Denny's vs IHOP: Menu Prices Compared (2026)
The short answer
Denny's is the cheaper of the two. Of the 7 directly comparable items we could match across both menus, Denny's is cheaper on 7 of them, by an average of $1.26 per item.
Make Denny's and IHOP at Home
Whichever of the two wins on price, cooking the favorites at home beats both. These are the sauces, mixes and kitchen tools that get closest to the real thing.
Deals Worth Knowing at Both
Denny's
- The $5.99 Everyday Value Slam is the cheapest sit-down breakfast at any national chain — two pancakes, an egg and meat.
- Build Your Own Grand Slam at $12.49 gives four items; ordering the same four à la carte typically costs $4 to $6 more.
- The 55+ menu takes roughly $2 to $3 off the standard versions of the same dishes for guests 55 and older.
IHOP
- All You Can Eat Pancakes returns several times a year and is the best value IHOP ever offers — usually around the price of a full stack.
- The 55+ menu is available all day to guests 55 and older and runs roughly $2 to $4 below the standard versions of the same dishes.
- Coffee and soft drinks are bottomless, so a single drink charge covers the whole meal.
Denny's vs IHOP — FAQ
Is Denny's cheaper than IHOP in 2026?
Denny's is cheaper on most matched items — 7 of 7. Across the whole menu IHOP is the lower-priced of the two, at $12.49 for a typical item against $13.29 at Denny's.
What is the price difference between Denny's and IHOP?
On matched items the average difference is $1.26, or about 6% overall. Denny's averages $12.28 across 41 priced items; IHOP averages $11.57 across 41.
Which has the cheaper entry price, Denny's or IHOP?
Denny's starts at $3.49 (Coffee (bottomless)) and IHOP at $3.79 (Coffee (bottomless)).
Are these prices the same at every location?
No. Both chains let franchise owners set prices, so figures move by a dollar or more between markets and run highest at airport, stadium and highway locations. Treat these as the typical U.S. price, not a quote.