Driving on Weaver Lake Road in Maple Grove, motorists can't miss the sign announcing IHOP restaurant is “Now Open.”

After months of being under construction to transform what used to be a Fuddruckers restaurant, IHOP is now open for business at its location at 14500 Weaver Lake Road.

The restaurant is known for serving up 14 different varieties of pancakes such as buttermilk, chocolate chip, New York cheesecake and its fruit-topped pancakes along with several signature breakfasts and lunch and dinner specialties, according to IHOP.

This has several Maple Grove families, like the Crawford’s, debating now where to go to find pancakes in town.

“My kids and my in-laws are ecstatic that IHOP is open, but I prefer the other pancake house in town,” said Lynn Crawford.

Maple Grove IHOP General Manager Susan Hoage said the restaurant officially opened on Sunday, July 3 and is still working on plans for a grand opening.

“We’ve been super busy, which is good, and we’ve received a nice response on some new menu items and the bright, open interior design,” said Hoage.

A couple new features of the IHOP, Hoage says they will be open 24 hours and all customers are welcome to use their wireless internet.

“If you come in and sit on the west side of the restaurant, customers can look out and enjoy nature. We put out some bird houses hoping to attract some birds for everyone to enjoy watching,” said Hoage.

But if you’re hungry, Hoage suggest coming earlier versus later as to avoid a wait.

“Over the last weekend, we noticed we were busier later in the mornings. So the earlier the better, like before 9:30 a.m. and we can get you seated right away,” said Hoage.

Hoage said Maple Grove residents have been overwhelmingly nice and welcoming. She plans to give back and is looking for ways to be a part of the neighborhood.

“We want to be more than just an eatery, we want to be involved in the community,” said Hoage.

As for the Crawfords, Lynn says she will have no choice but to take her kids there for the fill of pancakes dripping with assorted fruit and syrup.

“At least they are down the street, easy in and easy out, very convenient,” said Crawford.

According to IHOP, there are more than 1,400 IHOP across the United States and internationally. The restaurant chain considers some its signature breakfasts, besides pancakes, to be the International Passport Breakfast as well as the Big Steak Omelette and the Colorado Omelette. The first IHOP was opened in 1958 in a Los Angeles suburb as the International House of Pancakes restaurant.