Went here with a friend after a late movie and wow, perfect Late-night Bistro vibes for San Gabriel. Tucked on Valley Blvd, super convenient if you're already in the area. The catering-style setup actually works great for groups - easy to share, big trays, no fuss. Portions were generous, flavors solid, and everything tasted fresh, not like sad leftover stuff. Staff was chill and pretty quick even though it was late, which I really appreciate. Overall, good spot if you're hungry late and want something that feels a bit more legit than fast food :) read more

Very authentic! My parents were from Sichuan and they enjoyed the food here. Five stars!

Authentic Sichuan Food, Great Atmosphere, and Surprisingly Affordable My husband and I recently visited Pepper Tavern in San Gabriel and had a fantastic experience. The restaurant has a fun atmosphere with red lanterns, outdoor seating, and plenty of TVs and projector screens showing World Cup matches. It feels lively without being overly loud, making it perfect for both group gatherings and casual dinners. Our favorite dishes included: * Jianghu Chili Chicken 江湖辣子鸡 - Extremely spicy and packed with flavor. The lotus root added a nice crunch. * Spicy Stir Fried Clams 辣炒蛤蜊 - Fresh, flavorful, and one of the first dishes we finished. * Sherred Potato 麻辣土豆丝 - Tangy, spicy, and very addictive. * Hand Shredded Cabbage 手撕包菜 - Simple but executed perfectly with great wok flavor. * Chicken Cartilage Skewers 鸡脆骨串 - Nicely grilled and not overly tough. * Sausage Skewer 王中王串 - Classic and satisfying. * Spicy Crawfish 麻辣小龙虾 - Fresh crawfish with plenty of flavor. One thing worth mentioning is the spice level. My husband is a huge fan of spicy food and has tried many Sichuan restaurants throughout Los Angeles. He said this was one of the spiciest places he has visited so far. The biggest surprise was the value. We ordered all of these dishes for under $100 and had enough leftovers to enjoy for two more days. We'll definitely be back and would recommend it to anyone looking for authentic Sichuan cuisine in the San Gabriel Valley. read more

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I really want to like this place; trust me I do. Maybe I had too high of an expectation do it's a slightly letdown. I went early as not to have to wait but it's probably only busy on the weekends? The place is actually smaller than I expected from the photos. Even with the outdoor seating, there isn't a huge place. Parking is at the back but would probably be full if the place gets busy. There are some street parking on the small side street. The interior is not bad but doesn't look as cool as the photos are. The food is really where I felt slightly letdown. I don't think it's that special or even authentic enough for me want to come back. The food is decent but very typical of most Sichuan restaurants unlike some other Chinese restaurants in the neighborhood. The lamb kebob is horrible. There is just not enough flavor and the meat is not tender at all. The fish and frog pot is glorified hotpot without any unique flavor to make it special compared to many other restaurants. However it's not bad per se just not the authentic Sichuan the name of the restaurant would suggest. The service is good and you tell tell they want to provide good eating vibe but unfortunately at least the dishes I ordered left me wanting. read more

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It was past 10:00 pm, and most restaurants were already closed. We decided to have dinner at Pepper Tavern as it actually was open until 12:30 am. It was our first time there, so I was very excited to try new foods. Unfortunately the food didn't really meet my expectations. We ordered 4 dishes. Sichuan style red cooked pork, Chongqing mouthwatering chicken, Sichuan chili sautéed pork, and cilantro wrapped tofu skin. The Sichuan style red pork had some tough and dry pork from being overcooked. Possibly from being reheated in the microwave. Half of the dish was decent, while the other half just wasn't right. We ended up taking leftovers home, so I could make soup with the chewy pork. The deep fried hard boiled egg was the best part of this dish. It's a bummer as there was only one egg. I give this dish 7 out of 10. The Chongqing mouthwatering chicken was pretty good. It was very spicy and nutty. I didn't like the fact that they served pieces of chopped up boned-in chicken. There were sharp pieces of flats/wingettes, so please be careful. The worst part was that I found a piece of chicken neck. I wish they had served boneless chicken. 6 out of 10 for this dish. The Sichuan chili sautéed pork dish was the best thing we ordered!! I give it 10 out of 10. Mild spicy and garlicky.... soooo delicious!! The green chili pieces are just amazing as they complement the pork meat. I would come back just for this dish. The cilantro wrapped tofu skin dish was very good. However, I don't know if it's worth $3.99 for 2 sticks. Service was decent. One of the girls didn't seem to speak English. My old uncle asked for sriracha, and the waiter went out of his way to get us sriracha. He actually opened a new bottle just for my uncle. There was no ice in the water. Soon after leaving the restaurant I felt very thirsty, so we had to stop by a grocery store to buy ice cold Coca-Cola. It was nice that they have booth seating areas. Parking lot was very small, but my uncle has a handicapped parking placard. read more

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My five year old child actually really liked all the dishes. Nice little spot, would come back. read more

Pepper Tavern - Braised Chili Oil Pig Ear 红油卤猪耳 - Chinese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

I'm giving it five stars because the service was friendly, the ambiance, during the day, was chill--I know it's different later in the evening--and every meal I had was excellent. The fish in the fish stew was tender, juicy, and not overcooked. Everything was spicy, by the way, so keep that in mind--and I love spicy food. I will say even though I'm not a fan of peppercorns, but because they were stewed, they were totally tolerable. The eggplant was soft and full of garlic and was delightful. What's not to love about mapo tofu? And the lotus skewers, if that's your jam, you'll enjoy them. Also, you can bring fish you caught there and they'll prepare it for you meal. They have free parking in the back, and they have a great outdoor space. They do have live entertainment outdoors at about 8:30 PM, so be aware of that. The prices are sorta fair and you do get a lot. Overall, I'll be back again. read more

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The food was authentic, flavorful, and full of classic Sichuan taste. Every dish we ordered was fresh and well-seasoned, with just the right amount of spice. The portions were generous, and the service was friendly and attentive. Definitely a great spot if you're craving authentic Sichuan cuisine. I'll definitely be back! read more

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Great food, located across the street from the 99 ranch market, love spicy food come here read more

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I probably have tried Sichuan cuisine food in the past, don't remember when and where. Everything we tried was tasty, balancing spicy and savory flavor profiles together. I recommend ordering Cumin Beef, Street Style Chow Mein, and Garlic A Choy here. I had leftovers of Chow Mein and it was just as yummy if not better heated up the next day. Sharing size portions that enough between 3-4 people if splitting 4 dishes. I didn't really like their Dan Dan Noodles or the White Rabbit cocktail. I'm used to traditional peanut flavor sauce Dan Dan Noodles and Pepper Tavern's mild spicy version was too bland despite the spice profile. The cocktail had too much ice, not enough White Rabbit candy flavor, and the Soju aftertaste was too sharp for me. read more

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The tea smoked duck did have the taste of tea and was leaner than expected. Though I would prefer the duck to be juicier but perhaps that is more difficult with a smoke cook. The pickles were delicious. The stinky tofu did have a bit funk but we were used to funkier tofu from other places. A good and simple take out order. I would say everything was worth its price. read more

Pepper Tavern - Tea Smoked Duck 樟茶鸭 Stinky Tofu W/ Chopped Chilies 剁椒臭豆腐 Garlic Cucumber 凉拌黄瓜 - Chinese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

The location has had many different restaurants, I think this one may be the first we've visited. I would give it a 3.5 if half stars were permitted. It's got a small parking lot in the back. We ordered the fried fish, stinky tofu, fish maw, and the frogs. Everything was pretty good, spicy and oily as expected, but nothing really stood out to me. The bill came out to be $170 before tips. read more

Pepper Tavern - Chinese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

This restaurant is so fun! Each dish that came out was so delicious and flavorful! We had an order of chicken wings that came out slightly undercooked and we let them know immediately. Customer service was great--they came out with a new order almost immediately. Ambiance was lively, if you sat outside! They had a live performer singing popular chinese ballads, and she was very talented! I recommend this fun place to eat, with friends and/or families! read more

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Awesome place. Amazing authentic Sichuan cuisine. Just make sure you like spicy cuisine! Great service and very reasonable prices. read more

great good, authentic Chinese spicy. If you are not up for spicy, this will not be your food, but if you love it, this is home. Great service and big tv with fifa on! read more

Pepper Tavern - Chinese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

Parking can be tough but the restaurant is big- great for large parties. Tons of indoor and outdoor seating and is more of a family style restaurant. The service was good and the food came out quick. Nothing amazing tasting but overall tasted good. It seems like it would be a good place to visit late at night! read more

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If you want authentic Sichuan cuisine, go to Pepper Tavern. The flavors will not disappoint. I tried a bit of all of their signature dishes: Spicy Frog, Smoked Tea Duck, Lamb Skewers, and Cauliflower. The Duck was incredible tender and crispy at the skin. The lamb skewers were decent in size and freshness while my favorite had to be the frog. The chili soup wasn't overly spicy and I found it to be tasty with a kick of spice. As for the staff, they were very courteous and checked up on us often. Love how efficient it was to order via QR code and receive our food promptly. Highly recommend this casual eatery! On certain nights, they even offer live music and entertainment. read more

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Dropped by this LA Sichuan Cuisine spot on W Valley Blvd after a friend hyped it up as a new Trendy Check-in Spot, and wow, they weren't kidding. Super chill vibe, but the food is all business--Authentic Sichuan Cuisine with serious heat. The chili oil had that deep, fragrant kick, not just random spice. Every bite was like, boom, flavor bomb!!! Portions were solid, everything came out hot and fresh, and the spice built up in the best way. Very Tasty!!! Totally bookmarking this place for my next Sichuan craving :) read more

Pepper Tavern - Chinese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

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Went here last weekend after a friend swore it's the spot for Authentic Sichuan Cuisine, and wow, they weren't lying. Ordered a spread for a small gathering and the catering setup was super smooth and right on time. The dishes had that real Sichuan kick--numbing pepper, deep flavor, not just random spicy. You can tell they're cooking for people who actually know and love this style of food. Portions were solid, everyone kept going back for more, and the staff was chill and easy to communicate with. Definitely bookmarking this for future parties and family get-togethers read more

Overall they have some yummy dishes. I've seen this place on Yelp but haven't bothered to try until now. Lotus root fries were probably my favorite dish. I like lotus root in general so turning them into fries was very good. very crunchy but not hard crunchy and seasoned nicely with the Sichuan seasoning. Dry pot cauliflower was decent. Texture wise I prefer it to be more cooked to be very lightly crunchy with a bite to it. Stinky tofu with chilies was good overall, with the flavor all combining nicely in a spicy and garlicky taste. The green pepper beef was somewhat disappointing. while the amount of meat was excellent, I would have prefer less meat with higher quality meat. I was expecting something more tender but there was more of a bite to it. Generally I don't like beef for this reason. Flavor was fine and similar to what I've had for this type of dish. it sits on top of a bed of bean sprouts. read more

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The food here was incredible. Huge portions, insanely vibrant color, and hands down some of the most authentic Chinese food I've had. Every dish came out looking amazing and tasted even better. Perfect for sharing, especially with a big group. Service was on point. We were celebrating a birthday with over 30 people and multiple staff members were constantly checking in, making sure everything was running smoothly. Nobody felt forgotten, which is rare with a party that size. The space is just as impressive. The outdoor seating area is massive and perfect for large groups, while the indoor area is always packed, which says a lot about how popular this spot is. The ambience is wild in the best way. Neon lights, cyberpunk energy meets Chinatown vibes, and super Instagram-worthy. A full experience from start to finish. read more

Friend dragged me here for "real deal" Authentic Sichuan Cuisine and wow, legit late-night bistro vibes. Open late at night, still buzzing. Dry-fried green beans were smoky, numbing, super addictive. Chili oil hits but doesn't kill you. Perfect spot after work or drinks, will definitely come back :) read more

Friend dragged me out to this spot on W Valley Blvd for a late bite and wow, legit Authentic Sichuan Cuisine vibes. Total Late-night Bistro feel, still buzzing even close to midnight, super rare around here. Dandan noodles were numbing, spicy, that proper ma-la kick, like... tongue-tingly good :) Portions solid for sharing, and dishes came out fast. Definitely a trendy check-in spot and clutch if you're looking for somewhere Open Late at Night with real flavor, not watered-down stuff. read more

Came here on a Friday night and there's surprisingly a good amount of people here. This restaurant/location has always been pretty empty when Ho Kee was here, but it's definitely a lot more lively now. The decor makes it nice. The music and the atmosphere is like a outdoor dining nightlife vibe. They also have someone who does live singing here! Parking here is generally pretty easy, but once the parking lot in the back is full, it's best to do street parking. There is plenty of street parking since it's in a residential neighborhood. We had several entrees, from the smoked duck, cabbage, spicy fish, "fries", i'm not sure what the menu items were called tbh haha. Although, I actually liked the cabbage here the best lol. They specialize in spicy dishes, so even the mild here was actually really spicy for me. It was still pretty delicious though! The meals explode in flavor and in spice. Everything was pleasantly tasty, and the vibes here are very nice for a sit down time to hang with your friends and drink. read more

Pepper Tavern - Spicy fish and shredded cabbage first! - Chinese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

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Parking: very small parking lot, but there is street parking Atmosphere: nice outdoor patio. It looks like the table sizes are more designed for groups instead of 1-2 people. Service: it seems they rely heavily of the QR code scan for service. Don't expect to have a traditional waiter experience. Food: it came out surprisingly quick, like as soon as the order was placed. I was initially concerned at how fast it was brought to the table, but was amazed that there wasn't any sacrifice in quality at all. In fact, the stinky tofu was one of the best in the area and the frog was meaty AF. Overall, I can see why this place is so popular with the locals. I'll definitely be back whenever I crave spicy. read more

I've been checking out different places to eat Sichuan food in San Gabriel Valley. Pepper Tavern was among the higher reviewed spots, so I visited with a few friends. They have a small parking lot in the back. It was full by the time I got there, so I parked across the street on the street for free. The outdoor patio is decorated so nicely with stringed lights. It has a rustic-ish yet late night vibe. They have discounted alcohol at a specific time. You scan the QR code and order food online. I had to use English translation and the photos. Rice is charged separately and comes out per bowl. For four people, we shared: -grilled whole fish. This was ok. We ordered this because we were craving a steamed fish. It was hard to eat. -chicken in chili sauce (appetizer). This was the best fish. There were bones in the chicken, but the flavor was on point. The cucumbers were refreshing. -water boiled beef. This is a pretty standard Sichuan dish, but it didn't come out too well. We all thought the beef was too chewy. If we come back, I wouldn't order this again. -spicy intestines. If you like innards, this is worth trying. I would actually rate this place better than Chengdu Taste in Alhambra. read more

We've been here several times. Amazing food. Brilliant service. Chromatic atmosphere. The flavors totally bring us back to our trip to Chenhdu. Highly recommanded! read more

Came with my colleague the other day, and the beef was SO tender and the tofu was flavorful! This has been here for a while but the decor and the vibes here are great for a casual meal. The service is pretty limited as you order via QR code but sometimes I do prefer it that way. The food is a little spicier than I am typically able to handle but that is on me~ I will practice to get better because this is delicious! read more

Pepper Tavern - Chili Oil Boiled Beef And Tofu 豆花水煮牛 - Chinese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

Great food and good place for hanging out with friends, lots bears options. Really nice vibe for young groups to stay here and they have signers every night for the outdoor sitting. read more

A foodie friend dragged me out to this spot on W Valley Blvd for some Authentic Sichuan Cuisine and wow, totally worth it. We ordered a mix of classics to share, and the flavors were legit bold and numbing in the best way. The chili heat hits first, then that slow tingling from the peppercorns... addicting. Portions were solid for a group, great for family-style eating. You can tell they know their spices and don't water things down for tourists. If you're into real Sichuan, not the sweet-tweaked stuff, this catering-style setup is such a clutch choice for gatherings :) read more

Decided to try this place on a whim since we passed by and noticed the cute lights hanging outside. To our surprise, it was better than expected. We ordered way too much for 4, but thoroughly enjoyed everything. The chicken was a little salty but everything else was on point and authentic. The price is also super affordable! We will be back. read more

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Pepper Tavern is a delicious Sichuan restaurant in SGV. I ordered the 2 person set meal, which came with mala grilled fish, mapo tofu, and seaweed salad, as well as chicken cartilage skewers. All of the items were very authentic and delicious! My wife grew up near the Sichuan province and she approved of all the dishes. If you are looking for authentic mala spicy food, I would highly recommend giving Pepper Tavern a try! PS: the original photos I took didn't save so this is after we finished eating read more

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The food is good and the staff is nice. We enjoyed having dinner here. The dessert is really delicious. read more

Pepper Tavern - Dessert - Chinese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

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Late night craving best location, spicy food is on point with friendly staff and nice atmosphere. If you have been to a nightmarket place, the outdoor feels just like that! Definitely a return visit space! read more

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My friend dragged me out to this spot on W Valley Blvd and wow, totally feels like a hidden Late-night Bistro vibe even though it's catering-focused. We were at a small gathering they catered and the food came out hot, well-seasoned, and not greasy at all. Super organized setup, everything labeled and refilled fast. Staff was chill, friendly, not in-your-face but always around when trays ran low. You can tell they actually care about quality, not just throwing food on a table. Would definitely hit them up again for a late-night hang or next party :) read more

Went here with family and portions were generous, like actually good for a crowd, not those sad tiny trays lol. Flavors were solid and consistent across the dishes, nothing tasted bland or like it'd been sitting forever. Staff was straightforward. read more

This is one of our go-to spots for authentic spicy Chinese food. Dishes are delicious. The service is great and the staff make you feel welcome. Plus, the background music outside adds to the overall dining experience. read more

Pepper Tavern - Spicy Dry Pot Shrimp - Chinese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

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FOOD POISONING ALERT: Dined in tonight and ordered a few dishes. Shortly after getting home, I realized I got food poisoning. started vomiting and developed a high fever (this was the only meal I had) Ended up in ER due to severe symptoms. The fried pumpkin pancake was uncooked inside and we asked to reheat. The duck blood and grilled beef skewers tasted raw, cold, and overly processed. Very concerning experience regarding food safety. 今晚点了几道菜，然后吃完就食物中毒了。回家后不久就开始严重呕吐并伴随高烧。最后去了急诊... 第一道南瓜饼里面是生的，然后我们要求从新加热。后来烤鱼里的鸭血是凉的感觉没熟，烤串的牛肉口感和味道也很奇怪。 食品卫生和安全非常不到位。 read more

Friend dragged me out here super late and wow, this spot is a legit late-night bistro vibe for LA Sichuan cuisine. Open late at night, which is already a win when cravings hit after midnight. We ordered a couple of spicy dishes to share and the flavors were that classic numbing-chili balance, super fragrant but not just burn-your-mouth hot. Portions work great for group-style sharing, and everything came out pretty fast even though it was late. If you're in San Gabriel and need real Sichuan at weird hours, this is the move :) read more

The food was good, I will say that they use a lot of baking soda to tenderize the meat, almost to the point where it may be a bit much. I was sad that the pig's ear dish didn't have enough pig's ear (IMO). But taste wise, the dishes were great. read more