Fresh Slice

By MICHAEL MANNHEIMER

Since opening in 1993, Rocco's Pizza has been a haven for Powell's shoppers looking for a quick place to nosh. Grimy and cluttered, it serves pizza that's heavy on the dough and toppings but light on your pocketbook. The one thing it has always lacked is a place to grab a pint and play pinball. Next door, the new Rocco's Bar (931 SW Oak St., 223-9835) looks to solve that problem, with mixed results. During happy hour, Rocco's offers pints of Ninkasi Oatis for just $3, and PBR is always $1.50. The decor is clean and a little random, with a framed set of Shaq rookie cards (awesome) and flat-screens showing The Dog Whisperer (surprisingly addictive). But a faint, musky smell of vinegar hung in the air, something that will hopefully be fixed before the grand opening. There aren't many options for a quick drink downtown, and with such a great location, it could become a neighborhood staple.

WWeek 2015

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