Original Hotcake House

Hands down the worst "fries" I've ever been served. But also in the top 3 best sweet potato fries I've ever had, so... with those being the only vegan items available as they were out of onion rings and veggie burgers, which I had hoped to have. The staff member at the register was very friendly and the atmosphere is about what you'd expect for an all night steak and pancake house. The non-vegan members of our group seemed to enjoy their pancakes, chicken and hash browns but their fries were also nowhere near "fried" but just soft limp greasy potatoe sticks 🥔

The waffle House of Oregon. Beware that the cakes are huge especially if you want to get more than that. I hadn't known this and got fries on the side to cap off my recent run! Couldn't finish the wedge fries because the cakes were super large! I was curious why so many plates had bits of food left over. Nothing wrong with this mind you, just take into account depending on your hunger level and such.

I love coming to this spot. Having a good day, come here, bad day, come here, pancakes at 10pm, come here. I just come here for the vibes, and 1990s old school aesthetic and good comfort food. I come here often (at least 1x a month) and get the same order veggie omelet with hotcakes for $14.95. These folks see me here so much, I chop it up with everyone. They’re super friendly and the chefs do their thing. This is a not your typical instagram flic, but if you want some damn great breakfast, don’t drive past this place.

A gem, one of the best diners I’ve ever been to. Great food, great price. Got two perfect pork chops and two perfect hotcakes with eggs for less than $20. Will be coming again

Food was on point if you like greasy/oily food. They don't seem to cook with any type of spices or flavor. Large portions for the price. The people are friendly and helpful.

OH. MY. G*D!!!! The portions are huge. The hotcakes are fluffy and light! The Veggie omelette was the perfect mix of grilled veggies, cheese and eggs!!!! Best Dinner food EVER! I didnt think to take a pic before I started eating, so take this as proof that the meal was so worth it!

Our food was awful. Sunny side up eggs with a hardened crust on bottom dripping with grease. A bacon waffle you could hardly eat because the bacon chunks were huge. Grease filling the bottom of plates on a hash brown dish.

3/19 7:30 am HOT & DELICIOUS I have absolutely no complaints about this establishment whatsoever. We arrived, and it was very quiet and clean. We ordered right away. We saw our food promptly prepared in front of us, and it was served piping hot. Our dishes were prepared perfectly; the portions were plentiful, and, it was a good time all in all. The hotcakes 🥞 are delicious. The chicken fried steak was delicious. The hashbrowns were delicious and crispy. The coffee was a little weak but that’s OK because it was fresh and hot and I was able to have 2 cups. Nice greasy breakfast food is always welcomed on a Sunday morning. Staff was friendly, welcoming, efficient and we enjoyed our visit. They’re doing a fantastic job keeping the restaurant stocked and clean. Coffee and creamers were full and so were all of the condiments. We will be back to try some lunch items!

This place has always been the BEST. You get a huge amount of food for a decent price. This is hands down the best steak breakfast you'll get for around $20. If you can eat your whole plate of food in one sitting I'm impressed with you because you get an insane amount. Seriously. staff is always friendly and the place is super clean.

Sometimes when my husband I travel we end up in spots and I wonder, 'where are we'? Just like this place. Our daughter gave us the 411 and said breakfast slaps and it's cheap. But, she also assured us that this place in the Southeast Portland area isn't sexy or high-end. She was right. Hotcake House screeches outdated Formica counters, wood panels, orangey wood furniture with a whisper of school cafeteria. This could probably be the absolute best place to overhear your fill of local gossip. Since our kid knows the restaurant and menu well, we sat and she ordered up and paid. Server brings your meal over and voila- you're eating. Basic is what you get. Nothing flashy. Don't expect artisanal waffles-but the fresh macerated strawberries, elevated them from 0 to 5 and my daughter's fluffy pancakes kept her satisfied. Service was pleasant and the music was an eclectic mix of R&B and Indie. Restaurants want to add flair to the menu- with micro greens this, aioli that, jalapeño everywhere and maybe some pickling- this is none of that. Fuck the dated look- come here for the breakfast (and lunch items). Hotcake House is consistently busy every time as my daughter told us and we noticed, so it's worth checking out the hype.

This definitely gives old school diner dive and I loved it! You place your order at the front and then you help yourself to your coffee or water . Then you seat yourself . The food was good ... the pancakes literally put IHOP to shame ! Everything is priced amazing and huge portion sizes ! Stop by and grab some grub. You won't regret it!

I've been going to Hotcake House for years, and I'm always happy to come back. From the get go, it has a homey-feel with the traditional diner set up. There's even a jukebox where you can pay $0.50 to choose a song of your liking. You order with the cashier before seating yourself, and the staff have always been very kind and attend to your needs. My go-to order always consists of the hotcake and the hash browns. The portions are massive, so these items are definitely worth the value. I love the way they make their hot cakes hash browns -- they've got it down with the textures and the flavors. My friends also ordered the sweet potato fries, chicken strips, and the T-Bone steak. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meal. Definitely check this place out!

Been here a number of times and have always had a good experience until today. After I've worked more than 20 hours at the hospital, I'll come here for breakfast to go. Today, the pancakes were brunt black and tasted like burned dough. It's such a disappointment because I've reliably had great pancakes from here and literally no where else in Portland.

Succulent delectable toast.. jam provided for free after you pay. Soggy hashbrowns just like I like them :) If you come here on Tuesday nights after they are already closed, you can NOT order decaf coffee, so maybe steer clear after 9:30. 3.5 stars. Ambiance is good to fine.

Friendly service on Saturday morning and plenty of tables at 8:30 am. Half order of biscuits and gravy for $5.95 was huge! I couldn't finish it. Great deal and tasty. Bf ordered a scramble and it was a bit greasy, but he ate it.

This is the "original" of originals and I'm so saddened they aren't opened 24/7 anymore... I remember hearing Obama even stopped by here way back when. What a story to tell the kids. Anywho, great food and service. Nothing special, but delicious and wholesome breakfast from A to Z. A huge menu at that, but all tasty. There's usually a line, so plan your visit accordingly if you don't want to wait too long.

The food is fantastic, the portions are great and the staff was very friendly! I had biscuits and gravy... top notch!

Pretty standard diner experience. You order at the counter and they have everything you'd want for breakfast if you didn't feel like eating at home. Eggs perfectly cooked the way you like and crispy bacon. Also the line is either short or moves quickly. Definitely a good brunch option. Drink choices: hot cocoa, orange juice, coffee and water.

The food has consistently been a 5 for the many many years I've been coming here. The 1 star is for the atmosphere. I no longer feel safe coming here. The employees have always been a little on the rough side. like they come from really rough circumstances but they stay for years so the employers must be good to them. If they aren't polite, they are at least not rude. Until today when I was accosted by an employee named Bob who threatened me and my dog for walking g down the sidewalk outside the restaurant IN MY OWN NEIGHBORHOOD. My dog peed on a bush on the CITY'S parking strip. No poop. Bob didn't like that and came outside the restaurant where I was in the PUBLIC sidewalk and told me to not let my dog "crap and pee on our property." It got worse when I went inside ( dog was outside) to ask for the manager. I ended up in a physical altercation at 3:30 on a Friday afternoon with a rando very large woman who outweighed me by a good 100 lbs. I guess she identified on the side of the employee and decided to join in by shoving me into a wall and kicking me while I waited b in line behind her to speak to the manager. She balled up her fists and asked if I " wanted her to fuck me up". Meanwhile her male companion called. Me a cunt repeatedly and followed me to my car. I'm not a fighter but at 67 years old I don't want to start now. Just an awful experience. After 27+ years I have to find another burger joint. Hot cakes are not as good after the swing shift woman cook retired a few years ago.

Food is rock solid and an affordable FEAST. The juke box is solid and post pandemic it really does remind you of what a plate sized perfectly prepared pancake can do for your soul. Thanks 24 hour hotcake house. There are simple joys worth turning up for and supporting. Get in there. Simple and ample goodness awaits!

Directed at Phillip G This isn't Facebook. This is not how you leave a review. See what I mean?

I have been coming to this place since a decade ago, but haven't been here for a few years. It's an old school type breakfast place and the chicken fried steak and hotcakes are my absolute favorite. So many years later and it still tastes the same. This place has the best chicken fried steak and hotcakes I've ever had. I hope they never close down! It will probably be a few more years until I go back again, and it's nice to know they always stay the same. If you are looking for a healthy breakfast/brunch spot, this is not for you and nope, nobody is going to check on your table to see how you are doing and you will have to ask for everything you need/want. When you walk in, you place the order first and bring a number card to your table. Someone delivers the food to the table then busts it after you leave. The hotcakes are bigger than my face! Prices have gone up quite a bit over the years, but it's still worth it to me since portions are huge. If you love chicken fried steak and hotcakes, this hole in the wall spot won't disappoint.

this was my second time at hotcake house and as usual it was delicious. the food comes in big portions and is fairly priced. this is a cozy diner that i continue to come back to :)

Delicious food! Good prices, very nice staff, portions for ur price is very good! You can choose to take it Togo or eat it there. They do have a funny choice for Togo boxes but still incredibly cheap and tasty food. They have breakfast, lunch or dinner. Sadly no longer 24/7 but still open till 11pm.

Directed at Keiko C, So what you're saying is you've been going to a restaurant that's consistently had good food and treated you well, but they messed up one thing one time and get 1 star? You are the worst kind of person.

The best pancake /hot Cake I have ever had. Also very affordable. You order, then sit down. So soft and buttery.

I have been coming here for 23 years. Legendary times. They used to stay open late! so it was a go to haven after seeing bands play. Truly a legendary spot!

This place is a classic, and I wouldn't change a thing about the place. The staff are great, the jukebox is awesome and the food is amazing. I'm glad this place survived the pandemic and hope they bring back the 24 hour opening again.

I love this place!! Classic vibe, nice folks, great food and lots of it! It's not the Four Seasons, ok? So, don't come in expecting fussy meals displayed on obnoxious plates in tiny portions... This is just plain, good food! And don't let the "nervous Nellies" who complain about "filth" scare you--- it's NOT filthy! It's fine! Go! And have fun! Experience a little bit of "Old Portland"!

Classic breakfast food. Tasty menu options served very speedily. Easy location right off Powell Blvd. Omelettes are excellent but always get a side of French toast to share!

This is my staple diner, and I always enjoy their incredible hotcakes. Everything else on the menu is great, but I always crave these. I'm more into the breakfast for dinner vibe when it's quieter here. We always bring leftovers because the dishes are massive yet affordable!

Always great choices and bountiful plates of food for a good price. Low key atmosphere but clean restaurant... friendly staff and unlimited coffee which is good! Food is always served in a timely manner. If I lived closer I would be there more for sure!

It's a classic old restaurant with good food and friendly service.... but here's the thing: If you're going to serve giant pancakes then provide more than a tiny plastic cup of syrup. Aside from being wasteful, there was no one available to get more syrup from so much of our breakfast was syrupless. Maybe time to put syrup dispensers back on the tables.

My sister brought me, my daughters, and my brother in law here for breakfast when we visited for the weekend. You walk in and you order and get a plastic number card to set on your table. After you order you pick a table and wait and one of the employees will bring your food out to you. When they dropped food off they asked if we needed anything else and got it for us, after that they didn't come back and check on us. We ordered all breakfast food. We had an egg and cheese omelet, blueberry pancakes, strawberry pancakes, and a meat lovers omelette. All the food came out hot and fresh. The pancakes were HUGE!! The egg dishes came with pancakes or hash browns. Everything thing tasted great!! The employees were all very nice and helpful. Like other reviewers say they don't come check on you once you get your food. Apparently this place has been around for 100 years. It's definitely a greasy spoon breakfast place but food was great and employees were kind. Also, it's kid/family friendly. We will be back if/when we visit Portland again.

I'm really amazed that this business is sill open with the degree of filth inside. Unfortunately I sat with an open view of the kitchen which exposes the mess that your food is being prepared in. And then you start to see the buckling interior walls of the restaurant with with dirty grimy patches everywhere. Yep, it's a dive. My wife was so overwhelmed with it all she had to leave before her food arrived. I could go on but you get the picture. I stomached my way through my overcooked sausage and eggs. The hotcakes tasted bland and old. I'm glad I went so I could see what this cute place was all about. Now I know what a filthy mess it is. Two stars because, beyond all of the mess, the service was good. My wife and I are both professional chefs and I would say that I can tolerate a degree of mess knowing how restaurants run but, this place is unacceptable.

Drove by and saw this place was open. We came in to place our togo order. Was greeted with a very friendly server. Everyone follow Covid guidelines. She took our order and told us that she will bring it out to our car. We order breakfast and the food was great. Everything tasted good. The pancake not picture was really good that we didn't have time to take the picture before everyone took some. Overall I really recommend this place. The omelet was full of meat. The ribeye steak was very good and well cook as well as the eggs and hashbrown.

We ordered the original hotcakes and a French Dip. When we got our order, the pancakes were burnt but what was really disappointing was the French Dip. I ordered it because the guy at the table had one and it looked delicious. When I received mine, the bread was saturated in the au jus. The bread was so slimy it felt and tasted raw. I couldn't pick up the sandwich to even eat it. We spent $40 on nothing. Not worth my time to ever eat here again. Very disappointing.

I wasn't expecting much and didn't get much. I called in an order for 4 sandwiches around 11:30. 2 hamburgers, a patty melt and a french dip. I got there 15/20 minutes later and it wasn't quite done which of course is fine. What I found baffling is that 3 of the sandwiches were cold. They were under the lights. Sandwiches were on a paper plate, wrapped in foil and stacked on top of each other. Yum. Smashed food is also very visually appealing. My favorite part by far were the french fries. Absolutely inedible. The were greasy, cold and very undercooked. Oh, I almost forgot. Instead of a hamburger we got and were charged for a more expensive Hawaiian burger. That will teach me not to look at my receipt. A $65.00 gross lunch. Feel free to pay me back.

The boy wanted pancakes, and this was the closest spot. Hadn't been here in over a decade, and never before midnight, so why not give it a try? So the prices were a bit higher than I expected, and the food took a good long while to come out, but dang- those pancake portions are not kidding around. The boy was pretty happy, as you can imagine. The burger was fine- not great, not bad. Just standard fare. The atmosphere was lovely and the folx working there really nice and helpful. Definitely a nicer place than the late night joint I remember from the younger years. Would return in a pancake mood.

So I would give them the extra half star if I could. But it was mediocre at best. I feel bad for restaurant owners during this supply chain nonsense. My way better half had pancakes. They were good average pancakes. Nothing special, but they were good. I had biscuits and gravy. My mistake. Biscuits were microwaved. Gravy was average minus a notch or two.

Absolutely fantastic! I love this dive the pancakes are the best . The staff is always entertaining.

12/11/2018: 4.5 out of 5 - I've came here so many times in the past, and quite surprised I haven't done a review for Original Hotcake House. We'll, this time I came to the Original Hotcake House with my wife, sister-in-law and her daughter after attending the Cleveland Park High School holiday concert. The restaurant is quaint, cozy, and very clean with a wonderful glow about it. The staff were amazingly attentive without being intrusive. The one thing that drew me to this place was that it's been around for a very long time... and that it is open 24 hours. The food was made to order and came out the way it is meant to be served. And, it's big servings with being priced well. I have to mention the pancakes... they're delicious! Big and fluffy pancakes. Absolutely just amazing! As a side note for the drink, good coffee and the soda has good carbonation, but no refills unless you buy the large and then you can get one refill. Depending on the party of people eating there, I can get a little loud to have conversation. However, it's a restaurant, they tend to get that way when people are with good friends and family. If ever in the neighborhood or looking for good, if not great, 24 hour eatery, then I'd suggest checking Original Hotcake House. As I always say, try it out once and decide for yourself. Enjoy!

I really love this place. I've been going here for years, and years. The loaded hashbrowns dish is to die for. Great pancakes for sure. Very casual and the staff are chill and always great.

First time coming here and am new to the are. Small diner type feel. You order at the counter and find your seat. Portions are huge. They're open 24hours. Food was delicious. And above all else? They staff is super sweet and kind.

One of the top spots in Portland for late night eats as it is open 24/7. I've been coming sporadically for the past 10 years and not much has changed. Once you walk through the door, make sure you get a table before ordering as it is first come first serve. Service can be slow but there was only one cook last time I went. It can get busy, especially after the bars close. I'm not really a breakfast person but my favorite dish is the ultimate hashbrowns and I recently tried their pancakes again and could not get enough! I'll definitely be ordering them again next time. The sirloin steak was very juicy but the plate itself looked very bland. Don't go here for the aesthetics. The portions are huge. I barely made a dent in my meal. It is more than enough to share.

the fries aren't to great unless you really give em salt and some of the fish was definitely more breading than meat(?) but it was pretty good. and for a good price tool

Huge portions Great pancakes Overcooked burned sausage & bacon Mediocre service Server with belly hanging out Pay BEFORE you receive your order - most likely to avoid credit for bad food Once is enough

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS PLACE! I always get the French Toast, with fresh fruit, and it's seriously SOOOO good. I recommend it to everyone! It's so nice having very good service and they are so friendly and not like being super fake, just genuinely nice and friendly. just all around the experience there is always a good one!

Definitely among the best pancakes in Portland. Also excellent hashbrowns. Very friendly, quick service. Serve yourself coffee, so you get all you want. Always clean.

I am love Belgian waffles and this place HAD the best waffle of any place I've ever been in my entire life. However something happened a couple years ago and they said their Belgian waffle machine broke and now all they have is the thinnest waffles you've ever seen; hardly a thick as a pancake. They don't taste bad but for the price they charge it is so disappointing and unsatisfying. And don't you dare complain because they'll damn near rip your head off. I think so many people have complained about the waffles they're a little sensitive about it. They also had the best bacon I've ever had but unfortunately without their Belgian waffles it's just not worth it Perhaps if they gave you two of the thin waffles for what they charge for one waffle I would return because that would equal one Belgian waffle. But they won't and I suggested that and the man yelled at me so I left.

Maybe it's just nostalgia but this place is classic old Portland to me. A diner with some solid breakfast food that has been around since 1963 (yes, I had to google that). The portions are large and appropriately priced. It's also a place I like to take out of towners and I have yet to hear a complaint.

I didn't come here by choice. My car was being serviced across the street and I needed to kill an hour or two. This was the only restaurant within walking distance without a trek, so here I am. With a name like Original Hotcake House, don't come here expecting table service or friendly service for that matter. You order at the counter, find a seat, and then someone brings out the food to you. I ordered a 2-eggs over easy breakfast with sausages and coffee for $16.40. TIP: Coffee has unlimited refills. Not that you would want to fill up on a ton of coffee here because it tasted like crap. But if you don't have high expectations... hey, it's free to wash down your breakfast. My 2-eggs breakfast came with one yolk already broken. WTF?! I didn't ask for pre-punctured egg when I ordered! For $16.40, you can't even cook my eggs right?! One gander at my breakfast and I can see how greasy it was. I left the plate nearly full. Perhaps hotcakes are the way to go but I won't be finding that out. Avoid this place at all cost unless your goal is to clog up your arteries!

Wow, above and beyond in COVID safety! The manager (?) said he has a family to keep safe and they aren't taking any risks. One couple left because they were admonished for not following the posted seating rules. The safest meal encounter I've had since COVID began. They are trying so hard to do everything right. Food was hot, fresh and delicious! We left a $20 tip and hope others will support their efforts and business.

Been coming here since i was a kiddo. Love it here. Fantastic food ive literally never been disappointed. Great portions, ideal burgers and friendly staffers. Always a good experience as a portland teen.

Honestly, I can't say much about this place and this is a basic overall review. The food here is ok. I've had numerous items at this place from breakfasts to burgers. Last I remember, the burgers were decent. I use to come here regularly a few years ago with some of my co-workers after work and have recently came here less than a couple weeks ago because a friend of mine wanted to go here. Upon this experience compared to the others....nothing much has changed. The service is still relatively slow and disorganized, the food is slightly a little better than sub-par quality at best, and (depending on the time of day or night) it can get a bit cramped with patrons. At night, a lot of them will be inebriated or close to it. If anything has changed, it will certainly be the price which is more expensive. It was relatively expensive a few years ago but it was at the high-end of the reasonable range. Now, it's just insane. Your average breakfast runs about $12-13. This last time, I paid close to $40 (with tip) for just breakfast for two people and it wasn't necessarily anything special. Just basic breakfast. Granted, huge portions and whatnot but if the quality/service can't match the portion and price, then, what's the point? There is tons of other places to go to that offer the same and/or a better product at a cheaper/more reasonable rate, in my opinion. If I came here again, it certainly wouldn't be on my own account but of someone else's....and, even then, I would probably suggest another place unless they were adamant of coming here for their hunger needs.

Small, but friendly breakfast restaurant. It is within walking distance of the Orange line which makes it accessible from the breakfast culinary disaster known as downtown Portland where everything is take out or delivery or the food is prepared with spices that will ruin your day. This place checks off all the boxes: 1: can you sit down order and eat? Yes 2: Is the food good? Yes, delicious. I had the French toast with Syrup. 3. Bathroom for customers? Yes. 4. Friendly, not stupidly passive aggressive poor service? Yes.

Not gonna lie, I love diners, and if you're not a fan of diner food than you'll probably not like this place. I have a fondness for diners and usually seek them out, especially when I am out of town in some random city, or if I am on a road trip, there's a bunch of unique diners out there. The Original hotcake house, just like the name is all about their hotcakes and breakfast items. I most likely would not come here for a burger or any other lunch items and the other day I wanted breakfast at 2 pm and was able to get pancakes at 2 pm! I usually just order pancakes with a few sausage links which would be under $10, if I am feeling ravenous, I'll add a side of hashbrowns to add to my greasy plate. Nothing fancy, just some good plain 'ol hotcakes! Been coming here for years, every now and then! They're not operating 24 hours currently, but when I feel like getting pancakes for dinner I know who has my back!

I've been here before and the breakfast was fine. Serving is quite big but today? Oh my gosh. I ordered breakfasts to go for the family. Mostly everything was burnt. My grandchildren couldn't even eat it. the biscuits and gravy was good but can't say much more for our $50+ worth of food.