Columnist Petula Dvorak writes about the relationship that some American Muslims have with IHOP during Ramadan citing that “yes, it may seem weird, but chocolate chip funny face pancakes are sort of a Muslim in America thing.”
During Ramadan, observant Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, and the trickier meal for many to coordinate is the pre-dawn meal known as “suhoor” which usually occurs during 3 or 4am. Enter IHOP. “In the same way Jews embraced the only restaurants often open on Christmas — Chinese eateries — Muslims adopted IHOP as a beloved part of Ramadan in America,” observes Ms. Dvorak. @SaqibTheRobot, from Houston, recently tweeted: “A co-worker told me he thought Ramadan is when Muslims go to IHOP at 4 a.m. in the morning LOL.”
Dine After Dark hopes to solve this delimma. Founded by Katherine Ashworth, a non-Muslim grad student, the site encourages DC restaurants to extend their hours for observant Muslims during Ramadan. “I have a lot of Muslim friends in my life, and I am embarrassed to say it never really dawned on me what an inconvenience it was until then,” says Ms. Brandt.
To date, DC restaurants Busboys and Poet, Martha Table and City Winery (which is unfortunately not an option for many Muslims since it serves alcohol) have all extended their hours.
