12 Delicious IHOP Secret Menu Items To Try in 2025

The International House of Pancakes (more commonly known as IHOP) is world-famous for its golden, fluffy flapjacks, but you’ll be surprised to learn that there’s also an IHOP secret menu to order from. This unofficial menu features a range of brand-new dishes and customizations to already popular menu items.

Interestingly, the secret menu doesn’t only include pancakes. Despite more than 70% of IHOP's sales being breakfast food dishes, as highlighted by Restaurant Business, you’ll also find savory dishes like risotto and steak tartare on the hidden menu. 

To discover all the unique things you can try, we’ve rounded up the 12 best IHOP secret menu items that are well worth tasting at least once. 

 Jump to Section

• Does IHOP Have a Secret Menu?
• The 12 Best IHOP Hidden Menu Items
• How We Created This IHOP Secret Menu Guide

Does IHOP Have a Secret Menu?

IHOP does have a secret menu. However, there isn’t an official IHOP secret menu. Instead, the secret menu has been put together by customers and shared across the internet and social media. Some items have become so popular that the staff will know them by name, while other menu items will need explaining.

How To Order From the IHOP Secret Menu

When ordering from the hidden menu, make sure you’re patient with the waitstaff and bring an ingredients list with you in case they don’t recognize the IHOP secret menu dishes by name alone.

The availability of these IHOP secret menu dishes can vary by location as well, so be polite and accepting if the request can't be accommodated.

The 12 Best IHOP Hidden Menu Items

1. Warm Syrup 

The syrups at IHOP are a favorite amongst diners and are one of the reasons why this pancake franchise is so popular. IHOP lets diners order a syrup caddy with a variety of syrup flavors, including classic old-fashioned, blueberry, strawberry and delectable butter pecan.

But did you know that you can request that your favorite syrup flavor be served warm? All you have to do is ask! 

How To Order: To enjoy this IHOP secret menu hack, ask your server to warm the syrup up before bringing it to your table. 

Likelihood of Getting Item: Medium to High 

2. Cinn-A-Stack Pancakes 

IHOP is known for its specialty pancakes, such as the popular tres leches, the protein-packed lemon ricotta with blueberry, and the tasty strawberry banana pancakes.

Despite these pancake recipes being popular with diners, the most-loved pancake on the menu is the cinnamon pancake called Cinn-A-Stack, which features a cinnamon swirl spread. However, this item comes and goes from the IHOP menu. 

But don't panic if Cinn-A-Stack Pancakes aren't on the menu when you visit. There is a way to order this delicious pancake from the IHOP secret menu. Simply order the original buttermilk pancakes and add cinnamon spread to recreate this pancake favorite.

If there is another pancake on the menu with a cream cheese icing (or other frosting-style topping), ask for some of that to be drizzled over your secret menu pancakes as well. We also recommend finishing this IHOP secret menu dish with a dollop of whipped cream. 

How To Order

• Buttermilk Pancakes
• Cinnamon Spread
• Cream Cheese Icing (if available)
• Whipped Cream

Likelihood of Getting Item: Medium to High 

3. Onion and French Fry Omelette

Along with specialty pancakes, IHOP also offers customizable omelettes. One popular combination that you need to try from the secret IHOP menu is the Onion and French Fry Omelette.

This may sound like an odd combo, but eggs and potatoes have been used together for years, so why not put them in an omelette? To try this IHOP hidden menu item, ask for crunchy onions and salty fries to be added to your custom omelette order.

For an extra unique IHOP hidden menu dish, some recommend adding warm syrup to your omelette. You can also customize the fillings further, adding whatever ingredients appeal to you, and we recommend asking for crispy onions to be added on top. 

If you have a regular menu omelette you like to get, you can also order that and ask for onions and fries to be added, putting a flavorful twist on your favorite fast food breakfast dish. 

How To Order

Build Your Own Omelette With:

• Fries
• Onions
• Other Fillings of Your Choice

or

• Regular Menu Omelette
• Fries
• Onions

Likelihood of Getting Item: Medium to High 

4. Chicken and Pancakes

This IHOP off-menu item is a play on the classic chicken and waffles. In place of waffles, IHOP's fluffy buttermilk pancakes are used. These are paired with crispy fried chicken strips and can be paired with your choice of sauce, including buttermilk ranch or IHOP sauce.

Of course, we also recommend drizzling the whole dish in syrup for one of the best comfort food options on the IHOP secret menu. 

How To Order

• Chicken and Waffles
• Remove: Waffles
• Add: Buttermilk Pancakes

or

• Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Strips
• Buttermilk Pancakes
• Syrup
• Other Sauces of Your Choice

Likelihood of Getting Item: High 

5. Bananas and Cream Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Looking for an indulgent breakfast food idea? If so, you'll want to order chocolate chip pancakes with bananas and cream from the IHOP secret menu.

This delightful IHOP off-menu item features chocolate chip pancakes topped with sliced bananas and a generous serving of whipped cream. 

The classic combination of bananas, cream and chocolate is sure to please almost all palates! You can ask for some extra chocolate chips to be sprinkled over the top as well.

How To Order

• Chocolate Chip Pancakes 
• Bananas
• Whipped Cream
• Extra Chocolate Chips (optional)

Customization: We also love this IHOP secret menu dish with waffles instead of pancakes as the base. However, there isn't usually a chocolate chip waffle on the menu, so you'll have to ask if one can be made or request chocolate chips as a topping. 

Likelihood of Getting Item: High 

6. Waffle Breakfast Sandwich

If you're always on the hunt for the best fast food breakfast sandwiches, you'll want to try a waffle breakfast sandwich from the IHOP secret menu. Best of all, it couldn't be easier to order!

Simply get a Belgian waffle and then add sides of the fillings you want. Options include sausage patties, bacon, ham and eggs. You can either fold the waffle in half and add the fillings or get two waffles, put the fillings in the middle, and then cut the waffle sandwich into quarters. 

To make this IHOP menu hack more affordable, we recommend getting a Waffle Combo Plate and adding the breakfast plate ingredients you choose to the waffle. 

How To Order

• Belgian Waffle
• Breakfast Fillings of Your Choice

or

• Waffle Combo Plate

Fold the waffle and add the fillings. Alternatively, order an extra waffle, add the fillings between the two, and then cut it like a regular sandwich. 

Likelihood of Getting Item: High 

7. Patagonian Prawn Ceviche

For a pancake franchise, serving Patagonian prawn ceviche is a surprise, but one that is welcome. This seafood dish, which consists of prawns marinated in refreshing citrus juice, is a staple menu item in an upscale restaurant.

Yet, you don't have to go to a high-end restaurant to get it; you may be able to order ceviche from the IHOP secret menu item! However, there's a big emphasis on the "may be able to."

To try this mouthwatering seafood dish, you’ll need to order it in advance from the IHOP hidden menu. Call up at least four hours before you plan on visiting the IHOP near you to request the dish, and they might be able to accommodate. 

How To Order: Call at least four hours before visiting and ask if this IHOP secret menu dish can be made. 

Likelihood of Getting Item: Low

8. Steak Tartare 

Did you know that you can find a tender steak tartare on the secret menu at IHOP? This is another surprising dish, considering that the franchise’s focus is on pancakes and other breakfast foods. Despite this, this is one of the most popular IHOP secret menu items to ask for, although we can't guarantee you'll get it.

IHOP has a slightly different take on steak tartare, choosing to cook the meat so that it’s rare rather than raw. Despite the slight difference in the preparation of the meat, the dish comes served with traditional egg yolks, capers and onions. 

How To Order: Politely ask for steak tartare and see if your IHOP hidden menu order can be fulfilled! 

Likelihood of Getting Item: Low

9. Red Velvet White Chocolate Cheesecake Macarons

Despite their popularity worldwide, these melt-in-your-mouth French confections are not on the regular menu. However, they are available on the secret menu at IHOP. All you need to do is ask for them and hope that your French food wish can be granted!

These red velvet macarons with a creamy white chocolate cheesecake filling are the perfect sweet snack for after your pancake meal and often come topped with fancy edible gold foil. So, not only are they delicious, but they’re also a picture-perfect item from the IHOP secret menu. 

How To Order: Ask if red velvet white chocolate cheesecake macarons are available. 

Likelihood of Getting Item: Low

10. Roquefort and Pear Soufflé

Another unique dish to order from the IHOP secret menu is a soufflé with Roquefort and pear.  Roquefort cheese is a rich and tangy blue cheese made from goat milk and is paired with sweet pears to make this baked French dish.

To order this fancy menu option, all you need to do is ask your server for the Roquefort and pear soufflé. If they have all the ingredients, they might be able to whip it up for you.     

How To Order: Check with your server if a Roquefort and pear soufflé can be made for you.

Likelihood of Getting Item: Low

11. Spinach and Asparagus Risotto

Spinach and asparagus risotto is a classic Italian dish known for its creamy flavor and perfectly fluffy rice. The spinach and asparagus make it a slightly healthier option compared to the sugary, syrup-coated pancakes most opt for at IHOP.

This risotto, cooked in a rich and refreshing lemon broth, is available on the IHOP secret menu at most locations — to try it, just ask! 

How To Order: As with the other unique IHOP secret menu items, just ask to see if this flavorful risotto can be made. 

Likelihood of Getting Item: Low

12. Kids' Menu Meal

The last item you can order from the IHOP secret menu is off the kids' menu. In fact, ordering anything from the kids' menu is the secret menu trick! Many eateries are quite strict when it comes to age restrictions for ordering off the kids' menu, especially if it's a restaurant where kids eat free.

However, while IHOP does have a 12-and-under policy, if you order a kid's item off the menu, IHOP generally won’t turn you down. So, the next time you feel like a child’s size portion, order a kid's meal from the IHOP secret menu.

You'll be able to enjoy options like Happy Face Pancakes, chicken and waffles and French toast sticks in a much more manageable portion size compared to the main menu.

How To Order: Choose a meal from the kids' menu and ask if it can be served for diners over 12 years of age. Ordering online for delivery or pick-up makes it more likely you will get a kids' meal when over the age limit. 

Likelihood of Getting Item: Medium

How We Created This IHOP Secret Menu Guide

The first step in creating this IHOP secret menu guide was to turn to our team’s experience ordering custom dishes at the popular breakfast chain. Having rounded up our favorite IHOP off-menu items, we then undertook research to find even more unique orders.

This included checking out IHOP secret menu posts on TikTok and Instagram and scouring Reddit for more menu hack ideas. This is where we discovered some of the more unusual IHOP off-menu items, such as steak tartare. 

Having found all the most popular dishes, we put them together in this guide, complete with tips on how to order the items at IHOP and the likelihood of being able to get them.

The next time you visit your favorite pancake franchise, be sure to try out an item or two from the IHOP secret menu. This secret menu is quite unique in that it includes many options you’d never think to see at IHOP.

Even though some of these dishes are out-of-the-box, we recommend stepping out of your comfort zone a little and trying one of the IHOP secret menu items listed here. From fluffy soufflé and steak tartare to waffle sandwiches and banana cream pancakes, there’s no shortage of options! 

For even more ways to explore your favorite foods, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.