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    PepperJax Grill

    3.4 (40 reviews)
    Closed 10:30 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Order PepperJax Grill Takeout or Delivery

    PepperJax Grill Photos

    PEPPERJAX GRILL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Front of restaurant
    Amy A.

    I've been long awaiting the opening of PepperJax Grill in cedar falls. I can't say I was overblown by the food. I'm left feeling full but not like "that was amazing". This location opened not even a week ago. They were still really busy for it being 9 pm. The restaurant itself was pretty cool. There were really old 1920s and 30s sports team photos on the wall and when I read the caption under the photos and they are vintage photos of university of northern iowa sports. Great way to connect with the community. There were several employees on the cooking line. One slicing buns and prepping meat, a second taking the orders and putting the veggies and meat on the grill, a third working the meat on the grill, a fourth assembling the sandwiches, a fifth and a sixth adding condiments and finishes and a seventh working the register. It became increasingly inefficient when they had to keep repeating and verifying the order with me to every employee down the line. I was only second in line to order when I walked up. But the guy ahead of me was taking out several orders and held up the line for awhile. They cook all the meat to order and only put out the ingredients for one sandwich on the grill at a time. Seems really slow. I ordered two steak phillies, loaded steak nachos and an order of fries. It came to $25. The phillies were really large. The meat is fried up with onions, peppers, jalapeños and mushrooms unless you specify differently. It's highly spiced with a spice that reminds me of lowelrys seasoning. The bread was really good and the sandwich and veggies were okay. But I kept wishing there was more cheese. They melted cheese slices on the meat but doesn't a phillie normally have a cheese sauce. You could add queso to it if you wanted but the queso was just like tostitos queso from a jar. The meat was tender but really salty. The loaded nachos were topped with the same meat and veggies that a sandwich has on it and the queso. They do have rice and beans and salsa as well. They also have a sauce bar. It had au jus, a mushroom sauce, some salad dressings and a couple other sauces. I tried the mushroom sauce, tasted like gravy. The service wasn't terrible the cashier was very friendly. I just was let down by the food. There was so much hype. It's supposed to be the best phillie in America. I haven't eaten many phillies but I bet that could be proved wrong. I will probably go again. But I'm going to try something else. They do have burritos and bowls but I can get that at pancheros and I like their queso better. I may try the chicken phillie. I hate to give them a three star, I really wanted to love them and I'm sad I didn't. UPDATE: I tried it again tonight as my husband enjoys pepperjax. The service was again very disorganized. Not sure who was in charge. I got the chicken phillie sandwich. Again dry and really salty. I want to love this place but it's just not happening. They raised their prices too. There are replacement stickers over all the menu prices. It was $34 for two sandwiches, two fries, a rice bowl and chips and queso. My son got a shrimp bowl. Five tiny shrimp and a few veggies on a huge bowl of rice. All for $7.59. Crappy deal.

    Philly Steak w/green pepper and onion
    Chris D.

    Today was my 3rd time visiting this restaurant since it has opened its doors, so I feel I have a good grasp on what it's about. Immediately upon arrival you notice it is set up similar to subway, in the sense of the assembly line and what not. PepperJacks is unlike any restaurant of this style in the area. They are known for their Philly sandwiches but also have burritos, rice bowls, and salads. Each time I have been here I have had the Philly and I have liked it each visit! The ingredients tasted great and the meat was cooked to my liking. I truly believe they have the best meat sandwiches in town. I did order a side of fries the first time and they were rather soggy. My next visits I just stuck to the sandwich only. I haven't ordered a burrito because there are many other great burrito joints around and why not get a Philly if I'm here! Side note- They cook your meat as you order it, also adding vegetables and whatever you like. Many people have complained about it being slow. Personally I would rather wait a few minutes longer and have just cooked meat and vegetables rather than having them thrown on from sitting in a steam table for hours. The restaurant is very neat inside. The walls are lined with photos of Cedar Falls related things from the mid 1950's. A nice added touch to relate to our town. They also pick up all your garbage from your tables and do not have trash cans in the dining area. I like the concept, but a small garbage can somewhere would be nice to throw other things away. I'm happy PepperJacks has made it over here to Cedar Falls. I'm giving it a 4/5 because they certainly could make a few improvements/nor was I blown away. The Philly is definitely the item to get here! If you're craving a Philly and can't make it out to Philadelphia for lunch, I would certainly give it a try!

    Philly cheesesteak with cheese cooked in (requested) and a side of au jus sauce
    Rex J.

    I'd stopped in before with a buddy but didn't actually get anything. I made sure to order something this time! The Philly cheesesteak certainly exceeded my expectations: I was especially impressed with the cheese. It didn't look like much, and I came in with the initial intention of doing the queso sauce, but they were quick to attend to my request of cooking the cheese in with the steak. This ensured that it was nice and warm and melted; this was one of my better ideas. It waved me 1.29 for queso, and the flavor of the cheese was excellent. The jalapeño juice added a nice kick too! Beware, they bus your table for you, which is convenient. But, since I set my water bottle down upon entering to ensure a spot, they took my bottle away, assuming I was done. However, they brought me a new water bottle quickly upon request. I thought this place provided good, quick service, and they deliver a great product. I can't do overlooked meat, and I felt it came pretty tender. 5 star review for sure. Service was quick, and

    Thomas D.

    I really enjoyed the whole experience. It's all cooked to order as you walk through the line, think Panchero's except they cook their meat and vegetables fresh as you walk through, but same basic setup. The quality and value were certainly present. I dined with two other people who enjoyed what they ordered. We will definitely return.

    Paula G.

    I do believe this is the best steak sandwich in the area... then again this is Waterloo and there is not much selection. The setup is a Subway /Pita Pit type ordering line. You order what you want and request toppings as you move down the line.. I've started to ask for the cheese melted in and cooked with my steak, for a more authentic Philly taste. I do wish they had hoagie options and could add mayonaise, lettuce, tomatoes and pickles more coveniently. They do not carry pickles. They have mayo in the sauce bar, but it is difficult to do the squeeze mayo once your bread is loaded with toppings. Also, they are not very well setup for take out. They do not have to go mayo or ketchup packets, nor a single trash can available. I want to be able to throw my straw wrapper away if I am getting take out. Or be able to throw my old starbucks cup upon arrival. I would recommend you try Pepper Jax if you are craving a steak sandwich.

    Nachos!

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    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Pepper J.

    Pepper J.

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    4 years ago

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    1 year ago

    food was good worker was a bitch for no reason i was being polite saying thank you and such and all i got back was attitude

    Business owner information

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    Pepper J.

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

    we had a great experiance the maneger was amazing and the person who checked us out was great shout out to Brittany and Tommy

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    5 years ago

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    8 years ago

    The best burrito bowls in town!!! Can't go wrong with the chips & queso either! Staff is always in the best mood with smiles on their faces.

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    6 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Friendly staff, clean nice environment, the food was good and decently priced, I would definitely go back!

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    12 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    10 years ago

    I love this place, wonderful salads and philly steak sandwiches.. A little spicy and so good! Very nice employees

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    10 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    8 years ago

    My first time eating here. I ordered a cheesesteak. Not the greatest. I won't be trying this place again.

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    11 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    12 years ago

    Chicken nachos blech. Chicken and steak phillies ok. Very informal atmosphere. Plastic basket plates. That sort of ambiance.

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    Ask the Community - PepperJax Grill

    Review Highlights - PepperJax Grill

    The walls are lined with photos of Cedar Falls related things from the mid 1950's.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    This place had a true hometown feel. The service staff were super friendly and calling everyone by…read morename, it was packed, and the food was the centerpiece of it all! Homemade pie slices for $2.99 in this economy is WILD, but was the posted price with a whole laundry list of flavors! YUM! This is a breakfast/lunch spot and they close at 2pm except for a few evenings that they do dinner evidently. It is ABSOLUTELY WORTH making sure you get there even with the odd times!!! The French toast is amazing and I love french toast, I had some with my omelet. The omelet is a thinner version. Cooked on a flat top, folded and filled beautifully with all the goodies I requested. It was delicious! I ate far more of both the omelet AND the french toast! Yummmm. My partner had the sampler (top left on the menu). The server said you had to try it. It had eggs, meat, a side of French toast, AND a 1/4 biscuit with gravy! We took a bite of the sausage with a bite of the biscuit and gravy which was perfect! All the food was good as was the coffee (which had beautiful full flavor and wasn't watered down... momma likes some STRONG COFFEE and theirs was perfect! Our server was also wonderful, happy, helpful, and so nice. Wish I was better with names! They were packed but moved people in and out efficiently so go give them a try!!!

    Apple fritter French toast and pancakes are both out of this world. Come very hungry as portions…read morehere are very generous. It's nothing fancy on the inside and service can be a little slow at times but it's so good I've been there on both visits to CF. They serve Pepsi products. Parking lot but it can get a little tricky when busy due to the layout. They serve lunch too which looks good if you want comfort food.

    Photos
    Outside of restaurant
    Outside of restaurant
    Breakfast burrito
    Breakfast burrito
    Omelet and French Toast

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    Omelet and French Toast

    PepperJax Grill - sandwiches - Updated June 2026

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