I Heart Pancakes

Although there are certainly similarities between I Heart Pancakes and other breakfast food-focused restaurants such as IHOP, the Original Pancake House, Snooze, and Stacks, the differences are pronounced: I Heart Pancakes has a traditionally American, family-friendly theme rather than the international, European, Hawaiian, or trendy-boozy vibes of its rivals, and the newer Irvine location looks like a diner transported into our reality from the California Raisins multiverse. Anthropomorphic breakfast foods grace the walls and front counter area, starring in movie posters for “The Eggfather,” “The Pancake Bride,” and “Doctor Syrup” before prominently appearing in the 10-page, photo-heavy menu.

Half of the pages are breakfast items, including expected pancakes as well as waffles, crepes, French toast, omelettes, and breakfast sandwiches made with bagels, croissants, or toast. The other half are diner-style lunch and dinner items: mostly fried appetizers like nachos and mozzarella sticks, sandwiches and burgers, dinner entrees such as a steak and shrimp plate available starting at 5PM, and “late night” options including fish tacos and chicken and waffles served from 9PM to 2AM. Note that only the Irvine location maintains 7AM to 2AM hours, catering to the location’s large audience of nearby UCI students; the original Santa Ana restaurant opens at 7AM and closes at 2PM, but has many of the same sandwich and entree choices, plus a Senior Menu for guests “55 Plus.” Generally, adults should expect to pay around $15 per entree-sized portion, with appetizers ranging from $7 to $17, and smaller kid-friendly portions under $10.