Kirti Das

Mason Marshall, writer, eats a bite of a Cinn-A-Stack Pancake Combo. Marshall recently visited IHOP in Nashua, NH, and decided to try their pancakes. “I was blown away by this part-savory and mostly sweet breakfast spread,” said Marshall.

On September 17, 2023, the International House of Pancakes became my world, with the Cinn-A-Stack pancake combo changing my life for the better.  

IHOP is a casual, sit-down and takeout restaurant with one of its 1,650 locations located locally in Nashua, NH.  On my visit, I ordered the “World Famous Pancake Combo,” which included two Cinn-A-Stack pancakes (buttermilk pancakes mixed with cinnamon roll filling along with cream cheese frosting), two eggs, two bacon strips or pork sausages and a hash brown.  For the cheap price of only $13.49, I was blown away by this part-savory and mostly sweet breakfast spread.  The pancakes had a perfect cinnamon flavor topped with delicious cream cheese frosting.  The savory sides offered my watering mouth a break from the sugar extravaganza of the pancakes.  “The pancakes were so good, there was Cinnabon stuff in it, and it was delicious,” said Addison Marchant ‘25, who recently visited IHOP.  This is a popular choice, “I mean it’s called the International House of Pancakes, so I feel like I’ve usually gotten pancakes,” said Christina Ellis, Social Studies teacher.

IHOP also serves as a great location to relax and enjoy quality time with your friends. The ambiance is peaceful, and the Nashua location was clean while offering ample seating to have your own space.  “IHOP was the environment my son [and I] were able to make memories in,” said Justin Ballou, Economics and Psychology Teacher.  This wholesome idea of spending time with others at IHOP may explain my cravings for their pancakes.  Most consumers may find the need to continue to return to IHOP. “Most likely the people that you’re with and you associate IHOP with having fun… so you are more willing to go back to IHOP for a wicked good time,” said Ballou.

Not only does IHOP offer consumers a great environment that comes with tasty food, but on weekends consumers have access to this whenever they please.  While I only went on an average Sunday morning, some IHOP locations offer select 24-hour opening days to fulfill midnight and 3 a.m. cravings.  The IHOP in Nashua is open from 7 a.m. on Fridays until 10 p.m. on Sundays which is made possible by the frequent need from consumers. “I am constantly in need of pancakes at 3 a.m.,” said Cait Engle ‘25.  The 24-hour Saturdays allow for consumers to “get [their] need of sustenance and want for fluffy, cloudy, goodness in pancakes satisfied,” said Ballou.

Similar to IHOP, Denny’s also serves the greater Nashua area with cheap and convenient breakfast food.  Although they are open 24/7 rather than only on Saturdays, this takes a toll on their quality.  On Yelp, customers cite bad customer service at Denny’s along with poorly made food.

From my experience, IHOP can be the international house of all three: wicked good pancakes that you enjoy with your friends, at any time of the day.  On a scale from one to 10 of how life-alerting IHOP was for me, it would receive an 8.  It changed my life for the better!