Pleasantly surprised by the food. Surprisingly disappointed in their available draft beer.
For a cheesy, chain-like sports bar and eatery, they dish out some good food. Was I buzzed and willing to eat anything? Maybe...probably...okay, yes. But I can't discredit them completely because the appetizers and pizza were honestly good.
For an area that prides itself in their local microbrews, I feel Peppino's could do a better job showcasing their beer. The options aren't terrible, but I expected better being that they're within walking distance from some quality breweries. Don't expect any specialty rare stuff.
That being said, I would still hit up Peppinos again when I need to feed myself and do some sobering up before a long drive home.
Stopped in for a happy hour that happened to be right before a BIG hockey game. The place was packed and most people seemed to be having a good time.
Our server kind of sucked, not very attentive and a bit forgetful....like I said, it was pretty packed but if you are forgetful then feel free to use that notepad!
I got 2 of the HH specials - a 10" 1 topping pizza & wings - figured I would get both & take home the extras to share. I wasn't impressed with the pizza. Kinda surprised me because I thought it was a pizza place and it was just "meh". I liked the wings though - would go back for their HH wing deal but not likely for pizza.
Pizza, shuffleboard, walking distance from the other stuff I like in Grand Rapids... this place is awesome! I've been there twice. Once we sat inside and enjoyed pizza and beer and the many TVs, and then some shuffleboard-playing in the room next to the big dining area. The second time we sat outside on a beautiful night and enjoyed people-watching and appetizers along with our beers. It's a nice big place to enjoy some food and a good beer selection with friends.
P.S. The 4 stars are more for the beer and short wait to be seated than for the actual quality of the restaurant, but I'm still a fan!
I'm a Chicago girl. Â I know my pizza.
This is not the real deal. Â Not by any means.
I don't know, man. Â If you're going to do thin crust, I think the crust should at least stand up to the cheese and fight back a bit... Not self destruct under the pressure of a little cheese and sauce. Â The crust on this bad boy basically disintegrated beneath the toppings. Â I couldn't even pick up a slice without it falling apart.
Also, the cheese to crust ratio was way off. Â Peppinos drops WAY too much cheese on their 'za. Â I like to be able to taste all components, not just be overwhelmed by cheese.
On the plus side, delivery was prompt.
So yeah... Peppinos could do better.
I just got back form Peppino's. Don't wase your time. Â The food is fair but the staff is less then professional. Â 3 of us arrived at 7:05 pm and was told that there was a 20 min. wait. Â standing int he bar we realized that there was several tables that were " reserved. Â After 35 min. we asked for the deskand was told that there would be another 25 min wait. Â With 30 minutes that passed we asked for a manager and miraculously we got a table. Â Still the tables that were reserved were not seated. Â After ordering immediately we had another 30 min wait for pizza and salad. Â After observing the dinning room we quickly relized that the manager"Mark" was favoring custumers and seating them ahead of us. Â We left at 9:20pm and the tables that were reserved were just being seated, Â WOW what a waste of $$$. Â They could have had at least another turn on all those tables before the reservation came. Â WE WILL NEVER GO BACK and I advise you not to either,
Review Source:Ok, I've given this place so many chances, there's a section in the dictionary just for Peppino's and the word chance.
Although, they have great specials now and again, the pizza is ok, the wings are bad and the service is worse, it is always a suggestion of someone near to me or around me.
I can't tell you how many times I've sat waiting and waiting and waiting........ Â for someone to help me. Â I feel the staff is on their own agenda. Â "Oh, there's someone at that table? Â In my section? Â Well, anyway, last night, Billy totally got wasted and slept in my bed....."
I work in the food and beverage industry and the LEAST I expect is a little recognition that I'm actually a living, breathing customer. Â OR! Â If you do know me, you should know that I don't have all day, all night or anything in between to be sitting in your wooden stool for. Â I just want to eat, drink and be on my merry way.
Not everyone is horrible. Â Becca, one of the servers, knows the deal. Â She is quick, attentive and makes shit happen.
Same with Tony the bartender. Â Yeah buddy, my beer is almost gone and yes, I want another. Â Food? Â Sure do. Â Let's make it happen. Â And his knowledge of 80's hair bands will blow your mind. Â
The location is convenient, there's plenty of space for big parties, if you like the douchen tee, oh, i mean Golden Tee, they have that. Â with pool tables and a shuffleboard, which I've read is whacky-no worky.
Ugh.
What a fun sports bar. When my friends and I arrived to this empty eatery at around 4 p.m. on a Saturday we were immediately torn in three different directions.
One friend wanted to sit in the leather couches and watch baseball, another friend wanted to sit at the bar and sip tall pints of Blue Moon. I wanted to go  play shuffleboard on what appeared to be the longest shuffleboard table in the history of sports bars.
We wen't for a compromise, ordered some tall brews, played free shuffleboard because the game was broken and made a mess of things. We each ordered about three pints, ordered two large pizzas and some breadsticks and still ended up under $100. There were four of us in all so for those of you keeping count at home that was 12 pints of beer, two supreme pizzas a large order of breadsticks and tip for less than $100.
And the eye candy was an added bonus. The waitresses were friendly and I'm pretty sure we were drunkenly making passes at them all night. We got one of their numbers, but it didn't go anywhere, much like our shuffleboard game which took far too long. But hey, it was free.
I recomend this place for food, drinks, waitress oggling, pool, shuffleboard, or just to chill with friends. There are two bars, a main one and a smaller one by the pool tables, ample seating for dinner, and ledges for when the place gets really crowded.
When we left, the eatery was beginning to fill up but there were still plenty of stools, ledges, and leather seats available. I assume it is not like this after Grand Rapids Griffins games - the stadium casts a shadow on the bar.
As for decor, the place is a bit modern and a bit industrial. The cieling shows the metal vents and the walls are old brick which is pretty cool. The restaurant has a ton of natural light because the front is all windows. The bar has a nice collection of beers to match the nice collection of college, high school and professional football helmets scattered around the place.
Stop by and see if you can guess which teams are which. I only missed two - the local high schools. Not to bad for someone two hours away.
I can't not give Peppinos 4 stars...and it hurts me not to give it 5. I love their pizza and their cheesy sticks and I miss them delivering these to me at 2 in the morning!!! They use fresh ingredients and turn out a very consistent product.
Having lived downtown GR for long enough to know that the "drunk 20 something  D-Bags" (very aptly named, I couldn't help but reuse this) are nearly impossible to avoid, I can't fault Peppinos for housing them - especially since this institution began near the Grand Valley State campus and so is still loved by all of us who were chopping at the bit for it to move to an acceptable location downtown (thanks for waiting until after I left, Peppinos). My advice here would be go with your friends and ignore the random assortment of clientele.
I was super pumped on my last visit to GR to learn that not only was this location open for me to finally try out, but it had shuffleboard at it (and I had just learned to play shuffleboard the night before at a bar north of Peppinos - Our Tavern...)! I. was. pumped! Okay, soooo don't play the shuffleboard here! DON'T YOU DO IT! Yes, its free (big plus), but the shuffleboard is NOT LEVEL! uhhhh I know I am new to the whole shuffleboard thing, but ... thats a little bit important. It slopes on both sides and you can only slide down the exact center! This is a problem. Not to mention that the score board doesn't work, so don't waste quarters by trying to make it come to life. Shuffleboard was very disappointing...
ALL of that being said, the 4 stars is based on their excellent and always delish food and good selection of local beers on tap as well as a pretty well put together spot. Skip the shuffleboard and just head over to Our Tavern after some beers and pizza (AND cheesy sticks!!) and play over there...
Overpriced mediocre food. Their buffet line is a bit gross...and whatever you do, don't try the dessert pizza. It's little more than pie filling slathered over a piece of gummy dough. I think the highlight of the whole place is customizable pizza and pasta. Some of the pricer items on the menu taste pretty okay, but really, it's hard to justify the cost.
Service is usually a little slow if you're on a time limit, but there are a few skilled waitresses that work there. Also, the take-out line is usually overcrowded and horrendously slow.
The food is surprisingly good for a sports bar and yes, it's in a good location in Grand Rapids but it's meat market-y: Packed with lots of dudes wearing graphic, studded tee's and girls with bump-its in and tight Express clothes who dance when they drink too much. Good people watching if you like watching people try to make eyes and hook up with each other. Which I do...so on that note, I give it 4 stars.
Review Source:Party Space / Restaurant in Downtown Grand Rapids MI
*One Star goes to the bartenders/waitstaff - - they were one of the few positives of my post-Griffins hockey game experience. Â I believe our bartenders were Stacey and Leigh.
*One Star to the bar itself and the location. Â There is a ton of space, multiple bars, etc. TVs abound and Golden Tee 2010.
**For the location - I thought drinks were kind of pricey. Â Two shots of Espresso Vodka were $12. Â Two single Captain and Cokes were $10. Â I guess most of the spots I hang in Buffalo are a few bucks less on these brands.
**We did not eat there, but the food looked and smelled excellent. Â
**The Friday night clientele ranged from drunk 20 something D-Bags to 9-to-5er's still in work attire and everything in between.
**There was a band on a stage directly to your right as you walked in  - and they sucked.  No better verb to describe. Â
I would probably go back based on service and space.
Nice location near VanAndel Arena, good place to go before or after an event. Â We went on a Saturday night. Â The place was packed, but our wait was not as long as the hostess estimated. Â We did an appetizer and pizza. The fried sausage ravioli is awesome, our alfredo pizza was pretty good as well. Â The prices are fair. Â The only real downside was that the place was quite loud. Â Granted, it was full, and there was a MI State b-ball game on most of the numerous TV's, but it was really loud. Â Not just annoying loud, but really freaking-can't converse with the person next to you-Chucky Cheese birthday party-college kegger in a small apartment-loud. Â When we walked out the silence overcame us like a warm blanket. Â We may go again, but maybe on a weeknight. Â My ears are still ringing.
Review Source:
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