I'm giving it five stars because the service was friendly, the ambiance, during the day, was chill--I know it's different later in the evening--and every meal I had was excellent. The fish in the fish stew was tender, juicy, and not overcooked. Everything was spicy, by the way, so keep that in mind--and I love spicy food. I will say even though I'm not a fan of peppercorns, but because they were stewed, they were totally tolerable. The eggplant was soft and full of garlic and was delightful. What's not to love about mapo tofu? And the lotus skewers, if that's your jam, you'll enjoy them. Also, you can bring fish you caught there and they'll prepare it for you meal. They have free parking in the back, and they have a great outdoor space. They do have live entertainment outdoors at about 8:30 PM, so be aware of that. The prices are sorta fair and you do get a lot. Overall, I'll be back again. read more

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The tea smoked duck did have the taste of tea and was leaner than expected. Though I would prefer the duck to be juicier but perhaps that is more difficult with a smoke cook. The pickles were delicious. The stinky tofu did have a bit funk but we were used to funkier tofu from other places. A good and simple take out order. I would say everything was worth its price. read more

Pepper Tavern - Tea Smoked Duck 樟茶鸭 Stinky Tofu W/ Chopped Chilies 剁椒臭豆腐 Garlic Cucumber 凉拌黄瓜 - Chinese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

Parking: very small parking lot, but there is street parking Atmosphere: nice outdoor patio. It looks like the table sizes are more designed for groups instead of 1-2 people. Service: it seems they rely heavily of the QR code scan for service. Don't expect to have a traditional waiter experience. Food: it came out surprisingly quick, like as soon as the order was placed. I was initially concerned at how fast it was brought to the table, but was amazed that there wasn't any sacrifice in quality at all. In fact, the stinky tofu was one of the best in the area and the frog was meaty AF. Overall, I can see why this place is so popular with the locals. I'll definitely be back whenever I crave spicy. read more

I probably have tried Sichuan cuisine food in the past, don't remember when and where. Everything we tried was tasty, balancing spicy and savory flavor profiles together. I recommend ordering Cumin Beef, Street Style Chow Mein, and Garlic A Choy here. I had leftovers of Chow Mein and it was just as yummy if not better heated up the next day. Sharing size portions that enough between 3-4 people if splitting 4 dishes. I didn't really like their Dan Dan Noodles or the White Rabbit cocktail. I'm used to traditional peanut flavor sauce Dan Dan Noodles and Pepper Tavern's mild spicy version was too bland despite the spice profile. The cocktail had too much ice, not enough White Rabbit candy flavor, and the Soju aftertaste was too sharp for me. read more

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The location has had many different restaurants, I think this one may be the first we've visited. I would give it a 3.5 if half stars were permitted. It's got a small parking lot in the back. We ordered the fried fish, stinky tofu, fish maw, and the frogs. Everything was pretty good, spicy and oily as expected, but nothing really stood out to me. The bill came out to be $170 before tips. read more

Pepper Tavern - Chinese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

If you want authentic Sichuan cuisine, go to Pepper Tavern. The flavors will not disappoint. I tried a bit of all of their signature dishes: Spicy Frog, Smoked Tea Duck, Lamb Skewers, and Cauliflower. The Duck was incredible tender and crispy at the skin. The lamb skewers were decent in size and freshness while my favorite had to be the frog. The chili soup wasn't overly spicy and I found it to be tasty with a kick of spice. As for the staff, they were very courteous and checked up on us often. Love how efficient it was to order via QR code and receive our food promptly. Highly recommend this casual eatery! On certain nights, they even offer live music and entertainment. read more

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Parking can be tough but the restaurant is big- great for large parties. Tons of indoor and outdoor seating and is more of a family style restaurant. The service was good and the food came out quick. Nothing amazing tasting but overall tasted good. It seems like it would be a good place to visit late at night! read more

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The food here was incredible. Huge portions, insanely vibrant color, and hands down some of the most authentic Chinese food I've had. Every dish came out looking amazing and tasted even better. Perfect for sharing, especially with a big group. Service was on point. We were celebrating a birthday with over 30 people and multiple staff members were constantly checking in, making sure everything was running smoothly. Nobody felt forgotten, which is rare with a party that size. The space is just as impressive. The outdoor seating area is massive and perfect for large groups, while the indoor area is always packed, which says a lot about how popular this spot is. The ambience is wild in the best way. Neon lights, cyberpunk energy meets Chinatown vibes, and super Instagram-worthy. A full experience from start to finish. read more

This restaurant is so fun! Each dish that came out was so delicious and flavorful! We had an order of chicken wings that came out slightly undercooked and we let them know immediately. Customer service was great--they came out with a new order almost immediately. Ambiance was lively, if you sat outside! They had a live performer singing popular chinese ballads, and she was very talented! I recommend this fun place to eat, with friends and/or families! read more

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Overall they have some yummy dishes. I've seen this place on Yelp but haven't bothered to try until now. Lotus root fries were probably my favorite dish. I like lotus root in general so turning them into fries was very good. very crunchy but not hard crunchy and seasoned nicely with the Sichuan seasoning. Dry pot cauliflower was decent. Texture wise I prefer it to be more cooked to be very lightly crunchy with a bite to it. Stinky tofu with chilies was good overall, with the flavor all combining nicely in a spicy and garlicky taste. The green pepper beef was somewhat disappointing. while the amount of meat was excellent, I would have prefer less meat with higher quality meat. I was expecting something more tender but there was more of a bite to it. Generally I don't like beef for this reason. Flavor was fine and similar to what I've had for this type of dish. it sits on top of a bed of bean sprouts. read more

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Came here on a Friday night and there's surprisingly a good amount of people here. This restaurant/location has always been pretty empty when Ho Kee was here, but it's definitely a lot more lively now. The decor makes it nice. The music and the atmosphere is like a outdoor dining nightlife vibe. They also have someone who does live singing here! Parking here is generally pretty easy, but once the parking lot in the back is full, it's best to do street parking. There is plenty of street parking since it's in a residential neighborhood. We had several entrees, from the smoked duck, cabbage, spicy fish, "fries", i'm not sure what the menu items were called tbh haha. Although, I actually liked the cabbage here the best lol. They specialize in spicy dishes, so even the mild here was actually really spicy for me. It was still pretty delicious though! The meals explode in flavor and in spice. Everything was pleasantly tasty, and the vibes here are very nice for a sit down time to hang with your friends and drink. read more

Pepper Tavern - Spicy fish and shredded cabbage first! - Chinese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

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The food is good and the staff is nice. We enjoyed having dinner here. The dessert is really delicious. read more

Pepper Tavern - Dessert - Chinese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

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I've been checking out different places to eat Sichuan food in San Gabriel Valley. Pepper Tavern was among the higher reviewed spots, so I visited with a few friends. They have a small parking lot in the back. It was full by the time I got there, so I parked across the street on the street for free. The outdoor patio is decorated so nicely with stringed lights. It has a rustic-ish yet late night vibe. They have discounted alcohol at a specific time. You scan the QR code and order food online. I had to use English translation and the photos. Rice is charged separately and comes out per bowl. For four people, we shared: -grilled whole fish. This was ok. We ordered this because we were craving a steamed fish. It was hard to eat. -chicken in chili sauce (appetizer). This was the best fish. There were bones in the chicken, but the flavor was on point. The cucumbers were refreshing. -water boiled beef. This is a pretty standard Sichuan dish, but it didn't come out too well. We all thought the beef was too chewy. If we come back, I wouldn't order this again. -spicy intestines. If you like innards, this is worth trying. I would actually rate this place better than Chengdu Taste in Alhambra. read more

Friend dragged me out to this spot on W Valley for "real" LA Sichuan Cuisine and... yeah, they weren't lying. Authentic Sichuan Cuisine, full stop. We shared the 沸腾鱼 and 自贡跳跳蛙 plus a plate of 樟茶鸭. The fish came out still bubbling, bright red oil, tons of chilies and peppercorns--numbing to the soul but super addictive. The frogs were crazy tender, spicy but not just heat for heat's sake. Duck had that subtle smoky aroma, skin slightly chewy in a good way. Definitely not Americanized; this is legit, share-with-friends, sweat-on-your-forehead kind of spot :) read more

This is one of our go-to spots for authentic spicy Chinese food. Dishes are delicious. The service is great and the staff make you feel welcome. Plus, the background music outside adds to the overall dining experience. read more

Pepper Tavern - Spicy Dry Pot Shrimp - Chinese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

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Came with my colleague the other day, and the beef was SO tender and the tofu was flavorful! This has been here for a while but the decor and the vibes here are great for a casual meal. The service is pretty limited as you order via QR code but sometimes I do prefer it that way. The food is a little spicier than I am typically able to handle but that is on me~ I will practice to get better because this is delicious! read more

Pepper Tavern - Chili Oil Boiled Beef And Tofu 豆花水煮牛 - Chinese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

FOOD POISONING ALERT: Dined in tonight and ordered a few dishes. Shortly after getting home, I realized I got food poisoning. started vomiting and developed a high fever (this was the only meal I had) Ended up in ER due to severe symptoms. The fried pumpkin pancake was uncooked inside and we asked to reheat. The duck blood and grilled beef skewers tasted raw, cold, and overly processed. Very concerning experience regarding food safety. 今晚点了几道菜，然后吃完就食物中毒了。回家后不久就开始严重呕吐并伴随高烧。最后去了急诊... 第一道南瓜饼里面是生的，然后我们要求从新加热。后来烤鱼里的鸭血是凉的感觉没熟，烤串的牛肉口感和味道也很奇怪。 食品卫生和安全非常不到位。 read more

Decided to try this place on a whim since we passed by and noticed the cute lights hanging outside. To our surprise, it was better than expected. We ordered way too much for 4, but thoroughly enjoyed everything. The chicken was a little salty but everything else was on point and authentic. The price is also super affordable! We will be back. read more

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Pepper Tavern is a delicious Sichuan restaurant in SGV. I ordered the 2 person set meal, which came with mala grilled fish, mapo tofu, and seaweed salad, as well as chicken cartilage skewers. All of the items were very authentic and delicious! My wife grew up near the Sichuan province and she approved of all the dishes. If you are looking for authentic mala spicy food, I would highly recommend giving Pepper Tavern a try! PS: the original photos I took didn't save so this is after we finished eating read more

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Great ambiance especially in the evening in the outdoor garden with cute hanging lanterns. Nice entertainment as a singer was performing. Tables accommodate big groups that allows for food sharing. Food was incredibly tasty and delicious read more

The most boy open from 5p pass midnight. Was surprised by his textually & flavor diverse is the menu. Everything we ordered was well cooked further dish; from perfectly fresh okra with wasabi to clam & chicken (so good). I wanted to come back next day and try mire unrelated dishes. Service was very good; the QR menu system is well done (2 different phones can order at the same time with live updates). The inside is fine; notions special, but not cramped. There is outside seating as well. Definitely come back. read more

Late night craving best location, spicy food is on point with friendly staff and nice atmosphere. If you have been to a nightmarket place, the outdoor feels just like that! Definitely a return visit space! read more

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I went there twice and it's delicious! Fast and the jelly dessert is tasty too. what I have ordered is enough for 2-3 people. read more

Pepper Tavern - Chinese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

Came with friends. Great environment, pretty authentic food, and nice service! The dishes were flavorful and well presented, and the overall vibe made it a great place to relax and enjoy a meal together. Would definitely come back again. read more

Pepper Tavern - Chinese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

The food was good, I will say that they use a lot of baking soda to tenderize the meat, almost to the point where it may be a bit much. I was sad that the pig's ear dish didn't have enough pig's ear (IMO). But taste wise, the dishes were great. read more

It's good. While other Chinese places will serve you "Chinese" food such as the heavily overused Kung pao chicken or whatever something chicken, Pepper Tavern serves actual Chinese food that you will actually find in China. what's more is that it doesn't take a few million years for the food to come up- just like how chinese food should be. read more

Pepper Tavern - Chinese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

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I liked this place so much that I went three times within a 12 day period. Pepper Tavern is a restaurant mainly serving foods that you would eat while drinking however they have regular food there. If you like spice, this is the place to be. It's open late and it's always busy. The area is such a vibe, there's one time that I went. They had a DJ and I heard the music from half a block away. It was like a rave. The outside is very nice and there's a lot of cool and interesting decor and the inside is fine too service is great. Every time we went we had a really attractive and nice server and you order from a tablet. I had a mix of a bunch of stuff, but every time I went, we got the boiled fish in oil, some kind of vegetable which has been good, but the eggplant is probably one of the best things I've ever ate there, and we always get the fried chicken and fried Lotus root combo. The fried lotus root is really good. Don't be weirded out by the strings that come out of it. The flavor is phenomenal. I don't think you could go wrong with anything that you order there of all the three times that I've been I enjoyed everything that they had. I did have to take a break because I was eating too much spicy stuff, but I'm ready to get heartburn again this is probably one of the top restaurants in my opinion in the SGV. It's great for groups, open late, and pretty entertaining to be there. read more

Absolutely authentic Sichuan food -- bold, spicy, and incredibly satisfying We ordered the Sichuan-style spicy fish, and it was the highlight of the meal. The fish was tender and fresh, soaked in a rich red chili oil with plenty of Sichuan peppercorns. The heat was strong but balanced, with that signature numbing "mala" flavor that keeps you coming back for more. The other dishes were just as solid: * Stir-fried greens were light and refreshing, perfect for balancing the spice * Cold dishes were tangy and appetizing * Generous portions overall -- rice is a must Overall: * Spice level: very authentic (not Americanized) * Food quality: fresh, well-cooked, and flavorful * Great for sharing with friends and serious spice lovers If you're looking for real Sichuan cuisine, not the sweet or toned-down version, Pepper Tavern is definitely worth a visit. This is the kind of place you'll want to come back to when you're craving true mala heat read more

Pepper Tavern - food - Chinese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

好吃的爆炸，好吃的我想哭。这家餐厅把味道、氛围和细节都做得刚刚好，以后会多带朋友来吃的。我们点了香辣虾沸腾鱼片口水鸡冰粉蒜蓉菜都非常好吃，那多点刚刚好环境确实是非常不错的 read more

Pepper Tavern - 太好吃了，好吃的爆炸，天天都想吃 - Chinese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

I always have a blast coming to eat at Pepper Tavern with a group of friends. The outside patio is adorned with gorgeous hanging lanterns & there's heat lamps. Inside is also a whole vibe with LED light signs, but the party is definitely outdoors with occasional live performances. The service has been nothing short of spectacular from Wilson, Ethan, and Jason. They have blankets for the outside when it gets chilly, help bring extra tables when I overorder (which happens a lot). We actually caught an endearing moment where the owner celebrated one of their birthdays & I hardly witness such care and passion from a business owner for their employees. Now onto the main point: food. There's actually a huge variety of spicy foods on the menu and nothing has disappointed yet. My favorites that I'd recommend are the garlic crawfish if you have a big group (excellent flavor & huge portion), smoked tea duck (the hours spent smoking this really transcends), and the large intestine pot if you're brave enough. Another personal favorite is the frog legs because it's so easy to under/over-cook but it was perfect in the sour stew here. All in all, great spot to drop by. Definitely also look for their ongoing promotions too! There's always a fun different deal going on read more

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The perfect late-night group-friendly authentic Sichuan food & bar you'll find in SGV is Pepper Tavern. You gotta bring your spice enthusiast friends and family members here for a real Sichuan treat. My group had such a great experience here at dinner that I am already planning another visit to try more dishes! I drove by here many times, and it got me at Sichuan food. I finally made it a point to try it with friends one night, and I am so glad we did! My party went all out because everything looked so great. We ordered the Oil Boiled Fish 沸腾鱼, Dan Dan Noodles 担担面, Garlic Cucumber 凉拌黄瓜, Crying Mung Bean Jelly 伤心凉粉, Drypot Cauliflower 干锅花菜, Stinky Tofu W/ Chopped Chilies 剁椒臭豆腐, Chicken Cartilage Skewers (5), and Fried Beef Skewers (5). Every single one of the dishes they brought out got a 10 out of 10 from my whole group; I am not exaggerating here. To talk about my favorites, the fish in the Oil Boiled Fish 沸腾鱼 dish was tender, light, and very authentic. I also loved their version of Stinky Tofu W/ Chopped Chilies 剁椒臭豆腐, it was authentically "stinky" as Stinky Tofu should be, and packed a bunch with the chili flavor and fried to have the perfect crispy bite. We ordered a lot for just our group, but managed to finish almost everything and left with full food tummies. Happy food tummies, of course! Not to mention, we also came at their happy hour time, so it was buy-one-get-one-free beer. We thought they gave us an extra beer by accident, but then we saw the BOGO sign in the back saying they have a BOGO beer deal. It's definitely a place to bring the guys and gals who love a good beer. Guys, they even have 北冰洋, a Beijing soda my boyfriend used to have in China, it's like a Chinese orange soda, and of course, my favorites, the coveted Kang Shi Fu's 冰红茶 and 王老吉, which are famous tea drinks in China that I love. Their menu is huge and they have everything from the sun to the moon, from rice and noodle dishes, to fried skewers, and specialty Sichuan food like the Oil Boiled Fish we got. I am already planning our menu for our next visit. I definitely want to come back and try out their desserts like their Ice Jelly 冰粉, Fried Milk 雪花脆皮奶, and Brown Sugar Sticky Rice 爆浆糍粑, and other dishes like their Spicy Braised Duck Wings 勾魂的辣鸭翅, Chongqing Grilled Fish 重庆烤鱼, and Sichuan Mini Blood Hotpot 四川毛血旺. Their chefs are so talented! I am already craving it as I type this, haha :) The crew here is very friendly and speaks both English and Chinese. We felt very taken care of, and they brought out every dish with a big smile, and tell you what each dish is. They seem like such great and fun people to be around! There is plentiful indoor and outdoor seating, all decked out with beautiful red lanterns, fun neon signs, and cute decor, both inside and outside. Outdoor seating has patio heaters as well. You can park in the small parking lot in the back or on the side street, Manley Drive. I plan to rave about this place to everyone, but I selfishly just want to gatekeep this place to my friends and I! I think they have only been open a few months and I just know they will become more and more popular. I want them to do well and stay for a long time so my friends and I plan to go here often. See you soon, Pepper Tavern, you've made it on the top of my list! read more

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Very authentic Chinese food. Great price! Good for friends family together. Spicy food especially good!

I've been hearing about Pepper Tavern since it opened last year, and finally had time to check it out this weekend! To avoid the lines, we came right when it opened. The food came out quickly, and everything on the menu looked so tempting--we ended up ordering a ton of dishes! Zhangcha Duck The moment it hit the table, we could smell that rich smoky aroma mixed with the fragrance of tea leaves and spices! The skin was crispy and slightly charred, while the meat inside was tender, flavorful, and not greasy at all. Both duck legs ended up in my kid's belly Fish-Fragrant Eggplant Casserole The eggplant soaked up the sauce without being oily. The skin was elastic, and the inside was soft and almost melted in your mouth. The sauce was perfectly balanced--sweet, sour, salty, and spicy. It was so addictive we couldn't stop eating it. Cumin Beef As soon as it arrived, a strong cumin aroma filled the air, mixed with onion, garlic, and tender beef, with a hint of heat. The beef was juicy and slightly chewy--perfectly stir-fried without being tough. Super satisfying with rice! Chengdu Fried Rice The portion was huge! Each grain of rice was separate and chewy, not mushy at all. Best eaten hot! We paired it with a bowl of Qiaojiao beef soup--so comforting! Zigong "Jumping Frog" (Spicy Bullfrog) The bold aroma of spice and heat hit us right away--it had that signature Zigong flavor: savory, spicy, and fragrant. The bullfrog was crispy outside, tender inside, juicy and smooth. It had that spicy-tingly Sichuan kick that made us gasp while saying, "So good!" Qiaojiao Beef Soup They say this is the "king of soup dishes" in Sichuan, and it lived up to the hype! The beef was super tender, and I especially loved the chewy beef tripe--it added so much texture! Pepper Tavern has live music performances every Friday to Sunday at 8 PM in the outdoor area, and it's open late into the night. It's a perfect spot for late-night eats with friends and family! read more

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I would say that the 39.99 combo meal is awesome and gets the best bang for the buck. Service is fast, a little spicy, but tastes wonderful. I suggest you to give the place's combo meal a try. Opens after 5 pm. read more

I went here for the grand opening and it was really awesome! I'm so glad there is such a chill place to friends to hangout at. The food is also very authentic and delicious. We ordered a ton of items from them but notable mentions are eggplant century egg, lotus root chips, and stinky tofu! Parking is on the street and there is some parking in the back. Service is very efficient and you can just use a QR code. read more

Pepper Tavern - Lotus root chips - Chinese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

First time here with hesitation as we love sichuan food but scared of the spice level, only ordered 2 mild items and still was way too spicy, was told spice level could be adjusted. read more

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You guys, I just have to share this spot that I guarantee will go viral. This Sichuan spicy restaurant is as authentic as it gets, and being open for just 4 months, they already soared to the #1 spot for Sichuan cuisine and #2 for Chinese food in all of Southern California. They're open from 5PM to late night 1AM, and I went at opening right before the restaurant got packed. Vibes are immaculate, and at nighttime their patio really comes to life. Their spicy numbing fish fillets that comes in a ginormous serve are bestselling for a reason, highly recommend the tender beef soup and Chongqing chili chicken, but my favorite had to be the intestines dry pot. Send this to the spicy-loving group chat ;) Thanks for reading! ^-^ read more

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Open late and serve pretty decent food and drinks. Rare to find a tavern that serves both alcohol and decent food. Been back three times. The servers do go above and beyond each time I been with friends or family. The food does take a little bit to come out if they are busy but thats because they make the dishes fresh instead of pumping it out like a fast food joint. Crawfish (5/5) this is by far my favorite here. They have two favors: garlic and spicy. Garlic is better. Intestine dry pot (4/5) its good and goes well with beer but wish it was more crispy. Mapo tofu (3/5) average Beef/lamb skewer (5/5) tender and flavorful Pork belly skewer (3/5) too crunchy and hard for me. My friends loved it. Boiled beef & tofu in chili served in pot over fire (4/5) i did like this. Brown sugar rice cake (5/5) mmm love this. Like how they cook the brown sugar sauce inside so it burst and leak out. White sugar cake (4/5) was good but more my sister fave. Tea smoked duck (5/5) meat was not tough and favor was just right. Like Mongolian lamb on bone. Pork belly with salted vegetables (5/5) not a pork fan but this melts. Watermelon breeze (5/5) watermelon juice with soju and something else. It was refreshing and yummy. White rabbit drink with soju- i didn't have this. I hate the white rabbit candy but my friend loved this. It wasn't too overpowering. Wonton tossed in chili oil (4/5) definitely get it more spicy if you can handle Beef with green chili (4/5) definitely get it more spicy if you can handle The patio is cute with the lanterns and reminds me of my visit in Shanghai Overall my new favorite tavern and the prices are decent compared to other asian taverns. One of the server Jason is also wonderful and takes care of you. read more

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Pepper Tavern is a Sichuan restaurant with bold, flavorful dishes that really impressed us. Our party of four ordered the Chongqing cold chicken, dry pot intestines, fried rice, and hand-shredded cabbage--all of which were delicious and well-prepared. They were also running a buy-one-get-one beer promotion during our visit, so we each enjoyed a cold beer alongside our meal. The food arrived promptly, and the service was smooth throughout. There's ample seating both indoors and outside, making it a comfortable spot to dine. I'd definitely return to explore more of their menu. While they do accept reservations through Yelp, we didn't need one during our visit. read more

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Ambiance good, foods good, service good, drinks good. Will come back again. We ordered the anniversary deal it included grilled fish, mapo tofu and seaweed for 2 people. We were a group of 4 and we were full. This deal is until 10/18. read more

Pepper Tavern - Chongqing Grilled Fish 重庆烤鱼 - Chinese Near Me - San Gabriel, California