The Red Pepper started in Grand Forks. They now have three locations including Fargo and the UND campus. JESSICA FLEMING • flemingjes@mnstate.edu

The long awaited arrival of The Red Pepper is finally here. The Mexican restaurant opened March 15. It’s on-the-go attitude is perfect for weary college students.

The most famous item on the menu is the grinder sandwich, made with ham, turkey, salami and taco meat topped off with their white taco sauce and shredded cheese. Mexican-meets lunchbox is the common theme here. Hot dogs and hot ham and cheese are also on the menu, right next to more traditional Mexican dishes like tostadas.

Fargo native Bryce Noonan has visited the Fargo location three times since its opening. He frequently visits the Grand Forks location when visiting his brother at UND.

“College students up there love it,” Noonan said. “I’m sure it will be a big hit here.”

Noonan has developed a Red Pepper routine. He always gets the grinder with everything on it and the tortilla soup.

“I was pretty excited to find out that they were coming to Fargo,” Noonan said.

The paper plates and benches adorned with names carved in them make The Red Pepper feel like a picnic in the park. Even the utensils scream school outing. Knives and forks are omitted. Only plastic spoons are offered. They are placed in a can assuring customers that it is possible to eat a salad with a spoon.

It’s those little quirks that make this taco joint perfect for students looking for unpretentious Mexican.

The Red Pepper is located at 1115 19th Ave. N. in the Happy Harry’s Plaza. It is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. everyday.

BY SARAH TYRE
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PHOTO BY JESSICA FLEMING
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