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Original Pancake House

3 star rating
based on 69 reviews

Category: Breakfast & Brunch  [Edit]

39222 Fremont Blvd
Fremont, CA 94538
(510) 744-1957
  • Price Range: $
  • Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
  • Parking: Private Lot
  • Attire: Casual
  • Good for Groups: Yes
  • Good for Kids: Yes
  • Takes Reservations: No
  • Delivers: No
  • Take-out: Yes
  • Waiter Service: Yes
  • Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
  • Outdoor Seating: No
  • Good for: Breakfast
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69 Reviews for Original Pancake House

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Photo of Jenn F.

 

4

15

Jenn F.

Fremont, CA

2 star rating
07/08/2008

The service was SOO slow... I know it was a Sunday morning, but the place wasn't all that busy. It took forever for our food to come out, and even when it did, our waitress forgot our drinks. I was really disappointed with the hashbrowns, because they were just blanched potatoes in french fry shapes-- not crunchy, not crispy, not even a little browned. They should call them bland country potatoes, but definitely not hashbrowns. My omelet was huge, and had broccoli inside, which was wayy overcooked. Lastly, the bill was absurd. I mean, if I'd known, I would've just gone to Nation's in the same parking lot for 1/4 of the price. Gimme a break-- this is the first and last time I'm coming here.

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Elite '08

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Vicky L.

San Jose, CA

2 star rating
06/30/2008

This place is truly a 2 star disappointment. Sam and I dropped in awhile ago to grab breakfast. The Pancake House down in San Diego had always been a fav of mine to go to when I lived down there... and this was leagues away.

The service was insanely slow. The omelettes weren't as fluffy as the ones down south, and the veggies were undercooked. Yeche. Can I remind all current and future restaurants that I go to that I HATE RAW MUSHROOMS IN MY FOOD. ARghhh!!

How hard is it to make a decent breakfast!? Even Denny's has it down even though it is institutionalized but at least they can make a decent omelette!!

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0

4

Courtney K.

Fremont, CA

3 star rating
06/25/2008

HUGE omelets, definitely something to share! I usually get an omelet (first one ended up with pineapple in it) and potato pancakes which serves as two meals for $10. Been with a few people who have had to send their food back for whatever reasons, but service is generally fast & friendly... once you get their attention. Great hangover food, but if you're looking for something gourmet, go elsewhere.

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27

62

CONSTABLE J.

Los Angeles, CA

4 star rating
06/01/2008

This one's in a shopping mall with ample parking in a nice part of town.

If the menu's the same as the Southern Cal locations then I recommend you order the PALESTINIAN PANCAKES, which are actually scrumptious lemon and cream crepes. Make sure they bring the delicious lemon sauce with that!!!

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33

57

Cherese D.

Oak Park, MI

4 star rating
05/17/2008

I've always enjoyed eating here! I guess I dropped in at the right times because I never had to wait long...weekdays or Sundays right when they open.

Their omelettes and pancakes are what I usually order.

The omelettes are pretty big and is more like a Piroshki lookin style omelette. Instead the dough is the egg then the goodies are stuffed inside. So don't be shocked when it comes to you!

Average brunch prices
Kinda like a Ihop feel
Service was good
Family crowd

I've seen one out here in MI, hope the experience is just as good!

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18

149

Diana T.

West Los Angeles, CA

3 star rating
04/27/2008

I knew the wait at OPH would be horribly long.  Water/coffee came promptly but ordering took about 10 minutes.  We got 1/2 order choc chip pancakes $4.5, strawberry bowl w/whipped cream $7.5, buckwheat pancakes $7, and eggs w/links and ww toast $8.50.  Getting the food to our table took about 30-35 minutes and we were then starving like everyone else around us.  I guess I wasn't so annoyed because I read the reviews and knew this was the case.  I've come here maybe once last year and once before that and I can't remember the service being so horrible then.  The food was delicious but they use wayyy too much butter for teh eggs and toast.  $40 for 3 ppl is kinda expensive for stuff I've gotten faster and cheaper elsewhere.

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Paul A.

San Jose, CA

2 star rating
04/06/2008

The service sucks.  We waited hella long for our food, and when it arrived at our table, the food was barely warm.  The server failed to check on us on a timely manner.  They're pancakes were yummy though - I had the swedish with the lingonberry and tried the chocolate chip kind as well.  For a breakfast joint, the prices aren't worth it.

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1

15

John B.

Fremont, CA

2 star rating
03/27/2008

Okay food. I ordered an omelette that could easily be mistaken for an ostrich egg omelette. This thing is massive. It was a bacon and cheese omelette that I fought real hard to try to finish. It was too salty and the eggs became too much. Definitely an item to share. The pancakes were good, but nothing special. For shame, I would have expected more out of "The Original Pancake House". Also the food here is expensive. 35 bucks for 2 people! Safe to say that I probably won't come back here.

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4

21

Claire C.

Berkeley, CA

3 star rating
02/23/2008

Oh yeah...just hand over those chocolate chip pancakes please. Or the Dutch stuff. And hold the bad service. Server where are you? What, we can't split the check? Or use more than one credit card? How rude.

To conclude:
- Bad service
- Really good pancakes (not too thick, not dense, comes out the kitchen still warm)

This is a dilemma. What would you do?

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Elite '08

155

266

Donna P.

San Jose, CA

1 star rating
01/01/2008

I thought about giving the OPH 2 stars, both for the food, none for the service, but can't bring myself to do it.  I'm depressed just trying to decide what to write.

Here's an attempt at our horrible experience:

After a long night, pancakes sounded perfect to our party of five (ha), so never having been to the OPH, we drove over for breakfast around 11am this morning. It was pretty busy, so a little slower than normal service is completely understandable.  However, it took 20 minutes just to get waters (that our waitress had the busboy bring out), and our coffee and juice took another 20 minutes. We then had to flag the busboy down for cream. The waitress (whose name, I'm sorry to say, is also "Donna"--I only know this from the tab, since she never introduced herself).

An hour later (and about 5 more flag-downs for refills, etc), our food arrives. My Swedish pancakes (no sides), cost almost $9. A total rip-off.  My friend enjoyed her chocolate chip pancakes, but the potato pancakes another of us ordered were horrible.

Another Donna flag-down and we had our check...which after we went over it, discovered we had been over-charged. Great. Flag-down #2008 got us our corrected check, we went to the front, paid, left a small, very un-deserved tip, and left.

I will never come back here. Mere words cannot describe how crappy the service is here (but believe me, I've tried). Oh and we watched as a table of 4 got up and left out of frustration. So sad. I wanted to scream from the waiting area: "I hope you like waiting, because you'll feel like pulling your hair out by the time you leave this place!"

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1

10

Beverly C.

Union City, CA

4 star rating
01/26/2008

I discovered this place by accident when I was pregnant with my 2nd kid. I looovvveeeee the choco chip pancakes and the freshly squeezed orange juice. This is our Saturday breakfast hang-out; the place gets crowded so be there before 10 am. The staff is great...from the servers to the busboys. They really pay close attention to servicing your table...THUMBS UP ALL THE WAY!!!

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9

16

Tommy W.

Fremont, CA

1 star rating
01/01/2008

Let me preface this review by saying that I have been here on one other occasion and did in fact enjoy my meal hence the one star rating....

With that being said, let me know tell you about the most HORRENDOUS dining experience that I have had EVER. The whole disaster started around 11:15 am when I decided to treat my parents out to breakfast. They had never tried the Original Pancake House before, so I decided to broaden the horizons of their "strictly bound to Chinese food" taste buds and take them there.

We arrive at the restaurant at around 11:30 and wait about 15 minutes before we are seated. Given that it is pretty packed, I didn't mind the waiting but the owner did not so much as even offer us a "hello".

After staring at our menus for a good 20 minutes, I asked the bus boy if he could locate our waitress as she had not even been by our table yet and I was beginning to wonder whether or not she even knew we were there.

Another 15 minutes pass before a dour looking older woman comes by and barks out "What do you guys want???". She takes down our orders and walks away without any apology or explanation for the long wait.

30 minutes pass again and my parents are starting to mumble about how "this would never happen at a Chinese restaurant" and how "American restaurants don't know how to run a business". Our waitress is MIA again and I contemplate speaking to the manager about her after our meal until I realize...oh wait, she never even introduced herself to us so i don't even know her name.

Another 15 minutes pass and still, no sign of food or our horrible waitress. I see the owner walking around seating more people I am SURE he noticed the disgruntled looks on our faces as well as on the faces of the other patrons. Perhaps he's use to seeing unhappy faces at his restaurant judging from a lot of the other reviews here or perhaps he just doesn't care.

After realizing that we have been waiting almost an HOUR for our food, I just can't take it anymore. I tell my parents that we're leaving and so we went and got some great Thai food at Salathai instead. I know you're thinking: Thai for breakfast?? Well we had waited so long by now, that it was LUNCH.

I can handle less than awesome food...but less than awesome service, *especially* at a local restaurant is just unacceptable. You complain about the competition from big chains but really now...I don't care how many newspaper clippings you have of yourself and your restaurant Mr. Original Pancake House, but the way you treat good paying customers is just UNACCEPTABLE. My review may not affect your "booming" business with the older crowd in Fremont, but you will never again receive ANY of my hard earned money (or that of my friends if I can help it).

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3

117

Will A.

Alameda, CA

3 star rating
12/27/2007

Ok, I've had every pankcake from this place... yep, including the clam pankcakes.  Yes, I was a little queasy afterwards, but it is like a fear factor episode with me and pancake places.  I need to try every single one.

This was an ex-gf's favorite place, so I always nicely indulged b/c she was great company :)  But, in all honesty, if it weren't for her, I'd probably would have mixed it up a lot more on the breaksfast place.  Never had to wait for seating and their plain pancakes were good.

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Elite '08

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117

Jessie L.

San Jose, CA

3 star rating
01/02/2008

The Original Pancake House is home to not only delicious pancakes, but fantastic omelettes.  

Every time I go, I order far too much food.   It's all so good, I can't help myself.  I get a ham and cheese omelette with onions and a side of country sausage.  That alone wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for two things.

1. The omelette is mammoth.  It's a six (or so) egg omelette that's baked, not pan fried.  It arrives and it's about an inch thick, has a nice crust on top and is moist and delicious on the inside.   I know you'll probably come here for the pancakes, but give an omelette a try.

2. The omelette comes with a short-stack of pancakes.  

And I must try it all.  I usually come close to finishing my omelette, eat all my sausage and by the time I've eaten all that, I usually have just enough room to squeeze in a couple bites of my pancakes.  

Why only three stars?  Service.  It can get crazy busy at times, and there always seems to be a shortage of wait staff.    I've waited 10 minutes to have my order taken at times.  They try to compensate by having bus staff come by to offer coffee, but it's little help.  

If you go here a bit later in the day...probably more toward a brunch than a breakfast...you can have a better experience.  But if you're patient and/or with good company, there's good food waiting for you!

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0

22

Vicky L.

Morgan Hill, CA

3 star rating
03/02/2008

We were promtly seated at a table. we got our coffee, had our orders taken. but it took FOREVER to get our food. I understand it's a sunday, so i would understand a wait for a table, but not a long wait for our food. When our food finally showed up, we promptly dug in. For some unknown reason, they like to put the foods in different plates, so our large table got quickly filled up with plates. I orders a western omelet, and it was very fluffy and hot. it was definitely a pricey breakfast. for two, it was about $35. I don't know if i'll be back again. the food was good, but i hated the long wait, and the high prices.

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25

84

Lizzie C.

Daly City, CA

5 star rating
12/31/2007

Chocolate chip pancakes all the way.  I'm a sucker for chocolate chip pancakes, and this place has the best ones.  I haven't tried anything else here, but I love this place just for chocolate chip pancakes.  

Unfortunately, I don't live in Fremont or its surrounding area at all to be going here as often as I'd like.

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Elite '08

67

339

Ryan T.

Fremont, CA

4 star rating
01/07/2008

Truly amazing creations here, such as the dutch baby and apple pancake. Although I have had the dutch baby quite some time ago, yesterday morning I tried the blueberry pancakes. Great compote on the side came with my order. Sadly, my friend had less-than-stellar potato pancakes, but her bowl of luscious berries with the in-house prepared whipped cream nearly made up for that miss.

Although there are other great breakfast places in town (Country Way, Cabrillo Cafe), this one truly takes the cake.

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6

84

Mikolo R.

Fremont, CA

1 star rating
02/10/2008

My husband and I went to this place and we experienced the WORST customer service EVER.  It took a while just to be seated, and once we were seated, it took forever to get any service.  The food was painfully slow to come out, and the wait staff just kept walking passed us as if we were invisible.  Any time we needed something, I had to get up and get it myself!!! Once I had to ask the bus boy to get me utensils.  TWICE, I had to walk across the restaurant to take my tiny empty glass to the counter to ask someone there for a refill of my soda!! Nobody ever came by to ask us if we needed anything or how we were doing.

It was the most insulting experience.  We will NEVER go back to this place.

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3

57

Mark W.

Fremont, CA

4 star rating
02/09/2008

I've been here at least a dozen times already and I will keep going back. This place is special. I would give it five stars for the food, but he service is not quite five star level and the decor is "authentically" retro. Where else can you get clam pancakes with freshly chopped jalapenos mixed in served with lemon wedges? (seriously. If you know message me)

They have the best selection of pancakes I've ever seen. It is nestled inside a "vintage" shopping center called the Gaslight Square in the "heart" of  "downtown Fremont." Yea. This is the fine dining location for Fremont. Surrounded by a bus stop, tire store, German Store and a bank. Great place for romantic walks...

I spoke with the owner of the business yesterday. He really likes people. He prides himself on the fact that they do not use anything canned -- all fresh ingredients. I like that, sometimes. It makes for great food, however it comes at a price. Not only will you pay for it with money, but it also takes a bit more time to prepare the food. This is not a place to go for fast food, it is a place to go for a breakfast culinary adventure.

Tip: Try the blueberry pancakes. They are great.
If you don't like sweet then try the clam pancakes. My Korean friend said they remind her of pancakes she used to eat in Korea with clams, oysters, onions, and kimchee. Well, they don't have oysters and kimchee here, but they will chop up a jalapeno and mix it in for you if you ask.

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1

30

APM ..

Fremont, CA

2 star rating
02/20/2008

I like the variety of pancakes they have on their menu but I think they are a bit overpriced.  Plus they don't have much variety on the "combo" type breakfasts (you know, pancakes, eggs, hashbrowns, bacon all on one plate).  Here, we easily spend $50+ for breakfast for our family of four - I'd rather go to IHOP where you get more bang for your buck.

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1

15

Jay S.

Fremont, CA

1 star rating
04/28/2008

I REALLY WANTED THEM TO BE GOOD.

We visited the place on Sunday Morning expecting a wait. As we entered I noticed there we some vacant tables, to my surprise we sat down right away. That was the best part!

The waiter asked us if we wanted drinks and right off the bat we ordered juice. we looked over the menus and after about 5 minutes our juice arrives and the waiter says he will return...5 minutes later he takes our order. After about, 25 minutes and four tables being served to people that came after us, we got our food...well half of it. I had to wait another 10 minutes to get my toast and our pancakes and by the way this was the only time I was asked for a refill....uhm my drink was finished when I ordered.

I guess this is why before I came here the placed looked packed....it does not serve in a timely manner so people are always sitting and waiting for food, So it has the perception that people are always here (good marketing...i think)

Need less to say I was not impressed, I could have went to the store bought the food and cooked it and it would have been better, warmer, and everything at the table at once.

But what fun is that? Perhaps better than waiting.

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shannon l.

Fremont, CA

3 star rating
12/10/2007

This one is located next to Muchner Haus Deli, Nation's, Cherry Garden & Falafel Etc.  You can see it off Fremont Blvd but this location is definitely not as bustling as the Aliso Viejo one.

I was a little disappointed with the food at this location because the one in Aliso Viejo is absolutely amazing!!!  I remember the raisin pancakes being so delicious.  The ones here were so so.  They were fluffy but a little dry.  We also had an omlette (sorry can't remember which one!) and it was regular.  Nothing too fancy.  If you're in Fremont, I suggest going to Country Way near the 880 freeway!

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2

12

abby r.

Belmont, CA

1 star rating
04/16/2008

if i could, i wouldnt give any stars at all....HOW can a restaraunt like this stay in business after so many awful reviews?? so to agree with everyone else, the service is some of the worst i have ever gotten, the omelettes are like calzones (lmao...they're like breaded or something...not even really egg-like!) and the rest of the food is definitely not worth the wait or even the gas money driving there...stay away, stay away!!!

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Elite '08

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Rob C.

Miami, FL

2 star rating
03/24/2008

disappointing.  (walker brothers, you are the real original pancake house, thank you.)  had one of their waffles here, and it wasn't any better than a frozen one from the store.  could use some better quality control.  service mediocre.

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1

15

jacky m.

Fremont, CA

3 star rating
01/15/2008

Pancake House is a wonderful place. They make the most flavorful buttermilk pancakes. I wonder what their secret ingredient is...maybe beer batter.
If you don't have much of a sweet-tooth, their delicious Clam Pancakes is perfect for those with a savory palate. Yes I know, clam pancakes sound weird and gross but trust me, they are very delicious..I just don't recommend it with syrup. But be prepared to pay about $7-12 for your meal..Pancake House is not cheap. For the unreasonable prices, it loses a star. Since I'm a tough critic, I hardly EVER give restaurants 5 stars. Service is great if you get the Latino man who always wears a red Pancake House cap. He comped me for the overly sweet and soggy Tahitian Crepe. How sweet and considerate of him!

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1

24

Tadas P.

San Ramon, CA

5 star rating
09/17/2007

This place rocks.  Love the dutch baby and the potato pancakes.  I wish there were a breakfast place close to San Ramon but we manage to make the trek out to Fremont for this place.  If you are in the area you should try them out.

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Keoni B.

San Jose, CA

1 star rating
09/20/2007

A reviewer before mentioned the service, so I thought I would put my 2 cents in.  My experience here SUCKED.  We ordered food, and after an hour, no one came.  Nobody came to check on us, and our waitress disappeared.  My gf and I walked out of the restaurant really upset, which is something that I do not normally do.  

It really was a shame, because the food that was going to all the other tables around us looked so good.....

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76

Audrey W.

Oakland, CA

3 star rating
07/16/2007

Not my favorite OPH location, but my food arrived in a timely manner. My Apple Waffle and sausage links were pretty good. The service was average. Looking for an average breakfast this is the place.

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1

6

Marisa E.

Fremont, CA

3 star rating
06/02/2007

I've had really good luck with the pancakes. Can't remember all the types I've tried, but there's one with pineapple and tropical syrup &it's just really good. I actually wish the portions were a bit smaller, since after a while of eating & eating pancakes you kind of get sick of them. What would be great is silver dollar sized pancakes in all the different varieties that they offer.

I haven't been as happy with the crepes. I like the concept of exotic crepes, but so far I've been disappointed with most of the types I've tried here.

In any case, I'm glad this place exists. Fremont really doesn't have many breakfast places to choose from... Fremont doesn't really have much to choose from when it comes down to it.

In summary:
Pancakes = good
Crepes = not as good

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Eric Q.

Stockton, CA

3 star rating
09/09/2007

Had breakfast there this morning my wife and some of our friends. We were seated promptly, and the servers were friendly and fast.  I ordered the diced egg/ham special, and it seemed average. Portions did not seem that big to me either.  If I ever go back maybe I'll just stick to the pancakes ( that apple pancake looks interesting); otherwise seemed pretty average.

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Peg S.

Fremont, CA

3 star rating
03/11/2007

Well, it's better than Denny's ... for the sweet and savory fix, we always order the ham & scrambled eggs combo (generous amount of fluffy eggs and diced ham) and usually the blueberry or georgia pecan pancakes (which are dusted with powdered sugar, topped with whipped butter, and comes with tropical syrup/blueberry compote).  Tip: if you don't want your pancakes to be a big buttery mess, remove the whipped butter before it melts . . . The egg dishes come with a stack of three small buttermilk pancakes, but you can substitute most of the larger, special pancakes for a buck more. The apple pancakes and dutch baby are good enough to kill you.  

I like sitting on the left side of the restaurant - there's a bit more space and light on that side.  Service is ok, we actually had to get up a couple of times to get syrup, ask for a take out box, etc., and they weren't quick to seat us when we got there even tho' I could see empty tables.  They also ration off how much ketchup/syrup you get - there's none on the table, so you coaters can't get all crazy.  And, you might want to check out the utensils for cleanliness . . . Despite all that, for neighborhood, go-in-your-sweats breakfast, we go here.

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6

11

Jessica K.

Hayward, CA

5 star rating
06/22/2007

I don't even like breakfast food (and I mean I REALLY don't like it), and I go out of my way to eat here.

I'd say that if you're in a rush on weekends, it's probably not the right time to stop in, but when you've got nowhere to be, definitely check it out. The food and drinks seem a little bit pricey, but when you consider that they squeeze their juice fresh every morning, cook each dish to order, and have special ingredients in even their sour cream, it doesn't seem so absurd.

The place has heart, and if you go frequently enough, your drinks will be on the table the moment after you sit down. However, you may gain fifty pounds...the portions are unbelievable!

Despite all the iffy reviews, if you go in with an open mind (and a little extra time), I feel certain that you'll enjoy your experience.

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0

10

peter k.

Fremont, CA

4 star rating
04/30/2008

pancakes are superlative here.  excellent.  marvelous.  great!

i love eating here.  we always come here before we leave town for a long road trip.  great way to start a vacation.

only minus is that service can be a little slow.

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7

55

Steve N.

Fremont, CA

4 star rating
02/10/2007

The apple pancake is one of the best things in the world.  If I wasn't trying to lose weight, I'd stop in once a week for an Apple Pancake.  Service is pretty poor, though.  I've been to another Pancake House (I believe it was truly the original one..down in southern california..and the service and ambiance there was 1000% better than the Fremont location).  That being said, the apple pancake is worth the bad service.  It's like one of those Souffle pancakes.  I'm getting hungry just thinking about it :)

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Elite '08

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arnold g.

Fremont, CA

2 star rating
11/12/2006

***UPDATE 6/10/07***
The food is fine, but this place has the worst service in Fremont. It's almost unbearable. They took our order and I asked for coffee...15 minutes later, we had to flag down someone to bring it to us, and a couple times, a guy walked by with a full pot of coffee giving everyone else refills. It also took us more than half an hour to get our food after ordering. Shouldn't the pancakes be ready to go when there's a rush?

It's so annoying that I don't even know if I want to eat here anymore, which sucks because their pancakes are pretty good.

***ORIGINAL REVIEW - 4 stars ***
I was having a major pancake craving this weekend and luckily there was an Original Pancake House nearby. The pancakes here were just how I wanted them...brown and slightly crispy but fluffy on the inside. They also have some crazy huge omelettes that are pretty good, although pairing spinach with cheddar cheese was odd.

One cool thing is that if you don't order off the pancake section of the menu (omelettes, ham and eggs, etc.), you get pancakes anyway! And the prices are pretty reasonable considering all the food you get.

The only knock on this place is that the service is kinda slow. You pretty much have to flag someone down to get what you want, but once you actually talk to someone, they bring you what you need pretty quickly.

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Hiram L.

Fremont, CA

4 star rating
04/23/2007

After reading all the reviews I have to say this place is consistent.  The food is good, but pricey.  The service is agonizing slow.

 I've driven by this place for 25 years.  I finally grabbed my son and stopped by.  Interesting decor.  From the outside it has an americanized Bavarian look to it.  From the inside it's like a really old weinerschnitzel.  Very close quarters.  
 
 After being seated it wasn't an awfully long wait to order.  I got scared when I first looked at the menu.  I hadn't noticed that most orders include pancakes.  The items were pricey and when you add pancakes they are astronomical.  After a little more reading I realized most items include pancakes.

 I quickly got a cup of delicious coffee.  I found out that is just a tease though.  I ordered a ham and cheese omelet.  After not a extremely long time the food came.

 I went into a panic.  The omelet was round as a ball and kind of strange looking.  Looks mean nothing I found out.  The waiter asked if we needed anything else.  I asked for a refill of coffee.  He disappeared.  I bit into the omelet, oh man, it's delicious!  It's huge, enough for 2 people or one very hungry one.  Hmmm no coffee, there is a waiter walking around with a pot, filling every cup around except mine.  I'm "excuse me" and throat clearing, but no joy.  

 The pancakes are special.  I had the buttermilk and they are delicious and cooked perfectly.  They are smallish but tasty.  I discovered they have 2 sizes.  If you order pancakes you get huge ones, if you get pancakes with something like my omelet they are smallish.  They give you a bottle of warm syrup, no little tiny cup like Denny's.  Still trying to flag down a waiter for that coffee refill.

 Twice I tell a waiter I'd like a refill.  They run off, the coffee comes out but never makes it to me.  I've drunk my water, my sons and his friends.  The guy in the table next to me offers to give me some of his.  I refuse, but think twice about it.  We eat and everything is good (would be better with some coffee to wash it down with).  I noticed the potato pancakes and thought I'd get an order.  My son had never had them, I thought they would be a treat.

 We finish our meal.  I tell the waiter to bring an order of potato pancakes with some coffee.  I told him if he doesn't have coffee don't bring a bill or the pancakes.  He shows and YES he has some of that delicious coffee.  Finally!  The potato pancakes are nothing like I remember that my mom used to make.  Kinda of disappointed in them.

 Food=good, service=needs serious help, coffee=great if you can get some.

 Will I be back.  Not sure, I may get a craving for their pancakes, I'm not sure I could take another coffee tease though.

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Ella B.

Santa Barbara, CA

1 star rating
06/06/2007

i will give this place two stars for having quite a selection of pancakes but i think the service is mediocre and the restaurant itself smells strange, like too many kitchen smells.  

I used to LOVE this place when it was a Hobee's... so perhaps this is review is a little skewed due to nostalgia.  

I think the place keeps in business with all the various Rotary & community groups that have breakfast meetings.  

Slightly more expensive, i would just go the Nations in the same plaza if you don't care to eat in.

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Willis W.

Fremont, CA

4 star rating
01/20/2007

What's great about this place is the owner.  He's got tons of charisma and really makes you feel welcome.  Sure it's a chain, and pancakes aren't all that hard to make, but in Fremont, we need all the warm and comfortable breakfast  spots we can get, and this is one of the best in the area.
My wife really likes the coffee here, because the cream they serve with it is rich like heavy whipping cream. I like the old fashioned diner coffee cups.
The buckwheat pancakes are pretty good.  We just wish that when you order eggs + pancakes they would give some fruit on the side or something.  One star shy of an ultimate breakfast fantasy.

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noah a.

Fremont, CA

3 star rating
01/21/2007

It pains me to give this place even 3 stars. This is only because the food is great (well its not THAT hard to make great pancakes and sides!!) but all 4 times that I have gone the service has been SO SLOW!!!! I'm talking 45+ minute waits (of course I can only make it weekend mornings when its the most crowded). Anyhow, I will probably not be going back because I can make the same breakfast for my family and clean the dishes in well less time then it takes just to get your order at the Pancake house...

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Alyson C.

Burlingame, CA

4 star rating
01/02/2007

two words: Bacon Pancakes!

It sounds weird, I know. But once you try it... wow.

Dutch Baby: sooooo good.

The Apple pancake is basically like ordering an apple pie. this is good too...

Generally this place is good. :)

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