Free pancakes at IHOP: everything you need to know
Free pancakes at IHOP are back.聽
IHOP鈥檚 eighth annual National Pancake Day is underway at the California-based restaurant chain鈥檚 1550-plus locations across the United States. From 7 am to 10 pm, IHOP is offering diners a complimentary pancake shortsack (that鈥檚 two to three pancakes, in pancake-speak; IHOP鈥檚 has three).聽 In return, it is requesting a charitable donation. Most of the money raised will go to Children鈥檚 Miracle Network Hospitals; in pockets of the country where there aren鈥檛 Children鈥檚 Network Hospitals, like Texas, it will go to an alternative children鈥檚 charity.
IHOP restaurants are mostly owned by franchisees, so the chain does its best to keep the money local. Here鈥檚 the company statement on National Pancake Day:
鈥淪ince beginning its National Pancake Day celebration in 2006, IHOP has raised more than $10 million to support charities in the communities in which it operates. On February 5, 2013, guests from around the country will once again celebrate National Pancake Day at IHOP and enjoy a free short stack of Buttermilk pancakes. In return for the free pancakes, guests will be asked to consider leaving a donation for Children鈥檚 Miracle Network Hospitals or other designated local charities.鈥�
Last year, IHOP served 4 million pancakes total and raised $3 million for charity, according to a press release. 聽It鈥檚 a high-traffic day for the restaurant, so choose your mealtime wisely: last year, IHOP spokesman Patrick Lenow told the Monitor that attendance was usually 鈥渄ouble or triple鈥� the level of a normal day, and recommended going mid-afternoon between the lunch and dinner rush to avoid the heaviest crowds.
National Pancake Day is only eight years old at IHOP, but it has historical roots: coinciding with Mardi Gras, the original Pancake Day (aka Shrove Tuesday) was celebrated the Tuesday before lent and dates back to early 海角大神ity in Europe. Legend has it that pancakes were common on Shrove Tuesday because they were an easy way to use up any dairy and eggs before Lent (when eating rich foods was frowned upon).
One of the most famous, long-running Pancake Day traditions is the annual pancake race at Olney in Buckinghamshire, England, dating back to 1445. In it, contestants (traditionally women) race through an obstacle course, flipping a frying pan the entire time.聽 Pancake races are a widespread tradition across the United Kingdom.
The largest US pancake race is held in Liberal, Kansas, which has coordinated an international competition with Olney since 1950. The towns agree upon a pre-measured course, and then times are compared to determine an overall winner. The Liberal contingent has won 36 times; Olney won last year, bringing their win total to 26. 聽This year鈥檚 race will be held Feb. 12.
To find free IHOP pancakes near you, visit the 聽and type in your zip code.
