FOOD & WINE

The Rock Wood Fired Pizza is closed, space to become Kkoki Korean Barbecue

Emily Teel
Statesman Journal
The Rock Wood Fired Pizza & Spirits, located at 3610 Center Street NE, closed after service on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27.

Salem's The Rock Wood Fired Pizza & Spirits  has closed. Located at 3610 Center Street NE, it was one of three locations in Oregon (the other two are in Hillsboro and Wood Village) owned by franchisee Hot Stone LLC. The chain also has locations in Texas, Colorado and Washington.  

The restaurant opened in September 2013 and has become known in Salem for its menu of pizza, pasta and bucket-sized cocktails. They closed after a final service on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27. 

A sign posted in the restaurant's front door reads "This location has closed permanently. Business factors beyond our control force the decision. Please visit one of our Portland locations if you can. We will miss you Salem."

General Manager John Stallions confirmed that the restaurant's lease has been sold to another company, but hopes that fans of The Rock will seek out the franchise group's other locations in Portland and Washington. 

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Keeping the fire burning

Though The Rock's pizza ovens will burn no more, open flame will continue to be part of the restaurant's identity. In the coming months it will become a new location of Korean barbecue restaurant Kkoki BBQ. 

This is one of the Butchers' Feast - Combo B: Prime ribeye, prime NY strip 8oz., brisket 6oz., and pork belly. The meal also comes with, Seasonal barchan, assorted grilling vegetables, egg soufflé, house salad, and rice. This reads 2-3 guests for $95. Ember Korean Steakhouse, in south Fort Myers, opened in mid-December in the former Stonewood Grill space on College Parkway. The restaurant offers Korean barbecue along with a modern, Asian-American gastropub menu. It also features a sushi bar and craft cocktails. Ember completed a stunning redesign of the old Stonewood space.

Kkoki currently has two locations, one in Beaverton on Canyon Road and another in Portland on SE Powell Boulevard. According to state filings Heyou Raymond Lin owns the restaurant in partnership with Anthony An, Thai Q Do and Yitong Shao. 

Lin confirmed their plans to open two new locations, one in Salem and another in Eugene. 

Kkoki, which was included on Eater Portland's map of Must-Try Korean Restaurants, is known for serving Certified Angus beef for cooking on their tabletop grills. In addition to DIY-grilled meats, expect a selection of hot pots, tofu stews, appetizers, and other Korean dishes. Lin said the menu will be the same as at the restaurant's other locations. 

He expects that it will be at least three months before Kkoki BBQ Salem is ready to open.

Emily Teel is the Food & Drink Editor at the Statesman Journal. Contact her at eteel@statesmanjournal.com, Facebook, or Twitter. See what she's cooking and where she's eating this week on Instagram: @emily_teel

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