Popular Tahoe City hangout Pete ‘n Peters Sports and Spirits now boasts its new Pepper's Taqueria, meaning for the first time since opening in 1976 the popular Tahoe City hangout has an in-house restaurant for guests to enjoy along with the bar.
“We’re excited to finally offer long-desired, affordable food along with drinks at Pete’s,” co-owner Rhonda Gramanz says. “Focusing on a small number of simple plates lets us offer a great quick lunch or food that complements the bar.”
The menu is guided by quick and affordable Mexican street food and classic bar plates with the recipes overseen by Gramanz and Jonny Roscher, a longtime Tahoe City restaurant owner who co-owns Pete ‘n Peters alongside Gramanz.
Five types of tacos (including a vegetarian roasted cauliflower option), four burritos, nachos, salsa, two different hamburgers, chicken wings and soda fountain drinks are the menu’s focus. Duke’s Crummy Hard Taco is a signature option, referencing a longtime Pete ‘n Peters bartender who is happy to have this snack back and frequents Pepper’s to get his fix. Temporary specials like tostadas are also offered, and all food is available in addition to the bar’s happy hour drink discounts before 7 p.m.
Pete ‘n Peters’ longtime regulars – beach goers, golfers, après ski crowds and other town locals and visitors – now have an improved hub for easier visiting and eating that doesn’t break the bank. The price point is accessible, and the food turn-around time is fast, giving guests an alternative to higher priced, longer commitment sit-down restaurants with waitlists nearby.
“We designed it to offer a beer and taco for $7,” Gramanz says. “No one else is doing that in Tahoe City.” Pepper's is also a reason to visit Pete’s sports bar setting in the afternoon and early evening before the crowded nighttime hours. Expanding the business’s appeal by equipping visitors to eat, drink and socialize in the casual sports bar is a major goal for Gramanz and Roscher.
“People get hungry when hanging out at Pete’s,” says regular customer Jose Chavez, “so I like having the improved food option.”
Thanks to last year’s renovations, customers can appreciate increased space and new televisions with bar service and take-out food options. A newly refurbished, pleasant seating space for more people to dine is adjacent to the Tahoe City Golf Course. It is separated from the bar by a large rolling barn door, and during summer months this space will extend to additional seasonal outdoor seating.
“Opening a restaurant with simple bar food connected to Pete ‘n Peters has always been the plan,” Roscher says. “The joint kitchen-bar vision has existed for years.”
Roscher briefly operated a Pepper's Taqueria in 1980s Tahoe City and again before the COVID-19 pandemic. He and Gramanz opened the newest location in fall 2023, just a year after they acquired Pete ‘n Peters from the previous longtime owner, Johnny B. They appreciate this revived kitchen opportunity to maintain and expand Pete ‘n Peters’ appeal in town.
(530) 583-2400
395 N. Lake Boulevard, Tahoe City
petenpeterstahoecity.com
(530) 583-2400
395 N. Lake Boulevard, Tahoe City
petenpeterstahoecity.com/food
About the Author Conor Villines
Conor Villines has an MA in journalism from the University of Arizona, has lived in the Reno-Tahoe area since 2016, and loves writing and sharing information about this region and its history.
