We had high hopes for a decent meal. Â Nobody was certain what type of food we wanted, so the suggestion of a sports bar was fair option for everyone. Â We figured we'd get a decent selection of food, and the reviews weren't bad. Â So enters Peppers Sports Pub.
The place is down the road a bit, but has a good amount of parking and is easy to spot. Â We pulled in, parked, and headed in to get a table. Â
My first impression , this place has 'personality'.  It has that worn down feel of a place that can get pretty rowdy on a Friday night...but we were there on Tuesday, so pretty calm. There's writing all over the walls, most with a sports/military theme, but if your kids can read, theres a lot of words you might not want them sounding out.  The décor is pretty straight forward, alcohol stuff hanging everywhere, pretty plain accoutrements,  and kind of a pack-rat's garage feel.  Maybe that's what you want, maybe not.
The menu is pretty much what you'd expect, pretzels, fries, onion rings, pizza, burgers, wings and other such delights. Â We ordered some appetizers, pretzel bites and tater bites (or something). Â Let's start with the fact that we're pretty sure everything is originally frozen, so you're not getting that fresh food taste. Â The pretzel bites were okay, until we realized that a bowl of soft pretzel bites and some cheese sauce cost $8...not worth it. Â The tater bites (jalapeno, a tater tot, wrapped in bacon and dipped in cheese) were okay, but again, not worth the cost at all. Â They came out to about 90 cents per bite, which when you figure it's a tater tot and some bacon, was pretty pricey. Â Wouldn't do that again.
For meals, one person ordered a chicken philly and two people ordered the Chem Dog Burger. Â It has a spicy BBQ sauce, cooked onions, and beef brisket on a hamburger patty. Â Honestly, this thing made my night. Â My buddy upgraded to onion rings for $2 (which equaled 5 onion rings...we counted them, it was easy as we could do it on one hand)....not a good upgrade. Â The chicken philly was a bust, with the cheese barely melted and tasteless chicken. Â But the burger was good, like really good. Â I don't know who decided to put brisket on a burger, but they should get the Nobel Peace Prize because literally it will create world peace.
I would have said the place was a two star experience, but after the burger I bumped that up to 3 stars. Â Unfortunately, then the check came and the cost was just not worth it. Â I asked for a side of BBQ sauce, they charged me a quarter. Â My problem with this is the following: I wasn't even told there was a charge, and I hate surprises. Â Second, a quarter!? Â Who charges ANYBODY a quarter? Â At least make it meaningful, at least 50 cents. Â Or get serious and make it a buck...but either way, tell me I'm getting charged. Â Instead I got a smile and 'No problem, I'll get that'.
Total bill (for me) was about $24, for an app, a meal, and a beer. Â I could swallow that if I was happy with everything, but I wasn't. Â My suggestion? Â Order the chem dog burger medium, put some mayonnaise on it, and take it back to wherever you lay your head. Â You're not missing anything by not sticking around.
So here is what not to get at Peppers:
Chicken Philly or Pretzel Bites. Â Oh, and don't ask for extra sauce. Â It's $.25 extra. Â Seriously? Â Would you like to substitute your chips with onion rings..sure...What I didn't know was that there was a total of 5 onion rings for $2. Â My meal was $25 for a chicken Philly with half melted cheese and scraps of chicken, and the pretzel bites were barley defrosted ($7.99). Â The people I was with ordered the Chem Dog Burger...now that is something I would get.
Bottom line, I would probably go back and get the burger for takeout.
The staff was rude. They kept pointing at our table and whispering with a girl who wouldn't stop staring over at us. The food was disgusting, and over priced for what we paid. They had awful margarita's. I'd never go there again. The place feels sticky everywhere and smells awful. never again.
Review Source:Went here with my husband and was very disappointed. Â The most service that we received was when we walked in the door and was seated by the hostess. Â After that we sat at a table dying of thirst for 15 minutes without ANYONE coming over and offering us service. Â I am a former waitress and was ready to walk out but my husband really wanted to eat. Â As we looked around for a waitress we realized all of the waitresses were standing at the server station. Â They were talking, laughing and on their phones. Â Thinking I might have more luck at the bar I walked over to the bar and tried to order a drink. Â After standing at the unattended bar for 5 minutes I never received service and then went back to the table. Â At that point my husband just walked over to the service station and asked if someone could please take our order. Â All of the girls just looked him up and down, didn't say anything and seemed to be mad that he had interrupted their little hang out session. Â FINALLY one of the girls broke loose from the pack and took our order. Â The only reason why I gave it 2 stars is because the food was okay. Â Probably some of the worst service I have ever received and it's a shame because we are great tippers but we will definitely not be going back there!
Review Source:I've been coming to Peppers on and off since earning my commission in 2007...
For being so close to Ft. Leonard Wood, it still (just barely) manages to be a descent sports bar without being overrun by the "basic training/AIT" crowd.
The waitresses are kind and provide great service. Â The bar tenders on the other hand tend to act "over worked" and annoyed... Â So lesson learned, simply get a seat to start drinking...
Great specials and beer towers are available here throughout the week.
During Karaoke, it can get a bit loud. Â However, their patio offers a descent escape from it all.
My only problem with this place is the fact that with a lot of smokers, it can get a bit overwhelming/stuffy. Â
For all those commenting about food, I would have to admit, it can be hit and miss. Â But honestly folks, its a bar that serves those that like sports and karaoke. Â Most fine dining is not had at "Shooters" or "Champs".
If stuck at Ft. Leonard Wood, this would be virtually one of two places I would go for a drink.
I went here for cinco de mayo. The atmosphere is really fun. They had a special of 50 cent margaritas. They margaritas were pretty strong too. Which was a plus! I also ordered pretzel bites and a taco. The pretzel bits were cold. They felt like either they were sitting out all day or no one cooked them all the way through. I love pretzels, but I wasn't even able to finish them. The taco that I ordered was also cold. Overall the food was horrible. This place is okay if you want to come here for a drink. I would stay away from the food though. I thought the service was friendly.
Review Source:Love the wings. Any style you put in front of me was really good.
My favorite was the spicy which beats up my stomach if you know what I mean but it's so worth it.
They have daily specials at lunch and throughout the day but the only specials I do hit up is the drink specials. Small pitchers for $4.00. Where else can you get that? If you know then let me know.
Tried the reuben on rye. Really tasty and everything is fresh but I wish it was a little bigger.
The service is okay. Sometimes the waitresses look lost on what they have to do but I won't hate because they're trying their best. Main thing they don't mess up my drinks then we can survive.
It doesn't matter if you go nonsmoking or smoking because if it's packed, then all the smoke fills up the building. They need to fix their exhaust systems for people who want to enjoy their food without all the smoke but I say if you don't like the smoke or it bothers you, then don't go to a sports bar. DAH!
The atmosphere would be worth it if the service didn't suck so bad! I have been forced to go here a couple times and each time something different erks me. Last time we went there we showed up two hours before the posted closing time and they were kicking people out just cause they wanted to go home. We had a party of ten and the manager agreed to stay open for us only to be overruled by the waitress! NEVER GO HERE
Review Source:This place was ok...barely. Â I went with 2 coworkers, since it was right next to our hotel.
The iced tea was pretty bad, tasted strange, and my coworker's peach iced tea was apparently pretty nasty. Â The same coworker's hamburger was also pretty dry and tasteless. Â The other coworker ordered an Asian chicken wrap, which was ok, except it had cheese...kinda strange. Â I actually liked the steak wrap that I ordered. Â The veggies were crunchy, the dressing was flavorful, and the steak slices were ok.
Our server was friendly, although she did mess up the check a bit, for which she apologized profusely.
There wasn't much in the way of decor. Â Tons of people have signed the wall, which I guess is the decor? Â It was a sports bar but we couldn't even hear the TVs....weird.