By KAITLYN JASNICA
Staff Writer
Revenue at local restaurant Pepper Jack’s is up 20 percent since moving in January from Quail St. to 192 N. Allen St. Pepper Jack’s has been thriving. Both delivery and dine-in sales have noticeably increased.
“The new location has far exceeded our expectations. It is way busier. It has been the busiest summer we have ever had,” said Phil Stein, Pepper Jack’s co-owner.
The new location has made it possible for Pepper Jack’s to expand its kitchen and its services. The restaurant is twice the size as the old one, with a substantially larger kitchen. This enables Pepper Jack’s to produce more food instead of buying food that was pre-made. Now, the food is fresh.
“We used to have to buy pre-cooked bacon, chicken, and pulled pork,” said Stein. “Now we can grill and marinate our own chicken, cook our own bacon, and roast our own pork shoulder. I think the quality of food, is one piece, out of several pieces that is making our name better.”
The larger kitchen allowed Pepper Jack’s to expand its menu. Fifteen lunch and dinner menu items have been added since the move. Breakfast is also now offered. One of the newest sandwiches is called “The Beast.” The staff favorite is stacked with chicken tenders, onion rings, applewood smoked bacon, Swiss cheese, and covered with beef gravy on a hard roll.
The space in the dining and parking area is more convenient to its clientele. The Pepper Jack’s on Quail and Western only had parallel parking available on the streets. Conveniently near North Allen Street, Buchanan Street offers off street parking. Overall, the new building is making Pepper Jack’s a much better restaurant for its customers.
Providing great customer service is important to Stein. Pepper Jack’s recognizes its community and believes that they would not be as successful without the community’s support. He wants Pepper Jack’s to be a restaurant just available in Albany and have no intentions of expanding or moving.
“Why should we make Pepper Jack’s available everywhere,” asked Stein.
Pepper Jack’s hired more staff since it expanded. Two of the newer employees are Perri Katz and Kayla Fabrizio. Katz is a senior psychology major at the University at Albany and Fabrizio is a sophomore music education major at The College of Saint Rose. Both Katz and Fabrizio work as customer service team members.
“I love working at Pepper Jack’s because my co-workers are very nice and down to earth,” said Fabrizio. “The food is very delicious. They have a wide variety and offer vegetarian options.”
The move did not harm business for Pepper Jack’s in the slightest bit as some people thought it would. In addition to its new customers, many people from the “old neighborhood” still come to eat at the restaurant on a regular basis.
“If you knew about Pepper Jack’s before,” Katz said, “you’ll still come whether you live downtown or on campus.”
In February 2011, Pepper Jack’s signed over its previous lease to another popular Albany restaurant, Chicken Joe’s. Chicken Joe’s will have three locations open in Albany in the near future. Does this growing restaurant chain worry Pepper Jack’s owners? Stein said, “We do not fear competition.”
Pepper Jack’s is open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. It now offers free delivery with a minimum of a $14 purchase starting at 11 a.m. Pepper Jack’s menu is available at www.pepperjacksalbany.com.
