After thirty-five years in business, The Original Pancake House near the corner of Cheshire Bridge and LaVista Roads in Atlanta has closed. The restaurant, physically located along LaVista Road, carried a 2321 Cheshire Bridge Road address. Tipsters in the neighborhood alerted ToNeTo Atlanta to the potential closure Saturday afternoon, which, after a little investigation, we were able to confirm.
Cheshire Square was also previously home for 21 years to locally owned organic grocer Return to Eden until its 2014 closure, and also the iconic "Club 112" forever immortalized in the video for the hit 2002 track by Jermaine Dupri featuring Ludacris' "Welcome to Atlanta." [“Saturday is off the heezy fo’ sheezy, you can find me up in one-tweezy”]
Les Highet and Irma Hueneke opened the first The Original Pancake House in Portland, Oregon in 1953. Over the years, the company has developed a devoted fan base including Portland native James Beard, who called The Original Pancake House one of the "10 Best Restaurants in the Country" in a 1956 magazine article. In 1999, The Original Pancake House in Portland received a James Beard Foundation Award as an "American Classic."
The popular breakfast eatery, known to many for their Dutch Baby entrees, a baked rather than a fried pancake, as well as a variety of pancakes and omelets, The Original Pancake House was comfort food in a casual setting. The restaurant business is tough, and two extended closures of Cheshire Bridge Road in 2021 and 2023, and later a huge apartment fire right across the street from the restaurant that limited access to the restaurant from LaVista and Lindbergh, no doubt impacted the Pancake House and its ability to remain open.
Further limiting their already reduced pool of diners was a "15% Service Charge" policy that was noted in a January 2024 Nextdoor post and drew extreme criticism and negative comments on the neighborhood website. Seemingly in an attempt to generate more cash per check, management instituted a 15% service charge "for parties of 1 or larger" [EVERYONE], unrelated to a gratuity expected for servers.
Sources close to the center tell ToNeTo Atlanta that ownership of the Cheshire Bridge Original Pancake House has changed multiple times over the years and that while its closure was not unexpected, it was also quite abrupt. ToNeTo Atlanta visited the restaurant Saturday afternoon and found the doors locked but no sign announcing a closure. Several would-be patrons attempted to enter the restaurant only to find it locked, too. Through the windows, one can see a restaurant that could reopen tomorrow and generally appears ready to serve, save for a cut lemon molding on a table.
A Buckhead location opened in May 2021 at 2964 Peachtree Road, basically across the street from the Buckhead McDonald's, but it quietly closed last summer. Another Original Pancake House previously operated from a freestanding building in the 4300 block of Peachtree Road in Brookhaven, but it closed over a decade ago to make way for TOWN Brookhaven.
The Cheshire Bridge closure also brings to mind the closures of other beloved businesses in the area including Alfredo's, Happy Herman's, Camille's, Dunk 'n Dine, Varsity Jr., South of France, Hong Kong Harbour, Taverna Plaka, Woodfire Grill, and Katz's Deli, among others. [Support those who remain like Nino's Cucina Italiana, The Colonnade, and Nakato!]
Following the Cheshire Bridge closure, the breakfast chain has three restaurants in Georgia: along Memorial Drive in Stone Mountain, along Windward Parkway in Alpharetta and one in Savannah.
According to the Original Pancake House website, there were 130 restaurant franchises across the country, including the Cheshire Bridge unit, as of June 2024. There are also ten units between Japan and South Korea.
Atlanta-based Halpern Enterprises has yet to mark the 4,000 square foot former Original Pancake House space as "available" but certainly will soon.
Are you sad to see The Original Pancake House close its Cheshire Bridge location? What is your favorite intown breakfast joint? What would you most like to see open in place of The Original Pancake House at Cheshire Square?
Please share your thoughts below.
83 comments:
Sad to see it go
Wasn't there one near Oglethorpe University? At least I thought I remembered one in that area back in the 90s, but I was new Atlanta back then.
@Alex,
Yes, we had mentioned it in a previous post about the Buckhead opening but have now included it in this post too.
Thanks for your continued readership and comments.
Let's not forget Farmer John's Smorgasbord, which later became Showcase photography. Regarding the OHOP, it looks like it used to be a liquor store, and then it seemed to be a used car lot for a while.
This breaks my heart. It was bad enough when they closed the one in Duluth, but this one was always amazing and my go to any time I was in town before 3pm.
I suppose the changes in that area are seen as improvements by some, but still miss Alfredo's and Varsity Jr. What's next closing The Colonnade and opening another chicken strip place?
Yes, that was referenced in the article: “Another Original Pancake House previously operated from a freestanding building in the 4300 block of Peachtree Road in Brookhaven, but it closed over a decade ago to make way for TOWN Brookhaven.”
Honestly we need 25% of restaurants in Atlanta to close. There aren’t enough workers to staff what we have and 4 years after Covid most are still using that excuse for reduced hours, increased prices, and poor service.
We used to be frequent customers there until the prices kept skyrocketing and service became terrible. Sad they closed but it was time.
Before it was Showcase Camera, it was The Pro, a copycat of the Varsity Jr. I seem to remember that there was some sort of connection with Frank Gordy, but I don't know what it was.
As for OHoP, I sure as heck wouldn't patronize any establishment that instituted an automatic "15% service charge." I hope the owner learns a lesson here, but I doubt it.
I didn’t realize the colonnade had closed. I’m from Atlanta but have been moved out of state for 25 years now my grandmother used to work at Manhattan bakery right at the end of Cheshire Bridge Road. It closed 1985/86 Sad to see the Pancake house go away always great food & Service
Was 'the Pro' somewhere else in that strip? 2323 is confirmed as Farmer John's as of January, 1981, but then as of March, 1982 it was Showcase.
It was other things previously:
from around 1970-78: Red Roof Restaurant (sort of fancy, multicourse place, with part of meal being a buffet).
Grimo's Rancho Grande (Mexican Restaurant and lounge, starting around 78/79)
Farmer John's (late 1979 or so). Confirmed in Jan, 1981
Showcase (confirmed March, 1982).
I think there was some kind of ski store there too
I believe that was the Brave Falcon many moons ago.
Colonnade is still open.
I am not sure you read the article correctly. The Colonnade is very much still open. Though it's business is down from pre Covid levels.
Went there a couple of times post Covid. Was always filthy, terrible service, questionable activities happening inside and out. Felt like I was at a Waffle House!
The Colonnade is not closed, we ate there last night it was packed and delicious.
The colonnade has not closed
A Katz's or Harry Barron's would be welcomed.
They need to clean the area up. The areas of s*** hole. It's dirty. And got a lot of useless people hanging around there.
maybe they shouldn't hire such miserable people to work there
Most of the wait staffs were clowns
It was filthy and run down the last time we were there about a year ago.
We dined at the Colonnade a couple of weeks ago. Don’t think it closed since then.
They are saying that Collonade is one of the few remaining restaurants that is open.
It is hard to understand. The restaurant was always busy, and frequently had a wait list. Started going there in 1991 when we moved to Atlanta, and patronized it until we left in 2001. A couple of movies shot scenes there. It was the best breakfast food place in Atlanta. We loved it, and our daughter grew up eating weekend breakfast there. We also used to regularly go to Happy Hemans for our wine purchases along with other items, and the French Restaurant across the parking lot, South of France was excellent. All gone.
Maybe you can find the owner and the now unemployed workers and shake your finger in their faces and tell them you hope they learned a lesson, and you hope they become homeless because they deserve that, daring to charge more for food than it cost in 1980. Shame on them.
We need pictures of the moldy cut lemon or it didn't happen.
Colonnade still there.
colonnade is still.ope
The colonnade is still open…
I was a long time regular, but some of the changes in management definitely resulted in a decline in both service and quality, and the 15% service charge was the final straw for me; I never went back after that. I felt terrible for the servers who were still trying to hang on at that point. It was great when it was great, so sad to see it end this way.
The collanaid is open
It was also a book store. And a bakery
Or Lums!
They’re just useless. Send them to prison.
When you wanted service did you sing send in the clowns? With bigs shoes and a honk nose
We used to pick cucumbers there when it was my granny’s garden in 1927
I moved here in January of 1991, and frequented 2 other OHoP locations - the original Brookhaven location was just south of North Druid Hills on Peachtree - across from the post office. It closed sometime in the mid-90s to make way for a Harris Teeter and some tire store. The other location was across from Piedmont Hospital. I think a CVS is there now.
I've dined at the Windward location a couple of times. You can always find a Groupon or Local Flavor coupon that gives you $20 of food for $10 - or something like that. Not the worst place to grab breakfast.
And I will jump on board with most commenters about the Cheshire Bridge location. A long time ago it was a go-to meet up spot for friends driving through Atlanta. In the past 5 years or so, it had gone downhill for sure. Still hate to see it close. Although I hated seeing Varsity Jr. close much more.
So the colonnade is closed? Such a loss to this city. It was a true Atlanta original RIP colonnade.
You forgot to mention that East Cobb had a Original Pancake House on Johnson ferry Rd years ago. I want to say it closed in the early 2000s. Not sure why it was always busy. This economy is rough now.
Don't forget "THE WHITE HOUSE". Peachtree Near Piedmont in Buckhead. Been there forever and serves the best breakfast in the area, and a darn good lunch/desserts too!
I see several restaurants in the area that just raised the prices of items slightly. That's a whole lot smarter than a 15% service charge.
Btw. Colonnade has weathered the storm of 2 bridge closings but are getting their clientele back very nicely. They are however opened on Wednesday thru Sunday.
While I wasn't a fan of the food nor the service, part of me hates to see it close. But another part of me says they sort of asked for it by instituting a 15% "service charge" to everyone. Nope....wouldn't go there with that in place even if I did like the food.
READ THE ARTICLE. The Colonnade is not closed. Geez
I'm not surprised. @TheOriginalPancakeHouse at this location was really good until the last owner change. I went there 2 years ago and their coffee was terrible. Instead of having their Original Pancake House coffee brand, they "said" they ran out and were using Folgers (Bleh). Then, instead of having Heavy Whipping cream to put in coffee, they had cheap half n half creamers in the little cups. Also, no freshly whipped butter, just pats of butter. Sounds like the new owners went rogue and just cut corners on the quality. Huge disappointment. I was a loyal customer from the the early 1990s until 2 years ago when a lot of their loyal employees either quit or were let go and their quality tanked.
I suppose that icons come and go, but I'm damned glad I got to enjoy this one. Also loved the reference to Dunk N' Dine. Hot apple pie with melted cheese and ice cream at midnight in the 60's was hard to beat. Gone, but not forgotten. Don Loft.
Wow, the colonnade is closed! RIP
I met my girlfriend Beth there. Both went bankrupt. Sad day I loved eating there.
Everything from Sheridan down to Lenox by the Taqueria is a dump these days. Despite the surrounding neighborhoods continuing to improve that road is plagued by abandoned buildings and crap. The two road closures and Covid didn't help, but the iconic stores at that intersection had been disappearing for years before that.
Don't forget the Taco Cabana, only 24-hr place to get tacos on a late Friday night, early Saturday morning!!
I moved to Atlanta in 1991 and took a job there as a server, but the restaurant was Blue Moon Diner at the time.
What a nightmare to work there. Total disarray from poor management.
It was owned by a couple who lived in Buckhead.
The restaurant closed shortly after their home in Buckhead was broken into resulting in the death of the husband.
It later reverted back to UHoP, but I’m not sure if the widow retained ownership.
Unfortunate, used to be a great place to have some breakfast food, but not surprising! I quit going few years ago after the nice gentleman who operated Brookhaven and then Chesire retired. Saw the immediate changes, no more warmed up syrup, higher pricing, and lower quality!
The new owner was completely clueless, he had never owned a restaurant before. The first Saturday he owned it, they ran out of coffee & bacon! The restaurant was a well oiled machine until he took over and thought as an outsider he could make changes and boost his profits. His ‘service fee’ is a perfect example. No telling how much money he lost on his little experiment
It is not closed. Re-read the article and comments.
Cheshire Bridge still has the best cheesesteaks in town and Cheesesteak Place at the corner of CB and Faulkner.
Cheshire Square housed SOLO Foods in the 70's and 80', which was the forerunner for today's modern groceries. And it also housed the first European Health Spa, which was bought by LA Fitness.
This location was by far the worst one. They didn’t do much upkeep and was pretty grossed out eating here a couple months back. Not surprised that it’s closing.
For you? Yes it’s closed, for you. The rest of us will still enjoy it.
And they used to have freshly hand-cut flowers on the table and in the restroom, and pure cane sugar fresh from Florida delivered daily. Oh and hand milled buckwheat flour, milled on a stone wheel out back thrice daily for the pancakes. I miss it all, and wiping my mouth with a freshly laundered and pressed linen napkin.
I used to visit the original location in Portland in the 1980’s every Saturday. It was a great experience with long lines every week. When I visited this location, I did not recognize the experience. Old dingy and worn out booths and tables, poor customer service and inconsistent quality. It had all of the marks of an absentee franchise owner. The premium prices and poor experience ended my habit of starting every Saturday at the Old Original Pancake House. This franchise is still a winner with the right on- site operator but the latest versions at this location were poorly executed.
I visit the property/restaurant on Memorial Drive. It's almost directly across from an IHOP so I imagine it gets hard to compete. I enjoy it though and have been patronizing them for years. It must be struggling because it's open one day, closed the next. I'd hate to see them fold. Good food.
It used to be A&W back in the 70s
Cucumber salad, seasonal squash and fried chicken were my go tos at colonnade. I also thought the shrimp was excellent. In fact I can’t recall ever having a bad meal there. I’m so sad to hear that it’s closing. I wish there was a go fund me that we could donate to help. Thanks for many great memories
The ownership was terrible. I worked there and he wasn’t paying his employees on time and when he did pay them, the checks would bounce. He was not using a good service to deliver the foods instead he was going to local retailers to purchase things. Places like dollar stores and any other local retail grocers in the area. He stopped using fresh orange juice instead he would buy from the grocery store. The kitchen was full of roaches and once had maggots. He would fire people after they’ve worked a full week just to keep from paying them. He NEVER came in the building to see how things were but instead he would try to run the business from his home. He just honestly didn’t care about the business at all. Phone calls to the corporate office were not acted upon. I worked at memorial drive location and it was the same thing there as well.
Holy moly People!!!! Read the article!!!!!
Colonade is NOT CLOSED 🤦♀️
And don’t forget the pancakes! And syrup! At the restaurant this article is about! Original House of Pancakes.
They should stop feeding and clothing the homeless in the parking lot. It's driving away business.
Give them your address. So they can feed and clothe them from your driveway.
Sadly, the Colonnade on Cheshire Bridge is indeed closed. It closed this week. Lots of articles on it.
One of our favorites for 40 years. It had gone downhill. I will miss what it used to be. 😢
Collonade is on the block
There is still one open in Alpharetta off of Windward parkway by 400.
The White House on Peachtree Rd. Is a wonderful place for breakfast / brunch or for the power Buckhead luncheon. Great entrees on the steam table or simply order your favorite sandwiches from the grill….
Absolutely
I agree, very sad news about the Colannade closing. Maybe they should have tried selling the place first? Or at least brought in hookah?
This was once an awesome place and I was a regular there for 38 years but it started slipping when the current owner took over and BEFORE Covid and other surrounding events! I will give you the other events were hard to survive. However, The soft drink machine was broken for over a year and the stone ground oatmeal was replaced with instant and the french toast bread was replaced with a cheaper thinner bread. Also, as a former restaurant employee, I noticed how dirty the windows and dining room were, not to mention the restrooms with a broken sink faucet and broken urinal for over a year in the men’s restroom. Where were the owners? I personally never saw them as I did the former owner Jimmy?? I squarely blame the owners as I took it that they didn’t care enough to be there or fix things. I hate it for the employees and I will certainly miss the way this place was with the crowds and awesome food prior to the ownership change! I have found other breakfast places that were doing it better-West Egg, Egg Harbor, First Watch, Snooze, etc. perhaps someone could restore OPH to its former better standards!
Racist
The OHP on Peachtree in Brookhaven mentioned above was, before that, a Shoney’s Big Boy location complete with a fiberglass Big Boy out front. On a late spring night in 1981 the senior class of nearby Dunwoody High School swiped said Big Boy and implanted it in the parking lot of DHS. School administrators, Shoney’s corporate, and DeKalb PD were not amused…..
There was also a short lived location of Original Pancake House on Peachtree Street almost across from Piedmont Hospital and is now a CVS location. It was there about the time of 96 Olympics or shortly there after. It was very short lived but was a good place. Yes, the location on Cheshire Bridge was for sure due to the new owners. They are very poor restaurant business people in my opinion because they also failed at their Buckhead location and I also heard they owned the Stone Mountain location that has the same complaints. Blue Ribbon Grill in Tucker suffered the same demise with non restaurant people buying and hardly or never there. Compare those places to OK Cafe where the owners constantly check up on their standards and treat their employees like gold!
https://www.tonetoatl.com/2024/08/Colonnade-Restaurant-Listed-For-Sale-Cheshire-Bridge-Road-Atlanta.html
As a former regular customer, I am sadden for the servers to see the closure. I would drive out of my way for The Pancake House. I preferred the LaVista Store over Stone Mountain. It is my opinion the beginning of the decline began with the sale to Harper and the choice of money over quality.
I am sure Covid, other restaurant closures and the fire did not improve the restaurants business. Sorry for the crew! Debra
Yep, The Colonnade is OPEN and For Sale.
The wait and cook staff didn't set those prices, the owner did. I continued going there at least once/week despite the 15% service charge and the wait staff never charged me for drinks. And occaisionally some other items as well. Of course I took care of them tip-wise. I really hoped that they would stay open, but that service charge was a killer for most other customers.
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