The Original Pancake House — Restaurant in West Chicago Township

From the moment we walked in for the special Family & Friends Day at the brand‑new downtown Chicago location, we knew we were in for something memorable.

Atmosphere & Hospitality The energy was infectious—bright, lively, and full of laughter. Staff welcomed everyone with big smiles and genuine warmth. They even had a seating area specially set up for groups with families, making it comfortable and inviting from the start.

Food & Menu Highlights Every dish felt crafted with care and love. The signature Dutch Baby pancakes arrived puffed perfectly in the center and golden crispy at the edges—light, pillowy, and unforgettable. The Apple Pancake was a standout, bursting with cinnamon‑spiced apples and just the right touch of sweetness. Savory options shone too: the Omelette Specialties were fluffy and flavorful, and their Eggs Benedict was executed flawlessly. Our kids couldn’t get enough of the classic Silver Dollar Pancakes—they polished them off in seconds. Each plate was beautifully presented and came out piping hot.

Special Touches for the Event On this special day, the restaurant had festive decorations—colorful banners, balloons, and a cheerful playlist that set the perfect vibe. Kids got mini pancake‑making kits to decorate their own stack, which was creative and very beloved. They even had a “pancake passport” stamp card—collect stamps from different pancake styles for a future free stack. What a fun incentive to come back!

Service & Family-Friendly Experience The service was swift and attentive—even during peak brunch hours, no waiting felt burdensome. Servers checked on us regularly, cleared plates right away, and refilled drinks with a friendly cheer. Special shout‑out to their team who engaged with families, offered allergy‑friendly options, and made sure everyone—especially the little ones—felt special.

Ambiance & Location The downtown Chicago spot blends modern décor with cozy touches—warm wooden accents, high ceilings, and ample natural light. It’s conveniently located with easy access to public transit and nearby parking. The space felt spacious enough for families but still intimate and warm.

Overall Experience This Family & Friends Day showcased everything The Original Pancake House does best: top‑notch food, thoughtful hospitality, and real heart. It felt like brunch with loved ones, but elevated—without sacrificing comfort or fun. We left with happy bellies, full hearts, and huge smiles all around.

We can’t recommend this place enough—especially for gatherings, weekend brunches, or just any time you want to treat your loved ones. Kudos to the team for nailing it!

Looking forward to coming back—even without a special event—to enjoy pancakes, omelettes, and their famous hospitality...

1 Star (if I could give 0, I would)

I went to the new Original Pancake House in the West Loop for brunch and it was an absolute disaster from start to finish. The food was horrendous—eggs were completely overcooked, the toast (which we specifically asked to be buttered) was cold, stale, and dry, and we had to ask twice for the orange juice we had ordered. One of the dishes, a casserole supposedly made with “filet,” arrived cold. The so-called filet was full of fat and tough gristly meat—not filet by any stretch of the imagination.

We didn’t even complain until the server asked how everything was. When I explained, she called over the manager. Instead of professionalism, he came over with an attitude, asked “what is wrong,” and after I explained, he just muttered “I’m sorry” and walked away. That’s it. No accountability, no effort to make things right. To top it off, when the check arrived, not a single dollar was taken off the bill.

This place is a complete embarrassment to the Original Pancake House name. Poor food, worse service, and management that clearly does not care about their customers. There are far too many great brunch spots in Chicago to waste your time and money here.

Avoid this location...

I wanted to check out this place on a Saturday afternoon - heard great things about this place! Unfortunately I was disappointed in the service and food.

The host greeted and seated us right away. No wait, which was awesome since I was expecting a busy weekend rush! We sat down at a 2 person table in between 2 large parties. Everyone around us was being served, but we waited almost 10 minutes and not a single server came to greet us or drop off waters for the table. It wasn’t until a manager/someone asked if we have been helped, and we asked to move tables to a quieter area that was wide open. It wasn’t until we moved to the new area that we were finally helped.

I ordered a skillet with my eggs sunny side up, and they were way overcooked and dry. No runny yolks, more like well done.

The decor was beautiful, and the location is ideal. I’m hoping this was just a one off situation based on the other great reviews...