“ As we’ ve grown older and had children, we wanted to open places where we and others could come with our families to eat dinner and watch a game.”
Trevor Skelton, 18 months, races around with french fry in hand on the patio at Ruckus Pizza, Pasta & Spirits in Morrisville, at Park West Village.
“ As we’ ve grown older and had children, we wanted to open places where we and others could come with our families to eat dinner and watch a game.”
— Robert Royster, Ruckus owner continued from page 45
Over the past 18 years, owner Robert Royster and his wife, Ashley Royster, have worked hard to mold Ruckus’ four locations into comfortable and reliably consistent gathering spots. Look for even more outposts in Apex in early 2017 and Holly Springs in 2018.
“ We first started Ruckus at Mission Valley Shopping Center in Raleigh shortly after college, so a lot of people remember us as a bar,” said Robert, a serial entrepreneur and North Carolina State University alumnus.“ As we’ ve grown older and had children, we wanted to open places where we and others could come with our families to eat dinner and watch a game.”
Ruckus provides a high-energy, casual dining experience with a subtly Caribbean vibe, but the restaurant’ s purpose extends beyond food and drink.
“ We strive to make a connection with every person who comes through our doors,” said Ashley.
A central and beloved figure instrumental in making such connections was the late Ryan Pilz, Ruckus’ managing partner and one of Robert’ s best friends from college. Pilz, a gregarious, free-spirited maverick, battled cancer throughout much of 2016 and passed away in November.
“ Ryan was such a force of nature who never met a stranger and made everyone feel welcome,” Robert explained.“ We built the
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