Pancake Patter

IHOP, at least here in South Florida, is pushing a new line of sirloin steak meals. The photos of the supposed steak on the menus are not totally confidence-inspiring. However one can't judge on looks alone, so one day I may be tempted to attempt a bite. Not today, though. The new menus are accompanied by new higher prices.

I usually get the Southwestern Chicken Fajita Salad, a pile of salad in a wonderfully greasy deep-fried flour tortilla shell, graced with blobs of fajita chicken, drenched in Italian Dressing, and served with salsa, guacamole, AND sour cream - an ultimate in grease layering. The wife prefers the Colorado Omelette, an Atkins explosion of what seems like 437 different meats folded in coagulated chicken embryos, and glued together with melted rancid bovine secretion.

They're also once again selling their Never-Empty Coffee Cup for $9, with free refills for life, or February 28, 2005 (whichever comes first). And we stopped getting their regular pancakes - the Country Griddle Pancakes, made with Cream of Wheat, are much better.