A co-owner of Blue Highway Pizza is venturing into the express pizza market with a new location and a new name.
J Rocks Pizzeria, which officially opened for business on Monday, is the brainchild of owner Jerriel Bazile. Bazile hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Ocala Chamber and Economic Partnership on Monday to kick off the new express service.
The location is looking to put a modern take on the pizza and will function like a fast casual restaurant, specializing in seafood and barbecue variations.
“Nobody offered seafood pizzas,” said Bazile of the new concept. “We offer shrimp pizzas, crawfish pizzas, alligator pizzas, lobster pizzas, and crab pizzas” added Bazile.
In addition to pizza, the restaurant will offer a variety of fast casual foods, including burgers, chicken sandwiches, seafood, and specially smoked wings.
“We have a lot of things from what you are used to or accustomed to around here” said Bazile.
The journey to acquiring and opening J Rocks was difficult. Bazile detailed the months he spent trying to acquire the location, which was formerly operated by Uncle Maddio’s Pizza, and the faith he had to pursue it.
“I only live three minutes from this place. Every day I used to past this place, and some days I would stop and just lay my hands on the door and pray” said Bazile.
Bazile says he had the idea for this new pizzeria only three months after taking over the Blue Highway Pizza located at 2130 E Silver Springs Blvd this past fall.
J Rocks Pizzeria will open every day at 11 a.m. and will remain open until 9 p.m., except on Friday and Saturday when it will remain open until 10 p.m.
The restaurant is located at 2606 SW 19th Ave Rd, Suite 103, in the Boyd Market Center.
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