IHOP — Restaurant in Hayward

This IHOP is definitely an IHOP of its own. The building itself was probably refurbished from a previously closed down business, but strangely, it just makes it all the more intriguing to dine in. Much later on after I finished my meal, I asked the store manager if I may charge my phone while I waited for the restroom so that I may leave a review, only to find out that she is the granddaughter to the original store owner, her great grandmother. I thought it was all the more touching that the family business was still being passed down through the generations.

As I stepped into the building, the main host had just stepped off with the customer ahead of me to seat him with a menu in hand, and not even 5 seconds later, the manager glides toward me and asks with such a soothing calm and sweet voice if I was ready to be seated

I came by myself and was seated on one of the middle tables with booth seating on either left or right side of me. The atmosphere was noisy, of course, with the sounds of clattering utensils, people talking, and the overhead music playing songs from the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. This didn't bother me at all. It just added to the experience of what kind of community this area was.

The server was very prompt with taking my order. It had been some time since I've eaten at an IHOP, but I already knew what my main goal for breakfast was: A good Country Fried Steak & 2 Scrambled Eggs, Shredded Hash Browns, a Short Stalk of Pancakes; and to drink was the complementary glass of water, my order of an freshly brewed iced tea, and ending with the treat of a cupcake milkshake. I'm definitely a sucker for anything cupcake or birthday cake flavored.

The food came out in under 10 minutes, all nice and hot. I don't know about anyone else, but I first set my eyes on the main dish to finish, that being the 2 eggs (scrabbled is my preference), the hash brown, and the country fried steak topped with country gravy; which was all perfectly hot and cooled to the right temperature during the last bites. Lastly, the Pancakes that have cooled down, but has that light warmth still in them. At this point, the margarine has slightly melted over the top pancake and easily spread. Then add the syrup to both layers, and it's just perfect.

I manage to eat the entire dish, finish both drinks, and take the cupcake shake to go. Still currently working on the shake, but all it all, it was the right setting to be in, with the right staff working at that moment, and it just made the experience more humbling and...

CHRISTINA IS AMAZING!! So... I tried to make an order for delivery, but Uber Eats would only let me order from the Union City location. Unfortunately that website doesn't have a place to notate anything special for the orders. This is important because I LOVE STRAWBERRY SYRUP!! I tried to call the restaurant to specifically ask for it, but the call wouldn't go through. I called the Hayward location thinking perhaps there was a new phone number they wouldn't mind giving me and explained the situation. I spoke with Christina, who was very kind and she explained that there was no other phone number, but if I switched to Grubhub, they would deliver from her location and she would gladly give me STRAWBERRY SYRUP. Even though I was using a up a $20 credit on Uber Eats, I decided switching delivery service in order to get what I wanted was more important, even if I have to forego the 20 bucks. I ordered my breakfast as well as 2 additional meals for coworkers. Total was over $80 (a little steep, but hey, that's what happens after all the various charges are tacked on. Plus it was worth it to get my STRAWBERRY SYRUP.) I called the restaurant to let them know I had just placed my order. The guy I spoke with guaranteed me the STRAWBERRY SYRUP. We received our order quickly, which was great! But guess what they forgot? Yep. The strawberry syrup. The one thing I was absolutely CRAVING!! It totally sucked to spend that much money and not get the ONE thing I wanted! I was beyond mad. I called the restaurant and they transferred me to Christina. Basically I figured I'd get maybe a $5 refund or something, and I'd have to leave work and go to the nearest store to find strawberry syrup. But guess what this wonderful young lady did? SHE GOT IN HER CAR AND BROUGHT ME THE SYRUP!! At first I was like, "No way. She must be joking." But she really did it. I have never seen anyone go so far out of their way to please a customer. I will ALWAYS go to this location from here on out, even though it furthest from me. When she got to my work, she was so sweet and even gave me extra "for next time" Well let me tell you, there will be many "next times." Thank you, thank you THANK YOU Christina for being so sweet and wonderful!! P.S. As a side note, this food was BOMB!! We usually go to a different restaurant for breakfast, but now its IHOP on Foothill only. Everything was cooked perfectly and tasted delish! Even better than other locations.

If the owners see this, give the girl a raise and praise. She...

This is my first time at this location, and boy...the line was out the door. I thought, maybe because it's Mother's Day and many a Mom enjoys the pancake recipe here. From outside, it seems that parking would be an issue, however to my surprise they do have parking at the back of the building albeit on an incline since the property is on rhe side of the Hayward Hills. Neat!! Then, when we checked in we were told it would be about an hour wait. Oh well, better than going to another place and THEN waiting another hour at a much later time!! So we decided to wait it out. We came early enough that we were able ro wait inside anyway. Unlike the people who were already lined up the side of the building in the heat!😮 To our surprise, we were actually seated within 30 minutes of being placed on the list! What a pleasant surprise. The wait staff were all pleasant and had smiles on their faces despite the number of guests still waiting to be seated. Our orders were placed and arrived promptly. Leaving my wife and I enough time to have a meaningful conversation. It was a Mother's Day date to remember. That plus the prices were very reasonable. You don't need to go to an expensive place tobdate the woman of your dreams...especially if the dream is real. Btw, we left our wait staff an extra tip because we were so pleased with her service. Just to let her know that all that hard work paid off. We'll be back, maybe for...