I've heard the radio commercials for Peppers 2: the ones that promise the place will be packed with a bevy of the Southside's most beautiful people. So, being just a bit past that cute-and-bubbly single stage, I approached an evening at this Greenwood club with a bit of trepidation. Fortunately, on a night early in the week, there were plenty of casual, everyday singles and couples dropping by this comfortable neighborhood hangout, so I didn't feel out of place after all.

My husband and I arrived shortly after 9 and took seats at the bar in the center of a large room featuring exposed-brick walls and power-boat memorabilia. To one side of us was a seating area with tables and chairs, along with a small stage and dance floor (silent and empty on a Monday); to the other a game area with four pool tables and a number of high-top tables, where the bulk of the evening's patrons were gathered for Texas Hold'em poker.

Almost idle kitchen

The bartender on duty served us drinks and brought us menus at our request, although I quickly got the feeling food isn't the big draw here. Pete and I were the only ones keeping the kitchen active during our two-hour visit.

Expectedly, the small menu is heavy on easy-to-nosh appetizers and sandwiches, although a sirloin-steak dinner is available for the occasional patron seeking more substantial nourishment.

We decided to start with an order of tortilla chips and salsa ($3.50), with a side of queso added on ($1). The chips were served on a platter along with Styrofoam containers of the dips, all in plentiful amounts. Both the salsa and queso were substantially thick and filling, and the chips were fresh.

I was in the mood for a burger, so I ordered one of the menu's highlighted specialties, the half-pound Angus burger with everything ($5.50), upgrading it with cheddar cheese for 50 cents more. This was a decent bar burger, juicy and with lots of fresh toppings (lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles) piled atop the soft, fresh bun.

Pete considered the Philly chicken sandwich but eventually decided to go with another house favorite, the breaded tenderloin ($5.95). In the proper Hoosier tradition, it arrived overflowing the bun, although Pete noted that, unlike some versions he's tried, this patty had more meat than breading -- a good thing, in his opinion. He requested pepper jack cheese and onions as his toppings, which turned out to be tasty complements.

Overheard tidbits

We munched our sandwiches, along with the remainder of the chip-and-dip starter, while idly watching the poker and pool players and overhearing bits of intriguing conversation from the other end of the bar (example: "tater tots and word-similar-to-tots-but-with-a-different-vowel don't mix"). The background music was as eclectic as the verbal banter, switching from mellow Fleetwood Mac to the subtle vocal stylings of Megadeth.

No one likely ventures to Peppers 2 for the food alone. This is a spot for locals to hang out, shoot a few rounds or play cards, sing along during karaoke nights or dance to the live bands that play on weekends. Of course, those high-profile music nights may attract all those beautiful folks of which the commercials boast, so if you're a commoner like me, go early in the week to grab a bar stool and a burger.

-- By Julie Cope-Saetre / INtake Correspondent, 8/16/2007