Denny's Breakfast Beats IHOP and Cracker Barrel in Taste and Value
A first-time visit to Denny's showed its pancakes and customizable Grand Slam outshining comparable offerings at IHOP and Cracker Barrel, despite a slightly higher price.
After evaluating Cracker Barrel and IHOP for one outlet, the writer visited Denny's for the first time following reader recommendations. Denny's, which went private in early 2026 after a $620 million acquisition and appointed Christopher Bode as president and CEO, operates over 1,450 locations with an all-day breakfast menu centered on its Grand Slam platters. The reviewer ordered a custom Grand Slam at $11.99, added grilled ham for $2.29, and paid $3.29 for coffee, totaling $17.57 before tax and tip.
Highlights included pancakes that were thicker and fluffier than the competitors, crisp bacon, flavorful sausage links, and a bold, non-acidic coffee with bottomless refills. The hash browns were disappointing, described as greasy and undercooked, but the overall portion sizes and taste made Denny's the most satisfying choice, even though the total cost was slightly higher than at Cracker Barrel ($16.88) and IHOP ($18.58). Denny's declined to comment on the review.
Why it matters
It shows how Denny's new strategy and menu changes may attract breakfast diners away from established rivals.
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