IHOP — Restaurant in Lake Havasu City

UPDATE:

Recently, my experience with IHOP was dramatically turned around after a personal call from Laura Valencia, IHOP's regional manager. Our initial visit was less than ideal, which prompted me to share my concerns. However, what followed was a masterclass in customer relations and problem-solving.

Laura reached out to me directly after reviewing footage from our visit and acknowledged the issues we faced. Impressively, she offered a sincere apology without deflecting the blame, which is an uncommon but refreshing approach in today’s customer service landscape. During our 10-15 minute conversation, Laura not only addressed the problems we encountered but also shared her well-thought-out plan to prevent such occurrences in the future.

What stood out most was her proactive engagement. Not only did she extend a personal invitation to ensure a better experience on our next visit, but she also expressed a willingness to meet us personally if we provided her with a heads-up beforehand. Her genuine kindness and professionalism made a significant impression on me, leaving no doubt that future visits to IHOP will be much improved.

Despite living 3.5 hours away, this level of customer care ensures that we will return to IHOP during our travels in March. The interaction with Laura Valencia has truly changed my perspective, demonstrating that individual dedication can transform a guest’s entire experience. Hopefully, during our next visit, I’ll have the pleasure of buying Laura breakfast as a token of appreciation for her outstanding service.

Title: A Flapjack Flop at the Lake Havasu IHOP

Ah, Lake Havasu. Known for its sparkling waters, graceful London Bridge, and apparently, a breakfast experience that can best be described as shenanigans with syrup. On an unsuspecting 9 a.m. morning adventure, my wife and I decided to start our day with the comforting embrace of pancakes at the local IHOP. Little did we know, we were walking into a breakfast sitcom episode.

Entering IHOP was like stepping into a breakfast battlefield. The restaurant was only half full, yet every table was either occupied or appeared to have lost a tireless fight against a waffle army. Crumbs were scattered like confetti at a New Year’s party, and all hopes of finding a clean table vanished quicker than a pancake on a Sunday morning. With no hostess or busser in sight, I half expected a tumbleweed to roll by.

Two valiant servers dashed about like caffeinated bees, trying to keep folks caffeinated and flapjack-fueled. These heroes were the real MVPs, but their superpowers were no match for the breakfast blitz. If there was a kitchen back there (I couldn’t swear to it, for it felt more like a mysterious breakfast Bermuda Triangle), it seemed like the chefs had perhaps decided flipping pancakes is more of a Tuesday thing.

After an age where civilizations may have risen and fallen, our breakfast finally arrived. If IHOP has a culinary standard, our meal apparently never got the memo. It was a little lacking in the heat department, not unlike being hugged by a lukewarm toaster.

When paying the check, our remorseful server—who by now probably deserved a standing ovation and a mimosa—apologized for the chaos, explaining they’d been busier than a squirrel at a nut sale.

So, will you find me recommending Lake Havasu IHOP to friends? As much as I enjoy a comedic breakfast skit, I think I'll let our friends experience their morning escapades elsewhere. For now, we'll stick to IHOPs where you’re served with a clean table and a side of sanity—hold the dramedy. Bon appétit, brave...

Perhaps one day I will learn to read and listen to reviews before ordering from somewhere. Today was not that day. I was lured to ordering by an offer on google for 20% off my first online order. The interaction started off poorly because that coupon code did not work.

Walked into a lobby of people waiting to be seated and heard a couple walking out complaining that there was no way they were waiting 30 mins for a table. Ok, I know how this is going to go. I sit and patiently wait for my agreed time to collect my order. Then watch as every other person in the lobby, except for one poor grub hub driver, gets seated or receives their take out order.

I see a large table walk out, receipt in hand. I assume they didn’t pay because there was no one at the front to accept payment. I see a group of young men go through three different staff trying to get someone to take their payment. Everyone they talk to says someone else needs to take the payment and walks off to find this magical person. One even quizzed the group on who their server was! Surprisingly they continued to wait until someone finally took their payment.

25 minutes after my pickup time the hostess timidly asks if my name is Ben and lets me know my order is ready. I’m so happy to leave I don’t check the order. That was my bad. Once I got back to my hotel, it became immediately clear my order was incorrect. I asked for utensils. There were no utensils. I asked for regular pancakes - I received what I assume were protein blueberry pancakes based on the awful texture and taste. My biscuit and gravy was just a biscuit, my girlfriend’s IF specialty pancakes had no whipped cream, there was no syrup in the bag and to top it all off, the food was barely warm (my walk to the hotel was less than 5 minutes and it’s over 90 degrees outside).

This has to be a management problem. Not enough staff were there to handle a holiday weekend crowd. Not all of the seats were full, but all of the servers were overwhelmed. The receptionist was terrified she was about to get yelled at during every interaction. The food was inaccurate and slow. Where is the accountability? Where is the management? Where was the manager?

Pathetic on all accounts. To the servers that was there - I’m sorry you work for a location that doesn’t value you enough to make sure there’s enough servers that you can provide exemplary service to your customers. To the cooks in the kitchen I’m sorry you’re so overworked that you don’t have time to make the orders with care. I’m sorry that you haven’t been held accountable in such a way to make sure you know how important this is.

And to the manager/management team. This is just one of many reviews calling out your failure. Do better or move along so someone who knows that they are doing can fix this location before it...

Service was really bad (I believe her name was Valerie).

Positive: My pancakes and eggs were ok. Tasted as expected. Her gluten free pancakes were bland but kind of to be expected.

Negative:

Waitress asked us multiple times what we had ordered which still came out wrong. Literally asked after she started to walk away. Then came back minutes later to ask again. Very basic meals. Food came out in typical time but we received food we didn't order and we were missing food that we did order. I had to ask for the 1 coffee that we didn't get till after food came out. Had to ask for creamer and sugar when it should come out with coffee. That took 5 minutes to get. When we asked for straws she reached in and pulled out straws, 2 which hit the floor and 2 for us. Both our straws were bent up so much there were multiple slices in it from her bending over with them in her apron pocket. Who hands straws shaped like a C and leaves the others on the floor. 🤦 We had to ask for the fruit side 2 times that we didn't receive with our food. When she brought the check and it was wrong. She couldn't even fix her own mistakes before bringing it to us. Had to ask her to fix it. In the end she put a small credit just to offset the extra charges. Did nothing to make up for the terrible service and incorrect food. Her fixing the check took another 10+ minutes of waiting at the end when we're ready to end the experience.

Nothing was customized or specially requested on our 2 meal order. I contained my frustration and never became rude or upset as I thought maybe her morning was harder than mine. But by the time we left, we were mentally exhausted with our experience. And sadly we literally...