Wasco Tribune - Serving the community since 1970

Local restaurant Don Pepes has recently undergone a renovation to beautify the space.

Renovations included new tables, paint, murals and light fixtures.

Jamie Stewart | The Shafter Press

The staff are there to serve.

Owner Jose Martinez has worked hard since opening the restaurant in 2017, reopening the restaurant after it had declined with its previous owners.

During the pandemic, Martinez took the extra food, cooked it and gave it away to the community. The response was so great, Martinez said, he bought more food to finish the week and handed out hundreds of meals to residents.

Martinez hired a very experienced staff to operate the restaurant, making good on an adage that he has, which is, "you don't have to be the best, as long as you hire the best."

The restaurant has undergone a revamping of the menu also, adding some American dishes such as burgers and pizza.

With Manager Pedro Flores at the helm, the restaurant has also drawn crowds in the bar, with regular Karaoke Nights and a Ladies Night every Thursday night.