IHOP may be a breakfast favorite across the country, but even fan-favorite chains have their culinary missteps. While the menu is packed with tempting options, not every dish delivers on taste, quality, or consistency. Some meals are overloaded with sodium, others suffer from poor preparation, and a few just don’t live up to their delicious-sounding names. Whether you’re a regular or just dropping by for pancakes, it’s worth knowing which items tend to disappoint. We’ve rounded up 13 IHOP dishes that diners say to avoid—based on real experiences, honest reviews, and a whole lot of uneaten leftovers.
1. Original Buttermilk Pancakes
What should be IHOP’s shining star often leaves diners underwhelmed. Though billed as light and fluffy, these pancakes can be unevenly cooked—doughy in the middle and tough around the edges. Without a heavy pour of syrup or extra butter, the flavor is surprisingly bland.
For a restaurant famous for pancakes, this basic stack sometimes feels like an afterthought. It’s a gamble depending on who’s manning the griddle, and for many, it doesn’t live up to the nostalgic hype. If you want a sure bet, consider one of the specialty options that deliver more flavor and flair.
2. T-Bone Steak and Eggs
Craving a hearty breakfast with steak? This dish might sound like a winner, but customer reviews tell a different story. Many complain the T-bone is dry, chewy, and sometimes arrives with an off-putting gray hue. The seasoning is often inconsistent, and the texture can feel more like reheated leftovers than a freshly grilled steak. While the eggs and sides are usually passable, they can’t save the star of the plate. If you’re hoping for a premium steakhouse-style breakfast, this combo falls far short. Better to stick with something IHOP knows best—like eggs and pancakes.
3. Sirloin Steak Tips
On paper, this dish promises bold, savory flavor—but it rarely delivers. The sirloin steak tips are often chewy and swimming in a cloyingly sweet glaze that clashes with expectations of a hearty meat dish. What’s worse, diners note the meat can arrive lukewarm and rubbery, hinting at poor prep or pre-packaging.
The texture leaves much to be desired, and the sauce can dominate every bite. Instead of enjoying a balanced meal, you’re left chewing through overly sugary, unevenly cooked beef. For the price, the quality just doesn’t match up. Consider skipping this one if you’re craving serious steak.
4. Fruit-Flavored Syrups
Those bright syrup bottles may look fun, but they don’t always taste as good as they appear. IHOP’s fruit-flavored syrups—especially strawberry and blueberry—are often compared to cough syrup in both taste and texture. Thick, overly sweet, and artificial, they tend to overpower whatever pancake or waffle they’re drizzled on. Instead of enhancing your meal, they mask it in a sticky, chemical glaze. Many diners recommend avoiding them altogether and sticking with the classic maple or butter pecan varieties. If you’re hoping for fruity flavor, consider ordering actual fresh fruit toppings instead of reaching for the syrup dispenser.
5. Southwest Chicken Burrito
This burrito packs plenty of ingredients—chicken, cheese, rice, and sauces—but not enough balance. Customers often find it too salty and too soggy, especially if it’s been sitting under a heat lamp. The flavors tend to blend into a mushy, indistinct filling that lacks any standout spice or zest.
It’s also incredibly high in calories and sodium, often eclipsing daily limits in a single meal. While it might seem like a good grab-and-go option, the result is more of a bland, bloated bundle. You’re better off building your own breakfast from individual components for fresher, more satisfying results.
6. Country Fried Steak & Eggs with Sausage Gravy
This Southern-inspired breakfast sounds indulgent, but it often veers into “too much” territory. The country fried steak is usually more breading than beef, and the sausage gravy can be overwhelmingly salty and greasy. The entire plate—especially when paired with eggs and hash browns—can feel like a gut bomb, leaving diners sluggish rather than satisfied. It clocks in at over 1,400 calories, with eye-popping levels of fat and sodium. While the comfort food appeal is strong, the execution and aftermath can be disappointing. If you’re looking for a hearty breakfast, there are tastier, less overwhelming choices on the menu.
7. Onion Rings
As a side dish, IHOP’s onion rings are easy to overlook—and for good reason. They’re frequently described as greasy, limp, and more batter than onion. Without the crispy crunch that makes onion rings a favorite elsewhere, these fall short of expectations. Many diners report receiving soggy rings that taste more like fryer oil than anything else. They don’t add much to the meal and often feel like a filler item tossed on the plate. If you’re looking to add something tasty on the side, you’re much better off with hash browns, fruit, or even plain toast.
8. Strawberry Banana French Toast
This dish should be a fresh and fruity treat, but it often turns into a soggy sugar overload. The French toast itself can be inconsistently cooked—sometimes eggy, other times dry—and drowned in syrup and whipped topping.
The strawberry compote and bananas sound great, but when they’re canned or mushy, they add more sweetness than freshness. It’s a breakfast that tries to be indulgent but lacks finesse. If you’re hoping for a light, balanced meal with real fruit flavor, this probably isn’t it. A simpler French toast or fresh fruit bowl would serve you far better.
9. Chicken & Pancakes
Savory fried chicken paired with fluffy pancakes should be a slam dunk, but this dish stumbles in execution. The chicken can arrive overcooked and dry, or worse, soggy from sitting under heat lamps. The pancakes—though decent on their own—don’t always pair well with the salty breading and thick syrup.
It’s a flavor clash that feels forced rather than harmonious. Instead of sweet and savory bliss, you’re left wondering if you should’ve just ordered one or the other. The concept is clever, but the taste and texture rarely live up to expectations.
10. Mega Monster Cheeseburger
With two beef patties and melted cheese galore, this burger tries to impress with size—but fails on flavor. The patties are often under-seasoned and dry, and the bun becomes soggy from all the grease. Despite its monstrous appearance, it doesn’t deliver the juicy satisfaction you’d expect from a burger this big. Many customers say it feels like eating fast food with none of the speed or convenience. If you’re seriously craving a burger, you might want to hit up a place that actually specializes in them. IHOP’s strength lies in breakfast—not beef.
11. Classic Chicken Sandwich
Basic isn’t always bad—except when it’s bland, too. IHOP’s Classic Chicken Sandwich offers grilled or crispy chicken with basic toppings, but diners often find it lacking in freshness and flavor. The chicken can be dry, the lettuce wilted, and the bacon undercooked.
The roll, meant to hold everything together, frequently gets soggy. With so many flavorful dishes available, this sandwich feels like a missed opportunity. If you’re craving a chicken sandwich, you’d be better off grabbing one from a fast-casual spot known for doing it right. At IHOP, it’s just not worth the detour.
12. IHOP’s Steakburgers
These burgers were part of IHOP’s big pivot during the “IHOb” campaign—but the results haven’t been so impressive. Steakburgers sound upscale, but they often arrive dry and lifeless, with toppings that lack freshness. Many customers report bland patties and limp lettuce, making the experience feel more fast food than family dining. Even the bun has been criticized for falling apart under the weight of the burger. If you came to IHOP for a burger, you’re probably in the wrong place. Their breakfast roots are strong, but these burgers prove that not every reinvention hits the spot.
13. Bacon Temptation Omelette
The name may draw you in, but this omelette is more heavy than heavenly. Loaded with bacon and smothered in cheese sauce, it’s an ultra-rich option that quickly becomes overwhelming. The eggs can be rubbery, the bacon overly salty, and the cheese sauce a gloopy distraction. Rather than celebrating bacon, it buries it under layers of grease and sodium. If you’re hoping for a filling, flavorful omelet, IHOP has better options—ones that include fresh veggies, balanced seasonings, or lighter textures. This one’s more of a one-note indulgence that most diners regret halfway through.
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