The Original Pancake House

Some restaurants are built for dinner. Others are built for brunch. This one falls firmly in the second camp.

Set in Columbus, OH, The Original Pancake House has carved out a corner of the city's weekend brunch scene with a personality of its own. The room comfortably seats a mix of solo diners working through a coffee and a newspaper, couples splitting a stack of pancakes, and friend groups settling in for a slow, three-hour Saturday.

Their breakfast burrito is the kind of thing locals order with eyes still half closed — eggs, chorizo, a scrape of refried beans, melty cheese, and salsa with real heat.

Menu highlights

Here is a snapshot of the kinds of brunch dishes you can expect to find on the menu at The Original Pancake House. Specials rotate weekly with what's in season — check the chalkboard at the host stand when you arrive.

• Country-style biscuits and sausage gravy
• Smoked brisket hash with two eggs and pickled onion
• Lox bagel sandwich with everything seasoning and dill cream cheese
• Single-origin pour-over coffee from a local roaster
• Two eggs any style with thick-cut bacon and crispy hash
• Brioche French toast dusted with powdered sugar and seasonal berries
• Breakfast burrito with eggs, chorizo, beans, cheese, and salsa roja
• Veggie scramble with spinach, mushrooms, and goat cheese

Service is friendly without being chatty, refills come without asking, and nobody rushes you out of your seat.

The chicken and waffles plate hits the table looking like a magazine cover and tastes even better than it looks.

Solo diners should head straight for the counter — the cooks will keep you entertained and the line moves fastest there.

Like a lot of the best brunch spots in Columbus, The Original Pancake House is at its most magical on weekend mornings, when the kitchen is firing on all burners and the room slowly fills with the kind of low, happy hum that only good food and unhurried company can produce. By the time you walk out, you'll already be planning a return visit — and probably a long walk to work off the second cup of coffee.

Tips from the regulars

• Best time to go: arrive before 9:30 a.m. on weekends to skip the worst of the wait at The Original Pancake House.
• Best for: groups of 2 to 4 — larger parties may want to call ahead.
• Don't miss the daily-special chalkboard near the host stand — it changes weekly and tends to feature the kitchen's best ideas.
• Coffee is taken seriously here. If you only know diner drip, ask the barista for a recommendation.
• If you're walking from public transit, the closest stop is a short stroll away — a small price to pay for the breakfast burrito.

Hours

Frequently asked questions

What time does The Original Pancake House open for brunch?

Posted hours are: Mo-Fr 07:00-14:30; Sa-Su 07:00-15:00. Hours can change on holidays — call ahead if you're traveling.

Does The Original Pancake House take reservations?

Most brunch spots in Columbus are walk-in friendly, with a wait list during peak hours. Larger parties (5+) should call ahead to ask about a reservation.

Is The Original Pancake House kid-friendly?

Yes — The Original Pancake House welcomes families. Most brunch menus include simple kid-friendly options like pancakes, scrambled eggs, and fresh fruit. Highchairs are usually available.

What kind of cuisine does The Original Pancake House serve?

It's classified under breakfast, pancake — broadly an American-style brunch experience with regional touches you'd expect in Columbus.

Is there outdoor seating at The Original Pancake House?

Outdoor seating is not always confirmed. We recommend calling ahead during nice weather.

Location

Located at 1633 West Lane Avenue. Coordinates: 40.0065, -83.0539. Use the address above with your preferred maps application for turn-by-turn directions.