IHOP you like this post

In this edition of Chiang Chats Chains (dot blogspot dot com) we tackle IHOP. There really is no other place where one can get pancakes from every region of the globe. It truly is an International House of pancakes. Normally a staple of the suburbs, IHOP recently opened a store in the East Village and is rumored to be opening a second one in Limelight Marketplace. Honestly it had not been on my list of must eats but when cousin Chiang mentioned that he had NEVER BEEN TO IHOP, I found it a travesty and insisted we go immediately.

To get the full IHOP experience our order included: the strawberry cheesecake pancakes (good in theory, revolting after 3 bites), pancakes topped with strawberries and bananas (an excellent canvas for trying all 5 syrup flavors), the spinach, mushroom and cheese blini (for some vegetable intake) and the biscuits and gravy (indeed the gravy was just as gelatinous as one Yelper had mentioned).

I should have just stuck to the classic chocolate chip pancakes; nothing whets the appetite like a whip cream smiley face with a maraschino cherry for a nose.

Duped

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Thanks David Chang, for once again underwhelming me with your attempt at Asian nouveau cuisine. Rotisserie duck sounds like a good idea until you realize it tastes like warm, thick, cold cuts.

Thanks Momofuku for charging $16+ for a meal that made me feel disgusting, parched and bloated all at the same time.

Thanks Serious Eats NY for making me believe, duck, sauerkraut and steamed bao would be a good combo, when it truly just tasted like something your mom throws together in a rush to get to piano lessons on time.

Thanks New York for reaffirming that Alice Waters and her fig on a plate beats a David Chang concoction ANY TIME.