Okay, I’m not a poster child for IHOP (International House of Pancakes), but I really like the food. Even if the prices don’t quite agree with me, the flavors absolutely do.
The First Trip
Well, the first trip was a no-brainer. Airplane food leaves a lot to be desired and I’m always hungry when completing an international flight of more than 15 hours. The collective we (travelers and those who picked us up) headed to IHOP and arrived at about 1 am on the morning of the 14th. Technically, day one was the 14th since my flight arrived just before midnight on the 13th. Now, I don’t remember what everyone else ate, but I ate the country fried steak breakfast (and that’s only because I let the wife order for me). After more than four years since my last trip to the US, I probably wouldn’t know what to order for myself and would probably spend my first half hour salivating at the menu.
The Second Trip
Sometime after 8 am on the 16th, we headed back to IHOP for another round. My wife gets paid on Fridays, so this was her treat instead of mine. Again, I don’t remember what everyone else ordered, but I ordered the Colorado Omelette with scrambled eggs and pancakes, of course.
For some reason, my wife wants to return to IHOP on either Friday or Saturday morning of each week. I don’t understand… I prefer a homemade breakfast most of the time. Besides, we could use the money we’d spend on something more important, like clothing since most of what I wear is five or more years old.
I’m Spoiled by Good American Food
This is the problem I face whenever I return to the Philippines — being spoiled by good American food. IHOP’s main menu is just one menu from one restaurant chain. There are other places I intend to patronize before I leave at the end of January, 2013, but it wouldn’t do me any good to list them. I will, of course, be avoiding fast food places like the plague.
In the Philippines, most American food is represented by the fast food chains of the US like McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Pizza Hut, KFC and Burger King. I said most, not all. There really are some good restaurants that serve American food, but they’re few and far between. Most of what I usually find is Philippine-ized American food, which isn’t a big deal because a lot of it started out as Americanized non-American food, if that makes sense to you.
Dining Plans
I don’t have any… not really. I’m supposed to get together with a niece or two and possibly a nephew and they all live within two hours of where I’m staying right now. I suppose we’ll be meeting somewhere at the halfway point, and at some particular restaurant, but I think it’s too early to guess right now. Heck, I haven’t been here a week yet and I’m still jet-lagged to death.
RT, I hope you and yours are doing well.
Next time to the States you might try the Original Pancake House. IHOP is a pale imitation. Very pale.
Odd that you don’t like IHOP prices though. Generally they are considered pretty cheap here.
As far as prices go, it’s almost like a culture shock since I haven’t dined in the US in more than 4 years (I had a short two-week stay in 2008). I’m not saying it’s expensive, I’m just not used to it.
I have never heard of the original pancake house, so I guess I’ll have to research it.