On a mobile device? Try our mobile site, optimized for faster browsing.
LaSalle/Van Buren (Orange, Brown, Purple Express, Pink)
LaSalle (Blue)
Jackson (Blue, Red)
Loading...
These are some of the quickest, greasiest, and best burgers I've had in the city. Unfortunately they have since closed. The owner of a nearby restaurant gave us the scoop: I guess the couple that were the owners/operators had been there for some 25 years and finally retired. Congrats to them, but I am really going to miss this place.
Here's hoping someone buys the place and carries on the legacy.
Yeah, it's a dingy place. Nothing's been touched or cleaned since the 70s. The old Korean couple working the joint are curt and to the point.
But for $4.75 (the price including tax), you can get a damn fine open-flame-grilled double cheeseburger and a bag of OMFG fries. Oh sure, they likely aren't fresh cut Idaho potatoes Mr. Fancypants, but they're so perfectly crispy and salty that you'll forget why that kind of stuff even matters.
I just wish I had the balls to ask for something other than a burger. Their two-person assembly line is a thing of beauty that I personally do not dare disturb.
My coworkers, upon seeing me look at the menu, said "double cheeseburger, fries. Don't argue, just say it". They were right. The burger was tasty, and the fries were surprisingly good (they resemble McD's fries). The experience earns it another star just for being something out of a sitcom.
One of said coworkers insists that there's a health inspection certificate up in there, and that it says the place is sanitary. You can't tell it from the look, but maybe that's part of the appeal?
Also, under $5? For what's assuredly more than a meal of calories? Good deal.
They literally have a hole-in-the-wall going to the bar next door. I love it!!
less than $5 for a double cheeseburger with everything and fries?? AMAZING. Burger and fries are sooooo good too.
Alot of co-workers are scared of this place because they say its 'dirty' yeah its old... but really you can SEE them make everything in front of you....so I dont see whats to worry about. I love it.
I'm sad to hear this place is closing. When I used to work in the loop (years ago) this was my go to spot. The deep fried polish was awesome. Double cheeseburgers were a magic potion for curing hangovers. Everything is super tasty and super cheap. I wish I could get down there for one last polish. I'm a little sad now.
Burgers and Hot Dogs are excellent!
Best Fries in the city!! EVER!!!! Unfortunately they are closing down today! HOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!
RIP PEPPERS!!!!
Let me tell you about my first (or last, either one is correct) experience with Pepper's.
Yeah, the place is shabby, but I find some of the shabbiness to be charming, especially the new(er) tiles worn out and the old ones exposed! To me, that says "classic hot dog stand." There's bar-style seating along the window with a narrow counter. Thankfully, it wasn't crowded at all, so I could read my MacWorld while I masticated my double-dog.
The service: unbelievably fast! Seriously, I think I was in there for twenty seconds by the time I was asked for my order, asked for the money, given my change, and given my order.
The fries: mediocre, and they're obviously from the same supplier that supplies McDonald's and Wendy's fries. Very greasy, too, but not the good kind of greasy; we're talking the "greasy" that means that the grease will burn your fingers on contact, but the insides of the fries are lukewarm.
The double-dog: Just...okay. Okay in that it was cooked, and it was Vienna Beef...but that's it. It wasn't charred at all, and it didn't have that *snap* when my teeth sank into it. And if you want a genuine Chicago dog (of which I'm not actually a fan), don't go here -- I asked for mustard, pickle, and celerey salt on mine, and they said they don't have celery salt...well, actually, the exact wording was "No cellree sauce."
The price: actually, not bad. For $4.75 (including tax), I got a double-dog (that is, two dogs in one bun), fries, and a can of Coke -- and fast. And the lunch WAS fulfilling, I admit.
Just not my ideal place to get a hot dog.
I treated Pepper's like the old adage, "Don't judge a book by it's cover". I thought the place looked like it was shut down in the 80s but the owners never gave in and the city just stopped pushing. My co-workers continued to tell me they have amazing cheeseburgers, so finally I was convinced to go.
At first, you may be nervous walking in. The tile floor has been worn down in a pattern that starts at the door, goes up to the counter, and returns back out the door. You can actually see the original tile that was built over. The menu isn't big, I think there were about six options, but the cheeseburger is what I had to order. And boy am I glad I did.
At a price under $5. Yes, I actually received change back. I got a cheeseburger and fries. The fries were ok, not amazing but at least not soggy. The cheeseburger though, char broiled, great cheddar that melted, and a plain white bun. Top that with kethcup, mustard, and peppers and you've got a great meal you can't beat in the loop.
So don't let the outside scare you, come here one day when you just need an escape from your 9-5 and you won't be disappointed.
This place has to be seen to be believed. The hole in the wall (literally), the nerve-killing 3 foot grease flames, Mr and Mrs. Pepper themselves. All there in a tight little package to provide the masses with delicious greasy lunches.
The cheeseburger and fries are a stomach bombing delight (and cheap!).
Just don't mess around with Mrs. Pepper. If you want to change your order or correct something, just don't. She's like the Soup Nazi, but instead of shouting at you, she'll stare through your soul with the force of a thousand tsunamis. Trust me. You can scrape the pickles off later.
This place is dirty, dark & falling apart. It looks totally gross from the outside, but...
THE CHEESEBURGERS & FRIES ARE OUT OF THIS WORLD!!!!!
I'm not sure what the Korean Jedi Master chef puts in them, but man alive are they ADDICTIVE.
The fries are double-cooked...just like the Frenchies do it.
Yet another Loop fixture planted at Van Buren/Wells next to Cal's. It is family-owned by a short middle aged Korean couple, but I hope that it never ever closes! Pepper's has a simple, very cheap menu and serves awesome "Hamborgs" and "Cheeseborgs" as Mrs. Pepper calls them. And the thin cut fries are always crispy and yummy. You can also get hot dogs and Italian Beef there. Got the beef once; it was a little dry. But, it's all about the almighty burger at Pepper's!
Signs of a good quality "hole-in-the-wall" establishment which Peppers displays:
1) The sign is very out of date
2) Hasn't been remodled in eons (as the food speaks for itself)
3) No frills decor, i.e., no B.S. stuffed alligator heads wearing cowboy hats or trying-to-be-funny streetsigns hanging on the wall.
The counter is 4+ feet high, so when you walk in you just see the two little heads busily but with grace moving around behind the counter.
Mr. Pepper mans the grill while Mrs. takes orders, and she NEVER fucks up your order! She writes nothing down, never making eye contact with you and repeats your order back and remembers.
Support this establishment while it's there, before a condo high-rise is built on the land like there is 1/2 block west at Van Buren/Franklin.
I hope that Daughter Pepper takes over the business when Mom & Pop retire!
My pursuit of the ultimate cheeseburger continues. This place had everything going for it. I couldn't think of creating a better model for "burger joint." Dirty menu signs circa 1970, dirty floors - greasy grill in the back along with two deep fryers. Definitely raised my expectations up a notch. I ordered a double cheeseburger and fries. The burger was a pre-formed patty out of a "box-o-burgers." It came with catsup, mustard and peppers. I'm not sure - there may have been onions on it and maybe some lettuce. Couldn't tell. Don't feel like writing more on this . . .fries were good (thin and crispy), and the meal fulfilled my fat requirements. I'll keep looking.
Just... no.
I am a very fair reviewer, beyond fair some might argue. Others might argue that I'm the best reviewer on Yelp and still others argue that Peppers serves the best burger around and to them I say.... no.
I went here on a self dare. I know greasepits and I love greasepits... greasepits are something I do. Places like Flukeys (on the high end, RIP) and Bunny Hutch (on the low) have a place in my cholesterol-packed heart So on my lunchbreak while Wow Bao, Luke's and Burrito Buggy all called my name, I made a beeline for Peppers and their double cheeseburger.
Big mistake. Never making it again. I've eaten better scrapple than their burger. It was cooked over a flame but tasted like it was mixed with charcoal. Their fries were crispy but totally devoid of flavor, even salt. It was $4.25 total and a total waste of my time and dime. The grand irony is I accompanied a co-worker to Wow Bao later that afternoon, was tempted to grab a bao just cause I was there and on the way back we passed Billy Goat Tavern advertising a Friday special triple cheeseburger for only $3.25.
I feel like a fool, a stupid, hopeless fool. My lunch was a complete wash and it's all my fault. I'd give them half a star less if I could, the only half star remaining because they put sport peppers on their burgers and that's worth -something- amongst so much worthlessness.
Avoid Peppers, go elsewhere.
Pepper's is the greatest thing to happen to Loop area dining. I used to think the term "hole in the wall" was a figure of speech until I walked into Pepper's. They literally have a hole in the wall into Cal's Bar next door so that bar patrons can order food. You can't make this stuff up.
The only two employees are a husband and wife, during summers their kids can sometimes be found behind the counter helping out. The husband's arms must be entirely devoid of any nerve endings as he is constantly surrounded by 3 foot high flames shooting off their miniature grill. Considering all the grease, flames and smoke coming off that gril, I'm surprised the place hasn't burnt down yet. The wife will put your order together and charge you. She'll probably ask you a few times what you want.
Everyone from traders to construction workers visit this hotspot and during the summers expect the line to snake out the door and down Van Buren. Double cheeseburger w/fries is the way to go. They also offer hot dogs, beef sandwiches and ribeye steak sandwiches.
This is the type of place you will only find in Chicago.
Peppers may be a dingy, greasy, tiny hole-in-the-wall, but they make a good burger. A damn good burger, in fact.
Burgers are cooked over an open flame (!!) and topped with mustard, ketchup, pickles, onions, and hot peppers. Only $4.75 for a double cheese, which is a steal for this part of town.
Sometimes, you just have to slum it, and if you have to slum it, you may as well have some damn tasty food while you're at it.
Best damn double cheeseburger you will find ANYWHERE!! And the french fries are out of this world. During lunch the line is out the door *always* - rain, shine, sleet or blizzard - this place draws crowds.
The two owners know what they are doing and are super nice - though not very talkative (her "Next!" me, "Double cheeseburger" her "everytin?" me "everything but hot peppers" her "$4.25" me "kom sah hom ne da!") and it's just like greased lightning. Besides the line, once you place your order you are in and out and on your way to enjoying the best double cheeseburger this planet has ever seen. Enjoy, you can thank me later!
After reading reviews of this place, and seeing Peppers references on other Loop restaurant reviews, I stepped out in search of this tasty cheap burger. Past the financial district chains, I felt I must've taken a wrong turn because its location was escaping me. What is across the street but a somewhat signless restaurant with what looked like the infamous husband and wife duo behind the counter. There I was trying to pick something tasty on the menu, but I might as well just go for a burger and fries and see how this pans out. Not a double burger gal, I stuck with a single just to get an honest unbiased taste of whats offered here. They need to reinforce those seats better if they remodel because the taste almost knocked me out of mine! These are the idols that other fast food burgers and fries look up to. Sit gadgetless, facing the outside and you'll be reminded of just about every urban 80s movie.
Can't wait to hit them up again!
My rating of Peppers is not at all a reflection of what I think of Peppers' double cheeseburger with everything (meaning hot peppers), which was fine. Not spectacular. Not bad. (It's hard for me to evaluate fast food burgers after two years of In-N-Out double doubles done animal style.) Rather, it's the experience (as all my reviews tend to be about). Some may not care at all to experience this hole in the wall, about which Max S. previously elaborated at length. Some - like my Chicagoan friend - love it. I was bemused by it, more or less.
Peppers is grungy, maybe even ghetto. The menu board has letters falling off of it. I was glad that my friend was there to tell me what and how to place the order. Seating consists of a handful of bar stools at the counter lining the window. Until my party entered Peppers, its patrons consisted of a handful of men and one lone woman brave enough to dare clog her arteries.
I'm completely fascinated by the fact that a middle aged Korean couple makes and serves these hot dogs, burgers, cheeseburgers, and to die for fries (better, crispier than Macdonald's!). Mr. "Peppers" maintains his trim figure, I think, by sweating from cooking over 3' of fire all day. He has a very kind countenance, and he and his wife were super nice rather than merely gruff as they were to the other customers. How do I know? I got Mr. and Mrs. Peppers to speak in Korean to me. I'm told by my friend that they usually ignore their Korean patrons. Anyhow, I'm Korean and seeing middle aged or elderly Koreans working hard tweaks my heart. So there you go. You now know the true reason for the five stars. What can I say.
Next time I'm in Chicago, I'll have to give the place a second go to really evaluate the merits of its double cheeseburger with everything. I'll be sure to drag along one or two other people, place the order to go, pick up a nice cool six pack, and enjoy a solidly American meal at some forsaken park.
Tremendous. The burgers are as good as any I've ever had, but the fries are the absolute greatest. The best I think I've ever had. I make it a point to stop here whenever I'm in the neighborhood.
This is about as nasty looking a place as I will set foot in, and that's saying a lot. Their hours are quite limited (seriously, I think they're open like 11-3 or something) but if you're sitting at Cal's having drinks, the bartender will order through the hole in the wall (literally) and you can get your food without removing your ass from the barstool, probably not a good thing, but very handy. The food is actually pretty good: burgers are of the thin-and-crisp variety, and delicious. Fries are crisp, thin and hot, and you get both together for like $4. Perfect.
Cheeseburger is great, get it with peppers, great fries. lost a star because of sanitary issues, but i fully enjoy the meal here...the woman has to ask a good two to three times if you want it for here or to go, so be prepared for that. Very good value but they upped their prices about 50 cents a few months ago, and rightfully so.
Peppers gets points for being one of those hilarious holes in the wall. Peppers loses points for the employees touching the food with their bare hands, and for serving me a burger that tasted like arson. I love open-flame burgers, but their grill probably hasn't been cleaned since the 'nam.
damn i forgot all about this place. everyone is right...super cheap decent burgers and dogs and fries...
i used to work right over there and when i was fed up with trying to be healthy, straight to peppers i would run.
i should take a long lunch this week and head down that way....hmmm
Best fries ever (just ask for no salt and put your own on) - okay best "processed" fries ever - cuz the best fries are always the fresh cut potatoes (as long as they haven't been sitting in oil). This place looks like it should be closed. I can't even believe it passes health inspections but it is always lined up with patrons. I watch them outside my office window... They also serve to Cal's next door, which gets rowdy and bout it bout it after work - some kind of bike messenger hang out. The couple running the joint are so funny and so cute. I've worked across the street from there for about 6 years now and they are ALWAYS there, closed weekends though.
This place is a greasepit and I LOVE IT. If you're downtown around lunchtime this is THE place to go for the best burgers and fries at a damn good price. It's a real hole-in-the-wall type of joint and you might just pass it by without giving it a second glance .. but that just makes the line shorter for those of us in on the secret.
it's............ok. if you are so hungry that you are going blind, this place is PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
the asians that run the place have attitudes that are as dirty as the space. NO MANNERS. ketchup nazis!!! I asked for more ketchup than the standard 2 pack-slap. my brown paper bag was snatched out of my hand and I was given an extra 2-pack slap. wow, I did I regret asking. I wanted to run into the corner and cry, just for having the audacity to ask!!!
I don't know why ppl are wetting themselves over these burgers....I lost my appetite just by peering into its dirty windows. bleh. and the types that hang out by Cal's liquors do this joint no justice either.
Greatest Greasiest Charbroiled Double-Cheeseburger I've had anywhere downtown! Billygoat is lucky to still be open across the street from this lil' hole in the wall.
The place is filthy. The burgers taste horrible and are extremely thin! The only thing this place has going is quick and cheap. But if your looking for quick and cheap why not just go to McDonalds?
initially i never thought i would step foot in that place, it looks like it should be quarantined...UNTIL a group of co-workers and i decided to dare ourselves to giving it a shot.
I cannot recommend a better burger...i LOVE PEPPER's more than any other spot in the loop. i just wish it was open past 3 and on weekends!!! the couple who runs it are so nice and efficient, its unbelieveable...the woman will skimp on ketchup packets to go.
DEFINITELY try it!!!
Pepper's is pretty standard for a burger and fries type place as far as taste goes. It looks a bit daunting from the outside, and remains that way once you walk in the door. There is an old sign on the outside that could use some work, and the interior is the type where you don't really want to look around too much, lest you notice something that makes you realize that you probably should be eating there. The menus on the wall are outdated, but then again, so is everything else. The best thing they have going for them is the price. Fresh, flame-grilled cheeseburger, fries, and a coke for $4. The hot dogs are even cheaper. The fries are good, but not as good as Luke's. They top your burger with "everything" if you want it that way - lettuce, tomato, mustard, ketchup, pickles, hot pepper. The service is brusque, but who cares, they get the job done, and they do it well. P.S. - "Mr. Pepper" will throw at least four ketchups in your bag.
Wouldn't it call Peppers the best, but its relatively cheap (try comparing it to Motel Bar or Bar Louie). Fries, just like any half-decent place, will be awesome when fresh and hot from the fat fryer, but throw them away when they are lukewarm or colder. Burgers are a bit small, but are fairly tasty, and one of the few places that put peppers in them. Not roaring hot, but nice and piquant. If you want a great burger and never mind the expense, go to Blackie's, Hackney's, or Fatburger; want a quick bite and relatively quick (traders frequent here), Peppers will do. Oh, and don't bother getting anything with chili - its terrible, as is the decor of the place, but you don't go here for the terrible floor tile job!
Nightly Specials
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park
Tuesday is dollar off burger…
Neighborhood: Lakeview
Neighborhood: South Loop
Category: Burgers
Neighborhood: The Loop
Category: Italian
Neighborhood: The Loop
Category: Delis
Neighborhood: The Loop
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: The Loop
Category: Seafood
She asked for "kitsch. Strange museums. Local food…
This list will be ever evolving in accordance with…
Because crappy $7 Chipotle burritos just don't cut…
