Updated: August 2012
Revised Rating: Eh.
It pains us to report this but both the quality of food and service at Senor Pepper’s has deteriorated lately. We’ve eaten there about half a dozen times since our original review was published (See Below). Lately, it hasn’t been up to its usual standards. Both the food and service has been mediocre at best.
A woman named Alma and her family used to run the front of the house. During their tenure, the service was attentive, the dining area was kept fairly clean and the food was prepared well. Alma has since left and all three criteria has suffered.
Let’s face facts, Senor Pepper’s has always been a low-end restaurant. That is not a negative comment in our dining lexicon because some of our best meals have been in low-end restaurants. These are the Mom and Pop-type places that serve ethic cuisine cooked from recipes that have been handed down from generation to generation.
Unfortunately, there is a fine line between a low-end restaurant and a real dump. Lately, Senor Pepper’s has been teetering on that line.
We haven’t written Senor Pepper’s off the list just yet. We sincerely hope it reverts back to the little low-end Tex-Mex place we know and love. Until then, our eyes will be open and our favorable reviews closed.
BTW – We would appreciate it is anyone could recommend a new Tex-Mex or Mexican Restaurant in Monmouth County. Not the Jaunito’s-type place, but the real deal.
Thank you.
Chris & Janine
Original Review Date: 1/21/12
Rating: Good
Janine: In 2008, I first discovered Señor Peppers. First, let me explain how. I was riding home on NJT train and it was very crowded on a Friday. My husband was off for the day so I had no commuting buddy. On this particular night, I was knitting and luckily scored a 3 seater so I had a little extra room next to me in the middle seat to place my knitting bag (Those of you commute from this area know how important this is. I now am a happy bus rider.) Out of my peripheral vision, I see a FDNY bag land down and man sits on the end seat and both settle in for the ride home. During the ride, we start chatting, he is admiring my knitting and I come to learn he actually is a fireman and his wife is a personal chef in Rumson.
Chris: In other words, she was flirting with the Fireman on the train….
Janine: What?! Anyway, I take my opportunity to ask him about local restaurants. As we are pulling up to Red Bank (his stop) he gave a list of 3 or 4 restaurants to try in the area. Then, he looks out the window and points and says, “actually it does not look like much but my wife and I go there, it is pretty good.”
In Red Bank, the railroad tracks literally divides the town. The area around the train station, unfortunately, has some graveyard of businesses and restaurants. The tea room, that condo project and Raccioppi’s and the old German restaurant/beer garden. However, there are some great hair salons and Señor Peppers.
The first time we go there, it is an early Sat dinner. We are the only gringos in the place – and take this as a positive sign. From the first time we were hooked. It is not fancy and has a jukebox that plays loud Mexican music.
This is not your mediocre Tex-Mex with annoying Mariachi players in your face serving what my husband and I call “Glop on a plate”. Glop on a plate=Mushy Mexican food with no flavor and too much baked cheese on top. This is not what they serve, although they do have one dish, enchiladas suizas for those who actually want that type of dish. You sit down and are provided with menus, tortilla chips and salsa. Not the normal, cold chunky bland boring red salsa but two little ones. One a green Tomatillo and one with a little heat. Guacamole is made to order. We are fans of the tacos mexicanos with roasted pork/pineapple (they will make this for you as a burrito too, delicious). Ditto the tamales (ask for chicken), Chile Relleno and chicken enchiladas are good. Delicious and healthy alternative to most American versions of Mexican food is one of the house specials. Our favorite dish is Pechuga de Pollo Nortena (grilled chicken sautéed with vegetables and green salsa) most entrees are served with small side of rice and beans (sometimes rice & beans is a little bland but fine with us, it is all about the main part of the dish). Occasionally we go for the bistek relleno, sometimes the meat is a little rough but it is still tasty.
Chris: My family moved to El Paso, Texas over twenty-five years ago. El Paso is widely considered the epicenter of Tex-Mex food. I tend to be a little spoiled when it comes this type of cuisine. Before finding Señor Pepper’s, I hardly ever went out for it in this area. As Janine said, It usually turned out to be “Glop on a plate”. Señor Pepper’s reminds me of the little Tacquerias on the border. The restaurant itself is nothing fancy. Actually, it’s a little dingy, but the food is good at very, very reasonable prices. The Kitchen is run by an older Spanish woman. I believe her son’s family runs the front of the house. Sometimes I take a bite of my meal, gaze out of the window and expect to see the Rio Grande flowing out front.
Janine: Now, a few years later, the Saturday night crowd at Señor Pepper’s is mostly Gringos. There is a ton of takeout orders being picked-up. Older couples my parents age to younger groups of Red Bank hipsters can be found in the dining area. I guess the word is out.
Chris: Senor Pepper’s is not for everybody. The building is old and the decor is minimal. If you are looking for ambiance, and a finer dining experience, go some place else.
Note: Senor Peppers is BYO but across the street is a Mexican grocery where you can buy some Mexican beer.
Señor Peppers
60 Bridge Avenue
Red Bank, NJ 07701
732-741-1211
Appetizers $3.95 and up
Entrees: $9.95 and up
