Although its signage and menu items change to reflect contemporary trends, the International House of Pancakes—more commonly known as IHOP—has a decades-old history, and has served several generations in its time as a flapjack joint.

Started in 1958, the company was one of the first to begin major expansion through franchising just two years later. Although its iconic A-frame buildings would stop being constructed in 1979, many people still remember the Alpine-type look, and associate it with familiar IHOP dishes like the Rooty Tooty Fresh 'n' Fruity, a breakfast that's not only fun to say, but is formidable for light eaters—buttermilk pancakes, eggs, bacon, and pork links.

Even though the restaurant tinkers with its lineup, it's likely that the pancakes that gave the eatery its name will never stop being flipped. Currently, IHOP serves over 700 million pancakes a year, with selections like corn cake pancakes and pancakes made with whole grains and oats.

How does IHOP stack up as a wireless-enabled restaurant? Just as nicely as their pancakes, waffles and crepes: the chain has more than 60 eateries across the country that stay connected with iPass. Roadtrip aficionados who are fond of zipping from New York to California or Minnesota down to Texas don't have to give up checking email while they're on the road, or drive around looking for a local wireless cafe. Instead, they can just aim for those familiar rooftops, and fire up the laptop.

Even on short jaunts, the combination of Wi-Fi and IHOP can be scrumptiously compelling. Not only can diners keep up with business correspondence or check the company intranet while waiting for a coffee refill, but they can also fill up on some of the restaurant's many tempting menu items. Recently, new crepes were introduced on a limited-time basis, so grab the laptop or PDA, and head down to the IHOP for some black cherry or cinnamon-apple crepes. Work has never been so delicious.

IHOP locations »