Usually, I’m wary of supermarket versions of fast-food or diner delights. It’s virtually impossible to duplicate the fresh, hot taste and ambience of being served by real-life human beings. Nathan’s Famous hot dogs from the supermarket bear little resemblance to the authentic Nathan’s tube steaks that Joey Chestnut crushes on July 4 at Coney Island. I once bought frozen White Castle burgers from Costco (the 500-count “small” pack), and they’re still sitting in the freezer in my garage.

I love my short stacks at IHOP, so let’s see how the home version stacks up. Here’s the IHOP at Home French Toast Breakfast Sandwich blueprint: a slice of maple-flavored sausage, an egg patty and American cheese between two slices of round french toast.

Total calories: 290. Fat grams: 16. Sodium: 650 mg. Dietary fiber: less than 1 g. Protein: 13 g. Carbs: 23 g. Manufacturer’s suggested retail price: $5.99 for a four-pack. But try your luck for a coupon at www.ihop.com.

It’s unfair to compare this breakfast sandwich with a sit-down breakfast at one of the 1,600 IHOP restaurants across America, plus the first IHOP in an airport. (Layovers are a little less torture at Hartsfield Airport in Atlanta.)

IHOP is one of the great dependables in quick-service meals. Their buttermilk pancakes are first-ballot Hall of Famers, and their omelettes are fluffy and delicious. The secret to their omelettes? There’s a shot of pancake batter in the mix.

I’ve never been a fan of frozen breakfasts from the supermarket in general. Leggo my Eggo? No problem. You can have it.

IHOP frozen breakfast sandwiches (also Bacon, Egg & Cheese Flatbread and Canadian Bacon & Cheese French Toast) had a leg up because of the stellar brand reputation. Still, as many times as I’ve eaten at IHOP, I’m not sure I’ve seen these sandwiches on the menu.

So IHOP is copying itself — but creating something different, and hoping to sell new products because its old favorites are so popular. Hey, that’s Madonna’s trick!

Ninety seconds in the ‘wave and one minute of rest (per cooking instructions), and I was totally happy and a little surprised by how good this sandwich tasted. Maple aroma and flavor were everywhere. The egg was a standard rubberized floppy disc. The cheese was clean and melty. The sausage was sweet and really good. The french toast was similar to a McGriddle, about the acreage of a burger bun, without having to wait in the drive-thru.

I ate two fast and hid the box so nobody else would get to it. That’s how you can tell I like something: The good stuff is in the back of my freezer.

Here’s a laugh: The box also contains cooking instructions for a conventional oven: “Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Separate sandwich in half and wrap loosely with foil. Place on baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes. Carefully remove from oven and let stand for one minute before serving.”

The whole idea of a frozen breakfast at home is to nuke it fast and eat it on your way out the door. If you follow the conventional-oven instructions, it’ll be lunchtime by the time it’s ready.