IHOP — Restaurant in Virginia

UPDATE (May 2022): When you're not feeling well, and you place a curbside order, it would be nice to be able to actually get through to the restaurant to let them know you're outside waiting. After 10 minutes of rapid redials and getting a constant busy signal, it was surprising to walk into the restaurant to see not a single person in the waiting area or hostess area, nor a hostess or front desk person manning their position. Finally a woman came out of the kitchen and headed over to the front desk. I gave her the name for my order, and asked her if their phones were down as I had tried to call in for 10 minutes straight. She said no they weren't, they were "just busy taking phone orders". (I would have to assume these orders were being taken from the back office since no one was quite obviously manning the front.) Perhaps they need an additional phone line, or a designated line or a means to alert by text to a curbside arrival. I really wasn't feeling well and didn't wish to unnecessarily expose anyone to whatever it is that ails me. Either offer a curbside delivery option and a check-in option or don't. (Deducted one star from original review.)

——- ORIGINAL REVIEW:

If you're looking for a quick but hearty breakfast, IHOP does the trick. Their pancakes are top-notch, coffee is decent, and our usual Sunday morning before 9am arrival gets us in and out without any kind of wait.

They decorate the dining room for every holiday, so it always looks festive. There are two dining areas at this location divided by a half-glass wall. I think it's intended to keep the sound a little contained. It reminds me of a church "cry room" where they keep the screaming kids behind soundproof glass. It's not exactly soundproof, but I suppose it does help manage the overall decibel level. Dining room decor is not divey, but just casual no frills decor. I have found the booths and tables to be clean, not sticky, no rips or tears in the vinyl. Can't say the same for other IHOP locations, so at least this one is fairly well-maintained.

My go-to menu item is the "2x2x2": two eggs however you like, two pieces of bacon or sausage, and two pancakes. Just enough for me. If you're 55 or over, you can get the same thing for a few bucks cheaper.

The kid meals are for really littles; my kids were eating full size orders of pancakes and finishing the plate by the time they were 7. (Where they put it, I couldn't tell you.) I look forward to when IHOP does there "all you can eat pancakes" because we definitely get our money's worth then!

I noticed that you can use their app to order To-Go, or I think both Uber Eats and DoorDash deliver from here too. Aside from placing an order to go while we are there for breakfast already, I can't speak to how fast, accurate, or well packed their to-go orders are. Our in-house to-go always comes with pancake syrup, utensils, napkins, etc.

We go several Sunday's a month, and you can count on a consistently decent breakfast. I don't recommend them for lunch or dinner. I remember trying to go with the kids a few times, and no one liked anything they ordered. So I would advise sticking solely to breakfast.

One more thing to mention: I’m often there with my two kids who have autism, and the staff have always been kind, considerate, accommodating to their needs, etc. For other families with special needs, bring headphones if your kids are sound sensitive. And look for a young lady with disabilities named Clarissa. I like to see businesses that support employees with special needs, so I’m quite happy to give the Chantilly location...

Dining out is often seen as a treat, an experience that should be free from the everyday hassles of cooking and cleaning. When it comes to chain restaurants like IHOP, one expects a consistent level of service and quality, regardless of location. However, a recent visit to IHOP left much to be desired. The experience was marred not by the quality of the food itself but by a simple oversight that highlighted significant shortcomings in the service. This mishap, involving a request for hot sauce that was met with ketchup, turned what should have been a pleasant meal into a disappointing one.

The meal started off well enough. IHOP’s extensive menu, filled with a variety of breakfast options, promises something for everyone. I placed my order confidently, asking specifically for hot sauce to accompany my dish. Hot sauce is an essential condiment for many of us, adding that extra kick to our food that enhances flavors and provides satisfaction. Unfortunately, the server returned with a bottle of ketchup instead. At first, I thought it was a simple mistake that would be quickly corrected, but the resolution was not as straightforward as anticipated.

Upon notifying the server of the error, the response was far from what one would expect. Instead of an apology and a prompt correction, there was a noticeable hesitation. The server explained that they were out of hot sauce, a fact that should have been communicated when I placed my order. This lack of communication indicated a deeper problem with how customer requests were being handled. To add to the frustration, the server did not offer any alternatives or compensations, leaving me to enjoy a meal that lacked the desired flavor.

The experience underscored a lack of attention to detail and poor customer service. Mistakes happen, but how they are handled can make a significant difference in the customer’s overall experience. In this case, the server’s indifferent attitude and failure to provide a solution left a sour taste. It raised questions about the training and management of the staff, as well as the overall customer service standards at this IHOP location. The mishandling of such a simple request suggests that there may be larger systemic issues at play.

In conclusion, what was supposed to be a delightful meal at IHOP turned into a frustrating experience due to a simple yet critical error. The mishap with the hot sauce, compounded by poor communication and indifferent service, left a lasting negative impression. For a restaurant chain that prides itself on consistency and customer satisfaction, this incident was a significant letdown. It serves as a reminder that attention to detail and effective communication are crucial in the service industry. Ensuring that customer requests are met accurately and promptly can make the difference between a satisfied customer...

When I first arrived there by myself I was made fun of for ordering apple juice as a drink. They all started to laugh at me and called my table “Apple juice”. They proceeded to cus like sailors as I was waiting for my Apple juice and 2 egg breakfast. Before I received my food they cussed about my order using the F word and all other possible cus words that anyone is familiar with. The silver ware was covered with mucus as well as lip impressions on all of the glasses that were provided. It was disgusting. I did not even eat the food as I was concerned for my own health if I did. Go here if you want the worst service ever provided to anyone at any restaurant. This place is unsanitary and not worthy of anyone’s patronage. Stay away! I against my will returned there tonight with my co workers. We were treated badly. The food was brought to the table more than half an hour after ordering. They not only messed up the orders but dropped two orders on the floor as they were serving them. They refused to bring a new order until I told them that they dropped the first order on the floor then they needed to replace the order. They brought another half sandwich thinking the half the sandwich they dropped on the floor was sufficient so they brought out another half sandwich. When asked to bring a new order they cussed at me and became argumentative. This restaurant is not worthy to operate in a third world country. They seem to believe that is where they are operating. Unsanitary silverware, plates, and glasses. Freezer burned steak, and dropped food on the floor reserved as though dropping half your meal is acceptable. Go to bob evans. Go to back yard grill. Go anywhere. Don’t go to this toilet of...