The Original Pancake House — Restaurant in Aventura

I try to judge my reviews by the premise of whether or not I would ever return to a location. This restaurant has landed itself on my "never again unless it is the ONLY choice" list. and even then, with much reluctance.

We've been to other OPH's and had great food and great service. Both of those, here, were so substandard, that even "poor" service would be considered amazing.

The few good things: The wait was short, the restaurant was clean, the bacon and OJ are very good.

The area where we were seated was FREEZING cold.

We waited a LONG time before the waiter came by. (We ordered drinks and food together)

The waiter showed ZERO sense of urgency. He causally sauntered around the entire time we were there.

When the drinks arrived, he got the drinks mixed up, a small thing I usually overlook but is a sign of his ongoing indifference.

The husband ordered bacon eggs and pancakes. I ordered a chicken panini.

The food eventually appeared, after QUITE a wait.

Well, my husband's did. The waiter casually mentioned that "the sandwich is coming in just a second" with no apologies.

He then meandered about, chatted with other guests for a bit. Finally went to go check on my food. He brought it out, and you could tell the plate had been sitting for a very long time. The sandwich was cold and not even pressed like a Panini normally is. The chicken was hot originally, the cheese had melted onto it, but had congealed and hardened

The potato fries were hot, but what good is that?

Also, the husband's pancakes were very distasteful, we each had about two bites, and abandoned them.

We finished our meal, and sat around waiting, and waiting, and waiting, and waiting for the waiter to bring the check. I could see the waiter in the service area, chatting with other staff, and wiping down counters. Other tables in our section were also waiting to have their card run for payment. He collected their card and ran it and brought it back before dropping our check off rather than dropping ours off on the original lap.

Once he dropped off the check, he disappeared again for a long time. We gave up and paid cash.

Like I said,...

That (WAS) my favorite place to go to when it comes to breakfast ! I’m always ordering the 49ers flapjacks wich are some kind of hybrids between crepes and pancakes ! The menu is pretty large and diverse and you can try signature items too such as the Dutch baby Which is a huge cake shaped like a big bowl. Be careful though it takes a long time for this particular one... you have not to be in a hurry. This place have been there for decades and became kind of an institution for many and for me too.

Edit (September 2nd 2022) : Sad to realize that after the Covid pandemic, this place changed a lot, and not for the best ! First there was a malfunction of their fire alarm system, which resulted in a pretty disturbing and permanent bipping sound that just wouldn’t stop and ruined our experience there ! And apparently nobody could do anything about it ! Got to leave with a headache finally…

But wait for the best 😁, the place is supposed to be « specialized » into making breakfast since it closes at 2 or 3pm max. And guess what !? The management (which is obviously everything but clever) decided that a breakfast place which is serving literally thousands of coffees, hot chocolate with whipped cream and stuff, WILL STOP PROVIDING COFFEE SPOONS 🥄 to its clients who are now compelled to use wooden sticks like in gas station’s markets !

Seriously, has basic common sense totally disappeared from people’s minds !? What were they thinking, seriously 😳 !? On top of that, add a free fall of the overall quality : 3 eggs that looked like one inside the plates, dry tiny pancakes and 49ers flapjacks that are now looking like skinny anorexic crepes and you’ll understand that the place is clearly not what it used to be ! It’s sad but I clearly won’t come...

⭐ The Original Pancake House Aventura – Where Pancakes Go to Die 🥞☠️🍳

Oh, The Original Pancake House… emphasis on “original” because clearly no one’s tried to improve it since 1953. 🕰️🧓🏼

Walked in hungry, left questioning every decision I’ve ever made — including getting out of bed. 😩🥄

Let’s talk about the service: The hostess greeted us like we just insulted her grandmother. I felt like I was intruding at a very awkward family brunch. 😐🍽️👀 We waited 40 minutes for “breakfast”… at a place that literally only serves breakfast. It’s like waiting 2 hours at a haircut place just for them to hand you scissors. ✂️⏳🥴

Now the food: I ordered the famous Dutch Baby — came out looking like a deflated pool float covered in lemon regret. 🍋😬 My friend got the blueberry pancakes. The blueberries must’ve been in witness protection, because we couldn’t find them. Just blobs of batter with the personality of damp cardboard. 🫐👻📦

Coffee? Yes, if you like it served lukewarm and tasting like burned confusion with a hint of dishwasher. ☕🔥🚿

The syrup came in those sad, sticky containers that looked like they’ve survived six world wars and a toddler apocalypse. One was glued shut. Literally. We had to use brute force and a napkin of courage. 💪🥶🧃

Ambiance: Dim lighting, loud toddlers, and a lingering smell of “why are we here.” Honestly, the soundtrack of this place is just the sizzling sound of dreams dying slowly on a grill. 🔥💤😭

Prices: $19 for a stack of "meh" pancakes? For that price, I expect someone in a top hat to serenade me with a ukulele while flipping them table-side. 🎩🎶🥞

Would I return? Only if I’m in the mood for cold eggs, existential dread, and...