IHOP

Northborough Crossing
Northborough MA

A friend of mine and I like grabbing breakfast early, before everyone else gets going.  We were texting on a recent Saturday night:

• If you want to go out for breakfast before you wife gets up, let me know
• How about tomorrow at 7, at the IHOP?
• IHOP?  Really?

I grew up in the shadow of an International House of Pancakes (rebranded IHOP in 1973.)  It was a big A-Frame building with a light blue roof, like the one in Shrewsbury.  These designs strike me as rather dated like the old triangular orange roofs of Howard Johnson and I couldn’t remember the last time I went to one (not particularly liking pancakes may have figured into this.)

So right before the 7AM opening my buddy and I were standing outside the new IHOP at Northborough Crossing.  While they still have a mini-A-frame at the entrance, the building is a typical one story building so many pad restaurants building.  Entering the building the first smells were of the new carpet, giving off that feel of new.

The inside is tastefully decorated, and much cleaner than the one I grew up near.  It has a nice, open feel.

Our waitress quickly appeared and suggested something off the 7 for $7 menu.  The Spicy Triple Meat Scramble caught both our attention.  How could you go wrong with diced pork sausage links, chopped bacon, dice ham, hash browns, diced Jalapenos, Cheddar Cheese and a hint of pancake, served with two buttermilk pancakes?

She kindly warned me the iced coffee came prepared, although it tasted great.

She went on to say the Shrewsbury location is owned by a franchise, while the Northborough Crossing location is run by the IHOP Management Arm, Mr. Stax., “although both have the same menu.”

Clearly while I was away the IHOP grew and updated itself.  This largely franchise operation born in 1958, out in California, has grown to over 1500 locations and $2.65B in sales.  Someone is going here regularly.  IHOP is owned by DineEquity, who also owns Applebees.

The food was tasty, although clearly hadn’t been run to the table quickly and lost a little temperature.  They must have been waiting for the pancakes, prepared perfectly and I don’t like pancakes.  Surprisingly, I found myself drawn to them, and not drawn to the scramble.

Overall, we both agreed the IHOP was a decent place a breakfast.

Hours

Weekdays 7 AM. to 10 PM
Weekends 7 AM to midnight

IHOP gets a Green Light – Go and enjoy

About the RAG scale:

       Green Light – Go and enjoy

       Amber Light – Use caution

       Red Light – Save your time and money

The Author

Gary Kelley has lived in Westborough since 1994. His reviews are what he would tell friends, and are not an academic analysis. You can follow him @glkelley or www.garylkelley.com