I checked out this Japanese-based restaurant chain, with over 30 years of history, for you in Japan to get the scoop.
Yes friends, there is tons of Tampa Bay chatter about Majestic Restaurant Group already purchasing licenses to open 10 Florida locations, and Tampa Bay's Pinellas Park location is the 1st in Florida!
When I posted over a year ago about this spot opening, I never thought it would be this good.
But, other than reposting news from the Pepper Lunch website, those reporters/bloggers don't go to the original restaurant in Japan or the US to give you the scoop, like I do for comparison.
As a culinary product developer, please let me nerd out for a moment:
Started in 1994 by chef and inventor Kunio Ichinose, Pepper Lunch ペッパーランチ is similar to many steak griddle restaurants found in Japan, where the customer receives the food sizzling on a hot platter in order to cook the steak to their customizable doneness. Pepper Lunch is considered fast food in Japan, so many customers work nearby locally and visit for a fast, inexpensive, hot meal. The cast iron plates are quickly induction heated to 500f.
Yes, it's just as good as in Japan, just costs 3x more because we are in the US and everything here is more expensive.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wilde
Very authentic Japanese food. The food was served sizzling hot, fresh, and beautifully presented. Everything tasted high quality, from the proteins to the rice and vegetables.
I’m from Okinawa, Japan, and the curry had a true Japanese flavor—comforting and just right. The restaurant and kitchen were very clean, the ordering system is easy, and the staff were kind and attentive. Highly recommend if you’re looking for Japanese comfort food. 🍛🇯🇵
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Yeng Yang
Was alright. Food tasted good but nothing extraordinary for me. Prices were a little high IMHO. $1.99 for addons with an already $15+ dish. Me personally, I'd rather go for a sushi bowl at that price. Service was good and place was clean. Worth a try.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Colin Reid
Just like the original in Japan. The self-serve kiosk to order really took me back to Japan, and the food tasted exactly like I remember. I'll definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Noel Villahermosa
First time here. My plate was delicious. I ordered the Tofu and Veggie kitchen with a chicken karaage as a side. My plate was piping hot and was served quickly. The Karaage was crispy yet tender. 9 out of 10. Only cuz it's a bit of a drive from home lol.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Justin Bartek
Hot plate eating is amazing. My favorite is the Beef Pepper Rice. Great value.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Pretty P
The staff were friendly and quick, and even during busy hours the service was smooth. Definitely be back for more!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
ROBYN RUSS
Having experienced Pepper Lunch in Japan, we often wondered how it would translate to the US. The answer? Very well. More service based to mitigate the risks of litigious Americans walking around with searing-hot cast iron platters, but the food was just as good and extraordinarily fast. Now we just need a store in east-central Pasco!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lynnet Padila
Love this place! Very nice workers
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chabe Hamilton
i’m sorry it’s absolutely insane that people aren’t raving about this place more. the food is absolutely the best. hot, fresh, tasty, prices are great, it’s clean, the workers are super helpful i mean WOW i literally came the day after the first time cause it was so good
Food is good, service is always amazing; charging $2 per addon is crazy....a small scoop of green beans, that's maybe 3 full beans, isn't worth $2
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Phyllis Dukes
Food is good and price is affordable
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ben Wilcox
Nothing was necessarily bad but the price for very bland food is crazy. The owners need to rethink their portions and cost for additional things price. $1.99 for a teaspoon of green onions is wild. Service and atmosphere were great but there’s zero chance I ever come back. Shame, cause I really liked the idea but in this economy, those prices just don’t math.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Jake D
Haven't been able to find a Pepper Lunch since I lived in Japan. Glad this place opened up near me.
They do not have the wagyu/austrailian Hamburg but please enjoy the beef skirt with rice, corn, and egg.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Petiteweekender
I enjoy Pepper Lunch and their food selections. I usually get the beef or beef and chicken. For me the portion sizes are a good size for me to have leftovers for the next day.
The facility itself has plenty of seating and is clean. The ordering process is easy. There is a kiosk when you walk in to order for dine in or takeout. You usually didn’t have to wait a long time for your food to be served. It’s cool that your food is served on a sizzling plate. Be sure not to touch it, though! It’s very hot!
There is free parking on site. This location is perfect because it is close to US 19 and the highway.
Faith is very helpful and friendly. Great customer service from her!
I checked out this Japanese-based restaurant chain, with over 30 years of history, for you in Japan to get the scoop.
Yes friends, there is tons of Tampa Bay chatter about Majestic Restaurant Group already purchasing licenses to open 10 Florida locations, and Tampa Bay's Pinellas Park location is the 1st in Florida!
When I posted over a year ago about this spot opening, I never thought it would be this good.
But, other than reposting news from the Pepper Lunch website, those reporters/bloggers don't go to the original restaurant in Japan or the US to give you the scoop, like I do for comparison.
As a culinary product developer, please let me nerd out for a moment:
Started in 1994 by chef and inventor Kunio Ichinose, Pepper Lunch ペッパーランチ is similar to many steak griddle restaurants found in Japan, where the customer receives the food sizzling on a hot platter in order to cook the steak to their customizable doneness. Pepper Lunch is considered fast food in Japan, so many customers work nearby locally and visit for a fast, inexpensive, hot meal. The cast iron plates are quickly induction heated to 500f.
Yes, it's just as good as in Japan, just costs 3x more because we are in the US and everything here is more expensive.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very authentic Japanese food. The food was served sizzling hot, fresh, and beautifully presented. Everything tasted high quality, from the proteins to the rice and vegetables.
I’m from Okinawa, Japan, and the curry had a true Japanese flavor—comforting and just right. The restaurant and kitchen were very clean, the ordering system is easy, and the staff were kind and attentive. Highly recommend if you’re looking for Japanese comfort food. 🍛🇯🇵
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Was alright. Food tasted good but nothing extraordinary for me. Prices were a little high IMHO. $1.99 for addons with an already $15+ dish. Me personally, I'd rather go for a sushi bowl at that price. Service was good and place was clean. Worth a try.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Just like the original in Japan. The self-serve kiosk to order really took me back to Japan, and the food tasted exactly like I remember. I'll definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
First time here. My plate was delicious. I ordered the Tofu and Veggie kitchen with a chicken karaage as a side. My plate was piping hot and was served quickly. The Karaage was crispy yet tender. 9 out of 10. Only cuz it's a bit of a drive from home lol.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hot plate eating is amazing. My favorite is the Beef Pepper Rice. Great value.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The staff were friendly and quick, and even during busy hours the service was smooth. Definitely be back for more!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Having experienced Pepper Lunch in Japan, we often wondered how it would translate to the US. The answer? Very well. More service based to mitigate the risks of litigious Americans walking around with searing-hot cast iron platters, but the food was just as good and extraordinarily fast. Now we just need a store in east-central Pasco!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Love this place! Very nice workers
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
i’m sorry it’s absolutely insane that people aren’t raving about this place more. the food is absolutely the best. hot, fresh, tasty, prices are great, it’s clean, the workers are super helpful i mean WOW i literally came the day after the first time cause it was so good
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Food is good, service is always amazing; charging $2 per addon is crazy....a small scoop of green beans, that's maybe 3 full beans, isn't worth $2
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Food is good and price is affordable
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nothing was necessarily bad but the price for very bland food is crazy. The owners need to rethink their portions and cost for additional things price. $1.99 for a teaspoon of green onions is wild. Service and atmosphere were great but there’s zero chance I ever come back. Shame, cause I really liked the idea but in this economy, those prices just don’t math.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Haven't been able to find a Pepper Lunch since I lived in Japan. Glad this place opened up near me.
They do not have the wagyu/austrailian Hamburg but please enjoy the beef skirt with rice, corn, and egg.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
I enjoy Pepper Lunch and their food selections. I usually get the beef or beef and chicken. For me the portion sizes are a good size for me to have leftovers for the next day.
The facility itself has plenty of seating and is clean. The ordering process is easy. There is a kiosk when you walk in to order for dine in or takeout. You usually didn’t have to wait a long time for your food to be served. It’s cool that your food is served on a sizzling plate. Be sure not to touch it, though! It’s very hot!
There is free parking on site. This location is perfect because it is close to US 19 and the highway.
Faith is very helpful and friendly. Great customer service from her!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Loading...