Stadium 34 to open in June
Major renovations are underway at the former Red Coach Restaurant along Highway 34 in Red Oak. Plans call to transform the large facility into Stadium 34, a sports bar, restaurant and banquet room.
Rocky Rocha, owner of Stadium 34, said once open they’ll be able to seat roughly 120 people between the lounge and restaurant, as well as 300 in the banquet room.
“Not to mention, we have outdoor patios we plan to utilize throughout the summer,” Rocha added.
Owning his own restaurant was something Rocha has wanted for a long time, but the numerous pieces to the puzzle never fit easily; until a few months ago.
“COVID caused the Red Coach Restaurant to close down and it wasn’t until three or four months ago, when I got a call from Jason, the new owner of the Red Coach, to come in and have a brainstorming session about getting it back going,” Rocha said.
Raised by a professional chef, Rocha has been in the kitchen since the age of 3. He has worked as a professional chef himself since the age of 15.
Rocha started cooking in a small mom and pop place; learned the ropes there and then worked his way up to Ameristar Casino for seven years; starting as a buffet cook and working his way up to the steakhouse sous chef. He was also the executive chef at the Magnolia Hotel in Omaha; was the head chef at the Hard Rock Cafe in Sioux City and is currently the food service manager at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital. He also assists in the kitchen at the Villisca Golf Course several days a week.
“While working at MCMH I opened up Rockstar Eats, which caters in this area and is well-known. The food service industry is all I’ve ever known,” Rocha said. “I am super passionate about food.”
Great service and exceptional food is what Rocha said he will strive for at Stadium 34. He added he plans on offering everything from burgers and fries to prime rib. The kitchen at Stadium 34 will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday; bar hours are until 2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday kitchen hours are 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. The soft opening is set for June 1.
“There isn’t anything like this in Red Oak,” said Rocha. “We’re excited to get started.”
Applications for Stadium 34 positions can be picked up at the front desk of the Red Coach Inn & Suites.