Astronomical Pancake House — Restaurant in Williamsburg

Sorry this is long, but please read it, it’s worth the read !!! ❤️ Hi this was our first time going to this restaurant, after coming to Williamsburg VA for many years Mama Steve’s let me down yesterday. That was our go to breakfast spot when we visit Williamsburg, on our Saturday mornings we would head there for breakfast brining our friends with us when we would come in a group, but yesterday Mama Steve’s served me undone French toast running eggs cold coffee and really the food was nasty and she wouldn’t even warm my syrup up so I had to eat my one pancake that I took from my husband food without syrup. So I told my husband we are done with Mama Steve’s. So this morning 09/15/2024 we start this morning searching for our new go to breakfast restaurant, we went to the familiar IHOP off Rochambeau road, it was very dirty just walking through the door way I harden even enter the restaurant. I stood there for 10 minutes before someone screamed from I don’t know where, I’ll be right with you. By that time 3 more families came in behind me, as I waited for my husband to come in. I had decided this is not the place for us. So since we had been passing the (Astronomical Pancake House ) since Friday when we arrive in Williamsburg, we decided to give it a try. And from the minute I walked through the door it was wonderful I was greeted and as how many and it didn’t take long before we were seated by a really nice lady. Then our sever Chastity I hope that’s her name, if not I hope it starts with a (C)! She was awesome !!! ❤️ she ask was it our first time, we said yes, and she began to walk us through on how to order. The coffee was hot and she kept it coming, the food was superb and came to us very hot and delicious I tell you it was delicious I couldn’t stop eating, and I never finished my food Y'all. But I didn’t want to leave any behind but I also didn’t want to stuff myself, that’s how much food you get when you order (Ultimate meal) for $18.85 I think it was. This is our new go to place for breakfast Y'all please check it out you want be disappointed I promise 😊👍🏽❤️. And ask for Chastity or ask is there someone close to that name. We are going back tomorrow morning and I will get her name correct and post it. But yall my meal consist of - a Belgium Waffle , scramble 2 eggs with cheese, grits, 4 slices of bacon. The normal Ultimate meal is - 12 “ pancakes scramble 2 eggs, 4 breakfast meats - sausage patties, sausage link, bacon , ham and grits. I did all bacon and my husband did all the meats and this meal was $18 and change. It’s the best !!! Oh and I normally ask if my syrup could be warmed up, but the menu states that it comes warmed up. I would share my pic but I...

This was a great place for pancakes. That is their specialty, so 5 stars for pancakes. They have a big variety and lots of fun flavor profiles. I ordered an omelet that was just ok. It wasn't terrible, but I've certainly had better. I added feta cheese to mine, and it was $1.50 extra, which I wasn't made aware of, and only saw when the bill came.

I'm only giving 4 stars for a couple of reasons. 1- Upon arrival, an employee was standing at the front door smoking. Huge turnoff. Most people don't want to walk through cigarette smoke (with their kids) to go into a restaurant. It gives the impression that the restaurant is unsanitary. 2- The large dining room to the right has an overwhelming smell of stale cigarette smoke. Idk if Virginia allows smoking in restaurants or not (I'm not from, nor do I live in VA). Again, that was a huge turnoff that gave unsanitary vibes. If it had been just me, with just grown-ups, we would've left due to those two things. I just got a sense that it wasn't clean in there. The restaurant appears clean, though. I could see staff constantly cleaning as they were working. It was just hard to get past the smoking employee who then greeted and sat us, then smelling the dining room. However, I went in with 3 hungry children prior to heading to Great Wolf Lodge. So, the kids were excited about the pancake menu, and I wasn't going to fight over that before a day of fun. Our server was absolutely delightful and very attentive. She was so pleasant. All of the staff were very kind and smiling, and they spoke to everyone at the table, so that was nice.

My advice for this place is to notify patrons if there's an upcharge for something. Customers don't like surprise charges. I would also recommend that employees smoke in the back, where they can't be seen. A lot of people feel this way. I'm not sure if the big dining room needs new paint or a deep clean, but getting rid of the cigarette smell would really help (unless I'm unaware of smoking allowed indoors).

Overall, it was a good experience. If you're going to eat there, stick with pancakes. Absolutely delightful staff, and it's very conveniently located near GWL if you're...

Astronomical Pancake House, once a cherished breakfast haven, has sadly lost its former luster. As a longtime patron, it's disheartening to witness the decline in both service and quality during my recent visits. This review stems from a place of fond memories and a hope for improvement.

In its prime, Astronomical Pancake House was renowned for its S.O.S and eggs with cheese - a dish that delighted the taste buds with its unique flavors and textures. However, recent experiences have revealed a troubling trend. The once-pleasing taste seems to have taken a hit, leaving a shadow of the delightful dish that used to grace the menu. This unexpected shift in quality has been consistent over multiple visits, raising concerns about the kitchen's attention to detail and commitment to maintaining the standards that had garnered its loyal customer base.

Hoping that the first encounter was an anomaly, I returned two more times, each time with a glimmer of optimism. Unfortunately, the disappointing trend persisted. The allure of the S.O.S and eggs with cheese, which was once a reliable staple, now seems to have lost its charm.

Service, too, has taken a hit, further tainting the overall experience. The decline in the once-attentive service has been evident, creating a dissonance with the memories of the warm and welcoming atmosphere that Astronomical Pancake House was known for. This shift is particularly evident in the mismatched order experience, such as receiving toast instead of the customary biscuit with the S.O.S.

As a loyal customer who once held Astronomical Pancake House in high regard, it's my sincerest hope that these issues are addressed. The magic of this establishment, which was a cherished breakfast spot, deserves to be rekindled. A return to the consistent quality and attentive service that defined its past glory would undoubtedly reignite the love that patrons like myself once had for this dining...