The Peppertree

Have to say the food hear is very good, albeit overpriced. Problem is the procedure and attitudes. Wanted to send a steak back ($ 21) because of it being overlooked, instead of just pulling out another steak ($ 6?) The server put it in a to go box underneath a counter. Manager came to get the box, took it to the kitchen, re-​plated it, brought it back to the table??? Never seen something like it. THE OWNER WONT REDO THIS, IT «WAS COOKED TO PERFECTION». SMH I am not sure if it’s a small town mentality or just ignorance to customer service??? Horrible attitude, not to mention health code violation. Total bill $ 145 + 30 tip. NICE. I have worked in the food industry, not to mention currently in customer service. This isn’t the way to be successful in business. Period.

I’ve come here a few times over the past 15 years when I’m in Grinnell on business but I’m about to give up. The food is inconsistent and the service has gotten horrible. Lots of ditzy hipster servers from the college roaming around with little/​no training. I sat at the bar for five minutes before someone took my drink order, from behind me… weird. Each server makes drinks for their respective tables, i.e. bartender by committee. It’s unprofessional as it is inefficient.
The following day, two business associates wanted to go there for lunch. I grudgingly agreed. We show up at 12:30 p.m. Door is locked. Sign on door indicates they are open for lunch. Website says they are open for lunch. Reality: They weren’t open for lunch. I was actually relieved.

Went there during alumni weekend at Grinnell. The service has definitely improved. We came during freshman orientation and was underwhelmed. This time had a table of nine and Maggie our waitress handled it without a hitch. She greeted us, introduced herself and agreed to three separate checks enthusiastically! We always ask for lemon with our water and very rarely do we get it on the first request. Maggie handle that, took our drink orders and returned with everything quickly. Then she took our food order. The food came at a reasonable amount of time and everything came the way it was Requested and prepared correctly. The menu is chock-​full of comfort food which tasted very good and very reasonably priced! Will definitely return!

There are so many things that are great about this restaurant, such as their appetizers and sandwiches. Back before I was a vegetarian, I would rave about their Chipotle Chicken Sandwich. You really can’t go wrong with smoked bacon and chipotle mayo on the sandwich. Off their appetizer menu, I absolutely love their Spinach ‘N Artichoke Dip as well as their Baked Asiago Dip. They are just so rich and creamy; it feels like I am eating an entire block on cream cheese. The pita chips are always fried when you order, and are absolute perfection. Stacy’s pita chips cannot even compare to how good these are. I usually order extra pita chips because they’re so delicious.
While they’re sandwiches and appetizers are great, their dinner options, sides, and dessert do not fit their hefty price tag. The setting is definitely more upscale, but the idea of paying $ 15 for a piece of chicken that is just so-​so is outrageous to me. I also don’t understand why they don’t even try to be a little (just a little) more accommodating to vegetarians. There is literally no sandwich or dinner menu option for vegetarians. You have to scrounge around the appetizer and salad menu. It’s really quite sad.

I love the atmosphere of being right next to the train, in a fancy train depot. I to sit outside in the summer time and enjoy a drink or two before ordering something off their extensive menu. My favorites are the spin-​art sandwich, though, if I want to indulge I’ll get a steak big enough to last for a couple meals! I highly recommend this place!

Had lunch here this past Friday and the service was horrible. We had a party of 8 and we arrived at 12:15pm. Didnt leave until 2pm! And, that wasn’t by choice. that is just because they were so slow! The place was not busy by any means. The waitress obviously could not handle the situation and apparently deleted our entire order from their system by accident. She didnt even become aware of it until we had asked for a status on our food since we had been waiting for quite some time. She failed to continually check up on us for refills, etc. The food here is excellent, but I am afraid that unless the service drastically improves, this restaurant will meet the same demise as the former occupants at this location.