IHOP to Offer Booze? Really? [OPINION]

So, would you like a beer with those pancakes?

Customers at an IHOP in Phoenix will soon have that option.

The Romulus Restaurant Group tells Food & Wine it will experiment with offering booze at an IHOP (International House Of Pancakes) location in Phoenix, Arizona. The chain is trying to get people to think of it as more than just breakfast, and recently ran a promotion pretending to be changing the brand name to IHOB (International House of Burgers).

Food & Wine says the drinks menu will include a full bar with craft beer, wine and specialty cocktails. Customers can also order Bloody Mary and Irish coffee variations. While the test market store is open 24 hours, the bar will only be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

IHOP has 1,600 locations nationwide. No word yet as to whether the Dartmouth location will offer booze.

Look, I hate to sound like a prude, but is this really necessary? IHOP and sister chain Applebee's have been struggling, so Romulus is attempting to get a bit edgier by offering alcohol. Applebee's is now Applebee's Grill & Bar, and promotes itself as a place to hang out, watch the game and have a few. I wonder if IHOP will become the new place to catch last call and breakfast at the same time?

Seriously, I like my eggs and bacon with some coffee and OJ, not Jack Daniels. What's next, KENO?

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.