At IHOP, is it breakfast or dessert?
This week, I reached out for Blueberry Cannoli Pancakes at American’s No. 1 breakfast bar, IHOP, with 1,627 restaurants in all 50 states and around the world.
For years, whenever I reviewed an IHOP delicacy, I’d have to say “available in 49 states.” Vermont finally surrendered to the franchise monster … with one special rule. Any IHOP in Vermont must serve real maple syrup from real-life Vermont trees … not that maple-flavored stuff in the other, less-demanding, longsuffering 49 states.
Here’s the Blueberry Cannoli Pancakes breakdown: two of IHOP’s iconic buttermilk pancakes, topped with blueberry compote and sweetened ricotta cheese. Served as part of a breakfast combo with two eggs any way you like ’em, breakfast meat (bacon, sausage or ham) and hash browns.
Here are the nutritionals, and you may want to hold onto your hat … and loosen your belt a notch. Or play it safe and wear your “eating pants” to IHOP.
Total calories: 1,340. Fat grams: 83. Carbs: 116 g. Sodium: 2,140 mg. Dietary fiber: 7. Protein: 53 g. Manufacturer’s suggested retail price: $7.99.
Or you can order four Blueberry Cannoli Pancakes — just pancakes — for $7.59.
Blueberry Cannoli Pancakes are part of IHOP’s lineup of “Summer Signature Pancakes.” The others are Raspberry & Peach Pancakes, and Strawberry & Banana Cream Pie Pancakes.
However you slice them, Blueberry Cannoli Pancakes are a big, fat diet buster. Low fat, low carb, low calorie — whatever diet you’re trying (this time), this breakfast is on the “No Fly” list.
So we move forward cautiously — knowing we may feel guilty the rest of the day.
First, realize that this is merely IHOP’s take on cannoli, the classic Italian dessert. These pancakes don’t come rolled up like authentic cannolis in an Italian bakery. They are built with sweetened ricotta, so the flavor is similar. Close your eyes and open your mind … and you’re halfway to Italy with Blueberry Cannoli Pancakes.
They’re creamy, sweet and rich. The blueberry compote is packed with lots of berries. The pancakes are standardissue IHOP, which means they’re delicious. And they come with the traditional breakfast trinity — eggs, meat and hash browns. What could possibly go wrong?
Blueberry Cannoli and Strawberry & Banana Cream Pie Pancakes sound more like desserts, duh, but this is a breakfast barn that proudly serves Jelly Donut Pancakes. IHOP has blurred the lines between breakfast and dessert so many times that Robin Thicke should appear in IHOP commercials.
IHOP also has three new drinks to quench your summertime thirst: Cherry Blackberry Lemonade, Iced Tea Lemonade and Orange Tangerine Lemonade.