Pepino's — Restaurant in Menomonee Falls

Love this place, been coming here for a long time. Just a couple of things I would address about our visit. Took my elderly grandparents there last night for dinner. When I called to let them know that we were running a little behind for our reservation, the lady answering the phone yelled, “PEPINO’S PLEASE HOLD!!!!” Super aggressive and she sounded super aggravated. And then as we were leaving dinner, this young girl who was bussing tables was standing behind my husband as he was trying to bring my grandmothers walker over to her. I guess he wasn’t moving fast enough for her because this girl rolled her eyes, shook her head and sighed loudly and shoved her bread plates back onto the table behind me and walked another way. That’s terrible hospitality. I work in a very busy chain restaurant, sometimes our phones are ringing off the hook and we’re on an hour wait. Regardless, if anyone answered the phone like that, one of my managers or our proprietor would pull them from answering phones and retrain them. Our staff would never stand behind a large party and shake their head and be rude because someone was moving out of their way fast enough. That’s absolutely crazy and my mind is still blown at the blatant rudeness. I love the atmospshere and vibe of pepinos and I don’t think the actions of two workers have any reflection on the owners or what not. The food was amazing like always, and our server who took care of us was very hospitable and pleasant. I just think whoever the lady is answering the phones and working in the front could use some retraining on hospitality. Like I totally understand being busy and on a wait and feeling stressed out, I’ve been working in busy restaurant for a very long time in multiple positions. You just still don’t answer the phone yelling with that kind of demeanor. Takes the same amount of time and energy to calmly say, “thanks for calling pepinos, can you please hold?” Probably takes a lot less energy to say it that way instead of being aggressive. Maybe let the younger staff know that if they’re going to work in this industry, dont stand directly behind a guest waiting for them to move when they’re with a large party and elderly people celebrating an 85th birthday - maybe try going around them or finding another way to walk or waiting patiently and just giving a smile. There’s just no excuse for that kind of customer service. I choose to spend my money here because I want to support this business, it’s a staple in the menomonee falls community. Just hope those small things get addressed, especially with some of the other reviews about rudeness from certain staff on here and other sources. The food and the vibes and the drinks and salad were a hit and very good, as always. Their meatballs on the spaghetti are some of the best...

This is our first visit to this Pepino's. Back in the 80s there were quite a few different locations and we often went to the one on Capitol Drive and Calhoun Road in Brookfield. Most, if not all, of those locations have closed. When we entered, the aroma immediately brought back good memories of a time two to three decades ago. Looking to the left it looks as if they still have the original bar and that is so classic and cool! We were seated in a room to our right and it looks like they have not really updated the place. To be honest, that made me very happy. Looking at the menu there are many new additions as well as the classic selections. I came for the pizza I remembered and ordered the original crust with cheese, sausage, pepperoni, onions, and green peppers (small, 12-inch) . It did not disappoint. Upon the first taste, the flavors brought back many wonderful memories at the other location. After all, the pizza was always central to our visit. We had ordered cheese-pesto-garlic bread and what a delight! Not greasy but so full of flavor. The bread was perfectly crunchy on the edges and under the generous and tasty cheese, was a pesto and garlic-butter that complimented the whole just right. My wife ordered a pesto "Bambi"-size (7-inch) pizza and she found it to be very good. Our friends joining us also ordered a small pepperoni pizza and a baked pasta dish. They both found them to be delicious! The salad served with the pasta was a basic house salad served on a salad plate (another rarity these days) and was generous in fresh greens, onions and assorted veggies. The dressing seemed bottled but was good. They served almost a half loaf of Italian bread and that was outstanding in taste and freshness. My wife's Captain (Morgan Spiced Rum) & Diet Coke was made the way it should always be - the right portion of soda to two-plus ounces of rum with just enough ice to chill but not so much the drink all but disappears. We wish we had room for dessert or dessert drinks. Grasshoppers and other ice cream drinks are on the menu and I have a feeling if they are as good as the food was, they will bring back memories of an era that, unfortunately, is almost gone. Pepino's carries the torch proudly with good food, a retro-atmosphere (they never changed!), and great service (our waitress was so kind and helpful - remember to tip accordingly!). Go there and enjoy what a nice night (or lunch) out used to be, and...

So this was my 1st time there for dinner and the waitress told us about the specials that they had. 1-3 topping large pizza Plus either garlic bread or soda for $15. And another special for $16 a large EB a or Jordan Pizza Which included either some wings or garlic bread we took one of each food came out it was OK nothing really special so much butter on the garlic bread we were going to ask for a second order with less butter, but she said they are already made, since when does a Italian restaurant have premade garlic bread? pizza was nothing special, I expected Better! then when we got our bill it was for over 47 dollars, I asked the owner for the waitress, and told her about the price, and both of them said I made a mistake, how do all 4 of there make the same mistake, we heard her say 16 dollars, not over 26 for a pizza, we would never ordered it, but a smaller one, why would I want to take home 2 half of each pizza we ordered, and the owner said we made the mistake, not her. and then he said well we can eat the left over, not what I wanted what a nasty attitude he had towards his customers, and then when we are leaving, he says "Jesus christ", not good to swear at your customers, you won't get anymore money from me. learn how to treat your customers instead of lying to them. zero is not an option, so I have to...