Rocco's Mobile Food Truck

     Rocco Dipentino opened Rocco's Italian Restaurant in 1982 on the corner of Maizeland and Academy right in the heart of Colorado Springs. In 1994, Robert Tust purchased the restaurant from Rocco and built a new foundation for the establishment, making it a neighborhood staple for 18 years. That included the partnership of his wife Laurie Tust; in which they got married in wet suits on the side of the Arkansas river in 2007. Laurie and Robert established a family work environment with their own children being at every position to help and learn along the way. In 2012, after the Steaksmith restaurant closed its doors, Rocco's moved twelve doors down and tripled their seating capacity. The Rocco’s crew included some employees with over 25 years working at the restaurant, establishing friendly faces for regular visitors. 

     After 25 years, Robert and Laurie made the decision to sell in 2018. It took less than a year for issues with the hand-off to arise. At the end of 2019, the new owner left the keys at Robert and Laurie’s doorstep, defaulted on all money owed to them, months of unpaid rent, taxes, back-wages, and missed vendor payments. Robert and Laurie had hoped to take the business back and keep it running, but the debts were too substantial to continue. 

     Thankfully, Robert and Laurie continue the Rocco’s story in the best way possible: with the Rocco’s Mobile Food truck. Established in 2020, Rocco’s Mobile Food has now been able to serve delicious Italian food to the greater state of Colorado!