Original Pancake House

04/05/2008 Posted by TheSpoon

Considering this place always has a line, I expected a real breakfast experience. Highest quality food, exceptional service. It had been years since I have been here (the wait is ridiculous for breakfast) but went with the entire family after a morning get together. Let me start by saying that the pancakes are delicious. Can't reall go wrong there but honestly, they taste like any other pancake. You can get great cakes at the corner diner...and alot cheaper. The coffee is good but nothing to write home about. My omelet was basically a baked shell with soup in it. Completely runny and for $8.99, I would've expected something edible. I sent it back and asked for a side of bacon instead. I've worked in enough restaurants to know that if you send back your food, don't order anything that require cooking. Just because it's in "posh" Birmingham doesn't mean they don't mess with your eats. Back to the $4.00 bacon, it was thick sliced but so fatty. The toast was good, though. A family member ordered Corned Beef Hash and it came in a small crock with eggs. Funny whenever anyone tries to tell me that the food is "fresh". Some people obviously can't tell fresh. This was fresh from a can. No flavor, dry. He ate the eggs but didn't want to send it back because unlike me, he doesn't complain. The whole dish remained full, sans the eggs and the waitress didn't even ask if there was an issue. Let me break it down for you. If the Birmingham address is the reason this place has a line out the door on the weekends, and I have a sneaking suspicion it is, then there are alot of people out there who have no idea what good breakfast is all about. You are better off hitting Alex's on 12 mile in Berkley, Cozy Cabin on 12 mile in Warren or if you think you need to be "trendy" while eatting pancakes, go to Toast on Woodward in Ferndale. These 3 joint know fresh breakfast, give you actual value for your buck and the service if FAR superior. Unique breakfast? Suckers.

Pros: Good coffee

Cons: Long wait, poor service, markets food as fresh but definately is not, expensive for what you get

02/03/2008 Posted by RMillerRH

Forget other restaurants that specialize in dinner but dabble in breakfast. The Pankcake is the place to go for breakfast (no matter the time of day). The food is great, always served warm, and the juices are fresh.

11/18/2007 Posted by marpop

If you can't make it on a weekday morning, you'll have to tolerate a 30- to 45-minute wait ... but it's well worth it. This is one of those tried-and-true breakfast spots that locals love -- the bacon is crisped to perfection, the pancakes fluffy and the oj pulpy and freshly squeezed. I've eaten here a handful of times (mostly because I dont like waiting so long) and haven't been disappointed. The decor is cute and sort of nostalgic but I still think the prices are a bit high.

Pros: Pancakes, OJ, bacon

Cons: Prices, looong wait

05/03/2007 Posted by bgb43

My favorite is the Spinach and Cheese Omelette with the mushroom sauce. Any pancakes served there is tasty. Pro: good food. Con: Be ready to wait in line because it is a local favorite.

Pros: good food

Cons: wait in line

12/19/2006 Posted by cdotn

this place is wonderful! try the garden dutch baby with sausage added and a side of salsa. it's heaven!

Pros: best breakfast

Cons: crowded

10/13/2006 Posted by tasha99

I love this place, don't get me wrong. The food is so good

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

04/14/2006 Posted by haasb712

This is NOT your typical diner breakfast; it IS a place where breakfast fare is taken seriously and done with pizazz. Bacon is maple-cured and thick. The apple and German pancake are masterpieces: fluffy and chewy, baked to perfection and spiced right. The omelets are baked and fluffy, stuffed with real quality ingredients. There are no shortcuts, down to the hearty arabica coffee and real cream. The wait can be infuriating and crowds heavy, but if you can get in, by all means - do so.

Pros: Food quality, menu, professional service

Cons: crowds, waiting

11/26/2002 Posted by ethrash628

The food is so good. That it is worth any inconvience.

11/24/2002 Posted by ckandw

Every time i've gone in there it is horrible. Nothing like the one in chicago. even the food in chicago is better

11/24/2002 Posted by Alan_Burger

If you are eating in Birmingham, then value isn't the most important issue. But a enjoyable experience is. It is loud, service is slow, but you can get great Crepes and other specialties that are well prepared. I wouldn't go there daily, but just once in a while.

Pros: different offerings

Cons: too loud inside, Slow service