Expanding: Pepe’s On A Jag In The Suburbs

We have a thing for Pepe’s, and we’re not entirely sure why. If we were to hazard a guess, it would probably offend people (most likely people in the Pepe’s corporate office). But they can’t be too mad at us, because all press is good press.

And the good press we’re going to give them today is about back-to-back openings in Yorkville and Vernon Hills, at opposite ends of the Chicagoland universe. Jeez, before long, Chicago exurbia will be hard up by I-39! But we digress.

The mere opening of new chain locations would not merit a mention unless there was something about it we could specifically mock, and in this case, it’s the press release/promotion that came with the notifications. Each one contains its own idiosyncratic spelling and grammar errors, but they offer the same crappy one-time deal.

First, the raw material. Pepe’s Vernon Hills opening, received Friday, 10/19:


The Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant and Cantina at 281 West Town Line Road, Vernon Hills, Illinois, is now open. The restaurant and beautiful Cantina seat 140. Every Wednesday is 1/2 Price Margaritas. Print out this e-mail to receive a FREE APPETIZER of your choice, when you purchase Two Mexican Dinner Entrees and Two beverages. DINE IN ONLY. Valid only at the Pepe’s in Vernon Hills, Illinois. Not good with any other offer, coupon, or special or on Margaritas nights. Sales tax not included. Offer expires November 4, 2007. Please present this coupon to the server before ordering. Thank You.

Pepe’s Yorkville opening, received this morning (Monday, 10/22):


The Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant at 920 North Bridge Street(RT 47), Yorkville, Iliinois, is now open for dine-in or carry-ouy business.This cozy restaurant seats 100. Every Monday and Thursday is 1/2 price Margaritas. Print out this email to receive a FREE APPETIZER of your choice, when you purchase Two Mexican Dinner Entrees and Two Beverages. Dine In Only. Valid only at the Pepe’s in Yorkville, Illinois. NOt good with any other offer, coupon or special, or on Margaritas nights. Sales tax not included. Offer expires November 11, 2007. Plese pesent this coupon to the server before ordering. THank You.

Obviously, we’ve done nothing to adulterate the purity of the texts. We have to wonder why these would get sent out without a basic spell check, though. Something must have gone way downhill over the weekend, what with “Iliinois,” “carry-ouy,” and “plese pesent” tarnishing the Yorkville opening. Are we the only people who’d avoid a restaurant based on press release typos alone? We certainly hope so! This level of stringent orthodoxy is difficult to maintain and probably counterproductive for the average citizen.

But the real eyebrow-lowerer is the offer of a free appetizer with purchase of two dinners and two beverages. And you have merely a fortnight to get on the bandwagon! First of all, what’s with the incessant capitalization of nouns? Does it look like we’re in Germany or something?! Second, that is a hell of a lot of stuff you need to buy before you get your free appetizer. Even if it doesn’t take that much money to get up there, it’s still an onerous set of conditions. Very grudging-sounding. Then again, who can resist the lure of a “beautiful Cantina,” especially one with seating for an intimate 140 guests? Just don’t try your luck on Margarita nights.

Pepe’s [Official Site]

[Photo: we’re cannot wait to join Pepitos Club]

Expanding: Pepe’s On A Jag In The Suburbs