Peppino's Sports Grille & Pizzeria — Restaurant in Gaines Charter Township

This weekend, I delved into new territory as an onion ring reviewer: dinner and a show. Following a stellar performance of Fiddler on the Roof at my alma mater, South Christian High School, I proceeded to dinner at Peppino's, at their Kentwood location. To my delight, they offered some (probably non-kosher) onion rings! Would the post-musical high alter my taste buds, and cause me to be more accepting of imperfections? This change could prove to be dramatic.

Presentation and Appearance - 3.5/5

The rings are plated somewhat haphazardly, crammed on the same tray as my sandwich. As would be expected from a sports bar, they're over paper and in a basket. The presentation itself was fine.

Appearance as generally consistent with a pub style onion ring, though the breading was probably smoother than average, for the most part. Some of the rings were breaded inconsistently, with exposes onion leaking through the cracks, or with some overcooked, darker brown, gnarly bits sticking to the side.

Taste - 2.5/5

On first bite, I wasn't too impressed. On the plus side, the rings weren't excessively greasy. The breading was at least moderately seasoned and flavorful. However, the onion flavor was just not there. I could hardly taste it at all. In general, the flavor of these rings struggled to rise above mediocrity.

There was, however, one shining light. The accompanying ranch dipping sauce was, without a doubt, the best ranch I have ever had. Words are unable to describe it properly. It was rich and tangy, and it oozed flavor and zest. It managed to squeeze a little bit more flavor into the otherwise fairly bland onion rings, but often, just served as a vehicle for the ranch itself.

Texture - 2/5

The onion interior of these rings, in addition to lacking flavor, had an unsatisfying texture to it as well. Though not so mushy as to disintegrate into vaguely onion flavored paste, it lacked a firmness to give the ring itself structure. This probably contributed to the high instance of onion slippage, leaving a husk of breading where there was once a delightful onion ring.

As for the breading, it too lacked a satisfying crunch. It was soft, and probably also contributed to the slippage problem that plagued these rings.

Value - 3.5/5

Though the onion rings lacked a cohesive onion flavor, and the soft texture left something to be desired, they were a high value. For a mere $1.99 (offered as a side to sandwiches and burgers,) I got a filling side portion.

Total:...

Unfortunately, my family and I went to Peppino's at 1515 Eastport Dr SE, Kentwood, MI 49508 on 6/14/24. We have never been there, and there were many good reviews, so the new experience was needed and hyped.

It was not busy at all (which was surprising for a Friday night), and we were seated immediately. Other than that, the service was horrible. Our waitress spent more time playing at their POS machine. (No, she wasn't swamped with other tables). She took our order and left. Came back with drinks and that was it. She never even came back so we could ask for a straw for our drink.

We waited 45 minutes to get our food and honestly, it was not tasty. I promise you, I could have bought a frozen brick oven pizza from a store for more enjoyment. We ordered 2 Pizzas (1 Hawaiian traditional crust and 1 Deluxe thin crust). The Hawaiian, you couldn't taste anything other than crust. Even the Pineapple tasted plain like water. The Deluxe when I grabbed a piece, all of the toppings were falling off and there was barely any pizza sauce.

The plates were dirty and/or wet. We watched another waitress rolling silverware while playing on her phone, and touching all over the silverware with dirty hands, then passing them to another gentleman who couldn't stop touching his face, then a 3rd gentleman who would place these on newly wiped tables. So at least 3 people were touching your silverware and/or cloth napkins before you even use it. The bathrooms were gross and out of date with cheap fixtures and non working dispensers.

After the whole experience, I paid and left. Believe me, I have now only ever walked out of 2 restaurants while still starving. This place was a joke and needs a new staff and quality control. BUT, (The bus boy wiping down tables appeared to do a good job, and was wearing gloves.)

This was a horrible first experience of Peppino's and if I were you, I'd save the $40-60 and eat gas station food in your vehicle for a...

I give this 5 stars because I feel in love that with this one waitress with blond curly hair she was truly the best human being I’ve ever seen and I’ve been a lot of places and I don’t bc even live in Mic I was there for a family outing and I thought let’s go to a nearby outlets then after we got hungry and there was when I made the best decision of my life by choosing this restaurant or love shack I remember walking in not expecting much but good food but words not even, there isn’t good enough vocabulary to describe what I saw, my face red when I saw her my heart started beating the fastest ever even faster when I saw Janelle! But anyways back to the story after that she just took us to our table that’s it and can I just mention she’s to of a beautiful girl to be working there she should really be modeling for like anything like she’s just so pretty oh yes if any of her coworkers are reading this and have any idea who she is I’ll literally appreciate so much if you give her my snap Jorge3sparza and tell her I’m Mexican but im pretty sure that’s not her type she probably likes guys with hot jawlines and fringe haircuts but tell her I wear lululemon and Birkenstocks (true) and tell her of she added me back on Snapchat the day she adds me will mark the day we get married like we will get married on the same day and whoever puts me on with her idc if your a guy or girl you’ll be the bridesmaid because idk what the guy one is called but anyhow she said blond curly hair and was skinny I think i don’t know just please im begging you like again trust me I’ve seen many many girls yet it took me like 20 minutes to find this pizza place (more like 5) but that’s how dedicated I am for her, like hopefully we end up on the Ellen show and this becomes a big story but my stomach hurts I don’t why but yea please someone read this PS:im 16 im not an predator or somthing Im a very...