Co-founder of Rock & Brews, Gene Simmons, of KISS, signs the wall of the rock and roll themed restaurant which opened Monday in Corona. Another of the bar and grill restaurants is planned in Rancho Cucamonga this coming September.
RANCHO CUCAMONGA >> Rock legends Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of the band KISS are not only going on tour this summer — they’re also going to bring the spirit of “Detroit Rock City” to Rancho Cucamonga in the form of their new, family-friendly bar and grill.
Their 9,900- square-foot Rock & Brews restaurant, planned across from Victoria Gardens at the Foothill Crossing shopping center on Foothill Boulevard, will be the brand’s eighth in California and 17th overall. The restaurant’s business partners say they expect to open sometime in September.
Simmons loves to talk about the venture. His pitch is a little bit rock ’n’ roll and a whole lotta business acumen.
“You can bring your whole family,” Simmons said in a phone interview. “You can bring your dog. You can bring your kids. You can be there as a single person flirting, or you can be there happily married. It’s laid out wide open so you can see everything from beginning to end.”
Among many other menu items, the restaurant features craft burgers, steak, barbecue chicken, fish and a large selection of beers.
“If people honor us by coming to Rock & Brews, the least we can do is not only make great food but provide a great experience,” Simmons said.
Rock & Brews Rancho Cucamonga will be the brand’s first in San Bernardino County. Simmons and Stanley are opening Rock & Brews with co-founding partners Michael Zislis and concert industry veterans Dave and Dell Furano.
On Tuesday afternoon, Zislis and Simmons surprised patrons of the Corona Rock & Brews restaurant, which had just opened Monday at the Crossings at Corona shopping center, at Temescal Canyon and Cajalco roads. Simmons took the time to bump fists, flash his signature snake-like tongue, sign autographs and meet with diners, some of whom were wearing KISS T-shirts, even without advance warning of the celebrity encounter.
“It’s rocking,” Simmons said. “It’s clear everybody is having a great time. It’s the middle of the day. It’s 100 degrees (outside) and everybody should come down. Bring your family. Bring your dogs.”
KISS fan Joe Cope, 44, of Corona was there when Simmons made his entrance. Cope was able to get an autograph and a picture taken with the KISS legend.
“I love Gene Simmons,” Cope said. “I love KISS. We ate at Rock & Brews about a week ago at the LAX airport, and it’s awesome. It’s a great environment. It’s an awesome location here in Corona. It’s a great vibe.”
The interior of the restaurants pays homage to classic rock artists and flat screens play classic rock music videos and concert footage. The Rancho Cucamonga restaurant also will feature a Yellow Submarine play structure for kids and a dog-friendly patio with a fire pit area. Adults can enjoy games as well, including bean-bag toss and life-sized Jenga.
A “Great Wall of Rock” pays tribute to music legends, according to the partners.
“You’re surrounded by classic rock tracks by all your favorite bands, and KISS too,” Simmons said Monday. “You’re surrounded by the music and culture we all grew up with. This is the music that still fills stadiums.”
Simmons also is happy to point out the restaurant will be supporting local breweries, with as many as 100 craft breweries on tap.
“We are supporting local craft brew masters who spend their time and effort by making great beers,” Simmons said. “We also hire locally. Nobody is imported to go into a city they don’t live in. Our partners live in the city and we also buy local produce so the farmers and growers provide fresh food.”
The Rancho Cucamonga restaurant is being developed in partnership with local franchise partner Jon Mesko, who also owns and operates Rock & Brews restaurants in Buena Park, Corona and Redondo Beach.
“ ‘Cars’ is one of my favorite movies, so being on Route 66 is pretty cool,” Mesko said. “I’m excited about being on Route 66 and I’m excited about being in Rancho Cucamonga and making sure everybody is happy with the music, food and atmosphere.”
Alex Vigil, 41, of Sun City said he’s been to the Rock & Brews in Buena Park.
“It’s a cool themed restaurant,” Vigil said. “It’s similar (to Hard Rock Cafe), but I like this one better. The food’s better. The price is a little bit better. Good service … This is the best rock restaurant around.”
When the Rancho Cucamonga location opens in a few months, local veterans will be honored at the grand opening with a special luncheon attended by Simmons and Stanley. A ticketed opening day event for the public will be held later that day. The exact opening day and ticketing information will be announced closer to the date.
“What we believe in first and foremost is to make sure that our proud military gets their day in the sun,” Simmons said. “Every single grand opening is devoted to vets. The doors are closed to the public and only vets and their families are allowed inside. We feed them, we honor them and we make sure that they get a big fat check, because talk is cheap. That’s what we do, and that’s the same philosophy with our band.”