As the emphasis on fresh, healthy food trends upward, Peppers Market & Sandwich Shop in Morrisville is setting the gold standard by which other restaurants should be measured. And that’s just fine with owners Jess and Missy Fowler, who constantly finesse distinctive, quality cuisine to keep loyal clientele coming back for more.
“Peppers is not a typical sandwich place or deli,” Navy-trained chef Jess said. “We roast our own meats, serve locally baked artisan breads (from the esteemed La Farm Bakery) and offer affordable, scratch-made food every day.”
Whether it’s a sauce, salad dressing or soup, virtually every item is freshly prepared on-site daily. “We are committed to providing food that you can’t find anywhere else, said Jess, who was born in New York but lived in Indiana for 20 years and considers himself from the Hoosier State. “People are welcome to come in and custom order whatever they want.”
Last summer the restaurant rolled out a “Great Sandwich Showdown” contest, which allowed patrons to name and design their own sandwiches. The innovative initiative resonated big-time with customers.
“We received more than 125 entries, which blew us away,” said Jess, who explained that the restaurant staff narrowed those down to 10 based on taste and originality. Ultimately, a panel of local judges came in and selected a winner determined by flavor, originality and overall “awesomeness.”
The victorious sandwich chosen by unanimous vote was the “Trippin’ Chicken,” a formidable concoction crafted by regular customer Katie Quinn. The hot-served creation features grilled chicken and marinated portabella mushrooms with fresh basil pesto and lightly roasted garlic sauces, topped off with sundried tomatoes, avocado, roasted red peppers, spinach, goat and Swiss cheeses.
“It’s now on our permanent menu and is one of the top sellers for us,” Jess said. “The contest was so successful we plan to do it again this summer.”
Other standout hot sandwiches include the mango mahi mahi; pork loin (seasoned with garlic, thyme and red pepper and topped with chunky apple spread and a specialty house sauce); and a vegetarian black bean burger on a ciabatta roll.
“We have a lot of vegetarian customers, so we have plenty of options for them to consider,” Jess said. Among those is the roasted veggie, which features caramelized roasted eggplant, carrots, onions, garlic and peppers served on ciabatta bread with a roasted garlic sauce (melted cheese is available on request).
Prefer a cold sandwich? You can’t go wrong with the aptly named “The Club (with a twist),” a two-hands-required offering with roasted lean turkey and ham stacked on a ciabatta roll with bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato and roasted garlic sauce. Then there’s the turkey reuben with sweet jalapeño coleslaw, Swiss cheese and dressing.
Fresh salads are also available. “The half sandwich with soup or salad is probably our most popular request at lunchtime,” Jess revealed. “It’s a good deal at $7.”
If you’re in the mood for soup, Peppers offers three choices every day such as slow-simmered Texas-style chili, turkey tetrazzini Florentine and roasted tomato and herb. “We take the roasted bones to start our soups and finish with seasonings and fresh veggies,” Jess explained.
A “Grab and Go” section at the restaurant’s counter showcases tuna and chicken salad, fruit and pasta salads as well as black bean hummus, white bean dip and fresh baked goods. Most items are packaged in quart-sized containers. “Demand has been steady, and people are starting to buy meats by the pound, so that’s encouraging,” Jess said.
Breakfast attractions range from California omelets and flatbread sausage and egg sandwiches to fruit muffins and yogurt with granola. Sunday brunch ups the ante with additional temptations like eggs Benedict Florentine and stuffed French toast.
Much like the food, beverage selections at Peppers defy the norm. Specialty sodas from Boylan Bottleworks provide flavors like black cherry, crème soda and original birch beer. A variety of uncommon fruit juices and vitamin-enhanced drinks are also on hand, as is a select choice of wine by the bottle or glass.
The dining space at Peppers possesses a modern, airy atmosphere with a casual feel. Attractive pendant lights hang from the ceiling, as does purchasable local artwork on the walls. Consider it upscale fast-casual with a delightfully personal touch.
Peppers is open seven days a week for breakfast and lunch. Call ahead or visit the website for daily specials.
Peppers Market & Sandwich Shop
2107 Grace Park Drive (Grace Park), Morrisville
(919) 380-7002
www.peppersmrkt.com
