IHOP Expected To Open In Coney Island This Summer

We can smell the pancakes already.

IHOP, which joined a slew of national chains signing leases around the amusement district last year, is schedule to open at 1019 Surf Avenue, near West 8th Street, in June or July, according to the business’ franchisee Bryan McKenzie.

“There are a lot of businesses opening in the area and I wanted to open a year-round breakfast restaurant to serve the community,” McKenzie said.

As we previously reported, IHOP jumped on the Coney Island bandwagon a year ago when McKenzie signed the lease for the 5,400-square-foot space, located adjacent to the Subway Cafe. An IHOP spokesperson told us they expected their new outpost to open by the end of summer 2015. However, McKenzie explained the opening was delayed by unexpected obstacles, including hooking up new gas lines.

McKenzie, who owns another IHOP at the Palisades Center Mall in West Nyack, New York, told us he’s excited to open a franchise in his home borough of Brooklyn. He said he spent a lot of time hanging around the People’s Playground in his youth and is thrilled to bring a new business to the amusement district.

“People know IHOP and it’s always been a favorite of mine since I was a child,” he said.

McKenzie also said he’s not worried about competing with Tom’s Coney Island, the family-owned diner located on the boardwalk.

“I don’t think they are the same as IHOP,” he said.

Alex Levin, the property owner at 1019 Surf Avenue, said the neighborhood can expect another restaurant to open soon. The location also has a lease for a kosher pizza joint, which will go to in the same building. He expects construction work to begin at that space in a few weeks and the new business should be opening before the end of summer.