The Original Pancake House

Last updated
The Original Pancake House
Type Private
IndustryRestaurants
Genre Casual dining
Founded1953;70 years ago (1953) in Portland, Oregon, U.S.
FoundersLes Highet
Erma Hueneke
Headquarters,
U.S.
Number of locations
146 (2023) [1]
Areas served
United States, Japan and South Korea
Key people
Ronald Highet (President) [2]
ProductsBreakfast dishes
Website originalpancakehouse.com

The Original Pancake House (TOPH) is a chain of pancake houses across the United States. They have franchises in Canada that started in 1958 and are still operating. [3] They have recently expanded into both Japan and South Korea. [4] They follow traditional recipes [5] and ingredients for their pancakes but offer other standard diner fare as well. They also have a spin-off, Walker Brothers Pancake House, which has a similar menu, but with a formal ambiance.

Contents

History

"The Original Pancake House" restaurant in Southfield, Michigan The Original Pancake House Southfield Michigan.JPG
"The Original Pancake House" restaurant in Southfield, Michigan

The first Original Pancake House opened in 1953 in Portland, Oregon, by Les Highet and Erma Hueneke, [6] who collected recipes for their restaurant from around the world. [5] They soon franchised the name and recipes into locations spanning more than half of the U.S. states [7] and Winnipeg, Manitoba [8]

Known for their breakfast foods; their signature dishes are the Apple Pancake, Dutch Baby, [9] German Pancake, and omelets. They have over 100 franchised locations throughout the United States, [7] and are located from Seattle [10] to Edgewater, [11] from Wilmette [12] [13] to Williamsville, [14] from Honolulu [15] to its headquarters in Portland. [16] [17] One of the earliest franchised restaurants opened in Anaheim, California in 1958 and is currently owned by family of employees of the original Portland location. [18]

Sign outside of the Original Pancake House in Anaheim, California Original Pancake House Anaheim 2020.jpg
Sign outside of the Original Pancake House in Anaheim, California

In 1999, the Original Pancake House in Portland received a James Beard Foundation Award as an American Classic. [19] OPH was also named one of USA Today's Top 10 Pancake Restaurants in the Nation according to the company website, and the Hyde Park, Chicago location was well known as Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley's favorite breakfast eatery. On one occasion, he conducted an interview in the restaurant with anchorman Walter Jacobson. [20] [21]

The chain, which moved to Canada in 1959, spread further internationally in May 2013, when it opened its first overseas location in Seoul, South Korea. [22] A month later, it expanded to Kichijōji, Tokyo in Japan. [23]

Locations

The Original Pancake House is located in 28 states, with stores in most of the major metropolitan cities including Austin, [24] Atlanta, [25] Dallas, [26] Miami, [27] Chicago, [28] Seattle, Denver, [29] and Charlotte. A complete list of locations can be found on the website. [30]

The Winnipeg franchisee at one point had only one restaurant but has recently expanded to run four restaurants in the Canadian city under the same name with a similar logo while continuing to feature some of the chain's specialities such as the Dutch baby pancake and Giant Apple Pancakes. [31]

Since spring of 2013, a store has operated in Kichijōji, Japan. [32]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Village Inn</span>

Village Inn is a casual-dining restaurant chain in the United States. Its restaurants are known for their breakfast menu items. Also, they feature a variety of salads, sandwiches, burgers, melts, and dinner items. Their pies have won numerous awards from the American Pie Council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walker Bros.</span> Restaurant chain in Illinois

Walker Bros. is a series of pancake houses in the Chicago area. They developed as a franchised spin-off of The Original Pancake House, founded in Portland, Oregon, in 1953 by Les Highet and Erma Hueneke; the Walker Bros. version has been in business for over 45 years. Like the original, they are known for their apple pancakes, French toast, and omelettes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IHOP</span> American restaurant chain

IHOP ( EYE-hop, acronym for International House of Pancakes, is an American multinational pancake house restaurant chain that specializes in American breakfast foods. It is owned by Dine Brands Global—a company formed after IHOP's purchase of Applebee's, with 99% of the restaurants run by independent franchisees.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pancake house</span> Restaurant specializing in breakfast items

A pancake house, pancake and waffle house or waffle house is a restaurant that specializes in breakfast items such as pancakes, waffles, and omelettes, among other items. Many small, independent pancake houses, as well as large corporations and franchises, use the terminology in their establishment names, most notably the International House of Pancakes (IHOP), Waffle House and The Original Pancake House. Most pancake houses are dine-in, although most will offer carry-out as well. Many are open until around 3 a.m. Exceptions to this are large chains such as IHOP and Denny's, which are usually open 24 hours. Some independent pancake houses are found in strip malls, or exist as stand-alone structures that have been re-fitted, such as a closed-down diner or retail store.

Henry Thiele Restaurant, or Henry Thiele's, was a restaurant located at 2315 Northwest Westover Road in Portland, Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rose VL Deli</span> Vietnamese restaurant in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Rose VL Deli is a Vietnamese restaurant in Portland, Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canard (restaurant)</span> Restaurant in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Canard is a French restaurant with two locations in the U.S. state of Oregon. The original restaurant opened in Portland. A second location opened in Oregon City in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Master Kong (restaurant)</span> Chinese restaurant in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Master Kong is a Chinese restaurant with two locations in Portland, Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fried Egg I'm in Love</span> Restaurant in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Fried Egg I'm in Love is a restaurant with multiple locations in Portland, Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toki (restaurant)</span> Korean restaurant in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Toki is a Korean restaurant in Portland, Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toast (restaurant)</span> Restaurant in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Toast is a restaurant in Portland, Oregon, United States. Owner Donald Kotler opened the cafe in 2007. Known for its breakfast and brunch menu, Toast also offers happy hour and dinner options.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nite Hawk Cafe and Lounge</span> Restaurant in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

The Nite Hawk Cafe and Lounge is a restaurant in Portland, Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jam on Hawthorne</span> Restaurant in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Jam on Hawthorne is a restaurant in Portland, Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matta (restaurant)</span> Vietnamese restaurant in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Matta is a Vietnamese restaurant in Portland, Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RingSide Fish House</span> Defunct seafood restaurant in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

RingSide Fish House was a seafood restaurant in Portland, Oregon. The business operated in southwest Portland's Fox Tower from 2011 to 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cup & Saucer Cafe</span> Defunct restaurant in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Cup & Saucer Cafe was a restaurant with multiple locations in Portland, Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lovejoy Bakers</span> Bakery in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Lovejoy Bakers is a bakery with multiple locations in Portland, Oregon. The business is owned by Marc and Tracy Frankel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nuvrei</span> Bakery in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Nuvrei is a bakery in Portland, Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dockside Saloon and Restaurant</span> Restaurant in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Dockside Saloon and Restaurant, or simply Dockside, is a diner and dive bar in Portland, Oregon, United States. Established in 1986, the nautical-themed, New American restaurant is known for being where incriminating evidence against Tonya Harding related to the assult of Nancy Kerrigan was dumped in 1994.

References

  1. "213. Original Pancake House". Franchise Times . September 27, 2023.
  2. "Original Pancake House Corporate Information". July 27, 2021. Archived from the original on July 27, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  3. "About Us - The Original Pancake House". Archived from the original on 2023-02-27. Retrieved 2021-01-30.
  4. "アメリカ人の誰もが知っている美味しさ". THE ORIGINAL PANCAKE HOUSE. Archived from the original on 2014-08-09. Retrieved 2014-07-27.
  5. 1 2 "What are Pancakes?". Original Pancake House. Archived from the original on 2011-05-13. Retrieved 2011-05-09. Les Highet and Erma Hueneke, founders of the Original Pancake House in Portland, Oregon, collected recipes around the world.
  6. Sanderson, David (July 3, 2023). "Original Pancake House a Winnipeg fave for 65 years". Winnipeg Free Press .
  7. 1 2 "Locations". Original Pancake House. Archived from the original on 2011-05-05. Retrieved 2011-05-09.
  8. "The Original Pancake House menu circa 1959". Archived from the original on 2022-03-31. Retrieved 2021-01-30.
  9. Mutchler, Kayla (January 30, 2023). "Original Pancake House brings fresh breakfast to Westport". Connecticut Post .
  10. Leson, Nancy (May 5, 2011). "Readers share their pancake hotspots". Seattle Times. Archived from the original on 2011-05-08. Retrieved 2011-05-09.
  11. "Original Pancake House Completes Move to Edgewater". Boozy Burbs. August 5, 2015. Archived from the original on 2018-01-09. Retrieved 2018-01-08.
  12. Berg, Eric N. (February 21, 1990). "At the Nation's Table". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2015-05-25. Retrieved 2011-05-09.
  13. "Original Pancake House". Vegetarian Times. Active Interest Media (47). July–August 1981. ISSN   0164-8497. Archived from the original on 2023-02-27. Retrieved 2011-05-09.
  14. "Roman S. Jewula, founded Original Pancake House". The Buffalo News. April 2, 2011. Retrieved 2011-05-09.
  15. "Original Pancake House – Breakfast Indulgence". Hawaii Diner. September 2004. Archived from the original on 2011-07-25. Retrieved 2011-05-09.
  16. "Best Restaurants: Southwest & Beaverton". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2010-08-07. Retrieved 2011-05-09.
  17. "The Original Pancake House". Willamette Week. 2001. Cheap Eats. Archived from the original on 2012-05-24. Retrieved 2011-05-09.
  18. "Pancake veteran hangs up the apron". Orange County Register. September 30, 2006. Archived from the original on 2022-07-05. Retrieved 2020-11-03.
  19. "JBF America's Classics". James Beard Foundation Award. 1999. Archived from the original on 2008-06-01. Retrieved 2011-05-09.
  20. "Breakfast – CBS Chicago". chicago.cbslocal.com. Archived from the original on 2014-03-16. Retrieved 2013-04-22.
  21. "A voter's guide to the governor's race". Chicago Tribune. 2002-03-15. Archived from the original on 2014-03-16. Retrieved 2013-04-22.
  22. "The Original Pancake House in Seoul". Herald Corporation. 16 May 2013. Archived from the original on 2014-04-04. Retrieved 2014-07-27.
  23. ""The Original Pancake House" Opens in Kichijoji, Tokyo". Herald Corporation. Archived from the original on 2014-07-27. Retrieved 2014-07-27.
  24. "The Original Pancake House Texas Locations". originalpancakehouse.com. Archived from the original on 2018-02-04. Retrieved 2018-02-19.
  25. "The Original Pancake House Georgia Locations". www.originalpancakehouse.com. Archived from the original on 2015-05-15. Retrieved 2015-05-15.
  26. "The Original Pancake House – DFW – Made fresh from scratch". Archived from the original on 2021-07-28. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  27. "Welcome to the Original Pancake House South Florida!". Archived from the original on 2015-02-23. Retrieved 2015-03-06.
  28. "Walker Bros. The Original Pancake House". www.walkerbros.net. Archived from the original on 2015-03-02. Retrieved 2015-03-06.
  29. "Breakfast Restaurant Denver Tech Center & Cherry Hills – Original Pancake House". The Original Pancake House Denver. Archived from the original on 2021-07-28. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  30. "The Original Pancake House Locations by State". www.originalpancakehouse.com. Archived from the original on 2011-05-05. Retrieved 2011-05-09.
  31. "Home". The Original Pancake House. Archived from the original on 2021-02-05. Retrieved 2021-01-30.
  32. "The Original Pancake House". Timeout Tokyo. 19 November 2015. Retrieved 2023-11-20.