IHOP — Restaurant in Englewood

I went to this IHOP after a regular appointment at the hospital nearby. First of all, it's super convenient to get from the hospital. My original plan was to go to a burger place (so long since I've had a burger!), but I am always, always ready for an IHOP run so I was eager.

This was my first time at this location. The very first thing I will say is not a critique, because they can't change the size of their plot of land like it's The Sims, but a warning: I went there at 10:30, on a Thursday, thinking it wouldn't be too busy. I was wrong. The parking lot was very nearly full (only like 3 spots open). There is one parking spot I would never take, right near the entrance. I don't know if it's happened yet, but that looked like a hit and run waiting to happen. Again, no fault of this IHOP. You work with what you have, I get it. I had gotten a spot that gave me a view of the parking lot (admittedly, not a great view, but honestly, there are no great views to be had. It's the parking lot or a busy street). By 11 am, the parking lot was mostly empty. Do with this information what you will - it's kind of great that the place wasn't dead, but I didn't expect the lot to be full at 10:30 on a Thursday. But I'm convinced there have been times that people just haven't been able to park there. Unless there is another lot I'm not aware of (owner, feel free to weigh in, my GPS directed me to this lot).

Inside, this location had a different feel than I've experienced at most IHOPs. The kitchen isn't closed/ walled off. It's like a huge island to the right of the hostess station. This actually does not detract a star. It weirdly felt like a high-ish end restaurant, that you could not just hear but see the food being prepared. The staff seems to mostly speak Spanish. To be clear, I DON'T mind this. I speak Spanish, but I wasn't actively listening to what was being said. Rather, the tone was very companionable and professional, and there was often good-natured laughing. Maybe it's just me, but this helped relax me and make me feel more comfortable.

My server was great. I had unexpectedly arrived at a busy time, which was good and not good. She definitely had a lot of people to cater to. I say good, because she wasn't hovering over me (I hate that). I say not good (not saying bad!) because I did have to make polite effort to get noticed for a drink refill. Nothing against her, nothing against this location. Just be patient and understanding, as any human being should.

There was a review that servers were talking smack about a customer in Spanish. I actually witnessed a customer being willfully difficult while I was there. Having worked retail personally, even if I heard staff talking smack (I didn't hear any tones amongst the staff after this person was dealt with), I honestly probably would have joined in if I had heard what was being actually said. The tone of staff conversation still appeared to be professional and courteous - to customers, and to each other.

On to the food. I hadn't been to any IHOP in over half a year. Apparently, they rolled out a new breakfast option called 'BreakFeasts.' I was intrigued, and got the Big Farmhouse Breakfeast (picture shown). My goodness, that was a TON of food, and it was action PACKED with meat. I definitely bit off more than I could chew (ha, literally) ordering that. It was an amazing deal at $19 in this day of rising restaurant costs. I definitely got great value for cost. I probably wouldn't order this again, mind you (it was a LOT of food, and not all of it great for the old heart health), but it's an experience I'm glad I had.

Overall, if you time your arrival parking-lot wise, you'll be good. The atmosphere was more diner-y than chain restaurant-y, and I think I'll probably make this my post-hospital-visit go-to after my appointments at...

Update: 1/5/2020 Right around lunch time the place becomes packed. There is not enough parking and the waiting area is too small. Also, this restaurant is definitely not wheelchair accessable. The walkway between tables is too narrow. The walkway to the restroom is always blocked by people standing waiting to be seated and the row of employees picking up food and dropping off plates. The good news is, they could expand the dinning room by building a second floor above and an elevator to get up there. I would redesign the entire floor plan to make it easier to walk around for the guests and employees and still have space for wheelchairs. The parking problem however would require purchasing adjacent properties to expand the parking area. End of update.

Wow! This was one of the best hamburgers i ever ate! Super tasty and delicious yummy bread, juicy and flavorful meat.. such a perfect combo! Only Red Robbin and the Fireplace have burgers and bread at this level! Also, the pancakes are mouthwatering and delicious as always. I had the blueberry pancakes with blueberry filling on top. I think next time i will have it without the filling, or have the filling on the side since the pancakes were yummy enough by themselves and didnt need anything more.

Pros: Super delicious food. Good prices. Great service. Clean. Free parking & lots of parking spots. Lots of tables.

Cons: The airconditioning was a super arctic freezing blast. We had to hunt down a warm table in the corner to avoid the cold. Maybe if we told the employees they might have turned down the AC.

update I tried the original crispy chicken sandwich. The bread is the same yummy bun they use for the hamburgers. The chicken however was dry, tasted and appeared to be made of blended chicken paste, molded into the shape of a chicken patty with a thin, and sawdust like layer on top. It was slightly less enjoyable than a large mcdonalds chicken nugget, which isnt that great to begin with. Stick with the pancakes and burgers if you eat at ihop. The chicken sandwiches at chickfila and popeyes are a million...

Had an absolutely delightful experience at this IHOP with their Dinner for 2 deal. I opted for the Atlantic salmon, accompanied by three sides: mashed potatoes, fries, and the classic pancake. The salmon was cooked to perfection, tender and flavorful. The sides added a wonderful variety to the meal, with the classic pancake serving as a sweet counterpart to the savory elements.

My husband tried the country fried steak, which was a hit. Paired with sides like salad, fries, and mashed potatoes, the dish showcased a satisfying blend of textures and tastes. The generous portion sizes left us happily satisfied.

The inclusive deal offering coffee and soft drinks was a great value addition. The attentive staff and inviting ambiance enhanced our dining experience, making it a memorable evening. IHOP's Dinner for 2 deal not only exceeded our expectations in terms of variety and quality but also provided excellent value for a delightful meal. Highly recommend for a satisfying...