Flyin’ Pig, Wood & Iron owners branching out with Outpost Pizza concept in Chesterfield

The space is across from the Plaza Azteca in Westchester Commons. (Mike Platania photo)

The crew behind Wood & Iron Gameday and The Flyin’ Pig are firing up a new restaurant in Chesterfield County. 

Steve Rogge, Kevin McGrath and Bill Violante are preparing to open Outpost Pizza Co. in Westchester Commons in Midlothian. The new concept is opening in the former Noodles & Company space at 15785 WC Main St. 

Kevin McGrath and Steve Rogge (BizSense file photo)

The group has been in the Richmond dining scene since 2012 when they opened The Flyin’ Pig near Swift Creek Reservoir. In 2017 they opened their first Wood & Iron in Midlothian and have since expanded that brand with locations in Scott’s Addition and Short Pump. Violante is a co-owner at The Flyin’ Pig and Outpost, while Rogge and McGrath own Wood & Iron and Outpost. 

Rogge said they started kicking around the idea for a pizzeria a few years ago after acquiring an air impingement oven, which blows air at high speeds to specific areas. While they don’t get as hot as wood-fired ovens, Rogge said impingement ovens lend themselves well to pizza-making and can create crispy crusts. 

He said they started experimenting with sourdough pizza doughs and later worked with Ashland’s La Bella Vita Bakery to perfect the recipe. 

“We just got really interested in it and started studying it pretty hardcore,” Rogge said. “We loved trying to nail down the pizza recipes and testing and working with La Bella Vita.”

Also on the Outpost menu will be pizza made with a cauliflower crust, and Rogge said the team is planning to bring over some favorites from Wood & Iron, like the smoked wings and cheesesteak egg rolls. 

Outpost will have a full bar and seating for around 75, as well as a carry-out counter. Rogge said the restaurant will likely later offer delivery via a third party. Its space totals around 2,500 square feet and includes a patio, which Rogge said will be expanded to include a pergola and accordion-style doors that open to the restaurant. 

“We’re excited for this one. It’s a little bit smaller footprint than we’re traditionally doing with Wood & Iron, so it’s cool to jump back into a new project,” he said. 

Work is underway on the space now, with Titan Construction Group as the general contractor. Fultz & Singh Architects is the designer. 

Rogge said the owners are looking to open Outpost later this month. 

He said they’re also working on bringing Wood & Iron out of the Richmond market with a location in Arlington near George Mason University. Rogge said he used to live in the Arlington area and it’s always been a goal to have a restaurant there. 

“We’ve always loved the area and still have a bunch of friends up there,” he said, noting that they hope to open the Arlington Wood & Iron by the end of the summer.