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John's Pancake House
Category: Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch Breakfast & Brunch [Edit]
721 Main StMontauk, NY 11954
(631) 668-2383
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Breakfast, Brunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
22 reviews for John's Pancake House
22 reviews in English
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Review from Michelle B.
Milford, CT
11/14/2011
Perhaps things are different in the off season - I thought the food was great, the service fast, and the waitstaff fine. Veteran's Day weekend - the place was full of regulars, very few tourists.
For all the complaining about the waitstaff, these people must not go to diners. They're efficient and polite. You're not going there to have your ass kissed, you're going there for great food. Pancakes are a MUST.
I had the pecan pancakes - yummmmm. -
Review from Tricia K.
10/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
Amongst the New York themed sports memorabilia that decorates this busy establishment is a super kitschy framed photo of Jerry Seinfeld.
And theeeeere's your third star. I wanted to take a pic of it, but actually didn't because tensions seemed to be running high amongst the staff on this busy Columbus day. I didn't want to cause any ripple in the tenuous dance of "wait, come in, eat, pay, leave."
This is a standard diner-type place which must have a huge wait during the summer season (on Columbus day, we had a 15 minute wait and ended up at the counter). I got the waffles with blueberry compote, which I didn't expect to be a fake gelatinous blob on top of both waffles. To be fair, they never claimed it was fresh. I ordered a side of hash which was a very generous portion served on its own plate.
Maybe its more comfortable in there when it isn't so crowded, or if you are actually Jerry Seinfeld, but i felt like the frazzle-ment of the staff rubbed off a bit. -
Review from Tom K.
10/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
Seeing a large picture of Jerry Seinfeld behind the counter here makes me think that food at John's Pancake House is about average...yadda, yadda, yadda.
Let's elaborate.
Monday morning, Columbus Day. There's about a 15 minute wait. The hostess is certainly animated in her communication technique. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
We're called up and told that two seats are available at the counter. The previous folks waiting refused the counter seats. Whatever brings food faster to my belly is worthwhile so counter seats it is.
The scene is that of a bustling diner, with hustling staff and hungry customers.
The obligatory beverage check passes. I almost always cause a bit of a delay with my refusal of coffee and preference for tea but this was handled well enough.
And there are plenty of varieties of pancakes available on the menu. Not just pancakes but waffles, eggs, corned beef hash and other typical breakfast foods.
Order placed and we wait. I observe the couple next to us at the counter discussing their horoscope and how they are like water and oil. I see someone who bears a resemblance to Ed Begley Jr enjoy his breakfast on the other side.
We could have played risk and discovered that Ukraine is weak and still not have received our food.
Ok, to be fair the place was busy. But to be fair to us, we did wait an awfully long time for sustenance.
The hash was huge, occupying a full plate. Large enough to be shared by two or more people, I found it excessively salty. Salt is good but this crossed the line!
My stack of pancakes came with slices of bananas and nuts. And this was a tasty stack that satisfied the ol' taste buds. My wife's waffles included probably the largest serving of berry compote I'd ever witnessed. It was like a gelatinous blob ready to expand and engulf every plate in its path.
So the overall experience was one of spending far too much time waiting for about average food. Two stars it is.Listed in: Montauk Talk
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Review from Jaimee A.
7/19/2011
Ok, eeww!! On this steaming Tuesday morning, this restaurant had NO A/C!! The food was sufficient (typical diner fare) but the sweat was DRIPPING off of our waitress's face. She had sweat rings around her neck and arms. Totally not her fault, working like a dog in a restaurant that is too cheap to turn on the A/C in 90 degrees and 100% humidity.
NOT COOL JOHN! (no pun intended!)Listed in: Montauk
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Review from Mary C.
6/10/2011
The service was so bad here.
Our waitress was OLD and so LOST! She kept forgetting our orders. I had to remind her 3 times for coffee, dressing, drinks! It was terrible.
Food was just o.k.Listed in: MONTAUK
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Review from Adam H.
Manhattan, NY
11/21/2011
There are not enough bad things to say about this restaurant.
The service was horrible. Our waitress brought us our pancakes, and was never heard from again. I asked her three times as she walked by for syrup at our table and was actually ignored each time. I eventually just got up and grabbed some from the counter. I pride myself on being extra nice to waiters and waitresses who have to deal with jerks all day and they almost respond in kind. My wife and I were shocked at being completely ignored! We waited around for at least 15 minutes for our check, our waitress actually heard us the 2nd time. She gave us our bill: 1 veggie omelet, pecan waffles, 2 sodas....$32.
Bad service is one thing, but bad service mixed with terrible food makes for a perfect storm of awfulness. The pancakes were overcooked, tough and chewy. My omelet was undercooked runny sections of egg white.
All around, I actually have to rate John's Pancake House as one of the worst dining experiences of my 29 years on this earth. -
Review from Julie L.
KEW GARDENS, NY
7/8/2011
If you are vegetarian do not waste your time here lest you eat meat that you did not plan on. I ordered a Garden Vegetable omelet only to discover about halfway through eating it that there were small bits of bacon inside. The first staff I pointed this out to only laughed it off apparently unconcerned that this mistake on their part had caused me to eat meat for the first time in four years. When the manager finally appeared, at my insistence, she offered no apologies and only stated that they cook a lot of food on the griddle so she wasn't surprised that bacon appeared in my Garden Vegetable omelet. I was shocked that she could offer even an apology and after a while of talking to her but without her listening, paid my bill and left the establishment never to return.
This place knows nothing of customer service or even plain civility to other human beings! They lack respect for vegetarians and one's right to dietary choice. -
Review from Jess B.
6/20/2011
All week, my parents were raving about John's Pancakes. "OMG JOHNS OMG BEST PANCAKES" they kept going. To make the Pops happy, we went there on a busy Saturday morning.
While the wait to get in wasn't so bad (15-20 minutes tops), getting a waitress to get us coffee was a nightmare. We asked our lady multiple times to hook us up to no avail. But, it looked like she was busy, so she had an excuse for the delay.
My French Toast was good. No complaints there. However, my boyfriend's coconut pancakes were heaven in a griddle(cake). I love the subtle sweetness of the pancake, and the coconut syrup gave it the right kick. -
Review from Katie T.
Small town diner at its finest: just simple, satisfying comfort breakfast.
Very reasonable price for huge portions. We tries the egg with ham: that came with home fries and toasts. All for just 5 bucks! Then we tries 2 of their dessert crepes: very thin and crispy!
Overall very satisfying breakfast experience. By the time we left at 11am, the place was completely jam packed - it's obviously a local favorite! -
Review from Elizabeth R.
Ridgewood, NJ
4/24/2011
Ordered eggs over easy, bacon and potato's. Easy right?
Our jaws dropped when our food was delivered. The potato's looked like rocks but were in fact probably leftover and refried from a week ago. The eggs were crusty on the edges, the yolks were cold, some of the bacon was burnt to a crisp, other pieces were barely cooked.
Would have left in a heartbeat if it wasn't for my young son who would have had a tantrum if he didn't get to eat pancakes.
Stay away!!!
The only good thing that came of all this?
We didn't get sick. -
Review from Andy H.
Brooklyn, NY
7/20/2009
Someone needs to tell the people at John's Pancake House that sticky and grimy floors does not really bring in the hungry people. There is a reason why people are waiting to get into the pancake house across the street and this place is emptier than Paris Hilton's head.
The food was also awful. How the hell can you mess up pancakes? Plus you are a god damn pancake house! Please change your name to John's ____ House and spare future customers these lousy dry things you call pancakes. -
Review from Grace K.
San Francisco, CA
6/2/2009
There are a lot of Johns in Montauk, apparently. John's Liquor Store, John's Ice Cream, and perhaps best known of all - Mr. John's Pancake House.
I just got back last night after a 5 day trip to Montauk, NY to fish the Atlantic and basically chill out in the cool town of Montauk, right by the Hamptons. Needing to go out fishing, it meant we had to hurry and fill our tummies with breakfast before heading to the boat, and Mr. John's Pancake House was "IT". In fact, it was so highly recommended by the friend whose house we were staying at that I expected to be blown away by breakfast, which is my favorite way of being blown away.
Basically, all or some of our party of 9 had breakfast here daily. I went only on Saturday morning.
I was warned ahead of time that there is no customer service. You ask what's good - and they tell you to look at the menu. You ask if they have a recommendation, and they tell you that's what the menu is for, etc.
While I didn't encounter bad service to that level, they are basically curt, and busy, busy, busy.
On this morning, our party took up two separate tables which included all nine people. I ordered the eggs benedict and iced tea. While not the best I've had, it was generously portioned, and incredibly heavy on the hollandaise sauce. The eggs were poached just right, but the muffin could have been better toasted. I didn't try their coffee because I had already overloaded on the strongest coffee ever at the house, but the iced tea was just fine. The others in our party basically liked John's - - nobody was crazy about it (except one, whose house were staying at over this long weekend) but nobody said it sucked, either. Basically, it's a good brunch spot, period.
Food-wise, I give it a solid 3-stars. Given that there are not a huge amount of choices in the rather sleepy town of Montauk, and John's is at the top of the list as far as breakfast fare goes. They also have a noteworthy menu full of lunch choices as well, so if breakfast is not your thing - you have other choices.
But if you are heading out to the docks to fish - - this is a good place to stop at prior to going on a boat to ward off any seasickness.
As far as the clientele, it was a 60/40 mix of locals and tourists. This wasn't just a tourist joint - - true Montauk residents and homeowners eat here too. Like I said, they LOVE this place.
NOTE: This place, as well as what felt like 80% of Montauk businesses, do not accept credit cards. CASH ONLY! I can't believe how many businesses in Montauk do not accept any kind of a credit card! -
Review from Ari P.
Waltham, MA
9/13/2010
$2.25 for a small cup of water with a drop of sugar and some red food coloring. More commonly known at John's as cranberry juice.
The hostess kept on letting parties in who came in after I put down my name, that was warning sign number one. Then the waitress was pretty much invisible aside from taking our order.
I got the Crepes Suzette's, and honestly, I don't know what I was expecting. It was pretty much the bland leading the bland to the point of me slapping some butter on the crepes to give them a little more flavor. Pancakes were meh.
Not at all representative of what a New York diner is. -
Review from lil m.
Brooklyn, NY
2/6/2010
I love this place. I am very surprised that the individuals that have given it a poor review, I am curious what their expectations were for Montauk.
Its a small spot, often during the high season during the weekends you will be waiting on a line (20 minutes or so). The staff there has been there for years, sometimes they are friendly, sometimes they are not.
They have great options for breakfast (and lunch although I have never been there for a lunch). Many egg options as well as pancakes, french toast, oatmeal, etc. I am a big fan of the pecan pancakes and the granola pancakes (tremendous).
Overall, eat here for breakfast. I do not think you will be disappointed. -
Review from Michael C.
Manhattan, NY
9/1/2010
Horrible service and food was so so.
Skater punk host is rude and disrespectful. Several guest stormed out of the restaurant yelling at the host.
The pancakes were nothing special. The only reasons we gave I two stars were that the waffles and omelette were good. -
Review from Kara M.
East Moriches, NY
2/23/2008
On a Saturday morning in Montauk, this is the place of all places to stuff your face with breakfast... I believe there was another pancake house across the street named "Anthony's Pancake house", but this place was hopping. The prices on the menu looked steep, but when all was said and done the check came to what eating breakfast at IHOP or a Diner would have been. I got the usual 2 eggs, bacon, home fries and whole wheat toast with coffee. My boyfriend got pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream and a glass of orange juice. I now know why it's a "Pancake House", when he saw his pancakes coming his eyes lit up. Imagine a perfect oval platter, with two gigantic pancakes on it... smothered with strawberries and whipped cream. Well worth the money.
This place only accepts cash, if you have a debit card there is a bank on the corner. -
Review from Keith M.
Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ
10/10/2011
For the past three years our family ended our annual trek to Montauk at JPH. My 8 year old and 10 year old were looking forward to this nascent tradition.
Something had changed.
This was our third and last visit. My rating is STAY AWAY.
Let's start with the charming hostess Her customer service demeanor was like a Nazi concentration camp guard ushering you to the gas chambers. As several party of four requests landed at the same time she became gruff, befuddled, and disgusted. She clearly did not like her job.
Once our name was called, our camp guard directed us to a corner seat awash in a direct and baking sun accompanied by a hive dying yellow jackets and flies. Trying to invoke our previous, more pleasant experiences in this "landmark" we soldiered on. It took 20 minutes to give in our order to a waitress making it clear she was doing us a favor.
After the order was given the fun with bees began. (NB the bright sun necessitated some hydration which alas, was requested yet never arrived.) I was able to knock off five of the stinger bearing visitors. A waitress, not ours, nailed another bringing the casualties to six. As an aside, our table was sticky and unwashed, but cleaning off your own table is part of the fun at JPH. We requested to move our seat twice. This operation was another ten minutes. This request was met with the warning of our sunny hostess screeching not to blame her for the yellow jacket arrival. Oh, she also made clear was not able put up fly strips. No blame on our part was ascribed nor did we request the pest strips.
But on with our adventure. My ten year old salad arrived complete with the winged insect garnish we did not order!
As our breakfast adventure continued we were joined by other yellow jackets and we went about our merry way of killing the unwanted guests with napkins and hats. The last straw was the fly dining on my eight year olds pancakes in unbridled joy. Miss Merry Sunshine (our intrepid hostess) informed me that of course there are flies on the food the door is open! Duh I should have known! My wife and kids voiced their disgust. This was met with the nails on a blackboard aria of our sunny hostess telling us to leave. In the meantime we were planning to do just that and we had asked for our check to pay for this fun five minutes earlier. (I would think the bees would be unwelcome and not paying customers. Not the case at JPH) She said "I don't mean to be rude". I replied that indeed she was and I headed for the door as she implored. My wife calmly awaited the never appearing check. Seeing me leave, Miss Charm School shouted loudly in front of the entire restaurant that if we leave without paying she would call the police. Twice she said this. She also continued an insult laden harangue against me personally in front of the clientele. This was not her day--customers complaining about insects in the food the nerve! My wife was still waiting for the check at her seat. She had to go up to der Kommissar to request the check again.
For all of the bees, flies and winged creatures in our food , for all the rudeness and borderline defamation of our character and for all of that storied waiting at JPH our genteel kommissar took five dollars off our check and suggested we would like to take the food home...
Yes I am serious.
In the end, if you like unsanitary conditions, insects in your food and you crave insulting, rude and boorish service and hosting staff John's Pancake House is for you.
Yes, something has changed at JPH and not for the good. Stay away. -
Review from Robert M.
7/27/2009
Why are there lines and a long wait here? Attention tourists: long lines doesn't mean good food. Look across the street, Anthony's is empty....and guess what....they serve pancakes. They taste the same or better than John's.
Don't waste precious vacation and beach time waiting 40 minutes for a damn pancake. Is it really worth it... -
Review from Heath R.
Los Angeles, CA
2/19/2007
Apparently, this is the place to eat breakfast in Montauk. The place was packed, there was almost always a short wait, and the food was wonderful. My only complaint is that, given that the food could be had at any number of restaurants in New York City proper, they don't hesitate to charge Montauk prices. I'm curious where the locals eat!
C. got the crepes, which came with a light strawberry preserves, and were quite light and tasty. I got a big breakfast for our first day: pancakes, eggs, bacon, and a side of toast to mop up the yolk. The eggs and such were fine, but the pancakes were great. It's clear why it's called a pancake house.
The coffee was also quite good, and they kept the cups filled, which is always welcome. A nice mix of people -- vacationers like ourselves and some younger locals or semi-regulars. One waitress knew the couple next to us, whom I'm guessing didn't live there year round, by name. -
Review from Jason R.
New York, NY
6/13/2010
JPH, is a great breakfast place. The servings here were huge. Honestly I've never seen an omelet that big. Service is quick and friendly and prices are reasonable. I had a taste of their pancakes and they were pretty good!
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Review from Katie B.
Whitestone, Queens, NY
8/1/2010
This place is so great! Oh, I can not even tell you. This is the best place ever. I've been coming since I was born, and the staff has remained constant just like the food has remained delicious over the years.. there is always a wait for a table, but it is so worth it! I love John's Pancake House!
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Review from Ashley W.
Scottsdale, AZ
6/20/2008
Ate here this weekend, and was sadly disappointed. My coffee was burnt and we were pretty much ignored for the locals. My eggs were sub-par and my pancakes only ok. It feels dirty in the restaurant and many of the booths are covered in duct tape. I would stick to The Bake Shop instead- or the Montauk Cafe for breakfast.
