Peppinos is a family-owned Italian restaurant founded in 1984 with its first location in Orange County, residing on Lake Forest Dr & Rockfield Blvd. The Founder was Joe, or “Peppino”, and his parents Carlo and Antonette were born and raised in Naples, Italy; they later moved to Troy, New York. He later saw his mother’s potential in cooking and decided to pursue his own cooking career, attending chef’s school in New York.

They opened their first restaurant on April 16, 1984, with Joe serving as the cook and doorman. His father was the handyman and dishwasher, with his sisters as waitresses. They have four restaurants in total spread out over Orange County, the original in Lake Forest and the others being in Mission Viejo, Foothill Ranch, and Aliso Viejo. The customers vary in age – old and young unite because everyone wants a taste of Italy. The Peppino’s restaurant feel that sets them apart from your average Olive Garden is that heartfelt restaurant family feel, feeling as if you are part of the Peppinos family. The vibrant Italian atmosphere hugs the clients as they walk into the restaurant, warmly guided to their booth. As the customers browse the menu one irresistible item catches their eye; spaghetti with Mama’s famous meat sauce. The pasta sort of bathes in the sauce as it takes a refreshing meat bath. The crisp Sprite seems like that water you drink at 3 a.m. which quenches your thirst. The slurping of the meat sauce on your spaghetti and the occasional look at your lap to see if you didn’t spill any, your tush on the soft cushion of the booth, and the drinking of the crisp Sprite on your tongue after devouring the pasta. At the end of your experience at this vibrant Italian joint, you will truly feel the taste of Italy and homestyle cooking. The items I recommend are Peppino Bread and pastas. Make sure to order an Italian wine, their specialty there. But I completely and utterly recommend their Spaghetti with “Mama sauce”, sure to make your stay at Peppino’s nothing short of delightful.