Rats at IHOP

(Fresno, California) Try not to think of this report the next time you visit the International House of Pancakes.

Ellington Jordan says he came to this downtown Fresno IHOP hungry but left irritated and flustered Saturday, after an unexpected encounter with what the health department says was a rat.

Jordan says, "It went halfway up my ankle, went down, and then came back up and went down again."

The place was closed for a day or so and Jordan was given a $50 gift certificate for his discomfort. He says he may not go back but, if he does, he won't sit next to the wall.

One has to question the extent of the IHOP rat problem if the critters feel comfortable enough to mingle with the customers. Usually, they hide. Nonetheless, IHOP should be thankful that animal control authorities didn't get involved since rats are protected from cruelty under California law.