IHOP — Restaurant in Ramsey

I've been here twice. Once at the tail end of 'masks for everyone' directive (which is FINE, I have no problem with masks, I tend to bring one with me these days nearly post pandemic anyway), and once not long after things became more relaxed.

Before I begin, let's face it: IHOP is not fast food. It's not even as 'luxurious' as Applebees 'casual' dining either. It's just..I need to find the word for this...Comfortable. It's comfortable dining. Show up in a suit. Show up in business casual. Show up in at least a clean t-shirt, shorts, and shoes. You don't line up to a counter, get your order, sit and eat. Also, you don't sit at a table and have your needs met as you ask. They do that, to a degree, but they also put mini carafes of syrup at your table before you've sat down.

That's fine with me. I want to make sure that this is fine with you, because as I walk in to this place, I know what to expect and there will be no star bashing over the quality of the establishment itself.

This is about the quality of the food and service I've experienced.

Quality has varied by location. For this location, the quality has been enjoyable. My first visit, the combo platter I got, everything was incredible (I think it was the sampler?). My second, which was T-bone steak and eggs...well, the steak was thin, and tough. The pancakes were, as they always do, making me jealous of just how fluffy and perfect they are. I got this with fries, and as fries go, they bested a lot of local fast food places.

But still, thin and tough T-Bone steak and here I am with a 5-star review, right? Here comes the rest:

My server was an absolute pleasure. Everyone dreams about a server that brings you what you want at exactly the time you need it. Maybe I got lucky the times I've been there, but every time, I'd be barely done with my iced tea and instead of being asked if I wanted another, a fresh iced tea was being whisked in front of me and the empty removed. OK, maybe it doesn't work that way with something like OJ, but imagine, your cup of iced tea/ water/ non-fruit juice runneth empty. It's almost empathically replaced by your server. I was impressed.

Also about my server: When my meal was served, I made an abrupt motion across the table that made them stop as they were laying plates. The abrupt stop made my toast slide onto my plate including eggs. I was asked if I wanted new toast. Is there anyone on earth that would be at an IHOP and demand new toast? I get it, kings and dictators, it wouldn't even be asked. But I really wish the best for my server, and hope that that was maybe first-day nervousness and not like either family experience showing through or even worse, some kind of training thing. I told my server (and I meant it) that it was fine, it was all going in the same place. Plus, I wish I could go back in time and admit it was my fault (I mean, we both knew it, it was gracious that that fact was ignored).

So, all in all, 5/5. You won't get the best T-Bone steak and eggs, the breakfast combo is actually really good, but their servers are either terrified into being super subservient OR they have a personal life that may require rescue (I hope it's not the latter). I will visit again, and I heartily recommend coming here for a less-than-quick, less-than-complicated hearty breakfast. Especially...

As soon as I stepped in I was greeted by Felix. Felix took me to a table and asked me where would I prefer to be situated. After sitting he handle me the menu and ask if I wanted something to drink offering me coffee because it was just like 8am. I decided to order the exampler and the delicious Splash Berry drink. Multiple time Felix came around making sure I was good and asked if needed anything. I noticed that he was very engage with all the customer he was attending. I was very impress by his hospitality and how courteous he was with me and everyone. So when I got the bill I decided to put him to an ultimate test. I pay with my credit card and intentionally place the tip under the receipt so he was no able to see it and place a big 0 in the section that says tip on the receipt just to see his reaction after all that customer service and being so nice to get 0 tips? Lol well let me tell you Felix was ok with this and after looking at the receipt with no tips whatsoever and a big 0 on it he still thanking me for visiting and even wished me a happy new year. For those wondering my bill was about $19 and I did put under the receipt a $20 dollar bill well folded. So when he went back to the register and pulled the receipt he was able to see his tip and from a far distance I was able to spot a nice and soft smile 😊 ... I know this was long but I hope that we have more people like this I wish I could give him more because he earned it! Felix I salute you because of your...

Excellent menu. I had the breakfast sample. 2 sausages, 2 Sunnyside eggs, ham, hashbrowns, bacon, pancakes, and coke. They have a good choice of syrups for the pancakes. I liked the butter peacon syrup. The only thing is about the person who served us was a bit harsh with regards to tip. We visited US for a few weeks. We didn't know about the tipping culture here. But ofcourse we had given tips earlier at a place before IHop. Here as well since we didn't know the amount (we didn't want to under tip). The guy said, "I wonder what I have done wrong that you haven't tipped me". That felt quite unkind. We didn't intend to not tip but we didn't know what amount. After hearing that even though it didn't feel nice, we paid $10 for a $18 bill. Food was great, the ambiance was great, ample...