Welcome to PepperTheo Cafe

You may know them as the in-house Tellus caterers or maybe you were at a special function where they wooed your taste buds; now Christine and Joe Hess (no relation) of Cracked Pepper Catering want you to get to know them through their latest endeavor, PepperTheo Cafe & Events.

With over fifty combined years of hospitality experience between them, Christine and Joe know how to throw a party! From celebratory rehearsal dinners to surprise birthday shenanigans to small, intimate commemorations, Cracked Pepper has helped many a Lancastrian plan the perfect menu to please their guests.

Now, the duo at Cracked Pepper Catering are excited to finally announce the opening of their newest venture in dining and service! Open to the public, with easy and nearby parking on site, PepperTheo Cafe is located on the Lancaster Theological Seminary grounds in a devastatingly unique space known as the refectory. 

Built in 1916 in the Tudor Revival Style, with the original dining tables intact, two immense fireplaces with mantels covered in original Mercer tiles from the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, you will be dining in historic bliss. The colored glass twinkling in the windows was imported from Belgian greenhouses damaged during WWll. Overheard from one youngster, being there feels like you’re deep inside a Harry Potter novel.

We are excited to use this great space for special events such as Weddings, Rehearsal Dinners, Baby Showers, and Corporate Events. We will host Chef Dinners, Theme Nights, and any fun experience that we can create in this unique space – the sky is the limit!  The Cracked Pepper team is excited to be offering both affordable and tasty lunches prepared by our energetic Chef Zach Blair, who will be utilizing the amazing produce, dairy and meats at nearby Central Market into every meal. Zach, who has worked in restaurants in both Philadelphia and here in Lancaster, is excited to bring his own fresh take into the local food scene. 

Our lunch hours will be Wednesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and dinner hours are Thursday and Friday starting at 5:30 p.m. Dinner Reservations are required. Our Cafe is BYOB.

 Menus for the week will be posted on all social media outlets, with the ability to place orders online for quick pick up. While our team is committed to your health and safety, especially at this time, our special events manager, Leraunt Von Loon, is ready and excited to take on any event and make it a smashing success. Leraunt has over 14 years’ experience creating beautiful and memorable events.

Thank you for your continued support of small business in this city we all cherish and call home!