I know this is a chain, but I've only ever been to this location, so this is a review for this specific location (as it should be). I LOVE their pancakes. Never had any better in my life; not even close. I always get the buttermilk pancakes. The orange juice is heavenly, although occasionally it seems more watered-down than usual. But even in its watered down state, it beats most I've had. Lived here during college and every time I return to visit, I have to eat breakfast at Original Pancake House. It's always packed, but the 'line' moves fast.
(5)
B D.
The eggs and pancake mix must be made of gold because the prices are way over priced. I compare to wonderful Dinners from New Jersey and other eateries across the country I have gone to and this place is mehhh... I recently went there and got the blueberry pancakes and there were almost $10!!! I feel like I am back in New York! and in this case, well, it is NYC. Anyways, that would be fine if the service was great, but except for the bus boys who are always running around and you can grab their attention, the service has also been mehhh I do not recommend this place. As a matter of fact, I think that as soon as someone else opens up a better place, this place will go down hill... Also, I should say that if anyone gives this place 5 stars it is because they have not tried Americana Dinner (Hamilton, New Jersey) or Eggsclusive (Genoa, Illinois), now those places are the real deal.
(2)
Eugene W.
Have been to the (Original) Original Pancake House in Tigard, OR a couple of times and the Champaign location is (much) better. Yeah the wait can suck, but they have free coffee, large waiting area and lots of supermarket type magazines to read. Of all breakfast places I've been to, this is my favorite. Best pancakes of all pancakes I've had (I think). If Aunt Sonya's (RIP) were still around, would have been interested in comparing. Also the first and only breakfast place I've been to where they have a person dedicated to going around making sure coffee never goes empty. Definitely worthy of five stars, also says a lot when the owner is usually there working.
(5)
Carmen M.
The pancakes and hot chocolate here are so good but it's too fattening so I only come 2-4 times a year.
(5)
Harrison H.
I've been here many times and it is definitely my favorite place to get breakfast in Champaign-Urbana. Any of the pancakes are great, but I usually just stick to the buttermilk pancakes. There is a sweet buttery goodness to them that makes my mouth water just thinking about. On the weekends the wait can be longer, but not unreasonable. It is definitely worth going to.
(4)
Evan C.
Love this place! By far my favorite place for pancakes in Champaign. Try the Meilike ( breakfast burrito made by mixing the contest of a Santa Fe Skillet with Swedish Pancakes ). Ask for Liz, she's the most amazing waitress and will make your visit to pancake heaven delightful and without a hitch.
(5)
Taylor A.
Very great restaurant! Got here right when it opened and there were people lining up to eat already. The servers were very nice and very quick with our food. The pancakes aren't large but they are still fluffy and filling - the syrup is very sweet. The omelettes were very large and delicious. They also have fresh fruit! This is a breakfast restaurant I'd urge anyone to try.
(5)
Melissa W.
The place is amazing and has truly changed my life. The people employed here are efficient, friendly, and dedicated as many of them are very long-standing. That speaks volumes about the leadership of this establishment. The food is RIDICULOUSLY delicious and this spot is great for meetings as well as friends/family time. Most quaint restaurant in the area - A given! I have become the number one fan of the owner here over the past year - Love that guy! Keep up the good work OPH!
(5)
P A.
Best baked omelette and bacon pancakes, EVER! We got there just as they opened on a Sunday morning. By the time we were done the house was packed. Nice friendly staff. Will definitely be back next time through Champaign.
(5)
Michaela K.
Great food. It reminds me of the pancake house back in my hometown. The service wasn't that great and the prices are a little high. The food still tastes good enough to still go regardless of the service.
(3)
Valerie T.
Overrated!!! The food was like any other breakfast place. Nothing special. The restaurant also seemed to be a bit dirty. I don't believe this is a place worth waiting in line for, but many others do.
(3)
Laura S.
Good gawd almighty! Champaign never fails when it comes to breakfast food. Give me some good bacon and way too much butter for my pancakes and I am a happy gal. Even better, there's coffee while you wait to be seated. All coffee and all pancakes make me a very happy girl!
(4)
Kate T.
Updated review: gluten-friendly pancakes are not vegan or FODMAP friendly. They include eggs, peanut oil, and milk. For FODMAP, request eggs with no milk or spices in it.
(3)
Jeff F.
Hands down the best breakfast place in the ChampaignUrbana area.
(5)
Macy W.
Great food, excellent customer service, and a quick turnaround time. When I came on a Saturday morning, there were so many people but I didn't have to wait very long. The prices are great, especially considering how much food you get. Their coffee was alright, but I've definitely had better from similar restaurants. Nice place, definitely recommend.
(4)
Angela R.
Wasn't quite 5 stars but pretty darn close. (I think it might be cause I'm not really a breakfast person) First time I've been to The Original Pancake House and I'd definitely go back. The wait was pretty short (10 minutes). It was pretty packed and we went on a Friday around 10:30AM. The waitress was amazing. I usually hate being that person that substitutes everything, but I wanted to try a lot of things on the menu. She suggested I substitute things and order half-orders (which isn't explicitly advertised). I ended up getting a half order of the Eggs Michael (similar to Eggs Benedict) and I substituted the potato pancakes for BACON pancakes. I always crave biscuits and gravy and she let me order a "quarter order" (one biscuit) Pretty good meal,but I definitely couldn't finish what I ordered. I honestly didn't think I liked it as much, simply because I was too busy staring at what my boyfriend ordered. He got the The Original Scrambler. HOLY COW! Biscuits and gravy, potatoes, scrambled eggs...oh my. I'll definitely order that when I go next time. Don't forget to get the freshly squeezed orange juice!
(4)
Jen T.
Honestly, I hate this place. It's not the food. The chocolate chip, or bacon pancakes, FOR-GET-ABOUT-IT. They are amazing. My biggest issue is everyone's biggest issue. Jammed into a severely dated waiting area with forty other sad sacks, everyone scurrying over one another like ants at a picnic! It's something, boy. And not a _good_ something. Parking is a nightmare. There's plenty of it, to be sure, but I can't tell you how many times on a Sunday, I've gone to back out, or pull around, and someone's almost side-swiped me. There are a lot of people still driving in that parking lot who maybe shouldn't be? It's a bit dangerous. I'm being serious, now. No hyperbole! The other down side is that for the privilege of not being able to hear yourself (think), or the folks you're with (talk), you also get to pay them about twenty times more than what a darn pancake should cost. =P I'm just not a huge fan of this joint. Sadly, my in-laws love(d) it. That meant meeting up between 6 and 7:30AM to grab Sunday breakfast. One would think there'd be a chance of missing the throng that early, but one would be very mistaken. =P No matter what time it is, this place is always buzzing! Have those pancakes tho. My stomach is growling just thinking of them!
Now that I hop is gone, the original House of Pancakes is probably one of the premier breakfast spots in Champaign. For you quick eaters, it's a pretty busy place . Like most breakfast places places in the Midwest, you'll find that they close early and open even earlier. If you're ready to eat at a reasonable breakfast time let's say 10 or 11, you're going to be in for a wait. It's usually 15 to 20 minutes no matter what day you go. But, the wait is worthwhile. The food is pretty inexpensive . you usually spend between 10 and 15 dollars including drinks. But that can include eggs bacon and some of their awesome pancakes a variable flavors. I tried about half of them and so far I have not found a bad bunch. They also have thick sliced bacon which I am always a fan of. To accompany your meal, try some of the fresh squeezed orange juice. Of course the local favorites are the Apple pancakes and the Dutch baby. These can take up to a half hour to make because they are made in an oven but they're pretty good. I still prefer a good old fashioned eggs, bacon, and pancake breakfast. Service is always wonderful and the staff is always happy to see you. They accept most forms of payment including credit card and cash.
(3)
David T.
Its been mentioned several times that this place is very, very busy and there is a wait. I do agree with that but I found the wait to be very quick (20 minutes is fast in my book for a popular restaurant at peak hours). I love that they have coffee for you while you wait. To me, the Original Pancake house is like IHop+. Its liked the upgraded, more attractive sister of IHop. I ordered the egg, cheese, biscuit and gravy dish (can't recall name) and a side blueberry pancake. Food was brought out quick (which was pretty impressive based on how busy it was). It was a MASSIVE amount of food. I got about 1/2 way through my main plate before I called it quits. Pancake was simple but tasty. The syrup was blueberry syrup with actual blueberries in it (which I liked). I can see why this place is a staple in Champaign. Although the waitress advised us to just take our tickets to the front register, before we could a host came to our table and ran our tabs. This extra effort was very nice especially considering how packed they were.
(4)
Jamie L.
Who doesn't love this place? It seems like all of Champaign is here on the weekends! It's great. I've visited this chain in several cities and they are always consistent. I've never had a meal that I didn't love. The dutch baby and apple pancake are a must-try!
(5)
Jonnie C.
This is one of the best Original Pancake Houses in the country and I have visited a few over the years. The food is always delicious the coffee always hot and the hospitality friendly. My favorites are the strawberry waffles and the veggie omelette. The waffles are presented with fresh strawberries and whipped cream on top no need for syrup it rivals the best strawberry shortcake you have ever eaten. The veggie omelette has every vegetable they can pile into an omelette and still have room for the eggs and cheese. It is served directly from the skillet to the plate piping hot.
(5)
Amanda O.
My family recently visited the Champaign-Urbana area of Illinois for the weekend and visited the Original Pancake House on a Saturday morning. My family - my husband and myself, my teenage daughter, my toddler son, and my mom - walked in, saw the crowd of people waiting to be seated and almost walked out. Thankfully I was able to convince my husband to wait in the car with my toddler while my daughter and I got our name on the list and waited inside for a table. Unfortunately, the Original Pancake House does not take reservations, so everyone is forced to wait around inside for an empty table to open up. Our wait time was a little over 35 minutes. The Good: The food at the Original Pancake House was great! There were a lot of different pancake options on the menu. My mom ordered the seasonal pumpkin pancakes and they were delicious! The rest of us ordered eggs and waffles and everything was tasty. The Bad: Obviously the wait time was no fun - especially when visiting with a hungry toddler! The Original Pancake House tries to accommodate everyone by adding bench seating in the waiting area, but it still wasn't enough for everyone to have a seat. Overall: We enjoyed our meal at the Original Pancake House, however, next time we'll try to visit at an off-peak time. This place is definitely worth a visit if you're in the Champaign-Urbana area.
(5)
Nihreer M.
I ordered 2 eggs (over easy) and sausage patties, toast and a biscuit. To start off the price came out to 17 dollars. Wayyyy to expensive unless the quality is worth it. Let me tell you it wasn't even close. The sausage patties were super dry. The eggs were over cooked. The toast was fine. The biscuit was so dry and crumbled when I tried splitting it. I needed to drink water to wash it down. The service was adequate. Took forever to get our food. I asked for a water and took a while to get that too. Overall I would not go back.
(1)
Jennifer V.
We came here a few weeks ago and the service was so slow. when we asked the waitress why it was taking so long after about 40 minutes of waiting after we ordered our food, she rudely replied that the oven takes a while to cook an omelette. The person I was with only ordered a salad she got back a big bowl with only a third of it filled with salad and they charged her six dollars for it. when I got my omelette, the cheese wasn't melted. The portion was extremely large and I couldn't even finish it and I had to take it home and it served as another meal. That would have been fine but the omelette was not very good. the prices are way too high for the quality of food they serve. I will not be going back here.
(2)
Wanda H.
I usually prefer local restaurants over chains, but this one FEELS local. The food and service is consistently good and the huge variety of pancakes is impressive.
(4)
David H.
Peanut oil is used in all of their cooking meaning this was off limits for my family. Just a note to others with a peanut or nut allergy this place is not safe for you!
(2)
Mark C.
This place is the bomb dizzle if you're looking for some solid breakfast choices. I'm personally not a fan of the Dutch baby, but their omelets are massive. You get a good bang for your buck while you're here. Just take note that this place is quite crowded on weekend mornings.
(4)
Amanda S.
This place is a great place to get a family breakfast. The banana pancakes are the best thing on the menu (in my opinion), but my mom swears by the bacon pancakes! They have a wide variety of choices on the menu, so it is not difficult to find something that you will like. The staff were very friendly, and the service was very fast. On the weekends, it can be pretty crowded, and there will definitely be a wait, so I would recommend getting there early, but it probably won't be a long wait, and they have a nice waiting area with comfy benches and plenty of magazines to read, so I don't usually mind. It's a little out of the way if you live on campus, but it is definitely worth the trip out if you are in need of a real breakfast!
(5)
Solomohn E.
I do not normally cuss, and will not start now. But, I declare this is the best damn breakfast spot this side of the Mississippi! I had the Swedish pancakes and lingonberries with a side of bacon. The cakes were so buttery and warm and soft with a satin texture so real that for the first time in my life I wondered, if pancakes (like sheets) have a flour count. If they do, these cakes are 1000 Egyptian Cotton, baby! And the lingonberries were summertime, a first kiss, a precious baby, a new car, birds singing, old men dreaming, and young people laughing. They were so fresh, so clean, so authentically berry delicious they'll make a hardened rapper pull up his pants. The bacon...oh, the bacon...succulent, divine, exquisite. As I ate my soul spinned on the floor Three Stooges style singing nyuk, nyuk, nyuk and woot, woot, woot, woot.
(5)
Roxanne N.
The food was amazing and service was outstanding. Everyone's plate looked like it should be on a food porn site. It was our 1st time there and the manager heard so he treated us to the house specialty of the amazing apple pancakes!
(5)
Chenghao L.
Very nice services and food. Very noisy this morning due to national holiday. Good in general.
(4)
Yolanda B.
Service was amazing. The servers are very very nice and helpful. I'm a big fan of savory breakfast so I got the Corned Beef Hash. The potatoes are kinda dry... The corned beef was just ok. It came with pancakes or toasts so it was a lot of food for the price :)
(4)
Ben V.
Near the top of my list of great breakfast joints. The pancake choices are extensive (including potato pancakes). Great menu and service. I try something different every time I eat here, and haven't been disappointed yet. Only downfall is that I don't think this place is a secret as it's usually busy. Side note: Check out the weird orange juice machine.
(5)
Pat E.
I usually just edit my reviews, but I bumped up to four stars rather than three. I have been here three times and each time it has gotten better. My coffee cup was never empty, we waited 10 minutes rather than the 25 I was expecting, and FLUFFY AZZ OMELETS! What a gem here in Central Illinois. I will say right now (again), they do not have buckwheat pancakes as the Walker Brothers' Restaurant group menu says. Don't let that sway you my gluten free fans! My brother and I arrived at 1215 on Sunday after a workout at the infamous PBL Work/Weight Room. This is about 30 minutes north of Champaign. We knew we would have to wait 20 minutes since it was a Sunday. No problem, the first time I had this place was no wait (on a Saturday). Sunday is omelet and 'cake time! They have coffee up front for those waiting, so it worked out that they were treated to a cup of joe (and refills). So we were seated, and when I inquired about buckwheat (love the nutty ((yar)) flavor), I was told no buckwheat. Now, each omelet comes with three buttermilk pancakes. Nothing wrong with buttermilk...but why not go into a culinary adventure this friggin' cold January day? I asked about the "bran" pancakes...don't let it fool you, Grandpa. Oat bran, yogurt, strawberries, and powdered sugar sounds good to me! My brother ended up ordering them sans strawberries and powdered sugar (they dusted them....brother didn't care...all he cared about was the waitress willing to remake them). I went with the bacon pancakes and savory is an understatement! So delicious! They have a ton of pancake options (not a lot of whole grain/more fiber options), but bacon, Hawaiian, blueberry, and oatmeal raisin (which I got on a previous visit) should suffice for you pancake purists. Anyways, we both knew of the fluffy omelet reputation because of plates coming out and pictures. Brother built his own and I went with the Western and my goodness...the flavor, the fluffiness, and the fantastic coffee I ordered went so well together. Fresh veggies in January? YES PLEASE! The pancakes were great, but the omelets kicked a$$.. If you want average, go to Bob Evans. I wish the omelets came with fruit/hash browns, but three smaller pancakes is better than two, so I guess they it's okay. I will be back for sure! If you think you're being an original by going to OPH, you'd be wrong! I would gladly go back here, spend 25 bucks (two people) not including the generous tip we left. Our waitress was great; she felt bad about the powdered sugar but it wasn't her fault. Speaking of the waitresses, thank you U of I undergrad/grad students. You were eye candy I enjoyed! Does that sound creepy? Maybe? Is it the truth? Yes, middle aged 20 somethings are very attractive. We even got a pitcher of water since I drink water like U of I gives up touchdowns. If you're looking for a great meal, come here!
(4)
Fan F.
Have a great brunch with my girls! I supposed the Dutch Baby would very slow but it came first and brilliant! And I like my farmer's scramble best! Pancakes also nice! One omelette with 3 buttermilk pancakes!
(4)
Michael N.
Overall, OPH is a solid place for breakfast. It can get packed in the mornings on weekends, but the line tends to move quickly. Service has always been fairly prompt and friendly. Prices are reasonable, and their pancake selection is pretty impressive. Among that list are some definite winners and losers... Pumpkin pancakes were quite good. Understand that good pumpkin pancakes are *not* easy to make - pumpkin is very heavy and wet and likes to make your pancakes heavy. But they were good here. Light and fluffy, while retaining that awesome pumpkin pie flavor. The apple cinnamon pancakes were much too heavy, and much too much. Not recommended. The blueberry pancakes are respectable. As are the dollar pancakes. Swedish pancakes are good, but my socks remained covering my toes. The potato pancakes were not tasty at all, but maybe I'm just not a potato pancake person. Because I have good taste. Unlike the weirdos that get these. The Georgia Pecan pancakes were also solid. If you're in Chambanavoy and have wheels, this is probably the best place to get yourself some tasty pancakes.
(4)
Benjamin E.
I came here with a friend a couple of weeks ago. It was a Saturday morning and naturally the place was packed. The two of us waited for about thirty minutes before being seated, and after that the service was fine. I got blueberry pancakes and she got... hmm... banana pancakes? Well, regardless, we both enjoyed our meals. The blueberry compote that came with mine was incredibly sweet (but not too sweet to slather all over the pancakes!). As long as you have the time and patience to wait for a table this is a great choice for breakfast.
(4)
Anthony S.
Great breakfast I have a gluten allergy, so was happy to see they could make gluten free waffles. The wait isn't too bad. The weekends are packed
(4)
M B.
The best breakfast in the local area. Now, it is pricey compared with other places, so I can't disagree with that criticism. But, look at what you get - the omelettes are enormous and come with pancakes. Plus, I don't even like pancakes, yet I find myself getting them more often than not. Not into pancakes? Their whole wheat toast is awesome. Service is great, and even the wait goes by rather quickly (unless you're in a huge group - I never understand why people who go in huge groups criticize breakfast places for not seating them right away). And they have excellent coffee. Don't fear the line.
(5)
Rhonda H.
Great service. Even when the place is packed! Ate on a Tuesday morning at 7:30 and had the Swedish pancakes. Delish except no Loganberries:(. The very best breakfast place in CU and has been for MANY years:)
(5)
Allie B.
This is such a great place for breakfast/brunch! The pancakes are so good, but I love the omelettes the most! Crowded on weekends but worth the wait.
(4)
Megan C.
Best breakfast place EVER! No other restaurant can compare in service and quality! I would recommend The Original Pancake House to anyone and everyone looking to enjoy a good breakfast. It's definitely worth the money and any wait time. Enjoy!
(5)
Melissa A.
I've been coming to Pancake House for a long time. I love eating breakfast here and sometimes will try new things or just get my norm. I've never had a problem with the food here. The staff is always friendly and hardly let your coffee cup go empty.
(4)
D L.
Dont go out of your way for this breakfast place. It was ok food and ok service. Good part - very clean and friendly.
(2)
Sadia K.
Diner style pancakes which is good.. I actually like it better than ihop simply because they have so many different types of pancakes! we had the raisin and bran pancake and the Cherry Kijafa Crepes.. the pancakes were amazing with the berry syrup.. the crepes while perfect in flavor were very very sweet.. that was a kill for me since the cherries went perfect with the crepes; i just wish there was less syrup on it..
(2)
Joe E.
On my 2nd and final day in Champaign, my bro and I decided on this gem! He had been here before, and he thought it was good, and he was correct! I'm actually going to start with my gripes, which is why this place isn't 5 star. First off, they are a chain, but their menu online does not match their restaurant menu. Let's get on the same page here! Make a PDF and make my life easier! (I wanted some buckwheat/wheat germ pancakes, but alas, they did not have them). Another gripe of mine is that their omelettes only come with pancakes on the side. No hashbrowns or fruit, unless you'd like to pay extra. I know that they give 3 pancakes on the side, but they aren't that big. Add another side option!!!! Finally, I was a bit disappointed in the filling and topping selection for my omelette. No avocado or salsa? I can understand one, but both? COME ON! Finally, as I can see in a few other reviews, they don't really offer anything for the gluten free crowd. Not a big deal to us, but just saying. We arrived to the very crowded restaurant around 1220 on a sunday. This place was a zoo! I actually had no idea so many non-college students were in the area, although the sign that read, "Champaign, 67000" should have given me a clue. we were told the wait would be 15-20 mins, and it was exactly that. My brother and I are breakfast/pizza snobs, and we're not ashamed of it either. We both ordered omelettes; mine was a veggie with egg beaters and cheese, his was the western with eggs. We both got our own cakes. He got the bacon pancakes (he is actually the more savory bro), and I ordered bran pancakes, which were oat bran, nuts, yogurt and strawberries (in the batter). I was very pleased with the food, even with my gripes (see above). we are both pains in the asses when we order, because we used to be fat, but now we specialize The omelettes are oven-baked, and they are amazing!!!! The pancakes were good, but spectacular. If I'm heading back here, I'm going for the omelette! The staff was very nice, and some of them were very attractive as well. CALL ME!
(4)
Les P.
In todays Champaign paper, it says that they got a health rating of 25 out of 100.
(1)
Ryan T.
Ohop has really good food. This is one of Champaign's sought after breakfast spots. The only thing that is a pain is they are always jam packed and when you have two kids waiting can be a pain. The bacon is really good and pancakes are top notch. Biscuit and gravy are a must try. The price is pretty pricy, but the quality and portions are worth it. I recommend waiting put the lines or going during the week to try this gem!
(5)
H H.
Terrific pancakes, fast service and excellent fresh squeezed orange juice. We bring out-of-town guests here and they are always delighted. Everything is made quickly and the food always arrives fresh off the grill. We have never had a problem with the quality of food, to the contrary they always knock it out of the ballpark. A great place for breakfast or lunch. Reminder that they are not open in the evening. For many years this place has been packed with customers, which is a testimonial to the great food and the great service. Suggestions: pancakes, orange juice, farmer's scramble, home fried potatoes and eggs, Dutch baby, chocolate chip pancakes (see my photos of the menu for descriptions) Owner Eric Faulkner and the whole team do a terrific job day in and day out and they have many many regular customers as well as new customers all the time. Without hesitation they get five stars from me and my whole family.
(5)
Dee R.
Food is awesome and so is the service. We order for carry out and dine in regularly. Consistently good and the restaurant is kept clean. I feel like this place is ran very well as the staff is always friendly and on point.
(5)
Vince B.
Glad we came here great food fast service even on a Sunday morning. Me and my wife will be back.
(5)
Sherry Y.
I come here after late night church lock-ins with my small group. For the purposes, OHOP works out beautifully for us. Free coffee? Oh yes. A wait for omelettes and pancakes? Not so great, especially with grumpy old people staring at you because you're a minority. Awesome. Seriously though, the food's greasy but delicious. That guilty sort of lovely. I recommend the Swedish pancakes. Don't be fooled by the whipped butter, I thought it was whipped cream initially. It is not.
(4)
Benjamin U.
Went here this morning with relatives (15 of us total and the staff was very accommodating and friendly. The atmosphere was great as well. The biscuits and gravy were great as was the coffee but the eggs left something to be desired and the orange juice was a bit too sweet for my taste. The prices were a bit much and the portions were huge. This would be fine if I thought I could reheat and eat later but breakfast food doesn't heat very well so a lot of my dish was wasted which I hate doing. Overall this is a good place to get breakfast but there is room for improvement.
(3)
April S.
The food here is always good. this place can get very packed on the weekends so honestly plan ahead. Also it's worth the wait. If you ask for OJ you will get fresh squeezed OJ and it's oh so good. The dutch baby is so yummy big enough to share. Their apple pancake tastes like an apple pie. My family and friends have eaten here so many times over the years and we have never had a bad time. Staff is always great food is always amazing. Even the coffee is good!
(5)
Swaggy J.
Got seated instantly on a Saturday morning around 10:30 AM. Yeah, it was the middle of June and the college kids are away, but the restaurant was crowded and I was expecting a fifteen minute wait for a table. I found the service to be prompt and friendly once we were seated. Clearly, the staff is used to managing crowds. The menu is a bit overwhelming, but not too extreme. I appreciated the mix of breakfast staples and unique offerings. Overall, the food was good and, like most breakfast places, the portions were enormous. My advice: order a small plate!
(4)
Steve B.
HORRIBLE. I enjoyed eating at the Original Pancake House once before and was excited to share it with my son. Unfortunately, he could eat VIRTUALLY NOTHING they offer, due to a severe nut allergy. I understand that not every menu item is available for everyone with a dietary restriction, but to offer no alternatives and to be unable to prepare a dish on a nut-free grill or skillet is a jarring statement--especially in light of the rising allergy statistics of the past decade+. The Original Pancake House doesn't have to prepare any of their dishes with allergies in mind. And I don't have to eat there, take my family there, or recommend it to anyone. And I won't. I only wish that Yelp had an option for less than one star, because that sums up my experience at the Original Pancake House.
(1)
Eric Y.
Decent food, great service, fair price. Definitely worth a visit.
(3)
Tyler N.
One of my favorite places for breakfast. I think it's open until 2pm so dinner is definitely out. This am I arrived and was quickly seated ... And it took a little while longer than normal for the server to arrive. No big deal. Not in a hurry at the present time. When she arrived she was very nice and professional. Food and coffee is always great here. I enjoyed their famous apple pancake for hers and years. Since then, I've switched to ordering a ham and cheese omelette with a small stack do pancakes. Noticed that their guest wifi was on today. That's a good thing. It wasn't on last week when I was in the restaurant. The omelette was piping hot and oozing with cheese. Years ago (not sure nowadays) their menu said the omelets were made from 6 eggs. The size of it suggests it still is. I think the omelette is also cooked in a oven instead of in a pan or grill. The panclocks (pancakes as termed in the movie "50 First Dates" by Drew Barrymore) were great as usual. A very good and tasty meal.
(4)
Grace C.
The perfect ambience for New Years Day breakfast. The fireplace was on. The mantel was beautifully decorated with Christmas decorations which they took down after lunch. Rather odd since Im used to seeing decorations up until a week after new year. The place was packed for lunch but miraculously I was seated within 10 minutes of checking in. And I was seated with a beautiful view of the fireplace no less. I recommend the swedish pancakes. They're light and tasty, served piping hot with a side of linconberry and fresh butter. They looked like crepes and tasted better than ones I had in Amsterdam. Amazing. Being extremely hungry, I added a full order of biscuits with gravy, home fries, and scrambled eggs. It came out really cheesy. The biscuits were light & fluffly and the gravy was just the right consistency, served with bacon bits inside. The ambience was what you would expect in a family style restaurant and really cozy. Service was wonderful. Great place to start the year on a good foot with a great breakfast. It really made my day special.
(5)
Jay B.
I enjoy the pancakes but the bacon and eggs so-so. Price not as good as competition, but also not unreasonable overall.
(4)
Dawn H.
I love the diversity of pancakes this place offers. The icing on the cake (errr....pancake) is that they actually taste really good! Prices are decent and comparable to IHOP. Worth checking out if you're in the area.....
(4)
Chaz B.
Simply wonderful. I love everything about this place, especially the staff. The barista, I believe his name is Lester, is a long time staple there. His friendly demeanor and terrific service keeps me coming back for that one of a kind, delicious coffee. Food is delicious as well.
(5)
Lisa S.
This was awesome! We stopped here based on a recommendation and so glad we did! The 49ers was delicious and my sons had the pigs in a blanket and chocolate chip pancakes. Would DEFINITELY come back when in Champaign again.
(5)
Robin K.
I can't explain how they can make food that is so tasteless. I went with my dad for brunch. I ordered a vegetable omelet with cheese--so bland--it didn't matter how much salt and pepper on it, just no flavor and way way too much cheese! My dad had an omelet as well and he even put ketchup on it just to try and get some flavor and he never does that. I will never go there again nor can i recommend anyone else go there.
(1)
Alissa C.
Expensive. But good. Good quality and good food! Good coffee. Good service. But always crowded so get there REALLY early or expect a long wait!!
(4)
N C.
When your looking for good food, great service, low prices go here. Large portions! Its a big place with lots of tables and service staff! The food is great. I actually took home my leftover pancakes! lol The OJ was fresh squeezed, find that in a restaurant these days! Im glad i found this gem
(5)
Edward M.
My visit here started off badly when the host took the name of the two women behind me before he took mine. Being a gemtleman (stop laughing!), I didn't dispute it. It was crowded on this Saturday morning but the wait was surprisingly short. The ambiance was cozy and family style and the noise level fairly high. My server was a sweet and friendly and very efficient young woman. The coffee was quite good. My cup was kept full by a variety of servers. I wonder if that's the norm or if it was just because I was seated next to the coffee machine. The menu of pancake flavors was very tempting, but I opted for the Farmer's Scramble because I prefer the protein. The ingredients in the scramble were satisfactory but overall it lacked seasoning. Since this is called a pancake house, I knew I had to choose the buttermilk pancakes to go with the scramble. They were good, but nothing spectacular. Looks like I'll have to return for some of the more exotic ones to make that determination. One of the things I wish more of these breakfast places offered is grits as a side dish. I've taken a liking to them but of the places in town, only Cracker Barrel and Taffies (huge portion) offer them and I'll not be returning to Taffies. But I digress. The Original Pancake House was a pleasant experience and comes recommended. RETURN VISIT: Enjoyed a nice breakfast there this morning. The place was packed but free coffee is provided for those waiting. Was seated and waited on immediately. Couldn't choose between the Farmer's Omelette or the special Pumpkin Pancakes until the server told me that for an extra fifty cents I could replace the standard buttermilk pancakes that accompany the omelette with the Pumpkin ones. Sold! As with last visit, my coffee cup was kept filled. The food was quite good with the omelette being very big. It needed more seasoning and texture but sufficed. The Pumpkin pancakes were delicious and I hope they keep them for awhile. This place will become part of my breakfast rotation, replacing the now anathema Sammy's. UPDATE and MORE KUDOS: This has become one of my two favorite places to go for breakfast and I am here three times a week. From the owner to the managers, hostesses, wait staff, and busboys, everyone is friendly and efficient. A favorite waitress takes care of me and everyone treats me with courtesy, friendliness, and respect. But I am not alone. I can see that the staff here treats everyone well. The food is great. I have my set choice but have also tried all their pancakes and have never been disappointed. Favorites are the potato, bacon, and Swedish ones. Starting in October they have their pumpkin pancakes which are delicious, especially with the apple syrup my waitress introduced me to. I have been having my pancakes with bacon and eggs lately and the bacon is cooked to perfection. Being a regular, I also see many familiar faces on a consistent basis. That says something. When people keep returning, something good is going on. I wish everyone at OHP continued success. This is an unsolicited and unpaid testimonial. Unfortunately, no free pancakes were given in exchange for this review.
(5)
Kimberly N.
Decent food, GREAT pancakes. I had the potatoes and eggs (because I just can't have breakfast without potatoes), and they were okay... but the three fluffy buttermilk pancakes that accompany all egg breakfasts were awesome. I'm usually not a pancake person, but if I come back I will get one of the pancake breakfasts for sure. And the service was awesome. My server, Beans, or something, according to the ticket, was charming. Give that girl a raise! My coffee never went empty.
(4)
Amy Y.
We usually get the same few dishes over and over: the strawberry/French crepes, the Swedish pancakes, cherry crepes, the Dutch Baby, or the Apple pancake, and bacon or sausage. Everything is great. The service is pleasant and accommodating, and if you don't come Sat/Sun-after-church times it's not a long wait. However, I noticed in the past months they've switched to half-n-half instead of heavy cream for their coffee. There are other little shortcuts here and there, like not asking if you want sour cream with your cherry crepes. I know the economy isn't great, but I think it's a mistake to cut corners. I think it's better to raise prices. Overall, friendly and efficient, generous with coffee refills.
(5)
Sarah E.
Great service and good portion sizes for what you pay. We went on a Saturday morning relatively early and had no trouble getting a table. By the time we left, there was a huge line. Very organized staff, though, for such a large restaurant. Highly recommend the buttermilk pancakes, and FYI the OJ is fresh-squeezed. Make sure you get a glass if you're thirsty!
(4)
Elaine W.
I've been coming to this place since I was a kid and it's one of the best places to get brunch in Chambana. Original Pancake House has never once disappointed me - they consistently deliver delicious breakfast food! I recommend the apple pancake, the dutch baby, and their vegetarian omelet. Though their crepes, waffles, and regular buttermilk pancakes are super tasty as well. The wait can be pretty long on the weekends but it's SOO worth it.
(5)
Mark W.
My favorite breakfast joint in Champaign (and Urbana). If it was possible to give it 4.5 stars I would b/c the price is a bit on the high side but I think the quality of the food makes it worthwhile. They have the best pancakes in town and the coffee is great. The bacon is thick and not too fatty (if that is possible for bacon) another personal favorite. This is our regular stop on Friday mornings with our kids, 2 and 4 year old. They have crayons and paper for the kids and the wait staff has always been great with them. It can have a long wait on weekends so plan accordingly.
(5)
The P.
Pancakes were undercooked and gummy. Blech.
(2)
Joy M.
I give this 3 stars because it was just that...OK. I am not sure I get the hype of this place...maybe that there isn't much to offer here in c/u for breakfast? The prices are high for what you get. A bowl of oatmeal...5 bucks?! Really?? Not a good, if any, kids menu. And the food is just okay. No kid size drinks. Only juice was 3 and 4 dollars. Not worth the money in our opinion.
(3)
Xander S.
This is a wonderful location for breakfast, brunch, or lunch on those post-college party mid-mornings. The orange juice here is amazing, and it is a particular joy for me to drink it here. Their combination waffle/pancakes are rather pricey, but among the best I've ever tasted. For those who care to glorify their breakfasts, this is the place to be. As will I, when I'm tired of eating pop-tarts, and decide to make the 4-mile trek
(5)
kate c.
WAY overpriced. Wait is crazy on weekends. I don't understand why people think the pancakes are so good...I can make much tastier buttermilk pancakes at home for much cheaper.
(2)
Julie S.
The bran pancakes with a side of strawberries. I know it sounds super healthy (not tasty) but man these are good-I crave them on a regular basis. I love the atmosphere, homey, good food, can't go wrong.
(4)
Sofia M.
I love their hot chocolate! I don't really like pancakes, but I usually go with my sister who adores them. Pretty good service except there's this really creepy dishwasher who is always staring.... Really creepy.
(3)
Tim Y.
Great buttermilk pancakes and an interesting, well flavored corned beef hash and potatoes. Always had good service as well. I've heard people rave about the omelets, but I'm not a huge fan.
(4)
Teej T.
Wow. Waiting in line Sunday morning for the OPH, I thought they were handing out free gold dust from the line. But no, just standard breakfasty grub. That said, there's an incredibly cheery fireplace, and the menu is a standard but predictably tasty greasy experience. I didn't have pancakes, because I'm weird--and was intrigued by biscuits and gravy covered with egg/cheese/bacon. It sounds bizarre, but it was T-A-S-T-E-Y. (Yes, it was so good I spelled it Fergie style. Bite me). The waitress was amazingly sweet, warned me not too much coffee or I'd "float all the way back to California," and told me to check out Seven Saints for California Sliders. I'll have to follow her advice next time I'm in CU. Great spot, although you may want to go on a day other than the Lord's. That wait is craaaaaaaaaazy.
(4)
Rachel S.
Great pancakes, not a place to go if you're watching your cholesterol. Very rich and tasty. The wait, however, is a real drag. it seems like you have to wait FOREVER to get a seat. And even then, the service is slow. I also wish that they didn't discontinue the Hawaiian pancakes, they were some of my favs. I only stick to the pancakes, I wouldn't really go out of my way to try much else here.
(4)
Sally P.
Went early on a Saturday morning with no wait. Pricey but portions were large. Had Georgia pecan pancakes with ham and coffee...my husband said pancakes and ham were very good good. Coffee could have been Better.......a 3 on the scale. I had buttermilk pancakes, scrambled egg, toast and juice. Everything tasted fine, large portions but not as good as waffle house.
(3)
Ryan B.
Ate here right after a running race, and it hit the spot. A little bit of a wait, but not bad for Saturday at 10am. Our server was wonderful, and I got a pretty standard breakfast, eggs, bacon and french toast. It didn't disappoint in any aspect.
(5)
Ashley B.
I am EXTEREMELY picky about breakfast food, so much so that I never eat it. But wow, the pancakes here are amazing. I don't know what it is about it but wow. The service is good too, always really friendly. I now know why my grandparents go here every single day for coffee :)
(5)
melina l.
Dude. Bad coffee? The hell you say. The coffee is GOOD, and they serve it with heavy cream! No wimpy half-n-half here. This was actually the very first restaurant I went to in Champaign. I was nine. My family and I had just unloaded the moving truck and we went here for dinner (note: has not been open for dinner in many years, which is unfortunate). I had Hawaiian pancakes with Tropical Syrup. It seemed the height of exoticism. Breakfast at dinner! Tropical! Wow. I began to resent our move just a little bit less.
(4)
Patrick B.
Solid food and good service. Not stellar, but everything you could ask for, plus generous portions to boot. They do nothing poorly, and several things darn well. This place makes a good regular breakfast joint, and as said in other reviews, expect to wait for a table. If you do become a regular, make friends with the wait staff and you'll discover they're... ful of personality :)
(4)
Rachel V.
Very yummy breakfasts and exceptionally nice wait staff. The wait is long but organized and it is because the food and service is so good. I recommend the veggie scramble with potatoes added. Come hungry because the portions are big and accompanied by pancakes. My only complaint is they need bigger water glasses for us non-coffee drinkers. This is the place to go in town for breakfast.
(5)
Melissa M.
Probably the only place to get truly good pancakes in CU, The Original Pancake House has an extensive menu of favorites like blueberry and new creations like oatmeal. Not Walker Brothers up north, but these satisfy. The major problem here is the crowds. On the weekends expect to wait a pretty long time. Eggs here are also worth skipping...they just don't taste like they are made fresh with butter, which is the only way breakfast eggs should be cooked.
(4)
brett d.
My all time favorite breakfast spot. Like others said the wait can be aggravating but it has always been worth it.
(4)
Hannah M.
Yay! We finally got to try this place. Last time we came, they were closed (we didn't know they close after 2pm) and the time before it was waay too packed and I was starving so we went else where. The place is set up granny style inside (made to look like your grandma's kitchen? I don't know..?) but it's cute and the food we ordered including the pancakes were delicious! Looking around, it looked like it was very common for people to take home leftovers because they'd all be carting away leftover bags from their meals, which is a good sign. The servers were nice and they all seemed to be very happy. Yes, this place is definitely better than IHOP! I'm only giving it 4 stars though because this place seems to always have a wait (we waited 20 min) but hey, if the food's good then it should be worth the wait.
(4)
Alicia O.
This is a chain though I didn't realize it till we ate here for the first time. Quite a line at any time after 9am - I guess that means it's good right? Love the buttermilk pancakes. The pumpkin ones were delicious too. We got one of the baked omelettes today. It was huge and filling. If you have a large group, get here early and prepare to wait awhile. Definitely worth the wait!
(4)
Dana W.
For a place with so many stars on yelp, a hefty line to wait in on the weekend and Pancake in the name I expected this experience to be amazing. Alas, I make better pancakes out of a box at home. The dishes at this restaurant are not original. There are no real healthy food options and the portions are enormous (I'm guessing that's why it's so darn expensive?). It's basically grease, grease, more grease and butter. I'd much rather go to a Le Peep or get reservations at Radio Maria for brunch. I won't be going back.
(2)
Kwoky L.
Forget about IHOP and Perkin's because it's time for some REAL breakfast. The pancakes are amazing, especially the Dutch Baby. You've got to have strawberries with it. The corned beef hash is good as well. They also serve REAL cream to go with your coffee or tea, not milk or half and half. It is very busy in the weekends, so expect to wait for a seat. But it's worth the wait for some great breakfast in a comfy place-just like being at grandma's.
(5)
Sunshine M.
Interesting, yummy pancakes. The egg dishes are blah. The wait is unbearable on weekends, but I suffer through it once every couple of months.
(3)
Ellen M.
Excellent pancakes of a large variety, great coffee, fresh meats and eggs, and a comfortable dining room. The service is slower than molasses. If you're going on a Sunday, prepare for the long haul. Almost makes it a three-star, but the food is really delicious.
(4)
Emily M.
Just your standard breakfast place but they do have really good pancakes. They're so good in fact, that they still taste wonderful the next day. If you can't finish your entire plate, definitely take your left over pancakes home!
(4)
Elizabeth E.
Good pancakes and coffee - but frequently slow service, incredibly oversized portions and high prices for what you're getting. My favorite thing on the menu is the Eggs Michael, and a half order is only $1 cheaper than the full order. If you go on Sunday, you'll have a long wait, and if you go any other day, you may still have a long wait for your food. I have a few friends who swear by it, but I'd be really just as happy to never go there again.
(2)
A W.
The wait at OPH is unbearable, but the atmosphere, once inside, is quite jolly and welcoming. The portions are generous but within a few bites I have a stomach ache and/or heart burn. The food is good, but I'd be just as happy anywhere else that serves breakfast food.
(3)
Daniel F.
I joke about this place as home of the $15 breakfast. Seriously though, the crowds are huge (expect 30 minute or more waits on weekends), but the food and ingredients are of top quality. Sometimes service suffers a bit when they are super busy, but overall this is this is the best breakfast in town, price notwithstanding.
(5)
Noelle M.
This is my favorite place to get breakfast here in Champaign. The portions here are huge and even their plain pancakes are fluffy and delicious. We always take out of town guest here for breakfast and they all seem to appreciate the food. The staff is friendly and attentive. On the weekends there is always a wait but I believe it is well worth it.
(5)
Anna M.
I have mixed opinions about this place. They have a really long wait on weekends and slow service. The pancakes & french toast are excellent, but that's not all that makes breakfast for me. I need some scrambled eggs. This place has the weirdest tasting scrambled eggs I've ever eaten in my entire life. I've been there three times and gotten them every time hoping it was just a fluke, but seriously - they are TERRIBLE. They taste like they mixed melted plastic in with the eggs when scrambling. Gross. As a result, I'm hesitant to return because as much as I love their french toast - I can make it at home and have edible eggs.
(3)
Tammy N.
perfect pancakes + terrible coffee = -1star.
(4)
S. J.
yum, yum and yum. not counting the 40+ minute wait (no, i'm not kidding), this place is sure to offer you the best breakfast experience you can imagine. the pancakes are almost perfect, the coffee was good, and the portions are...well...huge. (be warned!) this will definitely be somewhere i come on a regular basis, and as early as possible to avoid the crowd.
(5)
Julia B.
I went here on many drunken and late nights at school! The pancakes here are really good, especially if you get the ones with the straweberries on them! The service is usually really friendly too!
(4)
Angela R.
Wasn't quite 5 stars but pretty darn close. (I think it might be cause I'm not really a breakfast person) First time I've been to The Original Pancake House and I'd definitely go back. The wait was pretty short (10 minutes). It was pretty packed and we went on a Friday around 10:30AM. The waitress was amazing. I usually hate being that person that substitutes everything, but I wanted to try a lot of things on the menu. She suggested I substitute things and order half-orders (which isn't explicitly advertised). I ended up getting a half order of the Eggs Michael (similar to Eggs Benedict) and I substituted the potato pancakes for BACON pancakes. I always crave biscuits and gravy and she let me order a "quarter order" (one biscuit) Pretty good meal,but I definitely couldn't finish what I ordered. I honestly didn't think I liked it as much, simply because I was too busy staring at what my boyfriend ordered. He got the The Original Scrambler. HOLY COW! Biscuits and gravy, potatoes, scrambled eggs...oh my. I'll definitely order that when I go next time. Don't forget to get the freshly squeezed orange juice!
(4)
Jen T.
Honestly, I hate this place. It's not the food. The chocolate chip, or bacon pancakes, FOR-GET-ABOUT-IT. They are amazing. My biggest issue is everyone's biggest issue. Jammed into a severely dated waiting area with forty other sad sacks, everyone scurrying over one another like ants at a picnic! It's something, boy. And not a _good_ something. Parking is a nightmare. There's plenty of it, to be sure, but I can't tell you how many times on a Sunday, I've gone to back out, or pull around, and someone's almost side-swiped me. There are a lot of people still driving in that parking lot who maybe shouldn't be? It's a bit dangerous. I'm being serious, now. No hyperbole! The other down side is that for the privilege of not being able to hear yourself (think), or the folks you're with (talk), you also get to pay them about twenty times more than what a darn pancake should cost. =P I'm just not a huge fan of this joint. Sadly, my in-laws love(d) it. That meant meeting up between 6 and 7:30AM to grab Sunday breakfast. One would think there'd be a chance of missing the throng that early, but one would be very mistaken. =P No matter what time it is, this place is always buzzing! Have those pancakes tho. My stomach is growling just thinking of them!
Now that I hop is gone, the original House of Pancakes is probably one of the premier breakfast spots in Champaign. For you quick eaters, it's a pretty busy place . Like most breakfast places places in the Midwest, you'll find that they close early and open even earlier. If you're ready to eat at a reasonable breakfast time let's say 10 or 11, you're going to be in for a wait. It's usually 15 to 20 minutes no matter what day you go. But, the wait is worthwhile. The food is pretty inexpensive . you usually spend between 10 and 15 dollars including drinks. But that can include eggs bacon and some of their awesome pancakes a variable flavors. I tried about half of them and so far I have not found a bad bunch. They also have thick sliced bacon which I am always a fan of. To accompany your meal, try some of the fresh squeezed orange juice. Of course the local favorites are the Apple pancakes and the Dutch baby. These can take up to a half hour to make because they are made in an oven but they're pretty good. I still prefer a good old fashioned eggs, bacon, and pancake breakfast. Service is always wonderful and the staff is always happy to see you. They accept most forms of payment including credit card and cash.
(3)
David T.
Its been mentioned several times that this place is very, very busy and there is a wait. I do agree with that but I found the wait to be very quick (20 minutes is fast in my book for a popular restaurant at peak hours). I love that they have coffee for you while you wait. To me, the Original Pancake house is like IHop+. Its liked the upgraded, more attractive sister of IHop. I ordered the egg, cheese, biscuit and gravy dish (can't recall name) and a side blueberry pancake. Food was brought out quick (which was pretty impressive based on how busy it was). It was a MASSIVE amount of food. I got about 1/2 way through my main plate before I called it quits. Pancake was simple but tasty. The syrup was blueberry syrup with actual blueberries in it (which I liked). I can see why this place is a staple in Champaign. Although the waitress advised us to just take our tickets to the front register, before we could a host came to our table and ran our tabs. This extra effort was very nice especially considering how packed they were.
(4)
Jamie L.
Who doesn't love this place? It seems like all of Champaign is here on the weekends! It's great. I've visited this chain in several cities and they are always consistent. I've never had a meal that I didn't love. The dutch baby and apple pancake are a must-try!
(5)
Jonnie C.
This is one of the best Original Pancake Houses in the country and I have visited a few over the years. The food is always delicious the coffee always hot and the hospitality friendly. My favorites are the strawberry waffles and the veggie omelette. The waffles are presented with fresh strawberries and whipped cream on top no need for syrup it rivals the best strawberry shortcake you have ever eaten. The veggie omelette has every vegetable they can pile into an omelette and still have room for the eggs and cheese. It is served directly from the skillet to the plate piping hot.
(5)
Amanda O.
My family recently visited the Champaign-Urbana area of Illinois for the weekend and visited the Original Pancake House on a Saturday morning. My family - my husband and myself, my teenage daughter, my toddler son, and my mom - walked in, saw the crowd of people waiting to be seated and almost walked out. Thankfully I was able to convince my husband to wait in the car with my toddler while my daughter and I got our name on the list and waited inside for a table. Unfortunately, the Original Pancake House does not take reservations, so everyone is forced to wait around inside for an empty table to open up. Our wait time was a little over 35 minutes. The Good: The food at the Original Pancake House was great! There were a lot of different pancake options on the menu. My mom ordered the seasonal pumpkin pancakes and they were delicious! The rest of us ordered eggs and waffles and everything was tasty. The Bad: Obviously the wait time was no fun - especially when visiting with a hungry toddler! The Original Pancake House tries to accommodate everyone by adding bench seating in the waiting area, but it still wasn't enough for everyone to have a seat. Overall: We enjoyed our meal at the Original Pancake House, however, next time we'll try to visit at an off-peak time. This place is definitely worth a visit if you're in the Champaign-Urbana area.
(5)
Nihreer M.
I ordered 2 eggs (over easy) and sausage patties, toast and a biscuit. To start off the price came out to 17 dollars. Wayyyy to expensive unless the quality is worth it. Let me tell you it wasn't even close. The sausage patties were super dry. The eggs were over cooked. The toast was fine. The biscuit was so dry and crumbled when I tried splitting it. I needed to drink water to wash it down. The service was adequate. Took forever to get our food. I asked for a water and took a while to get that too. Overall I would not go back.
(1)
Jennifer V.
We came here a few weeks ago and the service was so slow. when we asked the waitress why it was taking so long after about 40 minutes of waiting after we ordered our food, she rudely replied that the oven takes a while to cook an omelette. The person I was with only ordered a salad she got back a big bowl with only a third of it filled with salad and they charged her six dollars for it. when I got my omelette, the cheese wasn't melted. The portion was extremely large and I couldn't even finish it and I had to take it home and it served as another meal. That would have been fine but the omelette was not very good. the prices are way too high for the quality of food they serve. I will not be going back here.
(2)
Wanda H.
I usually prefer local restaurants over chains, but this one FEELS local. The food and service is consistently good and the huge variety of pancakes is impressive.
(4)
David H.
Peanut oil is used in all of their cooking meaning this was off limits for my family. Just a note to others with a peanut or nut allergy this place is not safe for you!
(2)
Mark C.
This place is the bomb dizzle if you're looking for some solid breakfast choices. I'm personally not a fan of the Dutch baby, but their omelets are massive. You get a good bang for your buck while you're here. Just take note that this place is quite crowded on weekend mornings.
(4)
P A.
Best baked omelette and bacon pancakes, EVER! We got there just as they opened on a Sunday morning. By the time we were done the house was packed. Nice friendly staff. Will definitely be back next time through Champaign.
(5)
Michaela K.
Great food. It reminds me of the pancake house back in my hometown. The service wasn't that great and the prices are a little high. The food still tastes good enough to still go regardless of the service.
(3)
Valerie T.
Overrated!!! The food was like any other breakfast place. Nothing special. The restaurant also seemed to be a bit dirty. I don't believe this is a place worth waiting in line for, but many others do.
(3)
Laura S.
Good gawd almighty! Champaign never fails when it comes to breakfast food. Give me some good bacon and way too much butter for my pancakes and I am a happy gal. Even better, there's coffee while you wait to be seated. All coffee and all pancakes make me a very happy girl!
(4)
Kate T.
Updated review: gluten-friendly pancakes are not vegan or FODMAP friendly. They include eggs, peanut oil, and milk. For FODMAP, request eggs with no milk or spices in it.
(3)
Jeff F.
Hands down the best breakfast place in the ChampaignUrbana area.
(5)
Macy W.
Great food, excellent customer service, and a quick turnaround time. When I came on a Saturday morning, there were so many people but I didn't have to wait very long. The prices are great, especially considering how much food you get. Their coffee was alright, but I've definitely had better from similar restaurants. Nice place, definitely recommend.
(4)
Evan C.
Love this place! By far my favorite place for pancakes in Champaign. Try the Meilike ( breakfast burrito made by mixing the contest of a Santa Fe Skillet with Swedish Pancakes ). Ask for Liz, she's the most amazing waitress and will make your visit to pancake heaven delightful and without a hitch.
(5)
Taylor A.
Very great restaurant! Got here right when it opened and there were people lining up to eat already. The servers were very nice and very quick with our food. The pancakes aren't large but they are still fluffy and filling - the syrup is very sweet. The omelettes were very large and delicious. They also have fresh fruit! This is a breakfast restaurant I'd urge anyone to try.
(5)
Melissa W.
The place is amazing and has truly changed my life. The people employed here are efficient, friendly, and dedicated as many of them are very long-standing. That speaks volumes about the leadership of this establishment. The food is RIDICULOUSLY delicious and this spot is great for meetings as well as friends/family time. Most quaint restaurant in the area - A given! I have become the number one fan of the owner here over the past year - Love that guy! Keep up the good work OPH!
(5)
Amanda S.
This place is a great place to get a family breakfast. The banana pancakes are the best thing on the menu (in my opinion), but my mom swears by the bacon pancakes! They have a wide variety of choices on the menu, so it is not difficult to find something that you will like. The staff were very friendly, and the service was very fast. On the weekends, it can be pretty crowded, and there will definitely be a wait, so I would recommend getting there early, but it probably won't be a long wait, and they have a nice waiting area with comfy benches and plenty of magazines to read, so I don't usually mind. It's a little out of the way if you live on campus, but it is definitely worth the trip out if you are in need of a real breakfast!
(5)
Solomohn E.
I do not normally cuss, and will not start now. But, I declare this is the best damn breakfast spot this side of the Mississippi! I had the Swedish pancakes and lingonberries with a side of bacon. The cakes were so buttery and warm and soft with a satin texture so real that for the first time in my life I wondered, if pancakes (like sheets) have a flour count. If they do, these cakes are 1000 Egyptian Cotton, baby! And the lingonberries were summertime, a first kiss, a precious baby, a new car, birds singing, old men dreaming, and young people laughing. They were so fresh, so clean, so authentically berry delicious they'll make a hardened rapper pull up his pants. The bacon...oh, the bacon...succulent, divine, exquisite. As I ate my soul spinned on the floor Three Stooges style singing nyuk, nyuk, nyuk and woot, woot, woot, woot.
(5)
Roxanne N.
The food was amazing and service was outstanding. Everyone's plate looked like it should be on a food porn site. It was our 1st time there and the manager heard so he treated us to the house specialty of the amazing apple pancakes!
(5)
Chenghao L.
Very nice services and food. Very noisy this morning due to national holiday. Good in general.
(4)
Yolanda B.
Service was amazing. The servers are very very nice and helpful. I'm a big fan of savory breakfast so I got the Corned Beef Hash. The potatoes are kinda dry... The corned beef was just ok. It came with pancakes or toasts so it was a lot of food for the price :)
(4)
Ben V.
Near the top of my list of great breakfast joints. The pancake choices are extensive (including potato pancakes). Great menu and service. I try something different every time I eat here, and haven't been disappointed yet. Only downfall is that I don't think this place is a secret as it's usually busy. Side note: Check out the weird orange juice machine.
(5)
Pat E.
I usually just edit my reviews, but I bumped up to four stars rather than three. I have been here three times and each time it has gotten better. My coffee cup was never empty, we waited 10 minutes rather than the 25 I was expecting, and FLUFFY AZZ OMELETS! What a gem here in Central Illinois. I will say right now (again), they do not have buckwheat pancakes as the Walker Brothers' Restaurant group menu says. Don't let that sway you my gluten free fans! My brother and I arrived at 1215 on Sunday after a workout at the infamous PBL Work/Weight Room. This is about 30 minutes north of Champaign. We knew we would have to wait 20 minutes since it was a Sunday. No problem, the first time I had this place was no wait (on a Saturday). Sunday is omelet and 'cake time! They have coffee up front for those waiting, so it worked out that they were treated to a cup of joe (and refills). So we were seated, and when I inquired about buckwheat (love the nutty ((yar)) flavor), I was told no buckwheat. Now, each omelet comes with three buttermilk pancakes. Nothing wrong with buttermilk...but why not go into a culinary adventure this friggin' cold January day? I asked about the "bran" pancakes...don't let it fool you, Grandpa. Oat bran, yogurt, strawberries, and powdered sugar sounds good to me! My brother ended up ordering them sans strawberries and powdered sugar (they dusted them....brother didn't care...all he cared about was the waitress willing to remake them). I went with the bacon pancakes and savory is an understatement! So delicious! They have a ton of pancake options (not a lot of whole grain/more fiber options), but bacon, Hawaiian, blueberry, and oatmeal raisin (which I got on a previous visit) should suffice for you pancake purists. Anyways, we both knew of the fluffy omelet reputation because of plates coming out and pictures. Brother built his own and I went with the Western and my goodness...the flavor, the fluffiness, and the fantastic coffee I ordered went so well together. Fresh veggies in January? YES PLEASE! The pancakes were great, but the omelets kicked a$$.. If you want average, go to Bob Evans. I wish the omelets came with fruit/hash browns, but three smaller pancakes is better than two, so I guess they it's okay. I will be back for sure! If you think you're being an original by going to OPH, you'd be wrong! I would gladly go back here, spend 25 bucks (two people) not including the generous tip we left. Our waitress was great; she felt bad about the powdered sugar but it wasn't her fault. Speaking of the waitresses, thank you U of I undergrad/grad students. You were eye candy I enjoyed! Does that sound creepy? Maybe? Is it the truth? Yes, middle aged 20 somethings are very attractive. We even got a pitcher of water since I drink water like U of I gives up touchdowns. If you're looking for a great meal, come here!
(4)
Fan F.
Have a great brunch with my girls! I supposed the Dutch Baby would very slow but it came first and brilliant! And I like my farmer's scramble best! Pancakes also nice! One omelette with 3 buttermilk pancakes!
(4)
Michael N.
Overall, OPH is a solid place for breakfast. It can get packed in the mornings on weekends, but the line tends to move quickly. Service has always been fairly prompt and friendly. Prices are reasonable, and their pancake selection is pretty impressive. Among that list are some definite winners and losers... Pumpkin pancakes were quite good. Understand that good pumpkin pancakes are *not* easy to make - pumpkin is very heavy and wet and likes to make your pancakes heavy. But they were good here. Light and fluffy, while retaining that awesome pumpkin pie flavor. The apple cinnamon pancakes were much too heavy, and much too much. Not recommended. The blueberry pancakes are respectable. As are the dollar pancakes. Swedish pancakes are good, but my socks remained covering my toes. The potato pancakes were not tasty at all, but maybe I'm just not a potato pancake person. Because I have good taste. Unlike the weirdos that get these. The Georgia Pecan pancakes were also solid. If you're in Chambanavoy and have wheels, this is probably the best place to get yourself some tasty pancakes.
(4)
Benjamin E.
I came here with a friend a couple of weeks ago. It was a Saturday morning and naturally the place was packed. The two of us waited for about thirty minutes before being seated, and after that the service was fine. I got blueberry pancakes and she got... hmm... banana pancakes? Well, regardless, we both enjoyed our meals. The blueberry compote that came with mine was incredibly sweet (but not too sweet to slather all over the pancakes!). As long as you have the time and patience to wait for a table this is a great choice for breakfast.
(4)
Anthony S.
Great breakfast I have a gluten allergy, so was happy to see they could make gluten free waffles. The wait isn't too bad. The weekends are packed
(4)
M B.
The best breakfast in the local area. Now, it is pricey compared with other places, so I can't disagree with that criticism. But, look at what you get - the omelettes are enormous and come with pancakes. Plus, I don't even like pancakes, yet I find myself getting them more often than not. Not into pancakes? Their whole wheat toast is awesome. Service is great, and even the wait goes by rather quickly (unless you're in a huge group - I never understand why people who go in huge groups criticize breakfast places for not seating them right away). And they have excellent coffee. Don't fear the line.
(5)
Rhonda H.
Great service. Even when the place is packed! Ate on a Tuesday morning at 7:30 and had the Swedish pancakes. Delish except no Loganberries:(. The very best breakfast place in CU and has been for MANY years:)
(5)
Allie B.
This is such a great place for breakfast/brunch! The pancakes are so good, but I love the omelettes the most! Crowded on weekends but worth the wait.
(4)
Megan C.
Best breakfast place EVER! No other restaurant can compare in service and quality! I would recommend The Original Pancake House to anyone and everyone looking to enjoy a good breakfast. It's definitely worth the money and any wait time. Enjoy!
(5)
Melissa A.
I've been coming to Pancake House for a long time. I love eating breakfast here and sometimes will try new things or just get my norm. I've never had a problem with the food here. The staff is always friendly and hardly let your coffee cup go empty.
(4)
D L.
Dont go out of your way for this breakfast place. It was ok food and ok service. Good part - very clean and friendly.
(2)
Sadia K.
Diner style pancakes which is good.. I actually like it better than ihop simply because they have so many different types of pancakes! we had the raisin and bran pancake and the Cherry Kijafa Crepes.. the pancakes were amazing with the berry syrup.. the crepes while perfect in flavor were very very sweet.. that was a kill for me since the cherries went perfect with the crepes; i just wish there was less syrup on it..
(2)
Joe E.
On my 2nd and final day in Champaign, my bro and I decided on this gem! He had been here before, and he thought it was good, and he was correct! I'm actually going to start with my gripes, which is why this place isn't 5 star. First off, they are a chain, but their menu online does not match their restaurant menu. Let's get on the same page here! Make a PDF and make my life easier! (I wanted some buckwheat/wheat germ pancakes, but alas, they did not have them). Another gripe of mine is that their omelettes only come with pancakes on the side. No hashbrowns or fruit, unless you'd like to pay extra. I know that they give 3 pancakes on the side, but they aren't that big. Add another side option!!!! Finally, I was a bit disappointed in the filling and topping selection for my omelette. No avocado or salsa? I can understand one, but both? COME ON! Finally, as I can see in a few other reviews, they don't really offer anything for the gluten free crowd. Not a big deal to us, but just saying. We arrived to the very crowded restaurant around 1220 on a sunday. This place was a zoo! I actually had no idea so many non-college students were in the area, although the sign that read, "Champaign, 67000" should have given me a clue. we were told the wait would be 15-20 mins, and it was exactly that. My brother and I are breakfast/pizza snobs, and we're not ashamed of it either. We both ordered omelettes; mine was a veggie with egg beaters and cheese, his was the western with eggs. We both got our own cakes. He got the bacon pancakes (he is actually the more savory bro), and I ordered bran pancakes, which were oat bran, nuts, yogurt and strawberries (in the batter). I was very pleased with the food, even with my gripes (see above). we are both pains in the asses when we order, because we used to be fat, but now we specialize The omelettes are oven-baked, and they are amazing!!!! The pancakes were good, but spectacular. If I'm heading back here, I'm going for the omelette! The staff was very nice, and some of them were very attractive as well. CALL ME!
(4)
Les P.
In todays Champaign paper, it says that they got a health rating of 25 out of 100.
(1)
Ryan T.
Ohop has really good food. This is one of Champaign's sought after breakfast spots. The only thing that is a pain is they are always jam packed and when you have two kids waiting can be a pain. The bacon is really good and pancakes are top notch. Biscuit and gravy are a must try. The price is pretty pricy, but the quality and portions are worth it. I recommend waiting put the lines or going during the week to try this gem!
(5)
H H.
Terrific pancakes, fast service and excellent fresh squeezed orange juice. We bring out-of-town guests here and they are always delighted. Everything is made quickly and the food always arrives fresh off the grill. We have never had a problem with the quality of food, to the contrary they always knock it out of the ballpark. A great place for breakfast or lunch. Reminder that they are not open in the evening. For many years this place has been packed with customers, which is a testimonial to the great food and the great service. Suggestions: pancakes, orange juice, farmer's scramble, home fried potatoes and eggs, Dutch baby, chocolate chip pancakes (see my photos of the menu for descriptions) Owner Eric Faulkner and the whole team do a terrific job day in and day out and they have many many regular customers as well as new customers all the time. Without hesitation they get five stars from me and my whole family.
(5)
Dee R.
Food is awesome and so is the service. We order for carry out and dine in regularly. Consistently good and the restaurant is kept clean. I feel like this place is ran very well as the staff is always friendly and on point.
(5)
Vince B.
Glad we came here great food fast service even on a Sunday morning. Me and my wife will be back.
(5)
Sherry Y.
I come here after late night church lock-ins with my small group. For the purposes, OHOP works out beautifully for us. Free coffee? Oh yes. A wait for omelettes and pancakes? Not so great, especially with grumpy old people staring at you because you're a minority. Awesome. Seriously though, the food's greasy but delicious. That guilty sort of lovely. I recommend the Swedish pancakes. Don't be fooled by the whipped butter, I thought it was whipped cream initially. It is not.
(4)
Benjamin U.
Went here this morning with relatives (15 of us total and the staff was very accommodating and friendly. The atmosphere was great as well. The biscuits and gravy were great as was the coffee but the eggs left something to be desired and the orange juice was a bit too sweet for my taste. The prices were a bit much and the portions were huge. This would be fine if I thought I could reheat and eat later but breakfast food doesn't heat very well so a lot of my dish was wasted which I hate doing. Overall this is a good place to get breakfast but there is room for improvement.
(3)
April S.
The food here is always good. this place can get very packed on the weekends so honestly plan ahead. Also it's worth the wait. If you ask for OJ you will get fresh squeezed OJ and it's oh so good. The dutch baby is so yummy big enough to share. Their apple pancake tastes like an apple pie. My family and friends have eaten here so many times over the years and we have never had a bad time. Staff is always great food is always amazing. Even the coffee is good!
(5)
Swaggy J.
Got seated instantly on a Saturday morning around 10:30 AM. Yeah, it was the middle of June and the college kids are away, but the restaurant was crowded and I was expecting a fifteen minute wait for a table. I found the service to be prompt and friendly once we were seated. Clearly, the staff is used to managing crowds. The menu is a bit overwhelming, but not too extreme. I appreciated the mix of breakfast staples and unique offerings. Overall, the food was good and, like most breakfast places, the portions were enormous. My advice: order a small plate!
(4)
Steve B.
HORRIBLE. I enjoyed eating at the Original Pancake House once before and was excited to share it with my son. Unfortunately, he could eat VIRTUALLY NOTHING they offer, due to a severe nut allergy. I understand that not every menu item is available for everyone with a dietary restriction, but to offer no alternatives and to be unable to prepare a dish on a nut-free grill or skillet is a jarring statement--especially in light of the rising allergy statistics of the past decade+. The Original Pancake House doesn't have to prepare any of their dishes with allergies in mind. And I don't have to eat there, take my family there, or recommend it to anyone. And I won't. I only wish that Yelp had an option for less than one star, because that sums up my experience at the Original Pancake House.
(1)
Eric Y.
Decent food, great service, fair price. Definitely worth a visit.
(3)
Tyler N.
One of my favorite places for breakfast. I think it's open until 2pm so dinner is definitely out. This am I arrived and was quickly seated ... And it took a little while longer than normal for the server to arrive. No big deal. Not in a hurry at the present time. When she arrived she was very nice and professional. Food and coffee is always great here. I enjoyed their famous apple pancake for hers and years. Since then, I've switched to ordering a ham and cheese omelette with a small stack do pancakes. Noticed that their guest wifi was on today. That's a good thing. It wasn't on last week when I was in the restaurant. The omelette was piping hot and oozing with cheese. Years ago (not sure nowadays) their menu said the omelets were made from 6 eggs. The size of it suggests it still is. I think the omelette is also cooked in a oven instead of in a pan or grill. The panclocks (pancakes as termed in the movie "50 First Dates" by Drew Barrymore) were great as usual. A very good and tasty meal.
(4)
Grace C.
The perfect ambience for New Years Day breakfast. The fireplace was on. The mantel was beautifully decorated with Christmas decorations which they took down after lunch. Rather odd since Im used to seeing decorations up until a week after new year. The place was packed for lunch but miraculously I was seated within 10 minutes of checking in. And I was seated with a beautiful view of the fireplace no less. I recommend the swedish pancakes. They're light and tasty, served piping hot with a side of linconberry and fresh butter. They looked like crepes and tasted better than ones I had in Amsterdam. Amazing. Being extremely hungry, I added a full order of biscuits with gravy, home fries, and scrambled eggs. It came out really cheesy. The biscuits were light & fluffly and the gravy was just the right consistency, served with bacon bits inside. The ambience was what you would expect in a family style restaurant and really cozy. Service was wonderful. Great place to start the year on a good foot with a great breakfast. It really made my day special.
(5)
Jay B.
I enjoy the pancakes but the bacon and eggs so-so. Price not as good as competition, but also not unreasonable overall.
(4)
Dawn H.
I love the diversity of pancakes this place offers. The icing on the cake (errr....pancake) is that they actually taste really good! Prices are decent and comparable to IHOP. Worth checking out if you're in the area.....
(4)
Chaz B.
Simply wonderful. I love everything about this place, especially the staff. The barista, I believe his name is Lester, is a long time staple there. His friendly demeanor and terrific service keeps me coming back for that one of a kind, delicious coffee. Food is delicious as well.
(5)
Lisa S.
This was awesome! We stopped here based on a recommendation and so glad we did! The 49ers was delicious and my sons had the pigs in a blanket and chocolate chip pancakes. Would DEFINITELY come back when in Champaign again.
(5)
Robin K.
I can't explain how they can make food that is so tasteless. I went with my dad for brunch. I ordered a vegetable omelet with cheese--so bland--it didn't matter how much salt and pepper on it, just no flavor and way way too much cheese! My dad had an omelet as well and he even put ketchup on it just to try and get some flavor and he never does that. I will never go there again nor can i recommend anyone else go there.
(1)
Alissa C.
Expensive. But good. Good quality and good food! Good coffee. Good service. But always crowded so get there REALLY early or expect a long wait!!
(4)
N C.
When your looking for good food, great service, low prices go here. Large portions! Its a big place with lots of tables and service staff! The food is great. I actually took home my leftover pancakes! lol The OJ was fresh squeezed, find that in a restaurant these days! Im glad i found this gem
(5)
Dachs K.
I know this is a chain, but I've only ever been to this location, so this is a review for this specific location (as it should be). I LOVE their pancakes. Never had any better in my life; not even close. I always get the buttermilk pancakes. The orange juice is heavenly, although occasionally it seems more watered-down than usual. But even in its watered down state, it beats most I've had. Lived here during college and every time I return to visit, I have to eat breakfast at Original Pancake House. It's always packed, but the 'line' moves fast.
(5)
B D.
The eggs and pancake mix must be made of gold because the prices are way over priced. I compare to wonderful Dinners from New Jersey and other eateries across the country I have gone to and this place is mehhh... I recently went there and got the blueberry pancakes and there were almost $10!!! I feel like I am back in New York! and in this case, well, it is NYC. Anyways, that would be fine if the service was great, but except for the bus boys who are always running around and you can grab their attention, the service has also been mehhh I do not recommend this place. As a matter of fact, I think that as soon as someone else opens up a better place, this place will go down hill... Also, I should say that if anyone gives this place 5 stars it is because they have not tried Americana Dinner (Hamilton, New Jersey) or Eggsclusive (Genoa, Illinois), now those places are the real deal.
(2)
Eugene W.
Have been to the (Original) Original Pancake House in Tigard, OR a couple of times and the Champaign location is (much) better. Yeah the wait can suck, but they have free coffee, large waiting area and lots of supermarket type magazines to read. Of all breakfast places I've been to, this is my favorite. Best pancakes of all pancakes I've had (I think). If Aunt Sonya's (RIP) were still around, would have been interested in comparing. Also the first and only breakfast place I've been to where they have a person dedicated to going around making sure coffee never goes empty. Definitely worthy of five stars, also says a lot when the owner is usually there working.
(5)
Carmen M.
The pancakes and hot chocolate here are so good but it's too fattening so I only come 2-4 times a year.
(5)
Harrison H.
I've been here many times and it is definitely my favorite place to get breakfast in Champaign-Urbana. Any of the pancakes are great, but I usually just stick to the buttermilk pancakes. There is a sweet buttery goodness to them that makes my mouth water just thinking about. On the weekends the wait can be longer, but not unreasonable. It is definitely worth going to.
(4)
Edward M.
My visit here started off badly when the host took the name of the two women behind me before he took mine. Being a gemtleman (stop laughing!), I didn't dispute it. It was crowded on this Saturday morning but the wait was surprisingly short. The ambiance was cozy and family style and the noise level fairly high. My server was a sweet and friendly and very efficient young woman. The coffee was quite good. My cup was kept full by a variety of servers. I wonder if that's the norm or if it was just because I was seated next to the coffee machine. The menu of pancake flavors was very tempting, but I opted for the Farmer's Scramble because I prefer the protein. The ingredients in the scramble were satisfactory but overall it lacked seasoning. Since this is called a pancake house, I knew I had to choose the buttermilk pancakes to go with the scramble. They were good, but nothing spectacular. Looks like I'll have to return for some of the more exotic ones to make that determination. One of the things I wish more of these breakfast places offered is grits as a side dish. I've taken a liking to them but of the places in town, only Cracker Barrel and Taffies (huge portion) offer them and I'll not be returning to Taffies. But I digress. The Original Pancake House was a pleasant experience and comes recommended. RETURN VISIT: Enjoyed a nice breakfast there this morning. The place was packed but free coffee is provided for those waiting. Was seated and waited on immediately. Couldn't choose between the Farmer's Omelette or the special Pumpkin Pancakes until the server told me that for an extra fifty cents I could replace the standard buttermilk pancakes that accompany the omelette with the Pumpkin ones. Sold! As with last visit, my coffee cup was kept filled. The food was quite good with the omelette being very big. It needed more seasoning and texture but sufficed. The Pumpkin pancakes were delicious and I hope they keep them for awhile. This place will become part of my breakfast rotation, replacing the now anathema Sammy's. UPDATE and MORE KUDOS: This has become one of my two favorite places to go for breakfast and I am here three times a week. From the owner to the managers, hostesses, wait staff, and busboys, everyone is friendly and efficient. A favorite waitress takes care of me and everyone treats me with courtesy, friendliness, and respect. But I am not alone. I can see that the staff here treats everyone well. The food is great. I have my set choice but have also tried all their pancakes and have never been disappointed. Favorites are the potato, bacon, and Swedish ones. Starting in October they have their pumpkin pancakes which are delicious, especially with the apple syrup my waitress introduced me to. I have been having my pancakes with bacon and eggs lately and the bacon is cooked to perfection. Being a regular, I also see many familiar faces on a consistent basis. That says something. When people keep returning, something good is going on. I wish everyone at OHP continued success. This is an unsolicited and unpaid testimonial. Unfortunately, no free pancakes were given in exchange for this review.
(5)
Kimberly N.
Decent food, GREAT pancakes. I had the potatoes and eggs (because I just can't have breakfast without potatoes), and they were okay... but the three fluffy buttermilk pancakes that accompany all egg breakfasts were awesome. I'm usually not a pancake person, but if I come back I will get one of the pancake breakfasts for sure. And the service was awesome. My server, Beans, or something, according to the ticket, was charming. Give that girl a raise! My coffee never went empty.
(4)
Amy Y.
We usually get the same few dishes over and over: the strawberry/French crepes, the Swedish pancakes, cherry crepes, the Dutch Baby, or the Apple pancake, and bacon or sausage. Everything is great. The service is pleasant and accommodating, and if you don't come Sat/Sun-after-church times it's not a long wait. However, I noticed in the past months they've switched to half-n-half instead of heavy cream for their coffee. There are other little shortcuts here and there, like not asking if you want sour cream with your cherry crepes. I know the economy isn't great, but I think it's a mistake to cut corners. I think it's better to raise prices. Overall, friendly and efficient, generous with coffee refills.
(5)
Sarah E.
Great service and good portion sizes for what you pay. We went on a Saturday morning relatively early and had no trouble getting a table. By the time we left, there was a huge line. Very organized staff, though, for such a large restaurant. Highly recommend the buttermilk pancakes, and FYI the OJ is fresh-squeezed. Make sure you get a glass if you're thirsty!
(4)
Elaine W.
I've been coming to this place since I was a kid and it's one of the best places to get brunch in Chambana. Original Pancake House has never once disappointed me - they consistently deliver delicious breakfast food! I recommend the apple pancake, the dutch baby, and their vegetarian omelet. Though their crepes, waffles, and regular buttermilk pancakes are super tasty as well. The wait can be pretty long on the weekends but it's SOO worth it.
(5)
Mark W.
My favorite breakfast joint in Champaign (and Urbana). If it was possible to give it 4.5 stars I would b/c the price is a bit on the high side but I think the quality of the food makes it worthwhile. They have the best pancakes in town and the coffee is great. The bacon is thick and not too fatty (if that is possible for bacon) another personal favorite. This is our regular stop on Friday mornings with our kids, 2 and 4 year old. They have crayons and paper for the kids and the wait staff has always been great with them. It can have a long wait on weekends so plan accordingly.
(5)
The P.
Pancakes were undercooked and gummy. Blech.
(2)
Joy M.
I give this 3 stars because it was just that...OK. I am not sure I get the hype of this place...maybe that there isn't much to offer here in c/u for breakfast? The prices are high for what you get. A bowl of oatmeal...5 bucks?! Really?? Not a good, if any, kids menu. And the food is just okay. No kid size drinks. Only juice was 3 and 4 dollars. Not worth the money in our opinion.
(3)
Xander S.
This is a wonderful location for breakfast, brunch, or lunch on those post-college party mid-mornings. The orange juice here is amazing, and it is a particular joy for me to drink it here. Their combination waffle/pancakes are rather pricey, but among the best I've ever tasted. For those who care to glorify their breakfasts, this is the place to be. As will I, when I'm tired of eating pop-tarts, and decide to make the 4-mile trek
(5)
kate c.
WAY overpriced. Wait is crazy on weekends. I don't understand why people think the pancakes are so good...I can make much tastier buttermilk pancakes at home for much cheaper.
(2)
Julie S.
The bran pancakes with a side of strawberries. I know it sounds super healthy (not tasty) but man these are good-I crave them on a regular basis. I love the atmosphere, homey, good food, can't go wrong.
(4)
Sofia M.
I love their hot chocolate! I don't really like pancakes, but I usually go with my sister who adores them. Pretty good service except there's this really creepy dishwasher who is always staring.... Really creepy.
(3)
Tim Y.
Great buttermilk pancakes and an interesting, well flavored corned beef hash and potatoes. Always had good service as well. I've heard people rave about the omelets, but I'm not a huge fan.
(4)
Teej T.
Wow. Waiting in line Sunday morning for the OPH, I thought they were handing out free gold dust from the line. But no, just standard breakfasty grub. That said, there's an incredibly cheery fireplace, and the menu is a standard but predictably tasty greasy experience. I didn't have pancakes, because I'm weird--and was intrigued by biscuits and gravy covered with egg/cheese/bacon. It sounds bizarre, but it was T-A-S-T-E-Y. (Yes, it was so good I spelled it Fergie style. Bite me). The waitress was amazingly sweet, warned me not too much coffee or I'd "float all the way back to California," and told me to check out Seven Saints for California Sliders. I'll have to follow her advice next time I'm in CU. Great spot, although you may want to go on a day other than the Lord's. That wait is craaaaaaaaaazy.
(4)
Rachel S.
Great pancakes, not a place to go if you're watching your cholesterol. Very rich and tasty. The wait, however, is a real drag. it seems like you have to wait FOREVER to get a seat. And even then, the service is slow. I also wish that they didn't discontinue the Hawaiian pancakes, they were some of my favs. I only stick to the pancakes, I wouldn't really go out of my way to try much else here.
(4)
Sally P.
Went early on a Saturday morning with no wait. Pricey but portions were large. Had Georgia pecan pancakes with ham and coffee...my husband said pancakes and ham were very good good. Coffee could have been Better.......a 3 on the scale. I had buttermilk pancakes, scrambled egg, toast and juice. Everything tasted fine, large portions but not as good as waffle house.
(3)
Ryan B.
Ate here right after a running race, and it hit the spot. A little bit of a wait, but not bad for Saturday at 10am. Our server was wonderful, and I got a pretty standard breakfast, eggs, bacon and french toast. It didn't disappoint in any aspect.
(5)
Ashley B.
I am EXTEREMELY picky about breakfast food, so much so that I never eat it. But wow, the pancakes here are amazing. I don't know what it is about it but wow. The service is good too, always really friendly. I now know why my grandparents go here every single day for coffee :)
(5)
melina l.
Dude. Bad coffee? The hell you say. The coffee is GOOD, and they serve it with heavy cream! No wimpy half-n-half here. This was actually the very first restaurant I went to in Champaign. I was nine. My family and I had just unloaded the moving truck and we went here for dinner (note: has not been open for dinner in many years, which is unfortunate). I had Hawaiian pancakes with Tropical Syrup. It seemed the height of exoticism. Breakfast at dinner! Tropical! Wow. I began to resent our move just a little bit less.
(4)
Patrick B.
Solid food and good service. Not stellar, but everything you could ask for, plus generous portions to boot. They do nothing poorly, and several things darn well. This place makes a good regular breakfast joint, and as said in other reviews, expect to wait for a table. If you do become a regular, make friends with the wait staff and you'll discover they're... ful of personality :)
(4)
Rachel V.
Very yummy breakfasts and exceptionally nice wait staff. The wait is long but organized and it is because the food and service is so good. I recommend the veggie scramble with potatoes added. Come hungry because the portions are big and accompanied by pancakes. My only complaint is they need bigger water glasses for us non-coffee drinkers. This is the place to go in town for breakfast.
(5)
Melissa M.
Probably the only place to get truly good pancakes in CU, The Original Pancake House has an extensive menu of favorites like blueberry and new creations like oatmeal. Not Walker Brothers up north, but these satisfy. The major problem here is the crowds. On the weekends expect to wait a pretty long time. Eggs here are also worth skipping...they just don't taste like they are made fresh with butter, which is the only way breakfast eggs should be cooked.
(4)
brett d.
My all time favorite breakfast spot. Like others said the wait can be aggravating but it has always been worth it.
(4)
Hannah M.
Yay! We finally got to try this place. Last time we came, they were closed (we didn't know they close after 2pm) and the time before it was waay too packed and I was starving so we went else where. The place is set up granny style inside (made to look like your grandma's kitchen? I don't know..?) but it's cute and the food we ordered including the pancakes were delicious! Looking around, it looked like it was very common for people to take home leftovers because they'd all be carting away leftover bags from their meals, which is a good sign. The servers were nice and they all seemed to be very happy. Yes, this place is definitely better than IHOP! I'm only giving it 4 stars though because this place seems to always have a wait (we waited 20 min) but hey, if the food's good then it should be worth the wait.
(4)
Alicia O.
This is a chain though I didn't realize it till we ate here for the first time. Quite a line at any time after 9am - I guess that means it's good right? Love the buttermilk pancakes. The pumpkin ones were delicious too. We got one of the baked omelettes today. It was huge and filling. If you have a large group, get here early and prepare to wait awhile. Definitely worth the wait!
(4)
Dana W.
For a place with so many stars on yelp, a hefty line to wait in on the weekend and Pancake in the name I expected this experience to be amazing. Alas, I make better pancakes out of a box at home. The dishes at this restaurant are not original. There are no real healthy food options and the portions are enormous (I'm guessing that's why it's so darn expensive?). It's basically grease, grease, more grease and butter. I'd much rather go to a Le Peep or get reservations at Radio Maria for brunch. I won't be going back.
(2)
Kwoky L.
Forget about IHOP and Perkin's because it's time for some REAL breakfast. The pancakes are amazing, especially the Dutch Baby. You've got to have strawberries with it. The corned beef hash is good as well. They also serve REAL cream to go with your coffee or tea, not milk or half and half. It is very busy in the weekends, so expect to wait for a seat. But it's worth the wait for some great breakfast in a comfy place-just like being at grandma's.
(5)
Sunshine M.
Interesting, yummy pancakes. The egg dishes are blah. The wait is unbearable on weekends, but I suffer through it once every couple of months.
(3)
Ellen M.
Excellent pancakes of a large variety, great coffee, fresh meats and eggs, and a comfortable dining room. The service is slower than molasses. If you're going on a Sunday, prepare for the long haul. Almost makes it a three-star, but the food is really delicious.
(4)
Emily M.
Just your standard breakfast place but they do have really good pancakes. They're so good in fact, that they still taste wonderful the next day. If you can't finish your entire plate, definitely take your left over pancakes home!
(4)
Elizabeth E.
Good pancakes and coffee - but frequently slow service, incredibly oversized portions and high prices for what you're getting. My favorite thing on the menu is the Eggs Michael, and a half order is only $1 cheaper than the full order. If you go on Sunday, you'll have a long wait, and if you go any other day, you may still have a long wait for your food. I have a few friends who swear by it, but I'd be really just as happy to never go there again.
(2)
A W.
The wait at OPH is unbearable, but the atmosphere, once inside, is quite jolly and welcoming. The portions are generous but within a few bites I have a stomach ache and/or heart burn. The food is good, but I'd be just as happy anywhere else that serves breakfast food.
(3)
Daniel F.
I joke about this place as home of the $15 breakfast. Seriously though, the crowds are huge (expect 30 minute or more waits on weekends), but the food and ingredients are of top quality. Sometimes service suffers a bit when they are super busy, but overall this is this is the best breakfast in town, price notwithstanding.
(5)
Noelle M.
This is my favorite place to get breakfast here in Champaign. The portions here are huge and even their plain pancakes are fluffy and delicious. We always take out of town guest here for breakfast and they all seem to appreciate the food. The staff is friendly and attentive. On the weekends there is always a wait but I believe it is well worth it.
(5)
Anna M.
I have mixed opinions about this place. They have a really long wait on weekends and slow service. The pancakes & french toast are excellent, but that's not all that makes breakfast for me. I need some scrambled eggs. This place has the weirdest tasting scrambled eggs I've ever eaten in my entire life. I've been there three times and gotten them every time hoping it was just a fluke, but seriously - they are TERRIBLE. They taste like they mixed melted plastic in with the eggs when scrambling. Gross. As a result, I'm hesitant to return because as much as I love their french toast - I can make it at home and have edible eggs.
(3)
Tammy N.
perfect pancakes + terrible coffee = -1star.
(4)
S. J.
yum, yum and yum. not counting the 40+ minute wait (no, i'm not kidding), this place is sure to offer you the best breakfast experience you can imagine. the pancakes are almost perfect, the coffee was good, and the portions are...well...huge. (be warned!) this will definitely be somewhere i come on a regular basis, and as early as possible to avoid the crowd.
(5)
Julia B.
I went here on many drunken and late nights at school! The pancakes here are really good, especially if you get the ones with the straweberries on them! The service is usually really friendly too!
(4)
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Address :1909 W Springfield Ave,Ste B
Champaign, IL, 61821
Takes Reservations : No 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
Dachs K.
I know this is a chain, but I've only ever been to this location, so this is a review for this specific location (as it should be). I LOVE their pancakes. Never had any better in my life; not even close. I always get the buttermilk pancakes. The orange juice is heavenly, although occasionally it seems more watered-down than usual. But even in its watered down state, it beats most I've had. Lived here during college and every time I return to visit, I have to eat breakfast at Original Pancake House. It's always packed, but the 'line' moves fast.
(5)B D.
The eggs and pancake mix must be made of gold because the prices are way over priced. I compare to wonderful Dinners from New Jersey and other eateries across the country I have gone to and this place is mehhh... I recently went there and got the blueberry pancakes and there were almost $10!!! I feel like I am back in New York! and in this case, well, it is NYC. Anyways, that would be fine if the service was great, but except for the bus boys who are always running around and you can grab their attention, the service has also been mehhh I do not recommend this place. As a matter of fact, I think that as soon as someone else opens up a better place, this place will go down hill... Also, I should say that if anyone gives this place 5 stars it is because they have not tried Americana Dinner (Hamilton, New Jersey) or Eggsclusive (Genoa, Illinois), now those places are the real deal.
(2)Eugene W.
Have been to the (Original) Original Pancake House in Tigard, OR a couple of times and the Champaign location is (much) better. Yeah the wait can suck, but they have free coffee, large waiting area and lots of supermarket type magazines to read. Of all breakfast places I've been to, this is my favorite. Best pancakes of all pancakes I've had (I think). If Aunt Sonya's (RIP) were still around, would have been interested in comparing. Also the first and only breakfast place I've been to where they have a person dedicated to going around making sure coffee never goes empty. Definitely worthy of five stars, also says a lot when the owner is usually there working.
(5)Carmen M.
The pancakes and hot chocolate here are so good but it's too fattening so I only come 2-4 times a year.
(5)Harrison H.
I've been here many times and it is definitely my favorite place to get breakfast in Champaign-Urbana. Any of the pancakes are great, but I usually just stick to the buttermilk pancakes. There is a sweet buttery goodness to them that makes my mouth water just thinking about. On the weekends the wait can be longer, but not unreasonable. It is definitely worth going to.
(4)Evan C.
Love this place! By far my favorite place for pancakes in Champaign. Try the Meilike ( breakfast burrito made by mixing the contest of a Santa Fe Skillet with Swedish Pancakes ). Ask for Liz, she's the most amazing waitress and will make your visit to pancake heaven delightful and without a hitch.
(5)Taylor A.
Very great restaurant! Got here right when it opened and there were people lining up to eat already. The servers were very nice and very quick with our food. The pancakes aren't large but they are still fluffy and filling - the syrup is very sweet. The omelettes were very large and delicious. They also have fresh fruit! This is a breakfast restaurant I'd urge anyone to try.
(5)Melissa W.
The place is amazing and has truly changed my life. The people employed here are efficient, friendly, and dedicated as many of them are very long-standing. That speaks volumes about the leadership of this establishment. The food is RIDICULOUSLY delicious and this spot is great for meetings as well as friends/family time. Most quaint restaurant in the area - A given! I have become the number one fan of the owner here over the past year - Love that guy! Keep up the good work OPH!
(5)P A.
Best baked omelette and bacon pancakes, EVER! We got there just as they opened on a Sunday morning. By the time we were done the house was packed. Nice friendly staff. Will definitely be back next time through Champaign.
(5)Michaela K.
Great food. It reminds me of the pancake house back in my hometown. The service wasn't that great and the prices are a little high. The food still tastes good enough to still go regardless of the service.
(3)Valerie T.
Overrated!!! The food was like any other breakfast place. Nothing special. The restaurant also seemed to be a bit dirty. I don't believe this is a place worth waiting in line for, but many others do.
(3)Laura S.
Good gawd almighty! Champaign never fails when it comes to breakfast food. Give me some good bacon and way too much butter for my pancakes and I am a happy gal. Even better, there's coffee while you wait to be seated. All coffee and all pancakes make me a very happy girl!
(4)Kate T.
Updated review: gluten-friendly pancakes are not vegan or FODMAP friendly. They include eggs, peanut oil, and milk. For FODMAP, request eggs with no milk or spices in it.
(3)Jeff F.
Hands down the best breakfast place in the ChampaignUrbana area.
(5)Macy W.
Great food, excellent customer service, and a quick turnaround time. When I came on a Saturday morning, there were so many people but I didn't have to wait very long. The prices are great, especially considering how much food you get. Their coffee was alright, but I've definitely had better from similar restaurants. Nice place, definitely recommend.
(4)Angela R.
Wasn't quite 5 stars but pretty darn close. (I think it might be cause I'm not really a breakfast person) First time I've been to The Original Pancake House and I'd definitely go back. The wait was pretty short (10 minutes). It was pretty packed and we went on a Friday around 10:30AM. The waitress was amazing. I usually hate being that person that substitutes everything, but I wanted to try a lot of things on the menu. She suggested I substitute things and order half-orders (which isn't explicitly advertised). I ended up getting a half order of the Eggs Michael (similar to Eggs Benedict) and I substituted the potato pancakes for BACON pancakes. I always crave biscuits and gravy and she let me order a "quarter order" (one biscuit) Pretty good meal,but I definitely couldn't finish what I ordered. I honestly didn't think I liked it as much, simply because I was too busy staring at what my boyfriend ordered. He got the The Original Scrambler. HOLY COW! Biscuits and gravy, potatoes, scrambled eggs...oh my. I'll definitely order that when I go next time. Don't forget to get the freshly squeezed orange juice!
(4)Jen T.
Honestly, I hate this place. It's not the food. The chocolate chip, or bacon pancakes, FOR-GET-ABOUT-IT. They are amazing. My biggest issue is everyone's biggest issue. Jammed into a severely dated waiting area with forty other sad sacks, everyone scurrying over one another like ants at a picnic! It's something, boy. And not a _good_ something. Parking is a nightmare. There's plenty of it, to be sure, but I can't tell you how many times on a Sunday, I've gone to back out, or pull around, and someone's almost side-swiped me. There are a lot of people still driving in that parking lot who maybe shouldn't be? It's a bit dangerous. I'm being serious, now. No hyperbole! The other down side is that for the privilege of not being able to hear yourself (think), or the folks you're with (talk), you also get to pay them about twenty times more than what a darn pancake should cost. =P I'm just not a huge fan of this joint. Sadly, my in-laws love(d) it. That meant meeting up between 6 and 7:30AM to grab Sunday breakfast. One would think there'd be a chance of missing the throng that early, but one would be very mistaken. =P No matter what time it is, this place is always buzzing! Have those pancakes tho. My stomach is growling just thinking of them!
(3)Julia K.
I came here a year ago and loved every bite I took. Today is a different story: I got the first omelette listed (cilantro, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and pepper jack cheese) with salsa on the side. With a grapefruit juice. Salsa was the best part of the meal - 5/5. Flavorful and puréed the right amount to put on top of the omelette. Omelette - 3/5. It looked baked which was pretty good but not what I expected. They probably baked the omelette on a skillet and turned it over to serve it. Blueberry pancakes - 3/5. Flavorful but the blueberry sauce was very watered down. I put some on my pancakes and the juices were on the side of the plate since it was watery. It's also much thinner than I remembered a year ago. Despite these changes, the pancakes tasted good. Grapefruit juice - 1/5. Watered down and didn't even taste like grapefruit juice. Just awful... $2 for a small is not even worth it. Disappointed since I had high expectations
(3)Aisha C.
Now that I hop is gone, the original House of Pancakes is probably one of the premier breakfast spots in Champaign. For you quick eaters, it's a pretty busy place . Like most breakfast places places in the Midwest, you'll find that they close early and open even earlier. If you're ready to eat at a reasonable breakfast time let's say 10 or 11, you're going to be in for a wait. It's usually 15 to 20 minutes no matter what day you go. But, the wait is worthwhile. The food is pretty inexpensive . you usually spend between 10 and 15 dollars including drinks. But that can include eggs bacon and some of their awesome pancakes a variable flavors. I tried about half of them and so far I have not found a bad bunch. They also have thick sliced bacon which I am always a fan of. To accompany your meal, try some of the fresh squeezed orange juice. Of course the local favorites are the Apple pancakes and the Dutch baby. These can take up to a half hour to make because they are made in an oven but they're pretty good. I still prefer a good old fashioned eggs, bacon, and pancake breakfast. Service is always wonderful and the staff is always happy to see you. They accept most forms of payment including credit card and cash.
(3)David T.
Its been mentioned several times that this place is very, very busy and there is a wait. I do agree with that but I found the wait to be very quick (20 minutes is fast in my book for a popular restaurant at peak hours). I love that they have coffee for you while you wait. To me, the Original Pancake house is like IHop+. Its liked the upgraded, more attractive sister of IHop. I ordered the egg, cheese, biscuit and gravy dish (can't recall name) and a side blueberry pancake. Food was brought out quick (which was pretty impressive based on how busy it was). It was a MASSIVE amount of food. I got about 1/2 way through my main plate before I called it quits. Pancake was simple but tasty. The syrup was blueberry syrup with actual blueberries in it (which I liked). I can see why this place is a staple in Champaign. Although the waitress advised us to just take our tickets to the front register, before we could a host came to our table and ran our tabs. This extra effort was very nice especially considering how packed they were.
(4)Jamie L.
Who doesn't love this place? It seems like all of Champaign is here on the weekends! It's great. I've visited this chain in several cities and they are always consistent. I've never had a meal that I didn't love. The dutch baby and apple pancake are a must-try!
(5)Jonnie C.
This is one of the best Original Pancake Houses in the country and I have visited a few over the years. The food is always delicious the coffee always hot and the hospitality friendly. My favorites are the strawberry waffles and the veggie omelette. The waffles are presented with fresh strawberries and whipped cream on top no need for syrup it rivals the best strawberry shortcake you have ever eaten. The veggie omelette has every vegetable they can pile into an omelette and still have room for the eggs and cheese. It is served directly from the skillet to the plate piping hot.
(5)Amanda O.
My family recently visited the Champaign-Urbana area of Illinois for the weekend and visited the Original Pancake House on a Saturday morning. My family - my husband and myself, my teenage daughter, my toddler son, and my mom - walked in, saw the crowd of people waiting to be seated and almost walked out. Thankfully I was able to convince my husband to wait in the car with my toddler while my daughter and I got our name on the list and waited inside for a table. Unfortunately, the Original Pancake House does not take reservations, so everyone is forced to wait around inside for an empty table to open up. Our wait time was a little over 35 minutes. The Good: The food at the Original Pancake House was great! There were a lot of different pancake options on the menu. My mom ordered the seasonal pumpkin pancakes and they were delicious! The rest of us ordered eggs and waffles and everything was tasty. The Bad: Obviously the wait time was no fun - especially when visiting with a hungry toddler! The Original Pancake House tries to accommodate everyone by adding bench seating in the waiting area, but it still wasn't enough for everyone to have a seat. Overall: We enjoyed our meal at the Original Pancake House, however, next time we'll try to visit at an off-peak time. This place is definitely worth a visit if you're in the Champaign-Urbana area.
(5)Nihreer M.
I ordered 2 eggs (over easy) and sausage patties, toast and a biscuit. To start off the price came out to 17 dollars. Wayyyy to expensive unless the quality is worth it. Let me tell you it wasn't even close. The sausage patties were super dry. The eggs were over cooked. The toast was fine. The biscuit was so dry and crumbled when I tried splitting it. I needed to drink water to wash it down. The service was adequate. Took forever to get our food. I asked for a water and took a while to get that too. Overall I would not go back.
(1)Jennifer V.
We came here a few weeks ago and the service was so slow. when we asked the waitress why it was taking so long after about 40 minutes of waiting after we ordered our food, she rudely replied that the oven takes a while to cook an omelette. The person I was with only ordered a salad she got back a big bowl with only a third of it filled with salad and they charged her six dollars for it. when I got my omelette, the cheese wasn't melted. The portion was extremely large and I couldn't even finish it and I had to take it home and it served as another meal. That would have been fine but the omelette was not very good. the prices are way too high for the quality of food they serve. I will not be going back here.
(2)Wanda H.
I usually prefer local restaurants over chains, but this one FEELS local. The food and service is consistently good and the huge variety of pancakes is impressive.
(4)David H.
Peanut oil is used in all of their cooking meaning this was off limits for my family. Just a note to others with a peanut or nut allergy this place is not safe for you!
(2)Mark C.
This place is the bomb dizzle if you're looking for some solid breakfast choices. I'm personally not a fan of the Dutch baby, but their omelets are massive. You get a good bang for your buck while you're here. Just take note that this place is quite crowded on weekend mornings.
(4)Amanda S.
This place is a great place to get a family breakfast. The banana pancakes are the best thing on the menu (in my opinion), but my mom swears by the bacon pancakes! They have a wide variety of choices on the menu, so it is not difficult to find something that you will like. The staff were very friendly, and the service was very fast. On the weekends, it can be pretty crowded, and there will definitely be a wait, so I would recommend getting there early, but it probably won't be a long wait, and they have a nice waiting area with comfy benches and plenty of magazines to read, so I don't usually mind. It's a little out of the way if you live on campus, but it is definitely worth the trip out if you are in need of a real breakfast!
(5)Solomohn E.
I do not normally cuss, and will not start now. But, I declare this is the best damn breakfast spot this side of the Mississippi! I had the Swedish pancakes and lingonberries with a side of bacon. The cakes were so buttery and warm and soft with a satin texture so real that for the first time in my life I wondered, if pancakes (like sheets) have a flour count. If they do, these cakes are 1000 Egyptian Cotton, baby! And the lingonberries were summertime, a first kiss, a precious baby, a new car, birds singing, old men dreaming, and young people laughing. They were so fresh, so clean, so authentically berry delicious they'll make a hardened rapper pull up his pants. The bacon...oh, the bacon...succulent, divine, exquisite. As I ate my soul spinned on the floor Three Stooges style singing nyuk, nyuk, nyuk and woot, woot, woot, woot.
(5)Roxanne N.
The food was amazing and service was outstanding. Everyone's plate looked like it should be on a food porn site. It was our 1st time there and the manager heard so he treated us to the house specialty of the amazing apple pancakes!
(5)Chenghao L.
Very nice services and food. Very noisy this morning due to national holiday. Good in general.
(4)Yolanda B.
Service was amazing. The servers are very very nice and helpful. I'm a big fan of savory breakfast so I got the Corned Beef Hash. The potatoes are kinda dry... The corned beef was just ok. It came with pancakes or toasts so it was a lot of food for the price :)
(4)Ben V.
Near the top of my list of great breakfast joints. The pancake choices are extensive (including potato pancakes). Great menu and service. I try something different every time I eat here, and haven't been disappointed yet. Only downfall is that I don't think this place is a secret as it's usually busy. Side note: Check out the weird orange juice machine.
(5)Pat E.
I usually just edit my reviews, but I bumped up to four stars rather than three. I have been here three times and each time it has gotten better. My coffee cup was never empty, we waited 10 minutes rather than the 25 I was expecting, and FLUFFY AZZ OMELETS! What a gem here in Central Illinois. I will say right now (again), they do not have buckwheat pancakes as the Walker Brothers' Restaurant group menu says. Don't let that sway you my gluten free fans! My brother and I arrived at 1215 on Sunday after a workout at the infamous PBL Work/Weight Room. This is about 30 minutes north of Champaign. We knew we would have to wait 20 minutes since it was a Sunday. No problem, the first time I had this place was no wait (on a Saturday). Sunday is omelet and 'cake time! They have coffee up front for those waiting, so it worked out that they were treated to a cup of joe (and refills). So we were seated, and when I inquired about buckwheat (love the nutty ((yar)) flavor), I was told no buckwheat. Now, each omelet comes with three buttermilk pancakes. Nothing wrong with buttermilk...but why not go into a culinary adventure this friggin' cold January day? I asked about the "bran" pancakes...don't let it fool you, Grandpa. Oat bran, yogurt, strawberries, and powdered sugar sounds good to me! My brother ended up ordering them sans strawberries and powdered sugar (they dusted them....brother didn't care...all he cared about was the waitress willing to remake them). I went with the bacon pancakes and savory is an understatement! So delicious! They have a ton of pancake options (not a lot of whole grain/more fiber options), but bacon, Hawaiian, blueberry, and oatmeal raisin (which I got on a previous visit) should suffice for you pancake purists. Anyways, we both knew of the fluffy omelet reputation because of plates coming out and pictures. Brother built his own and I went with the Western and my goodness...the flavor, the fluffiness, and the fantastic coffee I ordered went so well together. Fresh veggies in January? YES PLEASE! The pancakes were great, but the omelets kicked a$$.. If you want average, go to Bob Evans. I wish the omelets came with fruit/hash browns, but three smaller pancakes is better than two, so I guess they it's okay. I will be back for sure! If you think you're being an original by going to OPH, you'd be wrong! I would gladly go back here, spend 25 bucks (two people) not including the generous tip we left. Our waitress was great; she felt bad about the powdered sugar but it wasn't her fault. Speaking of the waitresses, thank you U of I undergrad/grad students. You were eye candy I enjoyed! Does that sound creepy? Maybe? Is it the truth? Yes, middle aged 20 somethings are very attractive. We even got a pitcher of water since I drink water like U of I gives up touchdowns. If you're looking for a great meal, come here!
(4)Fan F.
Have a great brunch with my girls! I supposed the Dutch Baby would very slow but it came first and brilliant! And I like my farmer's scramble best! Pancakes also nice! One omelette with 3 buttermilk pancakes!
(4)Michael N.
Overall, OPH is a solid place for breakfast. It can get packed in the mornings on weekends, but the line tends to move quickly. Service has always been fairly prompt and friendly. Prices are reasonable, and their pancake selection is pretty impressive. Among that list are some definite winners and losers... Pumpkin pancakes were quite good. Understand that good pumpkin pancakes are *not* easy to make - pumpkin is very heavy and wet and likes to make your pancakes heavy. But they were good here. Light and fluffy, while retaining that awesome pumpkin pie flavor. The apple cinnamon pancakes were much too heavy, and much too much. Not recommended. The blueberry pancakes are respectable. As are the dollar pancakes. Swedish pancakes are good, but my socks remained covering my toes. The potato pancakes were not tasty at all, but maybe I'm just not a potato pancake person. Because I have good taste. Unlike the weirdos that get these. The Georgia Pecan pancakes were also solid. If you're in Chambanavoy and have wheels, this is probably the best place to get yourself some tasty pancakes.
(4)Benjamin E.
I came here with a friend a couple of weeks ago. It was a Saturday morning and naturally the place was packed. The two of us waited for about thirty minutes before being seated, and after that the service was fine. I got blueberry pancakes and she got... hmm... banana pancakes? Well, regardless, we both enjoyed our meals. The blueberry compote that came with mine was incredibly sweet (but not too sweet to slather all over the pancakes!). As long as you have the time and patience to wait for a table this is a great choice for breakfast.
(4)Anthony S.
Great breakfast I have a gluten allergy, so was happy to see they could make gluten free waffles. The wait isn't too bad. The weekends are packed
(4)M B.
The best breakfast in the local area. Now, it is pricey compared with other places, so I can't disagree with that criticism. But, look at what you get - the omelettes are enormous and come with pancakes. Plus, I don't even like pancakes, yet I find myself getting them more often than not. Not into pancakes? Their whole wheat toast is awesome. Service is great, and even the wait goes by rather quickly (unless you're in a huge group - I never understand why people who go in huge groups criticize breakfast places for not seating them right away). And they have excellent coffee. Don't fear the line.
(5)Rhonda H.
Great service. Even when the place is packed! Ate on a Tuesday morning at 7:30 and had the Swedish pancakes. Delish except no Loganberries:(. The very best breakfast place in CU and has been for MANY years:)
(5)Allie B.
This is such a great place for breakfast/brunch! The pancakes are so good, but I love the omelettes the most! Crowded on weekends but worth the wait.
(4)Megan C.
Best breakfast place EVER! No other restaurant can compare in service and quality! I would recommend The Original Pancake House to anyone and everyone looking to enjoy a good breakfast. It's definitely worth the money and any wait time. Enjoy!
(5)Melissa A.
I've been coming to Pancake House for a long time. I love eating breakfast here and sometimes will try new things or just get my norm. I've never had a problem with the food here. The staff is always friendly and hardly let your coffee cup go empty.
(4)D L.
Dont go out of your way for this breakfast place. It was ok food and ok service. Good part - very clean and friendly.
(2)Sadia K.
Diner style pancakes which is good.. I actually like it better than ihop simply because they have so many different types of pancakes! we had the raisin and bran pancake and the Cherry Kijafa Crepes.. the pancakes were amazing with the berry syrup.. the crepes while perfect in flavor were very very sweet.. that was a kill for me since the cherries went perfect with the crepes; i just wish there was less syrup on it..
(2)Joe E.
On my 2nd and final day in Champaign, my bro and I decided on this gem! He had been here before, and he thought it was good, and he was correct! I'm actually going to start with my gripes, which is why this place isn't 5 star. First off, they are a chain, but their menu online does not match their restaurant menu. Let's get on the same page here! Make a PDF and make my life easier! (I wanted some buckwheat/wheat germ pancakes, but alas, they did not have them). Another gripe of mine is that their omelettes only come with pancakes on the side. No hashbrowns or fruit, unless you'd like to pay extra. I know that they give 3 pancakes on the side, but they aren't that big. Add another side option!!!! Finally, I was a bit disappointed in the filling and topping selection for my omelette. No avocado or salsa? I can understand one, but both? COME ON! Finally, as I can see in a few other reviews, they don't really offer anything for the gluten free crowd. Not a big deal to us, but just saying. We arrived to the very crowded restaurant around 1220 on a sunday. This place was a zoo! I actually had no idea so many non-college students were in the area, although the sign that read, "Champaign, 67000" should have given me a clue. we were told the wait would be 15-20 mins, and it was exactly that. My brother and I are breakfast/pizza snobs, and we're not ashamed of it either. We both ordered omelettes; mine was a veggie with egg beaters and cheese, his was the western with eggs. We both got our own cakes. He got the bacon pancakes (he is actually the more savory bro), and I ordered bran pancakes, which were oat bran, nuts, yogurt and strawberries (in the batter). I was very pleased with the food, even with my gripes (see above). we are both pains in the asses when we order, because we used to be fat, but now we specialize The omelettes are oven-baked, and they are amazing!!!! The pancakes were good, but spectacular. If I'm heading back here, I'm going for the omelette! The staff was very nice, and some of them were very attractive as well. CALL ME!
(4)Les P.
In todays Champaign paper, it says that they got a health rating of 25 out of 100.
(1)Ryan T.
Ohop has really good food. This is one of Champaign's sought after breakfast spots. The only thing that is a pain is they are always jam packed and when you have two kids waiting can be a pain. The bacon is really good and pancakes are top notch. Biscuit and gravy are a must try. The price is pretty pricy, but the quality and portions are worth it. I recommend waiting put the lines or going during the week to try this gem!
(5)H H.
Terrific pancakes, fast service and excellent fresh squeezed orange juice. We bring out-of-town guests here and they are always delighted. Everything is made quickly and the food always arrives fresh off the grill. We have never had a problem with the quality of food, to the contrary they always knock it out of the ballpark. A great place for breakfast or lunch. Reminder that they are not open in the evening. For many years this place has been packed with customers, which is a testimonial to the great food and the great service. Suggestions: pancakes, orange juice, farmer's scramble, home fried potatoes and eggs, Dutch baby, chocolate chip pancakes (see my photos of the menu for descriptions) Owner Eric Faulkner and the whole team do a terrific job day in and day out and they have many many regular customers as well as new customers all the time. Without hesitation they get five stars from me and my whole family.
(5)Dee R.
Food is awesome and so is the service. We order for carry out and dine in regularly. Consistently good and the restaurant is kept clean. I feel like this place is ran very well as the staff is always friendly and on point.
(5)Vince B.
Glad we came here great food fast service even on a Sunday morning. Me and my wife will be back.
(5)Sherry Y.
I come here after late night church lock-ins with my small group. For the purposes, OHOP works out beautifully for us. Free coffee? Oh yes. A wait for omelettes and pancakes? Not so great, especially with grumpy old people staring at you because you're a minority. Awesome. Seriously though, the food's greasy but delicious. That guilty sort of lovely. I recommend the Swedish pancakes. Don't be fooled by the whipped butter, I thought it was whipped cream initially. It is not.
(4)Benjamin U.
Went here this morning with relatives (15 of us total and the staff was very accommodating and friendly. The atmosphere was great as well. The biscuits and gravy were great as was the coffee but the eggs left something to be desired and the orange juice was a bit too sweet for my taste. The prices were a bit much and the portions were huge. This would be fine if I thought I could reheat and eat later but breakfast food doesn't heat very well so a lot of my dish was wasted which I hate doing. Overall this is a good place to get breakfast but there is room for improvement.
(3)April S.
The food here is always good. this place can get very packed on the weekends so honestly plan ahead. Also it's worth the wait. If you ask for OJ you will get fresh squeezed OJ and it's oh so good. The dutch baby is so yummy big enough to share. Their apple pancake tastes like an apple pie. My family and friends have eaten here so many times over the years and we have never had a bad time. Staff is always great food is always amazing. Even the coffee is good!
(5)Swaggy J.
Got seated instantly on a Saturday morning around 10:30 AM. Yeah, it was the middle of June and the college kids are away, but the restaurant was crowded and I was expecting a fifteen minute wait for a table. I found the service to be prompt and friendly once we were seated. Clearly, the staff is used to managing crowds. The menu is a bit overwhelming, but not too extreme. I appreciated the mix of breakfast staples and unique offerings. Overall, the food was good and, like most breakfast places, the portions were enormous. My advice: order a small plate!
(4)Steve B.
HORRIBLE. I enjoyed eating at the Original Pancake House once before and was excited to share it with my son. Unfortunately, he could eat VIRTUALLY NOTHING they offer, due to a severe nut allergy. I understand that not every menu item is available for everyone with a dietary restriction, but to offer no alternatives and to be unable to prepare a dish on a nut-free grill or skillet is a jarring statement--especially in light of the rising allergy statistics of the past decade+. The Original Pancake House doesn't have to prepare any of their dishes with allergies in mind. And I don't have to eat there, take my family there, or recommend it to anyone. And I won't. I only wish that Yelp had an option for less than one star, because that sums up my experience at the Original Pancake House.
(1)Eric Y.
Decent food, great service, fair price. Definitely worth a visit.
(3)Tyler N.
One of my favorite places for breakfast. I think it's open until 2pm so dinner is definitely out. This am I arrived and was quickly seated ... And it took a little while longer than normal for the server to arrive. No big deal. Not in a hurry at the present time. When she arrived she was very nice and professional. Food and coffee is always great here. I enjoyed their famous apple pancake for hers and years. Since then, I've switched to ordering a ham and cheese omelette with a small stack do pancakes. Noticed that their guest wifi was on today. That's a good thing. It wasn't on last week when I was in the restaurant. The omelette was piping hot and oozing with cheese. Years ago (not sure nowadays) their menu said the omelets were made from 6 eggs. The size of it suggests it still is. I think the omelette is also cooked in a oven instead of in a pan or grill. The panclocks (pancakes as termed in the movie "50 First Dates" by Drew Barrymore) were great as usual. A very good and tasty meal.
(4)Grace C.
The perfect ambience for New Years Day breakfast. The fireplace was on. The mantel was beautifully decorated with Christmas decorations which they took down after lunch. Rather odd since Im used to seeing decorations up until a week after new year. The place was packed for lunch but miraculously I was seated within 10 minutes of checking in. And I was seated with a beautiful view of the fireplace no less. I recommend the swedish pancakes. They're light and tasty, served piping hot with a side of linconberry and fresh butter. They looked like crepes and tasted better than ones I had in Amsterdam. Amazing. Being extremely hungry, I added a full order of biscuits with gravy, home fries, and scrambled eggs. It came out really cheesy. The biscuits were light & fluffly and the gravy was just the right consistency, served with bacon bits inside. The ambience was what you would expect in a family style restaurant and really cozy. Service was wonderful. Great place to start the year on a good foot with a great breakfast. It really made my day special.
(5)Jay B.
I enjoy the pancakes but the bacon and eggs so-so. Price not as good as competition, but also not unreasonable overall.
(4)Dawn H.
I love the diversity of pancakes this place offers. The icing on the cake (errr....pancake) is that they actually taste really good! Prices are decent and comparable to IHOP. Worth checking out if you're in the area.....
(4)Chaz B.
Simply wonderful. I love everything about this place, especially the staff. The barista, I believe his name is Lester, is a long time staple there. His friendly demeanor and terrific service keeps me coming back for that one of a kind, delicious coffee. Food is delicious as well.
(5)Lisa S.
This was awesome! We stopped here based on a recommendation and so glad we did! The 49ers was delicious and my sons had the pigs in a blanket and chocolate chip pancakes. Would DEFINITELY come back when in Champaign again.
(5)Robin K.
I can't explain how they can make food that is so tasteless. I went with my dad for brunch. I ordered a vegetable omelet with cheese--so bland--it didn't matter how much salt and pepper on it, just no flavor and way way too much cheese! My dad had an omelet as well and he even put ketchup on it just to try and get some flavor and he never does that. I will never go there again nor can i recommend anyone else go there.
(1)Alissa C.
Expensive. But good. Good quality and good food! Good coffee. Good service. But always crowded so get there REALLY early or expect a long wait!!
(4)N C.
When your looking for good food, great service, low prices go here. Large portions! Its a big place with lots of tables and service staff! The food is great. I actually took home my leftover pancakes! lol The OJ was fresh squeezed, find that in a restaurant these days! Im glad i found this gem
(5)Edward M.
My visit here started off badly when the host took the name of the two women behind me before he took mine. Being a gemtleman (stop laughing!), I didn't dispute it. It was crowded on this Saturday morning but the wait was surprisingly short. The ambiance was cozy and family style and the noise level fairly high. My server was a sweet and friendly and very efficient young woman. The coffee was quite good. My cup was kept full by a variety of servers. I wonder if that's the norm or if it was just because I was seated next to the coffee machine. The menu of pancake flavors was very tempting, but I opted for the Farmer's Scramble because I prefer the protein. The ingredients in the scramble were satisfactory but overall it lacked seasoning. Since this is called a pancake house, I knew I had to choose the buttermilk pancakes to go with the scramble. They were good, but nothing spectacular. Looks like I'll have to return for some of the more exotic ones to make that determination. One of the things I wish more of these breakfast places offered is grits as a side dish. I've taken a liking to them but of the places in town, only Cracker Barrel and Taffies (huge portion) offer them and I'll not be returning to Taffies. But I digress. The Original Pancake House was a pleasant experience and comes recommended. RETURN VISIT: Enjoyed a nice breakfast there this morning. The place was packed but free coffee is provided for those waiting. Was seated and waited on immediately. Couldn't choose between the Farmer's Omelette or the special Pumpkin Pancakes until the server told me that for an extra fifty cents I could replace the standard buttermilk pancakes that accompany the omelette with the Pumpkin ones. Sold! As with last visit, my coffee cup was kept filled. The food was quite good with the omelette being very big. It needed more seasoning and texture but sufficed. The Pumpkin pancakes were delicious and I hope they keep them for awhile. This place will become part of my breakfast rotation, replacing the now anathema Sammy's. UPDATE and MORE KUDOS: This has become one of my two favorite places to go for breakfast and I am here three times a week. From the owner to the managers, hostesses, wait staff, and busboys, everyone is friendly and efficient. A favorite waitress takes care of me and everyone treats me with courtesy, friendliness, and respect. But I am not alone. I can see that the staff here treats everyone well. The food is great. I have my set choice but have also tried all their pancakes and have never been disappointed. Favorites are the potato, bacon, and Swedish ones. Starting in October they have their pumpkin pancakes which are delicious, especially with the apple syrup my waitress introduced me to. I have been having my pancakes with bacon and eggs lately and the bacon is cooked to perfection. Being a regular, I also see many familiar faces on a consistent basis. That says something. When people keep returning, something good is going on. I wish everyone at OHP continued success. This is an unsolicited and unpaid testimonial. Unfortunately, no free pancakes were given in exchange for this review.
(5)Kimberly N.
Decent food, GREAT pancakes. I had the potatoes and eggs (because I just can't have breakfast without potatoes), and they were okay... but the three fluffy buttermilk pancakes that accompany all egg breakfasts were awesome. I'm usually not a pancake person, but if I come back I will get one of the pancake breakfasts for sure. And the service was awesome. My server, Beans, or something, according to the ticket, was charming. Give that girl a raise! My coffee never went empty.
(4)Amy Y.
We usually get the same few dishes over and over: the strawberry/French crepes, the Swedish pancakes, cherry crepes, the Dutch Baby, or the Apple pancake, and bacon or sausage. Everything is great. The service is pleasant and accommodating, and if you don't come Sat/Sun-after-church times it's not a long wait. However, I noticed in the past months they've switched to half-n-half instead of heavy cream for their coffee. There are other little shortcuts here and there, like not asking if you want sour cream with your cherry crepes. I know the economy isn't great, but I think it's a mistake to cut corners. I think it's better to raise prices. Overall, friendly and efficient, generous with coffee refills.
(5)Sarah E.
Great service and good portion sizes for what you pay. We went on a Saturday morning relatively early and had no trouble getting a table. By the time we left, there was a huge line. Very organized staff, though, for such a large restaurant. Highly recommend the buttermilk pancakes, and FYI the OJ is fresh-squeezed. Make sure you get a glass if you're thirsty!
(4)Elaine W.
I've been coming to this place since I was a kid and it's one of the best places to get brunch in Chambana. Original Pancake House has never once disappointed me - they consistently deliver delicious breakfast food! I recommend the apple pancake, the dutch baby, and their vegetarian omelet. Though their crepes, waffles, and regular buttermilk pancakes are super tasty as well. The wait can be pretty long on the weekends but it's SOO worth it.
(5)Mark W.
My favorite breakfast joint in Champaign (and Urbana). If it was possible to give it 4.5 stars I would b/c the price is a bit on the high side but I think the quality of the food makes it worthwhile. They have the best pancakes in town and the coffee is great. The bacon is thick and not too fatty (if that is possible for bacon) another personal favorite. This is our regular stop on Friday mornings with our kids, 2 and 4 year old. They have crayons and paper for the kids and the wait staff has always been great with them. It can have a long wait on weekends so plan accordingly.
(5)The P.
Pancakes were undercooked and gummy. Blech.
(2)Joy M.
I give this 3 stars because it was just that...OK. I am not sure I get the hype of this place...maybe that there isn't much to offer here in c/u for breakfast? The prices are high for what you get. A bowl of oatmeal...5 bucks?! Really?? Not a good, if any, kids menu. And the food is just okay. No kid size drinks. Only juice was 3 and 4 dollars. Not worth the money in our opinion.
(3)Xander S.
This is a wonderful location for breakfast, brunch, or lunch on those post-college party mid-mornings. The orange juice here is amazing, and it is a particular joy for me to drink it here. Their combination waffle/pancakes are rather pricey, but among the best I've ever tasted. For those who care to glorify their breakfasts, this is the place to be. As will I, when I'm tired of eating pop-tarts, and decide to make the 4-mile trek
(5)kate c.
WAY overpriced. Wait is crazy on weekends. I don't understand why people think the pancakes are so good...I can make much tastier buttermilk pancakes at home for much cheaper.
(2)Julie S.
The bran pancakes with a side of strawberries. I know it sounds super healthy (not tasty) but man these are good-I crave them on a regular basis. I love the atmosphere, homey, good food, can't go wrong.
(4)Sofia M.
I love their hot chocolate! I don't really like pancakes, but I usually go with my sister who adores them. Pretty good service except there's this really creepy dishwasher who is always staring.... Really creepy.
(3)Tim Y.
Great buttermilk pancakes and an interesting, well flavored corned beef hash and potatoes. Always had good service as well. I've heard people rave about the omelets, but I'm not a huge fan.
(4)Teej T.
Wow. Waiting in line Sunday morning for the OPH, I thought they were handing out free gold dust from the line. But no, just standard breakfasty grub. That said, there's an incredibly cheery fireplace, and the menu is a standard but predictably tasty greasy experience. I didn't have pancakes, because I'm weird--and was intrigued by biscuits and gravy covered with egg/cheese/bacon. It sounds bizarre, but it was T-A-S-T-E-Y. (Yes, it was so good I spelled it Fergie style. Bite me). The waitress was amazingly sweet, warned me not too much coffee or I'd "float all the way back to California," and told me to check out Seven Saints for California Sliders. I'll have to follow her advice next time I'm in CU. Great spot, although you may want to go on a day other than the Lord's. That wait is craaaaaaaaaazy.
(4)Rachel S.
Great pancakes, not a place to go if you're watching your cholesterol. Very rich and tasty. The wait, however, is a real drag. it seems like you have to wait FOREVER to get a seat. And even then, the service is slow. I also wish that they didn't discontinue the Hawaiian pancakes, they were some of my favs. I only stick to the pancakes, I wouldn't really go out of my way to try much else here.
(4)Sally P.
Went early on a Saturday morning with no wait. Pricey but portions were large. Had Georgia pecan pancakes with ham and coffee...my husband said pancakes and ham were very good good. Coffee could have been Better.......a 3 on the scale. I had buttermilk pancakes, scrambled egg, toast and juice. Everything tasted fine, large portions but not as good as waffle house.
(3)Ryan B.
Ate here right after a running race, and it hit the spot. A little bit of a wait, but not bad for Saturday at 10am. Our server was wonderful, and I got a pretty standard breakfast, eggs, bacon and french toast. It didn't disappoint in any aspect.
(5)Ashley B.
I am EXTEREMELY picky about breakfast food, so much so that I never eat it. But wow, the pancakes here are amazing. I don't know what it is about it but wow. The service is good too, always really friendly. I now know why my grandparents go here every single day for coffee :)
(5)melina l.
Dude. Bad coffee? The hell you say. The coffee is GOOD, and they serve it with heavy cream! No wimpy half-n-half here. This was actually the very first restaurant I went to in Champaign. I was nine. My family and I had just unloaded the moving truck and we went here for dinner (note: has not been open for dinner in many years, which is unfortunate). I had Hawaiian pancakes with Tropical Syrup. It seemed the height of exoticism. Breakfast at dinner! Tropical! Wow. I began to resent our move just a little bit less.
(4)Patrick B.
Solid food and good service. Not stellar, but everything you could ask for, plus generous portions to boot. They do nothing poorly, and several things darn well. This place makes a good regular breakfast joint, and as said in other reviews, expect to wait for a table. If you do become a regular, make friends with the wait staff and you'll discover they're... ful of personality :)
(4)Rachel V.
Very yummy breakfasts and exceptionally nice wait staff. The wait is long but organized and it is because the food and service is so good. I recommend the veggie scramble with potatoes added. Come hungry because the portions are big and accompanied by pancakes. My only complaint is they need bigger water glasses for us non-coffee drinkers. This is the place to go in town for breakfast.
(5)Melissa M.
Probably the only place to get truly good pancakes in CU, The Original Pancake House has an extensive menu of favorites like blueberry and new creations like oatmeal. Not Walker Brothers up north, but these satisfy. The major problem here is the crowds. On the weekends expect to wait a pretty long time. Eggs here are also worth skipping...they just don't taste like they are made fresh with butter, which is the only way breakfast eggs should be cooked.
(4)brett d.
My all time favorite breakfast spot. Like others said the wait can be aggravating but it has always been worth it.
(4)Hannah M.
Yay! We finally got to try this place. Last time we came, they were closed (we didn't know they close after 2pm) and the time before it was waay too packed and I was starving so we went else where. The place is set up granny style inside (made to look like your grandma's kitchen? I don't know..?) but it's cute and the food we ordered including the pancakes were delicious! Looking around, it looked like it was very common for people to take home leftovers because they'd all be carting away leftover bags from their meals, which is a good sign. The servers were nice and they all seemed to be very happy. Yes, this place is definitely better than IHOP! I'm only giving it 4 stars though because this place seems to always have a wait (we waited 20 min) but hey, if the food's good then it should be worth the wait.
(4)Alicia O.
This is a chain though I didn't realize it till we ate here for the first time. Quite a line at any time after 9am - I guess that means it's good right? Love the buttermilk pancakes. The pumpkin ones were delicious too. We got one of the baked omelettes today. It was huge and filling. If you have a large group, get here early and prepare to wait awhile. Definitely worth the wait!
(4)Dana W.
For a place with so many stars on yelp, a hefty line to wait in on the weekend and Pancake in the name I expected this experience to be amazing. Alas, I make better pancakes out of a box at home. The dishes at this restaurant are not original. There are no real healthy food options and the portions are enormous (I'm guessing that's why it's so darn expensive?). It's basically grease, grease, more grease and butter. I'd much rather go to a Le Peep or get reservations at Radio Maria for brunch. I won't be going back.
(2)Kwoky L.
Forget about IHOP and Perkin's because it's time for some REAL breakfast. The pancakes are amazing, especially the Dutch Baby. You've got to have strawberries with it. The corned beef hash is good as well. They also serve REAL cream to go with your coffee or tea, not milk or half and half. It is very busy in the weekends, so expect to wait for a seat. But it's worth the wait for some great breakfast in a comfy place-just like being at grandma's.
(5)Sunshine M.
Interesting, yummy pancakes. The egg dishes are blah. The wait is unbearable on weekends, but I suffer through it once every couple of months.
(3)Ellen M.
Excellent pancakes of a large variety, great coffee, fresh meats and eggs, and a comfortable dining room. The service is slower than molasses. If you're going on a Sunday, prepare for the long haul. Almost makes it a three-star, but the food is really delicious.
(4)Emily M.
Just your standard breakfast place but they do have really good pancakes. They're so good in fact, that they still taste wonderful the next day. If you can't finish your entire plate, definitely take your left over pancakes home!
(4)Elizabeth E.
Good pancakes and coffee - but frequently slow service, incredibly oversized portions and high prices for what you're getting. My favorite thing on the menu is the Eggs Michael, and a half order is only $1 cheaper than the full order. If you go on Sunday, you'll have a long wait, and if you go any other day, you may still have a long wait for your food. I have a few friends who swear by it, but I'd be really just as happy to never go there again.
(2)A W.
The wait at OPH is unbearable, but the atmosphere, once inside, is quite jolly and welcoming. The portions are generous but within a few bites I have a stomach ache and/or heart burn. The food is good, but I'd be just as happy anywhere else that serves breakfast food.
(3)Daniel F.
I joke about this place as home of the $15 breakfast. Seriously though, the crowds are huge (expect 30 minute or more waits on weekends), but the food and ingredients are of top quality. Sometimes service suffers a bit when they are super busy, but overall this is this is the best breakfast in town, price notwithstanding.
(5)Noelle M.
This is my favorite place to get breakfast here in Champaign. The portions here are huge and even their plain pancakes are fluffy and delicious. We always take out of town guest here for breakfast and they all seem to appreciate the food. The staff is friendly and attentive. On the weekends there is always a wait but I believe it is well worth it.
(5)Anna M.
I have mixed opinions about this place. They have a really long wait on weekends and slow service. The pancakes & french toast are excellent, but that's not all that makes breakfast for me. I need some scrambled eggs. This place has the weirdest tasting scrambled eggs I've ever eaten in my entire life. I've been there three times and gotten them every time hoping it was just a fluke, but seriously - they are TERRIBLE. They taste like they mixed melted plastic in with the eggs when scrambling. Gross. As a result, I'm hesitant to return because as much as I love their french toast - I can make it at home and have edible eggs.
(3)Tammy N.
perfect pancakes + terrible coffee = -1star.
(4)S. J.
yum, yum and yum. not counting the 40+ minute wait (no, i'm not kidding), this place is sure to offer you the best breakfast experience you can imagine. the pancakes are almost perfect, the coffee was good, and the portions are...well...huge. (be warned!) this will definitely be somewhere i come on a regular basis, and as early as possible to avoid the crowd.
(5)Julia B.
I went here on many drunken and late nights at school! The pancakes here are really good, especially if you get the ones with the straweberries on them! The service is usually really friendly too!
(4)Angela R.
Wasn't quite 5 stars but pretty darn close. (I think it might be cause I'm not really a breakfast person) First time I've been to The Original Pancake House and I'd definitely go back. The wait was pretty short (10 minutes). It was pretty packed and we went on a Friday around 10:30AM. The waitress was amazing. I usually hate being that person that substitutes everything, but I wanted to try a lot of things on the menu. She suggested I substitute things and order half-orders (which isn't explicitly advertised). I ended up getting a half order of the Eggs Michael (similar to Eggs Benedict) and I substituted the potato pancakes for BACON pancakes. I always crave biscuits and gravy and she let me order a "quarter order" (one biscuit) Pretty good meal,but I definitely couldn't finish what I ordered. I honestly didn't think I liked it as much, simply because I was too busy staring at what my boyfriend ordered. He got the The Original Scrambler. HOLY COW! Biscuits and gravy, potatoes, scrambled eggs...oh my. I'll definitely order that when I go next time. Don't forget to get the freshly squeezed orange juice!
(4)Jen T.
Honestly, I hate this place. It's not the food. The chocolate chip, or bacon pancakes, FOR-GET-ABOUT-IT. They are amazing. My biggest issue is everyone's biggest issue. Jammed into a severely dated waiting area with forty other sad sacks, everyone scurrying over one another like ants at a picnic! It's something, boy. And not a _good_ something. Parking is a nightmare. There's plenty of it, to be sure, but I can't tell you how many times on a Sunday, I've gone to back out, or pull around, and someone's almost side-swiped me. There are a lot of people still driving in that parking lot who maybe shouldn't be? It's a bit dangerous. I'm being serious, now. No hyperbole! The other down side is that for the privilege of not being able to hear yourself (think), or the folks you're with (talk), you also get to pay them about twenty times more than what a darn pancake should cost. =P I'm just not a huge fan of this joint. Sadly, my in-laws love(d) it. That meant meeting up between 6 and 7:30AM to grab Sunday breakfast. One would think there'd be a chance of missing the throng that early, but one would be very mistaken. =P No matter what time it is, this place is always buzzing! Have those pancakes tho. My stomach is growling just thinking of them!
(3)Julia K.
I came here a year ago and loved every bite I took. Today is a different story: I got the first omelette listed (cilantro, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and pepper jack cheese) with salsa on the side. With a grapefruit juice. Salsa was the best part of the meal - 5/5. Flavorful and puréed the right amount to put on top of the omelette. Omelette - 3/5. It looked baked which was pretty good but not what I expected. They probably baked the omelette on a skillet and turned it over to serve it. Blueberry pancakes - 3/5. Flavorful but the blueberry sauce was very watered down. I put some on my pancakes and the juices were on the side of the plate since it was watery. It's also much thinner than I remembered a year ago. Despite these changes, the pancakes tasted good. Grapefruit juice - 1/5. Watered down and didn't even taste like grapefruit juice. Just awful... $2 for a small is not even worth it. Disappointed since I had high expectations
(3)Aisha C.
Now that I hop is gone, the original House of Pancakes is probably one of the premier breakfast spots in Champaign. For you quick eaters, it's a pretty busy place . Like most breakfast places places in the Midwest, you'll find that they close early and open even earlier. If you're ready to eat at a reasonable breakfast time let's say 10 or 11, you're going to be in for a wait. It's usually 15 to 20 minutes no matter what day you go. But, the wait is worthwhile. The food is pretty inexpensive . you usually spend between 10 and 15 dollars including drinks. But that can include eggs bacon and some of their awesome pancakes a variable flavors. I tried about half of them and so far I have not found a bad bunch. They also have thick sliced bacon which I am always a fan of. To accompany your meal, try some of the fresh squeezed orange juice. Of course the local favorites are the Apple pancakes and the Dutch baby. These can take up to a half hour to make because they are made in an oven but they're pretty good. I still prefer a good old fashioned eggs, bacon, and pancake breakfast. Service is always wonderful and the staff is always happy to see you. They accept most forms of payment including credit card and cash.
(3)David T.
Its been mentioned several times that this place is very, very busy and there is a wait. I do agree with that but I found the wait to be very quick (20 minutes is fast in my book for a popular restaurant at peak hours). I love that they have coffee for you while you wait. To me, the Original Pancake house is like IHop+. Its liked the upgraded, more attractive sister of IHop. I ordered the egg, cheese, biscuit and gravy dish (can't recall name) and a side blueberry pancake. Food was brought out quick (which was pretty impressive based on how busy it was). It was a MASSIVE amount of food. I got about 1/2 way through my main plate before I called it quits. Pancake was simple but tasty. The syrup was blueberry syrup with actual blueberries in it (which I liked). I can see why this place is a staple in Champaign. Although the waitress advised us to just take our tickets to the front register, before we could a host came to our table and ran our tabs. This extra effort was very nice especially considering how packed they were.
(4)Jamie L.
Who doesn't love this place? It seems like all of Champaign is here on the weekends! It's great. I've visited this chain in several cities and they are always consistent. I've never had a meal that I didn't love. The dutch baby and apple pancake are a must-try!
(5)Jonnie C.
This is one of the best Original Pancake Houses in the country and I have visited a few over the years. The food is always delicious the coffee always hot and the hospitality friendly. My favorites are the strawberry waffles and the veggie omelette. The waffles are presented with fresh strawberries and whipped cream on top no need for syrup it rivals the best strawberry shortcake you have ever eaten. The veggie omelette has every vegetable they can pile into an omelette and still have room for the eggs and cheese. It is served directly from the skillet to the plate piping hot.
(5)Amanda O.
My family recently visited the Champaign-Urbana area of Illinois for the weekend and visited the Original Pancake House on a Saturday morning. My family - my husband and myself, my teenage daughter, my toddler son, and my mom - walked in, saw the crowd of people waiting to be seated and almost walked out. Thankfully I was able to convince my husband to wait in the car with my toddler while my daughter and I got our name on the list and waited inside for a table. Unfortunately, the Original Pancake House does not take reservations, so everyone is forced to wait around inside for an empty table to open up. Our wait time was a little over 35 minutes. The Good: The food at the Original Pancake House was great! There were a lot of different pancake options on the menu. My mom ordered the seasonal pumpkin pancakes and they were delicious! The rest of us ordered eggs and waffles and everything was tasty. The Bad: Obviously the wait time was no fun - especially when visiting with a hungry toddler! The Original Pancake House tries to accommodate everyone by adding bench seating in the waiting area, but it still wasn't enough for everyone to have a seat. Overall: We enjoyed our meal at the Original Pancake House, however, next time we'll try to visit at an off-peak time. This place is definitely worth a visit if you're in the Champaign-Urbana area.
(5)Nihreer M.
I ordered 2 eggs (over easy) and sausage patties, toast and a biscuit. To start off the price came out to 17 dollars. Wayyyy to expensive unless the quality is worth it. Let me tell you it wasn't even close. The sausage patties were super dry. The eggs were over cooked. The toast was fine. The biscuit was so dry and crumbled when I tried splitting it. I needed to drink water to wash it down. The service was adequate. Took forever to get our food. I asked for a water and took a while to get that too. Overall I would not go back.
(1)Jennifer V.
We came here a few weeks ago and the service was so slow. when we asked the waitress why it was taking so long after about 40 minutes of waiting after we ordered our food, she rudely replied that the oven takes a while to cook an omelette. The person I was with only ordered a salad she got back a big bowl with only a third of it filled with salad and they charged her six dollars for it. when I got my omelette, the cheese wasn't melted. The portion was extremely large and I couldn't even finish it and I had to take it home and it served as another meal. That would have been fine but the omelette was not very good. the prices are way too high for the quality of food they serve. I will not be going back here.
(2)Wanda H.
I usually prefer local restaurants over chains, but this one FEELS local. The food and service is consistently good and the huge variety of pancakes is impressive.
(4)David H.
Peanut oil is used in all of their cooking meaning this was off limits for my family. Just a note to others with a peanut or nut allergy this place is not safe for you!
(2)Mark C.
This place is the bomb dizzle if you're looking for some solid breakfast choices. I'm personally not a fan of the Dutch baby, but their omelets are massive. You get a good bang for your buck while you're here. Just take note that this place is quite crowded on weekend mornings.
(4)P A.
Best baked omelette and bacon pancakes, EVER! We got there just as they opened on a Sunday morning. By the time we were done the house was packed. Nice friendly staff. Will definitely be back next time through Champaign.
(5)Michaela K.
Great food. It reminds me of the pancake house back in my hometown. The service wasn't that great and the prices are a little high. The food still tastes good enough to still go regardless of the service.
(3)Valerie T.
Overrated!!! The food was like any other breakfast place. Nothing special. The restaurant also seemed to be a bit dirty. I don't believe this is a place worth waiting in line for, but many others do.
(3)Laura S.
Good gawd almighty! Champaign never fails when it comes to breakfast food. Give me some good bacon and way too much butter for my pancakes and I am a happy gal. Even better, there's coffee while you wait to be seated. All coffee and all pancakes make me a very happy girl!
(4)Kate T.
Updated review: gluten-friendly pancakes are not vegan or FODMAP friendly. They include eggs, peanut oil, and milk. For FODMAP, request eggs with no milk or spices in it.
(3)Jeff F.
Hands down the best breakfast place in the ChampaignUrbana area.
(5)Macy W.
Great food, excellent customer service, and a quick turnaround time. When I came on a Saturday morning, there were so many people but I didn't have to wait very long. The prices are great, especially considering how much food you get. Their coffee was alright, but I've definitely had better from similar restaurants. Nice place, definitely recommend.
(4)Evan C.
Love this place! By far my favorite place for pancakes in Champaign. Try the Meilike ( breakfast burrito made by mixing the contest of a Santa Fe Skillet with Swedish Pancakes ). Ask for Liz, she's the most amazing waitress and will make your visit to pancake heaven delightful and without a hitch.
(5)Taylor A.
Very great restaurant! Got here right when it opened and there were people lining up to eat already. The servers were very nice and very quick with our food. The pancakes aren't large but they are still fluffy and filling - the syrup is very sweet. The omelettes were very large and delicious. They also have fresh fruit! This is a breakfast restaurant I'd urge anyone to try.
(5)Melissa W.
The place is amazing and has truly changed my life. The people employed here are efficient, friendly, and dedicated as many of them are very long-standing. That speaks volumes about the leadership of this establishment. The food is RIDICULOUSLY delicious and this spot is great for meetings as well as friends/family time. Most quaint restaurant in the area - A given! I have become the number one fan of the owner here over the past year - Love that guy! Keep up the good work OPH!
(5)Amanda S.
This place is a great place to get a family breakfast. The banana pancakes are the best thing on the menu (in my opinion), but my mom swears by the bacon pancakes! They have a wide variety of choices on the menu, so it is not difficult to find something that you will like. The staff were very friendly, and the service was very fast. On the weekends, it can be pretty crowded, and there will definitely be a wait, so I would recommend getting there early, but it probably won't be a long wait, and they have a nice waiting area with comfy benches and plenty of magazines to read, so I don't usually mind. It's a little out of the way if you live on campus, but it is definitely worth the trip out if you are in need of a real breakfast!
(5)Solomohn E.
I do not normally cuss, and will not start now. But, I declare this is the best damn breakfast spot this side of the Mississippi! I had the Swedish pancakes and lingonberries with a side of bacon. The cakes were so buttery and warm and soft with a satin texture so real that for the first time in my life I wondered, if pancakes (like sheets) have a flour count. If they do, these cakes are 1000 Egyptian Cotton, baby! And the lingonberries were summertime, a first kiss, a precious baby, a new car, birds singing, old men dreaming, and young people laughing. They were so fresh, so clean, so authentically berry delicious they'll make a hardened rapper pull up his pants. The bacon...oh, the bacon...succulent, divine, exquisite. As I ate my soul spinned on the floor Three Stooges style singing nyuk, nyuk, nyuk and woot, woot, woot, woot.
(5)Roxanne N.
The food was amazing and service was outstanding. Everyone's plate looked like it should be on a food porn site. It was our 1st time there and the manager heard so he treated us to the house specialty of the amazing apple pancakes!
(5)Chenghao L.
Very nice services and food. Very noisy this morning due to national holiday. Good in general.
(4)Yolanda B.
Service was amazing. The servers are very very nice and helpful. I'm a big fan of savory breakfast so I got the Corned Beef Hash. The potatoes are kinda dry... The corned beef was just ok. It came with pancakes or toasts so it was a lot of food for the price :)
(4)Ben V.
Near the top of my list of great breakfast joints. The pancake choices are extensive (including potato pancakes). Great menu and service. I try something different every time I eat here, and haven't been disappointed yet. Only downfall is that I don't think this place is a secret as it's usually busy. Side note: Check out the weird orange juice machine.
(5)Pat E.
I usually just edit my reviews, but I bumped up to four stars rather than three. I have been here three times and each time it has gotten better. My coffee cup was never empty, we waited 10 minutes rather than the 25 I was expecting, and FLUFFY AZZ OMELETS! What a gem here in Central Illinois. I will say right now (again), they do not have buckwheat pancakes as the Walker Brothers' Restaurant group menu says. Don't let that sway you my gluten free fans! My brother and I arrived at 1215 on Sunday after a workout at the infamous PBL Work/Weight Room. This is about 30 minutes north of Champaign. We knew we would have to wait 20 minutes since it was a Sunday. No problem, the first time I had this place was no wait (on a Saturday). Sunday is omelet and 'cake time! They have coffee up front for those waiting, so it worked out that they were treated to a cup of joe (and refills). So we were seated, and when I inquired about buckwheat (love the nutty ((yar)) flavor), I was told no buckwheat. Now, each omelet comes with three buttermilk pancakes. Nothing wrong with buttermilk...but why not go into a culinary adventure this friggin' cold January day? I asked about the "bran" pancakes...don't let it fool you, Grandpa. Oat bran, yogurt, strawberries, and powdered sugar sounds good to me! My brother ended up ordering them sans strawberries and powdered sugar (they dusted them....brother didn't care...all he cared about was the waitress willing to remake them). I went with the bacon pancakes and savory is an understatement! So delicious! They have a ton of pancake options (not a lot of whole grain/more fiber options), but bacon, Hawaiian, blueberry, and oatmeal raisin (which I got on a previous visit) should suffice for you pancake purists. Anyways, we both knew of the fluffy omelet reputation because of plates coming out and pictures. Brother built his own and I went with the Western and my goodness...the flavor, the fluffiness, and the fantastic coffee I ordered went so well together. Fresh veggies in January? YES PLEASE! The pancakes were great, but the omelets kicked a$$.. If you want average, go to Bob Evans. I wish the omelets came with fruit/hash browns, but three smaller pancakes is better than two, so I guess they it's okay. I will be back for sure! If you think you're being an original by going to OPH, you'd be wrong! I would gladly go back here, spend 25 bucks (two people) not including the generous tip we left. Our waitress was great; she felt bad about the powdered sugar but it wasn't her fault. Speaking of the waitresses, thank you U of I undergrad/grad students. You were eye candy I enjoyed! Does that sound creepy? Maybe? Is it the truth? Yes, middle aged 20 somethings are very attractive. We even got a pitcher of water since I drink water like U of I gives up touchdowns. If you're looking for a great meal, come here!
(4)Fan F.
Have a great brunch with my girls! I supposed the Dutch Baby would very slow but it came first and brilliant! And I like my farmer's scramble best! Pancakes also nice! One omelette with 3 buttermilk pancakes!
(4)Michael N.
Overall, OPH is a solid place for breakfast. It can get packed in the mornings on weekends, but the line tends to move quickly. Service has always been fairly prompt and friendly. Prices are reasonable, and their pancake selection is pretty impressive. Among that list are some definite winners and losers... Pumpkin pancakes were quite good. Understand that good pumpkin pancakes are *not* easy to make - pumpkin is very heavy and wet and likes to make your pancakes heavy. But they were good here. Light and fluffy, while retaining that awesome pumpkin pie flavor. The apple cinnamon pancakes were much too heavy, and much too much. Not recommended. The blueberry pancakes are respectable. As are the dollar pancakes. Swedish pancakes are good, but my socks remained covering my toes. The potato pancakes were not tasty at all, but maybe I'm just not a potato pancake person. Because I have good taste. Unlike the weirdos that get these. The Georgia Pecan pancakes were also solid. If you're in Chambanavoy and have wheels, this is probably the best place to get yourself some tasty pancakes.
(4)Benjamin E.
I came here with a friend a couple of weeks ago. It was a Saturday morning and naturally the place was packed. The two of us waited for about thirty minutes before being seated, and after that the service was fine. I got blueberry pancakes and she got... hmm... banana pancakes? Well, regardless, we both enjoyed our meals. The blueberry compote that came with mine was incredibly sweet (but not too sweet to slather all over the pancakes!). As long as you have the time and patience to wait for a table this is a great choice for breakfast.
(4)Anthony S.
Great breakfast I have a gluten allergy, so was happy to see they could make gluten free waffles. The wait isn't too bad. The weekends are packed
(4)M B.
The best breakfast in the local area. Now, it is pricey compared with other places, so I can't disagree with that criticism. But, look at what you get - the omelettes are enormous and come with pancakes. Plus, I don't even like pancakes, yet I find myself getting them more often than not. Not into pancakes? Their whole wheat toast is awesome. Service is great, and even the wait goes by rather quickly (unless you're in a huge group - I never understand why people who go in huge groups criticize breakfast places for not seating them right away). And they have excellent coffee. Don't fear the line.
(5)Rhonda H.
Great service. Even when the place is packed! Ate on a Tuesday morning at 7:30 and had the Swedish pancakes. Delish except no Loganberries:(. The very best breakfast place in CU and has been for MANY years:)
(5)Allie B.
This is such a great place for breakfast/brunch! The pancakes are so good, but I love the omelettes the most! Crowded on weekends but worth the wait.
(4)Megan C.
Best breakfast place EVER! No other restaurant can compare in service and quality! I would recommend The Original Pancake House to anyone and everyone looking to enjoy a good breakfast. It's definitely worth the money and any wait time. Enjoy!
(5)Melissa A.
I've been coming to Pancake House for a long time. I love eating breakfast here and sometimes will try new things or just get my norm. I've never had a problem with the food here. The staff is always friendly and hardly let your coffee cup go empty.
(4)D L.
Dont go out of your way for this breakfast place. It was ok food and ok service. Good part - very clean and friendly.
(2)Sadia K.
Diner style pancakes which is good.. I actually like it better than ihop simply because they have so many different types of pancakes! we had the raisin and bran pancake and the Cherry Kijafa Crepes.. the pancakes were amazing with the berry syrup.. the crepes while perfect in flavor were very very sweet.. that was a kill for me since the cherries went perfect with the crepes; i just wish there was less syrup on it..
(2)Joe E.
On my 2nd and final day in Champaign, my bro and I decided on this gem! He had been here before, and he thought it was good, and he was correct! I'm actually going to start with my gripes, which is why this place isn't 5 star. First off, they are a chain, but their menu online does not match their restaurant menu. Let's get on the same page here! Make a PDF and make my life easier! (I wanted some buckwheat/wheat germ pancakes, but alas, they did not have them). Another gripe of mine is that their omelettes only come with pancakes on the side. No hashbrowns or fruit, unless you'd like to pay extra. I know that they give 3 pancakes on the side, but they aren't that big. Add another side option!!!! Finally, I was a bit disappointed in the filling and topping selection for my omelette. No avocado or salsa? I can understand one, but both? COME ON! Finally, as I can see in a few other reviews, they don't really offer anything for the gluten free crowd. Not a big deal to us, but just saying. We arrived to the very crowded restaurant around 1220 on a sunday. This place was a zoo! I actually had no idea so many non-college students were in the area, although the sign that read, "Champaign, 67000" should have given me a clue. we were told the wait would be 15-20 mins, and it was exactly that. My brother and I are breakfast/pizza snobs, and we're not ashamed of it either. We both ordered omelettes; mine was a veggie with egg beaters and cheese, his was the western with eggs. We both got our own cakes. He got the bacon pancakes (he is actually the more savory bro), and I ordered bran pancakes, which were oat bran, nuts, yogurt and strawberries (in the batter). I was very pleased with the food, even with my gripes (see above). we are both pains in the asses when we order, because we used to be fat, but now we specialize The omelettes are oven-baked, and they are amazing!!!! The pancakes were good, but spectacular. If I'm heading back here, I'm going for the omelette! The staff was very nice, and some of them were very attractive as well. CALL ME!
(4)Les P.
In todays Champaign paper, it says that they got a health rating of 25 out of 100.
(1)Ryan T.
Ohop has really good food. This is one of Champaign's sought after breakfast spots. The only thing that is a pain is they are always jam packed and when you have two kids waiting can be a pain. The bacon is really good and pancakes are top notch. Biscuit and gravy are a must try. The price is pretty pricy, but the quality and portions are worth it. I recommend waiting put the lines or going during the week to try this gem!
(5)H H.
Terrific pancakes, fast service and excellent fresh squeezed orange juice. We bring out-of-town guests here and they are always delighted. Everything is made quickly and the food always arrives fresh off the grill. We have never had a problem with the quality of food, to the contrary they always knock it out of the ballpark. A great place for breakfast or lunch. Reminder that they are not open in the evening. For many years this place has been packed with customers, which is a testimonial to the great food and the great service. Suggestions: pancakes, orange juice, farmer's scramble, home fried potatoes and eggs, Dutch baby, chocolate chip pancakes (see my photos of the menu for descriptions) Owner Eric Faulkner and the whole team do a terrific job day in and day out and they have many many regular customers as well as new customers all the time. Without hesitation they get five stars from me and my whole family.
(5)Dee R.
Food is awesome and so is the service. We order for carry out and dine in regularly. Consistently good and the restaurant is kept clean. I feel like this place is ran very well as the staff is always friendly and on point.
(5)Vince B.
Glad we came here great food fast service even on a Sunday morning. Me and my wife will be back.
(5)Sherry Y.
I come here after late night church lock-ins with my small group. For the purposes, OHOP works out beautifully for us. Free coffee? Oh yes. A wait for omelettes and pancakes? Not so great, especially with grumpy old people staring at you because you're a minority. Awesome. Seriously though, the food's greasy but delicious. That guilty sort of lovely. I recommend the Swedish pancakes. Don't be fooled by the whipped butter, I thought it was whipped cream initially. It is not.
(4)Benjamin U.
Went here this morning with relatives (15 of us total and the staff was very accommodating and friendly. The atmosphere was great as well. The biscuits and gravy were great as was the coffee but the eggs left something to be desired and the orange juice was a bit too sweet for my taste. The prices were a bit much and the portions were huge. This would be fine if I thought I could reheat and eat later but breakfast food doesn't heat very well so a lot of my dish was wasted which I hate doing. Overall this is a good place to get breakfast but there is room for improvement.
(3)April S.
The food here is always good. this place can get very packed on the weekends so honestly plan ahead. Also it's worth the wait. If you ask for OJ you will get fresh squeezed OJ and it's oh so good. The dutch baby is so yummy big enough to share. Their apple pancake tastes like an apple pie. My family and friends have eaten here so many times over the years and we have never had a bad time. Staff is always great food is always amazing. Even the coffee is good!
(5)Swaggy J.
Got seated instantly on a Saturday morning around 10:30 AM. Yeah, it was the middle of June and the college kids are away, but the restaurant was crowded and I was expecting a fifteen minute wait for a table. I found the service to be prompt and friendly once we were seated. Clearly, the staff is used to managing crowds. The menu is a bit overwhelming, but not too extreme. I appreciated the mix of breakfast staples and unique offerings. Overall, the food was good and, like most breakfast places, the portions were enormous. My advice: order a small plate!
(4)Steve B.
HORRIBLE. I enjoyed eating at the Original Pancake House once before and was excited to share it with my son. Unfortunately, he could eat VIRTUALLY NOTHING they offer, due to a severe nut allergy. I understand that not every menu item is available for everyone with a dietary restriction, but to offer no alternatives and to be unable to prepare a dish on a nut-free grill or skillet is a jarring statement--especially in light of the rising allergy statistics of the past decade+. The Original Pancake House doesn't have to prepare any of their dishes with allergies in mind. And I don't have to eat there, take my family there, or recommend it to anyone. And I won't. I only wish that Yelp had an option for less than one star, because that sums up my experience at the Original Pancake House.
(1)Eric Y.
Decent food, great service, fair price. Definitely worth a visit.
(3)Tyler N.
One of my favorite places for breakfast. I think it's open until 2pm so dinner is definitely out. This am I arrived and was quickly seated ... And it took a little while longer than normal for the server to arrive. No big deal. Not in a hurry at the present time. When she arrived she was very nice and professional. Food and coffee is always great here. I enjoyed their famous apple pancake for hers and years. Since then, I've switched to ordering a ham and cheese omelette with a small stack do pancakes. Noticed that their guest wifi was on today. That's a good thing. It wasn't on last week when I was in the restaurant. The omelette was piping hot and oozing with cheese. Years ago (not sure nowadays) their menu said the omelets were made from 6 eggs. The size of it suggests it still is. I think the omelette is also cooked in a oven instead of in a pan or grill. The panclocks (pancakes as termed in the movie "50 First Dates" by Drew Barrymore) were great as usual. A very good and tasty meal.
(4)Grace C.
The perfect ambience for New Years Day breakfast. The fireplace was on. The mantel was beautifully decorated with Christmas decorations which they took down after lunch. Rather odd since Im used to seeing decorations up until a week after new year. The place was packed for lunch but miraculously I was seated within 10 minutes of checking in. And I was seated with a beautiful view of the fireplace no less. I recommend the swedish pancakes. They're light and tasty, served piping hot with a side of linconberry and fresh butter. They looked like crepes and tasted better than ones I had in Amsterdam. Amazing. Being extremely hungry, I added a full order of biscuits with gravy, home fries, and scrambled eggs. It came out really cheesy. The biscuits were light & fluffly and the gravy was just the right consistency, served with bacon bits inside. The ambience was what you would expect in a family style restaurant and really cozy. Service was wonderful. Great place to start the year on a good foot with a great breakfast. It really made my day special.
(5)Jay B.
I enjoy the pancakes but the bacon and eggs so-so. Price not as good as competition, but also not unreasonable overall.
(4)Dawn H.
I love the diversity of pancakes this place offers. The icing on the cake (errr....pancake) is that they actually taste really good! Prices are decent and comparable to IHOP. Worth checking out if you're in the area.....
(4)Chaz B.
Simply wonderful. I love everything about this place, especially the staff. The barista, I believe his name is Lester, is a long time staple there. His friendly demeanor and terrific service keeps me coming back for that one of a kind, delicious coffee. Food is delicious as well.
(5)Lisa S.
This was awesome! We stopped here based on a recommendation and so glad we did! The 49ers was delicious and my sons had the pigs in a blanket and chocolate chip pancakes. Would DEFINITELY come back when in Champaign again.
(5)Robin K.
I can't explain how they can make food that is so tasteless. I went with my dad for brunch. I ordered a vegetable omelet with cheese--so bland--it didn't matter how much salt and pepper on it, just no flavor and way way too much cheese! My dad had an omelet as well and he even put ketchup on it just to try and get some flavor and he never does that. I will never go there again nor can i recommend anyone else go there.
(1)Alissa C.
Expensive. But good. Good quality and good food! Good coffee. Good service. But always crowded so get there REALLY early or expect a long wait!!
(4)N C.
When your looking for good food, great service, low prices go here. Large portions! Its a big place with lots of tables and service staff! The food is great. I actually took home my leftover pancakes! lol The OJ was fresh squeezed, find that in a restaurant these days! Im glad i found this gem
(5)Dachs K.
I know this is a chain, but I've only ever been to this location, so this is a review for this specific location (as it should be). I LOVE their pancakes. Never had any better in my life; not even close. I always get the buttermilk pancakes. The orange juice is heavenly, although occasionally it seems more watered-down than usual. But even in its watered down state, it beats most I've had. Lived here during college and every time I return to visit, I have to eat breakfast at Original Pancake House. It's always packed, but the 'line' moves fast.
(5)B D.
The eggs and pancake mix must be made of gold because the prices are way over priced. I compare to wonderful Dinners from New Jersey and other eateries across the country I have gone to and this place is mehhh... I recently went there and got the blueberry pancakes and there were almost $10!!! I feel like I am back in New York! and in this case, well, it is NYC. Anyways, that would be fine if the service was great, but except for the bus boys who are always running around and you can grab their attention, the service has also been mehhh I do not recommend this place. As a matter of fact, I think that as soon as someone else opens up a better place, this place will go down hill... Also, I should say that if anyone gives this place 5 stars it is because they have not tried Americana Dinner (Hamilton, New Jersey) or Eggsclusive (Genoa, Illinois), now those places are the real deal.
(2)Eugene W.
Have been to the (Original) Original Pancake House in Tigard, OR a couple of times and the Champaign location is (much) better. Yeah the wait can suck, but they have free coffee, large waiting area and lots of supermarket type magazines to read. Of all breakfast places I've been to, this is my favorite. Best pancakes of all pancakes I've had (I think). If Aunt Sonya's (RIP) were still around, would have been interested in comparing. Also the first and only breakfast place I've been to where they have a person dedicated to going around making sure coffee never goes empty. Definitely worthy of five stars, also says a lot when the owner is usually there working.
(5)Carmen M.
The pancakes and hot chocolate here are so good but it's too fattening so I only come 2-4 times a year.
(5)Harrison H.
I've been here many times and it is definitely my favorite place to get breakfast in Champaign-Urbana. Any of the pancakes are great, but I usually just stick to the buttermilk pancakes. There is a sweet buttery goodness to them that makes my mouth water just thinking about. On the weekends the wait can be longer, but not unreasonable. It is definitely worth going to.
(4)Edward M.
My visit here started off badly when the host took the name of the two women behind me before he took mine. Being a gemtleman (stop laughing!), I didn't dispute it. It was crowded on this Saturday morning but the wait was surprisingly short. The ambiance was cozy and family style and the noise level fairly high. My server was a sweet and friendly and very efficient young woman. The coffee was quite good. My cup was kept full by a variety of servers. I wonder if that's the norm or if it was just because I was seated next to the coffee machine. The menu of pancake flavors was very tempting, but I opted for the Farmer's Scramble because I prefer the protein. The ingredients in the scramble were satisfactory but overall it lacked seasoning. Since this is called a pancake house, I knew I had to choose the buttermilk pancakes to go with the scramble. They were good, but nothing spectacular. Looks like I'll have to return for some of the more exotic ones to make that determination. One of the things I wish more of these breakfast places offered is grits as a side dish. I've taken a liking to them but of the places in town, only Cracker Barrel and Taffies (huge portion) offer them and I'll not be returning to Taffies. But I digress. The Original Pancake House was a pleasant experience and comes recommended. RETURN VISIT: Enjoyed a nice breakfast there this morning. The place was packed but free coffee is provided for those waiting. Was seated and waited on immediately. Couldn't choose between the Farmer's Omelette or the special Pumpkin Pancakes until the server told me that for an extra fifty cents I could replace the standard buttermilk pancakes that accompany the omelette with the Pumpkin ones. Sold! As with last visit, my coffee cup was kept filled. The food was quite good with the omelette being very big. It needed more seasoning and texture but sufficed. The Pumpkin pancakes were delicious and I hope they keep them for awhile. This place will become part of my breakfast rotation, replacing the now anathema Sammy's. UPDATE and MORE KUDOS: This has become one of my two favorite places to go for breakfast and I am here three times a week. From the owner to the managers, hostesses, wait staff, and busboys, everyone is friendly and efficient. A favorite waitress takes care of me and everyone treats me with courtesy, friendliness, and respect. But I am not alone. I can see that the staff here treats everyone well. The food is great. I have my set choice but have also tried all their pancakes and have never been disappointed. Favorites are the potato, bacon, and Swedish ones. Starting in October they have their pumpkin pancakes which are delicious, especially with the apple syrup my waitress introduced me to. I have been having my pancakes with bacon and eggs lately and the bacon is cooked to perfection. Being a regular, I also see many familiar faces on a consistent basis. That says something. When people keep returning, something good is going on. I wish everyone at OHP continued success. This is an unsolicited and unpaid testimonial. Unfortunately, no free pancakes were given in exchange for this review.
(5)Kimberly N.
Decent food, GREAT pancakes. I had the potatoes and eggs (because I just can't have breakfast without potatoes), and they were okay... but the three fluffy buttermilk pancakes that accompany all egg breakfasts were awesome. I'm usually not a pancake person, but if I come back I will get one of the pancake breakfasts for sure. And the service was awesome. My server, Beans, or something, according to the ticket, was charming. Give that girl a raise! My coffee never went empty.
(4)Amy Y.
We usually get the same few dishes over and over: the strawberry/French crepes, the Swedish pancakes, cherry crepes, the Dutch Baby, or the Apple pancake, and bacon or sausage. Everything is great. The service is pleasant and accommodating, and if you don't come Sat/Sun-after-church times it's not a long wait. However, I noticed in the past months they've switched to half-n-half instead of heavy cream for their coffee. There are other little shortcuts here and there, like not asking if you want sour cream with your cherry crepes. I know the economy isn't great, but I think it's a mistake to cut corners. I think it's better to raise prices. Overall, friendly and efficient, generous with coffee refills.
(5)Sarah E.
Great service and good portion sizes for what you pay. We went on a Saturday morning relatively early and had no trouble getting a table. By the time we left, there was a huge line. Very organized staff, though, for such a large restaurant. Highly recommend the buttermilk pancakes, and FYI the OJ is fresh-squeezed. Make sure you get a glass if you're thirsty!
(4)Elaine W.
I've been coming to this place since I was a kid and it's one of the best places to get brunch in Chambana. Original Pancake House has never once disappointed me - they consistently deliver delicious breakfast food! I recommend the apple pancake, the dutch baby, and their vegetarian omelet. Though their crepes, waffles, and regular buttermilk pancakes are super tasty as well. The wait can be pretty long on the weekends but it's SOO worth it.
(5)Mark W.
My favorite breakfast joint in Champaign (and Urbana). If it was possible to give it 4.5 stars I would b/c the price is a bit on the high side but I think the quality of the food makes it worthwhile. They have the best pancakes in town and the coffee is great. The bacon is thick and not too fatty (if that is possible for bacon) another personal favorite. This is our regular stop on Friday mornings with our kids, 2 and 4 year old. They have crayons and paper for the kids and the wait staff has always been great with them. It can have a long wait on weekends so plan accordingly.
(5)The P.
Pancakes were undercooked and gummy. Blech.
(2)Joy M.
I give this 3 stars because it was just that...OK. I am not sure I get the hype of this place...maybe that there isn't much to offer here in c/u for breakfast? The prices are high for what you get. A bowl of oatmeal...5 bucks?! Really?? Not a good, if any, kids menu. And the food is just okay. No kid size drinks. Only juice was 3 and 4 dollars. Not worth the money in our opinion.
(3)Xander S.
This is a wonderful location for breakfast, brunch, or lunch on those post-college party mid-mornings. The orange juice here is amazing, and it is a particular joy for me to drink it here. Their combination waffle/pancakes are rather pricey, but among the best I've ever tasted. For those who care to glorify their breakfasts, this is the place to be. As will I, when I'm tired of eating pop-tarts, and decide to make the 4-mile trek
(5)kate c.
WAY overpriced. Wait is crazy on weekends. I don't understand why people think the pancakes are so good...I can make much tastier buttermilk pancakes at home for much cheaper.
(2)Julie S.
The bran pancakes with a side of strawberries. I know it sounds super healthy (not tasty) but man these are good-I crave them on a regular basis. I love the atmosphere, homey, good food, can't go wrong.
(4)Sofia M.
I love their hot chocolate! I don't really like pancakes, but I usually go with my sister who adores them. Pretty good service except there's this really creepy dishwasher who is always staring.... Really creepy.
(3)Tim Y.
Great buttermilk pancakes and an interesting, well flavored corned beef hash and potatoes. Always had good service as well. I've heard people rave about the omelets, but I'm not a huge fan.
(4)Teej T.
Wow. Waiting in line Sunday morning for the OPH, I thought they were handing out free gold dust from the line. But no, just standard breakfasty grub. That said, there's an incredibly cheery fireplace, and the menu is a standard but predictably tasty greasy experience. I didn't have pancakes, because I'm weird--and was intrigued by biscuits and gravy covered with egg/cheese/bacon. It sounds bizarre, but it was T-A-S-T-E-Y. (Yes, it was so good I spelled it Fergie style. Bite me). The waitress was amazingly sweet, warned me not too much coffee or I'd "float all the way back to California," and told me to check out Seven Saints for California Sliders. I'll have to follow her advice next time I'm in CU. Great spot, although you may want to go on a day other than the Lord's. That wait is craaaaaaaaaazy.
(4)Rachel S.
Great pancakes, not a place to go if you're watching your cholesterol. Very rich and tasty. The wait, however, is a real drag. it seems like you have to wait FOREVER to get a seat. And even then, the service is slow. I also wish that they didn't discontinue the Hawaiian pancakes, they were some of my favs. I only stick to the pancakes, I wouldn't really go out of my way to try much else here.
(4)Sally P.
Went early on a Saturday morning with no wait. Pricey but portions were large. Had Georgia pecan pancakes with ham and coffee...my husband said pancakes and ham were very good good. Coffee could have been Better.......a 3 on the scale. I had buttermilk pancakes, scrambled egg, toast and juice. Everything tasted fine, large portions but not as good as waffle house.
(3)Ryan B.
Ate here right after a running race, and it hit the spot. A little bit of a wait, but not bad for Saturday at 10am. Our server was wonderful, and I got a pretty standard breakfast, eggs, bacon and french toast. It didn't disappoint in any aspect.
(5)Ashley B.
I am EXTEREMELY picky about breakfast food, so much so that I never eat it. But wow, the pancakes here are amazing. I don't know what it is about it but wow. The service is good too, always really friendly. I now know why my grandparents go here every single day for coffee :)
(5)melina l.
Dude. Bad coffee? The hell you say. The coffee is GOOD, and they serve it with heavy cream! No wimpy half-n-half here. This was actually the very first restaurant I went to in Champaign. I was nine. My family and I had just unloaded the moving truck and we went here for dinner (note: has not been open for dinner in many years, which is unfortunate). I had Hawaiian pancakes with Tropical Syrup. It seemed the height of exoticism. Breakfast at dinner! Tropical! Wow. I began to resent our move just a little bit less.
(4)Patrick B.
Solid food and good service. Not stellar, but everything you could ask for, plus generous portions to boot. They do nothing poorly, and several things darn well. This place makes a good regular breakfast joint, and as said in other reviews, expect to wait for a table. If you do become a regular, make friends with the wait staff and you'll discover they're... ful of personality :)
(4)Rachel V.
Very yummy breakfasts and exceptionally nice wait staff. The wait is long but organized and it is because the food and service is so good. I recommend the veggie scramble with potatoes added. Come hungry because the portions are big and accompanied by pancakes. My only complaint is they need bigger water glasses for us non-coffee drinkers. This is the place to go in town for breakfast.
(5)Melissa M.
Probably the only place to get truly good pancakes in CU, The Original Pancake House has an extensive menu of favorites like blueberry and new creations like oatmeal. Not Walker Brothers up north, but these satisfy. The major problem here is the crowds. On the weekends expect to wait a pretty long time. Eggs here are also worth skipping...they just don't taste like they are made fresh with butter, which is the only way breakfast eggs should be cooked.
(4)brett d.
My all time favorite breakfast spot. Like others said the wait can be aggravating but it has always been worth it.
(4)Hannah M.
Yay! We finally got to try this place. Last time we came, they were closed (we didn't know they close after 2pm) and the time before it was waay too packed and I was starving so we went else where. The place is set up granny style inside (made to look like your grandma's kitchen? I don't know..?) but it's cute and the food we ordered including the pancakes were delicious! Looking around, it looked like it was very common for people to take home leftovers because they'd all be carting away leftover bags from their meals, which is a good sign. The servers were nice and they all seemed to be very happy. Yes, this place is definitely better than IHOP! I'm only giving it 4 stars though because this place seems to always have a wait (we waited 20 min) but hey, if the food's good then it should be worth the wait.
(4)Alicia O.
This is a chain though I didn't realize it till we ate here for the first time. Quite a line at any time after 9am - I guess that means it's good right? Love the buttermilk pancakes. The pumpkin ones were delicious too. We got one of the baked omelettes today. It was huge and filling. If you have a large group, get here early and prepare to wait awhile. Definitely worth the wait!
(4)Dana W.
For a place with so many stars on yelp, a hefty line to wait in on the weekend and Pancake in the name I expected this experience to be amazing. Alas, I make better pancakes out of a box at home. The dishes at this restaurant are not original. There are no real healthy food options and the portions are enormous (I'm guessing that's why it's so darn expensive?). It's basically grease, grease, more grease and butter. I'd much rather go to a Le Peep or get reservations at Radio Maria for brunch. I won't be going back.
(2)Kwoky L.
Forget about IHOP and Perkin's because it's time for some REAL breakfast. The pancakes are amazing, especially the Dutch Baby. You've got to have strawberries with it. The corned beef hash is good as well. They also serve REAL cream to go with your coffee or tea, not milk or half and half. It is very busy in the weekends, so expect to wait for a seat. But it's worth the wait for some great breakfast in a comfy place-just like being at grandma's.
(5)Sunshine M.
Interesting, yummy pancakes. The egg dishes are blah. The wait is unbearable on weekends, but I suffer through it once every couple of months.
(3)Ellen M.
Excellent pancakes of a large variety, great coffee, fresh meats and eggs, and a comfortable dining room. The service is slower than molasses. If you're going on a Sunday, prepare for the long haul. Almost makes it a three-star, but the food is really delicious.
(4)Emily M.
Just your standard breakfast place but they do have really good pancakes. They're so good in fact, that they still taste wonderful the next day. If you can't finish your entire plate, definitely take your left over pancakes home!
(4)Elizabeth E.
Good pancakes and coffee - but frequently slow service, incredibly oversized portions and high prices for what you're getting. My favorite thing on the menu is the Eggs Michael, and a half order is only $1 cheaper than the full order. If you go on Sunday, you'll have a long wait, and if you go any other day, you may still have a long wait for your food. I have a few friends who swear by it, but I'd be really just as happy to never go there again.
(2)A W.
The wait at OPH is unbearable, but the atmosphere, once inside, is quite jolly and welcoming. The portions are generous but within a few bites I have a stomach ache and/or heart burn. The food is good, but I'd be just as happy anywhere else that serves breakfast food.
(3)Daniel F.
I joke about this place as home of the $15 breakfast. Seriously though, the crowds are huge (expect 30 minute or more waits on weekends), but the food and ingredients are of top quality. Sometimes service suffers a bit when they are super busy, but overall this is this is the best breakfast in town, price notwithstanding.
(5)Noelle M.
This is my favorite place to get breakfast here in Champaign. The portions here are huge and even their plain pancakes are fluffy and delicious. We always take out of town guest here for breakfast and they all seem to appreciate the food. The staff is friendly and attentive. On the weekends there is always a wait but I believe it is well worth it.
(5)Anna M.
I have mixed opinions about this place. They have a really long wait on weekends and slow service. The pancakes & french toast are excellent, but that's not all that makes breakfast for me. I need some scrambled eggs. This place has the weirdest tasting scrambled eggs I've ever eaten in my entire life. I've been there three times and gotten them every time hoping it was just a fluke, but seriously - they are TERRIBLE. They taste like they mixed melted plastic in with the eggs when scrambling. Gross. As a result, I'm hesitant to return because as much as I love their french toast - I can make it at home and have edible eggs.
(3)Tammy N.
perfect pancakes + terrible coffee = -1star.
(4)S. J.
yum, yum and yum. not counting the 40+ minute wait (no, i'm not kidding), this place is sure to offer you the best breakfast experience you can imagine. the pancakes are almost perfect, the coffee was good, and the portions are...well...huge. (be warned!) this will definitely be somewhere i come on a regular basis, and as early as possible to avoid the crowd.
(5)Julia B.
I went here on many drunken and late nights at school! The pancakes here are really good, especially if you get the ones with the straweberries on them! The service is usually really friendly too!
(4)