Old-school Italian spot w/ family-style portions & killer clam linguine. Some say it's a must-try, others find it disappointing.
This Queens-based Italian eatery is celebrated by many for its hearty, family-style portions and authentic red sauce cuisine. Dishes like linguine with clam sauce and baked clams receive high praise for their classic flavors and generous servings. However, a significant divide exists in customer experiences, with some finding the food bland, overly salty, and poorly presented, especially certain seafood appetizers. The ambiance has also drawn mixed reviews, with some appreciating its old-school charm and others finding it dated.
This Italian restaurant is known for its family-style servings and classic red sauce dishes. Many patrons rave about specific items such as the linguine with clam sauce, baked clams, and chicken scarparella, often highlighting the generous portions. However, a notable contingent of customers has expressed strong dissatisfaction, citing overly salty and bland flavors, particularly in dishes like shrimp cocktail, rigatoni with sausage, and chicken parmigiana. The presentation of some dishes, especially the shrimp cocktail, has been frequently criticized as unappealing and dated.
"Customers frequently recommend the linguine with clam sauce, calling it outstanding. Other popular choices include baked clams, chicken scarparella, veal Don Pepe, and stuffed mushrooms."
Customer experiences at this Italian restaurant are highly polarized. While many praise its classic, family-style dining with generous portions and specifically recommend dishes like linguine with clam sauce, baked clams, and chicken scarparella, a significant number of diners found the food to be disappointing, citing issues with saltiness, lack of flavor, and poor presentation, particularly for the shrimp cocktail. Service has also been described as ranging from great to hostile.
Important Note
Some diners have found the restaurant to be pricey, and a significant criticism involves the presentation of certain dishes, particularly the shrimp cocktail, which some described as unappetizing. There are also mentions of inconsistent service, with some waiters being described as hostile.
"The commenter compared the restaurant's interior to the event room or basement of a church."
Negative"In response to a defense of Don Peppe, this commenter reiterated their negative experience, emphasizing the salty, flavorless, and unimpressive nature of the dishes, including the portions, despite understanding the comfort food style."
Negative"This user humorously questioned the expectations of the original poster."
Neutral"This commenter reacted to the post with a neutral emoji."
Neutral"The commenter remarked that the lettuce needed 'prozac', implying it looked wilted or sad."
Negative"The commenter initially thought the post was about a Portuguese restaurant in Newark, only realizing it was Don Peppe after seeing the dining room picture."
Neutral"This comment simply states 'First world problems'."
Neutral"This user stated that Don Peppe 'sucked' in the 70s and apparently still does."
Negative"This commenter defended Don Peppe, suggesting that many critics are transplants who don't understand the appeal of classic, unpretentious Italian-American food catering to locals, and that the restaurant is for actual New Yorkers, not newcomers."
Positive"The commenter recalled Don Peppe being great in 2001 but hadn't been back since."
Negative"This user, a 'lifer', had never heard of Don Peppe and suggested a better pizza spot nearby."
Neutral"This commenter asked if the original poster had complained during their visit."
Neutral"This user finds the hostile waiters to be part of the Don Peppe experience and specifically enjoys the stuffed mushrooms and sorbet desserts."
Positive"This user stated they ate at Don Peppe last year by obligation and only enjoyed the wine."
Negative"The commenter described the food as looking like frozen items microwaved, with wilted lettuce."
Negative"The commenter questioned if Don Peppe was ever truly good, suggesting it was at best above average."
Negative"A long-time patron of Don Peppe stated they've never had a bad meal or service and consider it a favorite, appreciating the post for potentially keeping 'hipsters away'."
Positive"This user stated they would only order the baked clams at Don Peppe."
Neutral"This commenter implied that ordering chicken parm at Don Peppe was a mistake."
Negative"This user stated that people they know don't order shrimp cocktail or rigatoni at Don Peppe, recommending specific dishes like baked clams and veal Don Pepe based on 40 years of patronage."
Positive
