This popular Japanese restaurant is opening its first North Texas location soon
Pepper Lunch, a popular Tokyo-based fast-casual teppanyaki restaurant, is set to open its first Texas restaurant in Frisco in late 2025, with plans to expand into more local suburbs, the restaurant announced this week.
Pepper Lunch’s D-I-Y Japanese cuisine involves, well, lots of pepper. The seven main menu sections include pepper rice, teriyaki, steak, seafood, curry, pasta and veggies. CEO Troy Hooper told the Dallas Morning News that Pepper Lunch “is what fajitas think they are.”
Pepper Lunch was founded in Tokyo about 30 years ago and now has about 550 restaurants in 17 countries. Besides Texas, California is the only other state in the U.S. that has any Pepper Lunch locations. After the Frisco spot opens, Pepper Lunch plans to open four more restaurants in North Texas in Carrollton, Plano, Prosper and McKinney, according to the DMN.
The franchisees opening the restaurants, The PhilX Hospitality group, also operates three JINYA Ramen Bars across Dallas.
Here’s what to know about Pepper Lunch.
What kind of restaurant is Pepper Lunch?
Despite its name, Pepper Lunch is not just a lunch spot. The restaurant will be open daily for both lunch and dinner.
Customers order at a kiosk at a counter and then cook their own food on a small hot plate at their table. Think Benihana, but you cook the food yourself.
And yes, according to Door Dash, they do still offer takeout.
What’s on the menu at Pepper Lunch?
Looking at the California Pepper Lunch menus, there seems to be a good mix of meat and vegetarian options.
Their pepper rice includes a mix of rice, veggies and meat of choice. Their curry has corn, onions, and meat options like chicken karaage or ebi shrimp. The teriyaki dishes are served with veggies and a side of rice. And then for those who prefer something light, they also offer pastas and salads.
Entree items start at $16. There is also a salad for $12.
Where can I get Pepper Lunch?
Pepper Lunch will be available in North Texas starting in late 2025. The first location will open at 9180 Warren Parkway, Frisco, TX 75035.
This story was originally published June 17, 2025 at 1:27 PM.