The Original Pancake House Menu

  • Specialties of the House!
  • Pancakes
  • Waffles
  • Crepes
  • Meats
  • Egg Specialties
  • Omelettes
  • Side Dishes

Healthy Meal suggestions for The Original Pancake House

  • Specialties of the House!
  • Pancakes
  • Waffles
  • Crepes
  • Meats
  • Egg Specialties
  • Omelettes
  • Side Dishes

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  • Deena H.

    I Love their skillets and their dutch Apple pancake. It's always busy on the weekends. Other Pros: 1. Some free parking spots outside 2. The line is long at times but wait time not usually too long. 3. Supposedly fresh squeezed grapefruit juice 4. Good service Cons: Bathroom is not always in tip top shape Otherwise reasonable prices and decent food. Best thing are the skillets. You should really go for one.

    (4)
  • Mary Ann C.

    Server was very friendly and helpful. Pancakes, bacon, and potato pancakes were all tasty-not the best ever but tasty. Eggs benedict was not very good-smoothered in sauce, small english muffin. Did not feel like the restaurant was overly clean-dirty high chairs visible from outside. Broken bench by door.

    (3)
  • Eric S.

    Good pancakes, bad spelling, questionable service. I'm still stunned in this day and age that businesses don't use spellcheck before publishing something. The menus here at Forest Park's Original Pancake House had several noticeable typos, which just doesn't exude professionalism. It's not *that hard* to proofread your stuff before printing out dozens of copies to distribute to your customers. Seriously. Point in case, one breakfast combo was described as being "chewPy" (supposed to be 'chewy'). Elsewhere on the menu was the improper use of 'your' (e.g. 'your going to love it!') which drove me absolutely bonkers because I'm a grammar freak. I counted no less than 3 spelling/grammar errors--and I didn't even peruse the entire menu--which I think is just unacceptable. But the whole point of coming here was for pancakes. Caty D loved her coconut pancakes that came with tropical syrup and there was a huge variety of other things like waffles, skillets, and savory crepes. The selection was impressive, but the prices worried me a little. The standard 2x2x2 (2 eggs, 2 bacon/sausage, 2 pancakes) clocked in at a whopping $7.29, which is WAY more than you should expect to pay for that. Not to mention, that figure doesn't include hash browns--which are, disappointingly, merely breakfast potatoes--or anything else. In fact, the grub is pretty damn expensive and most of the items are a-la-carte. My side order of thick-cut bacon amounted to $1/slice, although it was amazingballs good. Ironically, it never got rung up at the register, so my guess is they blanked and forgot to include it. Regardless, FREE BACON WOOO! I wasn't too enthralled with the service. Our waitress forgot that my order came with pancakes until I double-checked what I got off the menu and politely reminded her (like how do you forget that? That's akin to going to an Outback and having them bring out the soup and baked potato, but then forgetting to bring your steak. derp.) If you're a pancake fancier, then this is the place for you. If you're looking for inexpensive breakfast, seek elsewhere. Maybe if I get a hankering for Crêpe Suzette someday in the future I'll return, but until then this place is a hard pass.

    (2)
  • Aisha C.

    We came in at 2:30 on a rainy Saturday afternoon. They were closing at 3 but we were immediately seated. It was a little cool in there but the place was well lit and clean. It has nice local artwork to add a bit of flair. I had the Bacon and eggs which is about $8 and comes with 3 pancakes. The food can quickly, as breakfast food should, and it was just enough. The pancakes were buttery and hot. The syrup was watery though which is odd but it didnt dampen the experience. Service was good. Great place.

    (4)
  • Wendy P.

    Cute little neighborhood breakfast place in forest Park. When you are hungry and want to grab something quick but good this is a great place to go. They do get pretty busy so sometimes it takes a little bit to be served but overall a nice place if your in the neighborhood.

    (4)
  • Adyna J.

    I was rather disappointed with the quality of the food when I visited this Original Pancake House on a weekday. The Dutch Fruit bowl pancake was burned when it first arrived. I sent it back and the second one was sloppily made. When I got to the bottom of the pancake, there was a puddle of grease inside my fruit bowl. I was thoroughly disgusted. The manager discounted the plate 25% only after seeing pictures. He did not trust that my dissatisfaction as a customer was bad business. I will probably not visit this establishment again.

    (1)
  • Angela B.

    I usually go to the Lincoln Park location, but since I was in the area I decided to try this one for my Sunday breakfast. I knew they'd be crowded, but they did a great job of cleaning tables quickly and getting people seated. The food was great, but the service was simply TERRIBLE. Once we were seated (a party of two) it was as if we were completely forgotten. After a 30 minute wait for a table, we sat and waited another 20-30 min for our food - two very simple skillets. (During our wait, our waitress did not check on us at all.) Our waitress finally dropped off our food and rushed away again - she did not bring us ketchup or refills, even though we tried to flag her down several times. The people sitting across from us had to ask a bus boy to get them water and syrup because the waitress was so completely unavailable. After we finished and sat patiently waiting for several minutes, my boyfriend finally had to physically tap our waitress on the shoulder and ask for our check. (At that point we were too irritated to wait for refills.) Not once did she ask how everything was, or if we needed anything else. Needless to say, I will NOT be returning to this location.. and while I understand that Sunday is sure to be a busy time - you do NOT completely ignore your patrons. I should not have to beg for a refill, ketchup, or my bill. Nobody wears name tags so I couldn't pass her info along to management.. and the man at the front register (maybe a manager?) didn't bother to ask how our meal was. The food at Original Pancake House is always really good with huge portions and great prices, but with many other - much better - locations to choose from.

    (2)
  • Fannie L.

    Prices were nice. Staff was pleasant. Sunday morning parking was nice surprisingly. They made my over hard egg perfectly. The pancake were ok, nothing spectacular but the tropical syrup was a delight. The chicken sausage was full of flavor and I was pleased. The menu was nice and plentiful. Nice place to take the family!

    (4)
  • Neil T.

    Consistently one of the best breakfasts in the area. Friendly, hard-working servers deliver such specialties as paper-thin Swedish pancakes with lingonberry puree; cinnamon-sweet and syrupy apple pancakes; and puffy edged, custardy Dutch babies served with fresh lemon wedges and powdered sugar. Order coffee and you'll get a whole carafe to keep your cup full all meal long. Top-quality sides include thick-cut bacon and Amy's chicken-and-apple links.

    (4)
  • Martin P.

    To be fair I had this order to go Their Swedish pancakes tasted good but looked sloppy The Canadian ham was great but the hash browns were undercooked and poorly seasoned it brought everything else down. Just wanted to clarify, why this was to go: 1. Walked in and waited for a good two minutes while standing five feet away from at least 4 staff members asked me if i was eating in or ordering out. this was the reason I ordered to go,. 2. along with one of the waitresses rubbing her nose with her hand (left) and touching all over the menus. no thanks less things she would or could touch was fine with me Also noticed A lot of employees standing around instead of cleaning ...anything.. usually not a good sign.

    (2)
  • Lyndsey A.

    I love this place. We go every week. The service is good and the food is great. The place is clean and you never have to wait to terribly long for a table.

    (5)
  • Sarah C.

    So when you walk in and have a 5-10 minute wait for an empty restaurant you start to wonder.. Then you get seated at a 5 person table (as a party of two and a baby) and have to prop a car seat on a chair. Odd Overall the place smelled like a damp sponge and when you can't help but see right into the kitchen, hopefully you won't witness a waitress take strawberries out of a tub with her hand... Like I did. I ordered a strawberry-less french toast with sausage and they weren't bad.. They just weren't great. I looked at my mom and said, "shoulda went to Louie's across the street'"

    (2)
  • Naureen R.

    I usually go to the Kenwood location and found this location slightly sub par. We split a skillet with spinach, mushrooms and Mexican cheese and it was mediocre at best. The eggs tasted dry--as was the spinach. The potatoes had no seasoning. The whole dish tasted bland. The saving grace were the peacan pancakes which I love at the other location as well, and the side of salsa we got for the skillet without extra charge. Maybe we just went at a bad time but this experience left a lot to be desired.

    (3)
  • Scott W.

    I like the place, but I can't get past that everytime I place an order to go they can't figure out how to package it with ruining the food and experience. The Dutch Pancake is a favortie with the family, but try bringing it home with the whipped cream and berries packaged with a steaming hot pancake. There is nothing left but creamy hot soup and hot soggy berries to top the cake. It's not a one off either, and even when asked, they keep packaging it this way.

    (2)
  • Angela B.

    Good food, l go there for the potato pancakes. BUT for the second time I was served dirty flatware. This time I had already stirred & drank from a glass of tea b4 noticing the spoon had food stuck to it. I checked the fork, dried eggs on it ! Another time my husband's tea came in a glass with a lipstick swap on it! We're only offered an apology from the waitress! BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR DISHES HERE B4 EATING FROM THEM!

    (2)
  • Israel E.

    Best Omelets in Chicago!!!! And great pancakes!! Along with awesome email coupons!!!

    (5)
  • Marisol M.

    I really enjoy their meaty bacon & delicious pancakes with syrup. It's the best breakfast place and only one I enjoy eating at. You must give it a try!

    (5)
  • G C.

    Love the pancakes! Its like they put alcohol in the pancakes they have this taste that's to die for!!! Service does suck! Waiters take forever to even get your order...you don't get utensils until after your food arrives...you feel ignored...its great!!!!! but look at it this way you save on giving a good tip. I think I will just do take out from here from now on and get pancakes :)

    (2)
  • Karlla G.

    Dutch oven pancake on Sunday my favorite. Their apple pancake to die for, service is slways top notch and it could get crowded on weekends because that's how good they are.

    (4)
  • Timothy T.

    Excellent flap jacks, and everything else is very tasty. One critique... I won't wait 20-40 mins for a table. Yes, it's a great problem to have. Weekday or early weekend mornings for me. Also, it's essentially a giant room, so it gets pretty loud when the place is full (which is almost always. -- kuddos to them)

    (4)
  • Sarah d.

    When we first moved to Chicago, we first lived in Oak Park and fell in love with the Original Pancake house. We're still fans, and enjoyed a great breakfast start to our weekend. As he almost always does, my hubby got the 2-2-2, and I tried out a skillet with bacon, swiss and broccoli. Loved it, and the service was spot on. Sadly there is not a gluten free menu, but I know from past experience and my husband raves - their pancakes are top notch.

    (4)
  • Kacie R.

    We love coming here for breakfast....great food, great price, decent service. We come almost weekly, but the last time we were in really turned me off. The place was absolutely filthy!!!! The walls need to be wiped down, the floors vacuumed, the light fixtured dusted....the vents were caked in dirty, the bathrooms were unusable!!! This all made me not want to eat because I started questioning what the kitchen looked like. We have not been back since and probably wont return until things are fixed. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE CLEAN!!!!!

    (2)
  • Lupe G.

    The wait wasn't terrible but their fake potatoes were. The eggs were bland & runny; tasted like they were fake. The coffee was really watery. The only thing I enjoyed there was a crepe I had. I have had better fake food at less expensive prices! SORRY but if I can taste the fake, I cannot partake! ; b

    (2)
  • Scott D.

    The entire place is run down and dirty. The tables are always sort of dirty and sticky. The wall leading the the bathroom has hand prints and funk on it - Seriously, a wall which is in direct view of the Hostess station is utterly filthy. The bathroom doors are caked with dirt. The bathrooms are run down and not well maintained. The carpeting is worn out. Whenever i go to a place in this condition, I wonder: if they walk by dirty walls and maintain dirty bathrooms and their tables are poorly maintained, then what does the kitchen look like? Are they fastidious regarding safe food preparation/clean kitchen/only using fresh ingredients? Yuck. The service is uniformly lacking any warmth and average at best and is often slow. The upside is: good pancakes. All the different pancakes are quite good. The rest of the menu is sort of average to below average. The bacon is good. The hashbrowns are shredded, undercooked and utterly bland. The downside is: the shoddy operation, lack of cleanliness, dirty stuff, meh service means I go here 2x a year, tops, and after I do, I always say "yuck, why did I just eat in a dirty, poorly maintained restaurant...I wonder if my cook ever washes his hands or disinfects cooking surfaces? The first commandment of a restaurant is: IT MUST BE CLEAN. If it isn't clean, then I am not interested. This place is not clean.

    (2)
  • Greg F.

    Hi! been here a couple more times, their house specialties (like the baked Dutch Baby) are a great way to begin a saturday I tell you. Early bird special before 8am and they'll take 25% off your bill. I'm glad I got on their emailing list for the coupons; sign-up sheet is to the left of the cashier IIRC

    (4)
  • Ellie K.

    The food was so meh... I wished I had just cooked my breakfast at home because I would have done a much better job myself. I had the Benedict with spinach and potato pancakes. The English muffing was right out of the fridge and stuck on the plate. The potato pancakes undercooked. Coffee was weak. Very unsatisfied with the quality of food.

    (1)
  • Shyam S.

    Does every town in America have one of these places? Menu is the same year after year - with slight changes to include more low-fat and healthy options - and the clientele are those that grew up on these kind of places. Frankly, I was not impressed. The food was good, but not great, and I saw a menu with all the breakfast standards. I did enjoy my Dutch oven pancake, however.

    (3)
  • Clyde W.

    I normally love OPH, and this one fits the bill and also has fair prices. BUT, I've developed a gluten intolerance and (in the company of many Americans) have gone in a gluten free diet. I must say this place was not at all accommodating. Unlike Walker Bros. and many other breakfast chains, they do not offer gluten free pancakes. Which I would have totally gotten over if they would have let me substitute the 3 pancakes that came with my dish for 1/2 a grapefruit. But even knowing my allergy, they wouldn't let me sub a 1.99 half grapefruit for $3-4 of pancakes. Disappointing!!

    (2)
  • Amy M.

    After only two weeks of living in Oak Park, and twice coming to OPH, I'm sad to say I am dee-you-en DONE with it. So I've been to a few locations of OPH, most notably the one in Birmingham since it's right near where I stay when I'm in town. I've always solidly enjoyed my meal there, including the service, so I was excited to see there was one near my new place. Unfortunately it has become nothing but a bit of a disappointment. The food here is good -- not great, not outstanding, but what I expect from a small crappy breakfast place. My favorite is the apple pancake despite it's massive size. It's perfect to share with someone else! The problem with this place is the service. From the moment you walk in the door you can feel the whole "meh" vibe. The host staff clearly doesn't want to be at work -- the younger of the two guys working it that sat us today seemed like he would have been just as content to tell us to take a hike. I get it, hosting isn't the best job in the world (I've tried it) and getting up early on a Sunday probably sucks. But it seemed like just even the tiniest hello or smile would simply be asking too much. This whole vibe of "I don't want to be here" is reinforced by the girl you pay at the end, she barely speaks, doesn't ask how your meal was (typical question for her position, unless I'm mistaken) and seems put out when you pull out your credit card because it's an extra step for her. I'd be able to ignore all of this if it weren't for the fact that the serving staff simply sucks as well. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm sure one or two of the women here are great. But none of the ones I have experienced have been a step above simply there to get paid. It's not unusual to sit and wait for your food, needing drink refills, and your server is leaning against the wall (presumably watching her tables, but apparently not actually). Their m.o. seems to be bring drinks, ignore the table until the food is ready, drop the food and the check, done. No coming back to check on you, no coming back with drink refills, nada. I guess that's why when you order coffee they bring you a carafe -- less work, more time to lean against the wall. I really don't expect a lot, but basic service here is non-existant. It's a damn shame too, because the one in Birmingham is great. It seems to me the staff here knows that they can put in the bare minimum and the tables will continue to fill up. That may be the case, but I know I won't be back. 09/11 Edit! The owner comment is interesting. I would have asked for a manager, but I find that when the employees are non-responsive, asking for a manager doesn't really change things. It's usually a signal of an inherent problem with management itself. As for claiming to have spoken to me on my first visit, she is sadly mistaken. Aside from the server taking our order, and the cashier telling me my total, no one spoke a word to me. But perhaps that's their idea of conversation?

    (2)
  • Anita A.

    The atmosphere and service was far better than the food. The food took a while coming, but just wasn't that good.

    (2)
  • Rebecca C.

    It's the original pancake house. It's affordable and addictive. Can't go wrong with the french toast or pancakes.

    (5)
  • Rob W.

    This is a 3.5 star place with a nod to 4 because our server was prompt, polite and attentive. My mom used to go to this place when it was in Oak Park and she's been anxious to check it out since they moved (which has been awhile now). She used to get their (what she referred to as German) Dutch pancakes, so that was the mission on this trip. We arrived about 15 minutes before closing, as did about four other parties. The waitress served us all - and from the impression I got - flawlessly as well. I ordered a Western Omlette as I noticed they made the fluffy kind when I passed another customer's table. Along with that came a short stack of pancakes - nice touch, but I did find them to be a little doughy. After my mom ordered the "plain" Dutch pancake, she asked what came with it, as she recalled it coming with some fruit. The waitress asked if she wanted the "fruit bowl" version, but mom thought it might be too much to eat and declined. The waitress then asked if she wanted a little fruit on the side and ended up bringing her some - it was perfect. Overall, a decent experience.

    (4)
  • Jeremey D.

    This place charges a dollar extra to place a carryout order, which seems like a ripoff to me since I tip anyway. However they have really good food. Its really big portions on everything at a decent price.

    (3)
  • Elyse L.

    This is my favorite breakfast spot where I'm from in Texas, and I thought being a chain they were all similar but in this case they are not. The one in Texas is so much better than this location, and we were disappointed. First off, they have no sweet n low for my coffee which was sad. And they offer simple half and half when all the other locations I've gone to give you the good stuff, heavy whipping cream. I ordered my usual strawberry waffle, and instead of the thin crispy goodness I know and love, it was thick like a Belgian waffle and their strawberry syrup tasted more or less like heated strawberry jelly. Sadly we didn't get the comforts of home we craved. If I had only been to this location, I'm sure it would have been a decent breakfast but I expected more

    (2)
  • LISA W.

    I was here yesterday and I found the service to be okay the wait person was pretty indifferent. Also they are not willing to substitute pancakes for potatoes without an additional charge of $1.00. I think that ludicrous. Perhaps that is reason they are no longer busy like they used to be. I won't be back anytime soon!

    (2)
  • Matt M.

    I passed this place many, many times and was hoping it was just like the one in Minneapolis. It was a far, far cry. It wasn't all that "bad". In fact, some items were pretty good. But its just average and its priced as if it was much more than that. Even with a coupon things were very pricey for their portions and EVERYTHING is an add on. Its really not a whole lot of exciting.

    (3)
  • Yvonne B.

    Been there, done that. Not blown away. I agree with Sandy S - the bacon was good. It was thick and nicely cooked. I've had mind-blowing bacon at Marion Street Cheese Market and Perennial Virant, but this place was solidly good. Also, it's really not fair to compare The Original Pancake House to places like that... SO, my bad. My relatives from Connecticut LOVED The Original Pancake House. They wondered why I didn't go on a daily basis because they thought it was amazing. I've eaten at breakfast places in their neck of the woods and I agree. The Original Pancake House is WORLDS better. However, I'm spoiled by outstanding restaurants in Chicagoland. So here's the rundown. - Our table was a little dirty. You could tell that it'd been wiped down in a hurry. - The place is bustling and noisy. There are lots of kids. - They're best at pancakes, but M declared IHOP flapjacks to be superior. - Their "hash-browns" are really chopped and baked potatoes - not grated and fried. - Some servers have a bit of a language barrier. - Sometimes (not always) the service is a little slow. - Like many breakfast places, the portions are overly generous.

    (2)
  • A D.

    Don't look any farther if you want a loooong wait to be seated when you're starving, your coffee cup to be lonely while waiting to be refilled, and your breakfast bill to be at least twice as much as other local morning places charge for similar, yet better - tasting meals.

    (2)
  • Stephanie R.

    I'm really not a fan of this place, and I have tried it several different times. The food is decent enough, but the service is seriously lacking. Our server did not make any effort to hide her annoyance when there was a miscommunication during our last visit. All of the other servers also looked like they were unhappy to be there. The restaurant itself feels cheap. With so many other options in this area, they really need to step it up.

    (2)
  • Eddie B.

    Very disappointed. The coffee was watery and flavorless. The hash browns were mealy and also flavorless. The eggs were slimy. I wasn't looking for a Michelin star rating but even for a diner, this place was lacking. This restaurant is walking distance from my apartment and I still probably won't return.

    (2)
  • Jeremy W.

    First let me say that I've been eating at The Original Pancake House chain for over 20 years and have always had a good meal until I visited this one in Forest Park. Ordered the Farmers Scrambled which is basically eggs with fresh vegetables and the order came out looking scary. What I got were dark eggs that were overcooked and looked like they were prepared on a dirty grill, hence the dark color - I sent them back. Also I noticed the pancakes at this location are very thin, unlike other OPH locations that I've visited, that's just being cheap by owner/management. I ordered some crispy bacon and it was prepared so hard that it crumbled when I bit a piece. Lastly, what really floored me was the price of a regular cup of coffee, can you believe $2.59 for a cup of coffee? And the cup isn't even big, it's small! That's price gouging at it's best. Avoid this place, keep driving.

    (2)
  • Claire M.

    I was first turned on to the Original Pancake House when we'd go to the Gold Coast location when I was in college. At that time, I was unaware there were other ones. When I lived in Los Angeles, my husband and I went to one in Anaheim once and then when we came and visited my extended family here we went to the one in Oak Park and soon after we moved to Forest Park, by god it moved here also! At first we were excited but there's just something weird about the Forest Park location. I don't really like the interior. It gives me a weird vibe. I don't feel like I should be in a restaurant when I'm there. I don't know. I feel like I'm in an art gallery or something. Everything seems very "loud" and amplified. The last time I was there before my lunch there this past Friday was 2 maybe even 3 years ago. I went with my aunt and my Grandma because they'd procured a coupon for a free entree. I'd heard some... not so wonderful things about it and was hesitant to go, but I did anyway. I do really like their wheat germ pancakes and have never been anywhere else that offers them. We went around 2 in the afternoon so it wasn't very busy. Our waiter was quite friendly and prompt. Our food came out just the way we ordered it. I don't remember what my aunt ordered. My Grandma got chicken crepes with potato pancakes and applesauce. I couldn't decide betwixt chocolate crepes and my wheat germ pancakes. In the end, the wheat germ pancakes won, I got a half order and it was plenty. I also had one of my Grandma's potato pancakes (sans the applesauce) which I also enjoyed. Because they serve Pepsi products and I became picky about that at some point in my life, I had water. It's healthier anyway. My Grandma said she would definitely order the chicken crepes again and took half of it home since the portion was sooooooo huge. My aunt ordered hot tea to drink and along with her little kettle of hot water, they also gave her a little basket filled with all different kinds of teas to choose from. I was mortified when my Grandma told her to put one of them in her purse. I would go back, but only with a coupon or if I'm going with other people and that's where they really want to go. I would never suggest it. I'm more of a Louie's devotee.

    (3)
  • Stefanie S.

    I love this place! Come on a weekday and you will be sat immediately. I have been here so many times. Donna is my favorite. She knows my order! Dutch baby, coffee and a side of crispy bacon. :) If you've never had a dutch baby before, please try this. So yummy. It takes 20 minutes to prepare. But I'm not in a hurry, I usually bring a good book and sip my coffee.

    (5)
  • Jennifer M.

    If I recall, this place used to be a bit run down and on a different street... is it still Original if it relocates? I asked for the Southern Hash Browns, 2 eggs over easy and 3 flattened buttermilk pancakes. Jason ordered the mushroom egg white omelette and 3 buttermilk pancakes. His friend, Nino, ordered the Build-Your-Own-Skillet. Overall, the food was delicious. My least favorite part of the dish were the potatoes. They were overcooked. Since they lacked the onions and cheese, there was nothing Southern about them. The coffee came in caraffe so we didn't have to worry about refills.

    (3)
  • Dhruv P.

    It's okay. I didn't find it so special. Came here because I was working around there and there wasn't too much things around that I was in mood for. Their unadorned buttermilk pancakes started off delicious. I was in heaven, well, at least the first 4 bites. Then my stomach decided that too much of the fluff and the associated syrup wasn't want it bargained for; it gave me a tummy ache. Stomach wins. I would more than likely go again and get something else, possibly their skillet or their egg creations.

    (3)
  • Vicky D.

    Kids wanted to give it a try. Agree with those that say service is slow and host seems to resent being there. My pancakes were not fully cooked, but we waited so long I did not want to extend our stay and get them fixed. Prices seem high compared to other breakfast places in the area. We will stick with Louis'. Also, surprised that restroom had no changing table. They have plenty of room.

    (2)
  • Robert G.

    We went to the Original Pancake House for lunch on Saturday. Many people were standing on the nearby street corner giving us the feel that they were waiting to be seated, so we were worried that we would have to go to a different restaurant. When we got inside we realized that the place was only at about 15% occupancy and trash was strewn across the dining room floor. Okay, maybe there was a party with a bunch of kids that just left and they'll tend to the mess on the floor- not so, the mess remained for our entire visit. While seated I pointed out to my wife that the walls had paint scratched clear off where chairs touch the walls; I guesstimated that a can of paint and 15 minutes could cure the problem. The atmosphere is abysmal and not inviting. We like the food at the Original Pancake house(s), my wife got a Dutch Baby, which she loved, and I ate a turkey club on a croissant with and as much Tabasco sauce as I could pour on my food (I enjoy this!). The food is pretty cheap, the service was slow and the ambiance detracts from the experience. 2 stars, we will likely go to a different location next time we have a craving for the Original Pancake House.

    (2)
  • Manson D.

    THE BEST DARN PANCAKES IN MY 31 years on this earth. Food is always great. And the line can sometimes be out the door. So that says something about the food. Prices are on point for good food. Find me a restaurant with better pancakes and I will buy you an order. But, it's not possible in my eyes.

    (5)
  • Grace N.

    There are no kitschy decorations, fruit-flavored coffees, or long waits to make you feel like it's the Place to Be, but when I go out to brunch, I want one thing, and one thing only: Great Food. And the Original Pancake House has it. They do everything well. Their omelets are puffy perfection, and their spinach and swiss cheese omelet is one of my all time favorites. Their spinach benedict is awesome. I'm very picky about hollandaise sauce and theirs is pretty close to perfection. I was ecstatic to see my potato pancakes come with apple sauce and sour cream. My husband loves their skillets - he's a Skillet Man and he said this one is the best he has ever had. And their bacon is amazing - thick and flavorful - the stuff of dreams. Portions are large, prices are reasonable, service is speedy, and "How about Pancake House?" has become my weekend brunch mantra.

    (5)
  • DeeDee T.

    I ordered a bacon and cheese omelette to go and it was horrible! The cost was over $11.00, way too expensive, will not be back!

    (1)
  • Jen D.

    We have been in this restaurant several times and the food is always consistently good each time we go there. Love the breakfast items as well as their lunch menu. The fruits and veggies are fresh. I ordered the veggie quesadilla and it was very good. You could not go wrong with this place. Good food, good value.

    (5)
  • Edith M.

    the food is excellent, however the service has gone down a great big amout! they use to have GREAT service, but not anymore, some of the servers have bad attitudes (i've been here many times, this one in late 2013 will be my last) and not friendly at all. my son asked for a plain piece of whtie bread (he needed to take his medication with some food and the wait for our food was getting long) and the server was really not friendly about it or understood, not to mention it took forever to get a piece of plain white bread! i probably wont be going to back, when there are other places i can have great breakfast with smiles.

    (3)
  • Cat C.

    I love this place. I dream about their hash browns with cheddar cheese. But they are overpriced and sometimes the service stinks. I usually get a half order of pancakes, because a full order is rediculous. I ordered the bacon once, and what they call signature thick cut is really just nasty. Give me some regular bacon and maybe I'll enjoy it. The one time I tried a waffle there it came out cold and was very sweet, to the point where I couldn't finish it because the sugar taste was all I was getting. When the wait isn't too long and your party is small you might get seated fairly quickly. But don't expect your server to be too attentive. Maybe it's just me, but no matter who I'm with usually the server takes our order, brings the food, and then disappears. Sometimes we see the server and they refuse to make eye contact. This is particularly bad because they under butter everything, so you're going to want extra butter. And at the end of the meal you'll probably want a box. However, I love their hash browns, and it's very convenient when Louie's is overcrowded or I don't have cash. :) Go for the hash browns. Stay for the terrible overpriced art on the walls.

    (3)
  • Arlene G.

    havnt been here in a while but this place is still delicious! i dont know what it is about their pancakes but i swear they put crack in them cuz im soooo addicted 2 em! theyre my fave pancakes!! i tried the corn beef hash with eggs & pancakes & everythin tasted good. service was pretty good as well. we were in and out with no problems.

    (5)
  • Kate C.

    I love the food at OPH, especially the pancakes -- go figure! They are hands down my favorite place for pancakes, they taste better than the pancakes at any other breakfast place I can think of. Another favorite is their potatoes with onions and your choice of cheese (cheddar, please!), delicious. Everything else is good, too, and OPH is a solid breakfast choice. OPH is kid friendly, however, they have a lot of work to do in this area! Not at all surprising to anybody, there are always kids and babies in this restaurant. However, there is NO diaper changing station in the women's bathroom, even though it is huge and there's a ton of wall space for one. And really, how much does one of those things cost?? Do they really want me to change a dirty diaper at the sink? I'm sure the other customers would really appreciate that. They also don't have anything appropriate to hold an infant car seat/carrier. I was there the other day and had to put my daughter's car seat on a chair. It worked out fine but I wasn't crazy about it. They have high chairs but not the kind you can flip over to secure a carrier. They also don't have those slings that I've used at other restaurants. Ok, maybe it's more that they're not baby-friendly (they do have high chairs & booster seats). This critique is definitely nit-picky, but a large portion of OPH's customers are people with kids and babies and these are simple things to provide and show they care about their customers. Wake up, OPH!! Having said all that, I will return. I'll just have to make it quick when my daughter doesn't need a diaper change.

    (3)
  • Andre E.

    The Best place for breakfast perhaps in all of Chicagoland. Definitely the best in the western Suburbs though...me and the wife have been here tons of times. We always have the breakfast skillets which comes with potatoes, your choice of cheese, meat, and vegetables. I always have the one with cheddar, Canadian bacon, and mushrooms. The service is always top notch...and the new location they moved to has great street parking and great views of forest park. The prices....wohoo...we never spend more than 20 bucks for the both of us and most times we have a discount coupon of some sort because we signed up for deals on their website. Now i have heard some bad things about the one here in my new home in Arizona...so i am going to check it out and i will let you know what i think of this one. Eat, Drink, and be Merry my friends!!!!

    (5)
  • Jenn S.

    Good food, good coffee. Never been disappointed! Service can be a little slow but thats the only downside.

    (4)
  • A B.

    This is a solid breakfast place. Pancakes are delicious (and obviously, with that being part of their name - you hope they will be!). Their egg dishes are HUGE and quite yummy. My only complaint was that my veggie omlette had WAY too much cheese in it. We've never had a bad meal here. Service was good and I appreciate they bring you your own caraffe of coffe.

    (3)
  • Ted P.

    Nothing beats the baked apple pancake. I mean, it'll probably kill you to make a habit of them, but oh man, that's a fine way to start the day once a month or so... And I mean, even if it does kill you, at least you'll die happy (and full -- bring a friend to share).

    (4)
  • Katie C.

    The food here was alright. I usually can't turn down a nice greasy breakfast anyway but... the food aside, the customer service was horrible. First, it took us forever to get a server to our table & even then, didn't come out with the standard glasses of water. We did have a larger party so I can understand them needing to accomodate that, but the rest of the experience doesn't warrant the service we received. We immediately asked for separate checks (we'd been having issues with this all weekend in Chicago, so this was our last meal and we wanted to make it simple). Our server said she couldn't do it on Weekends... it was Monday (Labor Day)... then corrected herself to say holidays, either. Keep in mind it wasn't terribly busy at this time either, there were empty tables everywhere. But since there were 8 of us, gratuity would be added so that's most likely why. She did tell us the person at the register would be able to itemize our check, so we accepted. The food took awhile to come out, drinks were forgotten... we got large portions and they were good! I had the skillet with bacon, green peppers & american cheese, topped with two over-medium eggs. It was good and I certainly couldn't finish it. The potatoes were good & I prefer my skillets to have the home fries versus the grated hash browns anyway... so that was pretty pleasant. However, when we got our check, we intended to leave the added tip on the table and then take our bill up to the cash register and make it simple. Not only was the manager on duty incredibly rude, he spoke to us like we were idiots. Repeating that he could absolutely not itemize our order. We went to retrieve the tip from the table because the best he could do was divide our order by the number in our party (which was incredibly lopsided due to the types of dishes ordered). One of my friends ended up just paying the entire thing because the manager was being so horribly rude to us. We informed him that our server told us he could do this, but that they couldn't on the weekends or holidays. We advised him to get his servers stories straight and he just brushed it off like it was nothing. Now, I can understand the inconvenience of splitting a larger parties' bill HOWEVER.... you are in the Customer Service industry. We were given two completely separate pieces of information, both of which inconvenience the customer. The manager stated he simply could NOT do the separating of the check when our server said they could, just not at the time. The manager basically just refused, when in reality they can offer that convenience to the customer. While I enjoyed my food, I won't be coming back. And either will my friends who actually live in the area. I'm giving two stars because the food was alright. I wish I had gotten that managers name so I could complain to corporate.

    (2)
  • Jennifer B.

    Really good. I am not much of a breakfast person, but I do love me some Eggs Benedict. The Pancake House's version is really good, better than Al's, whose hollandaise I find too floury. And their potato pancakes are to die for! The sour cream is whipped, not thick, tastes like a NYC Jewish deli. I was really impressed. I only wish they would toast the english muffins, but overall it was delicious. Great spot!

    (4)
  • Rhonda G.

    Senior Citizen happy hour takes place at 7am and involves bottomless coffee and breakfast food. Ventured into this new location before I hopped on the suburban express aka the Metra. This place was originally in Oak Park but they moved last year. I have to say that although this place is bigger, it has definitely lost the charm it used to have. The old cramped quarters were actually quite homey but this place is big and bright and trying too hard to be modern yet the throwback lamps and such don't really allow for that. Service was slow and the staff wasn't very warm, which isn't something you expect in a "family" place. I must say that the menu hasn't changed and the food is still as good as ever. If you get there between 7 and 9am you get 25% of your check...so I guess the early bird really does get the worm. I'll go back because I like the food and to give service another chance (hoping it was just an off day).

    (3)
  • Cristina T.

    Came for breakfast on a Wednesday and was surprised over how crowded this place was. Our server was friendly and checked on us several times throughout our meal. I ordered a skillet, which you can choose the ingredients for. I went with veggies and cheese. When it arrived at the table, it was huge! I didn't even make a dent in it and I am usually a pretty big eater. It was a standard breakfast item and I enjoyed it. However, after tasting the pancakes that accompanied the skillet, I immediately regretted not ordering them as my meal. They were soft and a little gooey in the middle. Delicious! The only thing that was a little annoying was that we waited in line to pay our bill for a few minutes and that my food wasn't taken away until about 15 minutes after I finished it-I hate that! Other than that, I can definitely see myself going back for some pancakes in the near future!

    (4)
  • Roger Z.

    Went to The Original Pancake House in Forest Park, Illinois on thursday September 20th at about 11am. Late breakfast. My wife ordered the Dutch Baby which she said was good. This takes 20 mins to prepare. I ordered the Blueberry pancakes with a half grapefruit. My wifes Dutch Baby was good. (Not Great) The Blueberry pancakes were not cooked, they had wet batter on the inside. Our waitress who did a fine job re-ordered. My second batch of Blueberry Pancakes were the same, gooey batter on the inside. My next order was for a standard short stack. They came barely cooked as well with uncooked batter on the inside. I ate the half grapefruit and we were on our way. Pretty bad when you can't prepare your signature dish properly. The cashier pleasantly asked how everything was. I'm sorry I unloaded on her.

    (2)
  • Saira K.

    I absolutely loved this place - the airports had been closed due to the monster storm in Jan, and I couldn't get back to NY. A buddy treated me to brunch here - their buckwheat pancakes were amazing - the texture and the taste was perfect. I've had buckwheat pancakes elsewhere and at other Original Pancake House branches - but nothing compares to the cakes I had here. The omelet was great, too. A great memory with delicious comfort food.

    (5)
  • Stan K.

    The only reason I gave this place one star is because the rating system doesn't allow for negative stars. My wife and I stopped in for breakfast. She likes her coffee with hot milk. Usually when she orders coffee she will politely request the milk be heated. This is usually a nonissue. At this place the request for hot milk made the waitress look like she was doing four dimensional calculus in her head. "We can't because we don't have a microwave." My wife politely suggested warming the milk on the stove. After a time the waitress returned with a little carafe of warm milk and a long story about how the kitchen staff hates her now. We asked to speak to the manager and Steve P appeared. Steve P could not haven been less concerned about the issue even if he practiced. "We don't do that" was his explanation. When my wife said she was very disappointed Steve P mumbled a "Sorry" and disappeared, apparently there were larger concerns than an unhappy customer. This a happened on a Saturday morning about 11 am. The place was busy, but not overwhelmed. The bill was about $25 for the two of us and the meal wasn't anything special and the service did nothing to improve the experience. My advice is avoid the place. Average food, terrible service and management that just doesn't care. By the way, afterwards we walked down the block to Starbucks. They were more than happy to provide hot milk and they didn't use the microwave to do it. The store was very busy, long line to order and yet the staff seemed happy to see us, greeted us with a smile and provided friendly service. Maybe Steve P should walk down the block and see how customer service is supposed to work.

    (1)
  • Kaye O.

    The one star I offer is for the hostess. She did her best in a bad situation. My husband and I went to OPH in Forest Park on a Tuesday morning (on our wedding anniversary). There were only 3 other tables of guests at the restaurant. We were seated and then we were IGNORED. No water, no coffee, no "I'll be right with you". Nothing. The hostess came by our table to ask if we'd been helped yet. When we told her no, she went our waitress to ask her to attend to us. The waitress then told the hostess -- loudly -- that someone else was responsible for our table and then proceeded to FOLLOW the hostess into the back arguing with her. My husband and I expressed our disgust and stood to leave. While we were putting our coats on, a woman at another table told us she had problems at the restaurant, too and offered several suggestions for other restaurants to go to! We took her up on those and had a lovely breakfast elsewhere. This is the third time we've had a bad experience at the Original Pancake House. It'll be the last as we'll never ever go back.

    (1)
  • Ivette C.

    I was first introduced to this restaurant by my boyfriend (now husband) over 8 years ago. Since then I have been a fan of their blueberry pancakes, bacon, coffee, and coupons. I have brought family here from out of town and they just loved the food. The staff is very knowledgeable for the most part. Service is overall consistent, but it has its bad days; which it is understandable as we only humans. I would recommend this place.

    (5)
  • Victoria B.

    Just had breakfast here. I decided to ignore the bad reviews since there were more good reviews than bad ones. Well, now I can add to the bad ones. The food is good, don't get me wrong. Everything tastes just like an all-American b'fast should. Buy this place is ridiculously overpriced. My husband and I opted to go here instead of the usuals in downtown Chicago (yolk, bongo room) because we thought the prices would be better. It came up to $45 without tip for your TYPICAL coffee, eggs, sausage, hash browns and pancakes for 2. Now, I highlight the fact that this was your standard breakfast. Nothing special about it. $45 is around what we pay for AMAZING, almost gourmet breakfast in the other places. Sometimes you're paying for the experience too, well if I had to put a price on this experience I would've paid like $15. The place is just plain. Nothing special to it. Just a few tables thrown together in an empty room. A few paintings and light fixtures. None of that cozy mood b'fast places usually have. I mean IHOP is cozier than this place. Our server was nice and attentive. But the host was so rude and unwelcoming. He rushed so fast to seat us I felt like i was chasing after the ghosts in pacman...the place wasn't even crowded. He threw the menus on our table, pointed at it and left. No smiles, nothing. In a nutshell, if you feel like paying way too much for something you could easily throw together at home or pay way less somewhere else, then go right ahead and waste your money here.

    (2)
  • Michelle C.

    I am a breakfast person, hands down. This isn't surprising considering I'm also a morning person and usually up with the birds. So when my mom suggested this spot on an early Saturday morning, I was excited to try a new place. PROS: Great art lines the walls in this place. I assume it's local artists showcasing their work, because several of the paintings had price tags next to the piece. Good location - Sits on a corner with parking along the street. Large location - enough for several diners to enjoy and not feel squished in. Decent sized menu to choose from. Decent coffee. CONS: Although there is art on the walls, the place is stark and has a boring ambiance. What I ate: The "special" that morning, which was a raisin toast french toast. It was pretty good, but a little dry. I would return here again, but note that I wasn't blown away. I'd be willing to try somewhere else first.

    (3)
  • Shakira E.

    I love this location since they were in Oak Park and when they closed that location and moved to Forest Park and could not have a more dark time in my breakfast life. Now that I live in Arizona I know just how much I missed them in my life. Great pancakes every time I have eaten here whether the original buttermilk or the buckwheat ones. The Skillets are the best value eggs, meat. veggie, cheese , potatoes and pancakes. Go for the food and you won't be disappointed.

    (5)
  • HOLLY M.

    Can't really say I'm impressed. The waitress was ok, the pancakes were ok, the coffee was ok. What was NOT ok was getting charged twice for the coffee. For the price, I think you can find better quality somewhere else.

    (2)
  • Ben H.

    Decided to take my son here for a father-son breakfast over the weekend. I hadn't been since it left Oak Park and what I remembered was a 3-star. Should have stayed away. I can't think of a reason to ever go back. Food My son ordered the peach crepes. They were soggy and just plain awful. He tried to put a good face on it but I knew he didn't care for them so I traded him for my pumpkin pancakes. If these peaches weren't from a can I will eat the can they didn't come from. Lame & gross. I ordered eggs benedict and substituted pumpkin pancakes for the potato pancakes that were supposed to come with it. The pumpkin pancakes were delicious - the only truly great thing we were served - and the reason this isn't a 1-star review. The eggs benedict was blah. Think typical diner style benedict but over-sauced and there wasn't any subtlety to the sauce. On top of that, the poached eggs were overcooked. Service The server we had was attentive enough and kind, but I have a problem when a server doesn't communicate when a diner is making decisions that cost extra. For example, my pancake substitution cost me $1, even though potato pancakes and pumpkin pancakes are the same price on the menu - when I asked about the substitution she didn't mention a charge. Also, when my son ordered grapefruit juice, she never asked what size he wanted, she just brought the large. Price This place is WAAAY overpriced. Had we not been needing an early breakfast we would have eaten elsewhere, had better food, better service, for less money. I left with nearly a $30 bill including tax and tip for 2 people with the most mediocre and blah food and service. Lame lame lame lame lame. Never again.

    (2)
  • John T.

    There was this really weird taste to my pancakes and everything was inedibly greasy. I went with a few friends, and none of us could finish our meals...not because it was so plentiful, but because it was not good. To add to this, it was not very fairly priced for what you get. Try Delia's on Lake St.

    (2)
  • Jason F.

    I wasn't at all impressed by this place. The food was alright (certainly nothing to write home about), but the host was not very friendly, the wait for the food was a lot longer than it should have been, and the food is WAY overpriced. If you want a good breakfast for a good price go to a neighborhood diner down the street called Louie's. Way better food, way better service, and way better prices. Louie's isn't a fancy joint by any means, just your average diner on the inside, but it beats the hell out of this place in every category. Do yourself a favor and skip this joint and go over to Louie's 2 blocks down.

    (1)
  • Wolfgang R.

    Celiacs, you can have a gluten-free waffle here cooked in it's own flour free iron - it was tasty and comes in variations (I had strawberry) with no cross-contamination issues. Beware however, I also ordered sausages from the gluten-free menu and it came cooked with flour on it (their normal version). I sent it back and since nearby, heard the cooks discussing it in the kitchen. When it came back i was afraid to try it (looked the same) so my husband ate it. I can't say if it was ok or not.

    (4)
  • Dennis L.

    One star for the atmosphere, but the food pushed this review up to 3 stars. I grew up going to The Original Pancake House in Birmingham, MI. While the service/atmosphere at that location puts this one to shame, the food was pretty similar. On this visit, I went with a western omelet with a side of pancakes. The omelet was unique in that it was souffled. It was absolutely delicious. The side of pancakes were delicious as expected (and required for a restaurant with its namesake). Overall, I enjoyed the food, but I would likely not return to this location.

    (3)
  • Ieesha M.

    ...and for my 100th review, Yelp, I give you, The Original Pancake House! Oh snap, ladies and gents, this place is cranking out some seriously good breakfast. When I think of classic, buttermilk pancakes cooked to perfection, I think they've got it! Add on a side of Canadian bacon, cheesy eggs and hash browns and you've got me hooked. I only wish that I could eat such a rich, decadent breakfast everyday, but not reap the hefty benefits on my hips. Those pancakes were really, really delish! If there's a food scientist out there who is experimenting with creating foods in pill form that have the taste, but not the calories, I suggest you use The OPH's buttermilk pancake essence for your first sample. I'll sign up as a guinea pig. :)

    (5)
  • Jennifer Q.

    I went here for the first time today with friends and ordered the Spinach Benedict and coffee. What I like about the entrees is that some of the dishes come with potato pancakes instead of hash browns...score! I really enjoyed everything about this place -the diverse clientele, the simple but decorative ambiance and, of course, the FOOD. I was really impressed by this place and am glad my friends introduced me to it!

    (4)
  • Fred H.

    This is a decent breakfast spot. I wan't blown away by anything, everything was solid. The coffee is a bit bitter and the menu is one you would see at any breakfast/brunch restaurant. It's in a good location with ample street parking on a not so busy day. Seating is spacious but fills up fast and service was prompt and helpful. I especially enjoyed the art on the wall, which was done by a local artist, and was for sale. Although, the coffee was a bit bitter and the food was bland, it was enjoyable, convenient and economical.

    (3)
  • Jessica C.

    I like the original pancake house so it pains me greatly to give it three stars. When this place first opened, the service was superb. Now it is hit and miss. There have been some great waitresses there that give A-1 service; 1/2 of our waitressing team this Saturday was embodiment of that. But when the service is off, it is off. And since I come here often, it has been more off than spot on. I usually speak with the manager on duty and he gives me something off my bill, but now both he and I are getting tired of that. The food is spot on most of the time, can't go wrong with the pancakes. But my friend ordered a skillet and I ordered a side of the potatoes that came with the skillet with cheese. They came out with no cheese and dried out. I was too hungry to send them back because the waitress that took our drink orders refused to take orders for starters (fruit and side of bacon). We were not trying to order our entrees. I make the trek here from Chicago because the service used to be unheard of but now it is meh. I'll give it one more shot.

    (3)
  • Jim M.

    Oh how I long for the good old days when they were located on Lake Street in Oak Park. The food was always fast and perfect, the service was always great and the line was out the door. This bad storefront version of the old place is poorly run, generic and not worth a trip out of your way like the old place was. The menu is the same but the feel is not. The food is still good... when you get what you've asked for. And omelets are some of my favorite in the area but the service is so terrible it's now become a deal breaker. I've been to the new location four times and each time there's been a different problem- an incorrect order that took forever to correct, an inability to understand the simple request for a large group to be seated together unless it would slow things down in which case we'd like to be seated separately (This one was really absurd. It took a half dozen groups that came in after us being seated, two conversations with the dullard acting as "manager" and the intervention of an alert waitress for us to get seated at all) and finally today after calling in the early afternoon to check the hours and being told they were open until 3:00 pm we were turned away before 3:00. When told they were closed I looked at my phone for a time check and it said 2:44. We asked the same "manager" (white guy, collared shirt, balding cover-up swirl and glasses) what time they close and he replied 3:00. When told that it in fact was not yet 3:00 he dismissively indicated they are on "restaurant time" and set the clock 15 minutes early. Done and done. This location is almost equidistant for me to another Original Pancake House but since I used to live in the area I like to head west occasionally. When I do I will not be going here... ever. I still love the omelets. I'll just get them at one of the locations where they understand how to run a restaurant.

    (1)
  • Jose S.

    I had brunch with several colleagues earlier today. I thought the environment was people-friendly and the waiters/waitresses were very helpful. I had an eggs benedict, which was very good for the price: well-seasoned and appropriate portions. Overall, I thought the combination of locale and food was two thumbs up IMO. Highly recommended.

    (4)
  • Desiree S.

    I usually like this place, but not today. I went in to place a to-go order because I saw it was busy and I was by myself. Previous experiences had shown me that single people have to wait forever to be seated when it is busy. I thought I was being smart by placing a take out order. I was wrong. After waiting 30 minutes, I was originally told it would be 10, I walked out. Happy I didn't prepay. If I was seated with a group I'm sure I would have eaten already. Forget that place.

    (1)
  • James M.

    It lacks the cozy ambiance of the Wilmette OPH, but the wares and service are just as delish. It's also very conveniently just 3 blocks off the Ike.

    (4)
  • Ishea B.

    This is one of my favorite local breakfast spots. While you may experience a bit of a wait (under 20 mins) on the weekends, it is definitely worth it. All of the food is amazing and hits the spot so you'll be good ordering anything from the menu. I've always experience great service and have no complaints!

    (4)
  • mariana m.

    A+ for Ada, our waitress!!! Great Variety of Pancakes & other food! Waiting time for a weekend not bad either. I took my daughter for a special breakfast and we waited only about 5 minutes or less. I'm very picky with my pancakes & let me just say, they were good! They were a bit dry but nothing that a little syrup wouldn't fix! I ordered the blueberry pancakes which actually have the blueberries IN the batter, not like at many other places where they simply serve the fruit on top. Very delicious and filling. The plate has about 5 pancakes & they are served with a bit of butter on the side and a side of blueberries in their own juice (I imagine these are defrosted blueberries). Nevertheless, they were delicious!!! I didn't even need to put any syrup because the pancakes were just perfect with a little of the blueberry juice to moisten them. I also ordered a side of strawberries & they were super fresh. Just a delicious combo with the blueberry pancakes. My daughter ordered a kid's dish with pancakes, bacon & a free apple juice. You can choose between bacon, sausage links or eggs. Coffee! Okay, I am even more picky with my coffee. This is gourmet coffee, medium roast served in a cup for you and here's the best part......they leave the coffee server with hot coffee for you to help yourself at will! How nice is that??? They also bring you a little server with creamer. I like my coffee with raw brown sugar and although they didn't have any raw sugar, our waitress brought me a little container with brown sugar. Lighting is good, decorations are nice, lots of windows to see outside and the place is clean. The space between tables is a bit tight but that's because they try to fit in as many people as possible to keep the waiting to a minimum, which is great! Our waitress Ada was very pleasant. She kept coming to see if we needed anything else, which is great! She always had a smile, even when I asked for another spoon and then later for my brown sugar, and then later for a glass of water! Just a pleasant girl with a beautiful smile! I noticed that the other girl who was waiting on people was also just as pleasant so that's great! It can be a bit tight and crowded (at least on weekends) but if you have kids....there is room-they'll give you a bigger table and you won't feel awkward! They sat my daughter and I on a table with four chairs so it was a bigger table even though they had the smaller 2-seater tables available. I didn't ask for that table but I love it when they consider that we might want a little more space and not feel tight and crowded!!! Just a wonderful atmosphere with wonderful people and the food and coffee are great! Well, at least what we had was great!!! I will have to try the oven-baked Dutch pancakes with blueberries, strawberries and bananas next time!!! I told it's a bit of a wait but delicious!!!---we'll see!!!? I forgot to say that the prices are very decent!!! We paid a total of $18 and we had our fill and as much coffee as I pleased!

    (4)
  • W S.

    The food here is incredible. I guess I'm a snob, but I did not have high expectations for a House of Pancakes, but I was wrong. The pancakes are really good, and the bacon is unreal. The best part is that the food is really, really consistent every time we go, which is important to me. The only downside in my opinion is that some of the staff aren't very good, they seem overwhelmed and depending on where you sit, you might get the wrong food or be waiting for coffee for 30 minutes.

    (4)
  • jenise r.

    I've been coming here for years. It used to be on Lake street but they moved to this bigger brighter location. I tend to mix it up a lot when I eat breakfast so I can't name just one thing that's good. However they always have some type of seasonal pancake and my FAVORITE are the pumpkin pancakes! So good you don't even need syrup. Last week they had cinnamon sugar raisin pancakes and they were also good. The pancaked here are so fluffy and perfect. They serve thick sliced bacon-one of my loves, good coffee, really good savory crepes. I could just keep going, so I'll stop.

    (5)
  • Sonjanita M.

    The best part about the drive out to this location was the short wait time and quick service. The girl answering the phone, though, couldn't tell me how to get to the restaurant from 4 blocks away though - so...only people that can give directions should answer! The hash browns were EXTREMELY disappointing when compared to the fully seasoned moist potatoes and onions at the Hyde park location. These were dry, hard and bland. The scrambled eggs were okay. The pancakes were darker than I expected, but were tasty. The french toast was also good. Somewhat worth the drive. The chicken sausage was tasteless. The watery hot chocolate wasn't stirred - clumps of chocolate still on top with whipped cream. $3 for 4oz of OJ?! Really?!

    (3)
  • Kate P.

    Great new location, same awesome food. That's right The Original Pancake House is back and just as exceptional as ever! From crafts of coffee that they leave on your table, to blueberry pancakes piled high, to their omelets as big as my head (and that's saying alot) no matter what you order, I promise, it will be awesome! Oh, and I can't forget to rave about their thick juicy bacon that makes my mouth water. So good, you'll just have to try it for yourself!

    (5)
  • Lynn C.

    For our first (and only visit), we went on a Sunday morning and the wait was pleasantly much shorter than they orginally told us. The interior is cheery and bright. Service was OK, nothing special. Coffee was weak, but hand-squeezed ruby red grapefruit juice was very tasty. My husband's scrambled eggs were "moderately runny" and the syrup was thin, but his pancakes were fluffy and good overall. I made the mistake of ordering the blintzes with strawberries. The 3 blintzes were long and soggy, with a runny filling, which was also poured all over the top. Not good. The fresh strawberries were mostly good. I only ate one blintz, and that's unusual for me. I did not take the rest home (highly unusual). The server didn't ask me if anything was wrong, she didn't seem to really care. It was very hectic at the time, and we didn't see much of her. I don't think we'll be back. Too bad, I really wanted to like it.

    (1)
  • Rebecca V.

    Not as family-friendly as you would think - NO CHANGING TABLE in the restrooms. And the manager looked at me like I was crazy for asking him about it. So rude. Sorry to say, thanks to that, we won't go back.

    (2)
  • Emily C.

    I've been blintzed. This location has NY style blintzes - thin eggy crepes stuffed with a mixture of sweetened ricotta and cream cheese, covered in something resemblent of blueberry compote. I love breakfast/brunch food in general, so it doesn't take much to make me smile, but this was above and beyond as a breakfast food item. Not a lot of places serve blintz, but this place done it and done it GOOD. Happily blintzed until we meet again, Original Pancake House.

    (4)
  • Cee. D.

    Giving Wishbone on Washington a much needed rest, TOPH is the breakfast spot that we have been wearing out as of recent. I'll cut to the chase.... I LOVE the oven baked omelets (my creation: mushrooms, red/green peppers, tomatoes & cheddar ONLY on top) and the Belgian waffle! One word, YUMMY! But, 2 separate meals that my husby always has to point out when he's paying. I usually order a side of ham also. This place is popular, the food is good and we usually go on Sundays when there's always a wait. Wow, come to think of it, my family use to visit the former Oak Park location back in te 80s; before relocating to Forest Park, I hadn't been there since 1995; 1995 a sad year.....

    (4)
  • Senorita J.

    This was my third time here (and final time). The first two times food and service was ok but not out of this world. We were seated quickly and as soon we sat down I noticed one of our water glasses had a lipstick imprint on it. I somehow premonished the rest was not going to end well. Our waitress was rude, after she took our orders she came back with our food and did not asked if we needed anything else, she just placed our check and left. I HATE that because then I know for sure that they are not coming back. My husband's poached eggs were overcooked and my spinach crepes were drowned in flavorless sauce. We won't be back, bland food is not our thing.

    (2)
  • Katie J.

    THE BEST PANCAKES EVER!!! My husband and I have eaten breakfast here about 5 or 6 times in the last couple of months and every time have walked away happy! I honestly think the pancakes are addictive as I find myself craving them constantly!

    (5)
  • Vanessa S.

    Don't come here for the pancakes come for the best souffle omelets EVER! I see the ginourmous apple pancakes and they smell soooo good but I cant get over the oven baked goodness of the omelets. Yum...

    (5)
  • Ms. O.

    Awesome pancakes, but the servers seem depressed.

    (4)
  • Theresa C.

    Service was good and quick. Got the blueberry pancakes and they hit the spot.

    (4)
  • Bernie D.

    This place gets 3 stars because in a town full of great breakfast joints, this place is well... 3 stars. Good food all around, crowded on saturday for breakfast (to be expected). Service was good. I mean "Good" not "great" is how I would describe this location. Enjoyed, I would go back, but really it ranks about 6th in just the Oak Park area.

    (3)
  • Jennifer W.

    The best place to have breakfast in Forest Park. Try the buttermilk pancakes. The service is really good and I never have to wait long for a table.

    (4)
  • Mark T.

    This place has the greatest omelette I've ever tasted. Hot and melty in the middle, huge and fluffy. People on here have given 1 star because of the ambiance or noise level, which makes me really hope their pets die.

    (5)
  • Benjamin D.

    This place was great. Busy when we got there, but they were all over getting people seated quickly. The food was really good and the portions were crazy for the price. Best part was I asked about a military discount when I was paying, and they took off 50%!! Definitely will come here again.

    (5)
  • Marisol M.

    Our experience was far from wonderful. This in no way compares to the Walker Bros Original Pancake House in Wilmette. My husband's waffle was soggy and not at all crisp as a belgian waffle should be. The chocolate chip pancakes were horrible. Not to mention, the awful hollandaise sauce that obviously came from a package and was not homemade. I would not recommend this place for any reason. Skip it and find another breakfast alternative.

    (1)
  • Heidi D.

    The place is a bit pricey for breakfast however food is definitely good! My favorite is the spinach Benedict. It's so delicious! The place can be a bit crowded especially on weekends

    (3)
  • Dina G.

    I'm so pleased there's a good pancake / waffle house in Forest Park now. I wouldn't say it's the kind of food you would drive out of your way for, but it's definitely good enough.

    (4)
  • Jena S.

    Ever wonder what a pancake house looks like in the inner city? Well, you don't have to go to the inner city, just go to this dump in Forest Park. The floors are sticky, the staff is rude, the other customers look you up and down when you walk in, you wait forever for your food and it's OVERPRICED. Seriously, it's a hellhole, go to IHOP or Denny's instead.

    (1)
  • Marie C.

    Love the banana pancakes, and hubby loves the skillets. Also, check out all the really cool art work on the walls.

    (5)
  • Amy T.

    This review is going to be short and sweet! One of the best places to have breakfast! All of there food is fresh, and comes out warm. Staff is friendly, and service is quick! I have no cons about the Original Pancake House! The price is very affordable which is a major plus! I reconmend anything really, especially there bacon and pancakes. Yummy!!

    (5)
  • Shantel C.

    I liked this place better when it was still in Oak Park. The new location is fine but the atmosphere and service are pretty bad. They always seem understaffed and the servers are stressed and it shows. The worst part is that when they bus tables they don't take the dirty dishes back to the kitchen. Instead, the have 3 tables lined up with dirty dishes and every time they clear a table they throw the dishes into the tubs. It's loud, obnoxious and just plain lazy. The only reason I keep coming back is that the food is still great.

    (3)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :7:00 am - 3:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Breakfast
    Parking : Street
    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 : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

The Original Pancake House

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