I have been to several Pancake House locations and up until now, have found no fault with where I have dined. Until Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025. The latest location, in the White Marsh Mall in Baltimore County, was a abysmal disappointment. First, my stepdaughter and I arrived close to closing of which we were not aware thinking that it was a great day to go to the newest location and I had basically bragged that the Pancake House had the best pancakes and great service and was excited to bring her. Okay, so we get there and it is empty except for one lone diner. The inside was kind of dark and melancholy seeming. The floor arrangement seemed kind of choppy and not inviting at all. Please work on the lighting. The hostess warned us that they were close to closing (2:50 pm) and she said that we could still order, but to do it fast. We could eat, but the order had to be placed before 3pm. That took us aback. Who orders immediately upon being seated, especially with the offerings of Pancake House? It takes a minute. And she placed us near the cash register, I guess so that she would not have to travel far in a near empty space.
So already my stepdaughter was disillusioned, but she agreed to try out the menu and see what she wanted. We placed our order with the hostess hovering (very disconcerting) and after she took our beverage order, went on her way. We looked at each other dubiously and debated if perhaps we should go over to the Silver Diner (MUCH brighter, livelier in there!), but as I noted prior, I wanted to experience the Pancake House at that location. We took in the environment and right away noted that the concessions on the tables surrounding us were woefully empty, granted it was nearly the end of the business day, but this was post-Labor Day, and schools were in session and traffic in the mall was reduced so the fact that there were empty syrup bottles on other tables, lack of sugar packets in some holders, bottles of Tabasco on some tables, but not on others, communicated a lack of care in service or presentation of the name "Pancake House" borne in history of the establishment. To say that I was disappointed, does even convey my feelings here.
I first went to a Pancake House in Bethesda, MD and it was such a pleasant experience, I went back several more times. In New Jersey, (West Caldwell), Boston Street in downtown Baltimore, almost visited the one in Columbia, SC, but pressed for time, and each time, I was not disappointed. This is the very first time, that I am assigning a score of -5 for the Original Pancake House.
I don't know who decided that location in White Marsh, but I believe it should be revisited. Many folks are no doubt delighted that there is a Pancake House in White Marsh, but once again, I think it should be updated or try another location or build a stand-alone. Or maybe lease out one of the buildings that dot the area near White Marsh of closed businesses. Also, WHILE we were still eating, workman dragged out a ladder and started seemingly to repair light fixtures or something in the ceiling....NEAR US!!!
Not only that, like us, the hours on the door is not very obvious so when a diner entered and was turned away, he noted the same thing "I didn't even see the closing hours!".
Some suggestions:
I have ordered banana pancakes before, but really, this order, the bananas were not so thinly sliced, quite chunky and while not unpalatable, it just was not inviting. Not trying to change your recipe for those pancakes, but how about cook, fry, whatever, the bananas INTO the pancake, THEN further entice by placing thinly sliced bananas on top for the complete "banana pancake experience"?
The buttermilk pancakes tasted NOT like buttermilk pancakes (according to my stepdaughter), tasted like they were made with just water. Make sure kitchen chefs are following the original Pancake House recipes and not minimizing the ingredients for a budget saving hack.
Enlarge the printing of restaurants hours on the door. When we left, we looked at the entry door with the hours and it was not that obvious...make the print larger so there is no doubt about the hours. The entry door was kind of awkward as well even though a ramp led to the door. Maybe design a ramp inside in addition to the lift. The designer/engineer who thought it would work almost seems dismissive of what the demographic serving the White Marsh area would accept. I am not one of them.
These are just my takes. I will probably visit Pancake House again, just not THAT one. I almost feel like I am owed another dining experience since that one was soooooo crappy (I don't have another word to use that can fully capture what happened there). read more