Pepper Lunch Alhambra

I ordered the steak plate (it looked like a pan steak dish) The flavor was fine, but the meat had quite a bit of tendon and fat, so it was a bit chewy and tough. Other than that, everything else was decent, and it came out sizzling hot. I didn’t try other dishes, so I can’t comment on those, but overall it was an okay experience.

Saturday night dinner at 7:30 pm wasn't a long wait. There was only one other party in front of us in line to order and there were still tables available for us to be seated after we ordered. We waited in line to order at the register, paid, and got seated with a number stand. We got the jumbo beef pepper rice, sizzling curry with one meat (we chose beef for our meat), and a side of sweet potato wedges. The wedges were nice and thick and hot. Sorta can't go wrong with sweet potato! Our jumbo beef and sizzling curry complemented each other well. By itself, the sizzling curry with one meat doesn't have enough meat to keep you full or work with the ratio of rice and corn. The dishes also need more corn for the portion sizes. Since the jumbo beef had almost twice as much meat, we split the meat portions with the sizzling curry plate for the minimum amount of ideal meat portions. And adding the curry sauce to the jumbo beef jazzed up the taste of that dish too. We dusted off everything, so nothing to take home. Parking can be found via street parking or structure parking off of Main Street. A solid 3.5 stars meal, with a .5 star bump for the meal that sorta reminds me of Japan Yoshinoya.

First time trying pepper lunch in US and totally not disappointed. I try their famous beef pepper rice. It’s delicious but the meat portion consider small compared to the rice. I also try the ribeye steak. The meat is tender and well cooked. There are two sauce available beside the fountain drink that we can take. I like to combine both sweet and garlic sauce together. The service is fast and the staff is nice. The parking lot is behind the building. There are free parking structures available. The restaurant is clean and has outdoor dining area. Will come back again for more!!

I will not recommend this place. Food is pretty tasteless. You need to add seasoning from the table to make it taste better. I ordered the beef bowl and the chicken karaage. The bowl is very oily, which some people might like, but I find it a little bit too much. Chicken was dry and barely has any flavor.

Very casual place. Friendly staff. Parking can be found in a structure behind the place For the price, portions are on the smaller side. Menu pictures are very misleading like a lot of places. Lots of rice and minimal protein. See picture as I got the jumbo, but it looks like it’s barely any meat. That being said, I think it’s delicious. I love the sizzling plate dishes, just wish they were more honest about the portions and what you pay for. The garlic and sweet sauces are flavorful, especially when you add it to the meat as it cooks. I would come back again, but would pass on the jumbo as it’s essentially the same portion

Right on the corner of Garfield and Main street. There is a parking structure nearby. I think the portion is just perfect! It is filling but not too filling. I ordered the original Pepper Rice and the bowl comes out literally steaming hot so you gotta be careful. They put a paper wrapping around it to help remind clumsy people like me. You do need to cook the meat by just turning it around but I love how it made my rice crunchy and the beef flavor is so good!! My beef came out a little crunchy too (due to me over-cooking it) and it was yummy! They also have sauces for you to use but I personally like it as already flavored. Your clothes will smell after though since the food is cooking in front of you. I forgot to take that into consideration and had to wash all my clothes later cause it smelled like Korean BBQ! There are plenty of tables to sit and outside is an option as well. Friend paid but price is reasonable! I think it came with Miso soup too.

Delicious food, but the beef portion is a bit small if you order beef rice alone.

Pepper Lunch is not too busy that you won't get seated soon. The service is great and the staffs are friendly. However, the pricing is too high. I ordered New York Steak and it cost me so much more compared to Diner's on Main. The taste was so so and the meat was very hard to cut. I also ordered Beef Teriyaki, yes it tasted great, but the portion was too small that I ate it up in a couple of minutes. My food was up but I was not even full yet.

Pepper Lunch offers a delightful dining experience, especially for couples looking to enjoy a satisfying lunch. My partner and I ordered the Jumbo Beef Pepper Rice, paired with Stubborn Root Beer, and the meal was delicious and well-cooked. While we had to wait a bit more than 5 minutes for our table, which made us feel slightly rushed, the place was understandably busy. The restaurant had a moderate noise level, but it wasn't overwhelming. The outdoor seating was beautifully decorated, adding to the pleasant atmosphere. The washrooms were clean and fresh-smelling, which was a nice touch. Service-wise, the staff were impressive--active, super quick, professional, and friendly. The manager was also a standout with a perfect personality and a welcoming smile, making sure everything ran smoothly. Prices are fair and reasonable for the quality of food and service provided. We also appreciated that it's a very kid-friendly restaurant, which makes it a great option for families. Another bonus is the free street parking, which was convenient and hassle-free. Overall, we had a wonderful experience and will definitely return!

Best food ever here - but tonight had a really incredible experience at pepper lunch. Drove a long way and got to the restaurant after they had closed the kitchen. When I explained how far we'd traveled - the manager Andrew insisted on helping us, reopened the kitchen, made our food, even told us about what gave it its flavor -- seriously the nicest guy ever. Always love the food here -- but have to say, the genuine care and kindness Andrew and the staff at this Pepper lunch show is a model for how people should treat each other!

Food - 4/5 - The food is always fresh and the seasoning is perfect. it's a good hearty meal that fills you up. My favorite is the pepper beef with curry. Price - $$ - This isn't a budget friendly place but it is fairly priced. You get a good portion for what you pay for. Service - 5/5 -The servers are very fun and positive. They make you feel welcome and not rushed to order. Ambiance - 4/5 - The vibe is super casual and great for friend groups or a casual date night. Location - 2/5 - it is located on Main in Alhambra so parking is not as available. There's plenty of street parking or parking in the structures/lots. Just be prepared to walk. __________ **Note: Location rating does not affect yelp review, this is just for informative purposes of other patrons only.

Pepper Lunch at the Alhambra location is so good! I have been multiple times and each time left content with my meal! The vibe of the restaurant is casual dining and there's also outdoor seating. The workers are pretty efficient with their service and the food is always delivered sizzling. Pepper Lunch is perfect for a quick meal. I always get the beef pepper rice and sometimes add cheese! I tried the combination of rice and cheese at Pepper Lunch for the first time and instantly loved it. The tables also have garlic sauce that you can add. The only minor downside are the serving sizes. For the price I pay, I expect a bit more meat/ serving size in general. Parking: I usually park at the Alhambra Place Plaza that's across from Pepper Lunch and there's ample parking!

Pepper Lunch is a popular Japanese fast casual chain restaurant (established in 1994) serving a do-it-yourself teppanyaki (sizzling hot plate). Currently there are three locations in Southern California (Alhambra, Artesia, and Irvine). but recently Pepper Lunch's Director of Franchise Sales signed a five-store Southern California deal over the next three years in early August 2024. I remember there used to be a long waiting line at this Alhambra location when it first opened in December 2018, but the hype has faded and there was no waiting line when I stopped by a month ago. [Parking]: Plenty of free parking in Downtown Alhambra, but please note that public parking structures can get packed during busy weekends. [Ordering]: Customers can go through the entire menu via the LED kiosk display and placed an order at the cashier counter. After I placed my order, I took a number and grabbed an nearby available table. The staff honored the Yelp check-in offer (one free side with two entree orders). [Menu]: The menu has a similar idea as another Japanese chain restaurant Coco Ichibanya with one curry for all - Pepper Lunch offers multiple variations of teppanyaki and nothing else other than salads. *** Beef Pepper Rice ($13.99): This is the classic dish at Pepper Lunch. Customers will need to cook raw meat themselves just like grilling meats in Korean BBQ restaurants. Overall the sizzling plate was pretty underwhelming given somewhat expensive price point. I mean the plate only had three major ingredients: rice, corn, and meat in a sizzling grill. Sure food didn't taste too bad, but it didn't feel like a bang for your buck meal. Sweet Potato Wedges (free with Yelp check-in offer with two entree orders): I actually like these wedges a lot better than sizzling plate I had. Curry: I sampled the curry sauce and it tasted slightly too sweet for my preference. *** This feels like one of those gimmicky restaurants that mostly focuses on dining experience rather than providing good values. It is hard to see myself re-visiting here on a more frequent basis.

Nice option for fast Japanese food as you have a choice of proteins (beef is best) and can even choose pasta options. And there's really no other similar restaurants that serve food in sizzle bowls. Been coming here for awhile and they are very consistent with food but the protein portions seem to be less now? Check out my pics.

I stopped by Pepper Lunch a few days ago with a group of coworkers for lunch. It was my first time there and and I was intrigued by the concept. I ended up ordering the chicken and beef pepper rice. The food was pretty good. The meat and the rice were very flavorful. I like how they brought the food out on a hot skillet. They also had a sweet sauce at the table that was really good. The service was my issue. The staff was generally rude and unpleasant, which made for an uncomfortable experience. As a result, I would more than likely not return.

I last visited Pepper Lunch yesterday, 5/31/2024 at around 6:40 PM to celebrate my friend's belated birthday! This was my second visit and the last time I was here was back in 2019. My husband and I ordered the following (Price as of May 2024): ++Premium Steak - Rib Eye Steak 8oz - $33.49 - The rib-ey steak came medium rare with a little bit of flavored butter, some carrots, corn, and string beans on a sizzling plate. The steak wasn't too flavorful (in my honest opinion), but the cut was good - juicy, not dry. The veggies weren't really flavored either so I'm pretty sure you need to add your own sauce lol. I enjoyed this dish but I wasn't particularly wowed by it. ++Signature - Jumbo Beef Pepper Rice $18.49 (Price as of May 2024) - This dish was good and comes with beef around rice with corn and green onions on a sizzling plate. I feel like I like the idea of pepper lunch, but the flavor is just decent. The meat is like a lean brisket and not that fatty. The flavor was on the mild side, but you can add extra sauce (which they provide on your table). You do have to mix it up real well and it's fun to eat from a sizzling plate haha. ++Onion Rings - $4.20 (free with our Yelp check-in) - The onion rings were okay, not that good. They weren't that crunchy and they're the type where they fry whole rings of onions lol. I didn't care for them and I would opt for another side next time. ++ Drink. They have a soda fountain towards the back along with three other drinks: mandarin cardamom, unsweet green tea, and strawberry dragonfruit. I highly recommend the strawberry dragonfruit, which also includes pomegranate juice since it was so yummy! My husband and I kept going back to refill since it was so delicious and refreshing. Tip: Don't forget to check-in on Yelp for a free regular or premium side (with purchase of 2 main meals)! They allowed my party to check-in twice, since we had a party of 4 so that was kind of them! Not sure how long they will be having this promotion, but utilize it while you can! Although I enjoyed my meal, I did think it was a little pricey overall. The food was still enjoyable, I just don't think it was too special. I'll still consider coming back.

Got the ribeye steak 8oz. The customer service was friendly. The food was okay - nothing special, but just good. It was a bit oily for my liking.

Pepper Lunch is easily one of my favorite go-to spots for something quick & easy. You can really never go wrong here. I used to order the beef pepper rice but recently I've been ordering the beef yaki udon (I'm a noodles girly) and it's SO much better. The way the noodles are bouncy and it isn't too filling like the rice. There's not too much service here besides the workers bringing you your hot plate.. but that's to be expected. TIP: with a Yelp check in you can get a free drink. Ordered: - beef pepper rice - beef yaki udon

Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure like no other at Pepper Lunch, where every bite is a symphony of flavors and every sizzle ignites your taste buds with pure excitement! Let's talk about the star of the show - the steak and garlic butter masterpiece. Trust me, folks, this dish is the stuff foodie dreams are made of, and it's worth a solo trip just to indulge in its gloriousness. Now, let's set the scene - you're seated, eagerly awaiting the main event. Then, bam! The sounds of the grill fill the air as they bring out the hot plate, and suddenly, you're doing a happy dance in your seat. It's an experience like no other, my friends. But wait, there's more! I always take it up a notch by adding mushrooms and extra garlic butter because, let's be real, you can never have too much flavor. And don't even get me started on the table sauces - they're like little flavor bombs just waiting to explode in your mouth. Now, here's the best part - you get to cook your steak exactly how you like it. It's a DIY experience that I absolutely adore. And if steak isn't your thing, fear not! My friends rave about the curry, and trust me, it's a winner every time. Here's the drill - you order first at the counter, they assign you a table number, and then it's off to the races. Grab your own soda water and utensils, and if you're feeling extra hungry, don't hesitate to ask the staff for anything else you need. And let me tell you, folks, this place is worth visiting again and again. With so many combinations to try, you'll want to keep coming back for more. I mean, I couldn't believe I had the strength to devour it all on my own - that's how good it is! So, whether you're in it for the sizzle, the taste, or the endless add-ons, Pepper Lunch is the place to be. Oh, and here's a little insider tip - make sure to check in when you order two meals, and you'll score a free check-in side order on Yelp. It's the cherry on top of an already incredible dining experience. Enjoy!

My husband found this spot over the weekend and we decided to give it a try for lunch. We went right when they opened and there were already 3 other groups inside. This was a sign that this place gets pretty busy or is pretty popular. The staff was very patient and helped us right away. They guided us to see the menu and then took our orders. I got the beef pepper rice and my husband got the curry beef and hamburg combo. Both were very tasty. We really enjoyed it. Our daughter loved the beef pepper rice as well and she kept asking for more.

Pepper Lunch is a Japanese "fast-steak" restaurant franchise and it is popular in the Tokyo area. This Pepper Lunch has been there for years. It's at the corner of Garfield and Main Street in Alhambra. I parked my car at the nearby parking structure. We saw a line there when we just got in. It was on Sunday around 1 p.m. But then we got our table within 10 minutes because they had a table for 2. We felt like we beat the crowd. We ordered the classic Beef Pepper rice and the combo with chicken and salmon. The portion was not big for classic Beef Pepper Rice. It was a bit salty but I always like beef. The chicken and salmon were delicious and juicy. We also used the check-in offer on Yelp so we got one side for free. We chose fries and they were seasoned fries. They were crunchy and flavorful. It was not bad but could be better.

We have a Pepper Lunch in the Bay Area, but I don't think it's the same. Over the years it's gotten worse. I'm fairly certain the Pepper Lunches in SoCal and Vegas follow the same brand from Japan, but the Bay Area one looks different IMO. SoCal Pepper Lunches are way better. First time in downtown Alhambra, and couldn't pass up Pepper Lunch when I saw it. Not much to say other than it's fantastic. One small complaint is that the deluxe size doesn't seem that much bigger than the regular size, but I order it anyways.

lowk pricey for the amount of food but the food hitt. the sauce and the meat grilled on the sizzling patter tasted was so tasty and so goodd. the meat was also nice and tender.

This place is a fast casual spot to get some Japanese teppan dishes. Everything is served on a sizzling hot plate and they have dishes from protein with rice or noodles to steaks. You order at the counter and sit down at your table to wait for your food. There are sauces on the table that you can add to season your dish. We got the jumbo beef with rice to get that extra protein because there's really not that much sliced beef. My fiancé got the curry plate with beef and hamburger. Overall an easy meal but it can be a bit oily. Kinda expensive for what you're getting for but still delicious.

Hamburg steak was AWFUL! A solid block of processed meat that looks more like a dehydrated patty from an emergency earthquake food ration kit. WTH?! Prices are decent, but the quality's awful. Corn is definitely canned corn, green beans and carrots were previously frozen. Seasoned butter to top of steak was bland and not good. Their sweet potato fries were the only thing I liked & they reheated up really weak the next day in my air fryer. This is good for college or high school kids celebrating the end of Finals or something. Definitely not for adults who like steaks & decent food. Service was good, cashier was very sweet. Staff was all working hard. Unfortunately, I will NEVER go again.

I had dinner here for the first time tonight, from a recommendation from a friend and was a bit disappointed. I ordered a combo plate (Hamburg/beef) with rice and sprouts. I ended up leaving hungry. My meal was mostly rice with a small amount of meat. I ate really slow to savor my meal, but wished there was more on my plate. I liked that it was served on a hot plate, but I could grab Korean bbq, within walking distance for a better bang for my buck. Not great. Not bad. But not memorable.

I have always enjoyed going to Pepper Lunch before the pandemic. However, I haven't been back since. I decided to visit again with my friend before Christmas because apparently, many restaurants on Main were closed on Tuesdays. I was pleased to see that one no longer have to order from the machine. Instead, you can order at the cashier and pay there. They have also added some udon dishes to the menu. Although tempting, I stuck with the two meats with curry sauce. I had never tried that before, as I almost ordered the classic beef pepper rice. My friend ordered the tofu and veggie rice. With the Yelp check-in, one could get a free size. I opted for the seaweed salad as I wanted something healthy. My friend chose the sweet potato rice, and we planned to share the sides. My mixed two-meat curry rice was excellent. I enjoyed the sizzling presentation in front of me, and the smell of the curry was heavenly. The seaweed salad added some greens to my meal, although it's nothing special. The sweet potato fries were not particularly crispy, as they were kind of a thick cut. Towards the end of the meal, we discovered they had some new drinks for people to try, displayed on a separate table along the wall at the back. We were welcome to try them and provide feedback. Excited, we sampled all four flavors, which were mainly some mixed organic fruit drinks. They were all pretty okay, and we left them our honest reviews on the notes provided. Overall, Pepper Lunch remains one of my favorite restaurants in Alhambra. Next time, I definitely want to try the udon dishes.

Came here for lunch with a group of 5 on a random weekday. Pepper lunch surprisingly still had a decent amount of people here. When you first come in, you order on the virtual menu and they'll bring the food right to your table. Overall the service and ambiance of the place was pretty cool but the food was a bit too salty. Every dish felt like it was 20% saltier than it probably needed to be. The flavor was decent but also wish there was a little bit more variety in the bowls.

This place would have hit, but unfortunately my S/O added a bunch of seasoning sauce without trying the dish first to find out it was already pretty seasoned. Regardless, it was delicious besides it being too salty (user error on our end). Would love to come back and try it again. Ambience was alright. We sat by the front door which was a bit cold and the tables weren't the cleanest. But it is between fast food so not surprising. Food: 8.4/10 Service: 8/10 Ambience: 4/10

Pretty delicious food. My dish was great. Although my friends thought their dishes were underwhelming. I had the BEEF AGLIO OLIO PASTA. Perfectly cooked pasta with simple and delicious ingredients. Service we a bit slow and shaky. The floors were dirty. And considering the doors had just opened, it shows a lack of overall cleanliness. The fresh juice drinks were delicious though. I still enjoy the food, but will probably never return.

The taste of the food wasn't bad but it's the pricing and portions that made me dislike it. It could've been me not wanting food at the time as well that contributed to it but my friends insisted on it. So I tried it and it definitely wasn't worth $20+ and somewhere I probably would never go again.

First time at this location only been to the one in the bay. Pretty good they changed the set up since I've last been. Now you order at the counter instead of at the table. Got the jumbo size and added an egg to it. Total came out to about $24. Beef was decent quality for the price too. If you hungry I'd suggest the jumbo.

The beef was ok but a bit dry. The food came out fairly quick for the beef dishes but had ordered a pasta dish for my mom. 25 minutes passed by and I had asked a worker where he stayed the pasta was out and they had to make a fresh batch. No eta of the dish. Another 10 mins pass by and I asked another worker for the eta for the pasta dish. Said "I don't know when the pasta dish will be out cause they're making it still from scratch." Asked again later and was told basically either get a refund or get something else. Their excuse was that they didn't know they were out of pasta. So I'm not sure if they were expecting me as the customer to jump into the kitchen and take account for how much pasta they had in stock. We got a refund since they were pretty unapologetic and had the "just wanted us out of the restaurant" vibe. Great first visit to this super hyped up place. Definitely did not live up to its name, quality, and worst of all, the service. Arrived and ordered by 1245, got my refund at 1:23 due to waiting 40 minutes for a dish.

I enjoyed my meal here - how could you go wrong with having a cast iron plate of sizzling beef and rice delivered to your table in short order? Also, prices are not bad for what you get - there are some very affordable and high-value options here. If I'm being completely honest, the beef *may* have been on the ... "less-marinated" side? But hey, that's why the restaurant makes plenty of sauce available to customers! :D The dining format is as follows: 1) place order at cash register, 2) pay for order, 3) sit at a table, and 4) your food will be brought to your table. Extra sauces (salad dressing, ketchup, etc.) are available from a self-serve condiment bar in the dining area. Soft drinks are self serve from a machine - I am particularly pleased to report that they offer Agave Vanilla Cream Soda from said machine! The staff seems to radiate what is probably most accurately described as numbness, but is as helpful as one can reasonably expect non-full service restaurant staff to be (I suppose). They have both indoor and outdoor seating - I prefer their indoor seating due to the cushioned seats. Free parking can be obtained in the public multi-story parking structure just south of the restaurant.

Something's changed since the last time I came, and I can't quite put my finger on it. The staff is still friendly, and the food was tasty. The restaurant is clean, the sauces are still free flowing and self service. But there were little things... the self service kiosks were turned off, and the meat portions are definitely smaller than when I came a few years ago. The Hamburg steak was kind of laughably small. There's a sign saying to please wait to be seated, but in reality you don't get seated - you order at the counter and seat yourself. Also, the menu was by the turned-off kiosks; you have to memorize your order as you walk over to order at the counter, because there's no menu of any kind at the ordering counter. It just feels like the "magic" isn't quite there, compared to when I used to come and couldn't wait to return again. Still a solid 4. Today, I'm leaving hungry though and a touch underwhelmed, which didn't happen in past visits.

Came for a dinner meal and was impressed that this place provided sufficient meat in their classic beef pepper rice because I went to the one in Irvine and there was barely anything in it. It was pretty solid in terms of taste, though I did taste a bit too much soy sauce! Service is decent and there's plenty of seats! Not a bad place to try! Park at the nearby parking structure!

Ordered the cheese kimchi beef rice. It was flavorful. There isn't much service here other than bringing your hot sizzling plate. This is a quick in and out garb something to eat restaurant.

The portion sizes have certainly decreased. There's noticeably less rice, and the servings are not as generous as they used to be. I'm disappointed with the reduced amount of food provided.

My first time trying this place was last month, but the location was in Bangkok, Thailand. I had lunch with a friend and she told me there was one here in Alhambra. I was blown away, how did I not know about this place?? Anyway, this review is for the one in Bangkok at MBK center, I'm assuming they are all cooked the same. Anyway, I got the regular beef plate, it comes to your table sizzling hot, so be careful. The combination of the meat, rice, corn, and seasoning were so good. I may need to add cheese next time, just to see if I'd like it. Overall is was delicious. I could barely finish the regular size, and I see that they also have a large... that could definitely be shared in my opinion, but everyone has different limits. If you haven't tried this spot, go now, or go tomorrow! I'll post another review once I try the SoCal spot.

this spot is very small and has no parking other than structures or street parking, however it isn't that hard to find a spot. walking in, it's very small not that crowded depending on what time and day you go. their menu is self explanatory and the service is pretty average and helpful. the sauces and drinks are self serve with a bathroom for each men and women. the food is alright. the beef pepper rice was okay, nothing too outstanding. nothing that blows my mind. knowing that this is their most popular menu item kind of disappoints however their other menu items seemed interesting as well. worth the experience however not sure if it's a spot i would come back to again.

Located off Main Street in Alhambra, Pepper Lunch has a prime location with heavy foot traffic. The best option for parking would be the public parking garage behind them off 1st street. My boyfriend and I came here for lunch on 4th of July since they happened to be open, and we were looking for a quick bite before prepping for a glorious dinner. The restaurant was fairly busy when we came in. The self-serve kiosks were down, so we were told to review their menus and come to the register when we were ready to order. We both ordered the Beef Pepper Rice ($11.50/order) and I added an Egg ($1.75) with my pepper rice. Then we were assigned a table, where staff brought out the food once it was ready. Might not be a great spot for large groups because they bring it out one at a time, and his beef was pretty cooked by the time mine came out. Great pick for anyone who likes their rice a little crispy. You can leave it on extra long if you want it extra crispy. On the table they have some house sauce for you to mix into your rice. In addition to the rice and beef, there were some green onions on top and corn... I love corn! I ate a little more than half of my meal before tapping out and asking for a to go container. LOVE THEIR TOGO CONTAINER. Very sturdy, microwavable and reusable. So... ... somehow... ... I left my phone here... I didn't find out until a while later. We called the business and they were able to confirm they had my phone and they would hang onto it for me. *Phew* What a relief. I am so grateful. Overall no frills with ordering your food, a simple concept, decent price point and nice to go containers. I would definitely consider coming back if I was in the area. Extra star bump for saving my phone.

I have always wanted try pepper lunch especially a few years back when it wad trending around my area. It was such an iconic dish that people would replicate recipes on social media. When I walked in we looked through menus on the screens and menu sheet and ordered/payed before heading to our seats. I asked for water cups and saw that they have the sweet sauce and the soy garlic sauce by the drink station. When we sat our appetizer came out which were the fries. The fries looked a little disappointing but to our surprise it was pretty crispy and the seasoning was really good. It reminded me of a familiar flavor, but I wasn't able to grasp exactly what it tasted like. Then, after a few bites, the beef rice bowls came out. I got the classic beef pepper rice and my boyfriend got the jumbo beef pepper rice, but I couldn't really differentiate one from another appearance wise. However, when mixed in, the jumbo definitely had way more meat than the regular. I added the sauces that were at the table to my likings and took a bite. I would say it was a pleasant meal yet nothing special. I felt like it was definitely a recipe I can try to replicate at home for a quick yummy meal. I would recommend this place to those who haven't tried it before or enjoy the japanese bbq type of slightly sweet flavor.

I love Pepper Lunch mainly because when I lived in Southeast Asia this was my go to! Once I moved to LA, I was so happy to see it here as well! With COVID and the lockdowns, I never got a chance to go until now! During peak times, there can be a wait but it's usually not too long. Put your name down and wait outside! There's some seating in the patio area and quite a bit of seating inside. However, during peak times- it may not be enough! I took my kids and wanted my usual which is the classic pepper beef rice. I add some garlic chips and mushrooms on top which were so good! My sons got the chicken teriyaki and really liked it! The food comes out on sizzling hot plates which make the food so nice and hot! It's just the way I like it! The rice can get crispy on the bottom if you don't put sauce and mix it up quick enough. I love crispy rice so I don't mind! Anyways, I'll definitely be back to try some of their other items like their curries and pasta.

During my recent visit to Pepper Lunch in Alhambra, I was thoroughly impressed by the unique dining experience it offers. This establishment stands out for its innovative approach to fast, hot meals served on sizzling iron plates, allowing customers to cook their meal to their liking right at their table. The menu boasts a diverse selection of dishes, including beef pepper rice, salmon steak, and curry rice, catering to a wide range of tastes and preferences. The ambiance of Pepper Lunch is modern and welcoming, with a clean and well-organized layout that enhances the dining experience. The staff were courteous and attentive, providing excellent service from the moment we walked in. They were more than happy to explain the concept to newcomers and give recommendations, making our dining experience seamless and enjoyable. One of the highlights of our meal was the signature Beef Pepper Rice. The ingredients were fresh, and the ability to control the cooking process added a fun and interactive element to our meal. The flavors were rich and satisfying, leaving a lasting impression. In terms of areas for improvement, the restaurant could benefit from expanding its dessert offerings to complement the savory dishes. Additionally, during peak hours, the noise level can rise significantly, which might not appeal to those seeking a quiet dining environment. Overall, Pepper Lunch in Alhambra offers a distinctive and delightful dining experience. Its combination of quality food, interactive dining, and excellent service makes it a must-visit for locals and visitors alike. Whether you're a long-time fan of Pepper Lunch or new to the concept, this location is sure to provide a memorable meal.

My family loves getting the stone plate rice dishes here. You place your order on the kiosk, grab a number and have a seat. Food will be brought to you when done which reminds me some of the food vendors/restaurants in South Korea. Service is quick and friendly and it's usually busy during rush hour. If you're a big eater you can add extra meat and other add in to your choosing. There is indoor and patio seating which is nice.

Service was great and fast! I haven't been to a pepper lunch since Beijing and boy it still hits the spot 100%!!! Always add cheese trust me ugh makes it disgustingly good !!!!!! You'll be hooked. Restaurant was very clean even the toilets were clean! Very impressed. Wish there were more locations but it's okay!!

The yelp check in mentions a free side. My party wanted to use one yelp check in offer per entree purchase as we all were able to check in on yelp, but the employee mentioned you can only redeem one yelp check in per 2 entree purchases. Definitely caught us off guard since it wasn't listed in the yelp check in description. We all got the classic beef and the flavor was lacking. The additional sauce on the tables didn't really help much. You also only get 4-5 thin slices of beef per plate. Will not be back.

Coming back for more! I can't believe I've always ordered the pepper beef and didn't think of trying other dishes. Add your name on the wait-list when you arrive. Once your name is called, order up front before sitting. Service: When we got seated, we got our utensils but we didn't get our water cups. I guess we're supposed to go up to them and ask? Ambiance: If you're sitting inside, which we did, it can get a little smokey but too bad. Kind of wished their air vent was slightly stronger. Food: We ordered the beef pepper and the Eel pepper. Let me tell you about the eel. It was delicious! It reminds me of Tokyo lobby's unagi bowl but better. I just love mashing the rice on the hot plate so the rice could crisp . Yup, definitely coming back for more!

Fast and good service and the food is yummmy , kinda wish they gave more for "jumbo" but can't complain too much bc the flavor and service is good

Pepper Lunch has always been considered average in my opinion. As a college student, I always feel like I want the biggest bang for my buck, and Pepper Lunch doesn't meet my expectations. I feel like I could pay a couple more bucks for the Road to Seoul down the street compared to paying $17 for a JUMBO beef pepper rice with meat amount that looks like a regular plate. Finished the plate, no crumbs and all, and still felt hungry. Overall, I like how they give you the condiments to add on the side, such as the salt and pepper and I really enjoy the sizzling plate feature (being an avid Taiwanese sizzling steak fan myself), but overall there wasn't anything spectacular about this meal. A great meal to grab a quick bite, but not something memorable in my opinion. They offer a free side on Yelp, helpful to note,,

Great option for a rather quick meal while also fairly priced. Pepper lunch is known for their sizzling plates where the meat and rice is basically fried while you eat it. This allows you to choose your preference for when the meat is ready. Go to is the original pepper steak which includes white rice, corn, and beef. My wife typically adds extra corn which is a great option. I also put the sweet sauce on the sizzling bowl and rice to add more flavor. I really wouldn't come here for anything else, and have been getting this meal for years now. Service is like a fast food where you order at a counter and are given a table. Drinks are on a self serve machine, and it's fairly small inside. It is clean and fairly modern inside with outdoor seating options. Overall, it's a great quick meal that's consistently good. For $12 or so you get a good, hot meal which is starting to become rare nowadays. Staff has always been nice and there is a parking garage on 1st street a short walk away.

Food was good but the service was the worst. I was eating with my nephews and a worker goes up to me towards the end of our meal and tells me that my payment didn't go through and I have to get charged to do it all over again. So I went to check my app to see if I was charged the first time around and I was charged and showed them the actual charge from my banking app. The owner kept insisting that I pay them again and had threatened to call the cops on me if I don't. I paid them again just to avoid the hassle, afterwards I called my bank to confirm and was advised that I actually got double charged by this place, they reviewed the charges and after a few days the bank ended up refunding me. So my last thoughts would be to please be aware of this establishment they will double charge you and threaten to call the cops if you don't pay up even if you have proof. It's either people that work there are rude, crass and incompetent or they're doing this on purpose. Be aware.

One of my picky kiddos' favorite places outside of our 5 miles radius from Arcadia. We've sampled many times since opening till now (several years) so this review is legit based on consistency! It's a merge between Fast Food & Casual Dining so don't expect exemplary service but go there for the food! Easy peasy ordering and comes out quick & sizzling hot!

Sizzzzling delicious! I got the beef pepper corn which comes with beef, corn, rice, green onion and of course pepper all around. This place is just straight forward, you order and you get seated either inside or outside and they'll bring the food to you. This was my second time here and every time they bring your food to your table you can see it sizzling all the way till you're done eating it so be careful when you take the first bite. I'll say it's pretty spacious inside and out. And when you're done eating just leave your stuff there and they'll clean it up. Great place. I'll definitely be back!

I heard about this concept on YouTube and rushed to try it myself. It was amazing! The service was quick and friendly, and before I could take two sips of my soda, I had a steaming skillet of beef pepper rice in front of me. I considered getting the jumbo, but the amount of beef was perfect for me. I loved being able to cook all the ingredients to my liking, and the food was fresh and tasty. This Japanese chain is a welcome addition to the Alhambra food scene. I will definitely be back soon!

Quick service. There are more choices in person than ordering online. I wish they would have larger pieces of seafood for my plate. The scallops were the size of my index fingernail and the shrimps weren't even whole ahrimps, but cut into small pieces. Of course, understand that they have to cut small to be cooked thoroughly on the sizzling cast iron pan, but they are pretty miniscule . Sauces are great and I could really taste the butter in the rice when everything was mixed and cooked. A fun meal. And bonus that the food stays fairly hot to the end.

It's like having a mini teppan plate lunch. The paper ring serves two purposes not to burn yourself, and also not to splatter when the gravy is poured. I think the most basic steak lunch is my favorite.