International House of Pancakes in St Louis MO

I love when someone is new to town and points out things the locals have stopped seeing. Charles Phoenix mentioned a former International House of Pancakes building on Route 66, which would be the current King Edwards Chicken & Fish. This led to a whispered conversation in the back row, with Francis insisting there was still an original IHOP in Richmond Heights, MO alongside 1-170, and me saying I didn't think it was. Sure enough, we passed it on our way home, and he was right!

Lilly is a huge fan of IHOP (it's the funny face pancakes, of course) and even though it's never a first choice for Francis or me, we decided to surprise her after dance class today. We pulled into the parking lot and she squealed, "THIS IS THE COOLEST IHOP I HAVE EVER SEEN!"

This is what we're missing, people! We've chosen function over form, with everything being gray and boxy with no personality, living only for the next potential owner. Everything is about resale value. Think about McDonald's when you were a kid vs McDonald's now. Even if the playground was dangerous, it was creative and whimsical! Everyone wanted to have their birthday party there. Who does that now? Do they even do birthdays anymore? 

I actually ate breakfast today because I was expecting a mediocre lunch at IHOP, as it usually is at the two locations closer to our house. Instead, I took home leftovers for the first time in as long as I can remember. IHOP is a franchise and it seems a certain pride of place comes with owning and working at an original and a landmark We are getting back to living in the moment, with joy and full color, and we will go out of our way to visit this IHOP in the future!

 

IHOP 8049 Clayton Rd, St. Louis, MO 63117