Carlos Pancake House — Restaurant in Crystal Lake

Edit: came back today with a group of nine after numerous people let us know that the service had improved. They were very accommodating to a group of our size. Our food came in a timely manner, the coffee was refilled and the food was delicious. They have effectively redeemed themselves and I will be recommending in the future! Rating updates the 5 stars. Rock on guys!

Today was my first time at this restaurant and my first impression was not great. When we walked in, the server let us know that the kitchen was a little backed up, which is fine. My wife and I have worked in food service so we have been there. We sit down and our server gives us our menus and pretty much tells us to order right then so we don’t have to wait as long for our food. So after looking at the menu for 10 seconds, we order the carnitas omelette and the chorizo skillet.

We get coffees and the wait begins. No joke we waited an hour before someone asked us if we had already ordered. No one came to check on us in that time, we had finished our coffees, and two educational tv shows about training dogs and vets taking care of pigs played. Then 5 minutes after they asked if we had given our order, our food comes out. It seems like our server was a little flustered with the amount of people who were there this morning. I am not sure if she is just new or if they didn’t staff enough people for a busy Saturday morning, but I saw at least 10 groups of people walk in the front door, not get greeted, and leave after 5 or 10 minutes.

The food was decent, but I have a feeling it might have been sitting for a little bit before it was brought out to us. My plate was pretty big for the amount of food that they brought out and the presentation was not the best.

Unfortunately, there was no butter on the table, we never got the hot sauce we asked for, and they didn’t bring out any syrup for my wife’s French toast. You would think that these would be essential table items for a breakfast restaurant. Then, when we were trying to leave, it took us asking 4 times before we could get a box to go.

I will probably come back if they are still here in like 6 months to see if they got any better, but for...

The bad reviews of service are correct. Both times I’ve been here, my food was made incorrect. But that’s no big deal because I am also a server at a breakfast restaurant and things happen, the server didn’t make the food. What is not ok is how they argue with you and tell you that’s what you ordered. I vowed to never go back after the first incident when the server actually lifted her voice at me and the manager had to come over and correct the issue. He immediately understood what I wanted just fine and corrected the issue and was so nice. Today we were really craving burritos, and were in the area. I asked to add bacon to my burrito (it came on the side and they charged me for an entire side of bacon), again not a huge deal I put it in the burrito. But I didn’t get the extra salsa I asked for, and she charged us for a whole order of pancakes when we asked if we could upgrade the side of pancakes to the specialty ones like you can do at any other restaurant. I should have questioned how 2 burritos totaled to $40. I called and had the displeasure of talking to the woman who took my order because the manager wasn’t in. She told me that that’s how the cooks add bacon (put a whole order on the side), that I never asked for extra salsa, and that she told us that it was going to be a regular order of pancakes. She didn’t lol. We asked if we can upgrade them and she started listing off the pancakes and we picked one lol. As a server myself, the customer service is absolutely unreal. I would never speak to a customer like that. But our food...

An unassuming, quiet restaurant with a simple menu and simple ingredients bursting with flavor and excellent execution. No fancy coffees but your simple cup of Joe is smooth with a pleasant aroma. The fruit, even out of season, is the best I have had in months. I had the Monterrey Burrito for $13.50. It came stuffed with potatoes, eggs, cheese, poblano peppers, chorizo, ham and bacon, a side of French toast and a cup of fruit. The burrito, while not overly large, was just the right amount to leave me full and wanting to come back again for more. The French toast was cooked to perfection. Crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. My wife had the South of the Border quesadilla with ham, egg, cheese, onion and tomato. Again toasted up and crispy with the cheese melty and the eggs soft and fluffy. She had a side of beans that were perfectly seasoned. For the negatives, the bar is currently unused. It's a cute little nook right at the entrance that could be utilized in a better way. Maybe move the fresh juice station and add a coffee bar? Or provide an actual bar for night services? The music cut out a few times due to a bad connection to the server. Other than those few things it was a superb experience and we will be back again. Maybe best breakfast in Crystal Lake!? Better than Richard Walker's??? I'll...