Pepper’s Italian restaurant in Lakewood opened in 1999, serving customers delicious, fresh, homemade Italian cuisine for years. As a single-location, independent establishment, Pepper’s is about as local as it gets. A super comfortable restaurant with an amazing environment, rich history, and friendly staff ties everything together, and that is exactly what Pepper’s is. The menu offers a wide variety of items, including pizzas, desserts, and pastas made in-house daily.

Pepper’s works really hard to make you feel at home when you walk in and aims to evoke an “old Italian” vibe.

“I would say the size and hospitality are what set this restaurant apart from others,” said staff member Natalia Kapis. “It is a really small mom-and-pop shop, and that is where the loyalty comes from. Our customers like that we are consistent in what we do and have a kitchen staff that has been here for years.”

​The workers at Pepper’s believe it is so much more than the food; it is about the whole experience. They have been using the same recipes for years, making every dish from scratch with fresh ingredients. Beyond the food, Pepper’s supports the Lakewood High School boosters and has for years, always offering jobs to high school students looking for work.

​The food remains the central draw for long-time patrons.

“Pepper’s is one of my favorite restaurants,” said customer Sofia Ramirez. “I have been eating here for years, and I love the quality of the food and how fresh and delicious it is.”

Pepper’s pizza is extremely cheesy, with a fresh sauce that’s clearly homemade. It’s the perfect balance of light and fresh, met with a delicious cheesy taste and a fluffy light crust. Despite the emphasis on quality, the restaurant maintains affordability.

​”I love the city of Lakewood because it’s a tight-knit community,” said current owner Andy Lechman. “You always see people walking around, and Lakewood has a lot of cozy restaurants like Pepper’s and others. I like this business because I get to meet people and put smiles on their faces with good, affordable food.”

​The history of Pepper’s began with original owner Robert “Bob” Buck and his wife, Barbara. Bob Buck sadly passed away before the restaurant opened, but Barbara continued with the opening and realized her husband’s dream. She operated the restaurant for years before selling it to new owners. Pepper’s, however, has always used and stuck to the homemade recipes she brought over from Italy herself.

Since taking over, Lechman has remodeled Pepper’s to make it a little larger and brighter, but he kept the old pictures and recipes that make Pepper’s what it is today.

Overall, Pepper’s is an outstanding restaurant with a rich history that has contributed to the Lakewood community for years, offering more than just food: tradition, delicious cuisine, and a great atmosphere.