Never thought I would frequent IHOP again, but I was hungry and it was getting close to dinner, so I decided to take the risk LOL.
Mind you, my last visit to an IHOP was a good 7+ years ago, and my memory of the meal was pretty average at best.
I was pleasantly surprised as this IHOP was pretty clean and organized compared another branch I had previously visited.
When I received the menu I was again surprised at how pretty diverse the menu was (you mean it's not just pancakes?).
Despite their robust new to me menu, I opted for the classic Rooty Tooty Fresh 'N Fruity, which is an equally robust four buttermilk pancakes topped with fruit (I selected the apple cinnamon) and some whipped cream.
The pancakes were cooked perfectly with a nice brown griddled exterior and a fluffy interior. Shockingly the pancakes did not leave me with that lets move an extra notch on the belt feeling, as the pancakes weren't slathered with wads of butter like you sometimes encounter at diners. They were pretty light, well as light as four buttermilk pancakes can be.
The warm maple syrup that was served with the pancakes was very tasty, and I found myself mindlessly pouring copious amounts of the warm thick sweet syrup onto the pancakes as it was so tasty.
Don't forget to try the other syrups that are available table side, that comprised of: blueberry, strawberry, bosenberry, and pecan maple.
I found the strawberry, blueberry, pecan maple, and bosenberry my preference (in that respective order).
Meanwhile my sister (my foodie sidekick) ordered the T-Bone steak dinner.......now I know many of you that read this will be like: a T-Bone steak at IHOP? Seriously?
Well being fairly knowledgeable on meats, I read on the menu the cut of the steak was USDA Select, which is pretty much the lowest end of beef available for consumption. Oh boy, I didn't feel envious for my sister!
She ordered it medium rare and when it arrived the steak was cooked a spot on medium rare (of course, she allowed me some pieces of the steak to try).
The seasoning was pretty decent too; with what I could discern as a simple seasoning of salt, pepper, and maybe some light garlic powder. The steak was unexpectedly tender (as Select tends to have very little fat) and overall decent to good. Though the steak's exterior could have used a better sear/char to get additional flavor/texture.
The side order of potatoes were, like the steak, pleasantly tasty with tender (yet still with some crunch) potatoes and just enough Italian seasoning.
Don't expect the best steak you ever had, or even something better than what you can make at home, but considering the expectations......it was a good eat.
Honestly I was expecting my IHOP experience to be similar to my prior visit, but was my stomach was happily satiated. read more