If there's one thing I know before going to IHOP it's that there's going to be a crowd. For a Sunday morning, a 20 minute wait is practically no wait at all. We got in and placed our order. I'm always a fluster over what to get here, I'm not real huge on pancakes but it seems like most of the breakfast offerings come with a short stack. I generally opt for something from the lunch menu. Our visit this day seemed to be marred by things only be done half way. Twice we were given coffee carafes which didnt have enough coffee for even two cups, a side order of hash browns was forgotten, and whipped topping was on one order of pancakes when it was asked to be left off. Other than these gaffes the service was friendly and the food was what we've come to expect from IHOP read more

Seated from 0-100 REAL QUICK!!!! Hostess was polite and friendly. The server was here within 2 minutes of being seated. CHOWTIME!!!!

I think overall IHOP does a great job for the volume they do. There aren't many other restaurants in the area that are as busy as IHOP is on any weekend morning. If you're lucky enough to get one of the 3-4 superstar servers they have you'll be in good hands. IHOP is the opposite of most restaurants in that their strongest servers can be found working the morning shifts. Now, go there for dinner and it's toss up. I had dinner there several months ago and that was the last time I had IHOP for dinner. The place is need of a face lift. The booth that I sat in the last time I was there was 50% brown duct tape and 50% vinyl. Wanted to give 4 stars but they can do a better job keeping the place in good repair and overall service is just ok. read more

My day is ruined! :( Why were the Bananas Foster French Toast discontinued?!?! Was the best thing on the menu and now I'm sad :( :(

We have been to many Ihop restaurants over the years and we have gotten used to expect the same quality of food and service. This Ihop is the exception. Food is the same but service is extremely bad. We have had breakfast here around 4 times and every time we have to wait too long to be served. The staff is lacking in training. They forget things or bring out the wrong order and then it takes them forever to respond to what they did wrong in the first place. This Ihop needs more and better trained personnel. Don't eat breakfast here. read more

NEVER EVER have I felt compelled to write a review, but this could not go without saying anything. My family decided to go for breakfast since everyone was home from school/work and was the day before thanksgiving. The service was a complete mess, order coffee which never came until we had to ask them again (would understand if it was busy, but it was half full) she couldn't remember to bring utensils nor when I stated multiple times please "NO CHESSE" but instead was given extra, had to send my someone from our table every time we needed our drinks refilled, but let me tell you when I asked for the check she bought in a short second. She is lucky to have gotten at least the 10% tip, where normally we tip 25-30 cause we do understand how hard it is to work in this field. No matter what the excuse is its never good enough to give bad service. read more

Went to this location since the warrenton location is horrible and can't read their own menu. Here we were told we could get an additional side and now are told that we wont get those since the employee told us and they were wrong so instead of just saying we will go ahead and take care of a 2 dollar item they would rather not back up and employee and make a customer never return to this establishment. read more

Wow I do believe someone has turned this place around since the last time we were here! The restaurant was busy and yet of drinks and food order came out very fast and nice and hot. Our server Andrew was the best! I would recommend everyone to come back and enjoy! read more

Took grand children in and was a little concerned. Water glass and juice glass were rough on the outside. It felt like the dishwasher did not clean or left bits of food on them. The service was good and the food was as expected. Not sure I would go back because of concern about cleanliness. read more

I would give this place zero stars if is possible. The manager sucks and she stares at us the whole entire time when we were eating this place is terrible. read more

Breakfast on Labor Day. Food was excellent, but it took almost half an hour for the food to get to the table.

Fast seating, prompt service, reliable food. It IS IHOP, so if that is what you want, you will not be disappointed. Always very clean, special orders always correct and well prepared. read more

Unfortunately, until they address their issues, I would advise everyone NOT to eat here. We have been going to the Gainesville VA IHOP for years and never had a problem until now. Our family considered it a place to bring our boys when they did well in school or wanted a quick family night out. Over the past 8 month or so, we started to notice a decline in the service. At first we just brushed it off as a hard working person having a tough day. We let it slide because we loved going to this location until now. 1st issue: Last Saturday, I was out and decided to swing over for some breakfast for myself. Once there the employees seemed disorganized as they forgot the order of guests and sat a few guests after I had checked in, which was no big deal as it happens. When it was my turn to be seated, I was told by a female hostess to follow a male server to my table, which I did. Once I arrived at the table where the male server stopped, he turned around and looked at me and said in an irritated manner, "What..., why did you follow me?" Shocked. I turned around and walked back to the female hostess and said, "I'm confused.", she then pointed to an open booth within another isle and said, "I meant you should have sat over there." I then proceeded to walk myself to said booth. As I sat at the table, I noticed the employees were extremely careless and rude. I ordered my meal, ate, and still left an 18% tip. 2nd issue: This evening, my family and I decided to keep a positive outlook about this IHOP location and have a celebratory dinner for my son who passed all of his year end tests in school. We arrived and were immediately told by an employee "There's a 20 minute wait because multiple employees didn't show up for work today". I found that statement to be very unprofessional but decided our family would wait the 20 minutes. Once we were seated, everything seemed to be going fine until, I took my first bite of pancake. Immediately, my gag reflex kicked in and I spit it out because there was an overwhelming taste of some kind of perfume or soap within the food. I was completely shocked and asked to see the manager. I explained what I tasted in the food and expressed my concerns. The manager took the pancakes off our bill and apologized. It pains me to say this but we will never return. And it's sad because my family truly loved this IHOP, but due to the recent decline in service and foreign chemicals found in my food, we will never return to this IHOP. Please take my advice and stay away from the Gainesville VA IHOP, until they resolve these clear and very evident issues. In my view, there is clearly a management problem and it is manifesting itself through poor service and actions from the employees. We've had too many negative experiences over a short amount of time to blame the average worker within this location, nevertheless it's taking place. read more

My son and I recently visited the Ihop to have a meal together. We were seated by the hostess and reviewed the menu. We waited for about 10 - 15 minutes and did not receive service. Then a few minutes later, the hostess sat another party right behind us. Immediately they received water followed by their order being taken. I interrupted the waitress and asked about our order and who was serving our table. She essentially blew me off with virtually no response and ignored me. We got up and left. I was very troubled about the very poor service and customer service. So I went back in and asked for the manager. It was clear from the manager's expression after I described the waitress, that I was not the first person to complain. I explained to the manager about our experience and she asked what she could do to make it right. I asked that she engage her employee and explain that this type of behavior is unacceptable. Not going back any time soon. read more

The food here is good, but I absolutely can not stand the way they clean tables here. The rags they use smell and it leaves this stench behind that makes eating your meal difficult. I have had this happen on several occasions. read more

this ihop sucked our waiter didn't serve us barley like shit but she also gave us our check halfway through our food. i felt unappreciated and rushed through my lunch. read more

I love the food .my kids love their pancakes service is ok definitely I will be back

Worst IHOP I've ever been to. First time I was ordering to go and I had 2 different staff members tell me "someone would be with you shortly". Five minutes later I'm still standing there waiting for someone. Finally, someone took my order, get home and my breakfast sampler was wrong. Second time I came around 11pm. No other place in the area was open so I decide to here. I place my order (to go) and then 2 minutes later the lady comes back and tells me they're getting their kitchen cleaned so they can't cook anything. read more

I don't recommend this place to anyone unless your looking for a place with awful I mean AWFUL service and food that will make you sick. The past two times I've been there I have gotten sick from the food and I know of other people who have gotten sick as well. The food comes out room temp never hot and the turkey bacon is either WAYYYY undercooked or burnt so bad it doesn't even taste like bacon. The service is terrible especially if you go during the evening. I had to wait 15 minuets just for the waitress to ask what kind of drink I wanted....I would have left but I was starving. If I could rate zero stars I would WORST PLACE EVER. read more

I'm a breakfast person all day long and I like the fact that this IHOP is open 24-7. The food is what you'd expect and the service is good. If you go around Thankgsgiving time, you hould try the Pumpkin Praline Pancakes. They're super yummy! read more

My kids love this place. It's clean and they have kids night Tuesday with an employee there who does nice crafts with the kids plus coloring is set out for them too. Staff here is always very nice and management is excellent. It's very clean too. We go often and never have a problem. Love this ihop. read more

We went to the Gainesville IHOP around 11:00 this morning after staying away for months because of bad service; we thought we give it another try. We should have just stayed away. The waitress was bad the food from the kitchen was poorly prepared and room temperature at best. The waitress brought out the juice size glasses of water filled with ice(which meant there was little water in the glass) and the coffee was warm not hot. After waiting a few minutes the waitress came and took our order. It took the kitchen staff 30 minutes to prepare part of our order. We were seated at the booth next too the kitchen and I could see the waitress going into the kitchen multiple times. After 30 minutes she came out with two bowl of grits but not the rest of the food. The two people sitting across from us who came 20 minutes after us received there pancakes, hash browns and sausages, which was close to the same thing we ordered. I am just questioning, are the cooks bias to the nationality of the waiter and waitress???? because how could the people beside us get their food so quickly??? After the grits sit their like they were an appetizer for 5 minutes and the waitress waiting on other tables but didn't come back to our table. I could see her going back in to the kitchen pick up area and still no food. About 7 minutes later she comes out with the rest of our food, no explanations or apologizes. The waitress seem like this was normal service (poorly prepared room temperature food). My husband ordered a side of pancakes and got one pancake. He asked the waitress were was the other pancake and she said they only give one pancake when you ask for a side of pancakes and one pancake costed $1.00. She had a look on her face like please don't ask me to order you an additional pancake and never offered to put in an order for the additional pancake. Besides we didn't have another 35+ minutes to wait. We have eaten at other IHOPs and know this is not true. She Never came back to the table until we were finished eating. The manager came by after she did, (in a rushing let me make my rounds appearance) when we were finished eating and gave us some additional water in our tiny juice glasses and rushed off before we could say anything. when she gave us the bill she had charged for two pancakes even through we only got one, so we let that be her tip. If you want poorly cooked room temperature food and bad services go to Gainesville IHOP, If not drive the extra few minutes to Manassas Mall IHOP. Want be back until they announce they have changed management or retrained the staff including the cooks!!!!! read more

This place has cleaned up their act. It is now clean in there including the restrooms. Table and seats no longer stick and you don't trip over chunks on the floor. The service has definitely improved and the staff are mostly new as we asked our server. Food actually came out hot and was cooked just as we like. Hasbrowns are more stacked so that they are crispy on the outside and fluffy in the middle my bacon was so crispy it snapped like glass which is exactly what I wanted. My eggs were so perfectly poached I wanted to save then and take them to the SUPER EXPENSIVE Eggspectaions and show them what a poached egg should look like. Been there twice this week at different times of day for breakfast and it has been consistent both times. Very enjoyable read more

Terrible service. 35 minutes before food arrives and it arrives dead cold. Hot the drinks wrong. Had to ask where our food was. Once you do that, you know it's not coming out hot. Server just forgot us. The table beside us had the same server and the same problem. The manager was nice but then the sever came back and said the manager said it was her fault but she said it wasn't. Go figure. Never again at this location. read more

It was my mom's Birthday and she would like to eat at IHOP, not busy. Manager was nice and we got table quick for 8. Menu was hand it over and after, NO one attended our Table, we have not clue who will be our server. I had noticed server was just walking around. I pick up my phone and set the timer hoping that, if anything happen I can say something. After 10 to 15 mins still no one ever approach our table. We walked out and I told the manager that, we leaving because NO server ever came to our table. Manager sound surprise but he never even bother to stop us and says something. IHOP you need to retrain your employees it is so bad, this is the 1st time I walked out from a restaurant. BAD, BAD, BAD place to eat your meal. read more

This place is terrible...service is slow......food is okay, if you eve get it, staff doesn't care and won't come back....if you want a good meal and good service you won't find it here... Went in today for lunch at 2pm, server never came until we told the hostess that she needs to let the server know that we are waiting, that was after 5 minutes... Ordered a simple sandwich burger and pot roast sandwich, asked several times about our order, no one ever came by...saw our server only when he took the order....took me having to get up from the table walk back to the server area to get someone's attention and our server said it will be there in 2 minutes. Server and manager never came by, waited another 10 minutes got up again, went back to the server area in the back told the manager to let our server know that we are not waiting anymore for our food, it's was 30 minutes and my mother and I walked out.... Called them back, manager apologized but damage already done....got the email address of Julia Stewart the CEO. Of IHOP and sent her an email... Stay away from this place unless you want slow, inconsistent, non caring service......won't be back there or go to any other IHOP....looking forward to the new restaurants opening up across the street... Something as simple as 2 sandwiches and they couldn't even get that right....how pathetic!!!!! They have a lot of soul searching to do if they want more customers read more

great people great food :) my server was very sweet the food was out in a good time and it was great food ihop always has great food

I can't believe I'm writing a review for an IHOP. Oh well! My hubby and I came to eat here at 7am on a stormy Saturday morning. The restaurant was practically empty, which I thought was great because we'd get our food fast. I was wrong. :( Our drink orders were taken quickly, but when we were asked if we'd like a couple of more minutes to review the menu, we said that would be good. Well, somehow a couple of minutes turned into 10 minutes, and even after that it was 20 minutes after we got our food. Employees in uniform happily ate at the table across from us, which annoyed me because while I understand they need to eat too, they probably shouldn't eat in the dining room. Isn't there a break area somewhere? Needless to say we spent a total of 1 hour in IHOP...which would be okay if they were busy...but they weren't. So minus two stars for crappy service. However, the food was good - how can it not be? Their cinnamon pancakes were amazing! It's also good to note that the restaurant was very clean - not even the syrup bottles were too sticky! read more

My family goes here very weekend for our breakfast. They are consistent with their food and we love it every time

I like IHOP but I love this location. The older guy that (I think) owns it is the kindest. He really goes out of the way to try and make your experience special. On veterans day last year he set a beautiful table for the lost soldier and he handed out roses to known veterans. Today he was offering to top off o.j. He's just the nicest. read more

We came in for a late night/after movie meal! Since it was midnight, it wasn't very busy at all. However, we were greeted very sincerely and promptly seated. Our waitress, Dorthea, took excellent care of us! Unfortunately, it took us forever to make up our minds but she was very patient and continued to check in on us with a positive attitude. When it came time to order, because we FINALLY knew what we wanted, Dorthea had it down to a science. She knew every question to ask and was just so systematic in a friendly way. Although she had a table of 8 as well as us and a few more, she was always available and we never once felt neglected. The food came out shortly after ordering and was absolutely on the better end of the IHOP's. My stuffed French toast was ACTUALLY warm in the middle!!! My eggs came out with spinach & cheese! Overall, the food was very good - but our service is what made it great! read more

BAD. I Came in around 11:30AM for a brunch with my girlfriend. The host put us in a booth and we sat there for 20 minutes without anyone approaching us to even take a drink order. They obviously don't know what they were doing because the host said "thank you for coming, have a nice day...." when we gave up on waiting and just left. NEVER AGAIN. Such a poorly managed restaurant. read more

We live in this area so going to I Hop is a regular thing or atleast it was. Last Sunday my husband and I decided to go out to eat. We chose I Hop because we do enjoy the variety and love breakfast any time of the day. There was no line but the hostess seemed too busy to seat us and kept coming by saying ok how many then telling us to hold on. After 4 tries she finally picked up menus and had us follow her. The restaurant was particially full. As we walked through, food was all over the floor. At first I thought it was because a big party had just left with a lot of kids, but once we were seated I got a much better view and realized there was food everywhere I looked. It was crammed under table legs and smooshed up against booth bases. Our table was disgusting and sticky. We were so appalled we got up and left. We have never gotten great service at this place but it was tolerable and the food was edible but fifth on top of that was just too much for us. We went to eat at Pot Bellys and it was wonderful!! read more

I have low expectations of IHOP in general but was hungry and I was already parked near the Gainesville, VA, store due to a nearby appointment. After being seated promptly I noted that the menus and paperwork I set down were all wet because the table had been poorly wiped, leaving literally puddles of water on the table. The assigned waitress never stopped by so another one did after seeing that no one was serving my table. The food arrived promptly and wasn't bad, but I've had the same dish in another IHOP recently so was able to tell that this dish wasn't as good as it could have been. I had to ask for a fork because the pre-rolled napkin/silverware bundle on my table only had a spoon and a knife in it. Because I paid in cash, I guess, I didn't get my ticket back after paying, but since I wanted a receipt and because it had information that I wanted on how to leave a review, I asked for it back. I noted that the waitress went to the front to get it, and since I was leaving anyway I joined her there. The manager (I guess, not dressed as a waitress but not otherwise identified) dug around in the trash and finally pulled a stained and crumpled ticket from the trash and tried to hand it to me. When I asked if I could have a new clean one that hadn't been in the trash she gave me a rude look, snatched it away and, with a dramatic sigh - but not a word - turned to the register to print a new one. Which, by the way, is what I wanted anyway. I told them if it was such a bother to never mind, and walked out. I won't be back. Given that this is the FIFTH BAD review on this one site in less than one year, I don't expect improvement and suggest you be prepared for a similar experience if you choose to eat here. read more