ENJOY AMAZING PIZZA AND SO MUCH MORE Big Rocco’s Pizzeria And Tavern In RPB Is Part Neighborhood Bar and Part Italian Restaurant STORY AND PHOTOS BY MELANIE KOPACZ
Big Rocco’s Pizzeria and Tavern is part pizzeria and part neighborhood bar with a weekly lineup of live music to rock anyone’s musical tastes. The bar concept includes pool leagues, poker, bingo and sporting events meshed with a lively crowd. There’s also amped-up pub food and a bar full of specials. But it’s the traditional New York-style pizza at Big Rocco’s that is the true star with a fan base all its own. The restaurant has become a destination for its New York-style flavors, opening its doors in 2019 at the Village Shoppes, located at the northwest corner of Southern Blvd. and State Road 7 in Royal Palm Beach. Big Rocco’s is a loyal go-to for pizza lovers craving the authentic flavor, sauce and crust. “It’s all made from scratch — the
dough and the sauce, using San Marzano whole peeled tomatoes,” said owner Vikas Bansal, who moved from India to New York City, and that’s where he quickly became a fan of East Coast-style pizza. “I lived in New York City for 17 years. I always loved the pizza there.” It became the inspiration years later when Bansal opened a gas station in Wellington. That is where the concept for Big Rocco’s came to be. Starting as a very busy “Express” pizza to-go business, Bansal decided to expand his popular pizza business into a full restaurant and tavern with live events. It has been attracting both locals and the equestrian crowd during the season, as it’s geared for people of all ages. “We want people to come in and have a good time,” Bansal said. “Parents and kids.”
The casual atmosphere makes for a laid-back dining experience, with a wide variety of pizza choices, such as the popular BBQ Chicken Pizza, layered with a smoky sauce, generous portions of tender chicken, sprinkled with onions and bacon. It is one of the top choices on the menu. The New Yorker Pizza is also a big seller, loaded with pepperoni, sausage, onions and mushrooms, along with a mix of fresh red and green peppers. Make it a Big Rocco’s Signature Pizza by taking all those same ingredients, then add ham, tomatoes, black olives and extra cheese. Other interesting combinations include the Meatball Parm Pizza, topped with ricotta cheese, meatballs and fresh garlic, and the Buffalo Chicken Pizza with grilled chicken and blue cheese crumbles.
(Left) The classic, New York-style cheese pizza, with its authentic crust, is made from scratch with a sauce using San Marzano whole peeled tomatoes. (Top, left to right) Indulge in a creamy piece of fresh New York Cheesecake with a strawberry drizzle for dessert; steaming hot meatballs are made fresh and simmered in a homemade tomato sauce, served atop spaghetti with buttery garlic knots; Sweet Chili Wings, among the many flavors available, are marinated, baked and flash-fried for a juicy, crispy wing; and the specialty BBQ Chicken Pizza is layered with a smoky sauce, generous portions of tender chicken, sprinkled with onions and bacon. wellington the magazine | december 2023 55