The Original Peppers

We were visiting the area from out of state and stopped in after a busy day as tourists in the area. The restaurant was attractive from the outside and seemed like an established business on a busy boulevard. We were hungry and expecting a good meal. The dinners we received, however, were mediocre at best. A beef enchilada was tasteless and lukewarm. My wife’s tacos were similar. Mexican restaurants generally have a pretty standard menu from which you can usually expect to get a decent and predictable meal, but this restaurant really did not meet that expectation. The service was average and overall our impression was one of underwhelmed disappointment.

I was introduced to Peppers a couple of years ago from a friend who was a long-​time patron. Even though I’ve lived in the area all my life I’d never been to Peppers! Well, it’s a solid restaurant. Their décor is sweet and their service is always very attentive. I’ve never been disappointed when eating here. The portion sizes are generous and the food is good. Check it out!

My prayers where answered, the old Cooks are now at BAJA MAR FISH TACOS, we are on our way their today, back to GREAT FOOD and SERVICE, with people that care about their customer’s

Unfortunately when the original owners sold the restaurant, the new owners decided that firing the kitchen staff was for some reason a rational decision. Used to go here all the time growing up but since the sale I’ve only tried it about twice and was completely disappointed both times. My family and I then discovered that the old kitchen staff actually opened their own restaurant in Monrovia called Baja Mar on Foothill! Now all the old Peppers regulars including Michael Anthony go there! THEY EVEN HAVE THE SALSA! :D

Just awful, don’t come here, salsa is gross, meat was grey and tasteless, even the iced tea was nasty, oh and the beans tasted like from a can, nothing tasted fresh at all.

This place is not what I expected. It was over priced and the food wasn’t that great. Burrito 12 dollars but didn’t have much meat and it was small.

Enjoyed Taco Tuesday here for years until last night. Horrible service and food. Margaritas tasted like pure sugar. And the waitress and manager were much more interested in chatting with their friends than serving actual customers. Soooo disappointed but never going back. I’d gladly pay more for decent food and service.

I’ve lived around here all my life and just tried this place for the first time today. If I could, I would give a separate star rating for the waiter who was pretty awesome. He was friendly, sweet, and had a good sense of humor. He brought out chips and salsa and noticed we had a baby, so brought some flour tortillas for him since he realized the chips would be too hard. Not many waiters are that thoughtful and considerate!
We ordered a side of guacamole and it was a small ice cream scoop with a large side of lettuce, cheese, and tomatoes to fill the plate. The guacamole was bland and had mostly onions in it. I’m looking for avocados more than anything when I order guacamole… Big disappointment. I ordered the camarones al mojo de ajo (shrimp in garlic butter sauce) which always impresses no matter where we go. Unfortunately this was the least impressive, most bland, and tough shrimp I’ve ever had. We complained to the nice waiter and this is where things really went south. He agreed that the seafood was not up to par and he explained that he has spoken to the chefs about not over-​cooking the seafood as it was a common occurrence. Then he apologized, gave my husband a pat on the back, and walked away!!! Umm, what kinda frikkin service is that? We should’ve spoken to a manager… But we didn’t.
On a happy note, the rice and beans were good and my hubby enjoyed his chile verde plate and cheese enchilada. Don’t think we’ll be back though.

The food was beautiful, guacamole is delicious! The rest was completely tasteless…

Our family loves coming to eat good food but also because the staff are great! Tonight we witnessed an lady who was in her 60’s trying to dine and dash. We alerted the waiter and he got her back into pay, and then when she disappeared into the bathroom, I went to check for the staff. We had great entertainment tonight

We’ve been coming to Peppers for a very long time. I’m sorry to say it has steadily gone down hill. The food tastes old, like it’s been sitting out, then reheated. The ground beef tasted like it was 3 weeks old, had a foul taste and was cold. How can ground beef be cold in a taco? It was taco Tuesday so maybe the food was designed around that. Last week I got the steak. It tasted old. This place used to be a place we confidently recommended to friends looking for good food. I don’t know if it’s new owners, new distributors, new staff or what, but it’s just not the place we enjoyed coming to.

The fajitas special are Amazing!!! The service was the best. The waiters are really nice and funny. Definitely going back !!!
The place is big but what I loved the most is the patio. You can actually feel like you are in Mexico .
By the way if people are looking for Victoria in draft they have it which most places do not have it. !!!

Drinks were undrinkable. But the food was really good. And the staff was wonderful! Nice atmosphere, definitely worth visiting. If you are a fan of margaritas or other mixed drinks, order top shelf.
We stopped here after Santa Anita Park horse races. It is conveniently across the street. Met family there after a day at the track. It was a nice relaxing time. Coffee was good.
Our family will definitely be coming back as we enjoy Arcadia and the horse races throughout the summer.

i think for two plates which is two fish tacos which tastes gross $ 47.00. Overpriced.

I’ve always loved Peppers, even had our wedding rehearsal dinner here. Tonight, they lost my business. Arrived at 8:45, walked in and was told that they were closed. I reminded them that the sign on their door and the net says they were open until 10. She said they were closing an hr early tonight, no reason given. AND, it was MORE than an hr before their posted closing time. FORCED us to find another spot — Villa Catrina. They are our new go to. Great service and amazing food. See ya peppers!

Such a cute restaurant tucked within a residential neighborhood in Arcadia. It was my first time here and the wait staff was great. They tended to our table, but would’ve wished they’d refill our drinks without us having to ask.
PARKING: There’s an ample amount of parking in their lot and it’s FREE.
FOOD: I ordered the two chicken enchiladas combo plate which was just OK. I’ve had much better at other Mexican restaurants. The nachos and salsa were good. The salsa was not spicy at all, which is perfect for me.
Overall, I’d definitely come back to this establishment, but next time, maybe try something else on their menu.

Chips GOOD!
Beans GOOD!
Rice GOOD!
Tacos GOOD!
Salsa TOO BLAND!
ill have to sneak on my own next time. Great wait staff!

Peppers is one of those places that is as much a restaurant and cantina as it is a time capsule. In a modern world of multinational conglomerates and franchise chain restaurants that compete across single cities as much as time zones, Peppers stands as a testament to a simpler time. Restaurants were not merely places to eat. They were places for friends and neighbors to gather for a birthday or a promotion; they were places to host church groups after Mass on Sunday; they were neighborhood strongholds for fellowship. They were the canvas upon which suburban life was painted in all its colors ranging from joy to grief.
Peppers might only be a museum for such a sentiment, but the rich history still hangs in the air like an exotic perfume. The walls are adorned with Arcadia’s relics: Lucky Baldwin images, Santa Anita horse racing lore, and representations of Mexican American culture.
Peppers serves a full menu, with Sunday brunch specials and plenty of chips and salsa to connect your courses. There is a full bar with happy hour goodies (come for the Chelada… Stay for the free nachos!) Some of the servers have been there for decades, and after a few visits, they will treat you like family… Calling you by name and asking you if you’d like your «usual.»
With just the right mix of modesty and pride, and without ever being brash or tacky, Peppers is a great spot to have dinner on a second date, watch a little fútbol while enjoying a Pacifico, or to loosen your tie over a couple of mojitos for a 5:01 business meeting.
My favorite dish is the chile relleno burrito. It might not be on the menu, but they’ll make it for you. Don’t forget to ask for relleno sauce.
That Route 66 feeling of yesteryear is largely gone, as evidenced by the somewhat seedy Motel 6 across the street. But nestled between a quiet neighborhood and the historic racetrack, Peppers is a great example of a special place that sadly is becoming more unique and rare every day. The next time you’re in town, stop in for a cold one or a Sunday bowl of menudo, and for the briefest of moments, you’ll become a part of history.

Peppers is decent Mexican.
I ordered an enchilada and chicken taco. Being that I’m a professional salsa eater, for me, the salsa was kinda plain, not bad but nothing special. I like it spicy and hot so I was missing the spice. I would say if you like mild Mexican then you’ll like this restaurant. Aside from the food, (the most important component) I found that the servers were very nice and really on top of it. My food came out lightning fast. For the service and overall experience it’s worth a try.

Great food and great service. I had the Flautas Combo. The chicken was good and the beans and rice were great. They also have a large dinning room and large separate bar area. There were many cars in the parking lot but still plenty if room inside.
As far as Mexican food goes, this was excellent! Will be back again!