Seven Stars Pepper Szechwan Restaurant

"The saddest closure for me was Seven Stars Pepper, not so much for the quality of the food (there are better Sichuan restaurants in the area), but for the challenge it represented in running a restaurant at the 12th and Jackson intersection. I enjoyed many satisfying meals at Seven Stars, and I hope the other restaurants in that area can survive." - Adam H. Callaghan

"To get to Seven Stars Pepper, you have to ride an elevator up to the second floor of a strip mall full of restaurants and the law offices of one Gary Grotz. But once you’re in, you’ll find a large space that’s perfect for a last-minute group meal. This Sichuan spot has everything from personal hot pots to plates of crispy pork, but the specialty (and most delicious thing here) is the homemade hand-shaved dan dan noodles. Someone will toss them around in a spicy peanut sauce tableside, and serve them to you in individual bowls. photo credit: Chona Kasinger" - Aimee Rizzo