The second visit with family was one of the worst dining experiences we've had in a restaurant. It seems I should have held my initial review until I had a chance to see how it would be with more than one diner at a time.
We had two servers and what appeared to be ne busser and still couldn't get a refill on a cup of coffee. One table was completely finished with their meal before the other table got any food at all. Part of the food was inedible and most of it was room temperature of cooler. We were told it was a new cook but that doesn't excuse the food being places on the counter away from the light. In spite of complaints no offer was made to make it right or to take some of the food off the bill. I demanded the pancakes be taken off since one would need a steak knife to cut them. When I mentioned my son never got his biscuits and gravy I was told that it came with the meal and I wasn't charged for them anyway. Point completely missed. $93 dollars for a terrible dining experience. Inexperienced wait staff, terrible cook and bad service made for a Fathers Day breakfast none of us will forget. We won't be going back.
All thumbs down here. They lost all their stars.
I watched as The PepperTree rose from the ashes (metaphorically speaking.) of the old Maggie's on Norris Road and patiently awaited it's opening. Then, as we do, I got sidetracked and forgot about it for a while. Once it opened I kept saying I was going to stop and check it out but again, time got away from me.
This morning, I decided this was it. I was headed for The PepperTree. I had noticed that it never seemed busy but trust me when I say that isn't because of the food. My guess is that it just hasn't been discovered yet.
They had several breakfast specials on the board including a Ham and Cheese Omelet for $5.95 and another with Chorizo, same price.
Liz, the young lady who took my order, was cheerful and friendly and I felt at home the minute I walked in the door. After reading the extensive menu, I decided on the minced ham and scrambled eggs also for $5.95. I asked for cheddar cheese on it and was not charged extra. The country potatoes were small diced red skins lightly grilled with no onion or peppers. If you like them with the peppers and onion, you need to let your server know. I told her I was going to try the biscuits and gravy in lieu of toast and she assured me I would love it, and I did. The biscuits were about three inches across and were smothered in a really good milk gravy with a little bacon in it.
Now I'm a bit picky when it comes to eggs. I usually order them scrambled well risking browning to keep them from being runny. In this case, I told Liz "well" but really just didn't want them soft. They were absolutely perfect.
I managed all the eggs and ham, about half the potatoes and B&G when I had to stop. Don't go there looking for the portions of the old Friendly Cafe because you won't find them. At the PepperTree you get a good portion that an average person would find to be more than plenty. It's said that Bakersfield buys it's restaurant food by the pound but I've always found that wasteful. My breakfast this morning was more than I could eat but probably about right for the average diner.
After I had eaten I was reading the paper when another couple came in. The lady asked about the B&G's and Liz told her to ask me... I gave them a big thumbs up. While they waited for their breakfast, I had a nice conversation with the couple and found the wife's name is Mary. My apologies to the gentleman but I forgot his name. They told me they had been there before and really liked it the food and the prices but hadn't tried the B&G yet.
It doesn't get any better than to try a new place, get excellent food and service, and meet new friends all in one morning.
Rating.. Food *****+
Service..*****+
Cleanliness *****+
Plate appeal..*****+
10% Senior discount
Prices.. Much lower than any restaurant in town.
Extensive Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner menu.
Server Liz's sense of humor..Priceless.
Customer satisfaction.. Over the top.
I'll be making that a regular stop from now on.
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