Bronxites are just an IHOP, skip and jump away from one of the nation’s favorite dining facilities offering friendly service and yummy food.
The newest IHOP in the Bronx, located in New Horizons Shopping Mall off 174th Street, will be celebrating its official grand opening now through Monday, August 31, with special treats for children and seniors.
The amazing eatery, owned by restaurateur Dominic Broccoli, occupying 5,000 square feet, opened its door in May, and employs over 100 staff members, many of which are Bronx residents.
“The neighborhood has been very receptive and a lot of people are thanking us for opening in this neighborhood,” said Broccoli. “For many years residents have been asking for an IHOP and it fell on deaf ears, so now the community is happy and we are doing very well.”
In honor of the grand opening, kids 12 and under will eat for free between 4 and 10 p.m. everyday, for up to one kid per adult, while seniors will receive a 25% discount on Tuesdays between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Broccoli will be offering the same specials at his 817 Allerton location, which is celebrating its second anniversary, first opened on August 14, 2007.
Broccoli continues to operate a warm, family-style establishment, with his daughter, Gia, handling Human Resource, for the over 180 employees at both locations, and his wife, Donna, as bookkeeper. Dominic also kept with him many of his loyal employees from his former restaurant, Gino’s Café, once located at the site of his Allerton IHOP.
Chef Luis Arenas has remained on board, along with Pedro Camano, who handles the maintenance and building of each site, together making up Broccoli’s dream team.
The new pancake haven, which seats approximately 200 diners, has a management team comprised of Gustavo Cevallos, Claudia York and Sharmane Anderson.
Like the first, the newest location features the lighter and more vibrant IHOP design and offers take-out service.
“The E. 174th Street location has ample parking and a separate take-out section, we are the in the country to offer this,” said Broccoli. “It’s a separate entrance so take out customers are not amongst the hungry guest waiting for a table.”
