"Pepper's serves up authentic cuisine "

Thai-born Mary Greenfield, who is chef and in charge of cuisine, and her American husband Arthur Greenfield, opened Pepper's at its first location on the corner of Alejo Road and Palm Canyon Drive. At the time, the buzz about this interesting “new” culinary trend was distinctive, and Pepper's thrived at the same spot until 2006 when it lost the lease and had to move.

Now the small family-run restaurant is closer to downtown Palm Springs, just past Alejo on North Palm Canyon Drive. Son Burt Akkaraporn is now at the helm, coming back from Thailand four years ago to carry on the restaurant with his wife Nuanpan.

“I grew up with this food,” he said. “The unique thing about our restaurant is that all the chefs in the kitchen are Thai. Besides my mother are two other Thai cooks. The food is authentic. We change the menu annually bringing in new ideas so people don't get tired of the menu.”

Akkaraporn first worked at Pepper's Thai in 2001 when he was a student at College of the Desert. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree in engineering from Cornell University, master's degree from Stanford University, and later became a government environmental inspector in his home country.

But when his parents moved the restaurant, his family needed him here.

Although the restaurant is small, Pepper's Thai expands its service to large outside events such as the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival coming up this month.

“The event is sold out and they expect 100,000 people over three days,” said Akkaraporn “We will serve about 10,000 meals and have a set menu of fried rice, noodles, chicken and beef skewers.”

Pepper's cuisine is flavorful and spicy but you can adjust the heat to the food. The chefs can make it less hot, but serve chilies on the side if you want it hotter.

“Thai food is strongly vegetarian,” said Akkaraporn. “And it is very flavorful , so many vegetarians enjoy Thai food.”

Pad Thai is rice noodles with egg, bean sprouts and green onions in pink tamarind sauce, garnished with crushed peanuts and carrots. Customize the dish by adding chicken, pork, beef, shrimp, tofu and veggies ($8.95 - $12,95)

Two of the most popular house specialties are the Shrimp in the Desert ($14.95) which are fried coconut shrimp topped with three flavored sauces of sweet, hot and sour; and the curried crab ($17.95) which is stir-fried in yellow curry sauce, and is a favorite seafood dish in Thailand.

Pepper's offers a weekday lunch special for $6.95 that includes spicy chicken noodle soup or mixed greens with peanut dressing. Choose your favorite basic dish from among 16 choices of noodles, sweet and sour, curry and bamboo shoots and more, then choose your meat or vegetarian topping.

Pepper's also offers a one-hour delivery service (minimum $25 order and $3 delivery) within a four-mile radius, so nearby offices and businesses can avoid the lunch-hour rush.

By Pamela Bieri Special to Palm Springs Sun , April 8, 2011
http://www.mydesert.com

The Desert Sun

"Peppers adds a little spice to your life"

But Peppers Thai Cuisine has something going for it that other places don’t: Mary. She’s owner Burt Akkaraporn’s mother, and the recipes used in her kitchen have been passed down through the generations.

If you love to dine on appetizer, sample the deep-fried Crab Meat Rangoon, rolled in won ton wraps with cream cheese and plum sauce for dipping. Also sample the Spicy Grilled Shrimp seasoned with lime juice, the Shrimp Pot-stickers (pan-fried or steamed) and the Chicken Lemon Grass Sticks with cucumber salad.

The Pad Thai is also available on the lunch specials menu for $6.95. It comes with your choice of Spicy Chicken Noodle Soup or a Mixed Green Salad with homemade Peanut Dressing. I don’t care how hot it gets outside, dishes like the Kung Pao, Red Curry with Bamboo Shoots, and Sweet, Sour and Spicy Fried Rice will make you venture out in the middle of today.

Peppers Thai Cuisine has been a Palm Spring institution since 1989 when it first opened just up the street from its current location. What hasn’t changed over the years is the hospitality, outstanding cuisine at reasonable prices and, of course, Mary. By Holly Hamlin Special The Desert Sun, July 23, 2010

The Desert Sun

"There is no Thai place that's better than Peppers..."
The Desert Sun, July 2, 2007

Talk

"...a meal not soon to be forgotten. The attention and service here is far better than at some of our more "uppity" establishments."
Talk Magazine, Nov. 6, 07

"Your patient and professional management from our first encounter, through the food tasting, through budget negotiations and finally, the execution of the affair, was Superb! Having your help to define and finalize our food for our wedding removed so much stress."
Jim H. & Vic M.

This is one of THE BEST Thai restaurants I've experinenced! I have lived ALL over US and Abroad, and I am originally from Chicago! I have been to some restaurants in the Southwest/Desert Areas... that people in the "know", claimed to be excellent. Let me tell you, their pallets were waaayyyy off! Some people have not been exposed to how the "real" food tastes! Therefore, when they eat it... they are taken aback. Thai food tends to be hot, because of their sauce/spice they add to the food. My husband opens restaurants, I have friends who own hotels/retaurants in Europe and Thailand... and I can tell you, this place is a gem! Make sure this is one of the places you stop by! Oh, Chicken Coconut Curry is out of this world! Also, the soups are to die for! Trust Me! I live in AZ now, but we're moving to Orange County, and we make a point of stopping by on every trip to Palm Springs! Enjoy! LOL!!! '-)

WOW! WOW! and WOW!! I LIVE HERE YEAR AROUND AND HAVE MY FAVORITES AND THIS IS WITHOUT A DOUBT NUMBER 1. BEEN EATING AT THIS PLACE FOR 7 YEARS NOW. I have never had a bad meal and that says something if you have eaten in any restaurant for over 100 times. Owner and Top Chef is Mary and she really knows Thai food. Have had most of the entire menu and it's all top notch. Best Pad Thai Noodles, The curry dishes are outstanding. Every dish that comes out of the kitchen is freshly made too order. I have taken every friend I have and they have said nothing but the best about this establishment. I know all of the staff and get the best service available. In fact they know me by my first name and often know what I am going to order when I come through the door. Friendly all the way. I have read a review that is so contrary too what I have come to know as one of the finest restaurants in Palm Springs. I first discovered Peppers back in 1999 when they where located at the corner of Palm canyon and Alejo. They moved down the street about little over a year ago now and the atmosphere is much nicer. An outstanding place to bring and impress your friends. Gourmet all the way. BUT DON'T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT. TRY IT AND SEE WHAT I SAY IS NOT TRUE.BEST THAI FOOD IN THE DESERT.
Jack W., Palm Springs

My family had a great meal here. The food and service were great and the restaurant had a great ambience. We will be back on our next trip to Palm Springs! b19jfm,
UK