Courtesy of Pizza Verde
The space that once was home to Rocco's Wood Fired Pizza will soon be serving up pies again — this time, all vegan.
Pizza Verde, the pop-up that got its start inside Black Cat Pizza in the South Main district, will take over the former Rocco's storefront at 5716 Locke Ave. Naturally, Pizza Verde will utilize the 1,150-square-foot space's already existing wood-fired oven, and also serve additional fare like vegan pastas, appetizers, and salads. The menu will have gluten-free options as well, along with beer and wine.
Pizza Verde won't be far from another vegan-friendly spot, Mariachi's Dine-In, the taco joint that recently announced it would open a couple doors down at 5724 Locke Ave. And, just behind both restaurants is the already open juice shop, Boulevard of Greens, located along Horne Street.
Pizza Verde co-owner Jennifer Cabarubio is stoked, saying she's "really looking forward to having a neighbor just two spots over that can give me tacos at all hours."
Husband and co-owner, Landon Cabarubio, agrees. "Having a small vegan community in that area ... that's cool, a few restaurants next to each other that appeal to that type of lifestyle," he says.
The Cabarubios expect their restaurant to be open by July. With the end of the COVID-19 pandemic still uncertain, Pizza Verde may stick to to-go only once it opens, with possibly a couple tables on the floor for dine-in. Since the space's dining room is relatively small anyway, Landon Cabarubio says the location will be designed with an intimate, casual yet sophisticated feel, perhaps with dimmed lighting and bossa nova music piping in the background. Think of it as "somewhere you can go with your buddy and have a beer and some pizza or if you wanted to go out on a nice date," he says.
The pizza oven will also be visible to diners, so patrons will be able to watch their food while it's being made.
Pizza Verde launched in the middle of the pandemic last year, serving pies made with almond-based cheese on certain days of the week at Black Cat Pizza. Popular options include the Potato Leek and the Verde; the menu also lists more experimental offerings like a kimchi pizza.
Pizza Verde is currently not hosting pop-ups, but Landon Cabarubio says they may consider restarting pop-ups again until the permanent location opens. In the meantime, they're looking to raise money for the new location through the sale of branded merch like T-shirts and tote bags. More information is available at Pizza Verde's website.
