Happy to have found another great breakfast place in town! The Original Pancake House has an old school vibe with classic American breakfast options. The menu is extensive so something for everyone. They have a lot of indoor and outdoor seats. They are always busy but they have an online waitlist where you can add your name to. It gives you an ETA of when your table will be ready so you don't have to wait around. Upon arrival of our ETA time, we were immediately seated. Service was speedy and friendly despite being very busy. Our food came out within 15 minutes. The portions were generous so you leave full! The food was piping hot, fresh, and tasty. I like how one of the side options is a stack of small pancakes so I can enjoy my omelette and pancakes :) Definitely worth coming back for some more breakfast goodies! read more

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I've had great experiences with The Original Pancake House over the years, so I was looking forward to trying this location. Unfortunately, the overall experience was disappointing from beginning to end. The first odd detail came before we even ordered. Our hot coffee was served in thin glass cups that are typically intended for cold beverages rather than insulated ceramic mugs. From a practical standpoint, ceramic retains heat more evenly while remaining comfortable to hold. Thin glass transfers heat much more quickly, making the cup hot to the touch while allowing the coffee to lose its temperature faster. It simply wasn't the right choice for serving hot coffee. The dining room also wasn't particularly enjoyable. The guest seated next to us, along with her son, spent the entirety of our meal loudly yelling into a FaceTime call with the phone at full volume. While I understand that isn't entirely the restaurant's fault, it significantly affected the dining experience. The food and drinks continued to disappoint. The cappuccinos were extremely watery and tasted almost entirely of artificial syrup. We were told they're prepared from a powdered mix with hot water, which explained the lack of richness and espresso flavor. We exchanged them for the house coffee, which was acceptable but very basic. The breakfast potatoes were completely bland, no noticeable seasoning, no crisp exterior, and they tasted like randomly diced boiled potatoes placed on the plate. The Turkey, Avocado, Bacon & Cheese Omelet was the lone bright spot on the menu. It was flavorful, well-cooked, and exactly what you'd expect from a quality breakfast omelet. The Strawberry Waffle, however, was another disappointment. The batter still had a slightly chalky texture, almost as if the dry ingredients hadn't been fully incorporated. The strawberry topping tasted overwhelmingly artificial and reminded me more of the syrup used in a low-end frozen strawberry margarita than fresh strawberry sauce. To make matters worse, the table hadn't been cleaned thoroughly before we were seated. There were still crumbs and food particles left across part of the tabletop. The one standout was our server, Chris. He was attentive, upbeat, professional, and genuinely cared about making things right. Every concern we brought up was handled quickly, politely, and with a sincere apology. Chris is exactly the kind of employee every restaurant hopes to have, and he deserves recognition for his work ethic and customer service. After all of that, the bill came to over $50, which made the experience even harder to justify. Aside from Chris's outstanding service, very little about this visit met expectations. Unfortunately, I won't be returning to this location, and based on my experience, I can't recommend it to others. read more

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We were in town and decided to sneak away from the family for a little breakfast date. Came in on a Monday, so thankfully there was no wait. Service was great, and our server was super sweet and attentive. We ordered the buttermilk pancakes, biscuits and gravy, and a side of sausage links. Everything was really good. Definitely one of the better breakfast chains. We have one near us, but that location is just okay. This one was much better. read more

The Original Pancake House was PACKED but luckily my partner and I were able to get seated within 20 mins of being on the waitlist. The service was great and the ambiance was great. In terms of food, my partner got a bacon and cheese omelette and subbed the cheese for pepper jack. The omelette was HUGE and cheesy. It is an easy serving for two, maybe three people. I would recommend putting some type of garnish on top of the omelette for taste. I ordered the Apple Belgium waffle and wasn't a fan of it. The waffle was dry and the apples were super tart (green apples) although, they were pretty fresh! I also had a side of egg whites with sausage links. The eggs whites actually were really good; they did not have a crisp to them which I appreciate. Hot coffee was pretty basic but decent! Overall, I definitely recommend checking out this place if you are in the area! read more

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Had to wait 15 minutes for the table but it was worth it. Great food! Ordered the corned beef Hashbrown plate. read more

The Original Pancake House - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Poway, California

Like most breakfast joints, the earlier you go, the better your odds of getting seated promptly. This place gets busy especially on weekends. Known for their giant baked soufflé pancakes, yours truly indulged and got the smaller version; the Dutch Baby. It was pretty good. Kind of chewy like a crepe but thicker. It comes with whipped butter, powdered sugar and lemons. All went well with the pancake but I still found myself reaching for the syrup. Not bad at all. I'd go back but maybe try something else on the menu. read more

The Original Pancake House - Dutch Baby - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Poway, California

Aloha gang! Had breakfast with friends at the Original Pancake House. This was my first time here and I was eager to see the dishes they offered. The restaurant was bright and bustling with energy. People seemed to be enjoying their food and the noise level was low enough to have a decent conversation at the table. Our waitress, Olivia, had a bubbly and bright personality that matched the tone of the restaurant. She was on top of things and checked on us periodically to make sure we had everything we needed. I was in the mood for an omelette, so I decided to order an Irish Omelette. This fluffy omelette was a generous size and was filled with corned beef hash, onions and cheddar cheese. It was delicious. It included a side of potato pancakes which was a perfect accompanying dish. I added a little applesauce and sour cream to the potato pancakes and it balanced the meal making it sweet and savory. One of the other dishes in our party was the Baja Scramble. I sampled a bit of it and enjoyed the moderately spicy flavor. Two farm fresh eggs blended with chorizo, jalapenos, tomatoes and pepper jack cheese topped with cilantro and sour cream. It included a stack of pancakes. Something I'll definitely order on my next visit. A hearty breakfast was had by all and it was a great way to start the day. read more

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I love that you can join the wishlist for The Original Pancake House online! The service was prompt, and our coffees were kept filled up throughout the meal. The food is consistently good. read more

Came here the other day and it was awesome! The check-in process was super easy, you just scan the QR code out front, and it directs you to the waitlist if there's a line. Our waitress, Jacqueli, was incredibly sweet, attentive, and accommodating! We had to switch out one of our dishes, and she handled it right away with no problem! The new order came out super fast, and she made everything feel easy and comfortable. Everything else was perfect! The food was delicious, full of flavor, and definitely hit the spot. The atmosphere was homey and inviting! There's room for a larger party & offers outside seating. Plus, there's plenty of parking all around the building! Highly recommend this spot for a great breakfast! read more

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Lively, Hearty Neighborhood Spot Food: Pancake House has a pretty large menu, it can take some time to look over. I find their potato pancakes to be unique and they come with many of the egg dishes. I enjoyed my corned beef hash, it was slightly crispy, well-seasoned, and not over done. My table also liked the veggie Benedict. The ham and eggs were a bit too salty but otherwise good. None of the dishes were exceptional but the portions were hearty and the food tasted fresh. Drinks: The hot coffee was lovely, served piping hot and not acidic. They do not have any non-dairy creamer or milk options. Service: Theres nearly always a wait here on the weekend. Putting your party on the waitlist via Yelp 15-30min before you arrive is a great idea. Service is usually great here, the staff is amiable though they can get a little overwhelmed and may need a reminder or two for requests during weekend rush. Parking: Parking is easy as the restaurant is located in a large shopping plaza with amazon fresh and target. Overall: Busy neighborhood brunch spot complete with that classic, lively diner feel. There's a good variety of dishes to pick. Great spot to get a good hearty meal. read more

The Original Pancake House - Corned beef hash with poached eggs and potato pancakes - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Poway, California

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Very efficient and friendly staffs. Glad for additional seatings outside, so didn't have to wait. Food is always delicious and consistent! Great coffee as well. Will definitely come back! read more

BREAKFAST DINER IN POWAY A great spot for breakfast in Poway. (Located in the Target strip mall, near Carl's Jr). If you want to save your waistline and your wallet, I would advise you share a dish here -- portions are big and prices have gone up! We both ordered crêpes and had to take some home. As one of Poway's long-time breakfast diners, it's very popular -- I couldn't believe how busy it was when we visited on a Thursday morning in February (2026). They have a varied menu. I enjoyed a peach crêpe, which was delicious, although got a little monotonous tasting after several bites. I ordered a cappuccino, but was warned it would be a powdered one out of a machine or something of that sort and many are rejected, so decided against it. What a shame they don't offer top notch coffee drinks. I would also love to see some more healthy options offered. Restaurant noise level is loud. Our waiter was great and very down to earth, friendly and attentive. Indoor and outdoor dining available. Plenty of available free parking. Helpful? read more

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This Pancake house is always excellent! The food, service ambiance is consistently good, Im lucky it's in my backyard. read more

The pancakes were good. I expected a stack of two but they came in a smaller pack of 6 which is nice. The potatoes are good they taste like hash browns but feel like mashed potatoes. It's normal food, nothing bad but very expensive. The strawberry pancakes were almost $18 the orange juice is almost $6 a glass (small glass) and it's almost $4 to add one egg. It's okay food for a crazy price. The staff were nice. read more

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I'm a huge fan of this location and surprised I haven't reviewed this spot yet. We enjoy coming on weekends, so be prepared for a short wait when you get here. They have inside and outside seating. Their food is always good. I get everything from the benedicts to the scrambles. Would recommend to anyone looking for a solid brunch spot. read more

The Original Pancake House - Corned beef hash - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Poway, California

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We had a great breakfast here. The weight wasn't as long as I expected on a Saturday mid morning. Service was fast and friendly and the food came out very quickly. Everything was absolutely delicious and the portions were huge. I highly recommend getting there pancakes. The Dutch baby looked amazing. They cooked everything to order so my eggs and bacon came out perfect. I highly recommend this place. read more

The Original Pancake House - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Poway, California

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Can't wait to go back. Had brunch here for the first time and tried their Biscuits and Gravy which I loved. Tasted so good. Came with potato pancakes which are like soft hash browns. The Biscuits and gravy has poached eggs and bacons between the biscuits and the gravy and it was just deliciously harmonious. I also tried their Cappuccino which was sweet but yummy. Shared their Dutch Baby which is a small German pancake and for my first time, I enjoyed it! Especially with their plate of different condiments. Our server was super friendly. Very full on a Saturday around 1pm, but fortunately no wait read more

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Always fast and fantastic I come here every week with my kids and have brunch kids favorite is chocolate pancakes read more

We been coming to this place for a long time. My husband got a back pain. We just want to have breakfast and go to hospital. I was waited in line to be seated my husband seated himself on the table outside. And the host walked me to the table and said. Please wait to be seated with mean face and walk away. We spoke to manager. And she explained to us the reason why and kick us out took the menu away. I respect their system but to treat ppl like that without any empathy. Like this is a set rules. And no one sit outside as the video show. Just bad service and I'm not regret to not coming back here For you all who still come here make sure you follow their rules strictly. read more

I've been coming to OPH for decades and it is always consistently delicious. My favorites are the Dutch Baby, Apple Pancake (with yummy pink apple syrup), 49ers, and pumpkin pancakes. The American fried potatoes are a must with any breakfast. The portions of the pancakes are enough for 2 meals for me and it's tasty leftover too. Go get some (but don't look at the calories). Just enjoy! read more

The Original Pancake House - Apple pancake, buttermilk pancakes, bacon, and American fried potatoes - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Poway, California

Apparently I haven't reviewed here but have been eating here for over a decade. We came at 10:30 and the wait was about 10-15 minutes. It looks tight inside for seating but it works. Today the service was top notch. Hannah was our waitress and we celebrated a birthday. She brought the celebrant a cup of vanilla ice cream with whip cream and chocolate syrup with a candle on it. What a sweet and nice touch. I had the vegetable omelette with a side of corn beef hash, my daughter had the chocolate chip pancakes, my other daughter had plain Belgian waffle with a side of American fried potatoes. read more

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Wonderful food and excellent service. Good for med to large groups because they CAN supply you w separate checks

It's Always a good experience, you can go wrong with it. My favorite place for breakfast for me and my kids, just don't know a better. Coming today ! read more

The Original Pancake House - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Poway, California

This place is very cute, the food was pretty good their pancakes are really well made. Service was great and our waitress was very kind! Ambiance is alright I definitely feel this place is more of a spot for the older generation with decor that feels like a grandmothers house very comfy. Their omelets are massive so beware when you order they are no joke! Food was good but I wish they had combos so it's easier to order pancakes and a meat together. read more

The Original Pancake House - Irish Omelet, Pumpkin pancakes - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Poway, California

I've ordered Eggs Benedict here three times, and each time the eggs were overcooked with fully hard yolks. This is not how the dish is supposed to be served -- the yolk should be soft and runny. Instead, it turns into a dry and disappointing meal. After multiple visits, this seems like a consistent issue rather than a one-time mistake. read more

As first time guests at The Original Pancake House, we were so impressed from the moment we walked in. Hugo greeted us with professional, welcoming energy and clearly communicated that the wait would be about 20 minutes, which we truly appreciated. It set the tone for a smooth experience. Martin was so pleasant and got us started with freshly squeezed orange juice and waters right away. You can absolutely taste the difference in fresh-squeezed juice, such a simple but elevated touch. Lauren was our server and she was GREAT! Friendly, attentive, and confident in her recommendations. She suggested the Baja Benedict and she was spot on, flavorful, perfectly balanced, and absolutely delicious. And the coffee? So good. I added a little of their freshly made whipped cream on top for an extra treat and it made the whole morning feel indulgent in the best way. Wonderful service, delicious food, and an overall experience that felt both classic and special. We will 100% be returning. Thank you! read more

Great breakfast place. The coffee is hot and mellow, the wait staff are efficient and attentive and the food is delicious. The German pancake is so large that we shared it along with a side of sausage patties. The perfect breakfast! read more

The Original Pancake House - German Pancake and a side of sausage patties - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Poway, California

More food then you can ever eat! Very fresh ingredients, lovely atmosphere with heat lamps outside to keep you warm and cozy. Service was on point! Responsive and friendly. Definitely a great stop for a family get together! read more

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Great service and great portion of food/dishes! Staff are very pleasant and accommodating!

I personally do not support wasteful practices in the food industry and dining here was a major turnoff as a first time experience. The omelets are genuinely large enough to feed 3-4 people; if anyone is sitting down and eating that whole thing, I fear for your health and well-being. My friend and I ordered a dish each along with wanting to try the smaller German Pancake and ended up leaving with 3 to-go boxes that did not warm up well either - just wasteful. Taste-wise, nothing to get all that excited over. The omelet tasted like nothing more than the 5 pounds of cheese that went into it. Again, I hope frequent diners have healthy enough hearts for all of that. The middle aged woman with heavy make-up that attended our table was palpably in a bad mood as well which just made the whole experience less than hoped for. Knowing what I know no, if I were to ever return, I'll be sure to order one dish every 3+ people there and call it a day. read more

Mediocre to terrible food. Long lines. Long waits. Dirty bathrooms. Extremely expensive. This, like many places, have deteriorated significantly in the past few years. This was a solid option in the past but I will never go again. Today was the last straw with a $90 bulk for two people and very basic menu selections. The completely charred black bacon was a nice touch guys. read more

My boyfriend and his family have been talking about TOPH for years, and I FINALLY had the opportunity to dine here a few times in the last month. Yes, a few times, because we LOVE this place!!! Everything we've had here is delicious: crab cakes, potato pancakes (both regular and extra crispy), regular pancakes, corned beef. All so good! My boyfriend especially loves the swiss omelette. It comes out soft and fluffy, with a crispy crust for added texture. Even the coffee here is yummy! The service here is always on point. Service is warm, friendly, quick and accommodating. We'll be back again and again! read more

I was pleasantly surprised by the great service that we received. Every member of the staff was kind and prompt. The vegetarian omelet was tasty, blueberry pancake was delicious and the coffee was hot and fresh. read more

Great Apple pancakes. Great service. Plenty of parking. Can add your name to waiting list on Yelp if you're within few miles of restaurant. read more

The Original Pancake House - Apple pancake - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Poway, California

been coming here since we moved into the area 20 years ago. love it. great food. always good service. my go to is their corned beef hash with side of bacon. the place is a bit cramped but that creates a cozy vibe. but if you like space, make sure you go with the outdoor seating. read more

Ordered #PotatoPancakes and a side of #CornedBeefHash. Both were okay but the latter seemed to be a small potion for the price paid, With tax and tip the total was $27.11. I called twice and left a message about a water bottled I left behind. No one called back but they had it and I picked it up the next day. Service was okay too. I likely would come back but order something else. I imagine with coffee the bill would be $30 and quite pricey. read more

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If you're into omelets...these are the fluffiest and tastiest in San Diego! The veggie omelet is my favorite- full of veggies and cheddar cheese. I love the fried potatoes too! I didn't love the coffee- seemed very bitter even with creamer. The tables are too close together so next time I will be getting a booth. Still a great place to check out!! read more

The food was excellent. Scrambled eggs were cooked perfectly and the bacon was well done as ordered. The pancake side was exceptional also with a great taste. The service was very good and the entire restaurant was very clean. Really good meal and would recommend. read more

The Original Pancake House - Scrambled eggs with cheddar, bacon and pancakes. - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Poway, California

This is a popular restaurant so make sure to join the waitlist on the Yelp page! We spontaneously decided to try this restaurant on a Saturday at 10AM & there was already a 30min wait. Luckily we timed our arrival perfectly and received the text message that our table was ready once we found a spot in the large shopping center parking lot. All the staff was friendly, and we were quickly seated. In terms of the food, I think what we expected did not quite align with what we got. Now, this doesn't mean that YOU won't like the food, as long as you know what to expect. For example, I was expecting the apple pancakes to be carmelized apples on top of pancakes. However, these are not the fluffy buttermilk pancakes I was anticipating. They were very dense eggy/custardy things (maybe these are the Dutch babies based on what the pictures look like). The apples (nicely sweet and seasoned) were the exact same texture as the "pancake." If I could rewind, I would have rather tried their apple waffles. The homemade apple syrup was warm and sweet. The corned beef hash had a nice flavor, but when I order corned beef hash, I expect a bit more texture to the meat component. This tasted like a "pancake" of mashed potatoes and ground meat. Again, this doesn't mean that you won't enjoy the dish. But it did not satisfy my craving for corned beef. I thought the potato pancakes were pretty good with the sour cream, especially the nice charred edges. It was a unique dish for a brunch place, but I am definitely more of a crunchy crunchy hash brown kind of gal. read more

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Joined the waitlist on Yelp. That helped us with the wait. Only 15-20 min. Got seated quickly. Staff was very friendly. Very busy morning - being a Saturday so it was pretty packed. Staff was moving quickly and people were in and out. Very friendly place. Food was what you'd expect. The eggs with sausage were just that. Coffee was good. Pancakes super sweet. Crepes not so much. But overall the food was fine for a large chain. We would stop here again if we wanted a basic breakfast. read more

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