Peppino’s Italian Family Restaurant

Super friendly people, got free garlic bread when we checked in on Unilocal,a lot of food options

The customer service here is absolutely amazing. We feel right at home everytime we go. Everytime I order anything from the menu I know I’m getting the best quality of food. My personal favorite dish’ the the chicken parmigiano and chicken limone. Oh, and don’t forget the bread they give you at the beginning! Omg the bread is to die for. And what’s a meal without dessert.

Our go to place in Mission Viejo. Food is always great, service is outstanding. We ordered take out right before they closed, and the manager was nice enough to let us eat in the car after they closed. We Always get the best service here!

Peppino’s is wonderful Italian restaurant, hidden at the back of a Mission Viejo strip mall on Via Del Lago. I just moved to the area, and I’ve been back 3 times for the delicious Eggplant Parmesan. The portions for the entrée is almost enough to feed two, and goes nicely with the Garlic bread w melted cheese.
The ambiance is nice and seems like a great place to bring the family or a romantic dinner date, seeing how some the seating overlooks Lake Mission Viejo.
So for great Italian fare, please go to Peppino’s and ask for Jeff, he looks after the restaurant and does a great job of it, always greeting me with a smile when I come in.
Bön Appetit!!!

I love it here! The girls are so nice and sweet, especially Veronica! Nothing but good things to say about the food and the service at Peppino’s on the Lake. Great view too!

This place has consistent great quality food. Has a homemade taste and ambience. Beautiful views of the lake and excellent service. You go here.

We have been here to eat a few times and we also hosted our wedding rehearsal dinner here. The staff is always awesome and the food is the best. Some of my favs are the pizza, calzone, and anything with the alfredo sauce. But you really can’t go wrong with anything. And they give you bread and focaccia at your table. One of my favorite restaurants. And if you sit outside you are on the lake, so pretty!

They have a nice patio with a view of the lake (not as pretty as the neighboring Yama Sushi on the Lake). Being out on the patio was far nicer than sitting indoors, which has a casual, small-​and-​cozy, darker, older atmosphere (just wish they had larger than 4-​person tables right next to the water). Being outside was surprisingly loud.
Our server recommended bacon-​wrapped scallops: flavorful, the scallops were a bit chewy. I ordered the Linguine with Shrimp (in white wine sauce), $ 22.95: tasty, decent portion. Check-​in for their buttery garlic bread.
Pleasant staff and service. Overall 3.5.

We came with family to visit this restaurant that we heart the food it’s good. We order family size pizza and pasta the taste it’s very bad the place nice but food not recommend.

Peppinos is a great place to go for a nice family dinner. Our waiter was well informed of the items on the menu and suggested dishes that sounded delicious to try the next time we come there. We sat inside due to construction on the outdoor patio. We shared Linguini Imperial with shrimp. It was a great dish.

This is long overdue– I fell off my Unilocaling but better late than never!
I’m re-​writing my review since I have revisited peppino’s and have had nothing but good experiences since my last visit. Since I’m a pasta-​holic I couldn’t stay away from giving the pasta another try– twice. (When I initially wrote my first review, unfortunately I had a mix up with my allergen winding up in my dish) Both times I had zero issues and was satisfied with my dining experience. The waitresses here are so super nice and friendly and I spoke with the manager (I think) during one stay who was also very personable and we spoke about my past experience, and talking about the obstacles I run into with my allergy, especially how impossible it is to find a good gluten free pizza (hint hint). I’m so glad I gave the restaurant another try– being it so close and delicious.
Of course the experience lingers in my mind and I make sure the waitresses know the severity of my allergy to prevent another mix up in the kitchen. I’m glad I gave them another try with the pasta dish since I do really love it. Also their caesar salad 100% (no croutons for me of course! (:

I love Peppino’s, I grew up in the area and it’s been a family staple for years. We’ve had a few small dinners here and once had my Dad’s birthday dinner outside by the lake with a group of 15. Great views and great food! Usually I order takeout as it’s always good and the portions are really good. Anytime I’m feeling sick I get the pasta fasule soup — it’s incredible.
I need to know — who was the chef on Tuesday ²⁄₂? UNREAL! We ordered takeout and the Puttanesca Fettuccine was AMAZING. Better than ever and my entire family is now obsessed. My mom ordered it and we were stealing her food. This person deserves a raise! Best I’ve ever had.
Coming back for the puttanesca. Soon.

Growing up in Mission Viejo, I would visit this restaraunt from time to time as a teenager to eat with my Mom and Dad, before I had such a deep appreciation for good food and before I had worked in the food and bev industry, never really remembered the experience.
I had a chance to go back recently (It had been 10yrs since I last went prob) as a 30 year old man for my Mom’s b day party. I was floored at how LEGIT the Italian food was. There was about 15 people ordering in our party and every single dish that got handed out was on point. EVERYONE loved EVERYTHING.
The Red sauce they use for their marinara has the most beautiful rich Crimson color I’ve probably ever seen. I ordered a sausage calzone, it was MASSIVE and delicious. I tasted my Dads Cioppino, Amazing. Had some raviolis, homemade af and plump, yum. Had some fried calamari as an appetizer and it damn near fell apart in my mouth it was so buttery and smooth.
I’m not sure when Ill be back in MV, but when I am, I’m going back here. ¹⁰⁄₁₀ amazing spot, amazing wait staff and chefs.
Also– Our waitress was superb, she had larger earnings with dark hair and was extremely good at her job, super accommodating and sweet. She is probably half the reason the experience was so good. Also, other waiters/​busers did great at always filling up water, bread, etc.

Excellent food and service as always. Nicole told us about the Tuesday night special. We’ve never had a bad meal here been coming here for years.

Thank you so Much Peppinos! We Love Italian food on the lake and happy hour in the bar! Free garlic bread with Unilocal check in!!!

I don’t know what to say other than the food just isn’t very good. Unilocal check-it’s get free garlic bread so we gave it a try. I couldn’t taste any garlic in it at all and otherwise it was tasteless anyway.
The food was also just okay. I have been to their other location many times, but this was my first time at this one. I remembered liking their marinara much more in Laguna Niguel. This one was not good at all. I probably wouldn’t come back here.

I look forward to lunch every Friday here! The pastrami sandwich isn’t the KATZ in NYC, but for a chain restaurant on a man made lake front. Its pretty darn delicious. The kitchen staff is always accommodating and on top of everything.
recommendations– Pastrami or Veal Sandwich.

Love me Peppino’s
Must Get:
Lina’s Rolls (1 order per every 3 people)…
Pepperoni Rolls or a Stromboli (1 order per every 4 people)
Fettucini Carbonara
Canneloni
Ask to sit out back on the patio… good views of lake mission viejo

Peppino’s doesn’t disappoint! I’ve been coming here for years with my grandparents, and the food is always great and the staff is nice.
The ambiance isn’t fancy, as this is a family restaurant. The patio has views of Lake Mission Viejo, and it’s relaxing to sip on a glass of wine and look out at all the boats.
Their bread basket is phenomenal and I always try my hardest not to fill up before my meal comes, but I usually fail! Favorites on the menu-​clams in white sauce, antipasto salad, and pizza (a large feeds 4 – 5 people).

When I think of a family owned Italian restaurant, I think of that family-​feel-​ambiance, fresh pasta and bread, and that tacky yet comforting décor. Well this place has that tacky yet comforting décor, in a sticky way. Simply put, my table was sticky when I saw down.
I ordered the huge scallop linguini and was bummed to see that my pasta was your traditional store bought pasta that you can buy for a buck or two. My scallops were overdone and rubbery with no color. Now if I’m paying 25+ for a dish, I expect to have fresh pasta or at least delicious scallops. Boo!
Our waitress was really nice and attentive, but it looked like the employees were not excited to be there. I overheard a couple waitresses saying how they couldn’t wait for their shift to end. Gee thanks for portraying how much you love your job.