MANHATTAN, Kan. — There are few things more local than a restaurant born and bred by its surrounding community. Scott Sieben has created yet another staple of Manhattan eateries, and he jump started it in the middle of a global pandemic.
Named after a former country western bar in Aggieville, Rockin K’s has revived the name, but brought a brand new identity. Located just across the street from famed Bill Snyder Family Stadium, and within the Kansas State University Foundation, Rockin K’s is deep in the heart of what makes Manhattan, Manhattan.
“Our biggest challenge was obviously seeing the future,” said Owner Scott Sieben. “At that time, when they asked us to think about taking over the restaurant, both of our stores were closed, so it was really tough to look at it and say ‘where do we see this next year’.”
Well, it’s next year, and Rockin K’s is growing daily as it finds its groove and builds towards the next “next year.”
“The Foundation was great to work with. They helped us ease into it,” said Sieben. “They were really great.”
Now, as Rockin K’s looks towards its future, it will expand its reach. Working hand in hand with its other current restaurants, Mr. K’s and Kite’s Bar & Grill, Sieben has announced plans to also open a new establishment in Aggieville.
“That will be Kite’s Aggieville Drafthouse,” said Sieben excitedly. “It’ll be a little more upscale comfort food. We’re going to have some steak and some seafood options, just a little more elevated from what we’ve done on the Kite’s side, but it’ll all be under one roof.”
Sieben said that he has brought on Bud and Bobby Cox to assist with the food at the new restaurant, which will sit inside of Kite’s in Aggieville, but utilize the open space on the north side of the business, just off the corner of 12th and Moro, marked by a brand new entryway.
The new establishment will also offer several beers and wines on tap, as well as offer upscale cocktails on its drink menu as well.
Sieben couldn’t hide his excitement about the new eatery, but couldn’t help but be a little giddy at the thought of what Rockin K’s was building into for the coming year.
“The last couple of months, we’ve really seen an increase,” said Sieben. “We’re seeing a lot more faces. For a while we were doing a lot of to-go orders, which is great. We still do a lot of to-go orders, but to highlight our food, I hate to put it in a to-go box.I feel like it’s never as good takeout as it is in the restaurant, so it’s nice to see people coming in now and actually being in the restaurant to eat.”
That undoubtedly will build even more over the coming months and leading into the upcoming K-State football season. Sieben noted plans for a potential beer garden on game days, so fans can enjoy drinks and food from Rockin K’s before games, and of course after Wildcat victories.
Check out Rockin K’s on your own, and see for yourself, one of Manhattan’s new favorite spots.
To learn more about what Rockin K's has to offer, visit their website here.