pancake house? they should specialize in pancakes...right?" WRONG! OVERPRICED breakfast (approximately $11 per person), flat pancakes and waffles, dried out canadian ham and small portions for the price! The only reason why I'm giving it two stars is because the server was friendly and the other people walking around with coffee pots kept asking if we wanted more coffee. Probably NEVER coming back here for breakfast, unless I feel like paying $5 for a glass of OJ. WEAKSOS!!!
(2)
Keith M.
I can't give any less than five stars because I've been eating here for about 18 years and I love the food. I have tried it all and everything is great. Come hungry and be adventurous, potato pancakes are great and sourdough is awesome. Drink sizes are kinda small but I guess I expect that now. Please overlook the prices and don't just go for eggs, try the buttermilk pancakes! I dare say the best cakes and choice around.
(5)
Mitch W.
The Original Pancake House is located at the Fremont Blvd, across the Fremont Hub. The location is quite centralized and the plaza has plenty of parking in the morning. The parking lot shares space with other restaurant business like the Muncher Haus Deli (German), Falafel Etc (Middle Eastern / Greek) and Nation's Giant Burgers. From the outside it looks little a place established many years ago and looks like a cabin. My experience over there was less than average. I've been trying multiple breakfast places around Fremont, Oakland and Alameda areas and this one has been so far one of the most underwhelming experiences. And I'm not considered picky! The menu has a decent variety of options of omelets, pancakes and other interesting dishes like the Dutch Baby, but it is way overpriced. But what actually brought me here to write a review and give 2 stars is the customer service. At first me and my friend were coldly greeted by the waiter which led us to the table close to the window. He blankly asked us if we wanted coffee BEFORE we sat down (which I think is okay, but not necessary). I asked for coffee and my friend asked for water WITHOUT ice. Coffee came plus two ICED waters. Looking at the menu we decided to give it a shot on the French Toast, priced at $5.59, which is "reasonable", but it would be much better if it would come with sides of eggs and or potatoes. If you want to make a combo using the side menus, it would be over $12. French toast was below average. Small portion, bland taste. And the breakfast syrup was incredibly watery. Coffee is overpriced, $2.40. And I wasn't offered a refill. The waiter simply dropped the tab at our table in a unfriendly manner without saying a word. I MIGHT come back to give a try on the pancakes, but not anytime soon. Suggestions to the management: * Review pricing, maybe adopting combo meals with a better set and variety of combinations. Optimize the portions to have something below $10. * Improve training to staff - which seemed unhappy and unfriendly. You can hear the waiter arguing with the kitchen staff, dishware clanking abruptally in the kitchen, and waiting doesn't get the orders right, plus no coffee refills. == Overall experience was really depressing. What would be a nice way to start a day, it was filled with frustration. It is a nice place (location, cleanness and large/bright windows), but needs lots of improvements.
(2)
Roman A.
The prices on the menu are too high for a normal breakfast. I expected something to stand out about their pancakes, especially with the high prices, but when the food finally did arrive at our table it was like "that's it"! We had to wait about 30 minutes for our food to come to our table, even thogh the place was empty? We will not visit this place in the near future. We just went to try it out and was disappointed.
(2)
Marja M.
I had a mad hankering for a waffle, and I didn't feel like waiting in line in the rain at Stack's so I went to Fremont and tried the Original Pancake House. I'd had a stellar experience at their Green Valley Ranch location in Las Vegas! Alas, not so here. Lookit: I ordered a glass of orange juice, which I totally expect to be spendy. But, to get what I want I had to order everything a la cart, which was ridiculous! I ordered a side of toast, 2 eggs and a plain waffle, plus the aforementioned glass of orange juice. How much did I spend? $18.58. Really? Almost $20 for a breakfast and no meat. The waffle alone was over $7.00!! I will not be returning to this location.
(2)
Ojay E.
This place beats the living hell out of IHOP. A few friends & I stopped by here last Sunday morning after a LONG night of...well, debauchery. My friend from Martinez was here & I wanted to take him some place different. One of my buddies had mentioned this place the night before & said we should get them the next morning...or rather in a few hours. (This conversation took place at like, 3:00am in the morning.) Anyways, we get there, get seated & start looking through the menu. They had a lot of different types of pancakes on the menu. I had heard there was a make your own pancake option, but there wasn't. This frustrated me, but I decided to go with the Chocolate Chip Pancakes. (You can't really go wrong there.) The food came out rather quickly, so we didn't have to wait long. I jumped in, literally. They were SO good! I damn near inhaled the entire plate. I wanted SO badly to finish, them, but I couldn't, I was done. I took the last two I had home & called it a day. I woke up the next morning, groggy & upset that it was Monday, but they I remembered I had those two pancakes in the fridge! I woke up, showered, got dressed & had the best breakfast EVER! I love this place. I will definitely be coming here again.
(5)
Wali N.
This place has a mix of good and bad. I would give it 3.5 stars and certainly worth checking out if you are a local and looking for breakfast joint. What bugs me about this place is when they are even slightly busy the wait staff is real slow as others have pointed out. It takes them forever to refill your coffee and bring your food. Also, the prices are a little high, especially if you want something other than the few combos. So keep an eye on the price otherwise u can pay $30-35 just for two people. I like their pancakes. Really fluffy and tasty. My 2nd favorite in the bay area.Not a fan of their omelets because they stuff the omelets. That pot pie style omelet kills it for me since I like the traditional style. Their waffles are good but sorta small and pricy. Especially if you add eggs or another side to it. The owner of this place is a nice friendly guy. I'll continue to visit this place but my budget can't afford to do so as much as I'd like.
(3)
Angela K.
Overpriced pancake house. No wonder I haven't been here for over 5 years. But I decided that we 2 adults, 3 kids were in a pancake kind of mood. We ordered 2 by 4 pancake, chocolate chip pancake, and strawberry waffle, cherry crepes. We were so hungry because it was a late lunch and it took awhile for the food to come out. Strawberry waffle was kind of flat and surcharge $2 extra for fresh strawberries not in season with big scoop of whipped cream=$13. Chocolate chip pancake was good size portion 6 flapjacks so my twins shared this dish=$9. Cherry crepes 3 pieces looked rubbery but my hubby seemed to like it =$9 . My 2 eggs and 4 buttermilk pancakes were average..$9. I can't believe that I spent that much on pancakes. I should've gone to IHOP or somewhere else.
(1)
po d.
Used to go here (a lot), but not any more. The last time we were here, we were seated and ignored. It wasn't even that crowded. Our server, "Grumpy," proceeded to take the orders for other tables that came in after us. We finally got up and left as their food was getting to their table. Fix your wait staff, please. Maybe we'll return.
(1)
Connie C.
Today I woke up really wanting some pancakes. We first went over to Country Way, but the wait was ridiculous. I wasn't going to wait an hr to eat a pancake...I'll just have to check that place out another time. We were seated very quickly and our waiter came out fairly quickly. Everything was going well until our food came. I ordered the Vegetarian Omelet with egg whites and a side of 3 buttermilk pancakes. My bf had Bacon and Eggs with a half order of French toast. Everything came out at once, except my pancakes!! My bf was almost done with his entire plate before my pancakes showed up! I hate it when restaurants forget about your food and bring it to you when you're full. I wasn't planning on eating my entire omelet, but since my pancakes never showed up, I ended up eating more of my omelet, and barely had room for the pancakes I was craving!! I guess in the end, the omelets are probably healthier and better for my hips, next time though...I'd like my food to arrive in a decent manner! This place is very generous with their bacon, my bf received 5 huge strips of bacon! haha! I've never seen him struggle eating bacon before. LoL.
(3)
Moe M.
Food=Good/Service=Poor/Price= Outrageous :o Really the service sucks here. Will not be going back to this place. I felt as if I was being discriminated against.
(2)
Chris M.
great variety of pancakes. i had the buttermilk pancakes (tasty with a little sour flavor) one time and the 49er flapjacks (big thin, and doughy like i like) another. she has the sourdough (interesting flavor, i liked it) once and the dutch boy (too eggy for my taste) the other. service is fine. dutch boy takes a while since it's baked.
(4)
Alice C.
I've only been here once last year, and I don't even really remember what I got (maybe the buttermilk pancakes?), but I'm writing a review anyway because I was pretty blown away by their exceptional service. I ordered my pancakes along with a large mocha, but the server gave me a small. I brought this to the attention of someone working there (it may have been the manager even? I wasn't sure), and he was soooo gracious and told me that he'd bring me a large mocha once I finished my small. He brought it out promptly after I finished my small, and he was seriously so nice and no fuss about it, even though the place was packed and all the servers were super busy. I was sure to leave extra tip. My one regret in coming here is that I wished I got one of the less boring pancakes-- next time!
(4)
Maggie L.
To me, this place was just OK. My friend brought be here because she was craving some of their famous pancakes, but I wasn't really in the mood to be adventurous. I just had their bacon and eggs with a half side of french toast. French toast was average. Bacon slices were really thick and verryyy fatty MMMM. Eggs were bland and so-so. I'll re-review this place if I ever go here again. And I'll be sure to try their specialties too. Oh, and just FYI the waitresses are super nice and cool!
(3)
Shannon L.
This one is located next to Muchner Haus Deli, Nation's, Cherry Garden & Falafel Etc. You can see it off Fremont Blvd but this location is definitely not as bustling as the Aliso Viejo one. I was a little disappointed with the food at this location because the one in Aliso Viejo is absolutely amazing!!! I remember the raisin pancakes being so delicious. The ones here were so so. They were fluffy but a little dry. We also had an omlette (sorry can't remember which one!) and it was regular. Nothing too fancy. If you're in Fremont, I suggest going to Country Way near the 880 freeway!
(3)
Joseph O.
Had brunch with the fam here today. Pretty good, although my plate arrived about 5 minutes later than my family's plates. I had the buttermilk pancakes, scrambled eggs, and link sausage. Pancakes were really nice and fluffy, served with whipped butter. Sausage and eggs were fine but nothing special. All in all, I'd go again to try other pancakes
(3)
Michael L.
I want to like this place. I really do. I'd be a regular here if it weren't for one thing: the prices. I needed to kill some time along with my Daughter and gave this place one more try (poor memory from last experience) -- yes, we were also on a budget. Got her a half-order of buttermilk pancakes (3 ~4" pancakes), and a plain waffle (~8" very plain waffle like you'd make at home). Cup of Coffee, and the bill was $16.00. For 3 kid's pancakes & a plain, boring waffle. Never again. The other options are neat & unusual (the baked apple thing, crepes & others) and that justifies the 2nd star, but they're all in the $12-14.00 range. Wow. For pancake batter! Good business if you can get it -- perhaps I should consider a career change. Next time, Nation's is right next door & is open for breakfast.
(2)
Elvira G.
This was my first time here, and I'm in love with their pancakes!! So amazing. The only down side about this place is that they're kind of slow in service and it's a bit pricey. But the food is great..
(4)
Sujit K.
HORRIBLE! Do not go here, the worst place to get pancakes in the Bay Area. 1. long wait times for the food (As others too point out). We waited for 50 minutes for our breakfast 2. Rude & unfriendly owner and staff 3. Bad food: the worst omelet I have EVER eaten. Pancakes were just about average. 4. Overpriced. At $20 per person this is robbery I will never go there again. I suggest people skip this place and go over to the Denny's on Mowry.
(1)
Sean S.
It's really sad that I have to give this place 2 stars. They have great omelettes &pancakes but they also have a few issues. The place is dirty, the service is bad and the prices are out of whack. My friend had a small crepe that cost more than my huge omelette &pancakes. Also being asked to move is a pet peeve of mine, especially if the place isn't crowded. It's really a shame because the place has a certain charm.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes 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 : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Nael M.
Love their pancakes and omelets and how quick the service is.
(4)Deborah C.
I'm so glad I'm not the only one! I will never, ever, ever eat here again. I tried this place once on a Sunday morning. Although it wasn't too busy I had to wait 30 minutes to be seated. When finally seated the hostess insisted that I could not be seated at a table since I was eating alone. After I argued with her about my 30 minute wait she finally seated me at a small table. I then waited for at least 15 minutes for some nasy womanto take my drink oorder. I asked if I could also order my food since I'd been waiting for so long. Nasty waitress said no, I had to continue to wait. About 10 minutes later she finally brought my orange juice but refused to take my order. She said she was too busy. Believe me, they were not that busy. So I asked for my check to pay for my jiuce. I told her I was not going to wait for my check and would leave without paying if she did not give it to me. I was so angry at this point I was in tears. She gave me the check which said I owed a whopping $7.00 for a glass of orange juice? Seriously? So I paid the bill and left. I have told everyone I know at work, friends, neighbors, etc. How bad this place was and how they treated me. I'm really glad for Yelp and to have an opportunity to share this with people I don't know. I will never eat here again and would never recommend it to anyone! Horrible service and highly over priced. I never at any food there so I can't rate it but considering what others here have said about the food, I believe them! Ewwwww!
(1)Heather s.
The pancake house in Martinez is so much better but this one is closer to me. I've been here twice & have been disappointed both times. I wanted a smaller portion of bkfst than what is on their menu & the waitress gave me a hard time about it. She didn't want to change the meal on the menu. instead of a 3 egg omelet, i just wanted a 2 egg omelet but no can do. The service sucks. The waitress approached my table & instead of saying "hello" she immediately says " are you ready to order.' People that got seated after me waited a good 5-7 min before the waitress even acknowledged their presence. I never got a refill on my water & apparently 2 is the maximum of refills on coffee because I never got another. This has happened both times I've been here. The eggs were not over medium like I asked, they were over easy. The buttermilk pancakes are good though. I won't be back to this location EVER! The mgr is of Middle East descent & treats his female staff like crap. He scolded one of the waitresses in front of me at the register. he never even acknowledged my presence at the register until he was finished filing away the tickets he had in his hand. The last time I was here he yelled at the hostess in the middle of the dining room. This behavior is unacceptable
(2)John F.
Over 25 years, we've eaten at more than a few of the Original Pancake House locations, and this is one of the better ones. Akrum, a Lebanese immigrant has been running the place for 25 years, he's friendly with a loyal staff. We travel over from Pleasanton for special occasions or sometimes just a treat. That said, I'd recommend sticking to their specialty, the oven baked apple pancake and the baby Dutch. Yes, their eggs and omelets are fine, but you can get that breakfast food anywhere - pretty hard to mess them up. Sides of bacon or sausage are fine albeit a tad pricey. Coffee kept coming and coming.
(4)Will M.
This A frame low roof building looks like it was once an IHOP. We were seated fairly quickly, and that's not always the case on a Saturday morning. For those into decor and ambiance, there really isn't much here. There were the usual crying babies and kids ready to play little league or girls to dance studios. But most of the clientele are friends/or and families just out for the morning. The table next to us were all ears hearing that my niece was going to Tasmania for grad school. Three of us ordered pancakes or crepes. My niece ordered the apple pancakes which really is more like hot apple bread pudding. It smells and looks great, and is probably bad for you with its massive sugar and butter. But it is one of the better values here, most people take half of it home. I had the Swedish pancakes which are ultra thin. I like mine a little thicker but I enjoyed the ligonberry sauce with butter though I think whipped cream would be great wtih it. Maybe next time. My chocolate loving nephew had the chocolate pancakes filled and topped with sweet melted chocolate chips. My brother ordered two eggs and sausage with hash browns platter. That bacon was very crispy and looked good. The potatoes was more like home fries, but not bad. Service for a Saturday morning was a little slow but decent. When we walked in at 9:15 AM. It was nearly placked, but by the time we left at 10:30 it was nearly empty. We were the only ones left in the section near Fremont Blvd. Total tab for four people was $54.00 plus tip. Not as cheap as Denny's. But a tad more interesting.
(3)Janel Q.
The food is average, nothing special. However, the prices are ridiculous! $7 for a side order of four sausage links? After eating here for lunch with my mom, we were out $42 for an orders of banana pancakes, an order of pecan waffles, and two orders of sausage. The banana pancakes tasted strongly of burnt grease and the waffles were edible but not tasty... Service was terrible; one waiter kept eyeing me like I was a piece of meat (disgusting!) and the other mucked up our drink orders drastically. Does coffee sound like hot chocolate? Or pumpkin latte sound like water? Generally the service was slow and unorganized. Asked for a box to take the waffles home and never saw the guy again. Had to ask two other waitresses. What appeared to be the owner or manager had a huge fight with two other customers who were forced to wait 2 hours for their food. After the angry customers left the scene, the owner/manager proceeded to walk around to every table and bad-mouth the customers and say how it was "their fault" not the restaraunts. Uhh, what? I'm never coming here again. Terrible service, mediocre food, and way overpriced.
(1)Kristine W.
Wth is a Dutch Baby? Basically, the best baby ever---one you can eat and not go to jail for. But according to the menu it's, "an air filled delight oven baked to golden perfection and served with lemon, whipped butter..." Get it if you're into simple goodness...or like eating babies. Veggie omelette: freakin' huuuuge and like nothing I've ever seen! Which means gooood! There's got be something besides egg in the thing to make it so dense! Aaaand it comes with pancakes or hash browns! To-go service: SUPER friendly, even at 7 am. Lame: a side of fresh berries @ market price = $12! Most expensive thing on the bill. Just wrong.
(3)Mark L.
Reading other reviews, I've seen that there is a mixture of good and bad. Well I'd like to add my bad review to the mix. Today, I went in wanting to try this place I pass by almost every day on the way home, and I figured since the wait was decent and the amount of people wanting to eat here was a good enough sign that this might be a good place. Well, I was wrong, the 20 minute wait isn't too bad for any place on a sunday around noon time, but what was bad was the lack of service I had after sitting down at the table. I mean the waitress was kind enough to ask if we were ready to order, but it was the bus boy who actually got us our drinks, and I wanted a coffee and was asked if I wanted creamer, but it seemed like he forgot all about it as soon as he walked away. The waitress was good about refilling our glasses of water ONCE, after that I always had to wave someone down to get anything else. But our waitress did come back one more time to get our food orders. After waiting more than 30 minutes, I was actually glad to see that the portions were huge and they food looked and smelled good. But you can't smell how salty anything really is. That's what happened with us. The corned beef hash that my girlfriend ordered tasted like they used ham instead of beef and the bacon in my bacon cheese omelette was way too salty. My girlfriend couldn't even finish her food, that's how salty her food was. After that, no one checked back with us to see if the food was okay or if we needed anything else. I had to wave someone down for more water since the food was so salty. I was just not happy with my overall experience of the service and the food. I would have preferred IHOP over this place.
(1)Christina G.
My husband has been to this place before as he was raised in the area. This was my first visit. We came for lunch but of course ordered breakfast. I had a bacon waffle that was delicious. A side of 2 eggs over hard which were cooked perfectly. Hubby had blueberry pancakes that were chock full of huge real blueberries. He had a side of Canadian ham. The maple syrup was served warm which was great, and the butter was already on the plates so we did not have to scoop it out of a container. And while I do not experiment with my breakfast, they had quite a few selections for various types of pancakes and waffles. Pros: Loved my food. Large variety in the menu. Bathroom was clean. Service was good. The owner was at the door both greeting people and saying goodbye. It seemed very popular with the locals. Cons: A bit pricey for breakfast. Most items are ala carte. Hubby's ham was $3.25 for 2 small and very thin slices. Over all I really enjoyed this restaurant and would like to come back to try a lunch menu item next time. We both enjoyed our meals. It is nice to eat at a local smaller establishment and ditching the chain places.
(4)Haley S.
I thought our waitress just might have a bad day, but when reading other reviews, I realize that that wasn't the case. My fiance mentioned that he felt her being condescending towards him, because he is not, (excuse my words,) white. After reading several reviews, I see that other also have noticed this from the same waitress. This is just not acceptable, therefore I bump this place down to one star. She wouldn't pay attention to our table at all, even though there were only one other person in the entire restaurant. She spent all her time talking to this person, we didn't even get water. The food took forever to get out to us and the prices are way high for what you actually get. I feel ashamed on her behalf, if you run a business, you can not act like this. Never, ever coming back. We'd rather go to IHOP, where the they know what service means.
(1)Marcelo M.
I feel I am not being just here, because 1 start is too much for this business. Something more correct should be about -2 or -3 stars. This place is simply disgusting. The food is so-so, but when you get the bill, you will feel like pulling up your pants through your head !!! they charge incredibly high for everything. But what shocked me the most was that the waitress was clearly prejudicing non-American customers. There was a table with some Americans, and another table with Indians close by. The way she treated the Americans was completely different the way she treated the Indians or us. We got no refills (even after asking for it), and she would just toss the plates on the table, instead of setting them nicely in front of you. Her tone was condescending at all times, while she was all over getting refills and telling jokes and laughing at the American table. Our food took a long time to arrive and when it did it was cold. Even the bill took along time to arrive. Well... she did not get her tip, and I am never (really... never) coming back to this place. And you shouldn't either !!!
(1)becky w.
Meeeehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! This is the word that comes to mind when i ate here. I cant believe i am saying this but even Denny's tasted a million times better than this place! i orders the ham and cheese omelet and it was not fluffy, had a weird taste, was extremely oily, and was wayyyyyy overcooked. I mean really??? how hard is it to cook an omelet? And to add another thing... there was no ketchup bottle on the table either!!!! This is standard at any diner breakfast place. I had to keep asking for ketchup for my tatos and eggs and they literally give you 2 tablespoons each time. The buttermilk pancakes were pretty good though,,,, had a tangy taste to it which made it interesting. The bill for breakfast for 3 ppl came out to $50 something bucks. It hurt.....Overall, i will get my pancake fix at McDonalds THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!!!!!!!! Peace!
(1)Manyasha S.
Enthusiastic hosts and coffee really help start off the day in good mood
(5)ABBY A.
I'm here now. Monday morning. One car in the parking lot. The guy who sat us was on his cell phone when we walked in, but he noticed I was shivering and offered to seat us beside the fireplace. The menu had a lot of interesting items that other breakfast places don't have, like Clam Pancakes. I was gonna go for the popular Dutch Baby, but it looked like an empty sourdough bread bowl, and I'm hungry. I even asked the server, "It's empty?" and he said, "Yeah. Only lemon and butter and powdered sugar." It's been 12 minutes. Still waiting for my Apple Pancakes and a mushroom, sausage, and swiss omelette. A plus! FRESH, HAND-SQUEEZED O.J.!! Not "fresh squeezed" Odwalla o.j. But a large cup is about 3 inches tall. 15 minutes later our food is here. My Apple Pancakes are on steroids. Big enough for two, maybe three. Super fluffy. Thinly sliced apples are spread all over the top and smothered with a warm, sweet-cinnamon paste. It's good. Very sweet. But this ain't no pancake. More like Dutch Apple Pie. The omelette. Lots of cheese & fried until it's golden. Mushrooms & sausage in every bite. Satisfying! Dislikes: I noticed that not only was the omelette drenched in cooking oil, but my "pancake" left quite a bit amount of oil too! That was nasty. Two entrees, one coffee, and one o.j. = $32+ I'll be back for the Dutch Baby and I'll have another delicious omelette too. One of the best omelettes I've tasted so far!
(4)Steven S.
Best buttermilk pancakes ever. That is usually all I order, but they are so good. Service is great. The place is usually packed on Sundays and Saturdays which could be the reason for slow service. Great place.
(5)Christine A.
I like this place a lot better than the "International House of Pancakes" because its so much more homey and- I mean, it's the ORIGINAL! The waiters were all nice and they seemed to have pretty good business on a Tuesday morning. I ordered the Dutch baby, which was different...good, but different. The crust was better than the custard insides; and since it's so large I started to get sick of the filling taste.
(3)Chad S.
Let me start out by saying that 1 out of 5 stars is too much. I wish Yelp had an option for a lesser rating. My Brother and I took my Mom out for what we thought was going to be a great Mother's Day breakfast. Today turned out to be the worst experience I've EVER had in a restaurant anywhere I've ever been. There was only about a 5 minute wait to be seated. Once seated, it took us 50 minutes to receive our food. A table next to us which came in at least 30 minutes after us (and had more people than us), got their food first. Even the people at that table said to us that we should have gotten our food first. As hard as it may be to believe, every single customer at every single table looked annoyed and extremely irritable that they had not received their food yet. In addition to all this, 2 of the forks that were given to me were dirty (little particles of food were still stuck to them). Also, one of the things that really threw me off was that our server was touching her face and hair and then proceeded to grab the toast by the counter with her bare hands. FINALLY, our food comes. I got the half order of chocolate chip pancakes which were fine and my Brother got the ham and cheese omelette which was also fine. My Mom got the Belgian waffle which was not acceptable. For one thing, the place is overpriced. But what really was unacceptable was the fact that the waffle was not much thicker than a pancake and they have the nerve to charge over $8 for it! All of what you read was the LEAST of the problems. As soon as we got our food, I asked the Waitress to please send over the Manager. I had to ask twice before he finally came over (it was the older man). I respectfully and quietly told him that my Brother and I were trying to treat my Mom to a nice Mother's Day breakfast and we were not satisfied. His reply was pretty much what I expected to him say, that since it was Mother's Day, it was slow. I then told him that we had been there several times and even though we've had extremely slow service there before, we'd give them another chance. He then cut me off and told me even if we went to McDonald's today, it'd be a 50 minute wait. Mind you, he was extremely boisterous and disrespectful while saying this (lots of hand movements and not speaking calmly). We then told him that's no excuse and we should have went to Classic Diner (another restaurant here in Fremont). This is where it started to get ugly...he then told us: "well you should have went there". My Brother then said that the things we ordered (a waffle, pancakes and an omelette) are quick order items and DO NOT take 50 minutes. While giving us some more nonsensical excuses, he's pointing with his fingers towards my Brothers omelette almost touching it as well as still make unwelcoming and unprofessional animated hand gestures. After all of that (and some more), I finally said "you know what, we're leaving". I only had a few sips of my Sprite, my Brother only had a bite or 2 of his omelette and I had about half of a pancake. My Mom was the only one who finished her waffle so I offered to pay for hers, which the Manager disrespectfully declined. Mind you, a gentleman at the table next to us who observed the whole ordeal looked at me and said: "smart move". Even after all of this, it gets worse...as I'm leaving, some more words were exchanged between the Manager and I and I basically said: "you have no kind of Managerial skills and you definitely don't know how to treat your customers". What he said next to me not only infuriated me, but frankly it shocked me. He said: "what do you want me to do, kiss your butt?!?!" After that I felt it was best that I exit the building. Never ever again will I ever step foot in the Original PanCRAP House and I don't think you should either!
(1)Julia Z.
Met up for brunch in Fremont with my dear friends this past Saturday. Fremont was a little lacking in choices but upon my suggestion, we went to The Original Pancake House because I had a good experience at one in socal. I remembered the pancakes were hot and fresh, with homemade whipped cream and fluffy, huge omelets. Service wasn't as horrible as I feared from reading the other reviews. The waiters just shared a different kind of humor..My friend was running late and one of the waiters decided to be funny and hold the door while he was trying to get in. I guess that could be funny but um..we don't even know you....but food and water came out in a timely manner. What we ordered: Ham and cheese omelet with hash browns - the omelet was big like I had remembered and tasty enough but the hash browns were not really what I'd call "hash browns". They were not shredded potatoes. They were potato cubes just fried up so basically homestyle potatoes..BIG DISAPPOINTMENT.. Bacon Pancakes - Bacon and pancakes go well together but somehow I got kind of sick of eating these. The pancakes just didn't taste like anything special, made with run of the mill batter and the bacon bits were a little too crunchy. Apple Pancakes - It's apple bread pudding not pancakes. This is a huge dessert like dish that you have to share or you will have a sugar overload. Banana Pancakes - Though I'm sure the pancakes were made fresh they still didn't taste like it. How does that happen? I thought food chains were usually consistent with their food no matter where they were located but I guess Norcal Pancake Houses just don't follow that rule..
(3)Jessica G.
Pancakes are huge and great but prices are ridiculous!
(3)Anna T.
(+) One Star because breakfast always deserves a star. (+) One Star because it's just down the street. (-) One Star for real slow service. (-) One Star for non-exciting food. (-) One Star for over-priced menu. = One hour wait for one under-ordinary BLT costing $11.
(2)Deborah C.
I will never go here again.. if the choice is between Denny's and the pancake house I would chose Denny's (and Denny's will make you ill because they never change there grease, and even that would have been better) .. they are WAY over priced, and the food is at best average. $12 for 2 eggs over easy and 2 sausages on a huge plate, (at the very least hey could have used a much smaller plate). no potatoes.. not toast .. just 2 cold under done eggs and 2 cold lifeless sausages floating around on an enormous plate. on a second small plate, cold french toast. this was the best part of the meal..this place would have to be promoted to horrible you are better off eating at home. .
(1)Paul A.
The service sucks. We waited hella long for our food, and when it arrived at our table, the food was barely warm. The server failed to check on us on a timely manner. They're pancakes were yummy though - I had the swedish with the lingonberry and tried the chocolate chip kind as well. For a breakfast joint, the prices aren't worth it.
(2)Vinh N.
It was New Years Day and we decided to start the year off with brunch. We were all nostalgic for home and decided to hit up this place only to find out that it tasted nothing like the Original Pancake House in Salem. One star goes to their manager and service. We walked in and were greeted by the manager, who shook each of our hands and wished us a Happy New Year. We were quickly seated and had a great waitress, but the food was blech. We had ordered 1. Dutch Baby -- I had seen this bad baby for years and always promised myself that I would try it. I wish I could turn back time to take back this experience because it was awful. It was reminiscent of FLAN, a very chewy flan. I tried chewing it without breathing through my nose to help drown out the awkward taste, but everyone at the table gave up on trying to like it. 2. Mandarin Crepes -- Never in my life have I tasted crepes so thick. The mandarins were also really warm which gave them a taste that can only be compared to what I think stinky feet would be. 3. Bacon Waffle -- The only redeeming item in my head because it had bacon in it. Waffle was still too soggy though. 4. Side of bacon -- You would think that they couldn't mess up bacon, but it was't crispy at all! 5. Side of Potatoes -- Not crispy, just tasted like flavorless diced potato. Meh. Maybe it was a fluke day, but I don't think I can ever come back here.
(1)v m.
Best Pancakes and they have some great omelets. They have big portions and great service. You must go and visit and try it yourself. I bet you will not regret it.
(5)Aishling R.
People like to hate, but when it comes down to it, this is the spot to get pancakes. I've had the omelettes and crepes. They're alright, but if you really want to get some bang for your buck, order the pancakes. For ~$8.50, you can get beautiful, powdered sugar covered perfection in pancake form. Every time I've gone I've gotten 6 pancakes as a normal serving. Pretty legit if you ask me. Oh, and after you go, don't sit around waiting for them to come pick up the check. You bring it up to the front. It took me a while to get that one.
(4)Anthony R.
Was getting my car worked on near by, and decided to grab some bfast with my 2 1/2 year old daughter. It had been years since I went to an OPH down in San Diego, which was really good. Walked in and only two people were working (1 server & 1 busing). Service was poor, and the meal was very disappointing. However, that wasn't the worst part. I got a meal for myself and a coffee. My daughter had 1 egg, two pieces of bacon and an apple juice. By the way the kids menu had way too much food for $8. My total bill was $29.49. Seriously!! A couple weeks before we went to Nations near by and paid $10 for the same amount of food, that tasted much better. No bueno Original Pancake House !
(1)josie f.
This place is way OVERPRICED! I'm not kidding! My friend and I decided to go there for brunch with her grandma. She ordered a crepe with fresh berries and coffee. Her grandma ordered 2 scrambled eggs, one English muffin and a cup of coffee. I ordered Swedish pancakes and hot chocolate. We also ordered a side of one scrambled egg and 4 bacons. The service was really slow at the time we were there. Then after finishing our brunch, we asked for our bill. We were astonished when we saw that our bill was $60. My friend and I couldn't believe it, so we decided to carefully checked our bill. We saw that the side order of 1 scrambled egg and 4 bacons was $11.00! We were like "Holy cow!" Just for bacon and eggs they charge you for that much? The Swedish pancake was $10.00 without any side of egg and bacon. Shit this place! I told my friend lets not go back to this place again as they will ripped you off!
(2)Kristen W.
Sticky table. No silverware? $2.50 for coffee? Warm, chunky coffee cream... When asked for a fresh creamer, a new one was set down as the lady mumbled, "this one's the same." Not staying for the $10 pancakes.
(1)Sonny W.
I would say this is so-so. May suit your taste, but the omelettes are a little weird...seems to be like a omelette pancake. We also got the mixed fruit crepe which was very good. Overall, slightly pricey, knowing what I could get at, say Country Way. However, it was too crowded and service was decent.
(2)Daniel G.
Too Damn Spendy! Breakfast for two for 40 bucks and it wasn't anything special. And the entire staff has an Oscar the Grouch attitude. We don't plan to go back anytime soon - or ever.
(1)Jovi C.
Sweet, sweet pancake goodness. I'm one of those creatures of habit. Once I try something and it's amazing, I'll have it over and over and over again till I get sick of it. I can say to you that I never get sick of the pancakes here. I always order the same thing... the Junior Plate: 2 link sausages (which are sooo delicious) and a stack of buttermilk pancakes with a cup of hot cocoa. I've tried other things, like the apple pancake which was fine, and the dutch pancake with lemon which was also okay. But I think the most simple is the best... if you go, stick with the buttermilk. This place is rather busy, and the decor is very kitschy, but it's worth the wait for a fabulous breakfast.
(4)Joanne R.
I usually go here to get my potato pancake fix. However, every time I go there, I feel like the food is decent, but the service is really off. Granted, if the place was extremely busy, I'd understand. But I usually go there after the huge rushes. If you're not a pancake person, then check out the crepes. They're pretty heavenly (but be prepared to have all that sugar in your system). This place is pretty fun if you like a huge variety of breakfast items. Also, they serve chicken apple sausage, which is a great alternative to greasy bacon.
(3)Jay S.
I REALLY WANTED THEM TO BE GOOD. We visited the place on Sunday Morning expecting a wait. As we entered I noticed there we some vacant tables, to my surprise we sat down right away. That was the best part! The waiter asked us if we wanted drinks and right off the bat we ordered juice. we looked over the menus and after about 5 minutes our juice arrives and the waiter says he will return...5 minutes later he takes our order. After about, 25 minutes and four tables being served to people that came after us, we got our food...well half of it. I had to wait another 10 minutes to get my toast and our pancakes and by the way this was the only time I was asked for a refill....uhm my drink was finished when I ordered. I guess this is why before I came here the placed looked packed....it does not serve in a timely manner so people are always sitting and waiting for food, So it has the perception that people are always here (good marketing...i think) Need less to say I was not impressed, I could have went to the store bought the food and cooked it and it would have been better, warmer, and everything at the table at once. But what fun is that? Perhaps better than waiting.
(1)Clarissa R.
Excellent breakfast and brunch food made in a slow, old-fashioned, delicious way. First-rate coffee (at least, if you're not obsessed with the over-roasted dark stuff that's so bafflingly popular in the US) and unusually good sausage. But, of course, the main attraction is THE CARBS! Working your way through the menu could take months or years, especially if (like me) you get stuck on a couple of favorites. I especially love the 49er Flapjacks, which are kind of like a sourdough crepe--ask for the butter on the side; the Swedish Pancakes, which are lacy and crispy on the edges and come with lingonberry jam; and the Dutch Baby, an enormous, puffy, oven-baked thing which you sprinkle with powdered sugar and douse in squeezed lemons, resulting in a delicious lemon-sugar glaze. The Apple Pancake is also oven-baked; gooey, cinnamony, and very good, but I can only eat part of it. Buy that and an order of sausage patties, and split both. They also have some sandwiches and savory things, including oddities such as Clam Pancakes. The Chicken Crepes are very good. Their prices may seem a bit high compared to other breakfast chains, but you are getting real food, generally made from scratch with real ingredients: real butter (not margarine), freshly-squeezed orange juice (not from concentrate), real maple syrup (not artificially flavored and colored high fructose corn syrup), etc. I've heard people gripe about the service, but as far as I can tell, that's because the owner has an unusual policy of not expecting his staff to take abuse from customers. Personally, I think that's a good thing. Yeah, it's neighborhood-style service; there aren't many servers on staff, and you should not come here when you're in a rush. Everything is made to order! Who wants pancakes that have been sitting around? Forget it. Piping hot and fresh is worth waiting for. On the other hand, if you come here a few times, you'll quickly get to know the staff and owner (who also runs all or most of the other Bay Area OPHs). Your photo might even wind up on one of the corkboards! (If you look hard, you can find my wedding picture there.)
(5)Danielle L.
They make the best apple pancake ever! It's the size of a plate, so I recommend sharing it with someone. Sometimes they burn it a little around the edges, but it is such a huge portion that it doesn't matter too much.
(4)Lea B.
OK. The cat's out of the bag. This is not the "original" Pancake House. That being said, it is still pretty old school. The inside has the sweet triangular walls and lots of windows. The old school building gets 5 stars. I had been wanting to come here because I love the one near my aunt's house in Ohio ... but it turns out this location does not have my beloved almond cinnamon french toast. Horrors! But the menu was still pretty darn extensive, especially in regards to the pancakes. They offer breakfast until they close at 3 p.m. Clearly I should have looked at the picture on Yelp of the apple pancake before going. Because I ordered it. They need a little asterisk next to the apple pancake that reads "*Warning: You just ordered an entire pie all for yourself, fatty." Because that's nearly what it is. It's baked, which makes the dough doughier (softer, eggier tasting). It was OK. The apples are the true star of this pie -- er, pancake -- because they are covered in this cinnamon glaze that is delish. I ate somewhere between 2/3 to 3/4 of this thing, and to be honest, I didn't feel stuffed but plenty full (please reference my buffet reviews for proof that I can pack it in). It was a definite "experience" kind of meal, but I don't think I would order it again. As for my dining companion's meal, he ordered his eggs sunny-side down, and they came sunny-side up, but our server took it back to cook some more. The food gets 3 stars. And speaking of the service. Sketchy at best. We watched a hostess and the manager pass menus back and forth trying to decide who would seat us. We got water right away and were offered coffee fairly fast (though we didn't get any), but the server didn't take our orders for quite some time. There appeared to be only one server for the whole section, which had about five tables occupied. He got the job done, but it was quick and to the point. Service gets two stars. Prices are OK, but a tad on the high side. $19.50 for two breakfasts (no drinks), not including tip. Prices get 2.5 stars. I doubt I'd make the effort to return since we don't live in Fremont, but if you're in the area, it might be worth a stop just for the kitschiness of it all.
(3)Neil K.
I really enjoy this place. I don't know why, but it' seems it's the only pancake house in the area. I know it's not, but it's hole in the wall location gives it a kind of charm you don't find at other places. The pancakes and breakfast items are tasty and the customer service is pretty good. Nice place to have a quick breakfast.
(4)Mel S.
It's expensive but the Dutch Baby was worth the money!!! It's like a huge German Pancake that can feed 2-3 people...but the other items are pretty much IHOP food. The workers were nice but you can get it all cheaper elsewhere....
(3)Tom G.
Not so great. Everything about it was 2-star. Food was ok, service was ok, prices are a bit high. Plenty of other places to go for breakfast.
(2)Phu H.
You know that feeling when you walk into a place and you already know something's gonna go wrong? Well that's exactly how I felt. Right when we walked in there was no host at the front, some guy eating his breakfast got up from the bar area and decided to seat us. "I'm sorry we interrupted your meal buddy." The server wasn't very pleasant, he looked like he was an ex KGB who hated his job. We were ready to order ages ago and sat there wondering when we were going to be helped. Well at least we got cups of water in 5 minutes. Finally we get to ordering the food, it took approximately 25 minutes to get our food, which was only acceptable this time because we were told the Dutch Baby my roommate's gf ordered would take 20 min. The Western I ordered wasn't too bad, just kinda bland and boring, my roommates strawberry crepes and the Dutch baby were pretty good. And back to service again, we were not checked up on until we were pretty much done with our food, and maybe because he finally noticed my empty glass of ice tea. Normally I'm used to being asked if there's anything else we needed and "normally" when we're done with our food before being handed the check, but hey if you want just drop it off while we're still eating and mutter a simple "here ya go" be my guest. You think I'm harsh, you shoulda heard what the table behind me were saying.
(2)Jim D.
This place is OK. They don't have the food combinations I usually like. I have been here three times and I have never really liked their food. I have never really disliked it either.
(2)Sarah H.
I wonder how this place is still open. My mom and I went here with a family friend for breakfast one day. The place was pretty much deserted, so one would think the staff would be attentive. But, no...no one ever came to seat us, so we finally sat ourselves. After vainly attempting to get someone's attention nearly 20 min. later someone came to take our drink order. We all 3 asked for coffee. We also asked for menus....the dude looked seriously offended that we either a) did not know what we wanted, or b) had not taken menus all on our own. Either way our coffee came with the menus. They also brought us a little pot of milk (not the nice, sanitary sealed containers of cream). When we commented that we thought the milk looked and smelled funny we were sort of blown off. Well, the milk tasted funny too. We each drank about half a cup of coffee, but we weren't overly happy. And no one ever returned to take our order. 20 min. later we walked out, no one noticed. We all felt kind of sick so we went home instead of getting breakfast like we had planned (with our nearly hour long wait we had plenty of time to chat, if not eat). You know what happened next? We all 3 spent the next hour in the bathroom, sick. The milk was not okay. Never coming back here again, yuck.
(1)Christina Y.
I had the Eggs Micheal and they were good. I was anticipating just one English muffin with the sausage & poached egg, but I got two. :) Plus, the potato pancakes weren't what I expected, but they were still yummy. I hoped for a little crunchiness, but they were more soft than anything. I ordered take-out and didn't get a chance to eat it an hour & a half later, but regardless, the food was still alright. I guess you could say they travel well. The prices seem to be reasonable considering the portions you get, but when ordering specialty pancakes, I would've figured potatoes, meat, or eggs would come with the meal.. but nope. :(
(3)Audrey W.
Not my favorite OPH location, but my food arrived in a timely manner. My Apple Waffle and sausage links were pretty good. The service was average. Looking for an average breakfast this is the place.
(3)Tadas P.
This place rocks. Love the dutch baby and the potato pancakes. I wish there were a breakfast place close to San Ramon but we manage to make the trek out to Fremont for this place. If you are in the area you should try them out.
(5)Mark C.
As others have said, the wait can be long and it's a little pricey, but I love the food. Big portions and good taste. I've had a couple of the omlettes and they fill me up. I think I had the pecan pancakes before and they were a little dry, but the regular pancakes are good. I come here when I'm willing to spend and have a good, filling brunch.
(4)Ben P.
i can only speak for the buttermilk pancakes . that's all i ever order and they are amazing . the combination of their butter , syrup , and pancakes is the best i have ever had anywhere anytime . menu is a little pricey , but sam ( the owner ) and the crew there are great !
(4)Beverly C.
I discovered this place by accident when I was pregnant with my 2nd kid. I looovvveeeee the choco chip pancakes and the freshly squeezed orange juice. This is our Saturday breakfast hang-out; the place gets crowded so be there before 10 am. The staff is great...from the servers to the busboys. They really pay close attention to servicing your table...THUMBS UP ALL THE WAY!!!
(4)John B.
Okay food. I ordered an omelette that could easily be mistaken for an ostrich egg omelette. This thing is massive. It was a bacon and cheese omelette that I fought real hard to try to finish. It was too salty and the eggs became too much. Definitely an item to share. The pancakes were good, but nothing special. For shame, I would have expected more out of "The Original Pancake House". Also the food here is expensive. 35 bucks for 2 people! Safe to say that I probably won't come back here.
(2)Corin H.
We went in on a Sat, early afternoon. We were seated, and the person who waited on us was far from paying attention. I had to ask for coffee refills numerous times, they forgot to deliver a sprite. Once we ordered (after being rather surprise at the high prices) we waited a long time for food, even though the place was not crowded. I ordered a vegetable omelet that came out unflavored, and burnt tasting. We had to ask for ketchup after the waiter basically dropped our food and ran. We complained to the manager who took my horrible omelet off the bill. Even the Boyds coffee wasn't worth the 2.50 a cup. Do not think we will go back here again. We weren't the only people having issues at this time. I guess for the prices, we just expected more.
(1)M Q.
This place was horrible...Horrible service and food was not good at all. We ordered a apple crepe that tasted like sour cream and nuts...I will never go back again.
(1)peter k.
writing a quick update. i love the food here still. the portions are still huge. service can still be a little slow, but the wait is worth it.
(4)Ella B.
i will give this place two stars for having quite a selection of pancakes but i think the service is mediocre and the restaurant itself smells strange, like too many kitchen smells. I used to LOVE this place when it was a Hobee's... so perhaps this is review is a little skewed due to nostalgia. I think the place keeps in business with all the various Rotary & community groups that have breakfast meetings. Slightly more expensive, i would just go the Nations in the same plaza if you don't care to eat in.
(1)Mike G.
Slow service. Expensive. Not worth the visit.
(1)Steve N.
The apple pancake is one of the best things in the world. If I wasn't trying to lose weight, I'd stop in once a week for an Apple Pancake. Service is pretty poor, though. I've been to another Pancake House (I believe it was truly the original one..down in southern california..and the service and ambiance there was 1000% better than the Fremont location). That being said, the apple pancake is worth the bad service. It's like one of those Souffle pancakes. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it :)
(4)noah a.
It pains me to give this place even 3 stars. This is only because the food is great (well its not THAT hard to make great pancakes and sides!!) but all 4 times that I have gone the service has been SO SLOW!!!! I'm talking 45+ minute waits (of course I can only make it weekend mornings when its the most crowded). Anyhow, I will probably not be going back because I can make the same breakfast for my family and clean the dishes in well less time then it takes just to get your order at the Pancake house...
(3)Eric Q.
Had breakfast there this morning my wife and some of our friends. We were seated promptly, and the servers were friendly and fast. I ordered the diced egg/ham special, and it seemed average. Portions did not seem that big to me either. If I ever go back maybe I'll just stick to the pancakes ( that apple pancake looks interesting); otherwise seemed pretty average.
(3)Chris B.
Last time I ate here was back in 2005. Since then, I've gone to the Los Altos and De Anza locations a number of time. When it first opened, the food and service was great, and the owner was there to make sure that everything went flawlessly. And it did. When that guy was around, everything operated like a well-oiled machine. Since then, he's moved on to open another location in South San Jose. Based on the reviews I've read so far, I think he needs to take a close look at how his business is being run while he's not there. Managers are not keeping customers satisfied. Food is fine, and some percentage of the staff are fine workers. But it's the few (many?) lazy ones that give the place a poorer reputation than it should have.
(3)Jonathan Y.
I would come here again...and again...and again! I'm used to long waits and horrible service from the Chinese places around the area (sorry but its true!) so I'm rating this completely on food and value. What can I say..Great gourmet pancakes, don't come here for normal breakfast stuff. It's called the Original Pancake house for a reason! Try the dutch, apple, or crepes! YUuUmM.
(5)Keri M.
A great place to go when you're starved. My favorite thing to keep me full most of the day is the sourdough pancakes. You can order a half order for about half price, and it's still plenty of food.
(5)Carmen M.
A bit on the pricey side for crepes with fruits and the food was simply made, but the portions were a good size. This place tasted less on the oily side like how I felt in being at IHOP. Very busy on weekends for breakfast so make reservations!
(4)Rob C.
disappointing. (walker brothers, you are the real original pancake house, thank you.) had one of their waffles here, and it wasn't any better than a frozen one from the store. could use some better quality control. service mediocre.
(2)Elisa A.
we went to this restaurant form breakfast and we hated it, we went back and gave it a 2nd chance but the wait was long, service was bad, pricey and the food was not good, i learned my lesson and will not go back .
(1)Todd V.
this is my favorite place to eat. i love pancakes and i think theirs are the best; the price isn't bad either. just a warning, they really jab you on the drink orders. i found the best deal is the hot chocolate and water. because if you order a large orange juice, you will be VERY disappointed when you get your cup with no free refills. My friends and I like to joke that they don't like me, because everytime i go with them they sit us in the back area that's, like, off to the side in the corner. but when we're with our family we get a nice seat by a window or something. coinsidence? 20 thumbs up
(5)Rob M.
Ok, it's not the "original" original pancake house (they have several dozen of these scattered across the country but the pancakes are fabulous. Mmmmm, getting hungry for a dutch baby and some potatoes on the side right now. These guys get busy but they hustle so you won't wait long. I kind of wish they were open for dinner, I like pancakes at all hours. Otherwise worth checking out. The Bacon pancakes (the bacon is inside the pancake) are also worth trying out.
(4)Jon S.
Good pancakes and a huge variety. Omelets are not my style, overcooked, but everyone else seems to like them. Service has always been good. They provide paper and crayons for the kids. Baldies is better for a small group, but Pancake House can take larger groups and has less of a wait at peak times. Way, way, way better than IHOP and Dennys.
(4)Diana T.
I knew the wait at OPH would be horribly long. Water/coffee came promptly but ordering took about 10 minutes. We got 1/2 order choc chip pancakes $4.5, strawberry bowl w/whipped cream $7.5, buckwheat pancakes $7, and eggs w/links and ww toast $8.50. Getting the food to our table took about 30-35 minutes and we were then starving like everyone else around us. I guess I wasn't so annoyed because I read the reviews and knew this was the case. I've come here maybe once last year and once before that and I can't remember the service being so horrible then. The food was delicious but they use wayyy too much butter for teh eggs and toast. $40 for 3 ppl is kinda expensive for stuff I've gotten faster and cheaper elsewhere.
(3)zoe b.
This place has really really delicious pancakes. The other stuff is okay. Eggs & hash browns are simple and good. Omelets are kind of weird, it's like they put flour in them?? They are too fluffy. And way too big to eat the whole thing. The tables are never wiped down well enough, and it smells kind of like grease. It's also kind of overpriced ($10 for any breakfast meal). But... the pancakes are really good. I am extremely picky about pancakes, they are one of those foods that I always think will be good but I'm always disappointed that they are too dry, too chewy, too something. But these ones... MMMMMMMMMMMM. Fluffy. Buttery. Syrupy. MMMMMMMMMM.
(4)Kristen R.
I only came to read the reviews for this place to see if I was an anomaly of awful service at this restaurant. Partially to my disappointment, partially to my satisfaction I am not. I really want to like this place, it's so close to my house and the one in Torrance (so cal) is awesome. But JESUS THE SERVICE IS SO BAD!! so so so bad. The first time I tried eating at OPH we were seated, waited, waited waited, etc but eventually we got coffee and an hour or so later we got food. It was decent, overpriced, but decent. The second time we tried I was craving pancakes like crazy so I thought we would give it a second try. We flagged a busboy down for coffee aaaaaand that was about it. We had to ask the busboy again for coffee before we actually got it. Needless to say, I've never EVER walked out of a restaurant before and I walked out furious enough to eat at Denny's to get my god damn pancakes! Awful! I will never go back and will never recommend this to anyone.
(1)Jane Y.
let's be clear, this ain't no IHOP. after having tried the original pancake house in san diego, i was overjoyed to find out that there was a fremont location. thought it would be the same but nope...so disappointing! it just wasn't as tasty as i remember and the service, horrible (even though we were the only customers!) i hear the san jose location is good, so i'll have to check that one out. if you happen to be in the sd area or perhaps the original one in portland, oregon, be sure to check out this superb breakfast joint...you'll be full until dinner!
(3)Dave M.
This is one of two places we regularly go for breakfast in Fremont. It's breakfast, and it's good, and we like the staff.
(4)Bonnie T.
Wow, I'm shocked by the rave reviews! This place is really mediocre, in my opinion. The pancakes are cakey and often slightly burnt, the juices are way overprices (as others previously mentioned), the bacon and sausages are standard generic supermarket fare. The service fluctuates between smothering to completely indifferent. Overall, it's a few notches below your ubiquitous local IHOP. And I don't think being "family-run" is enough to get me to go to a mediocre restaurant.
(2)Joanne C.
Not a bad choice to meet up with friends in this nice pancake house. But what impresses me the most is not their pancake, it's their coffee! I think I must have drunk like 4 cups that morning. It's just really smooth and has great coffee flavor. So make sure you have their coffee to go along with your pancake next time!
(3)Ling L.
Best dutch oven pancake and fresh fruit crepes ever! I haven't really tried the other dishes here, since I can never seem to order anything else beyond the 2 items above every time I come here.
(4)Rick T.
i have always had great service here. yes, i probably pay more than i do at other breakfast joints, but it is worth it. of course there is the apple pancake, but i usually get the sourdough pancakes and snack on them for the rest of the day. we also get a twelve dollar fruit plate for the kids and then chow down on it. good stuff! be aware that they are in a dispute with amex and don't accept it currently.
(5)Shannon T.
Weird ass omeletes is all I can say, They bake them!!! Who bakes omeletes? Good portion of food, kind of expenseive, just OK service. Uncomfortable chairs.
(2)A R.
if i could, i wouldnt give any stars at all....HOW can a restaraunt like this stay in business after so many awful reviews?? so to agree with everyone else, the service is some of the worst i have ever gotten, the omelettes are like calzones (lmao...they're like breaded or something...not even really egg-like!) and the rest of the food is definitely not worth the wait or even the gas money driving there...stay away, stay away!!!
(1)Jessica O.
Horribly slow service. Our waitress was way over worked. The remaining staff was sitting around and eating food while she worked her butt off. Food was good but so overpriced. Especially for the ridiculous wait... It took almost 40 minutes to get our food once we ordered (which also took a long time). It's eggs and pancakes people.. These aren't particularly hard things to make. Vin Diesel wannabe at the front was rude and pompous. To top it off, this place is obviously run by a cheapskate. Under staffed, high prices, no condiments available except when requested, no credit cards, a P.O.S system that is older than most dinosaurs This place is a joke.
(1)Anup P.
Bad service. No one seems to be happy. They forgot to bring us our pancake at pancake house. Won't be back here ever. The hostess guy signals with his hands to follow him vs asking me how I am and how many people.
(1)Jaime I.
I was pleasantly surprised by selection of pancakes and waffles. They have so many options you need to go many times to try them all. I tried the blueberry pancakes and LOVED the sweet butter! There's a few more I'd like to try next time. The caramel latte wasn't strong so I don't recommend it.
(4)Woody W.
Perhaps I got there on a bad day for them. The food was not to my liking. I had a simple ham and cheese omelette. It was definitely huge, however it was over cooked. The ham was oddly tasteless as well. It came with a side of buttermilk pancakes that I hoped would save the day. Alas this was not to be. They tasted like they were cooked on hamburger grease. On the upside the glass of milk was cold and fresh. $22 for a simple omelette. No thank you. The only real positive is the staff was friendly and prompt.
(1)Miranda J.
The Original Pancake House is excellent! Great quality food, friendly service, and quick for a high quality breakfast. Not a fast food restaurant, an old fashioned brunch. We hadn't been here in months but the staff remembered us and greeted us warmly. I had french toast with scrambled eggs and thick bacon, the french toast was just the right texture - crispy, not soft. My husband had a dutch baby with lemon and whipped butter that was _delicious_! The atmosphere is relaxed and it's a great place to chat over coffee, I never feel rushed out. OPH really cares about its patrons. An old local fave.
(5)John P.
Came in on a Sunday early afternoon and the place was empty except for one group. Maybe it was because the credit card machine was down but I guess I'll never know why... I would agree with most folks on yelp that the interior of the place is pretty old and is in need of a remodel but hey if the foods good who really cares. Menu wise, they do specialize in pancakes, waffles, omelets, typical stuff you would expect from a pancake house. For us we tried the sausage patty breakfast and the Canadian bacon breakfast with pancakes and hash browns. Food came out pretty quick and I would say the portions are pretty good. Nothing that really blew me away, but it was good and pretty full filling. Price wise, breakfast plates were around 11 to 13 dollars...kind of expensive in my opinion for the portions they gave. Overall, the price is a little too high for the portions, and although the breakfast was good, it'll probably be awhile before we eat here again. If you're looking for an alternative cheap breakfast in that area I'd recommend nations.
(3)Ben R.
Not very good breakfast. Pancakes left a lot to be desired and the syrup had a very strange flavor that ruined the whole experience. I asked if they offered real syrup but they do not. I live on the peninsula and am used to prices being about 10-15% higher than the east bay, but this place did not apply. The price was outrageous for how lame the food was and how dated and creepy the interior of this place is. Staff also seemed to not be very happy or charming, they need some younger people helping out there. Needless to say I won't be coming back. Breakfast has to be one of the easiest foods to do right, but so few do.
(2)H H.
I don't go out for breakfast much- but when we do, we like this old local fave. Owner is super nice & certain things are hard to find elsewhere such as potato pancakes w apple sauce & sour cream & that gorgeous Dutch baby. Our favorite is the fruit crepe. The omelettes are good not great & I'm too much of a coffee snob to have even tried their coffee ( I'll go down the street to Peets) Sure it's a bit dated, but as an occasional outing we're happy w this place.
(4)GalloStar X.
Well, it seems I must of ordered rough TOFU pancakes! Cus my pancakes was rough, flavorless and taste bad. I was better off having pancakes at motel 6!!! *How can this be a pancake house and fail at making pancakes* this place is really outdated with the food quality. So, if you lost your taste buds and likes to spend money! this place will be for you..
(1)Sean C.
Tried again, still not up to par. Omelette arrived in the form of burned eggs in the shape of the frying pan they sat in. Pancakes ok but the syrup seems like it was watered down - yuk. Sorry but this is the 3rd attempt over the same number of years and you are just OUT. There is a reason this place is not full Saturday morning. Service was OK
(1)Sheila H.
Best fresh food in Fremont! Own And his are delightful people. Food and service is Top notch!
(5)D.wight L.
I guess this place is a chain/franchise but this one doesn't look the part. It is kinda dated and the inside marketing and style of service better fits a mom/pop shop. But that isn't why I feel this place doesn't rock though. As other reviewers have already mentioned, this place is kinda spendy for breakfast. Nothing outrageous, but a breakfast here with coffee is about $15ish. Factor in a breakfast mate and we're talking $30+. And remember, this is a dated, not stylish atmo. So huh?! If you come here and don't like pancakes, then you must have larger issues. Their buttermilk is okay, it is light and crisps a bit on their griddle. Their stand out for me is their Buckwheat. It has a nutty, toasted flour feel that I feels goes hand in hand with soft butter a smidgen of syrup. It is so right for me that I honestly haven't tried any others. Though the Apple Pancake has seriously teased me. When paired with eggs and your choice of breakfast meat, it is quite the quintessential salty/sweet breakfast pairing. This is why I come here. Not for the ambiance, not for the coffee, not for the service and definitely not for the pricing. But for the occasional indulgence, it is A-OK. But why do you close at 2 pm? Are you discriminating my night owlish sleeping habits? Sometimes I don't even wake up til 2pm and guess what? It is breakfast time then. Which explains why I only visit you once/twice per year.
(3)Otto V.
Great old location in the gaslight square! I had "the Tahitian Maiden's Delight". Does not sound like something you should eat for breakfast, but this crepe filled w bananas and cream cheese really hit the spot.
(3)K H.
This place used to be soooo good. Not so much anymore. The strawberry waffles that was a little expensive at $10 is now over $15!!! What?!?!?! And you don't get any sides. Ordered 3 meals and 2 came. Then about 10 minutes later another plate came but was done all wrong. They apologized and said they would take the meal off the tab and not charge but then decided in the end to charge for it and didn't charge for extra bacon. Bad customer service all around.
(1)Mayra R.
Completely outdated, busy although there wasn't a full house, long wait for the food. Pecan waffles were about four stars, the eggs Michael (eggs Benedict, sausage and four "potato pancakes" were so bad I can't even rate them. We barely ate the eggs Benedict with a lot of Tabasco sauce. To top it all off, my husband went to the restroom and saw the bussboy simply push his apron to the side to pee. Really?!? I hope we don't get food poisoning.
(1)Jacqueline J.
horrible horrible service!! Food was alright. I prefer the pancake house in pleasant hill, it's a lot cleaner, food is more flavorful and customer service is great over there.
(2)Danielle C.
This place looks like a dump from the outside. I've been told that the Original Pancake House is actually a decent chain, so I'm not sure what happened here. Inside, it was actually a decent diner. Service was a bit slow though. The prices here seem a little high - two eggs any style for $4.60? A box of eggs costs like $2, for crying out loud. Anyway. The portion sizes are pretty good considering you're paying like $10+ for a breakfast meal. I thought the food was rather mediocre, nothing to write home about.
(3)Vannessa W.
OMG best breakfast I've had in a long time. Initially I thought it was a little pricey for breakfast....until there was nothing left on my plate. Everything individually was tasty and cooked to perfection. The eggs weren't runny as they can be sometimes, the bacon was thick and tasty, sausage links were perfectly golden, pancakes were light and fluffy, the country potato hash browns were flavored and DELICIOUS! Everything was made from scratch (aside from the bacon n links) and the cook staff works like a well oiled machine. The place was super busy but we sat at the bar which speeded the service up. We were also able to watch the magic happen and thanked our cooks for the fantastic meal (something I always want to do but so rarely get the opportunity). The portions are large but you'll probably eat it. Things to try next time: baked apple pancake (looks like monkey bread), and it's lemon baked sibling and the crepes! Parking is ample in the attached lot. Also next to a must-try German deli next door.
(5)Eduardo A.
The best 12 people and the dint and no time food was on the table the servers wer the best and food EXELENT
(5)Chris T.
The worse Pancakes I ever had! I ordered buttermilk pancakes and texture was flaky plus there was bitter alcohol or liquor smell to it. With the name pancake house I was expecting really good pancakes but it was the worst !
(1)Morgan V.
The food is good, especially the apple pancakes and omelettes, but the customer service is terrible, and the atmosphere is very run down.
(2)Drea H.
What a disappointment. My husband & I came here for a late breakfast on Saturday morning around 10:30AM. A pancake restaurant should've had a line out their door during the weekend morning peak hours, but they didn't. This should've been our sign to leave, but we didn't. They have a unique, homey, almost cabin-like interior decor. It was definitely interesting. We were seated quickly, but that was about the only positive aspect of our venture here. Waitstaff was slow & inattentive, plates were scratched & dis-colored, and the food was just sad. The toast was over-cooked and my sausages were burnt & super salty. I could've cooked a far better meal at home! It wasn't horrible, but we were expecting more. We don't plan on returning, ever.
(2)Gary T.
Visted today for late breakfast, early lunch. Terrible service....food was EXTREMELY over priced...no wonder the place was empty at noon. Why would you eat here when Fremont has The Country Way and Dino's.....better food, reasonable prices.
(1)Nikhil A.
Nothing really exciting about this place, extremely expensive for no reason, poor service, broken chair, etc. Will not recommend anyone.
(1)Jessi H.
Do they serve carton eggs?? The scrambled eggs tasted of butter. The potatoes tasted of butter. Shared a bacon waffle with my daughter or was good nice big pieces of bacon in the waffle but a very thin waffle for $10 Over priced , I think i will stick with their fresh fruit crepes, those are the best! I do want to say the service was great the girl waiting on us was very attentive and smiling.
(2)Raoul F.
The food is just barely okay, but the prices are outrageous. I don't know why we keep coming back here. Oh yeah, because IHOP, Denney's, Black Bear Diner, and the Country Way are always packed on Sat and Sun mornings. Breakfast for 5, including 2 little kids, was over $100.00!! Mind you, this included 2 kids meals, which were $10 each, and included 2 flavor-less, lackluster pancakes and EGGS or choice of meat; not all three. Portions aren't all that big, like people have said. I wasn't impressed. Don't get me wrong. I have no aversion to paying good money for a good meal, but the food here did not meet that description. Yeah the place looks old and needs a paint job, but these could have been easily overlooked if the food at least warranted the high price. Look elsewhere for a better meal for a better value.
(1)Sarina P.
First time here thought it was great. Second time here, horrible. Waited for over an hour for our food. Never received an apology for the long wait nor got asked for any refills. Crepes weren't cooked well, steak was horrible. Potatoes are good though, I guess.
(1)Raman S.
This is an average pancake place in Fremont. We tried the Spanish omelet and sausage and eggs. They are your typical breakfast dishes. The staff are very friendly.
(3)Madhur B.
Most of the food is mediocre and the service is generally subpar, but the greatest chocolate chip pancakes of all time keep me coming back. I recommend getting the spicy omelette, swapping the three pancakes that come with it for the chocolate chip pancakes (just $1 extra), and splitting it with someone.
(3)Janet P.
I went to have breakfast on Monday morning I did not have a great experience. As a former waitress who worked at a diner I can honestly say they need to hire friendly people who know how to do their job. The waitress that we got seemed annoyed and gave us attitude. If your not happy with your job why are you working there in the first place. The food was okay. The food is very overpriced! 11 dollars for bacon and eggs it's a joke.
(1)Pravin S.
I like this place for breakfast. The staff and owner are really nice~! The breakfast items are really tasty. I opted for a sausage and egg breakfast with hash browns. - P
(4)Rochelle C.
This was my favorite breakfast spot until today. The food and service from the times I've been here have been pleasant, however, today the waitress who served us had no interest in serving us whatsoever. She talked to us twice the whole time there, once when she asked us what to eat and the second time was when she brought us our food. My boyfriend and I look rather young and perhaps maybe that is why she showed zero customer service to us. We both noticed she was catering to the other tables except for our table. As of today, I am no longer titling this place as my favorite breakfast place and am not planning on eating here again.
(1)Jessica P.
I asked for it, I did. I said "How could an Original Pancake possibly have such bad reviews? No way." Well, apparently yes way. Parking was fine - they have a lot, you can park in it. It's right next to the building. This would probably be considered the highlight of our visit. The people in front of us left the hostess stand and I made eye contact with her, then said we were a party of 3. She shot me a disgusted look and shoved the clipboard at me, advising me to "do it"... I look at the piece of paper attached to the clipboard and see a list of names scratched off of the list that fill all of the available lines and then some additional, non-scratched off names added in the blank space below the printed lines. I jot our info below and set it down. The hostess yanks the clipboard over, glares at it and then marks the names off that are not written on lines. She then gestures to the blank space to the right of the existing list and makes me re-write my name down. Ookay. You know what would've avoided all of this? If this were a normal restaurant where the hostess asks your name & party size and writes it down. But whatever. We weren't given an estimated wait (communication is kept pretty limited around these parts) So we sat down in the waiting area. There are very old looking photos and clips all over the place, some colored pages, which lend a cluttered feeling alongside the stacks of antiquated items including a broken soda refrigerator that has a "do not touch" sign on it... it was a bit like waiting in an old relative's hoarder-esque sitting room full of precious junk. Fun times keeping my 2 year old from touching things for 15-20 min. My guess is that the building was once a Weinerschnitzel - it has the mid-century Chalet shape and is oddly laid out for a sit-down restaurant. The lighting isn't great, nothing looks super clean, and the mismatched furniture screams "low budget" instead of "eclectic and hip" so I am guessing it wasn't a deliberate style choice. Our server seemed nice enough, although again not very skilled at communicating. I asked a question about the fresh fruit crepes (I wanted to find out if I could get just strawberries instead of mixed berries) and after a few attempts at explaining we finally established that yes, I could do this. Once we had placed our order, she brought our drinks and then disappeared. After we waited a little bit, she came back to let us know that a large party had ordered just before us and therefore our order was going to take a long time. Oh goody. I appreciate the heads up, but 30+ minutes later I wasn't terribly excited to know that I was waiting because they had a large table in front of us - this is breakfast food we're talking about here, not rocket ships... a short order cook is a thing for a reason. Drinks were fine, although we ordered my son some chocolate milk and were provided with the tiniest thimble-sized to-go cup I've ever seen. It was thoughtful to provide us with a more spill-proof cup, but I'm pretty sure they made out by charging us for a regular milk (and charged for another when I asked for a refill) Our server did not check in during the wait for our food, and we flagged another server down and asked that she mention we needed our server. Either she didn't convey the message or our server ignored it as she did not come back around (we were hoping to get our drinks refilled) Food came. My husband got Bacon and Eggs with a side of pancakes. I got the aforementioned Fresh Fruit Crepes and a side of Bacon. The bacon was... greenish? It looked kindof like normal bacon but had a greenish hue. It was also burnt on some parts and raw on others (not really sure how that is accomplished) Each of us tried to eat a piece, but it tasted as awful as it appeared and wasn't edible. Fresh Fruit Crepes: this was ONE crepe. I pulled a menu to be sure I was indeed crazy and apparently I am, because I was SURE that this had to be more than one crepe. The price tag ($15) did not tip me off to the fact that this was a single crepe, nor did the fact that all of the other crepe dishes (priced at $10-11 each) were labeled as "crepes" while this one was indeed simply a "crepe", singular. Oh Fremont Original Pancake House, you're such a trickster! Way to get an extra $6 out of me. Other notes on the crepe were the fact that it wasn't very crispy on the edges and the strawberries had a soapy taste (likely left over from cleaning them) My husband's pancakes were typical, however they were served with fake maple syrup, yuck. Another thing I'd considered to be a hallmark of Original Pancake Houses, but which apparently is not, is using real maple syrup. It makes all the difference and the stuff they provided tasted horrible. I love Original Pancake Houses (I have announced this previously.) Whoever runs this particular location should have their franchise revoked (or however that works.) This mars the generally awesome brand and it is upsetting
(1)Ruby R.
This place is absolutely amazing! The food is exceptionally delicious (no matter what you order). I would have dropped one star because the service was horrible in the afternoon once but the servers in the morning are great! If you can, go before noon. I've had their pancakes, French toast, and vegetable omelette. My boyfriend has had all the above as well as the make your own omelette and steak sandwich. All of these were perfect!
(5)Gee T.
Service was dry like the omelette I ordered. The check was given to me while our food was still warm. Besides the Pancake that my kid ordered, we couldn't really appreciate the rest of the food... Please smile and take more time to appreciate your customers.
(2)Frank B.
This place was a miss for me. From the moment I walked in it had a old musty smell to the place. We were seated by the pseudo fireplace next to the window. Our server was so distracted by a "regular" while taking our order carrying on a conversation with the other patrons. We actually arrived before them but they were served before us. This typically doesn't bug as I'm there for two reason; enjoy my breakfast and get the hell out. In reading the menu the pigs in a blanket caught my eye so I went ahead and ordered it with a side of hash browns. Our waitress advise me "you know the hash browns aren't your typical hash brown it's more of a country potato." It was unfair of me that I had the vision of the same country potato that Country Way serves up so this of course set the bar way too high and disappointment was eminent. BOY WAS I RIGHT!! The potatoes were luke warm like they were frozen at one point and warmed up in the microwave. It arrived with a ceramic tray of pigs in blanket with confectioners sugar sprinkled on top with a glob of butter. Even with the sugar sprinkled on top the dish was flavorless. How can sausage be flavorless?????? Again this was a big miss for me and I was thoroughly disappointed! I love breakfast and it was my cheat day. I almost felt like my diet was still intact because I couldn't get through my meal......BUZZKILL
(2)CJ C.
Like where its located and its never too crowded even on the weekend. Service is very slow and the pancakes have no taste to them unless you pour lots of syrup to make them edible. But staff here is pleasant and nice. Price is high considering the portions.
(3)Ava I.
Food was good and large quantity! Service was attentive and friendly. Typical breakfast place I would rate up there with IHOP.
(4)Betty K.
I came here almost every weekend....every time I come I feel like I'm a family, they really take care of me and my family.today I had pecan waffle.
(5)Cindy M.
I came across this place driving in Fremont. I thought it looked cute and seemed to be the ORIGINAL iHop typa place. Well everything in there is dated but that doesn't bother me. Some of my favorite places to eat are smaller hole in the wall places. Prices were way too high for OK food. I think me and my honey spent almost $50 on basic breakfast! Not including tip. I'd rather go to Nations in the same parking lot for breakfast
(2)Rox R.
The groupon was too temping and I love breakfast. Not easy to find a real pancake so we gave this place a try. We went to the OPH in ga and it was an ok experience. This place, though old school decor in a old stripmall far far away, has it's locals charm. Service was ok, not blown away and it was pretty ghosttownish today. The maple vanilla latte on special was amazing! I drank it down like a good glass of ga sweet tea...just sweetly done guys! Buttermilk pancakes with lots of fresh whipped butter And yummy maple goodness. Tops! Next time if get the 2x4, which has the 2 eggs. My little one never ate so much scrambled egg, a good sign. Con/ water not refilled and no water brought for my little one. They also would not run my card for an amount under $10- which btw breaks the agreement with the credit companies. Even though I didn't have cash he wouldn't do it. Usually I will not visit again because of this but since this isn't the only OPH I may just visit another location. Apple pancake looks divine but I had to have the original. Till the next yum visit
(4)John P.
"What do you want?" was how we were greeted by our server. It was our first time coming here and were quite unsure as to whether or not we should eat here, but we took a big chance. EPIC FAIL! The customer service was horrible. I felt bad that we had to ask help from another server that was busy. We were grateful he took the time and helped us. So when we ordered, "Original Pancake" House was not so original. The pancakes we ordered were soggy. I should have went to Lucky's and microwaved my own pancakes. I guess that's my fault for going here. Food: 1 star. Customer Service: 1 star. Even paying for the bill was a hassle. We stood in line and watched, what appeared to be either the manager or owner tell customers, "Don't tell me what I'm doing!" Well, if he knew what he was doing, he would have known how to split the check. EPIC FAIL, don't waste your time.
(1)Eka L.
The waitress is very friendly and helpful. We ordered Eggs Michael and Dutch Baby. All of them were good. The potato pancakes in the Eggs Michael were definitely something new for us. They were delicious though. You can add some chocolate chips on your Ditch Baby if you want, my friend did it and it was yumm as well :)
(4)Don F.
Old, 50's style facility & menu; wifi advertised but NOT working; fair to poor service, good omelette (once we got the bacon to go with originally ordered bacon & cheese, overwhelmed with spinach & mushrooms).
(2)Teresita M.
Pancakes tasted bad. Ignored by server for about 15-20 minutes as well as other servers when asked for help.
(1)My T.
Came here for brunch, was greeted, sat us quick and serve is coffee and drinks quick, but it took the awhile to take our order. I was a bit confused about who was the waiter because there was this lady that clean up the table and sweeping the floor so we looked around so they can see that we are ready to order. No one, until this guy showed up. Apparently, he was the only waiter at that time. So note to self don't come here around 1:30pm for brunch. Food wasn't so great either.
(3)Melanie L.
Came here this morning with hubby to use the money I paid ($20) on an expired Groupon. He had the eggs and hash with pancakes and I had the spinach omelette and added chicken apple sausage. Food was great although it took them forever to take our order and bring our food out but when it finally came it was hot so that's good The problem came when I tried to apply my $20 that I paid for my expired Groupon towards the bill and the older man at the register whom also seated us REFUSED to honor it and argued with me and even went so far as to cover his ears and tell me he was done when I was trying to explain to him that although the offer was expired, I was still able to use the $20 I PAID!! My poor husband was standing behind me and finally offered to just pay the full amount while he lovingly escorting me outside . . . meanwhile I was already calling Groupon to complain on my way out of the door!! This is NOT how you treat your customers and I will NOT come back nor will I recommend them to ANYONE!!! Groupon gave me a $20 credit to use toward a future offer to compensate for this jerk offs' ridiculous behavior!
(1)Coree B.
- The service was friendly and fast. - The food was 'average'; not anything special. The bacon in our omlette was bordering on burnt, but the onions and peppers were almost raw. - The portions were quite small compared to other similar 'mom & pop' diners
(2)Jay S.
Avoid this place. Way overpriced for terrible food. I'll never return. Out $30. French toast and omelette tasted like it was microwaved.
(1)Dee F.
Their fresh fruit crepe never disappoints. Always ask for extra strawberry sauce. I swear I just wanna drink it!! Their French Toast is perfect and today I finally tried the Dutch Baby! So glad I did!! Prices are higher than other breakfast joints but you get what you pay for. The service has always been good and the owner is super sweet. I only wish they were open all day.
(4)Danica L.
A single waffle for like $8 No side dishes or anything Creepy waiter The chair cushions are caved in and uncomfortable, I felt like I was sinking into hell. I actually liked the waffle though. But then again I freakin love any and all waffles
(1)Mai W.
This place was great!!!! I ordered their famous Dutch Baby and was not disappointed!!!!!. I must say that our bill cam out to be a little bit on the pricey side though. Brunch for $65...... might be a little too much. BUT we did order a bunch of stuff: 1. Apple Pancake 2. Dutch Baby 3. Fresh Berries 4. 2 espresso drinks. Everything was delicious and we had a ton of left overs. I would definitely recommend everyone trying the Dutch Baby.
(4)Melinda Y.
My friend suggested this pancake house to try. After doing some research, I found out that it's a West Coast chain restaurant and their specialty is the Dutch baby with rave reviews. Not wanting to be foolish and not try the house specialty, we both ordered one each. Since the Dutch baby takes 30 minutes to prepare, be sure to bring some good company with you. Since the item was listed under pancakes, we were prepared for something similar to the buttermilk kind we all know and love. When they arrived, you will be floored by the immense size of the Dutch baby. It resembles a big bowl. As you cut into it, you'll realize how eggy it is. I liken it to an egg souffle. In order to downplay the egginess, you squeeze fresh lemon juice onto and liberally sprinkle powdered sugar. The dish was accompanied with butter, but I usually avoid adding it. Adding syrup may be too sweet. Overall, we were hoping for something more like a pancake than an omelette. If you want to try the Dutch baby, share it with someone because you may not like it and the thing is HUGE. I do like how they have so many different varieties of pancake, with flavors like bacon, coconut, or pineapple. I do wish I ordered the coconut pancake. My favorite part of my breakfast was my hot chocolate with a huge topping of whipped cream...DELISH! I tried to drink it as lady-like as possible without wearing a beard of white on my face. The service was great. There were dedicated coffee guys walking around to make sure you have your caffeine fix. Overall, we probably won't be returning to Original Pancake House.
(3)miss b.
Pretty good service but terrible pancakes. Tasted like there was a ton of baking soda in them. Won't be going here again anytime soon.
(2)Priscilla M.
The food was pretty good, but it's overpriced. Breakfast for 2 was $45 and we shared one of the large apple pancakes. I will not be returning.
(2)Mey S.
Good solid breakfast items. Loved the apple cinnamon pancake and omlettes. The portions are huge. Staff is friendly and food is good. Great alternative to Denny's.
(4)Juliet L.
Honestly, I really like this place. I've never had a bad experience with the food. Which seems strange after all the bad reviews. But, I admit the service can be bit slowish and the atmosphere a tad dusty. So, what keeps us coming back? The chocolate chip pancakes are delish! The crepes are pretty good too.
(3)John C.
Terrible service! Terrible service! Terrible service! Service with an attitude! I would not recommend this place. Management needs to enforce a more customer friendly environment.
(1)Justin M.
Plain and simple, only come here for the pancakes... the rest of the food is overpriced and lacks character in terms of flavor. In fact, the pancakes were the third star. If it hadn't been for the fluffy consistency of the pancakes this could have easily been a two star review.
(3)K S.
Not a good experience at all.... way over priced for average food. I don't mind paying for food, but only if it's worth it. I don't think this place is worth $34 for 2 people. This was definitely a one time visit only.... will not be coming back. I like supporting non-commercialized business, but this was a let down. DON'T COME IN UNLESS YOU WANT TO PAY WAY TOO MUCH FOR LESS THAN AVERAGE BREAKFAST FOOD. Horrible, extremely disappointed.
(1)Abdulah A.
This place is Awesome. All these other people who are giving this place a bad review are retarded. Best customer service and the food is the best.
(5)Hyperchiq Y.
Just finished eating brunch with my friend and omg it was so good. We both ordered egg Michael but I substitute my potatoe pancakes with fresh banana pancakes. It was great substitute because I tried the potatoes pancake and I wasn't feeling it. We shared the dutch baby and omg it was so yummy. My friend was the one that wants to order that and he said it was the best dutch baby he had ever had and he was right. I don't know if it's the best since I have never had it before. But it was super good. Service was good and attentive. I ordered coffee and our server would kept refilling it. I did felt bad because we came during closing time and felt a little rush when paying. Beside that it was good. I will definitely coming back because food was yummy and will get the dutch baby again. Only next time we will be sharing one entree instead we both had our own entree hahaah
(5)Umika K.
This has been my favorite place ever since I was four years old! Their french toast is to die for. I also recommend the Dutch baby. The server who is almost always there is a kind and efficient person.
(5)Angie M.
Horrible restaurant! We went there today because we absolutely love the Original pancake house in ANAHEIM (we go there when we travel to Disneyland) So I thought it would be nice to go on our way to San Jose today. The place seems so old and dusty, the bathrooms are disgusting. The food was not very good, I ordered the famous Dutch baby but it was underdone so it wasn't very good. I will NEVER come here again. Any one looking for a breakfast restaurant go somewhere else.
(1)Lanisha A.
Talk about being over priced. I payed 12.75 for some 10 dollar coin pancakes and a coffee...... The pancakes them self cost 9.05, at any others establishment I would at least get a side of eggs and potatoes. It's kind of disappointing. Yes my food was good but the price for the amount was outrageous. I most likely will not be coming back any time soon!!! Eat here at you own liking......
(2)Daniel C.
Went last weekend with my girlfriend because we were craving some serious pancakes. We were seated promptly and our order was taken right away. The service itself was great although the seemed to be so over staffed because we had 3 different people checking in on us in 3 minute intervals to the point were it seemed quite excessive. When we got our menu we were stunned by the prices. 10 dollars for a pancake with nothing else is just insane. For just bacon and eggs, you would have to spend close to 8 dollars. I can go to Country Way and get the same food but better prepared for like almost 1/3 of the price. So in that regard, I think pancake house definitely is far to over priced. The food was alright, not bad but not amazing enough to warrant what they were charging. I would recommend the pancake house if you are in the mood for good service, and pancakes without having to wait to long and you don't mind paying an arm and a leg.
(2)Shan S.
I came back to read the reviews to see if it was just me that had a bad experience. But I was proved wrong. Overall, this place offers the following: -Horrible ownership -Bad customer service -Expensive average breakfast food -Negative reviews -Unclean atmosphere -Nice bus boy/girl service Surprised and sad this place is still open for being an old establishment in Fremont. This should be a wake up call for the ownership for its survival.
(1)Jon S.
I made a big mistake coming here instead of Black Bear Diner. It was $22.00 for the nastiest brown rubber omelette I have ever had. The pancakes were good but those are small on the side. Such a wannabe old timers diner. There were 3 other people eating there at 8am Saturday so I guess people have caught on about their bad food.
(1)Tiffany D.
I'm not too much of a pancake person but when i have a craving for chocolate chip pancakes I come here..I don't come here too often because their prices are OUTRAGEOUS!!! But the chocolate chip pancakes are worth it.
(3)Marissa f.
This place is awful. I brought my son here after a doctor's appointment. I had the apple pancake and I was HUGELY disappointed. The waitress told me I had to wait 15-20min extra if I wanted to order an apple pancake, and that should have been a clue. The pancake was huge but tasted burnt and bitter. It was literally one of the worst meals I have ever had. And at $12? That's way too much for an order of pancakes. No sides or anything. Everything has to be purchased separately. I ended up spending wayyy too much for a bad meal for myself and my son. The vibe of the restaurant is very odd too. Like too many family members working in one place. The owner is nice, but the staff is not very professional. Please believe me when I say: This place is horrible! Don't waste your money here!!!!
(1)Winona B.
My mother and I ended up waiting 20-25 minutes for being asked what to order, and yet another half-hour to receive them. This would be understandable if the restaurant was packed during the lunch hour, but it was anything but. The food overall was.. unremarkable. I ordered a steak dish and what I saw immediately was how dirty the plate was and how my sunny-side up eggs were slightly undercooked. I couldn't ignore also how poorly thrown together the dish was, it clearly looked like it was rushed. I also tried my mother's order of mushroom omelette and banana-strawberry crepe, and no good surprises came from there either... The omelette was nearly flavorless, and the crepe was just too sugary. Thankfully my mother had a groupon coupon handy for our first time trying this restaurant. I think... having any sort of coupon for this place warrants another try, but not with much enthusiasm.
(2)Sonnia K.
As much as possible, I avoid writing a negative review, but I had to tell the truth about my dining experience here this morning. It was my first time at this restaurant and by its name it made me expect a lot. There were ample parking outside which was a good deal for me. When we got in, we had to automatically sign up to wait for a table. We didn't wait too long though. We got a nice comfy table after two minutes. We placed our orders: coffee, vegetarian omelet with bacon (Yes, I love lots of veggies but I'm a meat lover as well, especially bacon), western omelet with cheese and all the omelet orders came with three small palm-sized pancakes. Here's the first bad thing: the people who came in after us got their orders first. There was totally no system with regards to the coming out of orders. We waited around 45 minutes for our food. A family of four arrived near us when our food reached our table. I didn't eat yet because not everything was served. We had to wait for the pancakes. When it arrived, our omelet was sort of cold already. (This time, the family of four beside us just got their drinks.) The worst thing after getting our food, was our server placing our check in front of us without any word of excuse at all. It was very rude to do that. He just served us our food and he gave the check as well! It's like indirectly telling us that we needed to eat quickly and leave. Very bad gesture! The pancakes were all right, but the syrup was kind of watered-down. The omelet, for me, was bland. But I''m not the type of person who returns her food just because it's cold or bland. I try to make it work out. Coffee was hot anyway. I felt that I needed to hurry up so I can leave the terrible place. Almost an hour (because we were chatty to each other), my husband and I finished our food, the family of four was still waiting for theirs. By the time we decided to go to the cashier to pay, the family of four walked out the restaurant pissed. That was just horrible. To have a customer walk out of your restaurant because they've been waiting for their food for too long. Their kids were hungry sitting for an hour. I don't blame them for walking out. The restaurant beside OPH might have served them quicker with hot food and a wonderful smile. Definitely not going back.
(1)Jackie D.
My husband and I have been coming here for their famous Dutch Baby & Potato Pancake for over 10 years. Just luv these 2 dishes! Granted their price is high, but it's so worth it. I hate to leave a negative review for this place and it's not because of their food, but the horrible service from the owner (old guy) when I was using a groupon. I was raving about this place to my friend & decided to bring her here on a weekday. What made it so bad is that the owner was so rude from the beginning. As he takes us to our seat & before we even had a chance to sit down, he asked, "do you have a groupon?" and I said yes. Then he said, "why are you trying to hide it? " I was so surprised by this question that I did not even know how to reply. My butt has not even touched the seat!! I decided to dismiss this remark and gave him my groupon. I did not want this incident to sour my happy mood. Then, before we had a chance to order, the owner came back and said that my groupon was used. I questioned him if he was sure, and he insisted. Luckily I had another voucher in the car, and informed him that I will use that one. He was sneering at me and questioned why I should have another voucher, made me feel like I was printing multiple vouchers to reuse.I told him that I purchased more than one voucher, but he looked doubtful. I watched him scanned my second groupon voucher, and I noticed that the voucher took, but it appears that he does not know how to use the scanner. He was trying to tell me that the second voucher was also not good and that it's been used. I told him that it's been used because he just scanned it and redeemed it. He finally figure it out and honored my voucher. No apologies whatsoever. After getting home, I realized that I may have been scammed by him on my first voucher due to his incompetence with the scanner. I decided to call Groupon to complain about this poor service, and they were nice enough to refund my first voucher. Bottom line, don't expect good service from the owner if you come with a groupon voucher. You can also read other reviews when groupon voucher was presented. To the owner: Why do you even bother advertising your business on groupon if you are going to treat your customers so poorly? This does not help your business.
(1)Alissa K.
Love coming here for weekend breakfasts! Amazing selection of pancakes...our favorite are the coconut pancakes! I have never had a meal that I've been dissatisfied with, although we have had some terrible service. Today I was pleasantly surprised at the fantastic and super friendly service we received. Our waitress was a breath of fresh air compared to the last one we had! I asked for her name and I believe it is Anna. She is no doubt the best they have and she made our experience so enjoyable today! We will definitely keep coming back.
(4)Kelly R.
Sadly due to their similarities this is compared to Country Inn. First, the service was terrible. It seemed like our server didn't like us or we were a burden to him. Second, the menu was a little pricey. I mean, a LARGE O.J. looked like a little sippy cup. I almost wanted to order a small O.J. just to see what that looked like. Bleh. And the pancakes? They were ok. Not great. So all together, meh.
(2)Jessica T.
Walked in, took about 5 minutes to be seated, looked over the menu and walked back out. The prices here are ridiculous, especially for breakfast. Nothing spectacular that caught my eye that would be worth the price. Sorry......
(1)Nelly Y.
Yes, it's expensive but you won't find tastier pancakes in the Tri City area. I've tried plenty of pancakes during my lifetime in and out of California. Since Pancake House has differentiated themselves from competitors with the best pancake recipe, why not charge more? It's just business. I've dined here many times throughout my eight year residency in Fremont and I've have never experienced bad service or bad food. My favorites are the buttermilk and clam pancakes.
(4)Steve D.
This is a nice place for breakfast. Just avoid getting seated in the room in the right rear corner- it is loud because the sound echoes. The corned beef hash is home-made and high quality, even if it is sort of like prime rib slices cut into one inch squares. It may not cover the entire plate, two inches thick, but it is plenty. They know how to poach an egg correctly, which shouldn't be that hard, but some places screw it up. The French Toast is just right and probably the best thing here. The service is friendly and attentive. Your coffee will be frequently refilled. The crepes are generally good, but some are better than others. I think fresh berries are better than canned cherries in glaze, so pay attention to the ingredients. They have a board listing the fresh fruit. The prices are reasonable, maybe a few bucks more than Denny's, but compare the quality of the bacon, for example, and you will appreciate the difference. I don't get the negative reviews at all. How can you gripe about the price when it is plainly stated on the menu and you decided to stay and pay the listed price for the meal? If you are that cheap, go somewhere else. You get good value here, meaning good food for a fair price.
(4)Amber L.
I understand most of the bad reviews on here. I mean, yes, the service is not the best, yes, it's a bit overpriced, but I always come back for more! I always get the French toast (which is fabulous) so I can't really comment on the other options. My son loves their pancakes, the bacon is always delicious, and I enjoy the hash brown potatoes as a side. What really gets me coming back is the people. The owner and a couple of the servers that are usually there are super friendly. They remember us every time and ask how we've been. Sometimes they bring out free Mickey pancakes for my son. If it's a busy day, you're going to get slow service, so be prepared, but enjoy your meal.
(4)Nelly H.
I love breakfast and our family has tried high end places to mom and pop dives and I have to say this place was one our worst experiences. Service -- slow, forgot to place our order, didn't give the children in our group coloring pages or crayons.... to a five year old this matters. Ambiance -- meh, it was okay, forgiven if the food is good... Food -- I feel as if a 10 year old was cooking in the kitchen -- salami omelette was spongy, tasteless and pretty much inedible as were the joke of potato pancakes. yuck. Chocolate chip pancakes -- plain pancakes with a sprinkle of chocolate chips -- really? And the crepes were an insult to decent crepes anywhere -- too eggy, fell apart and rubbery. And the prices were ridiculously expensive for the slop they served.... Never again.....
(1)Melody Y.
+1 star for food -5 stars for service I should've listened to Yelp's 2.5 stars. Sigh. But I didn't, because I know that their apple pancake is the bomb, so against my better judgment, I took my family here to celebrate mother's day. We called ahead of tim
(1)Dave V.
I could talk about how it took half an hour to get my food or I could talk about how bland my omelet tasted, but nothing tops this: I FOUND A HAIR IN MY HASH BROWNS. Hash browns that my wife and daughter ate. I can't explain how disgusted I felt seeing that on my plate. I told the waitress to tell the cooks about it and to her credit she was very apologetic about it. She took the plate and my credit card to the back for over 10 minutes and then came back with the full price of the check. Management made no effort to rectify this. I really wish I had checked here before going there so I might have been led to go somewhere else. I will never come back to this place and will steer anyone away who asks. To the guy who gave a 5 star review on 10/12, tell your boys to keep their hair out of my food!
(1)Marevie T.
I was hopping to like this place ... not really. The pancakes seemed like it was sitting out for a while and my bacon... really didn't taste like bacon. It seemed a little off, like it was sitting out for a while too! Took a long time to get a waitress to walk by so I can ask for extras like another refill or some napkins.
(2)Geneva W.
Food is way over priced $7.00 for 4 slices of bacon $6 for a glass of chocolate milk. $11.99 for some scrambled eggs with diced ham. I would try finding somewhere wake to eat
(1)Chera T.
Big menu selection. Okay service, quaint little atmosphere. Wish the coffee was a bit better and the prices a bit lower but I must say I do like it here.
(3)Cat M.
I should have read the reviews before coming! Food is way overpriced. $8 for one waffle, which was flat and small. $12 for an omlette, which was weird looking. It looked like an egg cake. Definitely something you could make at home... Service was okay. We waited 20 min for our food, for some reason all the people around us who ordered way after us got their food first? Overall, I would NOT return...
(1)Pinky L.
The bad reviews at this place are correct. Service terrible. Food extremely mediocre. Way over priced. There are much better mom and pop breakfast places in the area that give double the amount of food for half the price. Will never return again
(1)Carol N.
Worst breakfast ever. My stomach is still trying to recover. It used to be good, don't know what has happened.
(1)Michelle T.
This adventure started out with.......a Groupon. $20 for $40 of food but has to be 4 people. OK.. we decide to go but have 3 people. We call and speak with Aziz (sp?) who tells us that he'll honor it if we order 4 meals, doesn't matter if it's to go for one meal or not. So yay! That's a plus because we really wanted to try this place out for a while now. Aziz told us he's there til 1pm. I'm not happy he lied to us. Instead of telling us that the place closed at 2pm, he went one step beyond and said he's leaving then. We got there at 12:55pm, whew! and then guess what? Aziz never left. What a liar. LYING IS NOT ACCEPTABLE in my book, especially for new customers. We'd told him this was our first time there. If he's so confident that his food will speak for itself, then don't lie to your customers. We may not want to come back based on that alone. Which is exactly what we're going to do... I'll go the location on DeAnza before this one if I have to. I ordered the veggie omelette and added mushrooms. It was FANTASTIC! I can't tell you how slowly I ate my food. I savored every bite and couldn't finish it. The omelette was so big, enough for 2 meals for me. I'm really glad we tried their food. My boyfriend ordered a nice pancake combo and was stuffed! Instead of getting the 3 buttermilk pancakes, I opted for the $1.00 upcharge for potato pancakes. Awesome! They tasted so delicious and I was so not disappointed. Prices... YES they're a tad bit on the pricey side but if you used a groupon, it was worth it to us. We spend that much on food at a crummy place sometimes. So I wasn't too disturbed by it. 3 stars for excellent food. I'd give them 1 star if I could base it on lying to your customers only but the food does speak for itself. It's delicious and I recommend the food (maybe not the staff so much) to everybody. The staff was very abrupt and wasn't patient at all.
(3)Irene S.
One of my clients recommended this place for breakfast. Upon arriving, I went by myself for a quick breakfast in between clients, I enter and wait to be seated, servers and other employees walked right by me. Finally, someone approached me, didn't say a word to me and motioned me to the table area and I pretty much sat myself anywhere. The server who took my order seem preoccupied and took my order standing across a wall barrier, like it was too much effort to walk around and take my order from my table. I ordered an apple waffle; I've tasted better and it was overpriced. Nonetheless, I won't be going back.
(1)Chitra S.
no NO you wanted to come here but you thought wrong I wanted to come in search of the ultimate waffle in Fremont. honestly, I was in the area and just wanted SOME good waffle in Fremont. and I ignored the negativity, but, NO gross soggy cold no the prices here are ridiculous. and for the quality of the waffles, man, the food should have been free. I never write reviews but I just wanted to let you know... NO now turn around, go somewhere else and have an A1 day
(1)Edwin T.
Won't recommend this place to anyone. The food is bad. Price is over. Service is so so.
(1)Kumar R.
We have been their customer for couple of years. Food is fine and yes, little pricy. We went their on 2/28/15 with kids and my daughter ordered crepes with fresh fruits. After few bites, she noticed a PIECE OF PLASTIC about 1/2 inch diameter. We called the waitress and she gladly took care of the plate and asked if she wanted replacement or something different. My daughter was just got scared and did not eat anything else after that. While I was paying my bill, the young guy, who was taking care of the bill, told us he cooked it and did not believe the plastic came from them. He kept on BLAMING MY DAUGHTER for the piece of plastic instead being apologetic. He was rude and ruined our day. If waitress had told me this then would had taken the picture of the piece of plastic. We would not like to eat it again at this unsafe place ever.
(1)Mansi A.
Nearly empty on a Saturday morning. What happened to this place? The Original Pancake House apparently has one too many competitors in the area, because people obviously aren't craving their pancakes from here any longer...or maybe it was just an off day? In any case, I came here for breakfast after quite some time and wasn't that pleased. The Spanish omelet didn't have much of a flavor at all -- of eggs, of Spain, or anything else for that matter. The coconut pancakes were probably the highlight of the table and that's not really saying a whole lot, given that they were also fairly flavorless and the coconut quite brittle. ::sigh:: Unfortunately, I see the demise of another Fremont staple in the near future...
(2)Vanessa H.
The owner was incredibly rude, overlooking my mother and I. He got two menus and handed them to the lady bwhind us, not even acknowleding us and then tells us that he is on meds and can not hear. There were so many tables available but he couldn't just seat us. Bad form dude, and there are other places that are better!
(1)Sally D.
OVERPRICED!!!!!! How does this place stay in business. The owner is SO rude that the whole restaurant is a horrible place to be. He would not split our check three ways, we had to have the waitress split it. There were 7 of us and the bill was $ 121 bucks. The pancakes and waffles are a la carte and at $ 10 to $ 15 it is very expensive. Will never return here.
(1)Breya D.
I really hate to do this but I need to. I wanted to try this place because it's 'The Original Pancake house" sounds like a score but I left here very disappointed. I was disappointed in the sloppy service from the server (Lack of enthusiasm from the employee) I was seated by the kitchen and I couldn't help notice a food server/busser dip into a bucket full of fruit, I caught him red handed. He walked away and served customers their meals without washing his hands. I wanted to leave the restaurant immediately but didn't want to cause a scene. Makes me think twice of what other unsanitary practices they do behind our backs. The food here is not all that great for the price you pay. I wanted to give this breakfast house a fair shot but has failed me every time. I will travel the extra distance to Baldies in Union City for a satisfying meal with superb customer service.
(1)Chris F.
Was thinking I'd be the only bad review - nope. Food is amazing, here's my story of trying to pay for it. -Finish eating and decline 3rd offer for more water and offer my credit card and the bill -Bill says I paid, 0 balance. Waitress unable to visually recognize payment offer and for some reason not charging me -Walk to front "we don't take AMEX" -"Ok, it's all I have" -Owner walks up "how are you going to pay me? Are you going to wash dishes?" Not realizing the waitress gave me a free pass I declined because honest. -"No, I'll bring cash back" then hand credit card to waitress to hold so they stop acting like I'm not going to pay and let me do the right thing -"When are you coming back?" -"Right now" -Get cash from roommate at home, first good conversation of day -Come back, pay, take card, ask for owner. He stepped out -Entertain idea that there really is a higher power, steering me away from the morbid obesity afflicting the presumably regulars I wish I didn't notice at other tables
(2)Pedro F.
Update: I just got done writing a four paragraph e-mail to the franchise in hopes they clean up there act; this location is giving them a bad rap. I don't think a lot businesses comprehend that social media websites like yelp and others impact business on a high level, the scrutiny could mean break or make for them. Initial comment: It's been over 30 minutes and we're still waiting for our food! Granted, it's not that busy and so far I've seen two other people complaining since we arrived. The prices are outrageous for what you get, if you're going to pay this much at least get what you pay for, right? What a horrid experience, please don't waist your time or money here.
(1)Grietson N.
I'm surprised this place has stayed in business as long as it has. The prices are too high and the food is bleh. Clam pancakes - really? Canned clams. Yum. Service - OK if you're lucky enough to get someone decent on a weekday. Weekends, forget it. Why they don't have more servers on weekends i don't know. Don't bother bringing a large group or family - there's not enough manpower to cover it. Come on, owner, cough up some extra bucks and hire some extra wait people so your customers can enjoy their meals and not have to stress over bad food, bad service, or the long wait time to get their meal. We'll stick with IHOP. Better food, better service, better prices.
(1)Devika A.
One of my favorite breakfast places in Fremont. Good service and appropriate prices. Pumpkin and chocolate chip pancakes are some of the best. I would like to try their crepes at some point. Parking is easy and service is relatively quick. Much better than Denny's or a diner! Come here!
(4)Christina C.
I kinda love this place. Yeah, it's more expensive than other breakfast places (Ã la IHOP or Denny's), but the food you get here is the real deal. Legit, thick slices of bacon, thick whipped cream made from actual cream, fresh berries. All that good stuff. The owner and employees are really nice and make me feel like a regular, even though I don't think I quite qualify (I appreciate it anyway :). Best meals here hands-down are the Dutch Baby and the fresh fruit crepe - insane amount of berries on that one. I worked on making my way through every kind of pancake on the menu for a while, but I never could bring myself to try the clam pancakes.
(4)Devon H.
For food cooked with so much butter it's pretty flavorless. I never understood how people mess up simple scrambled eggs. The banana pancakes were stiff and flavorless except for the pound of butter that came on it. They said 20 minutes for the food since we ordered a Dutch pancake but it took about 40. Stay home save some money and time and make your own breakfast.
(2)A M.
So don't come here if you are in a hurry, if you have time the food is ridiculously good. Portions are huge and quality is outstanding.
(5)Christopher L.
Came here once for breakfast a month or two back. I was excited to finally try the place, as I drive by it all the time, but always in the afternoon or on my way to work in the morning, so hadn't had a chance to try it. I had sourdough pancakes, which were alright, but overpriced. It is an old-timey feeling place, which I enjoy, but it wasn't nearly as good as I had hoped for.
(2)Mel A.
The pancakes are great. Try the Dutch, it takes 20 min to bake but it's different-- light and airy. The crepes are great too. I like the pumpkin coffee. What else?? Oh, I don't like the steak and eggs-- but I'm rating the pancakes so I won't hold it against them. The service is ok, but the owner is very sweet.
(5)Nutty B.
First of all its a Super expensive place for a simple breakfast or brunch !! Secondly the service is bad,really bad !! It took them 25-30 mins to get a vegetable omelette. We had a groupon for two, which didn't mention anywhere that we had to order two full meals, so when we went to pay the bill, the cashier told us rudely that we were suppose to order two meals and that we were hiding the coupon !! Talking about the food now, nothing exceptional, you can probably get better service with better food and smiling faces to greet you !! Avoid the place !!
(1)Angie E.
We should have read the reviews before coming here. Food is overpriced and average tasting. I could make better pancakes out of a box mix. The syrup tasted watered down and the omelet was so-so. A $31 bill for two people for breakfast - this place is not worth it.
(1)Sara A.
I came here after a good hike but I can't say the food was good. I ordered the omelette with side of two half size French toast and dear God the omelette was huge the size of a cake- not good it lacked taste and it looked like it was an over inflated pancake. I asked the waitress how many eggs are in here she said at least 7!!! Oh lord! Not good, but the french toast was good, a bit too much butter but overall not bad. The service however was good which I gave it another star but overall I wouldn't be coming back, sorry.
(2)Brandon G.
This place wasn't bad but I wouldn't come back again. The food is way to over priced. I purchased a single waffle for 10 dollars. In addition the workers looked like they didn't want to be there and my cup still had leftover egg on it from the last time someone used it
(2)Merced M.
Don't go to this place if you are looking for a fair price breaksfast Food is not fresh Place is not clean And the waiter needs more personality The most expensive breaksfast ever
(1)Carlos A.
I decide to try this place on a whim without doing my check on Yelp. Well, let me start by saying that the name "Original Pancake House" does not fit this place. 0nce you see the menu, get your order and pay those high prices...you will want to name this place "Wanna Be a Breakfast Place". The prices are way to high for he type of food this place turns out. The prices are more suited to a S.F. posh gourmet bistro. Pros: - None. Cons: -Prices ($2.65 for a weak cup of coffee....wtf!!!) -Omelette's (they are more like a Fritata & $12 for a veggie omelette OMG!!!) -The menu items are not impressive at all (and again the prices!!!) -Did I mention the prices of this place.....The owner needs a reality check. I can get the exact same meal (and tastier) at Denny's for half the price. My wife and I ordered two veggie omelletes & two coffee's and the bill was $33. At Denny's I could get two veggie omellete and two coffee's for $18. BTW at Denny's the omelletes are much tastier with more veggies at that. The ones here dry, flat & round like a pancake without any egg taste at all. It makes me wonder how this place has managed stay afloat. I will definately not come back or recommend this place.
(1)Laura D.
I got french toast and it's basically what I could make at home and it was really expensive. But their apple pancake thing is good.
(2)Chuck C.
From the outside it looks like one of those breakfast/lunch places that ends up being really good, unfortunately it wasn't that good. Service was a bit slow, but good enough. The food was ok, but not that great & the prices were 20-25% higher than similar style restaurants. With tax and tip it was about $40 for breakfast for 2. In my opinion it wasn't a good value for what was paid. 2 1/2 stars would be more accurate.
(3)Jagan K.
This is my first time writting a review in yelp, I am writing so that I will help others in chosing this place as their break fast place. We rencently visited this place as we were craving for good breakfast especially pancakes and waffles. I must say I had the worst waffle in my life, their pancakes were good though.
(2)Sheila C.
That was some expensive orange juice and the buttermilk pancake was just okay. Now I know why I haven't been here in a while.
(3)Lola G.
So I decided to give this place a try again. Why not, it's been 2 years. I ordered bacon pancakes. wow wow wow! These were delicious! The service was great! The man at the cashier, maybe he was the owner. Was very pleasant. I will definitely go back. Oh ya forgot to mention the smoothie that Eric ordered. Very tasty. I will get one for myself next time.
(4)Joanna H.
I love their food!! Their crepes are excellent! I don't know if I've had a better slice of bacon anywhere! The atmosphere is a little tense. The servers aren't super friendly, almost curt. My last visit, I was able to watch a lot of maintenance on the restaurant that probably could've waited until there weren't patrons there & that weren't OSHA approved. (climbing on a swivel chair & shoes on the counter top). The food is excellent, so I will continue to go!
(4)Liz C.
Terrible service and food taste awful. I've been to many Original Pancake House and never been this disappointed.
(1)Michael G.
I struggled to decide what to give this place after my first experience. I think two stars is generous. From the get go the location isn't very impressive. I'm willing to forgive that, though. It looks older and that appears to be part of the charm. The interior is clean and looks pretty organized, though nothing stands out. Service could be better. As soon as we walked in we were greated, which is great, but then we had to wait to be seated while the owner talked to the waitress about nothing at all. We were asked right away what we wanted, then had to wait a good ten minutes to see our waitress again when we were actually ready, despite there not being many people in the restaurant at the time. I ordered the apple pancake and an orange juice... then had to remind her about my orange juice after my food came. The apple pancake was good, but not worth the $12 I paid for it. And the minute maid generic orange juice was not worth the $5 a glass. Not at all. Seriously. $5 for orange juice. Couldn't have been more than 10oz and no free refills. When I got the check I was kind of shocked that a pancake breakfast for two cost $50. Waiting to pay I asked the owner if the pricing was correct, because it seemed high... his response was "it's fresh squeezed orange juice, so definitely worth it." It's one thing to charge me an outrageous price, and quite another to lie to me about the quality. Otherwise it wasn't a bad experience. The pancakes were good, if a little undercooked, and service was mostly prompt. I probably wouldn't dine here again if given other options. But if you've got deep pockets and don't mind pay more than you need to, try it out.
(2)Jocelin L.
Great neighborhood brunch spot. Everyone is so friendly, and the diner vibe is simply perfect for breakfast. The pancakes are always fluffy, and the omelets even fluffier! Not that everything on the menu is in very large portions. I always have trouble getting through my food! One complaint - why is the orange juice so incredibly expensive??!
(4)Mei Y.
The food has surely improved much from my first time here. I got the Hawaiian pancakes and the portion was huge! I think it really could have fed 3 people. I can't give it a full 5 star since I feel like it isn't the best pancakes I have had but for the price and portion, it is reasonable. My boyfriend got some breakfast thing and it came with potato pancakes that you dip into applesauce. That was pretty interesting and very tasty. I think if my usual breakfast places are closed or I am super craving pancakes, I would come back!
(4)Deeley K.
owner needs to retire, all staff members need to be fired. chef either needs a raise bc, once upon of time food was good and now everything has gone to shit land (excuse my french) but note to the wise, go some place else, hell go to ihop. atleast there you get what you pay for.
(1)Vanessa G.
Nothing beats a breakfast spot with a mom and pop feel! If you are expecting a red carpet rolled out for you, artificial smiles and high-pitched greetings, and to pay 99 cents for uniform and pretty-looking food with mediocre taste, this is not the place for you. The service may not be syrupy sweet, but the more you patronize the business, your typical orders and particular tastes are remembered. The servers are flexible (e.g. I couldn't decide between the banana and coconut pancakes one day. They created a beautiful and delicious hybrid that is making my mouth water as I type this). The pancakes have a fresh, homemade taste. In addition to the glorious hybrid I previously mentioned, I recommend the pumpkin pancakes, apple pancakes, and dutch baby (such a custardy texture in the middle :) ).
(5)Cassandra G.
I'll keep this short and simple my husband and I wanted to try this place out and we will never go back we left so disappointed and a nasty taste in our mouths. Terrible customer service our waitress never checked on us never refilled our water or coffee never smiled or looked at us when passing by our pancakes were not fully cooked my sausage was way over cooked eggs slimy. And way over priced and waited way to long for everything should of gone somewhere else nations country way or black bear
(1)christina m.
Service is horrible and the food is okay.prices are way over priced. Wouldn't waste my time or money to go again. Dome of the menu items are "fresh frozen".. Witch makes no sence at all . Saw the waitress re use dirty plates
(1)S H.
Haven't been here for awhile, but decided to try it again using a Groupon. We ordered food for 4 and at best it was mediocre. The serving size was average. I was extremely disappointed in the quality and taste for what seemed a nice diner. When we went up to pay, we realized our Groupon was not valid on Sundays. We spent nearly 70 dollars on a pretty awful meal. Would never come back again, but now I have a Groupon to use.
(2)S L.
Ok...arrived here (party of 2) at 10:30am....wait staff clearly understaffed! They were running around like chickens with heads cut off. Went on 03.22.15 (Sunday). Didn't get seated til 11:00 even though tables emptied and only 3 other parties ahead of us on the sign-in sheet!! No one to bus them in a timely manner. Finally got seated but didn't actually order for another 15 minutes then waited 30+ for a simple pancake order...nothing fancy, just pancakes with a side of sausage. Yes, the food was good BUT it is overpriced in general for pancakes and the wait was so long that we won't eat here again regardless of quality. We didn't leave til past noon!!! That's how long it took to wait, be seated, wait again, order, and wait for the food, eat and then pay/leave! No simple breakfast should take almost 2 hours to complete....wasted most of our morning. Country Way may be crazy packed on weekend mornings but they DO turn tables quickly, food arrives fast, always great quality, and reasonably priced.
(2)Angela C.
Everytime I pass this restaurant, i always say, "i' wanna try this place." So today my fiance and I decided to be "adventurous" and step outside of our usual breakfast spots. We expected a long wait with people crowding the waiting area. No. There was no wait at all...Until we got to our seat. We got water and coffee served right away. But it took the waitress a good 20 minutes and my stink face in order for someone to come take our order! We did try to stop a waiter before that, but was rudely and quickly ignored. WTF? I hate going into an establishment and being ignored (see my review on the Marriott Fremont) I get loud...but, I'm trying to change my temper. So another waitress see's my annoyance and gets someone to take our order. My fiance get's the canadian bacon and eggs. It looked like a child's plate. The scrambled eggs were super runny! Then she forgets about the pancakes and forgets he ordered NO BUTTER. Basically he get's it towards the end of his meal. Oh ya, the size of the pancakes were super small and it seemed like it had been sitting under a warmer all morning...it was kinda "toasted" on the outside and soft on the inside. I had the bacon and cheese omelette. It was huge! Not bad....I also got a side of lingonberry, which they will charge you $2.60 or something like that! For that price, you'd think you're getting a whole jar. No, it was sample size. When we go to pay, come to find out, she charges us someone else's meal and drinks! Sorry, I just don't have the patience for all of this. All we wanted was Sunday morning breakfast. Bad service. Overpriced food!!!! I'm not paying $10 for JUST pancakes....you better throw in some eggs and bacon with that bad boy!!!
(2)Robert S.
Ordered bacon, eggs, pancakes, and toast and let's just say I had to immediately use the restroom after my meal. Not sure how you screw that up. Place was empty yet still took forever to pay my bill I would not recommend.
(1)Julio D.
Omelets are out of this world. So fluffy and delicious. Pricey but you get what you pay for.
(5)Joseph B.
DO NOT GO HERE! Dirty, sad, and weird. I don't know how they manage to hang onto the OPH brand name. Awful.
(1)Albert H.
This place blows! The wait was ridiculous for food that was mediocur. My wife ordered a veggie omelette that did not come with all the veggies listed on the menu and when we told the waitress she said it did not come that way. She then checked and realized that she was wrong and attempted to bring the veggies on a separate plate. This place is WACK!
(1)Sharon B.
Disappointed that they used frozen strawberries in the crepes! Couldn't distinguish between the whipped cream and butter. Must every plate be covered in powdered sugar?! And seriously...$6.60 for FOUR sausages?! Overpriced & over rated! The name of this restaurant is deceiving.
(1)Jessica J.
I think this place is a tad underrated on here. The pancakes are really good, and they bake the blueberries (or chocolate chips or whatever) into the dough rather than throwing it on top. I love that. In non-pancake related news, I recently had the corned beef hash which, although unconventional, was really good. The corned beef was lean and the potatoes and onions were cooked perfectly. Breakfast options are really limited in Fremont, which is why a place that would only get 3 stars in say, San Francisco (or somewhere uppity like Los Gatos), gets 4 stars here. Keep that in mind. I'm also upgrading to 4 stars based upon the waitress I had the last time I was here - she was efficient AND accommodating.
(4)Harsha G.
Mediocre food! Expensive and snail like service..Don't waste your time..
(1)Landon V.
First & "LAST" visit to this place. Complete disappointment. The entree's on the menu are incomplete & VERY expensive. Example: I ordered corned beef hash and eggs over medium. I received 2 raw eggs (egg whites were dripping), and sandwich meet corned beef mixed with a bunch of potatoes. No toast, nothing else for a whopping $14.30! Last note: if you have kids and are accustomed to a kids menu forget it. No kids menu but a mere "one" item for kids on the adult menu. To summarize: Too expensive, poor & cheap food quality, & entree's lacking content.
(1)Eric H.
Decent breakfast but pricing isn't doing this place any favors. On the outside, it seems like your typical breakfast spot, nothing fancy but nothing to deter you from eating here either. There was literally no wait when I came here Saturday morning (should've been a sign). They have pretty much anything you'd expect from your sit down breakfast joint except with inflated prices. The corned beef hash was $14.30! I'm not one to complain about prices, and I certainly don't mind paying more for quality food, but for crying out loud I've paid less for the same dish and better quality at the Grand Luxe Cafe in Vegas! Taste wise, it wasn't necessarily bad but certainly did not warrant the price. Next time I'll stick to Country Way down the street.
(2)Jason D.
First time leaving a review for anything and it kinda sucks to start off by leaving a bad review... Decided to come here after church with my wife and 18 month old son. Got seated pretty quickly but that was the only think that was quick about this place. Food took over 30 minutes! My wife and I began to get worried that our son would start fussing from waiting to long cause we already knew he was hungry...luckily we had some toy cars to distract him with. My wife ordered sausage and eggs with a side of pancakes that ended up being around $11-$12 and the plate that came out had basically nothing! I ordered an omelet with a side of pancakes and the pancakes didn't come out another 10 minutes later! Talk about small portions and horrible overpriced food!! After waiting another 20 minutes just to get the check (and at this point I serious didn't want to pay for what we got) we left and didn't leave a tip. Our server didn't check up on us, see if we needed refills on water, or even bring out the orange juice we had ordered. NEVER coming back here again!!!
(1)Eric A.
$6 for a glass of juice. There are so many other great places just blocks away from this place. Save your time and money.
(2)Thuyvi M.
Came here for breakfast one morning and the service I must say is very good and the employees are very nice. However the food was just average and expensive imo. You do get huge portions though. We ordered the chocolate chip pancakes and piggies in a blanket. The presentation was very appealing but there was not wow factor that made me want to come back when I can just hit up Ihop or other local mom and pop breakfast places.
(3)Shiela T.
My lil' family and I LOVE this place! We can't get enough of their Buttermilk Pancakes for Sunday Brunch. And don't even get me started on their signature 'Dutch Baby' (if you don't know what this is - you'd have to see it to believe it). Their portions are great - although I don't like paying so much for their sides. $2.95 for a side order of ONE egg?? Still, I come here for the Buttermilk Pancakes ..... it takes like no other stack you've ever had before! The only thing I would change is the amount of time it takes to get service. Everytime I come here I have to wait atleast 5 mins before someone comes to the table to take my order. On top of that, I never get a refill on my coffee (is it not FREE?). And I almost ALWAYS have to flag down a waiter just to ask for a take-out box. Seems like no one ever checks up on our table to see if we need anything. For me, that's a big issue but the owner's friendliness (atleast) makes up for it. We come here again and again because of the food. Gotta love Sundays!
(4)Miss H K.
Came here today with my friend for brunch since the wait for the Vine was too long. We were seated and served promptly. I had the chocolate chip pancakes with the hash brown potatoes. The pancakes were good....definitely perfect if you are a chocolate lover! Very rich and sweet. The potatoes were a nice compliment also. Prices here are reasonable, most plates are $9-12. Portions are large and they have a decent selection of waffle, pancakes, etc. They also have sandwiches, tacos (?!) if you are looking for a non brunch item Great place to take the family, a good alternative from IHop. Parking is easy also. Would return again soon!
(4)Terrie R.
Go to the Original Pancake House.Go Now. Order the dutch baby. Enjoy. Go home. sleep. Ahhhhhhh.
(5)Pammy L.
Great customer service and great food! My first time here we were greeted by the owner, older friendly fellow and quickly seated. Spinach and cheddar omelet - I hate greasy omelets, but here they have a different cooking method so the omelet is cooked like a pancake fried on both side w the filling enclosed...Omeletcake lol. If you like your omelet overflowing with filling this is not your place lol. The omelet is huge but for $12 it better be huge! French toast - Tastes like average French toast. Customer serivce - The bf ordered the Spanish omelet but they gave him the mushroom omelet. When we told the server about the mistake she immediately apologized and told him to munch on the mushroom omelet while they cook the Spanish omelet for him. The server even brought out some strawberries for my bf to munch on also.
(5)Russ C.
Avoid this place . Read all the reviews before going. He will not honor groupons and will make up new rules to avoid using them. There are a lot of good breakfast joints Up and down Fremont Blvd at half the price.
(1)Anjana S.
I went for breakfast..seating was not an issue..Food came after 45 minutes of ordering..they didn't even bother to bring the drinks..Ordered bacon and egg..Bacon was over cooked and burnt. Service was very very bad..Will never ever go back there again..
(1)Paula D.
Simple, tasty breakfast food: really filling omelets, yummy dutch babies, and all the breakfast basics you'd expect. Good portion sizes and the food is a very solid step up from your average Denny's or IHOP. Service is good but it's Mom-and-Pop; once we had trouble flagging down the waiter because everyone else called in sick, and we once left because the AC was so high on a summer day that my husband (!) was shaking from the cold. The host first thought it was a joke but eventually since it was true he was clearly uncomfortable about the whole thing, but no one else was complaining (they were all wearing jackets), so what was he to do? We really wanted to eat there, but not in an ice box. We'll definitely try again.
(4)Mark P.
There's really no excuse for the prices they charge for ordinary food. There's nothing wrong with the food and I've found the service o.k. but it seems as the prices are based on "whatever the suckers will pay". Well this sucker will get his breakfast someplace based less on greed and more on just giving a fair value for a fair price.
(1)Katya S.
The worst service and food I ever had in US. Awful place! Save yourself some time and money and go elsewhere. I don't understand how this place is still in business . The food: We had Apple pancake and Baby Dutch. The dough wasn't done and kind of raw. Tables and floors are awfully dirty. The waiter was rude and "in hurry" . Bad, bad experience!
(1)Ann L.
I don't like going out for breakfast since I can make quick oatmeal in 1 min, but I decided to finally try out the Original Pancake House in Fremont. It's just a chain that I was curious about. I picked a house specialty Dutch Baby Pancake $10.11 - They should warn people that it takes FOREVER to get your food. It's cooked in the oven, but really over 30 min for a stupid pancake is really too long. It's a giant thing, crispy outside, custardy inside. It's too big for one person to finish, plus after a few bites it's Boring to eat. B. got the 2x4 which is 4 pancakes & 2 eggs $8.46. He couldn't finish the average pancakes, he did eat the eggs which he likes runny. Coffee - unlimited amount. $2.41. Bathrooms: Right of the restaurant behind a wall in the center. Women's had 2 stalls, 1 sink. Total was $22.82 before tip. We won't be back.
(2)Jeff G.
It's been over a year since we last visited, and that's the reason for this review. After the last visit, we all decided to try the alternatives in the area and come back if we remembered to. Yesterday morning at one of our new breakfast cafes, we were trying to remember the place with the expensive coffee that we used to go to, and it took us searching online for pancake houses to remember. The service, the food, the location all were unremarkable, to the point we decided to not visit again. We had been regulars, every weekend, for 2-3 years, out of habit. I advise checking out some of the other mom-n-pop cafes in the Fremont and Newark areas. You won't be disappointed like we were here.
(1)Krishna M.
They have good buckwheat and hearty wheat pan cakes. Good french toast.... ask for side of jams because they are homemade.. Some of the waitresses can be rude if you try to modify your order, so be prepared to just order off the menu with little to no adjustments, and don't show them you are confused because they will show some irritation towards you. An all around nice family place to enjoy breakfast. I think they do have some egg-free items for strict vegetarians. Oh yeah. Their orange juice is really fresh.
(3)Stephanie M.
This place is no good! Mediocre food, I could have made buttermilk pancakes if not the same, better than these! Also, the apple pancake was just O.K. After using a $10 for $20 worth of food groupon the total came out to $18. If I had to pay the total price for my order + 2 coffees, I would be so disappointed! There are way better places nearby, try those instead! Food: poor Service: poor Will not be going back.
(1)Clint R.
I know that every restaurant out there must have its share of stupid customers. Just look at the people who write Yelp reviews. However, this particular Original Pancake House seems to have more than its fair share. I've seen one person get angry at the wait staff because they got too much food for the amount of money they paid, another because the pancakes were in a stack, a third because their orange juice tasted too much like oranges, and a fourth because they wanted a few large potato pancakes instead of a bunch of smaller ones (and they didn't mention that when they ordered). I kid you not. Now, here's one neat thing about this particular Original Pancake House. The dude who owns it has high expectations of his staff and won't tolerate any slacking on their part, but he also WILL NOT tolerate customers being rude to his employees for no good reason. I've seen this a few times. Here's how it plays out. CUSTOMER: I'd like something unreasonable. Very unreasonable. And I'm going to yell at you until you give in! SERVER: Maybe you should talk to the owner. CUSTOMER: Sure thing. I'll just continue being needlessly hostile until he gives me what I want. OWNER: Is there any particular reason you are being rude to my server? CUSTOMER: Look, I'm paying good money to be here, so I expect the right to be rude to anyone who works here. Plus, I have unreasonable demands and I expect special treatment. OWNER: How about I treat you to a special trip out the door? CUSTOMER: I'm going to give you a one-star Yelp review and tell everyone what terrible service you have! OWNER: Don't let the door hit you on the way out, punk. I love that dude. Here's another neat thing. The staff are all very good at their jobs, and also extremely cool human beings. In fact, here's a super secret insider tip: talk to them. Get to know them. I know most of you only eat out because it gives you a chance to be rude to people, but pretend you're playing a video game where talking to other people gives you more of the backstory. tl;dr Don't be a jerk to the wait staff. Here's something else you should know. They serve real food. Some of you may not be used to it. That's real butter you're tasting. Their orange juice is made from oranges, so if you normally get your OJ from, say, McDonalds or out of a bottle of Sunny D, their juice will taste strange to you. The whipped cream that comes with their fruit is actually made by whipping cream. If the flavor surprises you, that's because it didn't come out of a spray can. Their cheese is not "cheese food." Food made with real ingredients does more than just freak out the kind of person who puts on a suit when the family goes out for a fine dining experience at the Burger King, It costs more, so don't be surprised if a meal here costs a lot more than a couple of Croissan'wiches. Also, some things on the menu are better deals than others. Personally, I'd avoid things that even the least competent among us can safely make at home, like oatmeal, eggs, and toast. It's not that they're bad. It's just that you probably don't want to pay that much for them. Plus, there are so many things on the menu that are really worth a try. If you are a big eater, or if you and a couple of your friends are regular-sized eaters, give the apple pancake or the Dutch baby a try. The apple pancake isn't a pancake as you think of pancakes. It's a huge, oven-baked, eggy and apple-y and cinnamon-y mountain of goodness. The Dutch baby is rich and eggy, and the powdered sugar and lemons that come with it make a wonderful glaze. They've got more normal pancakes, too. If you plan to make it through the apple pancake on your own, I'd suggest an order of sausage patties. They're kind of pricey, but they're also pretty good. If you don't get something savory, you'll be overwhelmed by the sweet. At least, that's my experience. I'm usually more a fan of savory breakfast foods, though. Their omelets are not the little, delicate things you get at a lot of restaurants. They're big and full of eggs and cheese. I really enjoy the spinach omelet. If you really, really like meat, a bacon or ham omelet probably contains half of a pig. (Not really, but I don't think anyone would believe me if I told the truth.) I also enjoy their chicken crepes, potato pancakes, and eggs Michael (an English muffin with sausage, egg, and mushroom sauce). None of these is very small, so come hungry. Also, again, don't be a jerk. UPDATE: What is it with some of you folks? You decide to go to a place called the Original Pancake House, where the signature dishes are apple pancakes and Dutch babies, you order something like ham and eggs that even a six-year-old could safely prepare with a toy kitchen set, and then you whine about it on Yelp? Are you the same people who get all upset when they find out how much a soda costs at a bar?
(5)Jennifer W.
I absolutely love this place for being exactly what I imagine a pancake house would be. It's in a lovely brick building with a steep triangular rooftop with a large fireplace inside. It's beautiful, but too bad it's right next to a tire store. The staff is welcoming and nice too. They make you feel at home. The blueberry pancakes are my favorite, but I have a soft spot for the Swedish pancakes too because it's served with lingonberry berries. If you're into novelty pancakes, try the dollar pancakes. They have other breakfast items too, but why go to a pancake house and not order pancakes? Well priced.
(4)Jolly H.
Been wanting to eat here for a long time. Wish I had just skipped it. Got seated right away but waited a while for waitress to take our order. Immediately noticed how sticky the table was. It wasn't a pancake syrup sticky though. More like a crappy attempt to refinish. Everything stuck to it. Couldn't pick up the coffee cup without spilling. Got the Western Omelet. 12 bucks worth of fluffy blah. Over cooked and next to nothing inside. A few chunks of bell peppers, pimentos, onions and ham. Chose half order of hash browns to go with my omelet. Got country fried potatoes instead with no seasoning. Wife got half order of pancakes for 6 bucks. That's three 4 inch pancakes. Definitely not the worlds best either. Had to ask twice for a glass of water and one of the glasses still had lipstick on it from the last customer. And I'm still hungry. Don't think I'll be back again.
(1)Alan P.
Had a bad experience last weekend at this place. The only reason I went was because I had bought a Groupon, which it turns out I was not able to redeem anyway. I never thought I'd need to read the fine print for a pancake restaurant. Turns out I can only use it M-F before 2PM... The people right next to me made the exact same mistake. I ordered a pecan waffle with tropical sauce....thank God I asked for that on the side. The waffle cost was approx $11, and was about 4" in diameter, limp as a noodle, with some pecans sprinkled on top. The "tropical sauce" was nothing more than OJ concentrate with less water added to make it slightly thicker than a glass of juice. Can you imagine dumping that on the top of a waffle?? No chance! When I complained at checkout about the waffle, the owner said peopled drive from miles away to have that waffle, and if I wanted it crisper I should have sent it back to the kitchen (I assume to pop it back into the toaster it came from). I guess I've heard too many horror stories about what happens to your food when you send it back to the kitchen in a place like this. My girlfriend had 2 eggs & a slice of basic ham, and we both had coffee (only good part of the meal). For that the total tab was like $37 without tip included!! This Groupon was an obvious ploy to get people into this dying establishment - probably knowing they'll never come back anyhow. My meal was so bad I marked my stupid Groupon as redeemed so I won't have any reason to come back to this fine establishment..
(1)J D.
Expensive for the quality of food on the plate. $40 for breakfast for two? For this price the food better be cooked properly and delicious with great service. My omelet was overlooked, sausage patties were dry, the guy at the cashier booth was rude...where is the value? I will not go back...
(1)Deanna V.
4 Stars for the food! However don't expect too much in service, not that it was horrible or bad, but you don't get the friendly, welcoming feeling with the servers. The breakfast however, is really good. Huge portions, I always split with one of my kids and still have plenty left over.
(4)Peter B.
Well prepared breakfast and brunch...one of the best. Very rich and the omelettes are incredible. Most dishes can be split because the dishes are huge. Service is ok but could be better. Stay away from the OJ because at $5.30/8oz glass is robbery.
(4)Craig D.
First time ever at this restaurant and he two stars include 1/2 star for the food and 1 1/2 for the service. I visited with my wife and 2 kids, 9 and 7 on a Sunday morning. The Good: The service was actually great. Workers were friendly, prompt and kept our water and coffee topped regularly. They had their system down. The Bad: The food. Especially, the pancakes, which honestly surprised me since that is the namesake of their restaurant. They were dry, and when I picked them off my plate, they kept their form - nice and flat like a frisbee. They tasted no better and I could taste the gritty texture of the batter. I suspect they had been setting under a heat lamp for a long time. The scrambled eggs were just slimy and ullppp...sorry, almost threw up in my mouth thinking about them. The potatoes were just plain dry. The freshly squeezed orange juice was okay but nothing I would order again. All I could think is that they must use the cheapest, lowest quality ingredients available. The Ugly: The price topped almost $70.00 before tip, for a pretty basic breakfast. It simply was not worth anywhere near that much. I seriously would have been more satisfied if I had eaten at McDonalds and it would have been a third of the cost. If they could get some better food, it would be a good place considering how good the staff operated.
(2)Dianna W.
Great service! Donna, the waitress, will take of you. The owner Sam is very friendly and attentive to all of his guests which he says is at his "house". Had sausages, which were crisp, hash browns that were not too salty, just perfect, and their buttermilk pancakes which weren't flat but fluffy. I also recommend the coffee with their special cream! I had 3 cups of it!! You can really say a diner is a good diner by their cup of coffee. If your in the area, skip Denny's or IHOP, give this place a go. Will return soon!
(5)Kelly R.
The food is delicious, and great portions for the price. Our server was friendly and attentive. Will be back!!
(5)Larissa R.
Came to this place with a Groupon.....no where did it say only to be used on a weekday and we were there on a Saturday morning....spoke to the owner about it who was not apologetic and has the worse customer service...he was confrontational and told us to never come back! Wow, how about that for customer service? To top it off, for 3 people it cost us $60 for breakfast including tip... The place is old, run down, dirty and overpriced!! The breakfast is nothing out of the ordinary and I don't recommend this place at all!! If if there was a negative star I would rate this place that!
(1)Annalyn A.
I really wanna give this place another go, but first experience just killed it for me. Came here a few days ago for my dad's birthday breakfast and I guess my expectations were much, much higher. For the taste of the food, the price is not worth it. I understand that it's not a corporate company like iHOP, but its ridiculous. The hash brown potatoes had no flavor. meh.
(2)Lisa R.
My dad, sister, and I took my mother out for a mother's day breakfast to thank her for all that she has done for us, and the breakfast was a disaster. The food was mediocre and the service was the worst I have ever seen. We all left flustered. Here is what happened. First, we were told that our wait to be seated would be 20 minutes. We waited for 40 minutes when we realized our name was crossed out and someone had written their name over ours. Then the manager told us that we had to wait because we didn't write our name on the list. Even though there were plenty of openings, my father had to show him a sample of his handwriting to prove that we were not lying. Then we sat down and the AC was on full blast. My mother and I were freezing and when we asked if there was another seat that was warmer, the manager told us that turning off the AC would make the restaurant too hot and offered us another table, which was big enough to seat 2 people at most. Then he threw his hands up and walked away when my mother said that the table would not fit us. We ended up grabbing a BLANKET from the car to be even close to comfortable. On top of that, the waitress brought my dad an empty coffee mug and didn't return for another 30 minutes. And when the coffee was brought, there was no creamer. And when my dad asked for creamer, the manager came and said that he sent someone to give us creamer. It OBVIOUSLY didn't happen since my dad was sitting there with no creamer, jerk! Next, it took 50 minutes for our food to come. Right when we were about to get up and leave, the waitress brought our food and waited until then to inform my sister that they were all out of the pancakes she ordered. She had to wait at least another 10 minutes for her food to be there. At this point we were all furious. It was only after I said loud enough for the manager to hear, "This place is horrible and the manager is so RUDE," that he began to ask attentively and fakely if we needed anything every 10 minutes or so. So on our way out, my mother told the manager that we were extremely dissatisfied. Instead of apologizing, he talked backed to my mother, bringing up one excuse after another, such as "It's mother's day. You would have to wait 50 minutes no matter where you go. Have you ever eaten out on mother's day?" Not going there EVER again. And neither should you. Not worth the high prices and wait.
(1)Karyn L.
This place used to be so much yummier back in the day (but maybe I found places like Stacks and Mama's that knocked this place down a bit). They have a few chains (Los Gatos, San Jose) and can definitely get crowded on weekends - closes at 3pm. Over the years, eating there seemed to get a little more depressing, food was just ok. However the owner is super nice and will always remember you - they get 4 stars for great attitude! Kinda torn, but there are much heartier and tasteful pancake/breakfast places out there.
(2)Carl D.
Ok. Decent food, service, and decor. Los Altos location is much better. Better atmosphere, better service, and better food.
(3)Mary S.
Breakfast for 2 with tip, $36.00! Sausage and eggs with hash browns, you have to pay extra for toast! I had the bacon waffle, it was overcooked. A glass of grapefruit juice, $4.79! Coffee was mediocre. The service was good, however, that's the one star. Will not be returning.
(1)Linda K.
They definitely have a wide variety of pancakes! Me and some buddies came here at around 10am but it seemed like they were short on staff... for a breakfast place... We walked in and it took a couple minutes for someone to finally greet us. But out waiter was amazingly kind and helpful. He always had a smile on his face and was willing to do anything to make us comfortable (although we didn't ask for much...) It's a huge cozy place that reminded me of ihop but definitely a lot better. The menu had very strange prices like my potato pancake was $10.61 including tax. It literally tasted like mushy hashbrowns. And it came with about 8 thin tiny pieces.. but I got tired of it after 3 pieces :\ I shared with my friends and got to mooch off of theirs too :) - the buttermilk pancakes smelled DELICIOUS when it came out.. maybe because I was super hungry - The mushroom omelet looked like a slice of cake cake with cream on top. It had a really creamy texture in the inside with slices of mushrooms and a thick layer of egg that wrapped it. - the mushroom omelet also came with a side of french toast which was fluffy and yummy! But without the syrup tasted like straight up eggs... - the dutch baby? or SOMETHING like that.. was HUGEEEE... but it didnt look as good as I thought it would be... it was wayyy too smothered with butter.. it was like yellow water floating in the middle of a baked flour bowl.. But overall it was good food with good company. Would come here again to try their pancakes if it wasnt so far...
(3)rich P.
Most over priced breakfast I have ever had. The food is below average at best. Even coffee is over priced. $13 for an average breakfast plate. add $1 if you want hash browns too. $3 for a cup of coffee.
(1)Susan K.
BAD experience, Food was way over priced for small portion. You can pay the same price for better food and much bigger portion or all you can eat buffet. Service was slow, owner was not friendly, he ask if we pay the bill on the way out. I told him we know the meals are not free, then he said he was not talking to me he said he was asking his waiter. I felt a little offended. Definitely not recommend this place, unless you want to know what Bad experience feels like.
(1)Andrea F.
I've had good experiences in the past but over the last couple of years it seems like the service and SOME of the food (not all) has gone a bit down hill. Its almost as if they are just going through the motions of their day. Today, the waiter who served us breakfast just basically plopped it on the table, said 'okay' in a stern tone and walked away. He didn't ask if we needed anything else, he didn't tell us to enjoy our meal...he just threw out a rude 'okay' and moved along. When we came in, we were the first couple to be seated on the right side. Over the course of the next 10-15 minutes several other people came in and were seated. Four other tables were served before us. When I saw the waiter take our food from the window, I realized most of the meal had been sitting up there a while. The pancakes have always been and will most likely always be really good. My omelet was good but the sausage was way too salty. I went to lift up my napkin and half of it stuck to the table. I tried to lift my plate to scoot it over and I had to tug on it to unstick from the table. I have no idea what that was about. Unless I want to go there for the pancakes and don't care about what type of service I get, I doubt I will be back anytime soon.
(2)Jon W.
This is definitely my favorite breakfast spot in Fremont. I usually get their omlettes and have tried several of them. What makes these omlettes special is that they're baked rather than fried. They rise in the oven and are thick, moist, and fluffy.
(5)Maricris G.
My family and I have eaten here on several occasions over the years. We have not had any significant issues with our orders, and the staff seem very friendly. We now have a toddler with us, and the restaurant has been kind and accommodating when we eat out with our tot. (Something not all restaurants are quite friendly or welcoming at times). My only gripe with this particular restaurant is the cleanliness of the bathroom (loose paper towels, water around the sink, etc.) - much of it can be put on the customers and hoping that people generally clean up after themselves, but knowing how much customers they receive, my wish would be having someone maintain the general appearance and cleanliness of the stalls and sinks.
(4)Ashley J.
If you're craving pancakes, come here! There are SO many different kinds of pancakes, there is something for everyone! I had the coconut pancakes and the boyfriend enjoyed the pineapple pancakes. I loved the coconut pancakes because there was not only coconut in the pancakes but sprinkled on top as well with a light dusting of powdered sugar. For around $8 (at least for the ones we ordered) you receive 6 large, fluffy pancakes. Next time I'm getting a half order even though I managed to wolf down 5 out of the 6. My only complaint is that after I began to munch on my pancakes I craved sausage so I ordered a side of links. For 4 sausages I was charged $5.57!!!!! Crazy expensive for 4 links. Get the pancakes, forget getting a side. Will I be back? Expect me there again sometime this week....... (=
(4)Greg H.
The pancakes that are served here are definitely supreme among most diners, but the Original Pancake House still has a lot to compensate for. I went during a non-busy time of day; but from the moment that my order was written down to when the dish arrived to the table, was about 20+ minutes. Come on now... I'm not a stickler about how fast food is served but these are pancakes... ~1 minute sit then flip, right? I'm not really sure what was going on in the kitchen but there were only 2 other tables that were filled, and they were already eating when I got there. Aside from that, the pancakes were still pretty good. I think I'd be willing to give this place another try.
(3)Laurice F.
I love diners. I love breakfast. Original Pancake House is a charming diner that is all about breakfast. Ben F. and I were so excited to have found this place while scouring the town during our mini-vacay. I ordered the Blueberry Waffle with a sausage patty and he ordered bacon, eggs and toast. Such an awesomely delicious breakfast! The service was fine, the coffee was good and the ambience was homey and full of history. I removed 1 star bc we spent about $30 between the 2 of us and we didn't even order that much. Kinda disappointing that OPH is so expensive. But oh well, I got a good meal out of it :/
(4)Amy G.
We have been going here for 13 years now. We used to love this place. Yes, it is a bit pricey, but was always very good. Their crepes are delicious! However, this morning we went there because I purchased a goupon. I was super excited about having a goupon because this place is a little more expensive than most breakfast places. I presented the groupon to the waitress as soon as we sat down. She told us that it is good for 2 meals. My husband ordered the basic bacon and eggs and I ordered the basic fruit crepe. The waitress asked me what type of fruit I wanted? She asked if I wanted the mixed fruit and if so, it would be an additional $2. I asked her what type of fruit does it already come with? She explained that it comes with my choice of either Strawberries, Blueberries or Raspberries. I opted for the Raspberries. When we got our bill, they charged me an additional $2 for my crepe. When I took the bill up to pay, the owner was at the register. I asked him why I was charged an additional $2? He said because I ordered mixed fruit. I explained that I did not and that I ordered the Raspberries, NOT the mixed fruit. He then said, "Oh, well that is the most expensive item I have". I told him about the conversation I had with the waitress and he admitted that she was wrong. He went on to explain that Raspberries are very expensive and that is why he has to charge me more. I told him that what he is doing is not only unprofessional, but illegal. He then began to argue with me. All I wanted was to go to a nice breakfast with my husband. I was not looking for an argument. So, on top of the additional $2 that he charged me for the very expensive Raspberries. He added another $9.50 on top of that. I still have no idea what for. I was tired of arguing with him. He obviously is burned out from his job and does not care about running a legitimate business. This was some of the worst customer service that I have ever experienced. $41 for 2 people for just a mediocre breakfast. Ya, we will definitely not be going back here.
(1)Taralyn R.
Eat here! My friends and I were staying in a hotel nearby and found this place. We liked it so much that we went back the next morning. The second day we went back earlier and so the wait staff was more attentive than during brunch, but both days we had friendly waiters and our coffee constantly refilled. The pancake order is enough to share with around 4 people. The crepes had wonderful fresh fruit. The sausage, Canadian bacon, and steak were all well cooked and tasty. The omelets are baked. Surprisingly, the bacon pancakes were really good.
(5)Pauline N.
Parking - Easy Service - Accommodating, friendly Food - Friend's favorite Dutch Baby, take 20 mins to bake. I think it tasted rather nasty, but friend loves it! Buckwheat pancake - Pretty good Ham/Egg/Harsh Brown - Poached eggs were very nicely done. Ham was very tough. Harsh Brown was very salty and UN-tasty. OJ - I think it was too sweet, friend loved it Maple Vanilla Latte - It was very watery and too sweet. I will not come back if I'm on my own.. But I am sure I'll be back because one friend loves it. :(
(3)betty T.
Disclaimer: I do not work or know anyone who work at OPH or Dino or IHOP in Fremont. Just one satisfactory customer who wants to share good food experience. This place is a true dining gems in the Fremont. Comfort as a mom & pop restaurant, but yet the food are prepared with care and services are very friendly and prompt. This is not a place where you pop-in in for your breakfast and the waitress expected you to pop-out as soon as you are done, because someone outside is waiting to get in to eat. Let just says we lived within walking distance to Dino Restaurant and we have been there for many years, until we get sick of smelling like hash and bacon food when we walk out, not to mentioned the overly crowded and long waiting line outside for greasy food. BTW, the food there isn't cheap for the family of four either. We average out $10-$15/per before tax and tips. I took both my kids to OPH in Fremont this morning. We loved the ambiance of the restaurant. We sat at the back of the restaurant, lot of outside light, just like eating out of your kitchen dinette. The restaurant was 80% full during our dining experience. So, yes, it was busy and the waiter seated us really quickly and offers us water and coffee right away. We ordered: Dutch baby, Danish Kijafa Cherry Crepes, Chocolate Crepes, and Bacon & Cheese Omelet, coffee and hot chocolate for my girl. Crepes = Excellent! not greasy like IHOP, very comparable to dining in Carmel-by-the-Sea Omelet = Lots of non-fat bacon and cheese and the best part - not greasy at all. Kudos!! Dutch Baby = Excellent! very original and comparable to dining in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Coffee = Excellent!!! better than the watery down Dino or IHOP, my cup was always refilled and love it when it comes with table cream, strong with nice aroma. Price= Very comparable for the same quality food at Dino and IHOP, but 1/2 the price for the same dishes in Carmel. We love this place and we will be back!
(5)T A.
We spent over $14 for 3 orange juices here..and ya know what? I'd do it again... Best orange juice in all the land! I had my regular go-to on the menu..The Bacon Pancakes. Just as good as the OG Pancake House in Laguna Niguel, but, not as big. :/ Still, very fucking delicious. My boyfriend got the coconut pancakes, the texture and flavor were on point. We felt like hogs trying to force feed all 6 pancakes down our cakeholes. But, see, here's the deal..you come here to eat like a lumberjack..so, there should be NO leftovers. This is the kinda meal that will keep you full till dinner..or even beyond. So, don't fuck around.. eat it all up! I was totally bummed by the mediocre fried potatoes, but that's cool..at least my orange juice and pancakes were perfect. The guy working the front/cashier area wasn't very... suited for that position. He should be playing as The Rock's double in some action movie.. totally weird vibe from that guy. But, it didn't really ruin anything about my meal or anything. Sure you could come here and bitch about the price like 50% of the other people reviewing... or you could shut the hell up and eat the delicious food and fresh squeezed orange juice and call it a quality breakfast. I'm told the paper towels in the men's room are exceptionally absorbent, which is good to know because it proves my man washes his hands after he pees even when I'm not in ear shot . Hygiene..it comforts me so. :)
(5)Jeanette L.
I came here with a friend for breakfast recently. It was my first time and I wasnt expecting much. It was hard to select what i wanted from the menu because the stuff on the menu either sounded delicious or not my taste. I ordered the strawberries waffles and it was YUMMYY. i finished it pretty quick since it was just one regular sized waffle with a bunch of cut strawberries on top. The waffle itself tasted great, the batter was well made. The strawberries on the other hand werent all sweet [i wouldnt blame them, its not necessarily strawberry season haha] They also had whip cream on the waffle, so there was no need for syrup at all :] downside: this place is a bit pricey for the amount of food you get. for my meal it was $10 for one waffle and alot of strawberries. If you ask me, i would prefer ihop just cause i could get a side of eggs, sausage, and hash browns with watever i order. but dont get wrong i do like this place :]
(4)Shreya G.
I've been here so many times, yet I cannot remember why I have not written a review for this place yet. I've always had a good experience here, and I normally come here in a large group for breakfast on weekend mornings. The service here is pretty fast for serving a large group of people plus the coffee is pretty much endless (my favorite). The workers here are really nice as well. The quality of the food here is great too. A lot of people see the menu and think the food is expensive, but the portions of the food are big so, in my opinion, everything is a pretty good deal. I've had the pancakes, the eggs, and the waffles, which are all really good. My favorite food to get is the Belgian waffle with strawberries. I've never seen a great-tasting waffle topped with so many FRESH strawberries. I find it well worth its price. I find myself craving the Belgian waffle specifically from here. Never a disappointment. Great family environment. Parking is easy. Located in the center of Fremont. Original Pancake House, you are a winner in my book.
(5)Susana C.
We went trying to use up the 3 groupons which we were given as gifts to us totalling $50, face value. The meal was nothing spectacular, apple pancakes and potato pancakes, didn't actually see any potatoes in the potato pancakes though. The service was non existant. After our meal, I attepted to pay w/ the Groupons at face value, not the Groupon value. The owner refused to accept any of the Groupons despite the bill being $30 and i offered to give him ALL the groupons totalling $50 just to never have to deal with the miserable service. The owner cited there was nothing he could do, that we'd have to take it up w/ Groupon as the Groupons had all expired. Sneaky and underhanded is what i call this place. We were stuck paying cash and the owner already made off w/ funds purchased via Groupon ($50) and collected another $30 bucks off of us for today's meal. When we left after paying in cash and closing his register, the owner said he would have honored the full groupon price if we were nice to him but we looked at him w/ red eyes, completely insane
(1)Joe G.
We enjoy coming to the Pancake house but unfortunately we're limited because our daughter is allergic to nuts and almost everything on the menu is made with peanut oil. The service here is always friendly and anytime we've had an issue with our food they are quick to correct it. The best thing to stick with is pancakes or crepes, these are their specialties. We love potato pancakes (latkas) so we were excited to try them here but they were horrible (marinating in oil) so stay away. The coffee and other side items have always been good and a meal typically runs us about $12/per.
(3)Lizz W.
I think this goes between a 2.5 and a 3. The Swedish pancakes are delicious. Hot chocolate is pretty yummy and served with a lot of whipped cream on top. But the stuff is pricier than it should be. The omelets are huge, but dry. The fact that they're dry just makes me push them away after a couple of bites. I had a mushroom omelet and it was just...my biggest problem is dryness, and it's also kind of bland. When I went with my friends, the manager (an older gentleman) and our waiter were very friendly and joked around with us but even though there were only a couple of people including our group of friends, service was kind of slow. We sat there and after talking a bit realized...dude, when do we order our food? All our food and drinks came at different times(my friend's latte thing came after I was halfway done with my Swedish pancakes) and sometimes I felt like the people were outright ignoring us when we tried to ask for something. The time I came with my mom was even worse. We waited for so long until someone finally came to take our order, and the two waitresses were just chatting the whole time we were waiting. I won't come back unless I have a huge craving for Swedish pancakes.
(3)Jake W.
Nice breakfast spot. The host is very friendly and the food is what you'd expect from a greasy spoon. The cheese and bacon omelet was delicious (fluffy) and the pancakes were good. It doesn't do anything that I haven't seen before, but it does what it does well.
(3)Libby T.
Decent food, horribly expensive for what you get and terrible service. Parking in the lot is plentiful, just don't come on a holiday or your wait will be 2 hrs.
(2)Sunil R.
Good old fashioned food especially for a cold day when you are not counting calories. The chicken crepe was good but not as good as Le Moose or Frodo Joe's Creperies which are also in Fremont. Good friendly service.
(3)Lance N.
Food is good and portions are big but service is extremely slow. And orders were filled at other tables that were seated after us. Not worth the money.
(2)Brendan B.
The girlfriend decided to treat me to a late breakfast today, and we've been wanting to try this place out. We came in and were seate quickly, since it wasn't too busy. We were asked for our drink order, and both asked for water (our usual choice) and were served child-sized glasses. This was a problem for me, since I always drink a LOT of water with my meals, and the refill service (along with any other type of service) was lacking. I asked our server for a straw, and after 10 minutes of watching him wait by the kitchen "food window" for other tables' orders finally had to ask the girl busing tables to bring me one instead. Our server didn't take any better care of us from there. When taking our orders he kept calling my girlfriend "baby". I don't think he meant any harm, but it rubbed me the wrong way since he called her that repeatedly throughout taking our orders. Then, after a wait that seemed much longer then the relatively slow flow of customers warranted, he brought out our food. Unfortunately, none of my sides were cooked to order. I asked for both the bacon and hashed browns well done, and our server brought them out limp and under-cooked. After sending them back to the kitchen for some more time on the grill, they finally came back out by the time I had nearly finished the rest of my meal. As a former server for several years myself, I feel that if a server sees that the food isn't cooked as the customer asked for it, they should take the initiative to have it fixed, rather than taking it out to the table only to have it sent right back. When I noticed that our table settings didn't include knives (?!) I asked for two knives, and was then brough one full table setting (fork, knife, spoon), before having to then ask again for the second knife. Suffice to say, very unimpressed. I overhead a group across from us complaining to their server that they had been waiting over 45 minutes for their food (again, the restaurant was NOT busy), and one member of the table next to us didn't get his food until 10 minutes after everyone else was served. It was a party of 6, yet everyone's food seemed to come out haphazardly. Every few minutes an entree or side dish would be brought out. Before our food had even come out, my girlfriend and I decided that this place would be "one and done" on our list of local restaurants. Coutry Way offeres a MUCH better dining experience, service, and pricing than Pancake house. Speaking of pricing, Original Pancake House is WAY overpriced for what they offer. $8 for a plain waffle is a bit much. Then add on $3.50 for two strips of so-so bacon and another $3.50 for two sausage links each the size of my index finger, then another $4 or so for the hashbrowns. All told, we paid $34 for two waffles (one with strawberry and whipped cream topping), two bacon strips, two sausage links, and a side of hashed browns, and no extra drinks besides the water that our server carelessly spilled on the table while giving me a refill after my glass had been empty for nearly 10 minutes, then he dashed off to spend more time standing with the other servers near the kitchen window. Maybe they were short a cook? Or another server? But I have never been in a restaurant where the service was so slow when it wasn't even very busy. Maybe they could have asked the hostess to help out, since she spent most of the time that she wasn't seating guests staring blankly at her coworkers go about their work. Overall: overpriced, slow, unattentive (understaffed?) service, for food that is pretty good but not great. You can find food that is just as good if not better for prices equal to or lower than you'll find here. You'll also likely receive much better service elsewhere, as Original Pancake House seems to have missed the mark on many of the restaurant basics. We won't be back.
(2)Mike M.
First off,prices are ri-goddamn-diculous! I was looking over the menu for more than a few minutes and noticing that there wasn't really anything under $10. The breakfast combos here are crap as well.You get the menu item and ONE side of either pancakes OR toast OR hash browns.This was making my decision tough,since I'm used to Dennys or IHOP where you can get all of that at half the price. The food itself was pretty bad too.My pancakes tasted like they had been cooked in Blue Moon or that fuckin PAAS stuff that you make easter egg color with.I'm talking about yeast,fool.A mouth full of it.Vinegary ass pancakes that I ate one bite of.Theyre the nastiest pancakes I've ever had.In all of my years. The omelet that I ordered was acceptable.It was huge,round [about the size of a personal pizza] like it took a carton of eggs to make and I could only eat half of it. Oh yeah and like someone else said,they seat everyone together on one side of the restaurant.Right next to each other as if it were the last spot on earth. $30 for breakfast for two is a little much.Especially for mediocre food that you probably wont eat anyways.Avoid.Go to Dennys.Its cheaper,the food is better and they dont have the air conditioner on full blast to make you want to leave. EDIT:Make sure theres a restroom around within 30 minutes of eating this shit.
(1)Pamela R.
So this place is in Texas and we love the one in Dallas so we figured we would try the one in Fremont. First off the staff was great! The menu was completely different than Texas, so hubby decided to try to sourdough pancakes --- did not go over well. I got the veggie omelette, which was not bad but was way too fluffy for my taste. Overall I would go back, we would both just order something else
(3)Sheena C.
I've never experienced such blatant disrespect and racism in my life! We were seated and offered nothing... 5 minutes later 3 white men was seated and immediately brought water and they're drink orders were taken. I will never go there again. We left without eating... I wouldn't give a penny to that place!
(1)Raj K.
I have been to other OPH locations. By far this place got the worst customer service. The man at the front desk is very friendly to his regulars, he hugs them and sends many flying kisses to them. However, his attitude towards new customers leaves much to be desired. 2 stars for the food, minus 3 stars for the cashier at the front desk.
(2)L G.
This is my second time back at this place because I wanted to use my groupon. The first time I was there, it was Saturday and the groupon is only good from Monday to Friday. I called to confirm to make sure they accepted the groupon of $40 for 3 people. The owner told me I have to order 4 entres, which is fine, I took the leftover home. We enjoy all the foods we ordered. I agree with other yelpers that the foods are good but way too pricey. Honestly, I would only go back if there's discounted price.
(4)Melissa T.
I came here after I saw their little clip on the Food Network about the Dutch Baby. I had to give it a try. I came here on a relatively slow day and their service was terrible. It took forever to even place our order, let alone get our food. It wasn't even that amazing. I was thoroughly disappointed.
(2)Kenny C.
I came here due to the Groupon deal and because I am a fan of breakfast foods. I ordered the Western omlette and my gf ordered the swedish pancakes. My omlette was good and so were the side of buttermilk pancakes. The swedish pancakes were decent too! The server was pretty attentive and kept my coffee cup full (bjg plus for me). The price is a little more than it should be though. I would come back again to try other specialty pancakes!
(3)Nancy J.
5 stars for service. 4 stars for food. 2 stars because they only seem to be open in the morning... What options do you have for great service and food when you want pancakes for dinner?
(3)Ariel L.
My family comes in here when we can. My wife always gets the 49er it's her favorite thing to order there. I usually go for one of their fluffy baked like omelets. Their pancakes are good and I love their corn beef hash. That is off the hook. I had the Dutch Baby once. It was ok just not my kind of breakfast. The place is old and the service is always good. Everyone is so friendly and nice. The food is on the pricier side witch stops us from coming in more.
(3)Jeanette B.
If I could give this place NO STARS I would! We went there today to use our Groupon for breakfast. When we arrived the owner approached our table, initialed our Groupon and told us to give it to the waitress with the check. We ordered breakfast: Ham and Eggs for me $11.00 + $1.00 for toast and coffee and my son ordered a glass of milk $3.29 and a stack of bacon (6 pieces) $6.59 for a total bill of $27.20. The owner told the waitress to tell us we could not use our Groupon because we did not order two full plates. I asked her to show me where it stated that on the Groupon restrictions. She sent over the owner and he pointed to the Fine Print. I said it does not say that, show me where it says that. He said they print it in different places, I will show you but he could not because it was not printed anywhere. He said I let you buy this so you bring in another person and order meals. I began to explain to him that the milk was $3.29 and the bacon was the price of a meal but he wanted nothing to do with it and started being a donkey. So I was a witch right back and we did exchange words that were not nice and where very loud. When he rang me up I let him know that he just screwed his waitress out of a tip, he said he does not screw anyone. He told me to never come back, OH he does not need to worry about that I WOULD NEVER be back to this overpriced and horrible customer service place. I let him know I would be contacting Groupon and writing a Yelp Review. He said to hell with that Yelp, now I see why based on his reviews!!! When I got home to contact Groupon I found out that he had already redeemed the Groupon at 10:16 am shortly after we sat down to eat and before we had even ordered. What a SHYSTER! Thank gosh for great customer service from Groupon who within 5 minutes on the phone explaining how horrible my experience was had my purchase refunded!
(1)Angie R.
The Original Pancake House serves some of the best pancakes in town. I always order their Blueberry Pancakes, Pecan Waffles, and French Crepes. They are delicious! The service is fast and the prices are right. I haven't been back in a while but I hope to revisit the Original Pancake House soon.
(3)Robbie N.
This place is awful. Over priced, bad service and the food bad. Manager/Owner is no help. Doesn't care...
(1)Adam C.
I had a half order of bacon pancakes and a half order of banana pancakes. The bacon was crisp and I enjoyed the meal. It was more than I could eat.
(4)Kaysha H.
I've been visiting this place for about 6 years, and it's always been a favorite. I am not a big breakfast fan, but this is my go-to place. It has wonderful pancakes and hash browns. The manager is incredibly friendly and personable, and is frequently working. I have always had great service from the other staff members as well. I always get the same thing, half an order of buttermilk pancakes, and half an order of hash browns. It is still more than enough food, but priced pretty reasonably. I do wish they offered more complete meal options.
(5)Scott D.
While waiting for my tires to get replaced I figured I would have myself some breakfast given I saw this place across the street from where I was. Being my first time here I should have gone with a pancake given their name, but I figured I would go with the corn beef hash on special. The corn beef was just chopped up corn beef sandwich meat combined with some american potatoes and served with two eggs. They couldn't even get the eggs right. I ordered them sunny side up and they came out way to runny. Should have been left on the griddle for a another minute. What really disappointed me was price. It wasn't listed on the specials menu, but given the prices of everything in their menu I didn't think it could be more than $10, should have asked because when I got the bill I was in shock that it was $12, plus $2.50 for a terrible cup of diner coffee. Not only was this one of the worst breakfasts I have had in a while, it was also one of the more expensive I have had. I will not be visiting here again. Next time I want a mediocre breakfast I will go to IHOP or Denny's.
(1)joe t.
Had a terrible experience here. Me and my old lady came here and ordered omelettes. She got the Spanish and I made up my own. Food came out, and well, they cook their omelettes like a frittata or a Spanish tortilla, in the oven, but they were overlooked and dry. Ever burn your scrambled eggs and tasted what's on the bottom of the pan? Ya that was what we got. My girlfriends came with a Spanish sauce that was anything but a Spanish sauce, one of the 5 mother sauces of French cuisine. Tasted like top ramen broth thickened with cornstarch with some tomato paste mixed in there. Returned the food, tried to pay the bill, but they didn't want me to, so I left a good tip and left. Service was fine, our waitress was a nice woman and I felt bad sending the food back, but it wasn't that we just didn't like it, it was inedible.
(1)Jeff E.
I have only been here 2 times - if this review was based on the first time alone, I'd give it two stars because of what I ordered - bacon, eggs and toast, and paying a premium for nothing special as well as getting acceptable, but not excellent service - took a while to get seated when it wasn't busy and not really checking in for refills of coffee. However, my visit this morning made up for the first time. My waiter was very, very friendly. I asked him what his favorite dishes were and he recommended the bacon and cheese omelette with grilled onions, bell pepper and mushrooms and banana pancakes with chocolate chips on the top and strawberry syrup and butter on the side. Almost finished the whole thing in one sitting, and the servings were huge. The whole meal was $15 - pricy, but if I had known, this order could have been split between 2 and been reasonable. The waiter was very attentive and servers came around constantly to refill coffee and water. It was a good day. I will try this place again and see if the great service and decent food stay consistent. My only gripe is one that many others have - on the pricy side for breakfast and if you order the wrong thing, you won't enjoy it. Ask your server first for suggestions - that's the problem with too many menu items sometimes - quality gets diluted.
(4)Matthew F.
Just say we got there at 12:30pm and ordered by 12:40. At 1:10 I asked how much longer, the waiter said a few more mins. Then I waited until 1:30 still no food. I then asked the server how much longer. She said 10 mins. I then asked why it is taking so long. She was embarrassed because it was taking a long time. Taking an hour to get three meals is totally ridicules. We ordered one pancakes, one French toast and one omelet. BY this point, we were very not happy so I saw the owner and asked him why it takes so long to get our food. He asked what we ordered I told him. He said oh the omelet takes a while to cook. I said well 50 mins for an omelet is a little long. He said "SO I AM THE BAD GUY BECAUSE THE FOOD TAKES TO LONG"... Well it is your restaurant... IT IS CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE. We left with out eating. Then they had the nerve to ask us to pay for our drinks. The menu is a little over priced. PLEASE DO NOT COME HERE. HORRIBLE OWNER. The server was a nice young woman; she was embarrassed because it was taking so long. I felt bad for her. We were not the only people waiting a long time for their food. As an owner of the restaurant he should have been I am sorry, let me make this right to you. HORRIBLE HORRIBLE HORRIBLE.... Also I seen the one older lady waitress touch food with out gloves. she did not even wash her hands. The worst thing there was a Latin server middle aged (40). Sneezed into his hands then grabbed someones plate with food on it with OUT WASHING HIS hands. GROSSS... I will never eat here..... Glad we left before we got our food that was taking FOREVER. This was on June 19th at 12;30pm.
(1)B P.
I really like the breakfast vibe of this place! The breakfast was good and fresh, and I got lots of fresh coffee. I would go back, sure.
(4)Patrick D.
Came here this morning for the first time. I read the reviews while waiting to be seated and was hoping to catch their workers on a good day. I was wrong. Although i was seated fast and my order was taken, my food came about 30 -45 min later. They weren't too busy, however waiting that long for 2 omelettes (came with my wife) and their dutch baby is way too long. Their excuse was because the dutch baby takes time to cook. I gave them 3 stars because the service is SLOW. The people behind me were also complaining that their food took too long and they did not order a Dutch Baby. The food is good though. Their "Dutch Baby" is basically a pancake cooked in the oven. I liked it a lot. Creamy in the middle and crispy on the edges (that's what she said..i know i know) The omelette was so so. Way too fluffy for me. It almost tasted like a cake. All in all, I would come back here only for their pancakes and if I wasn't too hungry.
(3)Jeffrey L.
$9.12 for a 'lehhgo my eggo' sized waffle and $5.40 for 2 sausage patties with a 1 inch diameter?! Bitch be trippin'!
(2)Elaine Y.
thank you groupon! this place has great customer service! 4 stars for that 3 stars for food overall. they have a good blueberry waffle (not dry but fluffy) and an ok western omelet. the omelet was more like a fritta than an omelet. but it's local so you can't hate on that.
(3)Stacey W.
OKAY, this place is way too expensive for what it is. I don't think they need to over price their items like they do. I'd come back... if their prices were lowered... by... a lot. I'm pretty sure everyone else agrees that the prices are no bueno. If they wanted to charge the prices they do, they should have more of a selection!
(2)Liana W.
Been here 2x and will be returning... often. I don't even care that I have to get on a freeway to come here, because they know what vegetarian means! The food is good, and yeah, it can be a bit of a wait between ordering and receiving, but is that real time or "I'm really fricking hungry" time? It's not like a crap place that makes you wait 45 minutes and then brings you cold, inedible food. The food is good, and the wait is not unreasonable. The food: pancakes, lots of options including sour-dough(!) and potato. I've had the potato pancakes, which are nothing like latkes (and I loves me some latkes) and they're yum! They come with apple-sauce and sour cream. The blueberry comes with a berry compote, which I don't care for, but my future husband loves. The Eggs Michael was delicious and filling. It normally comes with sausage, but my server suggested getting the sausage on the side so my meat eating companion could chow down. The omelets are a little unconventional. They are cooked in a pan, unfolded, with all the fillings cooked in the egg. It's not so much delicate as it is a disc-shaped mass of eggs and "fillings." I had so much, I saved half my plate for lunch. They also have a beautiful looking dish, crepes with fresh berries served with whipped cream. Haven't tried it yet, but will soon. All in all, this is a solid breakfast place that deserves a repeat. It's not a fancy or particularly pretty place, but it is clean and the food is good.
(4)Sabrina Marie H.
Everyone needs a good waffle or pancake these days, so I turn to this place. Its a little small but not bad in taste. The owner Sam is pretty cool, and always has photos of the community/customers as their "hall of fame" people. They also post the kids coloring pages around the place which is cute. I come to this place randomly and get different types of customer service...it really just depends on the day. On weekends they are packed and slow with the refills and ordering. But if you saw the place you'll understand, I suggest coming in early as possible before the rush gets in. I've had different servers which is a hit or miss too b/c some are better than others. During the week its not bad, the service is usually better, the food comes out faster but all in all, it still taste the same. Im a fan of the 49er Flapjacks (go Niners!) and the Chicken apple sausage.
(4)Janette ..
Dutch baby not all that, decor needs updating,waiter forgot our pancakes. Prices are high for what you get. Overall not all that.
(2)Vicki C.
Went here for the first time about a couple of months ago. I always drove by it but never had the ocassion to stop since it's never breakfast time when I drive by. Well I have to say that from now on, I will eat there weather it's breakfast time or not! Their bacon pancakes are amazing!! I know it might sound a little weird, but they are delicious, I dream of these bacon pancakes. I always tell myself I will try something different on the menu the next time I come in, but I just can't!! Trust me, try the bacon pancakes!! I've always had the same waitress when I go, she's very nice and very attentive. I just can't get over her acrylic nails, being in the medical field, I know how much bacteria those nails can harbor. Just a little turn off.
(4)Caro S.
I am so NOT impressed. This experience + the bill left me with the " I should have went to the Nation's down the way" feeling. Me and my Man went here for breakfast. The menu made ever thing sound good. I ordered OJ, 2 scrambled egg beaters, a pecan waffle with added sliced bananas which got me a crazy look, and a side of sausage. Although the server was very nice he forgot my OJ. Then he forgot my bananas. :( They later brought them on the side, not the same). When I got my waffle I was totally disappointed $9 for a large Eggo. Yes, it looked like a slightly larger Eggo waffle. WACK not fluffy, no powdered sugar on top, no mouth watering waffle crevasses, you get the picture. I was majorly disappointed. Not even the sausage was good. All of the sides where at least $4 and the "Large" OJ when it finally came was only like 6 ounces (okay so maybe I am exaggerating but it was small!). If you want good breakfast and are in this area go down to Nation's and order the two egger breakfast way better and definitely cheaper!
(2)Elise A.
This breakfast joint has almost become our default breakfast location. It's not the best, by any means. Quite frankly, there's another "Original Pancake House" in Grosse Pointe Michigan where I was born that is *way* better than this place. I can tell they do the same recipes as the Michigan place - but the Fremont establishment's food isn't nearly as good and the place itself isn't nearly as nice or cozy inside at it is at the one in Grosse Pointe. And yet, despite its shortfalls, it's still not a bad breakfast experience. We end up ordering the bananas and whipped cream for our 14 month old... she usually has only a tiny amount of the whipped cream with her bananas - but it's a big treat for her and one that she obviously enjoys. I end up ordering one of the breakfasts that come with three small pancakes and using leftover bananas that my daughter didn't eat on the pancakes... I would prefer strawberries - but they seem to charge an outrageous amount for a side order of strawberries! The first time I ordered a small side of strawberries - they gave us just a tiny cup and charged us not much money. But the second time they charged us over ten dollars for the strawberries! Sheesh! The other weird thing is that its sometimes hard to order *only* what I know that we'll actually eat. So overeating over here is a little bit of a problem. It's actually cheaper to order a bigger breakfast, than to get only what we want - and they have very few options on their menu that involves smaller portions, other than maybe the kiddie plate for those under 12. It might be better if you could share with someone else - unless you really enjoy taking home leftovers. But I find that breakfast leftovers don't really reheat that well. They do offer half portions of pancakes, by the way... in case you really don't want to put up with staring at six pancakes on your plate. But they seem to lack the "light" option for most of their other standard fare - which makes me hope that my husband and I will manage to agree on something to share next time around.
(3)Bharti S.
The food is excellent! However, the service is horrible!!! While taking the order, the waiter did not ask whether eggs should be scrambled or if I wanted sour cream or applesauce with my potato pancakes. The food took over 1 hour to get to us and thats only because the owner noticed we didn't still have our food and he asked the waiter and cook about it. The final insult was that they added 15 percent tip for a party of 5. So we basically paid for bad service. I love the food but I'm never going back!!!!
(1)Brady M.
This place is AWESOME! I haven't eaten anything that I didn't think was delicious. French Toast, Chocolate Chip Pancakes, Coconut Pancakes, Potato Pancakes, Crepes, and FRESH SQUEEZED ORANGE JUICE! Yeah, it is a tad on the expensive side, but I don't mind paying more for a good meal!
(5)Liberty Lady L.
We've eaten here quite a few times over the last five years (since we moved to Fremont) but have finally marked it off our list. It's just not worth it. The food is mediocre. The service is always slow/very slow and often seriously screwed up. There is a weird vibe from the owner (as if he looks on his customers as "suckers") and the wait staff (unhappy people who hate their jobs). Prices are significantly higher than they ought to be even if the food were good (and it definitely is not). It's all bad. We've started going to Cabrillo Cafe instead and are a lot happier with it.
(1)Renee F.
There aren't many really good breakfast places in the area. In all fairness I have very picky taste. I find the food to be okay, the service to be okay, and the prices high. For the most part it's a la carte so it all really adds up. I gave it a few shots but haven't been back.
(2)Sandy C.
I would rather go to Denny's over this place anyday! Wide selection of pancakes on the menu (they even have Clam Pancakes), but everything is overpriced and the service is bad. I have been here maybe 5 times, and have never felt appreciated for my business. The main waitress is always grumpy and makes me feel like she's doing me a big favor by taking my order. The owner/other waiters are also unfriendly. They never come by to check on the food, and usually forget to bring some condiment that we ask for. The food itself is nothing special. I just wasn't that impressed with the taste of the pancakes...maybe everything's made from scratch or are more "authentic", but nothing I would come back for. I think I would enjoy a McDonald's breakfast more! Oh, and the price. Last time my husband and I went there for breakfast and the bill was $30+!! Thirty bucks for some pancakes and eggs? I've given this place enough chances to improve on the service and food, but now I won't be coming back.
(2)Donna W.
Invited a friend to make the trek to Fremont for breakfast here. We've eaten at the other OPH that's in Los Alamitos. This one beats it out, hands down. Way more spacious (or at least more spacious-feeling as there was lots of light), really super quick service, and friendly/considerate service. The guy who seated us was nice and joking with us when we walked in the door and after the meal when we went up to the cashier's stand to pay for our meal. Our waitress was willing to let me try the clam pancakes and change them out if I wasn't happy. I was totally happy with my clam pancakes. They're done in a thin dough, more like a crepe than pancake, with clams mottled throughout. It's served with lemon and butter. It reminded me of the flaky layers of a hot, fresh-baked biscuit with a little extra meat for flavor. DO NOT recommend syrup with the clam pancakes. My friend had the Dutch baby. So good with the lemon and powdered sugar. Syrup sort of overpowers it, so stay simple.
(4)Jerry Y.
Waiting is 30 minutes, the food is not good and pricy. I feel like that even the staff is not happy. I willnever come back.
(1)Bertha V.
The worst breakfast experience ever!!!! Atmosphere is dingy and smelly. Food is mediocre and overpriced! Without a groupon I would have paid $44 for what costs $22 at Denny's!!!!
(1)Jen E.
Like Ken, I wish I would have read the reviews. It was between here and Nations, and I said to my husband "Mmmm, Nation's is usually kind of dirty, let's try the other place." We got there at around 8, and there were 3 other tables sat on only one side of the restaurant - the entire other side (close to Fremont Blvd.) was empty. So we sit down and wait a few minutes to be acknowledged and asked about coffee, etc. It appeared after I watched for a bit that there is only one server on until around 9ish. I saw two others show up between 8:45am-9:00am. But we are early risers, so I can't wait around until 9am to eat. I almost wish he'd have taken a bit longer to ask about the coffee, because after reviewing the menu and prices - holy crap! Seriously? But, alas, we were sitting down with coffee when we really got to looking at the menu. I ordered 1/2 an order of French Toast - two small slices of undercooked french toast - all for over $5. The middles were so soggy that after I took a bite, I had to cut around the center of the bread to avoid the undercooked egg portion. Husband ordered pigs in a blanket, which he seemed happy with. I ordered a child's meal for my son (should have skipped myself and eaten his) which was supposed to come with 3 pancakes, a meat (went with bacon) and an egg, which I specifically ordered over medium. His food arrives and no egg to be seen. I was annoyed enough at this point that I didn't even mention it. The price on the bill was about $.75 less than the menu price, so I'm assuming they dropped the egg from the deal and didn't update the menu. Or the guy realized he screwed up and took it off. The pancakes were decent - they didn't completely dissolve when you added syrup. The other Pancake House I've been to was MUCH better. I wouldn't go back to this place at all. I miss Hobee's.
(1)Peg S.
Well, it's better than Denny's ... for the sweet and savory fix, we always order the ham & scrambled eggs combo (generous amount of fluffy eggs and diced ham) and usually the blueberry or georgia pecan pancakes (which are dusted with powdered sugar, topped with whipped butter, and comes with tropical syrup/blueberry compote). Tip: if you don't want your pancakes to be a big buttery mess, remove the whipped butter before it melts . . . The egg dishes come with a stack of three small buttermilk pancakes, but you can substitute most of the larger, special pancakes for a buck more. The apple pancakes and dutch baby are good enough to kill you. I like sitting on the left side of the restaurant - there's a bit more space and light on that side. Service is ok, we actually had to get up a couple of times to get syrup, ask for a take out box, etc., and they weren't quick to seat us when we got there even tho' I could see empty tables. They also ration off how much ketchup/syrup you get - there's none on the table, so you coaters can't get all crazy. And, you might want to check out the utensils for cleanliness . . . Despite all that, for neighborhood, go-in-your-sweats breakfast, we go here.
(3)Ken J.
I REALLY should have read the reviews. Its the first time in a long time I actually got up and walked out after looking at a menu-- the two plates that walked past me for the only other couple in the large empty breakfast restaurant at 8 AM. on a Friday morning convinced me that there was a reason the place was empty. The menu prices are outrageous -- and looking at the plates, a real rip off. Coffee is $2.50 for small cups (with free refills) and was no better than Starbucks. Everything on the menu was about $10-- for pancakes? Oh, come on. I read one of the reviews as I was posting this and the writer said he should have gone down the street to Nations. I did... and glad for it.
(1)Rachel A.
If I could give this place a lower rating, I would. First, we were seated at a table for 6 in the very back corner of the restaurant, very close to other diners. The other side of the restarant was practically empty. I guess it is more important for the waiters to have their tables close to each other, rather than comfort of the patron. When we first sat down, my husband said "no one looks happy in here." When we got our food, we found out why. The food was just plain bad. Their prices are exceedingly high prices ($2.50 for an extra egg?). Their "hash browns" are apparently fried in old butter (or butter-like grease). My husband got STALE bread with his meal (he has his toast dry, so it was really noticeable). The pancakes were not edible (I think they were sourdough, but couldn't tell from the taste and sourdough is the best I could identify). And then when we were paying our bill, we could overhear the waitstaff/cooks/busboys complaining about how other locations were closing. There was a very sullen/unfriendly person posted at the cash register (not the cashier, mind you, just a hanger-around). Anyway, we paid $35 (+$6 tip) for a "breakfast" that didn't compare favorably with McDonald's! Next time, we'll just stick to Country Way.
(1)Vivien B.
I loathe this place!!! I came with an open mind and was immediately turned off!! It's way too cramped, which I think is a safety/fire hazard. And just to make my point, the gentleman behind me and I got into a bit of a disagreement over space. There's a little bump on the floor which I had the unfortunate pleasure of trying to sit on. It was Sunday and the staff seemed frazzled when anyone tried to ask them for anything. Basically, they seemed unprepared. Our order took way to long and the food was just so-so. I know this is a chain restaurant, maybe the other locations are better. But my experience here was horrible. And here's the real kicker....I actually went here about 5 years ago and I still remember what a horrible experience I had. Never again!
(1)Tam T.
Terrible! Terrible service. Very unfriendly. My toast came out when I was half way through with my breakfast, I had to ask waitress 2 times for it and she looked annoyed when I asked for it too. Potatoes were bland. She didn't bother to clean our plates when bringing our bill (after having to ask for our bill twice). Way overpriced for breakfast! We ordered a LARGE orange juice which cost $4 and it was no more than 6 oz!!! Will not be back.
(1)Suminder S.
We walked and the unwelcoming experience began. I think it was the owner who asked for my name. Finding my name difficult to spell he scribbled it out but promptly offered us a table. As our party was trying to find parking in the busy parking lot, this owner shows up again offers us if we wanted to be re-seated after our entire party arrives. Granted it was father's day rush, you do not suggest this to the customer who is already seated and drinking coffee. Anyway, the service was horrible. None of the waiters wanted to be working at this place. They were miserable and service was unpleasant. The food was brought to the table after 30 minutes or so, and at the end it was simply bland, overpriced blurb on the table. And to top it off, they had the audacity to add tip to the bill for a party of 4 adults + 2 kids (under 4). Bottomline: not worth visiting again and not worth recommending to anyone.
(1)Pak Y.
Nasty food, Expensive, small portion, bad seating, long wait
(1)Paul C.
A friend introduced me to this place, i guess I was far too involved in my conversations with her to notice how expensive this place is, but after going back this weekend, holy cow! Just shy of 10 bucks for a waffle. No extras, no juice, nada. Just a stinkin' waffle. I ordered that, a plate of eggs (5.50 for a side of bacon, WTF!) and a small glass of OJ, and my pockets jingled with the meager amount of change I got back from a $20. When the food arrived, the eggs could have been mistaken for a rubber ball dipped in melted butter, they were that springy. Tasted about the same too. The waffle was crispy on top, but the bottom was soggy, and frankly, I've had Eggos that tasted better. The juice was the highlight of the meal, it seemed to be fresh squeezed (don't tell me if I'm wrong!) I'll pass from now on.
(2)C M.
YUCK. the baby dutch and waffles were almost raw. they even re-made the waffles. i used to go to the original pancake house in san jose and sunnyvale for the baby dutch pancakes and it is SOOOO much better. the food was so good at both locations. the service SUCKED. my sister puked after breakfast. ugh. don't waste your money at this location.
(1)Shane R.
Standard american breakfast fare. Nothing unique. Not particularly good. About the same as ihop, but more expensive. I got the buttermilk pancakes. weren't terrible, but i could've made them myself. the side of potatoes wasn't crispy enough for me and the flavoring was too subtle.
(2)Jennifer A.
We saw the good reviews on yelp and decided to give the place a try. However, I would not recommend this place to anybody. We were escorted to our tables upon which we sat and waited for at least fifteen minutes before I got up and asked if anyone would take our order. When the hostess told the server we were ready, his reply was "oh I didn't even notice them". We were only a party of two and there were about four other tables occupied. I did not see the difficulty in "noticing" us when the place was no where near full. We did not even get an apology. In my opinion, this is completely and utterly unacceptable, and I am usually quite lenient with servers and tip pretty generously. Well, definitely not this time.
(1)Jeremy S.
I was joined by my girlfriend and my adult daughter as we made the hour plus trek from north Marin to Fremont to have my Father's Day brunch at the Original Pancake House - for a meal I had been remembering for 15 years - and we were not disappointed! From 1972 to 1995 I lived in Chicago and enjoyed breakfasts and Sunday brunches at one of the four Original Pancake Houses at least once every month or so - always struggling over whether to indulge in their 49er Flapjacks - simply the best pancakes with butter and pure maple syrup I've ever had - or the Dutch Baby - baked crispy custard-like with powdered sugar, butter and fresh lemon wedges and as good as in Amsterdam. After a decade and a half without a decent pancake breakfast, I discovered a branch of the OPH in Fremont, only a little more than an hour from Novato, and my girlfriend and daughter agreed to join me for Father's Day and indulge me in both of my favorites. Each bite of each dish was, if possible, better than I had remembered them to be. The restaurant was clean and pleasant, the service friendly and efficient, and Sam, the host, was a great help, asking me to call a bit before arriving so he could have a table ready for us, as he did. The prices, as always, are on the higher end for breakfast, but more than reasonable for the quality, quantity and taste. One does not quibble over the price of perfection. Other reviewers who compare this place to IHOP are essentially comparing the Louvre to The Wax Museum - Harris Steak House to Sizzler. If you wait for a table, it's because of the quality. Arrive late on Sunday (2pm) as we did and sit down immediately. If you order one of the dishes that make this place great, like the Cinnamon Glazed Apple Pancake or the Dutch Baby, expect to wait 20 or 25 minutes. Have a first course, or call ahead with your order to speed things up. It is impractical for me to drive over an hour for a meal except on special occasions. Otherwise, I would probably eat here every week.
(5)Ryan C.
Always a treat on an early weekend morning, I head out to the Original Pancake House to get some good grub. I usually go to the location in San Jose on Sundays. That one is packed and the service is usually pretty slow and poor. However, in Fremont on a Saturday, it wasn't too bad. Got seated quickly and the service was pretty decent. The pancakes are delicious. The oven-baked Apple Pancake takes some time to make, but it is huge and it will give you some leftovers. Very sweet and the dough is tasty. The Dutch Baby, another oven-baked specialty, has lemon, whipped butter, and sugar. Again, very tasty! The Swedish pancakes are super thin and lacy, and the lingonberries are great, making it almost a dessert type pancake. Good, but pretty small and it won't fill you up. We had this other dish that had potato pancakes, and open face english muffins topped with sausage, mushrooms, and poached eggs. That was quite a meal! Huge! And I love potato pancakes! A great place to go for breakfast, with big portions in general if you stick to the specials!
(4)Sarah K.
I'm a little shocked that this place only has three stars. It has its bad sides, but on its good side is some really, really amazing pancakes. The portions for the pancakes are quite large. My favorites are the apple pancake, the pumpkin pancake (seasonal), and the blueberry pancake. The apple pancake can easily feed two or even three people - it is just that big. The atmosphere of this place is nice. It's tucked in a small cluster of olden-styled buildings, has vaulted ceilings and is brick throughout. Though the service may be a little poor sometimes, especially when it is crowded (weekend mornings), the staff is always friendly. The owner of this place is super nice and likes to check in with the customers to see how they're doing. That said, what I do understand are people's complaints about the price. This place is moderately priced, and you get less bang for your buck if you go with thew waffles or omelets (they're same in price, but smaller portions, and not as delicious as the pancakes). As long as you stick with the pancakes, this place is well-worth it.
(4)Jackie O.
Food here is delicious, they have changed their servers which is good because there was an older lady that was completely completely hated life and took it out on the customers which is why I never came back. But someone convinced me to go recently and the service was nice and the owner was very sweet as well. I will be coming back.
(5)Jean L.
I love the large selection of all the different breakfast choices. From my experience, I either love what I've ordered or hated it. I highly recommend the pancakes (w/ bacon or sausage and eggs!). I'm not a big fan of their omelettes. They're too "spongy" for my taste. Specifically, skip the Mushroom omelette...it's a nasty gelatinous mess and not what I was expecting. I had one bite and pushed it away. Fortunately my friend let me share her yummy pancakes. My only other gripe is that their large glass of orange juice costs as much as a carton of orange juice from the grocery. I dont' care if it's fresh squeezed...that's damn expensive! I'll be back again to try the crepes and waffles.
(3)Brian M.
Yummmmmmmy breakfast dishes, wonderful coffee...apple pancakes are a knockout!
(5)john m.
TERRIBLE restaurant! Dry, small omelette -- no coffee refills -- wait staff argues with each other -- DO NOT GO HERE
(1)Joyce P.
So yes, I am a fan. I enjoy the food. I don't enjoy the sometimes sticky tables. I love the coffee. I don't enjoy paying $4 for a glass of OJ. It totally cracks me up every time we go there. $4 for a glass of OJ?? Anyway, I always ask for the french toast well done. My son loves their chicken apple sausage. I've had their omlette once I think. It was pretty good. They've got an awesome and somewhat pricey berry platter. They've got some great crepes I think it's rather expensive for what it is. Like I understand that you pay higher prices at fancier restaurants, but some of the pricing is kinda crazy. Service is not bad. I think it's a better alternative to IHOP and especially Denny's. However, I'll be back.
(4)Ari Z.
French Toast and frest squeezed oj is soooo good!
(5)A T.
I agree with the overall 3 stars that this place gets (at least as of date of this review). I drove by that area looking for a place to have great pancakes for breakfast, and I saw 'free wifi' so I went in without 2nd thought (I had to check some emails, that's why). First, the oatmeal pancakes that I ordered are almost $10 and it is big portion, but they don't offer like a short-stack. At the end of the day, I could only eat 2 of the 5 big pancakes, and turns out the breakfast was pretty pricy for the kind of portion I wanted. Also, I couldn't tell if there's really oatmeal in the pancake. The waiter said it's oatmeal batter, but who knows, so I could only take his words for it. Also, if you want to be productive on wifi while eating there, don't even bother. Their wifi is ridiculously slow that it's counter-productive. (I know it's free but hey, even free wifi these days can be very fast.) I don't think I will go back again, at least not in the foreseeable future.
(3)Edwin N.
I stopped by for breakfast Saturday morning while waiting for my car at the tire shop. I sat at the counter and ordered a Spanish omelettes with three small pancakes. My meal arrived and nothing else came with it. Pretty plain, nothing fancy. The omelettes was a little overdone for my taste and the salsa was bland. The pancakes however were excellent! It is a pancake house! If I do come here again I will order either pancakes, waffle, or creeps and stick with what they are good at. While I was disappointed with my meal choice, I watched the wait staff bring beautiful plates of pancakes,creeps to other customers. The prices are little on the high side for breakfast $17.50 include tax and tip so that's part of the lower ratings.
(2)Elizabeth C.
Ordered the omelet it was good. But the wait was terrible over 45 minutes for the food, not enough help here! Don't order waffles plain you only get one.
(1)Aivy C.
After spending the better part of my Monday night in a Silicon Valley stress-induced alcoholic stupor which led to me waking up the next morning massively hung over and curled up in a fetal position on the wrong side of my friend's bed, he decided to bring my ass here. Maybe I was just too sick to my stomach to fully appreciate the food, but I ordered potato pancakes and only made it through about 1/3 of it, then I ordered a side of chicken apple sausages, simply because the name reminded me of something I used to eat at Top Dog right near UC Berkeley... it ended up being something quite different. All in all it was good food, I think it was just too much for my stomach in its fragile state to completely appreciate. I'll come here the next time I have some hardcore "munchies". I really loved the coffee though! :)
(3)J. C.
I've always driven by this place so I was curious and decided to give it a shot. The portions are definitely on the generous side. I had a Western Omelet (it also comes with three pancakes.) The omelet is NOT folded and is round and covers the entire plate -- it's almost like one big pie! They also use a lot of batter with their Omelet so the Omelet doesn't even look very "eggy." The pancakes were delicious... but what do you expect with buttermilk + butter + maple syrup? YUUMMAY! I agree with Mel S. -- the food is kinda IHOP'ish. I think it's a decent value considering how much food you get. Unfortunately, I didn't try the Dutch baby which seemed to be the unique menu item that everyone else was ordering. If I do come here again, I'd definitely order the Dutch. Overall, the place is decent and gets the job done if you want a solid breakfast to start a big day... in central Fremont.
(2)Daisy S.
I had the eggs and sausage plate and the server let me get potato pancakes and a buttermilk pancake (instead of the three buttermilk pancakes). She was very helpful and accommodating. I also ordered the FRESH SQUEEZED GRAPEFRUIT JUICE!!!! It was perfectly sweet and you could tell it was fresh. I wish it had a little more pulp but it was delicious. I went around 8:30 and was surprised that it wasn't very busy (for a sunday morning) but the service was good and the food was just what I ordered so I was happy.
(4)Kimberly S.
I am not a picky person, but one of the workers was rude, though our waitress was nice. I ordered the Eggs Michael, and the egg dish itself was good, but the potato pancakes it came with tasted like fish.
(1)Lou A.
1 Star = FOOD (Buttermilk Pancakes - GOOD, NOT GREAT) 0.5 Star = SERVICE (Teen waitress - Took an order from a couple with 2 small children, took our order, took another order from table of regulars (spent 5 minutes talking with them then finally went to the kitchen to place all 3 orders. The regulars got their food first... hmmm... 0.5 Star for noticing that we were about to leave) 1.5 Stars = TOTAL (based on 2nd visit on a early sunday morning with a decent amount of available seats, seated at 10:15am finally served our meal at 11am, left at 11:25am) 'Nuff Said...
(2)Sam R.
Yesterday we decided to stop for breakfast here and it was a regrettable decision we made. For starters the food is very blend the pancakes had a funny smell and the most upsetting part was a small glass of orange juice that cost $4.79 that was spoil/rotten undrinkable. Service was very poor. At the end we felt we paid $35.00 for straight cafeteria food :0(. Never coming back!!!!
(1)Lisa H.
My first time here. The wait was super long and I couldn't help but notice two other tables receiving service before we did. The food was really good, but I not sure I'll be back. Thirty minutes to get your food on a weekday is a bit much.
(2)Ha U.
It takes over 30min to have all orders if you order the original pancake. They confused my order and push them twice to correct them. I ordered a pancake, fruits and OJ, and paid over $30. I don't know if it is worth or not...
(2)Tiffany L.
The one thing here that really is just kick-ass delicious are the omelets. I have no idea why but man the one omelet I got here, YUM! It was a bacon and cheese omelet. The omelet was huge! I was really surprised, I think it was baked in a pan after it was flipped or something cuz that thing was fluffy and HOT! Just like how I like my omelets. The cheese and bacon were delicious with every bite of egg mixed in. I would come back here just for the omelets. The place itself is a little run down and kind of an odd restaurant. I don't think egg specialties give you that much for your money but the pancakes and omelets sure do! So go here if you like pancakes and omelets, looking for something simple, not so much worth your time. I would also suggest trying the potato pancakes, those things are pretty tasty!
(4)Donna Z.
I thought about giving the OPH 2 stars, both for the food, none for the service, but can't bring myself to do it. I'm depressed just trying to decide what to write. Here's an attempt at our horrible experience: After a long night, pancakes sounded perfect to our party of five (ha), so never having been to the OPH, we drove over for breakfast around 11am this morning. It was pretty busy, so a little slower than normal service is completely understandable. However, it took 20 minutes just to get waters (that our waitress had the busboy bring out), and our coffee and juice took another 20 minutes. We then had to flag the busboy down for cream. The waitress (whose name, I'm sorry to say, is also "Donna"--I only know this from the tab, since she never introduced herself). An hour later (and about 5 more flag-downs for refills, etc), our food arrives. My Swedish pancakes (no sides), cost almost $9. A total rip-off. My friend enjoyed her chocolate chip pancakes, but the potato pancakes another of us ordered were horrible. Another Donna flag-down and we had our check...which after we went over it, discovered we had been over-charged. Great. Flag-down #2008 got us our corrected check, we went to the front, paid, left a generous (if undeserved) tip, and left. I will never come back here. Mere words cannot describe how crappy the service is here (but believe me, I've tried). During our stay we watched as a table of 4 got up and left out of frustration. So sad. I wanted to scream from the waiting area: "I hope you like waiting, because you'll feel like pulling your hair out by the time you leave this place!"
(1)Joie G.
We saw the feature on the Food Network and found the Fremont location online. Despite the reviews, we thought we would try it. I liked my Dutch baby a lot. The pancakes were yummy.
(3)Ryan T.
Truly amazing creations here, such as the dutch baby and apple pancake. Although I have had the dutch baby quite some time ago, yesterday morning I tried the blueberry pancakes. Great compote on the side came with my order. Sadly, my friend had less-than-stellar potato pancakes, but her bowl of luscious berries with the in-house prepared whipped cream nearly made up for that miss. Although there are other great breakfast places in town (Country Way, Cabrillo Cafe), this one truly takes the cake.
(4)Hoiling W.
Let me preface this review by saying that I have been here on one other occasion and did in fact enjoy my meal hence the one star rating.... With that being said, let me know tell you about the most HORRENDOUS dining experience that I have had EVER. The whole disaster started around 11:15 am when I decided to treat my parents out to breakfast. They had never tried the Original Pancake House before, so I decided to broaden the horizons of their "strictly bound to Chinese food" taste buds and take them there. We arrive at the restaurant at around 11:30 and wait about 15 minutes before we are seated. Given that it is pretty packed, I didn't mind the waiting but the owner did not so much as even offer us a "hello". After staring at our menus for a good 20 minutes, I asked the bus boy if he could locate our waitress as she had not even been by our table yet and I was beginning to wonder whether or not she even knew we were there. Another 15 minutes pass before a dour looking older woman comes by and barks out "What do you guys want???". She takes down our orders and walks away without any apology or explanation for the long wait. 30 minutes pass again and my parents are starting to mumble about how "this would never happen at a Chinese restaurant" and how "American restaurants don't know how to run a business". Our waitress is MIA again and I contemplate speaking to the manager about her after our meal until I realize...oh wait, she never even introduced herself to us so i don't even know her name. Another 15 minutes pass and still, no sign of food or our horrible waitress. I see the owner walking around seating more people I am SURE he noticed the disgruntled looks on our faces as well as on the faces of the other patrons. Perhaps he's use to seeing unhappy faces at his restaurant judging from a lot of the other reviews here or perhaps he just doesn't care. After realizing that we have been waiting almost an HOUR for our food, I just can't take it anymore. I tell my parents that we're leaving and so we went and got some great Thai food at Salathai instead. I know you're thinking: Thai for breakfast?? Well we had waited so long by now, that it was LUNCH. I can handle less than awesome food...but less than awesome service, *especially* at a local restaurant is just unacceptable. You complain about the competition from big chains but really now...I don't care how many newspaper clippings you have of yourself and your restaurant Mr. Original Pancake House, but the way you treat good paying customers is just UNACCEPTABLE. My review may not affect your "booming" business with the older crowd in Fremont, but you will never again receive ANY of my hard earned money (or that of my friends if I can help it).
(1)Rese D.
I've always enjoyed eating here! I guess I dropped in at the right times because I never had to wait long...weekdays or Sundays right when they open. Their omelettes and pancakes are what I usually order. The omelettes are pretty big and is more like a Piroshki lookin style omelette. Instead the dough is the egg then the goodies are stuffed inside. So don't be shocked when it comes to you! Average brunch prices Kinda like a Ihop feel Service was good Family crowd I've seen one out here in MI, hope the experience is just as good!
(4)Phil S.
not the fastest, but it is the best. not cheap, but worth the money.
(5)Christina J.
Food was pretty good, service was horrible. Rude servers hardly ever came to refill water, bring ketchup, etc. The place wasn't even busy, which I am understanding of. I just felt neglected and food got cold before we got everything we needed to eat. Not my fave. I am not a demanding customer I just ask for decent service. I don't expect people to wait on me hand and foot or be cheery and peppy. Just do your job. I feel that the minimum standard was not met here. The pancakes are good but then again I make some pretty good pancakes at home without having to feel awkward and like I am bothering someone if I ask for a refill on my water. If you are really hungry their oven baked omelets are pretty unique.
(2)Sherl F.
This was my first time here for Sunday breakfast and the only highlight was my chocolate chip pancakes which were delicious. Other then that service was terrible from the not so nice hostess who seated us to the server who ignored us.
(3)Rachelle R.
I was meeting up with a friend for brunch here today. When I got there to look for her, an older gentleman called out, "Rachelle" and grabbed for my hands, and said, "it's been so long...do you remember me?" Apparently, my friend said that she was waiting for me and mentioned my name. LOL. Sam was a crack up the whole time we were there and turns out be be the owner. The food was good but the service was excellent and friendly. I would actually drive out of my way to come here for the service if the one closer to my house sucks.
(4)Samantha O.
Never tried the pancakes here. But OMG, the rest of the stuff I got was TOO DIE FOR. Went here about 3 times, I always saw this place, but never thought of going there because there's a iHOP and Denny's and I always thought they would be better. HELL NO, iHOP and Denny's don't even come close to the Original Pancake House. What me and my friend ordered first time we came. -Strawberry Waffles, and I ordered Blueberry because it was cheaper. -a side of hashbrowns -i think she got sausages - and i got eggs and asked for extra cheese on top. - and we wanted a drink so we asked for a small class of OJ which costs like 3 something I think? all i know was it was expensive as fuck. Strawberry Waffles, omg! one of my favorites. Anytime I have 9 bucks to spare, i'll go to pancake house and buy them! Blueberry waffles were okay, doesn't beat strawberry. Side of hashbrowns were delicious, but I prefer shredded potatoes instead of chopped. When the waiter brought out the orange juice me and my friend balled out laughing! We tried not to be rude and laugh, but we couldn't help it, because it was sooooo small! Like shot glass small! It was fresh and tasted good, but omg. so expensive! Lol. Anyway, second tiem I went there, pretty disappointed because we ordered for take-out and they were really busy and forgot my Strawberry Waffle! ); But I tried my cousins Pecan Waffles, and those are probably my new favorite! I ordered the usual, side of hashbrowns, eggs with extra cheese on top. Definately coming back, all the other people writing reviews are trippen, they obviously don't have good taste in food. Lol! Comes to show you can't always trust other peoples reviews. My FAVORITE breakfast place.
(5)S S.
I wish I had reviewed this place when I loved it. We went in on a weekday mid-morning and I was really disappointed to see such a great place has gone south on so many levels. At the very least, the food should be good, even if times are tough and they don't have as many people on staff. I ordered my favorite item on their menu - Eggs Michael. It's 2 english muffin 1/2s with sausage patties, poached eggs and mushroom sauce all over it - yummy usually! Served with 4 potato pancakes with a side of sour cream. It looks like the price went up, but the mushroom sauce had very few mushrooms and wasn't even very warm. The sausage may have even changed to a cheaper brand. My dining partner ordered bacon and eggs, which comes with a couple of buttermilk pancakes - that cost $9-10??? Seriously? For bacon and eggs? The bacon was tough! Our waitress was fairly efficient, but had 1 busser to help (who I think was also working in the kitchen too) and she was working the cash register as well! It was uncertain whether we would get coffee refills, our silverware was not clean so I just got up and got some from an empty table. It took a while to get our order and it took a while after that to get our food, I chose that place because it's usually quick and I was on a schedule. Flagging people down for things like creamer, hot sauce and syrup (should automatically arrive with pancakes) which did not arrive till most of the meal was gone (had I waited, the food would have been cold), was disconcerting and a constant distraction to our conversation. I have waitressed at lots of breakfast places - there are ways of making these things automatic and our waitress was clearly not new on the job. They (server and busser) were both obviously working hard, but it wasn't working. I have been there many times over a few years - even on very very busy weekend breakfasts, and have always considered it a treat and been treated well. If my last visit had been my first, this place would have gotten fewer than 3 stars. The owner, who was not there this time, is the nicest guy ever. I think he is a hard-working man who takes pride in his business and I doubt things would have gone that way had he been there. I hope he can bring his business and service back up to par and make this a place I enjoy treating myself to again.
(3)Nica S.
I'm just reviewing the Pancakes because that's why I come here! Their pancakes are the best in the tri-city area! They are HUGE, we're talking pancakes way bigger than your face! I love their signature Apple Pancake which is a huge pancake smothered with a mountain of sautéed apples, cinnamon and sugar. The whole thing is then baked to make a nice and tasty glaze! My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Definitely do not come here if you're watching your weight, because you'll just be watching it go up. I don't really like the crepes here or the omelets. But it's a PANCAKE house! Try the pancakes! They have a huge variety of them too!
(4)Joan T.
This place is always busy, thus, service could be on the slower side. Pancakes are fluffy and pretty good! Today, we tried the banana pancakes which tasted plain (no banana taste to it). Their scrambled eggs are different- it's like a "pancake", very fluffy and kind of dry. The waffles and buttermilk pancakes were satisfactory. Overall, i'd say IHOP would be a better value in terms of cost and quality.
(3)Meghan F.
If I could give a zero, I would. My boyfriend and I just went here this morning and were so upset by our experience that we rushed home to write this review. We ordered the Eggs Michael and Swedish Pancakes, planning to share both of them between us. We started with the eggs michael, the only edible part of this dish was they didn't mess up the english muffin, the sausage patty, or poached egg. The "mushroom gravy" tasted like nothing but flour (read: flavorless) with maybe 4 pieces of canned mushrooms in it. This was served with four potato pancakes on the side. I love potato pancakes so was pretty excited about this, except that they had a very weird texture and tasted bitter. We each took a bite of these and then pushed them away. Plus, this unappetizing dish was over $11!!! Swedish pancakes next....they were ok. But basically they were just 3 crepes with a small ramekin of berry sauce on the side. They tasted bland, the sauce was ok, but the price for this...$9.67???? I can see if it was a crepe filled with berries or something, then I am at least paying for the berries. This just seemed a complete rip off. In addition to the food being terrible, the service took forever! I saw our swedish pancakes sitting under the hot lamps for at least 10 minutes. The place was not busy and I saw our waitress pick them up several times to look at them before she finally brought them over. I kept muttering "those better not be ours, they have been there forever" to my boyfriend, and sure enough...they were ours! Bad service and slow, bland and bad food, way overpriced!!!
(1)Mark W.
I've been here at least a dozen times already and I will keep going back. This place is special. I would give it five stars for the food, but he service is not quite five star level and the decor is "authentically" retro. Where else can you get clam pancakes with freshly chopped jalapenos mixed in served with lemon wedges? (seriously. If you know message me) They have the best selection of pancakes I've ever seen. It is nestled inside a "vintage" shopping center called the Gaslight Square in the "heart" of "downtown Fremont." Yea. This is the fine dining location for Fremont. Surrounded by a bus stop, tire store, German Store and a bank. Great place for romantic walks... I spoke with the owner of the business yesterday. He really likes people. He prides himself on the fact that they do not use anything canned -- all fresh ingredients. I like that, sometimes. It makes for great food, however it comes at a price. Not only will you pay for it with money, but it also takes a bit more time to prepare the food. This is not a place to go for fast food, it is a place to go for a breakfast culinary adventure. Tip: Try the blueberry pancakes. They are great. If you don't like sweet then try the clam pancakes. My Korean friend said they remind her of pancakes she used to eat in Korea with clams, oysters, onions, and kimchee. Well, they don't have oysters and kimchee here, but they will chop up a jalapeno and mix it in for you if you ask.
(4)Will A.
Ok, I've had every pankcake from this place... yep, including the clam pankcakes. Yes, I was a little queasy afterwards, but it is like a fear factor episode with me and pancake places. I need to try every single one. This was an ex-gf's favorite place, so I always nicely indulged b/c she was great company :) But, in all honesty, if it weren't for her, I'd probably would have mixed it up a lot more on the breaksfast place. Never had to wait for seating and their plain pancakes were good.
(3)Patricia R.
It may be a chain restaurant but the owner Sam and his longtime employees make it feel like a small wonderful mom and pop breakfast joint. The food is consistently excellent.
(5)Tim S.
The food was ok , nothing special , It was very expensive, pretty much felt ripped off for such a high dollar breakfast.
(2)Erich V.
Share the omelet.
(3)Tom L.
Wow, what a dive. Went here to get some breakfast and came out with a disturbed look on my face. The wait to get in was long. Once we were seated, I noticed that EVERY UTENSIL AND CUP/GLASS had some problem with it - whether crusty food particles, lip stick or even a hair in the water glass....it was disgusting. Even the tables were sticky. Got up to use the restroom and when I came back, they cleared my table as if I had already left! Geeze, I was gone for a whole 3 minutes! The portions were ginormous, but of low quality for sure. I really felt nasty after eating here and will most definitely never go back.
(1)Lizzie C.
Chocolate chip pancakes all the way. I'm a sucker for chocolate chip pancakes, and this place has the best ones. I haven't tried anything else here, but I love this place just for chocolate chip pancakes. Unfortunately, I don't live in Fremont or its surrounding area at all to be going here as often as I'd like.
(5)E L.
This place does not have a lot of choices. I ordered the Bacon and Cheese Omelette. It was dry and the cheese was not distributed evenly. My son ordered a pancake meal with two sausages and it was not worth the price.
(1)Jay S.
Good food but over priced. I was realy hoping to find a replacement for mimis cafe waffles but was disappointed. Portions are not worth what you pay for.
(2)Rachel S.
It took a while to get our food and the service wasn't great, but I do like the souffle omelettes.
(3)Claire C.
Oh yeah...just hand over those chocolate chip pancakes please. Or the Dutch stuff. And hold the bad service. Server where are you? What, we can't split the check? Or use more than one credit card? How rude. To conclude: - Bad service - Really good pancakes (not too thick, not dense, comes out the kitchen still warm) This is a dilemma. What would you do?
(3)Heather H.
Apple waffle :D We come here about every other weekend and the apple waffle is where it's at. Great staff, yummy food.
(5)Keoni B.
A reviewer before mentioned the service, so I thought I would put my 2 cents in. My experience here SUCKED. We ordered food, and after an hour, no one came. Nobody came to check on us, and our waitress disappeared. My gf and I walked out of the restaurant really upset, which is something that I do not normally do. It really was a shame, because the food that was going to all the other tables around us looked so good.....
(1)Mikolo R.
My husband and I went to this place and we experienced the WORST customer service EVER. It took a while just to be seated, and once we were seated, it took forever to get any service. The food was painfully slow to come out, and the wait staff just kept walking passed us as if we were invisible. Any time we needed something, I had to get up and get it myself!!! Once I had to ask the bus boy to get me utensils. TWICE, I had to walk across the restaurant to take my tiny empty glass to the counter to ask someone there for a refill of my soda!! Nobody ever came by to ask us if we needed anything or how we were doing. It was the most insulting experience. We will NEVER go back to this place.
(1)Family M.
we enjoyed a very good breakfast here. Excellent thick cut bacon, delicious apple pancake, delicious vegetable omelet made like a soufflé. coffee was pretty good. Yes I would recommend anyone to try and judge for yourself. Price wise is a little bit higher but not by much in comparison to other breakfast houses. The way they make their omelettes like a souffle is unique and yummy.
(4)SAMAY A.
Good breakfast place but give your self some time for the Dutch baby if you can finish it good service owner is a nice guy and will make sure that you are taken care of clean and good service
(5)Brian M.
This review comes with two totally different sides I am giving the four stars for the food and service, both excellent. But the price, holy molly a breakfast out with my wife and two small kids shouldn't cost $50 but that is exactly what it cost me! Four plates of pancakes or waffles, two coffees an very small apple juice and a very small chocolate milk, FIFTY BUCKS? FIFTY DOLLARS! FIFTY DOLLARS for a little breakfast of pan cakes and waffles without so much as a strip of bacon? JUST pancakes and waffles for FIFTY DOLLARS? That was pretty hard to swallow if you'll pardon my pun. But darn it was good, my wife's "Dutch baby" was way too good to be called a pancake. It was more of an egg custard/bread like treat. And my Swedish pancakes, very crepe like, light as can be but a little crunchy, very good. My daughters chocolate chip pan cakes were good but WAY too big of a plate for her and almost 10 bucks! My son's plain waffle, again, forget how much but certainly not a "kids plate" price. The waiter was great, service was prompt, the place was nice, made me feel like I was out somewhere a thousand miles from home on vacation, it was a nice treat. Did I mention this pancake breakfast cost me FIFTY DOLLARS?
(4)Pika C.
We were looking for a place to eat breakfast at and didn't want to go to Denny's, so ended up here. I ordered the crepe with fresh strawberries. It was very good, but a little pricey for what it was. The service was friendly, but not as attentive as other places. It's decent and I'd probably go again, but it wouldn't be my first choice..
(3)Steve G.
I've been coming to this place several time since it is not far from my house. I came back yesterday with a friend. I ordered bacon omelette and coffee. Total bill $20 per person. I ordered the same omelette before and I enjoyed it. Yesterday...the bacon had strange smell. They smell like either they were cooked in old cooking oil or had been out for a long time. I was thinking to send it back to the kitchen or complain to the manager but afraid the retaliation from the kitchen crew. Yes I watched the movie "Waiting"..... I ended up only eating the egg part and threw away all the bacon bits. I understand that the economy is not good right now and the restaurant may be trying to cut costs but not at the customer's expense. $20 is quite a lot of money for breakfast.
(2)Golds M.
My favorite place to go for breakfast. Cozy place with friendly people and awesome breakfast food. My fav is the French toast.
(4)Brenda H.
This place never lets me down. I frequent this place for breakfast now a days, especially because i'm not a big fan of "commercialized" breakfast joints (ie: IHOP or Dennys). My favorite of all time here is the "dutch oven" pancake. The only downfall is that it takes 20 minutes to cook. But seriously, it's worth it. The only thing that sucks is when the people you come here with gets their food and finishes it, you will probably recieve your pancake at this time. It is a light airy pancake and all you need to do is drizzle it with butter, powdered sugar, and squeeze a bit of lemon. PERFECTION! Although this time, I went with my cousins and I was pretty hungry. And i didn't want to wait for my food while they were eating. So I got these crepes. Gosh i dont remember exactly which one they were. But they were yummy. My recommendation is to always select something on their menu that has stars next to the name, or a notation that it is the place's specialty. You can't go wrong!
(5)Shawn C.
Good News. Boyd's coffee. Bad News. I counted 7 ( seven ) health code violations on my one ( and only ) visit to this location. I manage restaurants. I love pancakes. I grew up in Portland and am a fiend for the menu items. Clean this place up so I don't have to drive to Willow Glen to have good coffee and pancakes. seriously. This location needs a couple days of being closed and cleaned.
(1)Abdul M.
This place is VERY good. Had the banana pancakes with fresh strawberries and fresh OJ. You can tell it was hand squeezed. Glad I stopped here today. Much better then Ihop. Service was OK not great. Only came by to check on us once and didn't ask if I want a refill. This is why I gave it a 4 star instead of a 5. Oh it's a little more $$$ then other place but well worth it.
(4)Cindy B.
I haven't ventured to try anything else besides the Dutch Baby at this joint. I figure anything else, I can go to Denny's and get it for cheaper. Though it take long to cook and it feels like you've probably have just eaten a carton of eggs...its pretty good.
(3)Vic S.
Having grown up in Fremont, I can say that this probably the most worthwhile place to visit in the entire city for any reason. Every time I'm in town on a Sunday, I eat breakfast here. As you would expect from a pancake house, this place does indeed have a nice selection of tasty pancake-related items. Everything I've ordered thus far, and I've ordered a lot, has been delicious. Personal favorites include the sourdough pancakes, the bacon waffle, and of course the infamous Dutch Baby (clear your schedule after eating this one, since you'll probably want to sleep it off). I will say that, as others have noted, the omelettes leave something to be desired. However, I'm of the opinion that if you go to a place called "The Original Pancake House" and order something that's primarily not pancakes, you sort of take your chances. Someday, I'll be brave enough to order the clam pancakes.
(5)Vicky L.
We were promtly seated at a table. we got our coffee, had our orders taken. but it took FOREVER to get our food. I understand it's a sunday, so i would understand a wait for a table, but not a long wait for our food. When our food finally showed up, we promptly dug in. For some unknown reason, they like to put the foods in different plates, so our large table got quickly filled up with plates. I orders a western omelet, and it was very fluffy and hot. it was definitely a pricey breakfast. for two, it was about $35. I don't know if i'll be back again. the food was good, but i hated the long wait, and the high prices.
(3)Michael M.
I went there on a Monday and while I read the prior reviews, I went in with an open mind :) They seated me quickly and had my pancakes out in decent amount of time. Slow service? Well this is not McDonald's where they pre-make all the stuff and nuke it in a microwave :P It DOES take time to make a small stack of pancakes. Ever try to make a large amount of pancakes @ YOUR house to feed a large group? It's going to take a few minutes. I got standard blueberry stack and it was good! And unlike IHOP, they didn't screw it up! Going to have to come back and try something different. I'm all about trying something new. Might take a minute to pick which one I want so if the wait-staff takes a minute, sorry!
(4)Jessica K.
I don't even like breakfast food (and I mean I REALLY don't like it), and I go out of my way to eat here. I'd say that if you're in a rush on weekends, it's probably not the right time to stop in, but when you've got nowhere to be, definitely check it out. The food and drinks seem a little bit pricey, but when you consider that they squeeze their juice fresh every morning, cook each dish to order, and have special ingredients in even their sour cream, it doesn't seem so absurd. The place has heart, and if you go frequently enough, your drinks will be on the table the moment after you sit down. However, you may gain fifty pounds...the portions are unbelievable! Despite all the iffy reviews, if you go in with an open mind (and a little extra time), I feel certain that you'll enjoy your experience.
(5)Food Y.
I went back, because everyone deserves a second chance. It was just as bad as the first time, if not worse. I don't know that I've ever had worse service? The food isn't bad, but the service is just SO bad that I know I won't be back. Too bad. I sure wish it was still Hobee's!!!
(1)Edelee R.
I never even knew this place existed! I've always thought that businesses around the area where this is at are closed! I guess I was wrong. I went here with my friends on a Sunday around 11ish, we got seated quickly plus as soon as we sat down we got our waters and was offered coffee right away. Now, let's get down to their specialty - the pancakes. I scanned the menu looking for a good pancake to have. I decided on the: Swedish Pancakes The description for this says: "Authentic lacy Swedish pancakes are always a treat. Served with lingonberries from Sweden and whipped butter". And it has 3 stars next to it. (which I took as a fan favorite? -- don't know). My friend, Janice and I ordered the same thing. Our other friend ordered the chocolate crepe. I really didn't like what I ordered. Note to everyone: Swedish pancakes are not like the fluffy ones hence they're lacy. So I get this 3 pieces of lacy pancakes and a lingonberry jam. I thought I'd be getting real lingonberries! I guess not. And the jam was too little, that I seriously just have to spread it in the middle while I awkwardly folded my 3 lacy pancakes. Ugh! My friend said the chocolate crepe was just ok. It was too sweet for her that after just how many bites she's had enough of it. The only good thing that we ordered was our hash brown. That's it!!! I think the prices are way overpriced as well. It'd give this place another try and this time I will stick to the omelets since everyone seems to be raving about it.
(2)Joy A.
had a craving for pancakes so we drove down to the fremont area. this place used to be so much better - (it's been a while since we moved to dublin) - but the menu seems to have changed a bit too. i could have sworn they used to have a corn beef hash omelet...oh well. had the dutch baby and it was really yummy - it's one of their signature dishes and it is a pancake souffle (note - takes about 20 minutes to make). hubby had a cheese and bacon omelet and surprisingly could not finish it. overall, the food was good and satisfying. however, prices are a bit high and service a bit uneven. not enough waiters (we had 1 guy for our entire area). this place used to be soooo packed but this time, had no problems getting a seat. i guess with increased prices it is a sign of the times.
(3)Nancy P.
The food is excellent. I love the Dutch baby. They use quality ingredients which increases the price. I do wish they were less expensive so I could go everyday. But don't compare to IHOP. IHOP uses cheap ingredients and it tastes like it.
(4)Ethel-Lynn Q.
They have a wide selection of pancakes. If you decide to drop in, please order the pancakes, that's their money maker. The omelettes are huge but it's not their speciality. The place is kind of old but I think they keep it that way to show how long they have been around.
(4)Luke P.
Don't go to this place! It's a rip off and bad service. The waiter is some dumb foreigner who doesn't know or care about this very American fare. In America when one orders a combo breakfast dish like pancake/egg/sausage, the 3 items should be brought together. This waiter brought out pancakes first, then the 2 eggs in one plate, then told me to get started with the eggs while the sausages are been cooked. Then, 10 minutes later, came the sausages. Was he serious ??? Am I supposed to eat in this Ford assembly line manner? With tea, the total bill was $14 !!! Oh, the pancakes tasted very doughy and raw! I just left the restaurant in a hurry.
(1)Arnold G.
***UPDATE 6/10/07*** The food is fine, but this place has the worst service in Fremont. It's almost unbearable. They took our order and I asked for coffee...15 minutes later, we had to flag down someone to bring it to us, and a couple times, a guy walked by with a full pot of coffee giving everyone else refills. It also took us more than half an hour to get our food after ordering. Shouldn't the pancakes be ready to go when there's a rush? It's so annoying that I don't even know if I want to eat here anymore, which sucks because their pancakes are pretty good. ***ORIGINAL REVIEW - 4 stars *** I was having a major pancake craving this weekend and luckily there was an Original Pancake House nearby. The pancakes here were just how I wanted them...brown and slightly crispy but fluffy on the inside. They also have some crazy huge omelettes that are pretty good, although pairing spinach with cheddar cheese was odd. One cool thing is that if you don't order off the pancake section of the menu (omelettes, ham and eggs, etc.), you get pancakes anyway! And the prices are pretty reasonable considering all the food you get. The only knock on this place is that the service is kinda slow. You pretty much have to flag someone down to get what you want, but once you actually talk to someone, they bring you what you need pretty quickly.
(2)Stella S.
Only been here once. The owner was nice and friendly. The food was tastly. Had the blueberry waffle. The kids split the silver dollar pancackes and had hot chocolate. The pancakes and hot chocolate were good too, I mean how can you mess them up? Hubby ordered Swedish pancackes with side of bacon, eggs, chicken apple sausage. Big appetite right? but we ended up sharing the meaty plate. Overall, I think the food was good, not super duper great but will definitely come back when we're lazy to fix bfast!
(3)Nikki B.
Probably the worst service I've encountered in a while. After asking 4 separate times for a cup of hot chocolate, it finally arrived at the end of the meal. The waiter was unapologetic and seemed to hate his job; hope he's found one that better suits him. Tables around us did a similar waiting, one lady got up and walked to the hostess to get a fork because the waiter just wouldn't bring her one. You have to understand that this was on a Thursday morning, the restaurant wasn't busy, so his lack of service is inexcusable. Food wasn't bad, but definitely not worth more than $30 for 2 breakfasts.
(1)R M.
This is a pretty good breakfast place in Fremont. Great pancakes -- nice options no matter what your taste. Staff is family-like and friendly. Coffee is good. The prices are a little high for what you get (for a diner like place). I have not had dinner/lunch here -- only breakfast, so my rating is based on that.
(4)Esther A.
We came here for breakfast the other morning. The place was not all that packed however it took forever to get a waitress/waiter to take our order. We were famished therefore our threshold for bad service was not that high. Even a group of people next to us got up and left b/c it took so long for someone to come by and provide water and take their order. So finally we flagged someone down and they took our order. Some time later I noticed everyone had their food except us. Even a couple that were seated 10 minutes prior (they must have blurted out their order as soon as they were seated) had their food and here we were about half an hour of being seated, completely foodless and almost waterless. I looked around and everyone in our side of the dining area were stuffing their faces. WTF? We sat with annoyed don't-mess-with-this-bitch look on our faces and our food FINALLY arrived. The food we waited so long for was just mediocre. I had ordered the vegetarian "omelet" and it was bland and looked more like a quish than an omelet. I may give this place another try. Hopefully my next visit will result in a better experience.
(3)Lauren W.
We went there on a Sunday morning at noon. Our party of two was seated in about 10 minutes, but larger parties seem to have taken a little longer. I read the yelp reviews beforehand and so I was expecting really bad service, but actually we were pleasantly surprised. The service we got was fast, diner-like and efficient. We had to beat the coffee guy off with a stick (it is a little annoying to put sugar and cream in there every two minutes after they top off the cup). The food is solid breakfast fare, with some interesting choices. These guys know breakfast. We got buckwheat pancakes and a spinach omelet with hash browns and shared, which was about right. That with two coffees was $23 before tip. I mean, look, it's a A-frame pancake house, so don't expect too much. If you want a Denny's/IHOP upgrade, this is a good choice.
(4)Alastair G.
Another neighborhood restaurant in Fremont. I headed to the pancake house because I was kind of curious to see how good these pancakes really were. I do drive by every day so I just said. "Let's give it a try". I ordered Bacon,eggs, with 3 buttermilk pancakes. When the order arrived bacon looked a little crispy. Which it was... You ever had Bacon where you know its kinda crispy but its just tender enough that you don't send it back. Or when you cook bacon at home and get sidetracked with the tv you accidentally overcook the bacon. LoL. That's what I had. Eggs were bland and plain. Not much flavor. Pancakes were good but had a battery doughy aftertaste. Orange Juice was I guess freshly squeezed, but had a Orange juice pineapple taste. For some reason I think it would have been better ice cold. The waitress was a little abrasive and very stern. Kinda reminded me of the big scary cafeteria lady at your elementary school. You know the cook with the sleeves rolled up and a tattoo who smokes on her break. Food was brought out extremely fast, maybe because we were the only patrons in the establishment...... All in All. Ehhhh...... I've had better.
(2)Willis W.
What's great about this place is the owner. He's got tons of charisma and really makes you feel welcome. Sure it's a chain, and pancakes aren't all that hard to make, but in Fremont, we need all the warm and comfortable breakfast spots we can get, and this is one of the best in the area. My wife really likes the coffee here, because the cream they serve with it is rich like heavy whipping cream. I like the old fashioned diner coffee cups. The buckwheat pancakes are pretty good. We just wish that when you order eggs + pancakes they would give some fruit on the side or something. One star shy of an ultimate breakfast fantasy.
(4)Marisa E.
I've had really good luck with the pancakes. Can't remember all the types I've tried, but there's one with pineapple and tropical syrup &it's just really good. I actually wish the portions were a bit smaller, since after a while of eating & eating pancakes you kind of get sick of them. What would be great is silver dollar sized pancakes in all the different varieties that they offer. I haven't been as happy with the crepes. I like the concept of exotic crepes, but so far I've been disappointed with most of the types I've tried here. In any case, I'm glad this place exists. Fremont really doesn't have many breakfast places to choose from... Fremont doesn't really have much to choose from when it comes down to it. In summary: Pancakes = good Crepes = not as good
(3)Joc V.
I've christened them "Ye Olde Pancake House" because of that old-timey feeling I got when I first walked through the door. At first glance, Ye Olde Pancake House looked like a Swiss chalet with the sloping roof and overhanging eaves but after a closer look and a few minutes of my elbows on the sticky tabletop, it began to feel more like an IHOP or a Denny's. Getting a table was a bit of a production as there was only one person to handle both paying customers ready to leave and patrons ready to be seated. Once we were seated, the coffee flowed continuously and the waitress, albeit abrupt, was fast and responsive. She was like Flo from Alice without the accent and the big hair and the gum snapping and the "Kiss my grits!" Ok. Maybe she wasn't so much like Flo, but she did have a bit of a 'tude. Good recommendation on the apple pancake though. Fluffy, moist and just the right amount of sweet with the whipped cream on the side. Butter and syrup were also options but may have been too rich for the already rich apple pancake. I chose the western omelet which I could've easily made at home, so I'll skip that when I return to try the dutch baby, this obscene creation of a pancake that is the shape of a giant pothole except it's a really tasty-looking pothole sprinkled with powdered sugar.
(3)Carmel M.
Good breakfast, awful service. Waited about 10 minutes for the waitress to come to the table. She takes our order and disappears for 20 minutes. No refills on coffee - she just never came to our table. She dropped the food off and disappeared again and we had to wait 10 minutes or so to get the bill. Country Way is a much better diner!!
(2)Jennifer H.
I'm sorry: this place is WAY overpriced and their pancakes are nothing to write home about. For the money they charge, it is not worth it.
(2)Alyson C.
two words: Bacon Pancakes! It sounds weird, I know. But once you try it... wow. Dutch Baby: sooooo good. The Apple pancake is basically like ordering an apple pie. this is good too... Generally this place is good. :)
(4)jacky m.
Pancake House is a wonderful place. They make the most flavorful buttermilk pancakes. I wonder what their secret ingredient is...maybe beer batter. If you don't have much of a sweet-tooth, their delicious Clam Pancakes is perfect for those with a savory palate. Yes I know, clam pancakes sound weird and gross but trust me, they are very delicious..I just don't recommend it with syrup. But be prepared to pay about $7-12 for your meal..Pancake House is not cheap. For the unreasonable prices, it loses a star. Since I'm a tough critic, I hardly EVER give restaurants 5 stars. Service is great if you get the Latino man who always wears a red Pancake House cap. He comped me for the overly sweet and soggy Tahitian Crepe. How sweet and considerate of him!
(3)Marco C.
This used to be a very excellent breakfast. I guest new owner took over and ruined for good. I don't think we're coming back
(1)Nate M.
Everyone has had pancakes before. But these are some AMAZING pancakes. The batter they make is killer! There are entirely too many choices of pancakes to choose from... the plain pancakes are still delicious. I had a friend who worked here, that is how I knew about it. Unfortunately, previous comments are correct: The service is dreadfully slow for some reason. And the juice is expensive! I hate that! Overall, the food is really good if you have the time to spend there to wait for it.
(3)Diana R.
This placed served the absolute worst breakfast I have ever eaten! I am reviewing it now cause I was just n the area and seeng it gave me post traumatic stress. Service was crappy. Food was expensive and had no flavor. I would rather drink a bottle of castor oil!
(1)Hiram L.
After reading all the reviews I have to say this place is consistent. The food is good, but pricey. The service is agonizing slow. I've driven by this place for 25 years. I finally grabbed my son and stopped by. Interesting decor. From the outside it has an americanized Bavarian look to it. From the inside it's like a really old weinerschnitzel. Very close quarters. After being seated it wasn't an awfully long wait to order. I got scared when I first looked at the menu. I hadn't noticed that most orders include pancakes. The items were pricey and when you add pancakes they are astronomical. After a little more reading I realized most items include pancakes. I quickly got a cup of delicious coffee. I found out that is just a tease though. I ordered a ham and cheese omelet. After not a extremely long time the food came. I went into a panic. The omelet was round as a ball and kind of strange looking. Looks mean nothing I found out. The waiter asked if we needed anything else. I asked for a refill of coffee. He disappeared. I bit into the omelet, oh man, it's delicious! It's huge, enough for 2 people or one very hungry one. Hmmm no coffee, there is a waiter walking around with a pot, filling every cup around except mine. I'm "excuse me" and throat clearing, but no joy. The pancakes are special. I had the buttermilk and they are delicious and cooked perfectly. They are smallish but tasty. I discovered they have 2 sizes. If you order pancakes you get huge ones, if you get pancakes with something like my omelet they are smallish. They give you a bottle of warm syrup, no little tiny cup like Denny's. Still trying to flag down a waiter for that coffee refill. Twice I tell a waiter I'd like a refill. They run off, the coffee comes out but never makes it to me. I've drunk my water, my sons and his friends. The guy in the table next to me offers to give me some of his. I refuse, but think twice about it. We eat and everything is good (would be better with some coffee to wash it down with). I noticed the potato pancakes and thought I'd get an order. My son had never had them, I thought they would be a treat. We finish our meal. I tell the waiter to bring an order of potato pancakes with some coffee. I told him if he doesn't have coffee don't bring a bill or the pancakes. He shows and YES he has some of that delicious coffee. Finally! The potato pancakes are nothing like I remember that my mom used to make. Kinda of disappointed in them. Food=good, service=needs serious help, coffee=great if you can get some. Will I be back. Not sure, I may get a craving for their pancakes, I'm not sure I could take another coffee tease though.
(4)Courtney K.
HUGE omelets, definitely something to share! I usually get an omelet (first one ended up with pineapple in it) and potato pancakes which serves as two meals for $10. Been with a few people who have had to send their food back for whatever reasons, but service is generally fast & friendly... once you get their attention. Great hangover food, but if you're looking for something gourmet, go elsewhere.
(3)Jenn F.
The service was SOO slow... I know it was a Sunday morning, but the place wasn't all that busy. It took forever for our food to come out, and even when it did, our waitress forgot our drinks. I was really disappointed with the hashbrowns, because they were just blanched potatoes in french fry shapes-- not crunchy, not crispy, not even a little browned. They should call them bland country potatoes, but definitely not hashbrowns. My omelet was huge, and had broccoli inside, which was wayy overcooked. Lastly, the bill was absurd. I mean, if I'd known, I would've just gone to Nation's in the same parking lot for 1/4 of the price. Gimme a break-- this is the first and last time I'm coming here.
(2)Jeff C.
If your in the mood for some pancakes, this is your place.......F*** IHOP and Denny's and all of them. Have some potato pancakes with your omelette and be happy, don't forget the sour cream! And ya, if you want a huge pan"cake" with apples on it, get the apple pancake because, boy its a whopper that fills you up. As far as prices go.......it is kinda price for what it is, but i'll be honest with you, I can't find a place that does what they do just for breakfast in our area. So try it out if anything, service is ehhh there, food and quality are A-OK. It's worth checking out atleast once and you can decide if you love it or hate it.
(3)Phil M.
Western Omlette with French Toast and coffee. They even let us sit down 30 minutes before closing.
(4)Dan Y.
There really is an art to making pancakes. My mother and aunt knew the secret, but these days it's hard to find those light fluffy cakes I used to enjoy as a kid. The Original Pancake House is one of the few places left where you can get a REAL PANCAKE. With whipped butter and maple or blueberry syrup, these things are better than sex. The restaurant looks and feels like 1960--if only the prices were the same. (Forty bucks for breakfast for two adults and two kids?? OUCH) Even so if I have to choose between a $5 Grand Slam and a $10 Dutch Baby I'll take the Dutch Baby and skip lunch.
(4)Valerie F.
What can I say about OPH? that hasn't been said. The Dutch Baby is like a gynormeous Yorkshire pudding. Frankly if somebody brought this to England that's what they'd think "Crikey it's the worlds blood massive Yorkshire pudding." Yum Bake omelets for those greasy free days.
(5)Libby L.
This rating is based solely on their fresh fruit Strawberry Crepe. I know, I know, who doesn't order pancakes when experiencing the self-proclaimed Original Pancake House for the first time? Well, not me! I'm glad I ordered the crepe. The strawberries were so huge and juicy! There was even extra strawberries on the side. Yum! I also ordered a side of bacon, which was too pricey and overcooked. Boo.
(4)Jennifer d.
The waffle my son and I enjoyed here was one of the best so far in The Great Waffle Quest. I ordered the apple waffle, and it had small pieces of apple in it, was dusted with cinnamon, and was served with fresh apple compote and apple syrup. If I order it again, I will ask to replace the apple syrup with regular maple syrup, as I found the apple syrup a bit cloyingly sweet. The waffle had great texture, though it could have had a more crisp exterior so it could withstand the syrup a little better without getting soggy. Why not more stars, then? What it comes down to is value. OPH simply charges too much for what it gives you. I ordered one apple waffle (more than $8), one scrambled egg (more than $3), and a small orange juice (more than $3), and it came to $15.50 with tax. When you add a tip, that's almost $20 for one person! For twenty dollars per person I can get good breakfast, cheap kitschy ambience, and diner-style service at OPH or get excellent brunch and gracious service at Essanay Cafe. I'm going to choose the latter. And I'll expand on what I mean by "diner-style service": I found what looked alarmingly like a pubic hair in my scrambled egg -- after I had eaten half of it already. When I showed my waitress, she looked at it, said, "Eeyu," and then took it away without asking if I wanted it replaced or offering to take it off my bill. I got a new scrambled egg, but I now that I think about it, I don't think I should have had to pay for it.
(3)Elo N.
My cousin brought me here about a year ago and I wasn't too impressed but after Black Friday shopping I was up to give it another try. Things really didn't change. The service is SLOW!! They sat our party of 4 right away but it took them about 10 minutes to take our drink order. The menu seems to have a wide selection. Not sure what the fresh frozen strawberries are but...whatever is clever. I ordered the french toast and ordered bacon and hash browns as my sides. The food itself was ok but it was over priced. We split the bill and it came up to $19 each for an ok breakfast. Next time if I'm in the same area I'll just drive further down the parking lot for breakfast at Nations. Better and cheaper!
(2)Audrey M.
I've been going to this restaurant for years now. I've rarely had bad customer service here and yesterday I received wonderful service from Victoria. (She even told me about a pancake that's not on the menu!) The bacon and cheese omelet was huge and you get your choice of side. I chose my special pancakes for my side. Next time I'll have to try their famous dutch baby. This may be a chain but it's owned by local mom and pops. Support them and get great food and service at the same time!
(4)Robert S.
Service is terrible.
(1)Jesse W.
Slow ass service. If I'm able to check all my work emails and write facebook updates before the waitress even comes....yeah. Now, on to the food, it's all breakfast food with a European twist. Ordered two egg whites, toast and two pancakes. Pretty standard fare. Overall, not the most memorable, if you are in a bind and REALLY want pancakes over Nations next door, then try at your own risk!
(3)Sean M.
Ham and Cheese Omelette - 4 stars Eggs and Sausage - 4.5 stars Pancakes - 4 stars French Toast - 5 stars Hash Browns - 5 stars OJ - 4.5 star Coffee - 4 stars The food is really awesome. The downside is the price, but it comes with HUGE portions.
(4)Bella L.
My SO's been coming here for years for breakfast, and finally the both of us stopped by for breakfast on a Saturday. I didn't feel like pancakes, so I ordered the chocolate crepes. They were meh. It was a very generous portion with three crepes, but they just didn't do it for me. I only finished half, but my SO's blueberry pancakes were MUCH better. I guess it was my fault for ordering crepes at restaurant named Pancake House!
(2)Megan W.
Was super surprised at this place. I thought it was gonna be eh so so on the food and not so good on the service. i was blown away by both! The food was amazing and so was the service. I had a strawberry waffle and OMG!!!! sooooo tasty. I know my boyfriend and I will be returning, its closer to home and better food and service than country way.
(5)Layla R.
The service is friendly and perfectly fine. No it's not on greased wheels, but the food is cooked to order and they watch that window to make sure your food gets to you HOT. I've never even had a cold piece of bacon, let alone anything else. The food. Anyone who doesn't get that this place uses top quality ingredients and can in no way be compared to the Countryway, is better off at Dennys. The bacon is thick cut and so fabulous. The ham is meaty and not saturated with salt. They use really awesome sharp cheese (and a ton of it) in their omelets. The orange juice is fresh squeezed and really good. And guess what? All those top quality ingredients cost money. So yes, you do pay a bit more for the food here. But it is worth it. But they ARE the pancake house. And their PANCAKES ROCK. We've tried 6 different types of pancakes and the 49er flapjacks and buckweat, and sourdough are soooooooooooooooo good. My husband loves just the regular buttermilk but the silver dollars are his favorites. The dutch baby is fun and really yummy. This place doesn't cut corners. You aren't getting nasty filler and cheap cheese and skimpy bacon. Their ingredients are great and IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT (which clearly the cheap-hunters who only care about the bill DON'T) you know that this place serves GREAT breakfast. Oh... They don't serve eggs benedict here (eggs micheal aren't close)... so if that's what you want, try Spin a Yarn for breakfast. But if you want pancakes or omelets. This is your place! ETA: I will admit that I do wish they would remodel. The interior is an eyesore.
(5)Vicky L.
This place is truly a 2 star disappointment. Sam and I dropped in awhile ago to grab breakfast. The Pancake House down in San Diego had always been a fav of mine to go to when I lived down there... and this was leagues away. The service was insanely slow. The omelettes weren't as fluffy as the ones down south, and the veggies were undercooked. Yeche. Can I remind all current and future restaurants that I go to that I HATE RAW MUSHROOMS IN MY FOOD. ARghhh!! How hard is it to make a decent breakfast!? Even Denny's has it down even though it is institutionalized but at least they can make a decent omelette!!
(2)Jamie G.
I was really excited to learn that this place had potato pancakes. I haven't had any really good ones since Christkindl Markt in Chicago. I was surprised when a giant platter of them came out with a tiny shot of sour cream and an eensy cup of applesauce. Definitely not enough for such a feast. The pancakes themselves were an utter disappointment. I was also really unhappy with the price of this place. For $3.50, you get a half side order of bacon. Had I know a half side order was TWO STRIPS, I definitely would have skipped it. You can get a full side order (which I assume is 4 strips) for SIX DOLLARS. I can seriously get a Grand Slam at Denny's for that price. If the food had been spectacular, I may have given it another star. Be sure to eat here if you love spending cash and eating mediocre food.
(2)Erin M.
FRIKKEN A this place has pissed me off multiple times. food is pretty grool, and i guess the place is nice and quaint, but it takes HELLA DAYS to get served. i have been here multiple times and ordered the simple dishes like two eggs, sausage, and hash browns and have had to wait over 45 minutes to receive them. i get so irritated that i have to leave and go somewhere else. the older man who i THINK owns the place is pretty nice, but the servers are like zombies with no personalities. either that or they hate their job. eeks to either one. the pancakes are bomb though, but i have to be in a certain mood to go here. aka super patient and super craving pancakes. all in all, food is good but service is bad. so i have to be able to endure really bad service (and dirty water cups) in order to go here.
(2)Anne N.
3.5 stars So it took me more than 3 years to actually visit this place! I took my sister out to brunch and we ordered blueberry pancakes and waffle (yes, one waffle). It was a great meal and we were pretty full. For about $8.50, pancakes will pile up on your plate; they give you about 5 large pancakes. So expect leftovers when you order pancakes! The downside was the waffle. For the same price, you get one waffle, ONE! My sister said it tasted great but for that price...you could make a week's worth of waffles with a waffle maker at home. I thought they'd at least give us 2 waffles, but the pictures in the menu do not lie. You get what you order. Parking is a little funky so be careful of hungry pedestrians.
(3)Derya A.
The food here is a bit pricey, and would have received 2 stars based on cost. However, the meal itself has phenomenal. I got the oatmeal pancakes which I absolutely LOVED and will definitely be ordering again. It's a very big serving of 4-5 pancakes. The whipped cream that was served with it was truly heavenly. It was so good I had to ask what it was, it doesn't taste like normal whipped cream, not even normal homemade whipped cream. I could seriously have eaten it alone with a spoon. Before I go on forever about that, the mushroom omelette my boyfriend got was funny looking (oddly fluffy?) but so tasty!! He didn't love his hashed browns because they were more like diced potatoes, but was satisfied overall. The food quality boosted my review to 4 stars. Mostly because of the whipped cream. Seriously, it's good.
(4)Sonny T.
First things last small portions .that being said my sausage patties were delicious and my daughters cream of wheat was perfect and im a cream of wheat fanatic . The bad took a while for the food the and when i asked the owner if i can keep the menu to look over it he looked at me like i asked him to give me head wtf . Besides that food is quality but dam pricey country way is the best bet . Oh small but annoying had to ask for water .
(1)Lora R.
Slooooow. We enjoy coming here, but my goodness do we regret the wait each time. It's good enough that we forget between visits, but slow enough we vow not to go back on the weekend each and every time we go! Each time they've been curt about waving away the wait...rather annoying. That being said, their sour dough pancakes are beyond yummy yummy yummy! Perfectly fluffered!! I have not had a dish I didn't love, and I suppose that's why I forget about the hour + wait for the food each time!
(3)AJ M.
I've come here a multitude of times (was there today). Ordered the Apple Pancake, and have had their crepes and regular Pancakes in the past, along with an assortment of their side dishes. I find it hard to believe that people are giving this place low ratings because it's cheaper than Denny's and it sure as hell takes 100x better. I've tried their dutch baby in the past and it tastes fantastic. Also, people complaining about a weird flavor? There must be something wrong with your taste buds, because If I can come here over a span of 4 years and receive the same excellent service and food, you're obviously doing something wrong or acting like complete jerks to the waiters or waitresses. For what its worth expect to pay $15/person for a good breakfast that WILL fill you up. The apple pancake is smashing, sweet, fresh apples, crispy, and all of the above. The times that I've tried the Dutch Baby, I was left in awe with the thickness, deep rich flavor, and the compliments between butter, Lemon, and Powdered Sugar. The service was always as I expected it to be- its a diner. It's big. It's not your average small restaurant. They constantly check to see if your coffee is topped off, and they constantly check to make sure that you are satisfied with the meal. If people here are complaining about service, again, you must have been acting like a bunch of jerks to offend the VERY nice staff of hard working individuals. Some of the dishes take a LOT of time to prepare, others not so much. They won't break out the food until everything is prepared for proper serving. My family ran and owned Kens Family Restaurant in Menlo Park back in the days for over 40 years, and I am VERY used to Breakfast/Diner food like this, and I KNOW when I eat something good and something not so good.
(5)Jennifer S.
Hands down the best pancakes known to mankind. The omelets are also amazing! I had the bacon and cheese omelet and every bite was filled with their delicious thick cut bacon and gooey cheese.... perfection. If come here you must must must eat the pancake... amazing I tell you. On top of their outstanding food.. .the service is great as well.
(5)Erin K.
um, hello giant delicious apple pancake, where have you been all my life? at original pancake house, you say? i've seen you on the menu before, but your size and appearance was always a little too intimidating for me. today i took the plunge, and boy was i ever so glad i did. the waiter told me that i would "have a laugh" when he brought you to the table; it was more a combination shocked uttering of 'ohmygoodness' and chuckling. i was only able to eat 1/3 of you, but that meant i was able to give 2/3 away to a friend, which is always nice. the staff was also friendly and charming and the friends i was with enjoyed their food, too. if you come here, you have to try the specialty pancakes -- it is called Original Pancake House, after all!
(4)Rich R.
Great pancakes but service sucks
(2)E D.
If you have kids... don't eat here! I went with my 3 kids and spent 50 bucks on BREAKFAST!! Of course going here they wanted pancakes and waffles... 9 bucks each! No kids discount menu or portions. 3 dollars for a small glass of milk and 4 dollars for toast! Really!!! I could buy a loaf for that much. If you are going just yourself then yes I guess it's okay if you want to pay 15 dollars for breakfast. Yes the food is good but not worth paying 15 dollars for breakfast. The coffee I admit was good and the waffle but I could eat "almost as good" waffles somewhere else for HALF the price than here. I usually have breakfast with my kids every weekend and drop about 30 bucks for all 3 of us with sides. My two kids split a HALF order of pancake and I still spent 50 dollars!
(2)Hari D.
Great pancakes, a lot of variety like wheat germ, oatmeal pancakes and bunch. Little pricey compared to iHop, but worth for the variety.
(4)Emerald M.
I'm not usually a pancake fan, but I'm down with the OPH. Service here is inefficient, but they make up for it with the occasional delivery of friendliness. The delicious food also helps make up for the mediocre service. My favorites at this spot are the Eggs Michael and the HUUUUUGEEE apple pancake whose name has escaped me. If eating with others, these are perfect to share together. You get the dose of savory with the Eggs Michael and the sweet with the apple pancake. As far as a description of my two favorite dishes, the Eggs Michael is an english muffin, topped with sausage, a poached egg and covered in thick gravy, accompanied with potato pancakes, sour cream, and apple sauce. DELICIOUS. The apple pancake is thick, like a quiche, topped with baked apples and cinnamon. Prices are a little expensive here, but the two aforementioned dishes are filling and great to warm up and nosh on as leftovers. The apple pancake also doubles as a dessert! If you're looking for a hearty, comforting breakfast, head to OPH for some deliciousness. Don't expect great service, but do expect good food.
(3)Ness A.
YES, the wait staff was very friendly but unfortunately it doesn't make up for the food. This place is way over priced for what you get. My plate was 10.00 and what I got was a plate of scrambled eggs with ham and a half order of french toast which was only 1 slice of bread cut in half. No potatoes, fruit or anything else. My friend ordered the Swedish pancakes with a side of bacon. She ended up getting crepes passing as the pancakes. Come on now, did you not think we would not know the difference. Her bacon was old and it was cold. The grease on the bacon already turned white and thick. I will never come back.
(1)Natalia K.
Horrible service and over price ! The food is average ! We are not going back there, not after they service the gave us and the price we paid.
(1)Victor H.
I used to love this place but I think the quality of their food has gone down a bit. Their omelettes used to taste a lot better and had a great souffle texture. Replaced is a souffle looking mess that was bland and way overcooked. Pancakes also tasted more normal than original, nothing that separates it from the pack. Hard not to expect more from a place that calls itself "original". It also feels a bit run down and has lot a bit of the homey vibe that it gave in the past.
(2)Jeff H.
This is a mom and pop shop, which mean the servers' are old! Only come here if you want to enjoy slow morning breakfast/brunch. If you are really hungry and is impatient I suggest you go get your speedy MacDonald. Environment: Cute, old restaurant. The outside of the restaurant looks like an 1980 farm house. Inside is pretty charming. Food: I come here for their fluffy omelet, dutch baby, and their 49er's pancake. Fluffy omelet is pretty special, they baked the omelet abit so it taste more chewy. The dutch baby is a "baked" pancake, which fluff up like a cake. pretty cool to see and taste pretty good w. syrup and lemon. The 49er's pancake is a very thin pancake (my personal favorite, but not my friends so i guess depends on people?) Their food can make you really full. If you eat it during breakfast you might skipped lunch. If you eat it during brunch then you might not be hungry till late night. Service: This is a mom and pop shop, which means don't expect speedy services. Stop expecting chain or high class restaurant service. You can see they can only hired so many waiters and chefs. The food WILL come out 20-25 mins. Most of time i come here I am with one or two friends, and has alot of time to chat while waiting. If you are really hungry i suggest you go to MacDonald instead of OPH. Price: The omelet and the pancake is about 11-13. It's a bit pricy i admit, but consider the fact that (1) they are mom and pop shop, they don't buy large quantity of food material (2) they never change staff, I seen the same person serving over 4,5 years? I am willing to deal with the price. I think what makes this place special to me is their menu. I think they have pretty creative menu; unlike alot of other breakfast place. I come here once a while, like every one month or two month (because after all its not too healthy) I saw so many bad reviews feel bad for them :( I still believe its a special place for breakfast/brunch...once every two months.
(4)Krizia E.
I have been to the OHOP in Temecula and Poway and I feel like though the service was better at the Fremont location the food was meh. My food was bland and the eggs were runny. If I come here I only and I mean only get the potato pancakes. Parking also sucks of course Inthe weekends. The decor is dated, but the owner and staff are super friendly.
(2)Amy D.
Hands down the worst breakfast my son and I have ever had. His sausage was dripping in grease, pancakes tasted like eating paper and my blueberry pancakes had an odd green color to them and made me nauseous after 3 bites. The final straw was when flies started gathering in the dining area. This was our first experience here and we won't be back. Don't waste your time or money here. If I could give this restaurant 0 star, I would have.
(1)Daniel H.
Pancakes were average, I'm not mad at them. Had the banana which was forgettable, but filled me up. The omelets are interesting, but full of fresh ingredients and cooked and blended well into the omelet. Perhaps the omelets are baked, but there was a little browning on them Gotta tell the cook that the worst thing you can do to eggs is brown them, but didn't completely kill the dish. Service is slow, but to be expected, it isn't too pricey and the margins are slim. Hash browns suck, they should be called boiled potatoes.
(3)Latimer L.
The food is actually pretty good and the portions are large, but I don't think it's worth the wait. I've been here twice and on both occasions, I had to wait over 35 minutes before getting my food. Keep in mind, the wait to get seated wasn't the problem, it was the time AFTER ordering that was brutal. This is certainly not a good place to have breakfast with someone you can't stand to talk to.
(2)Lucye V.
45min waiting for our food :( still waiting, is it normal?
(1)Theresa S.
Food was fast, hot and delicious. The portions were huge and I was full after eating half of my scrabbled egg with ham. Service was friendly and attentive. Will definitely be back here again. Of course pricing is a litlte high but food is well worth it.
(4)Pawan R.
I recommended this place to someone once; they came back to me and said "I'ts not that great dude." Then i asked them what they ordered... They ordered an omelet!!! Who orders an omelet at a pancake place then complains about the food? This place is pretty much just a really really really good ihop, with better selection. So if you are in the mood for pan cakes, come and check it out!
(4)Yvette S.
Friendly atmosphere. Service was spot on. The blueberry pancakes definitely hit the spot. If you are craving pancakes, they definitely have a flavor that will fit your liking.
(4)zafir s.
service was bad. they acted like they had never seen a groupon before. then the host tried to convince me that i had already used it so he couldn't accept it (which was not true). food was ok, nothing special. it was overpriced ($6 for a side of hash browns? really? at a diner??) i hated that the groupon's usage was so limited. it was honestly ridiculous. a restaurant deal that cant be used for dinner, or on weekends? we won't be back
(1)Jason L.
Honestly..... Denny's is better than this place. I thought, "pancake house? they should specialize in pancakes...right?" WRONG! OVERPRICED breakfast (approximately $11 per person), flat pancakes and waffles, dried out canadian ham and small portions for the price! The only reason why I'm giving it two stars is because the server was friendly and the other people walking around with coffee pots kept asking if we wanted more coffee. Probably NEVER coming back here for breakfast, unless I feel like paying $5 for a glass of OJ. WEAKSOS!!!
(2)Keith M.
I can't give any less than five stars because I've been eating here for about 18 years and I love the food. I have tried it all and everything is great. Come hungry and be adventurous, potato pancakes are great and sourdough is awesome. Drink sizes are kinda small but I guess I expect that now. Please overlook the prices and don't just go for eggs, try the buttermilk pancakes! I dare say the best cakes and choice around.
(5)Mitch W.
The Original Pancake House is located at the Fremont Blvd, across the Fremont Hub. The location is quite centralized and the plaza has plenty of parking in the morning. The parking lot shares space with other restaurant business like the Muncher Haus Deli (German), Falafel Etc (Middle Eastern / Greek) and Nation's Giant Burgers. From the outside it looks little a place established many years ago and looks like a cabin. My experience over there was less than average. I've been trying multiple breakfast places around Fremont, Oakland and Alameda areas and this one has been so far one of the most underwhelming experiences. And I'm not considered picky! The menu has a decent variety of options of omelets, pancakes and other interesting dishes like the Dutch Baby, but it is way overpriced. But what actually brought me here to write a review and give 2 stars is the customer service. At first me and my friend were coldly greeted by the waiter which led us to the table close to the window. He blankly asked us if we wanted coffee BEFORE we sat down (which I think is okay, but not necessary). I asked for coffee and my friend asked for water WITHOUT ice. Coffee came plus two ICED waters. Looking at the menu we decided to give it a shot on the French Toast, priced at $5.59, which is "reasonable", but it would be much better if it would come with sides of eggs and or potatoes. If you want to make a combo using the side menus, it would be over $12. French toast was below average. Small portion, bland taste. And the breakfast syrup was incredibly watery. Coffee is overpriced, $2.40. And I wasn't offered a refill. The waiter simply dropped the tab at our table in a unfriendly manner without saying a word. I MIGHT come back to give a try on the pancakes, but not anytime soon. Suggestions to the management: * Review pricing, maybe adopting combo meals with a better set and variety of combinations. Optimize the portions to have something below $10. * Improve training to staff - which seemed unhappy and unfriendly. You can hear the waiter arguing with the kitchen staff, dishware clanking abruptally in the kitchen, and waiting doesn't get the orders right, plus no coffee refills. == Overall experience was really depressing. What would be a nice way to start a day, it was filled with frustration. It is a nice place (location, cleanness and large/bright windows), but needs lots of improvements.
(2)Roman A.
The prices on the menu are too high for a normal breakfast. I expected something to stand out about their pancakes, especially with the high prices, but when the food finally did arrive at our table it was like "that's it"! We had to wait about 30 minutes for our food to come to our table, even thogh the place was empty? We will not visit this place in the near future. We just went to try it out and was disappointed.
(2)Marja M.
I had a mad hankering for a waffle, and I didn't feel like waiting in line in the rain at Stack's so I went to Fremont and tried the Original Pancake House. I'd had a stellar experience at their Green Valley Ranch location in Las Vegas! Alas, not so here. Lookit: I ordered a glass of orange juice, which I totally expect to be spendy. But, to get what I want I had to order everything a la cart, which was ridiculous! I ordered a side of toast, 2 eggs and a plain waffle, plus the aforementioned glass of orange juice. How much did I spend? $18.58. Really? Almost $20 for a breakfast and no meat. The waffle alone was over $7.00!! I will not be returning to this location.
(2)Ojay E.
This place beats the living hell out of IHOP. A few friends & I stopped by here last Sunday morning after a LONG night of...well, debauchery. My friend from Martinez was here & I wanted to take him some place different. One of my buddies had mentioned this place the night before & said we should get them the next morning...or rather in a few hours. (This conversation took place at like, 3:00am in the morning.) Anyways, we get there, get seated & start looking through the menu. They had a lot of different types of pancakes on the menu. I had heard there was a make your own pancake option, but there wasn't. This frustrated me, but I decided to go with the Chocolate Chip Pancakes. (You can't really go wrong there.) The food came out rather quickly, so we didn't have to wait long. I jumped in, literally. They were SO good! I damn near inhaled the entire plate. I wanted SO badly to finish, them, but I couldn't, I was done. I took the last two I had home & called it a day. I woke up the next morning, groggy & upset that it was Monday, but they I remembered I had those two pancakes in the fridge! I woke up, showered, got dressed & had the best breakfast EVER! I love this place. I will definitely be coming here again.
(5)Wali N.
This place has a mix of good and bad. I would give it 3.5 stars and certainly worth checking out if you are a local and looking for breakfast joint. What bugs me about this place is when they are even slightly busy the wait staff is real slow as others have pointed out. It takes them forever to refill your coffee and bring your food. Also, the prices are a little high, especially if you want something other than the few combos. So keep an eye on the price otherwise u can pay $30-35 just for two people. I like their pancakes. Really fluffy and tasty. My 2nd favorite in the bay area.Not a fan of their omelets because they stuff the omelets. That pot pie style omelet kills it for me since I like the traditional style. Their waffles are good but sorta small and pricy. Especially if you add eggs or another side to it. The owner of this place is a nice friendly guy. I'll continue to visit this place but my budget can't afford to do so as much as I'd like.
(3)Angela K.
Overpriced pancake house. No wonder I haven't been here for over 5 years. But I decided that we 2 adults, 3 kids were in a pancake kind of mood. We ordered 2 by 4 pancake, chocolate chip pancake, and strawberry waffle, cherry crepes. We were so hungry because it was a late lunch and it took awhile for the food to come out. Strawberry waffle was kind of flat and surcharge $2 extra for fresh strawberries not in season with big scoop of whipped cream=$13. Chocolate chip pancake was good size portion 6 flapjacks so my twins shared this dish=$9. Cherry crepes 3 pieces looked rubbery but my hubby seemed to like it =$9 . My 2 eggs and 4 buttermilk pancakes were average..$9. I can't believe that I spent that much on pancakes. I should've gone to IHOP or somewhere else.
(1)po d.
Used to go here (a lot), but not any more. The last time we were here, we were seated and ignored. It wasn't even that crowded. Our server, "Grumpy," proceeded to take the orders for other tables that came in after us. We finally got up and left as their food was getting to their table. Fix your wait staff, please. Maybe we'll return.
(1)Connie C.
Today I woke up really wanting some pancakes. We first went over to Country Way, but the wait was ridiculous. I wasn't going to wait an hr to eat a pancake...I'll just have to check that place out another time. We were seated very quickly and our waiter came out fairly quickly. Everything was going well until our food came. I ordered the Vegetarian Omelet with egg whites and a side of 3 buttermilk pancakes. My bf had Bacon and Eggs with a half order of French toast. Everything came out at once, except my pancakes!! My bf was almost done with his entire plate before my pancakes showed up! I hate it when restaurants forget about your food and bring it to you when you're full. I wasn't planning on eating my entire omelet, but since my pancakes never showed up, I ended up eating more of my omelet, and barely had room for the pancakes I was craving!! I guess in the end, the omelets are probably healthier and better for my hips, next time though...I'd like my food to arrive in a decent manner! This place is very generous with their bacon, my bf received 5 huge strips of bacon! haha! I've never seen him struggle eating bacon before. LoL.
(3)Moe M.
Food=Good/Service=Poor/Price= Outrageous :o Really the service sucks here. Will not be going back to this place. I felt as if I was being discriminated against.
(2)Chris M.
great variety of pancakes. i had the buttermilk pancakes (tasty with a little sour flavor) one time and the 49er flapjacks (big thin, and doughy like i like) another. she has the sourdough (interesting flavor, i liked it) once and the dutch boy (too eggy for my taste) the other. service is fine. dutch boy takes a while since it's baked.
(4)Alice C.
I've only been here once last year, and I don't even really remember what I got (maybe the buttermilk pancakes?), but I'm writing a review anyway because I was pretty blown away by their exceptional service. I ordered my pancakes along with a large mocha, but the server gave me a small. I brought this to the attention of someone working there (it may have been the manager even? I wasn't sure), and he was soooo gracious and told me that he'd bring me a large mocha once I finished my small. He brought it out promptly after I finished my small, and he was seriously so nice and no fuss about it, even though the place was packed and all the servers were super busy. I was sure to leave extra tip. My one regret in coming here is that I wished I got one of the less boring pancakes-- next time!
(4)Maggie L.
To me, this place was just OK. My friend brought be here because she was craving some of their famous pancakes, but I wasn't really in the mood to be adventurous. I just had their bacon and eggs with a half side of french toast. French toast was average. Bacon slices were really thick and verryyy fatty MMMM. Eggs were bland and so-so. I'll re-review this place if I ever go here again. And I'll be sure to try their specialties too. Oh, and just FYI the waitresses are super nice and cool!
(3)Shannon L.
This one is located next to Muchner Haus Deli, Nation's, Cherry Garden & Falafel Etc. You can see it off Fremont Blvd but this location is definitely not as bustling as the Aliso Viejo one. I was a little disappointed with the food at this location because the one in Aliso Viejo is absolutely amazing!!! I remember the raisin pancakes being so delicious. The ones here were so so. They were fluffy but a little dry. We also had an omlette (sorry can't remember which one!) and it was regular. Nothing too fancy. If you're in Fremont, I suggest going to Country Way near the 880 freeway!
(3)Joseph O.
Had brunch with the fam here today. Pretty good, although my plate arrived about 5 minutes later than my family's plates. I had the buttermilk pancakes, scrambled eggs, and link sausage. Pancakes were really nice and fluffy, served with whipped butter. Sausage and eggs were fine but nothing special. All in all, I'd go again to try other pancakes
(3)Michael L.
I want to like this place. I really do. I'd be a regular here if it weren't for one thing: the prices. I needed to kill some time along with my Daughter and gave this place one more try (poor memory from last experience) -- yes, we were also on a budget. Got her a half-order of buttermilk pancakes (3 ~4" pancakes), and a plain waffle (~8" very plain waffle like you'd make at home). Cup of Coffee, and the bill was $16.00. For 3 kid's pancakes & a plain, boring waffle. Never again. The other options are neat & unusual (the baked apple thing, crepes & others) and that justifies the 2nd star, but they're all in the $12-14.00 range. Wow. For pancake batter! Good business if you can get it -- perhaps I should consider a career change. Next time, Nation's is right next door & is open for breakfast.
(2)Elvira G.
This was my first time here, and I'm in love with their pancakes!! So amazing. The only down side about this place is that they're kind of slow in service and it's a bit pricey. But the food is great..
(4)Sujit K.
HORRIBLE! Do not go here, the worst place to get pancakes in the Bay Area. 1. long wait times for the food (As others too point out). We waited for 50 minutes for our breakfast 2. Rude & unfriendly owner and staff 3. Bad food: the worst omelet I have EVER eaten. Pancakes were just about average. 4. Overpriced. At $20 per person this is robbery I will never go there again. I suggest people skip this place and go over to the Denny's on Mowry.
(1)Sean S.
It's really sad that I have to give this place 2 stars. They have great omelettes &pancakes but they also have a few issues. The place is dirty, the service is bad and the prices are out of whack. My friend had a small crepe that cost more than my huge omelette &pancakes. Also being asked to move is a pet peeve of mine, especially if the place isn't crowded. It's really a shame because the place has a certain charm.
(2)