I was surrounded by flags from a variety of nations. It appeared that I was in a mecca of multiculturalism, surrounded by open minded and conscientious individuals who hailed from many walks of life as we prepared to consume the evening meal. The International House of Pancakes, that melting pot of world harmony, was the place to be on a Thursday night. At least that's how it seemed as the booths filled with childless couples and groups of elderly people hemming and hawing like buzzards over their senior chicken platters.

Even if it tastes like $#%!, you just don't care. - ed.

I was inconspicuously seated in what passes for a dark corner where I could work the magic of my methods unobserved. Armed with the knowledge that service was exceptionally slow, I anticipated that perhaps I would emigrate from this veritable cornucopia before ordering. In all honesty, I was feeling both indecisive about the menu and my choice to come here, but when I saw the Loaded Country Potatoes I knew that I had met with something that my readers would demand be sampled and examined. Three varieties of these fantastic treats exist to tempt the taste buds. You should go to IHOP.com to check them out, but I selected some potatoes with sausage and gravy. It looked delectable, and came with some pancakes and a side of bacon. I ordered my bacon crispy, you know, because I'm the kind of guy who special orders at crappy family chain restaurants.