The Original Pancake House
| Address: | 8601 SW 24th Ave, Portland, OR 97219, USA |
| Phone: | +1 503-246-9007 |
| Site: | originalpancakehouse.com |
| Rating: | 3.9 |
| Working: | Closed Closed 7AM–3PM 7AM–3PM 7AM–3PM 7AM–3PM 7AM–3PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 7
SC
Scott N
Ill say the most important thing first: they dont take any electronic payments, so bring cash. Odd how every food truck and fair vendor stall takes credit cards, but this brick and mortar doesnt. I went here on a whim on a day off during the week. Had to wait about fifteen minutes for a non-shared table (they have a small community table that is open seating), but thats the norm for most good places, so no big deal. The tables are quite close together, so navigating a full room can be interesting, and the close seating means room noise can get a little high. After trying to find a simple breakfast (some combo of meat, eggs, hash browns, toast, and pancakes) on the menu, I consulted my polite and friendly server. She said the meals in a certain column came with a small order of pancakes, even though that wasnt listed anywhere I could see. This is also the point I found out they only take cash, which I very rarely carry. The food was good, but nothing exceptional. The sausage was quite tasty, the scrambled eggs were a little runny, and the pancakes were surprisingly middling for a place with "pancake" in its name. Their simple breakfast combos dont include hash browns, which is weird. I didnt have coffee because if Im going to drop $3+ on that, itll be an espresso drink at a coffee shop as opposed to drip at a restaurant. My combo (four sausage links, two scrambled eggs, three small pancakes) came to $12.50 pre-tip, plus $3.95 in fees ($1.95 immediate, $2.00 back end) for using the ATM out front. A full stack of pancakes is at least $10.25 with no sides (which are very pricey; $7+ for bacon or sausage). Even without the ATM fees, it is overpriced. Taken as a whole (food quality, ambiance, value), Id take IHOP or Village Inn over this place, and with the number of breakfast spots in Portland that serve better food for less money (most locally-owned), I dont see myself coming back.
JA
Jay Beeks
The pancakes are great. The problem is that this establishment actively discriminates against those with mobility problems. The two entrances to this restaurant are by stairs alone and neither of the restrooms are ADA accessible. The manager states that this restaurant is grandfathered and does not need to comply with the American Disabilities Act, however, that does not mean that they should not comply with the needs of the disabled community. An access ramp from the street would be a simple matter and of low cost to the restaurant. The conversion of the two restrooms to be at least partially accessible would be more expensive, but would convey an essential message to the low mobility community and would pay for itself in just a few years with a higher volume of customers - at least partially fueled by a friendlier restaurant experience. Providing access to those with wheelchair needs helps all of us - the elderly - the very young and those who are overweight. No one should have to use a restroom as small as the ones at The Original Pancake House. The owners just need to knock out the fireplace - remodel the restrooms for ADA access and put a wood stove in the corner across from the restrooms. Not doing any of these things is short sighted, shows the greediness of the owners and is a disservice to the community this restaurant claims to be an integral part of.
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A Private User
So we have an original pancake house in Kirkland WA, and I love going there. I was on a trip down in Oregon and thought Id stop here for a great breakfast ( since I had been driving since 5am ) 1. They dont take debit or credit cards - so they pointed me to the 7-11 across the street so I can use their ATM. 2. They dont have any potatoes? What kind of breakfast place has no potatoes? no hash browns, no skillets, no country potato dishes? Come on. 3. The prices are HORRID. Let me give you an example, an 8 oz orange juice? $5. Plus 2 pieces of the thinnest, flimsiest toast. Another $5. $10 for toast and orange juice. I kid you not. This place made such a bad impression that I am writing this 4 days later.. it was that bad. For a real example of a great breakfast joint check out the brown bag cafe in Redmond WA. No, I am not affiliated with that restaurant at all,,,, its just a fav place to eat at.
KR
Kristina Coker
Consistent performer. Fresh squeezed juice, savory thick-cut smoked bacon, fresh fruit, and an apple pancake that is out of this world. Ive tried lots of things over the years but I always go back for this lineup on the table. If you like corned beef hash, these guys make their corned beef solely for their hash, it isnt used anywhere else on the menu, it is a seared hash of meat and onion, no potatoes, briney and delicious in its own right, but not your usual find. Omelet are huge and puffy but not my style so I wont say much more. The Swedish pancakes with their tart lingonberry compote are also phenomenal, crispy sweet on the edges, soft and thin middles. This location in particular has the best presentation of pecan waffle Ive ever encountered, a small mountain of pecans included, nut lovers rejoice. The only drawback is they are small and the wait can be long if you choose a peak time.
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A Private User
This is my very last attempt to eat here. It is obvious that this restaurant gets a lot of business. There is an hour wait list and you see disappointed people walking away as quickly as they come because there is no way they will ever be seated. I have tried to eat at this restaurant about five times and I have the same problem. People working there are rude, the restaurant does not do anything to accommodate people waiting in line, and it is cash only. Bottom line, they do not need our business because they already have too many customers. If they were a good business, they would make the people that are determined enough to take an hour out of their day to eat there mediocre food as comfortable as possible. Instead they haze their customers and the people strong and patient enough to wait are worthy of their service. Save your precious hour and eat elsewhere!
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Durran Champie
When dining at The Original Pancake House be prepared for three things (on average). 1. Waiting to be seated. It is usually easy to get a seat between 7:00 and 8:30 and 12:00 to close, but other times waits can be up to 30 minutes . 2. You need cash or check, they dont take cards of any kind. 3. More food than you were prepared to eat!!! Seriously. Two people could comfortably share one breakfast and maybe even have leftovers. The portions are no joke, big plus. The cons for me were.. 1. No Eggs Benedict at this location. 2. No biscuits and gravy. 3. The corn beef hash should be passed on, it is grainy and dry. Just doesnt have the savory taste youd expect. Atmosphere is nice, staff are friendly... overall, give it a try, make the choice yourself.
AV
Avery Cotton
This is THE ORIGINAL, Original Pancake House. Their Apple Pancake is ... Hold on... You have the wrong image in your head. It is made in a pan, and definitely has apples, so it is easy to see why its called an Apple Pancake, but this is not a flapjack with apple bits. This is hot cinnamon & brown sugar carmel, molten-apple goodness, in an almost custard-like "cake". Ever since I dared to order the Apple Pancake, Ive never ordered anything else. The only down side that Ive encountered is that the building, being the original, didnt see ahead to the future success, and has limited parking, and limited seating (and the geography limits expansion). It can easily be an hour+ wait to get a table during a breakfast rush. Bring a good book, and enjoy this.
