7/15/2002

I've heard a lot of hype about the Original Pancake House being so great, a Kirkland tradition for many years. I try not to let the hype taint my opinion of a restaurant. However, the Original Pancake House just doesn't live up to its hype, and it further reinforces my gut feeling that many Eastsiders have simply grown accustomed to the so-so food on this side of the lake.

Oh, sure.. the pancakes were good, and the "2 by 4" breakfast was also fine. But the "fresh squeezed" orange juice wasn't very good at all, and the coffee was ordinary. The prices sure aren't a bargain... we ended up paying over $20 for breakfast for two. This place is better than IHOP or Denny's, but it's still overrated. You can get much larger and better homestyle breakfasts at Brown Bag Cafe.

Bottom Line: A letdown, with average food at a semi-high price for breakfasts.