IHOP Secret Menu Items And Employee Secrets We Did Not Know About

1. Steak Tartare

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Honestly, we just don't think we could get on board with this type of dish at IHOP. When you think of IHOP, you think breakfast foods and of course, stacks of pancakes. Steak tartare seems a little outside the IHOP wheelhouse. But it definitely exists on the secret menu, and not only that, people seem to like it and keep ordering it! They prepare their dish with egg yolks, onions, and capers. Soooo, if you're feeling gutsy and want to risk a little food poisoning, you can ask for this dish next time you're there!

2. Cinn-A-Stacks

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Many customers were outraged when IHOP removed Cinn-A-Stacks from their regular menu. It seemed to be a fan favorite, so it didn't make sense that it was removed, and people truly panicked. The best part of this variety was definitely the cinnamon spread, and we have good news! The spread is still used on the Cinnamon Swirl French Toast. So, all you have to do is order your favorite buttermilk pancakes and ask for cinnamon spread. You'll be back in Cinn-A-Stacks heaven in no time! Just ask for this secret menu combination!

3. That's a LOT of pancakes

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It's literally in the name, so we guess it's not surprising to hear that the International House of Pancakes sells a LOT of pancakes. However, hearing the actual number is pretty insane! It's reported that IHOP serves at least 700 MILLION pancakes per year. That's enough for every person in the United States to have 2.12 pancakes. Additionally, they have said that across the year, they go through 1.5 million gallons of maple syrup as well. We think it's safe to say that America is really running on a sugar high!

4. This is why the dressing is on the side

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Apparently, the reason the dressing will always come on the side at IHOP is because employees were getting in consistent "trouble" from corporate about how much dressing was being given to customers. So they started to only serve dressing on the side for the cost reason, but also to eliminate customer complaints who were consistently saying there was too much or too little dressing. This allows the servers to take out individual containers, and it allows the customer to control how much dressing goes on their food.

5. Spinach and Asparagus Risotto

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If anything, this list will convince you to branch out the next time you visit IHOP. They truly do have so much more to offer than fancy pancakes! If you're feeling like some risotto next time you're at IHOP, well, they've got you covered! Did you know that their secret menu carries a lovely risotto topped with spinach and asparagus? They cook it in a lemon broth that's said to be quite delicious, and it's a great alternative if you're looking for something savory on their overwhelmingly sweet menu.

6. The not-so-little kids menu

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Arguably one of the best things about IHOP is that they let just about anyone order off the kids menu at any time. Like most restaurants, it definitely ~says~ it's for 12 and under, but they seem to understand that sometimes, all you want is a kids serving size. While they don't advertise this fact, the reality is that they will never turn down any adult or person over the age of 12 who wants to order from the kids menu. But it's considered a "secret," hence why it's on this list. Who doesn't want smiley face pancakes though?!

7. This is kinda gross?

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Most customers have said that this has changed post-pandemic, but prior to COVID-19, IHOP had the syrup caddies on each table. There were about four jugs, all with corresponding colors and different flavors. It's one of the things IHOP is most known for. Since the pandemic, IHOP has switched to single-serving containers, and it's probably for the best. Most employees agree that these caddies were pretty gross. In fact, the unused syrup was consolidated and reheated, and then rebottled for the next table.

8. A lot of locations don't tip share

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IHOP is pretty consistently always busy. People have said that they've waited over an hour and a half just to have lunch or dinner there. So the traffic is heavy, even though the food is considered average at best. Despite this influx of customers, most locations don't do any sort of tip sharing. Servers, of course, need tips to survive. But a lot of cooks and busboys often get to tip share with the servers in other restaurants, and employees don't like that there's not a unified system at IHOP. What do you think?

9. Definitely make friends with the manager

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More on this later, but one thing about IHOP managers is that they're actually able to set their own deals. This means that if you get in good with a manager, you're likely to get a pretty regular discount. Many employees have said that they have seen their managers give up to 50% off to basically all of their friends and family who come in regularly. While we're not sure if this is the most ~ethical~ situation we've ever heard, we can certainly respect the dedication. So if stacks of pancakes is your thing, befriend a manager stat!

10. Order cheese on your hash browns

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Look, you never have to tell us twice to add cheese to basically anything. Customers say it's super delicious, and it's a pretty common add. The best part for employees is that it's considered an upsell. So if you ask for this special add, your server will be stoked! Whenever they get an upsell, it means they can get better tips and even have more say over the better hours on the schedule. Who knew that your cheese addiction would help someone out so much! We'll be adding cheese to everything from here on out.

11. Red Velvet White Chocolate Cheesecake Macarons

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Okay, the name might be a mouthful, but Red Velvet White Chocolate Cheesecake Macarons were definitely NOT on our IHOP bingo card. Guests swear by these delicious little desserts as the perfect way to finish off your dinner. Apparently they're the perfect balance of melt-in-your-mouth and sweet. Guests say that they're also decorated with delicate (edible) gold foil. They're not on the menu, so you definitely have to ask for them, which is why they're one of IHOP's best kept secrets. Would you try them?

12. Real Eggs

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We don't think this will particularly surprise anyone, but the majority of dishes that contain eggs at IHOP actually use an egg substitute. Seems kind of crazy that a place known for breakfast food doesn't use real eggs. BUT, in good news, you can actually ask for them to make your dish with real eggs. It might increase the cost a little bit, but this is considered part of their secret menu, and it'll definitely improve the overall quality of your dish and the taste too. So definitely do this next time you go!

13. Kids can eat free!

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We're told this isn't the case at EVERY location, but the majority of IHOP restaurants have a daily offering where kids can eat for free. You have to go between the hours of 4pm and 10pm, and the child has to be 12 and under. With the deal, they can get a free meal when an adult purchases at least one entrée from the main menu. If you would like to take advantage of this secret, it's best to call in advance to make sure your local spot participates. Not a bad deal though if you have a hangry kid...

14. If you're weird, the employees talk about it

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With its reasonable prices and 24 hour accessibility, it's not super surprising that there are some interesting characters who frequent IHOP. One employee said that customers have asked for their steak to be so undercooked that it would be considered bloody and mooing. Another employee said that a customer said that he would pay her $100 if he would give him her panties before he left the restaurant. That's borderline harassment! Let people do their job! Seriously, why do people have to make it weird?!

15. This is the most iconic item

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When asked, basically ALL the employees agreed that the most iconic dish you can get from IHOP is the Rooty Tooth Fresh 'N Fruity pancakes. If you're looking for some delicious pancakes topped with fruit, you can choose from bananas, strawberries, or peaches. It also comes with whipped cream, of course. Some customers come to IHOP just for this variety of pancakes, and they will continue to order it time and time again. This iconic dish was first introduced all the way back in 1985, and kids love to say the name!

16. You don't have to choose between breakfast or dinner

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Maybe you're meeting up with friends for a late brunch. Maybe you were out partying and even though it's 2am, all you can think about is breakfast. No matter the reason, sometimes it's really hard to choose between breakfast for dinner and dinner for dinner. IHOP has a solution. There are a couple of menu options that will give your tastebuds a bit of both. Namely the Cheeseburger Omelet and the Denver Omelet Burger. Sober me doesn't think either of these sound that great, but many customers say they're perfect!

17. Roquefort and Pear Soufflé

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Bet you never thought that IHOP would go out of their way to carry such a fancy cheese! But it's true. You have to know what to ask for, but it's incredibly possible to get a delicious French dessert when you're at your local IHOP. This is one of the secret menu's fanciest items by far, but customers say once you know it's there, you'll want to order it every single time. So next time you're at IHOP be sure to ask for the Roquefort and Pear Soufflé. Please report back on its deliciousness, thanks!

18. Mega Monster Cheeseburger

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This thing is INCREDIBLY high in calories. It might seem like a better option than some of the sugary items, but it's not! Employees say that it's one of the highest calorie counts on the menu at a whooping 1,040 calories. This burger alone is half your calorie intake for the day, PLUS it has over 2,650 mg of sodium, which is wild and way more sodium than you should have in a day. The majority of the calories come from the incredibly high fat content, so employees say this is one item that you should probably stay away from if you value your health in any way.

19. Never order the fruit

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Maybe you go to IHOP and you think that you're going to try to be healthy. So you ask for the fruit. Employees at IHOP say this is something you should NEVER do! The fruit is not fresh and the hygiene practices are not the greatest, apparently. Servers say it's something they would never personally eat, so that's always a pretty good indicator of what to avoid. The other thing that employees say is a no-go is the Tortilla Scramble. It's leftover food that's piled into the scramble and just not the best quality. The more you know!

20. It's a good place to eat on a budget

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As we've discussed, a lot of IHOPs offer various discounts or daily specials. So if you find yourself on a limited budget, then you might want to check out your local IHOP. Their standard prices aren't super terrible anyways, and with all the secret menu items, plus the endless combination of pancake flavors, there's tons of variety for you to try here. It may not be the healthiest food out there, but it will definitely keep your tummy full when your wallet is tight! Have you tried all the different flavors of pancakes?

21. French-Toasted Doughnut

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This French-Toasted Doughnut went super viral, so we're not sure if it's exactly a secret. But employees and customers alike say that this doughnut is a huge success. Customers say it's one of the best doughnuts that they've ever had, and while they're meant to be a limited-edition, we can see them becoming a menu staple or secret menu staple because of how well they've been received. Who doesn't love a doughnut, and who doesn't love french toast? So we totally get how this would hit the spot! Would you try it?

22. Patagonian Prawn Ceviche

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This is another one of those dishes that when associated with IHOP sounds a little bit like food poisoning. It definitely sets IHOP above that of, say, Denny's in terms of menus at a 24 hour joint. The craziest part about ordering this dish is that, if you want to order it, you have to put in a FOUR HOUR notice. That's right! If you're planning a meal at IHOP and want to try the ceviche, you need to call the restaurant and notify them at least 4 hours prior to your arrival. Would you ever be that committed to IHOP ceviche?

23. All-You-Can-Eat Pancakes

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Every year, IHOP has an event of All You Can Eat Pancakes. It typically runs from the start of the year in January until February or early March. The pinnacle of the event is National Pancake Day. IHOP pancakes aren't exactly low calorie, and one stack typically counts for 1/4 of the amount of calories you should eat in a day. Employees say that it's one of their least favorite times of the year as customers go all out. Some customers order DOZENS at a time. One employee said that they saw a customer eat over 26 pancakes in a single sitting!

24. There's nothing worse than "Free Pancake Day"

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Sure, all-you-can-eat days are rough. But employees say that nothing can prepare you for the horror that is "Free Pancake Day." It's a never-ending sea of people and pancakes and screaming kids and buses full of people waiting for free pancakes. Not only that, because a lot of the people coming through are kids or students, the servers don't even get tipped for their trouble of this nightmarish day. So if you're going to brave the crowds for your free buttermilk pancake, please be sure to leave an appropriate tip!

25. Different IHOPs offer different deals

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There are definitely annual national deals that all IHOPs participate in. But did you know that local restaurants are allowed to offer their own specials and savings to their customers. For example, one employee said that a local IHOP in North Carolina offers up to 50% off for every college student who comes in on a Tuesday or Thursday night. Apparently, some managers are really generous with the discounts that they offer, which ultimately boosts business and the amount of people coming in. Most locations offer specials to people celebrating their birthday as well.

26. Onion and French Fry Omelet

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Okay, this item definitely sounds more like your standard IHOP food fare. With a combination of being salty and crunchy, it's a pretty typical IHOP delicacy. Sounds delicious! The omelet has eggs (of course), and potatoes in the form of french fries, so how could you go wrong. There's also added flavor from the onion, and some customers have said you can take it even next level by asking them to add some of the prime rib meat. This is definitely a secret menu item you need to try!

27. The pancake dispenser

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There's a reason that IHOP pancakes always look picture perfect when it comes to their shape. Employees say that the secret to the circular pancakes is actually a special dispenser. This dispenser is a tool that distributes the EXACT same quantity of pancake batter onto the griddle every single time, and the chefs rely on it to get that perfect pancake with speed and accuracy. So next time your pancakes at home come out a little wonky-looking, don't feel bad! You just need one of these tools in your kitchen if you want the perfectly round!

28. The pay is not good

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One of the biggest complaints from IHOP workers is in regards to the pay. The tip wage in particular is the absolute bare minimum. This means that under the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act, the minimum wage is only $2.13 per hour. So you are definitely WORKING for those tips if you want to be able to pay rent. A tip wage is lower than the standard minimum wage, as it's assumed the employee will make up the remaining wage via customer tips, but we all know this isn't always the case! Would you be down to do a job like this?

29. Employees don't like large groups

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IHOP is one of those places that just naturally attracts large groups like charter buses and youth group kids. While this all sounds great to have booming business, employees disagree. Most employees have said that these large groups are often incredibly rowdy and messy. Employees agree that it's not the size of the group, but just the overall behavior, that often makes the groups frustrating. The other terrible part of the deal is that these groups are usually terrible tippers. One employee said that for a group of 20 people, she got a three dollar tip because the group claimed they were on a fixed budget.

30. Warm Syrup

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This one might feel pretty basic after reviewing the rest of this list. But, in reality, it's a pretty staple thing that you need to know exists at IHOP. They're already known for having a lot of different syrup options. These options are already on the table when you arrive, and they can definitely be eaten as is. But it's considered a secret menu item, and makes you a true IHOP fan, if you know that you can ask your waiter to warm up the syrups. Think it seems unnecessary? We promise it hits different when you add warm syrup to your stack.