(Last UPDATED 7/24/2021) Description and review of Pizza Rock, a popular restaurant and sports bar on the K Street Mall in Downtown Sacramento. NEW: See “Update” below.
A friend and I recently dined at Pizza Rock prior to a performance of Cats at the Sacramento Community Center Theater.
We arrived a bit after 6:00 p.m. and put our name in with the hostess. As Happy Hour had just ended a handful of tables had opened up, but the tables still needed to be bused.
The hostess offered to seat us immediately on the outdoor patio, but we declined as there was more than a bit of chill in the air. We did not have long to wait before we were seated.
The decor of Pizza Rock is very eclectic. Among the interesting features are a large painted mural on the ceiling and a big rig coming out of the wall over the bar.
SacramentoRevealed.com – All Things Sacramento (from a personal perspective)
Pizza Rock Menu
The menu at Pizza Rock can be a bit overwhelming. If you are ordering pizza you need to decide not only what kind of pizza you want – but also the style of pizza. Wood-fired, electric and gas brick ovens turn out Neapolitan, California, Roman, Sicilian, Chicago Cracker Thin, Classic American and Classic Italian pizza.
Tony Gemignani, a Pizza Rock Sacramento co-owner, has won numerous awards for his pizzas including:
- Gold Cup Pizza Championships, Leece, Italy (Sicilian-style Burratina Di Margherita)
- World Pizza Cup Naples, Italy (Napoletana-style Margherita)
- Gold Metal in Food Network Pizza Championship Challenge (Cal Italia)
As we looked over the menu I suggested to my friend that the two of us share a salad and a pizza. My friend, who had spotted Zeppole on the dessert menu, suggested that we instead share a pizza and dessert. I was not familiar with Zeppole, which she described as an Italian doughnut, but I was game.
We finally settled on the Classic Italian Primavera pizza (pesto sauce, spinach, Burrata cheese, tomato, garlic, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, sea salt) ($20) and the Zeppole (fried pizza dough tossed with cinnamon, sugar and cardamom, served with both caramel and chocolate sauces, and citrus whipped cream) ($5).
We sipped our beverages, Cupcake Cabernet ($7) and Diet Pepsi ($3), as we chatted and waited for our meal.
Time was ticking, and as I had neglected to inform our waitress that we were attending the theater I caught her attention and inquired about our pizza. She went to check and immediately returned with it. It was evident that the pizza had been sitting for a while waiting for her as it was barely warm at that point. Note: I have not had this issue previously at Pizza Rock, and I am guessing that they were a bit understaffed that evening.
Despite the less than ideal temperature, the Primavera pizza was delicious. To date I have never been disappointed with the quality of the pizza at Pizza Rock. I have yet to try any of their house-made pasta dishes.
Our waitress checked in with us asking if we were ready for dessert and we were. Shortly thereafter she delivered the freshly-made Zeppole to the table. The Zeppole was a real taste treat – and while we did not quite finish the pizza we did finish the Zeppole!
Updates
(7/24/2021) The Sacramento Business Journal recently reported that the assets of Pizza Rock, including its liquor license, furniture and equipment are on the market. Also on the table – taking over the restaurants lease or negotiating a new one. The Pizza Rock name is not part of the deal. Pizza Rock has been “temporarily” closed for around a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Stay tuned!
(7/28/2020) Pizza Rock Sacramento has announced it is temporarily closing its doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Comments on Pizza Rock?
What has been your experience at Pizza Rock? Do you have a favorite style of pizza? What other dishes would you recommend?
Pizza Rock Snapshot:
- 1020 K Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 737-5777Hours: Monday – Wednesday (11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.); Thursday (11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.); Friday & Saturday (11:30 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.); Sunday (10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.)Happy Hour: Monday & Tuesday (3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.); Wednesday (All Day); Thursday – Sunday (3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.)Brunch: Sunday Acoustic Brunch (10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.)
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