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IHOP vs Denny's: Prices, Menu and Which Is Better in 2026
The short answer
Denny's is the cheaper of the two on entry-level breakfast. Its Original Grand Slam runs $6.99–$8.99 for two pancakes, two eggs, two bacon strips and two sausage links, while IHOP's comparable All-Star Special is $11.75–$13.25. IHOP counters with a far deeper pancake menu and 151 tracked menu items. Both run 24 hours at a large share of locations, so the real decision is price versus pancake variety.
IHOP vs Denny's: price comparison
| What | IHOP | Denny's |
|---|---|---|
| Signature breakfast comboBoth bundle eggs, pancakes and two breakfast meats. | All-Star Special $11.75 - $13.25 | Original Grand Slam $6.99 – $8.99 |
| Cheapest full breakfast | Two-Egg Breakfast $5.20 - $7.00 | Everyday Value Slam $5.99 |
| Calories, signature combo | ~1,200 cal | 770 cal (Original Grand Slam) |
| Breakfast served all day | Yes, every location | Yes |
| Open 24 hours | 523 of 1064 US restaurants in our directory | Many locations, varies by franchise |
Both sides are national reference figures for June 2026. Every chain listed here is franchised and sets prices locally, so your restaurant may differ. Sources are listed at the foot of this page.
Where IHOP wins
- Pancake range — buttermilk, cheesecake, cupcake, harvest grain and seasonal builds
- All-day breakfast at every location, not just a value tier
- 55+ senior menu with smaller portions from $6.99
- IHOPPY Hour discounts 2–10 PM at participating restaurants
Where Denny's wins
- Lower entry price — Grand Slam from $6.99 vs $11.75 for the IHOP equivalent
- Everyday Value Slam at $5.99 undercuts anything comparable on the IHOP menu
- Simpler menu that is quicker to order from
Price: where the gap actually is
The headline difference sits at the entry level. Denny's Original Grand Slam is listed at $6.99–$8.99 and its Everyday Value Slam at $5.99. IHOP's closest equivalent, the All-Star Special, is $11.75–$13.25. On a like-for-like combo you are looking at roughly $5 more per head at IHOP. That gap narrows once you move up the menu: IHOP's Two-Egg Breakfast starts at $5.20, which is competitive with anything Denny's lists, and IHOP's hashbrowns at $3.25 sit close to the market.
Menu depth: where IHOP pulls ahead
IHOP tracks 151 items across pancakes, omelettes, waffles, crepes, hashbrown bowls, steakburgers and Texas melts. The pancake section alone carries 13 distinct builds. If pancakes are the reason for the trip, IHOP is the deeper menu by a wide margin — that is the chain's original product and it still anchors the menu. Denny's runs a broader all-day diner menu but a shallower pancake lineup.
Late-night and 24-hour access
Both chains built their business partly on late-night trade. In our locations directory 523 of 1064 IHOP restaurants list 24-hour service, a little under half the footprint. Denny's also runs 24 hours at a large share of sites. Neither is universal, and both set hours per franchise, so the practical advice is the same: check the specific restaurant before a 2 AM drive.
Which one to pick
Pick Denny's if the goal is the cheapest hot breakfast on the table and you are ordering a standard eggs-and-pancakes combo. Pick IHOP if pancakes are the point, if you want the 55+ menu, or if you are ordering during IHOPPY Hour when the 2–10 PM discounts change the maths. For a family where one person wants a plain combo and another wants cheesecake pancakes, IHOP covers both; Denny's wins on the plain combo alone.
Check the IHOP side yourself
Every IHOP figure on this page comes from our own menu and locations data — 151 tracked items and 1064 US restaurants. You can open the underlying pages here:
IHOP vs Denny's: frequently asked questions
Is IHOP or Denny's cheaper?
Denny's is cheaper on entry-level breakfast. Its Original Grand Slam is listed at $6.99–$8.99 and the Everyday Value Slam at $5.99, against $11.75–$13.25 for IHOP's comparable All-Star Special. IHOP's own Two-Egg Breakfast starts at $5.20, so the gap depends heavily on which combo you order.
Does IHOP or Denny's have better pancakes?
IHOP carries the deeper pancake menu — 13 distinct pancake builds in our tracked data, including buttermilk, New York cheesecake, cupcake and harvest grain. Pancakes are the founding product of the chain. Taste is subjective, but on range alone IHOP is the larger selection.
Are IHOP and Denny's both open 24 hours?
Both run 24-hour service at many but not all locations. Our directory shows 523 of 1064 IHOP restaurants listing 24-hour hours. Denny's is similar. Hours are set per franchise, so confirm the specific restaurant before a late visit.
Does Denny's have a senior menu like IHOP's 55+ menu?
IHOP runs a 55+ menu with smaller portions from $6.99. Denny's has historically offered reduced-portion options at some locations, but availability varies by franchise. If a senior menu matters, confirm with the specific restaurant.
Which has more locations, IHOP or Denny's?
Both operate over 1,500 US restaurants. Our own locations directory covers 1064 IHOP restaurants across 40+ states. Coverage is broadly comparable nationally, though density differs by market.
Can I use coupons at both IHOP and Denny's?
Both run rewards programmes with member offers. IHOP's MyHOP Rewards includes a free birthday pancake stack. Offers are redeemed in the respective apps and generally cannot be combined with other discounts.
Compare IHOP with other chains
Sources
Denny's figures were gathered from public menu listings in July 2026 and are reproduced here for comparison only. IHOP Menus is an independent resource and is not affiliated with IHOP, Denny's, or their parent companies. Prices change without notice — confirm with the restaurant before ordering.
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