IHOP Consumer Reviews - Page 3

SOMERSET,, NEW JERSEY -- ON Sunday 2/13/11 after church, I went to the Ihop restaurant on Easton ave. in Somerset, NJ. for omelet meal. My two girls ordered from the children's menu. The server took my order as follow: omelet w/egg white, mushrooms, spinach, no cheese, add grilled chicken and a mocha raspberry decaf. I first rec'd the mocha without choc. chips (as shown in the many rest. advertisements) and it tasted nothing like raspberry. No big deal, so I just reordered a hot choc. instead.

My children rec'd their order in a timely fashion, but my omelet order took time and arrived with cheese on it. Unfortunately, the order had to be sent back to the kitchen to be corrected since I am on a low choles. diet. By the time I rec'd the corrected omelet order, I was sitting there close to two hours and my daughters completed their meals. I then asked the Mgr., "is the omelet free because of the terrible inconvenience?" He responded with "no". Shortly after, I decided to just leave without eating the omelet.

At the register I spoke to the Mgr. again and he shocked me by saying "you were just here on Monday 2/7 and pulled this same stunt. So, please do not return to this restaurant again." I can't explain in words how embarrassing his accusations were to my girls and myself. (In a proper manner I expressed my displeasure about this horrible experiences). My first thought was that this Mgr. can't be talking to me. The second thought was that he was maybe racist or just crazy, since I was never in this rest. a week ago. Nonetheless, his public accusation doesn't change the fact that, my order was completed wrong.

He insulted me publicly like I had a criminal history of ripping off their rest. Finally, at the end of this crazy experience, I paid the $19.00 bill with a hundred dollar note and he held the money up in the air to check if it was authentic, then shoved the change in my hands. All of this was done in front of my children and other patrons.

On Tuesday 2/15, I spoke to the owner who said the Mgr. told him all about what happened. He said, "I was told that you used profanity towards my Mgr. and other employees heard you." My response was, "did you talk to the other employees?" He said "no". I responded, "so you believe your Mgr. without any type of investigation? What is he, your cousin?" Since this owner seems to stand behind his Mgr., then he will be legally responsible if I take this matter to court.

When I first went into the website, I was shock to find out how many complaints Ihop has across the country. The question is, does Ihop CEO Julie Stewart ever read these complaints? WELL, I HOPE HER STOCK HOLDERS DO.

SAN CLEMENTE, CALIFORNIA -- My family wanted to eat a late brunch at IHOP one last time before we moved. This location was always questionable, however we still went hoping it might be better the next time. We decided to eat outside as we often do and chose a table in the corner for our baby to be out of the way of other customers.

We noticed spiderwebs all over the chairs which were connecting to each other, no sign of being cleaned in weeks, as well as playing musical chairs finding ones without spiderwebs. Our table had nothing on it as far as condiments utensils goes which the waitress finally came out to greet us and complete our table setting while complaining that she was going out of her way in doing so still forgetting sugar for coffee, while also complaining she had to roll utensils because they were out.

After she took our order because there was not time to get our drinks earlier, she quickly brought us our beverages in the glasses which were covered on the bottom in a jelly substance which quickly spread over parts of the table and didn't even offer or try to clean it up.

The waitress brought us our food. My husband's meal was great, he said however, "The omelet I ordered was supposed to be turkey bacon but they let out the Turkey." I wanted to send it back but the waitress never came to check on us again (this has happened a couple times before).

As we noticed her coming back our way we were preparing to let her know about my meal as well as order a dessert. When she came up to us with our check and never once asking how we were or if we needed anything else. Nope just, "I have your check ready and thank you for coming in."

This was the last time our family will return to this location unless the service has changed dramatically... We did let the manager know of our experience this time and previous and they did credit us my meal. We are not confrontational people and like to observe change before we review. I hope the waitresses will be better prepared in customer service. The better the service, the better the tip.

GAITHERSBURG, MARYLAND -- June 5th, 2010 10:34 PM. I go to a IHOP once every week in Rockville, MD. Today, along with my friend, we went to another IHOP located in Gaithersburg, MD. 1st complaint: When we paid our food bill, we paid with a $25 gift card we had, along with a $5 coupon. Then we told Sylvester (person at the cashier) that we decided to add more money to earn another $5 IHOP coupon.

We asked him how much money was left on the card and he told us there was $4.99. Then we told him to add $25 dollars to it. However he only added $20.01 onto it to make the gift card have $25 even. When he gave our gift card back, he told us that we are not illegible to earn a $5 coupon. Even though we asked him to add more onto it, he told us "Too late. If you want to earn a $5 coupon, you need to speed another $25. Not this time".

2nd complaint: My friend and I could not communicate with him so we asked for the manager. Sylvester said, "Manager is not here". From my experiences, I know that when a restaurant opens until closing time, the manager has to be present. I clearly explained this to him and then later he told me, "Who said no manager? I am the manager here!"

3rd complaint: I asked for him the name and phone number of another manager, with a higher position, to handle the problem. He wrote on a small piece of paper, the name "WIll" along with a phone number that made out to be "301-840-570(", slapped the paper onto the table, told me, "I am very busy. Good night." My friend and I had no choice but to leave.

When we angrily got into our car, I looked onto the paper and noticed that the last number in the phone number was simply "(". I got out of the car and had to go back in to look for him. He asked me what I was looking for. I asked him what the last number was and changed it to a "4". I didn't believe him and when I returned to the car, I used my cell to call the number "301-840-5704" and got a fax machine. I became even more furious! I really wish for IHOP to apologize to me for Mr. **'s/manager's horrible behavior and do something about the inconvenience I went through tonight.

FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA -- On April 12, 2010 I was on my way from work. It was late in the evening and I still had to pick up the kids from daycare, find something to eat for dinner and get them in bed on time for school the following morning. As I was driving I was also searching my mind for a restaurant to get a quick bite to eat when the commercial came across the radio that stated "during the month of April kids eat free at IHOP". I thought "wow, that sounds great" so I grabbed the kids and headed for IHOP. I pulled in at 1935 Skibo Road in Fayetteville, North Carolina and was courteously greeted at the door and offered a nice table.

Soon the host came over to take our drink orders and while she was there, I also gave her our food order as well. I asked her a few questions about the "kids eat free" offer and she assured me that their drinks were included in that offer. Approximately 20 minutes later she returned with our meals and as she placed my meal before me I asked "what is this"? That's the advertiser you ordered she replied. I said, I didn't order an advertiser, I ordered the sampler. She apologized but did not motion to correct the mistake instead she looked at me puzzled.

After a few seconds of quiet I said "look, I ordered the sampler because I wanted the pancakes but I'll tell you what, just bring me a take-out container and I'll just take this with me". I ordered the pancakes and waited as the kids finished their meals. When she returned with the pancakes she began rattling on something about the bill.

Now I'm puzzled. I looked at her and asked "what are you talking about"? "Well", she continued, "the register would not delete the kids' meals from your bill". She then walked away and returned with the bill. I was totally surprised to turn over that piece of paper and read $30.77. This not only included the advertiser but both kids' meals, three drinks and an order of pancakes. I then pointed to the sign that read "During the month of April kids eat free from 4PM to 10PM". I then requested to see the manager. The manager explained to me that the free meals don't come with the advertiser.

"Well", I replied, "that's not what the sign reads and as a matter of fact, the sign does not specify any meals attached with the offer". "There's nothing I could do" she replied, "the register wouldn't delete the kids' meals from your ticket". Although I paid my bill, I left IHOP very upset. I felt as if that was false advertisement, the service was terrible and the manager was very unprofessional.

MAYS LANDING, NEW JERSEY -- On Easter Sunday I decided that I would have breakfast with my children and grandchildren. We agreed to meet at IHOP on the Black Horse Pike in NJ, near the Walmart. Well when we got there there was a wait which I expected being that it was Easter Sunday. Well there was 14 people in my party and only half had arrived. When they called my party as we made our way to the tables the host tell one of the young ladies that were standing by the table that if everybody was not there we would have to leave and wait till everybody got there.

Well I was on the phone with my older daughter and I told her they were on their way but it would take about 15 minutes before they would arrive. She told me she could not hold the tables and to let them know when everybody was there. Well when my daughter arrived I informed the host that everybody was there. The host replied that it would take about 10 to15 minutes before they could set up the tables for us again so I told my family that we would have to wait.

After about 30 minutes we were upset and asked how much longer would we have to wait only to be told that they cannot force the people out and they could not hold a table for us either a whole section would have to clear out or we would have to eat in separate table not even close to each other again. I asked how long and the host replied "if you can't wait then leave."

So I asked to speak to a manager only to be told that they were busy and that "people with smaller parties would get the tables first and if it took 3 hours then that's what it was." I was upset and told them to cancel my party's reservation and left. Just to let people know we ended up at Denny's and had a great time.

BECKLEY, WEST VIRGINIA -- My family and I went to IHOP in Beckley WV, and we sat for 2 hours before we ever got our food. The server stated that she was new, so we tried to cut her some slack. Unfortunately, that left us without food for 2 hours, that included 3 salads and an appetizer. When we finally had enough, I asked to talk to the manager and I told him my complaint. His answer was to try to give us a discount on our bill. When he came back, he said that he took 50% off the bill. The funny thing is that our bill was right at $100.00, and after the discount made our bill at $60.00.

So we sat there for a little while longer trying to wait for our drinks, that we had been waiting on for at least 20 minutes. Another 30 minutes went by and we still did not have our food. Again we went to the manager and he told us that he was terribly sorry, and that our server was new. I informed him that if she was so new, that she shouldn't of had a party of 8 to serve by herself. And if they thought that she could handle it then when she got backed up, then someone should have helped her.

If you think that I'm being harsh I'm not, but when you know that your table's food is done and you have told them, then you should probably bring it out soon and not 20 minutes later. After all that when the food did come out it was cold, and we still sit with cups full of water from the ice melting. When I finally was dying the thirst, I hollered for our server and asked if we could have some refills, and after she brought them, my drink had a course hair in it.

I don't know if they were trying to send me a message or not, but my message to them would be, if you have a big party come in, and you're looking for a fairly big tip, you might want to try to check in with that table at least a time or two, before you wait hand and foot on all of your other tables.

ROSWELL, GEORGIA -- We ate at IHOP on November 12th (location in Alpharetta, GA). We had a coupon for buy one get one free. We had received 6 of them in the mail - more than we could use. We order 2 of the holiday pancake specials. I ordered egg beaters. We had a bit of a wait, but then they brought my husband's meal and didn't bring mine because the cook didn't use egg beaters on my mine so they had to be redone. My husband's hash browns were burned so much they shouldn't have served them.

Finally they brought my meal. I pointed out to the server that my husband's hash browns were burnt. They let us keep our coupon and acted they were comping the meal. Big whoop I had 6 of the coupons. It got worse. We didn't take it out on the waiter. It was the cooks problem although the waiter should have noticed the burnt hash browns. We left a 3 tip on a reduced what would have been a 14 bill but was a 9 dollar bill. When I check my credit statement the tip is not 12.38.

I call the IHOP and complain and the manager Mike ** acted like he was doing me a favor by giving me a 9.38 credit on my charge card which was the fraudulent charge to begin with. I told him I was unhappy enough not to return to that IHOP and he acted like he was doing all he could do and was surprised I wasn't happy. Hmm we were not compensated in any way for the burnt hash browns and then I had to take time because IHOP did a fraudulent charge mistake or not. It was a fraudulent charge. So I'm taking this IHOP off my list and will be less apt to eat at IHOP in general.

FRESNO, CALIFORNIA -- Tonight my family and I dined at the IHop restaurant on Shaw Avenue in Fresno and had the absolute worst dining experience we have ever had. First of all the restaurant was VERY cold. Outside temperature was 65 degrees, inside at least 10 degrees colder. We were seated at a corner table under the only non-operating light fixture in the restaurant. The waiter took our drink order and brought us our drinks.

We asked for just a couple of minutes to make our choices. After waiting on 6 other tables, including taking and delivering their drink orders and soups or salads, and even fully serving two of the tables, he arrived 20 minutes later to take our order. It was another 20 minutes before our food arrived; including the soup. When it did finally arrive, the waiter brought my daughter pancakes instead of the wheat toast she had ordered. The fries ordered by my son and my husband were both cold.

My carrots were cold, my soup was lukewarm, my baked potato was so hard and cold the butter didn't even begin to melt and the steak I ordered medium well was well done. The other patrons in the restaurant were obviously having the same type of experience as we witnessed several people shaking their heads and overheard several complaints and people asking their companions if they wanted to leave.

When we went to the counter to pay for this so called meal the cashier asked if we enjoyed our meal. My reply was a simple, "No comment". To which another couple waiting to pay nodded their heads in agreement and commented on how terrible their experience was. The cashier's reply was simply, "Oh." I paid the $55.90 bill without complaining just because I had already worked a 12 hour day and just wanted to go home. But, now after giving it some thought I feel like I have just been RIPPED OFF!!!

BUFFALO, DELAWARE AVE, NEW YORK -- I took my daughter to dinner at Ihop. I have never been to Ihop and we had seen their recent Dr. Seuss themed ads on TV. Tonight at about 7:15, my daughter and I arrived there. I noticed the entryway floor was really dirty and all of the door glass, but ignored it as I know Sunday is a busy day for diner -type restaurants. The restaurant was only about 1/4 full, but still we waited sometime to be seated. I ordered a cheeseburger combo with seasoned fries and a side salad with coffee. My daughter ordered the same combo with a children's 'beezlenut' drink, a Dr. Seuss themed drink.

The salads were fine. The coffee was obviously old, warm and very bitter. I asked for a new carafe. The waitress insisted she had just brewed it-was very snippy- but would bring another. The next carafe was hot, but still tasted terrible. The food came soon after and I was willing to let the coffee issue go. I turned to the side to get to my purse on the booth seat and noticed, then, all the food pieces and crumbs in the space where the bench meets the seat and food on the floor. I was beginning not to like the state of cleanliness or lack thereof.

My daughter then asked me for the side garnish to my burger. I then saw the black hair on the tomato. I started to feel nauseous. A waitress came by and asked if everything was OK. I said no and mentioned the coffee and the hair. She said she would send out a manager. She came back, no manager came. She stated she would replace the food or credit us for the coffee and the 1 burger.

I had eaten 2 bites from my burger, my daughter's was untouched and she had drunk about 1/3 of her drink. She had eaten her fries, I had eaten most of mine. I said that wasn't satisfactory. The waitress said she would send the manager out, yet again. We waited, no one came, so we left.

The waitress came out to the parking lot and knocked at my car window. I rolled it down and explained that I wasn't waiting for anyone else and I wasn't paying. She then called the manager on her cell phone. He then came out- a blonde in a chef's uniform who appeared to be about 20 years old. I explained about 4 times why I wasn't paying and he kept saying "I'm just trying to understand". I felt like a prisoner in the parking lot!! I mentioned that I found it highly unusual that I had been followed out to my car. Further harassment definitely made my first Ihop experience worse. They finally "let me go". It was terrible. I was very upset.

DECATUR, ILLINOIS -- It was Sunday Feb 17th-08. I took my family of 5 to IHOP for pancakes in Decatur IL. As the waitress took our order and she left to go back to behind the counter. She did a great job bringing drinks for the children and then it went downhill. Wife and I was waiting patiently for our kids pancakes. As the morning started to become to afternoon. The table next asked us "where is your food? We came well after you and you still do not have your food."

I stood up and looked over behind the counter where the cooks looked dumbfounded on what was going on. There is 6 cooks and one manager trying to keep things afloat. Arguing so customer can hear. I heard from one of the cooks I lost a meal ticket.

By then I also saw sausages and bacon thrown onto the 8-10 plates with fingers from the cooks right off from the grill, one after the other. It looked like standard practice from my eyes as each of them were thrown or better words tossing food right from the grill on all the plates. By this time a manager came out and asked if everything is OK. I told the manager I think someone forgot us. The waitress came back to the table and said "someone in the back lost your receipt" and asked us what was on our order after sitting there 45 min.

So by now I wanted to speak to the manager the big guy came back out to see me and I asked what is process for retrieving meal tickets to his cooks. He said he gets the receipts printed off from the printer but ran out of paper. Additionally, I asked "is it standard practice for cooks to use their fingers when touching bacon and sausage food?" His response is "all of my cooks hands are clean."

I returned with how often does he walk behind them to the bathroom. So having this kind of manager will not only close your facility down, I would request a health inspector to come have coffee or better yet have some bacon served up with five clean fingers. We will never go to IHOP again. I will travel 1 hr to go eat at Pancake House in Champaign. Please note it is cheaper to buy utensils then lose customers. Hopefully your district manager will do the right thing, I know I did. It seems that IHOP have taken a back seat in customer service when they hired this manager in Decatur, IL on Pershing rd.