Pepper's in high spirits
Margaritas are ok for now, the City Council told Pepper's at a public hearing tonight. But the restaurant on 19th Street was warned that even though it's getting a second chance, it doesn't mean the business is off the hook.
Because Pepper's had been operating like a bar and not a restaurant that serves alcohol -- as it's permitted to operate -- the establishment faced losing its ability to serve liquor tonight. The planning department told the council that if distilled spirits is no longer allowed, Pepper's would resemble more like a restaurant, less like a bar. The police department agreed, saying no liquor would probably mean less service calls to that area.
But the City Council decided to give Pepper's one more chance, telling owner Frank Frias that he can continue serving liquor but must close at 11 p.m. Council members warned Pepper's that the city will monitor the situation and come back on July 15 to revisit the matter.
"I personally believe in the God of second chances," Mayor Don Kurth told Frias. "If I were you, I'd make sure I was squeaky clean."
Kurth, a former patron of Pepper's, also said something surprising about the strip mall establishment. When he was having lunch there once, Arnold Schwarzenegger was eating at the next table. There was no information about whether police calls increased that day.
I can't say I know much about Pepper's. Anybody out there have an opinion about that place?
Because Pepper's had been operating like a bar and not a restaurant that serves alcohol -- as it's permitted to operate -- the establishment faced losing its ability to serve liquor tonight. The planning department told the council that if distilled spirits is no longer allowed, Pepper's would resemble more like a restaurant, less like a bar. The police department agreed, saying no liquor would probably mean less service calls to that area.
But the City Council decided to give Pepper's one more chance, telling owner Frank Frias that he can continue serving liquor but must close at 11 p.m. Council members warned Pepper's that the city will monitor the situation and come back on July 15 to revisit the matter.
"I personally believe in the God of second chances," Mayor Don Kurth told Frias. "If I were you, I'd make sure I was squeaky clean."
Kurth, a former patron of Pepper's, also said something surprising about the strip mall establishment. When he was having lunch there once, Arnold Schwarzenegger was eating at the next table. There was no information about whether police calls increased that day.
I can't say I know much about Pepper's. Anybody out there have an opinion about that place?
I always thought it was a bar; there were always people smoking outside and there would be patrons coming and going before the Stater Bros. closed. The only food one smells upon exiting the car, is the smell of charbroiled hamburger coming from the Carl's Jr., and you can't see inside, the windows are tinted so dark. Still, I don't know that the city should be interfering; I can think of a much seedier place over on Haven that could use some of the city's attention...