Couple with Italian roots takes over pizzeria that serves downtown Bradenton brewery
The transition in April was so smooth that almost no one noticed that Ryan and Erin Wilder had bought the former Rocco’s Pizza & Pasta Grill at 827 14th St. W.
“We hit the ground running,” Ryan Wilder said of the arrival of Wilder’s Pizza at Kite’s Corner in downtown Bradenton.
“They were using good products,” Wilder said of the-business-as-usual change of ownership.
The Wilder’s kept the same menu, too, although that will soon be updated.
What Wilder’s Pizza offers is hand-tossed New York Italian-style pizza and other traditional pastas, wings, salads and sandwiches.
The family has deep Italian roots, and Ryan Wilder has 15 years experience as a pizzeria owner in Orlando. The family was very familiar with the Bradenton area, because Ryan’s mother lived here. The Wilders now operate her former home as a bed and breakfast.
It was while making repairs at the B&B that Ryan Wilder learned that Rocco’s was for sale. With the lease expiring on their restaurant in Orlando, the couple decided the time and opportunity were ripe to move with their three young children to Bradenton.
“The opportunity was too good to pass up,” Wilder said.
The Wilders grew up in Central Florida and spent many weekends at the beach on Anna Maria Island and visiting Bradenton attractions, and say they fell in love with the endless summer vibe.
“We make everything in house. Everything is home made. We take pride in everything we do,” Wilder said.
Although Wilder’s is a pizzeria, it has an extensive menu with many other offerings, including stromboli and calzones, pasta, entrees such as veal or chicken, parmagiana, piccata, eggplant, and seafood dishes, sandwiches, lunch specials, sides, starters, soups, wings and salads.
Wilder’s offers a wide selection of gourmet pizzas, from Margherita (fresh mozzarella, basil and fresh tomatoes over tomato sauce) to the Quattro Formaggi (mozzarella, gorgonzola, provolone and parmesan).
Server Allison Lindman says the Meat Lovers (pepperoni, ham, meatballs and sausage) and Supreme (pepperoni, sausage, green peppers, mushrooms, and onion) are the most popular gourmet pizzas.
“Their gourmet pizzas are delicious,” Lindman said.
Pizza prices range from $10.95 for a small pie to $19.95 for a large. Beer and wine are available.
Wilder’s Pizza also serves as the daily lunch-and-dinner kitchen for nearby Motorworks Brewing.
Good smells and steaming plates of food seemed to pull customers in for lunch and dinner at Wilder’s and the service at Motorworks helps keep the kitchen busy.
Wilder’s Pizza has seating for about 55, and also offers delivery, carry out, and catering.
“We do a lot of catering for meetings and holiday parties,” Wilder said.
Wilder’s is a place for families, friends, and co-workers to gather.
“Bring your sports team down after the game and everyone can find something they’ll love to eat,” Ryan Wilder said.
Happy hour is 4-6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Business hours are 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
For more information, visit https://www.wilderspizza.com/ or call 941-226-0000.
