With a family legacy deeply rooted in the culinary scene, husband-and-wife David and Inez Hall, along with their son Derek, are carrying on the tradition of providing incredible food paired with impeccable service through their family owned and operated restaurant, Rokkos Teriyaki & BBQ, in downtown Coeur d’Alene.
David looks back on his childhood, in which his great grandmother and grandmother owned diners in Southwestern Washington, where both his mother and sister worked. Inez’ mother, Chyoko, owned restaurants, a casino and nightclub in Japan. Fast forward, David and Inez would go on to co-own a diner on Capital Hill in Seattle, Washington, followed by a tearoom in Kirkland.
The couple, along with their two children, relocated to Cheney, Washington, where they opened Rokkos in 2011. “Then they raised the minimum wage, and taxes,” David reflects. “With a small town of just 10,000 people, there was zero growth, and we decided to come to Idaho where we could grow.” They opened Rokkos Teriyaki & BBQ in Coeur d’Alene’s Riverstone Neighborhood in 2018 before relocating the restaurant downtown to Sherman Avenue.
When it comes to the menu, it is truly unique; a “hodgepodge of food like you get at the coolest restaurant in Japan,” David explains. “Not a truly ‘Japanese’ restaurant; more like a street food restaurant. A hybrid of Japanese cuisine.” All of this inspired by Inez’ upbringing with her mother.
“Growing up in Seattle, there was no ‘Asian’ section at the grocery store, so Inez and her mother would have to take the bus to Chinatown,” David shares. “Consequently, they cooked everything from scratch — yakisoba sauce, their own teriyaki, spicy peanut sauce, house-made barbecue sauce from Inez’ dad, who was from South Carolina. They took whatever they could from the West and incorporated it into their food.”
Chyoko was born and raised in Okinawa and married a G.I. (Inez’ father) during WWII. Though he chose to remain in Japan, and never left, Chyoko was the first one in her family to ever leave Okinawa (in 2,500 years!), with Inez, making the move to Seattle. As a child, Inez attended a Japanese Christian church. (David’s best friend was one of Inez’ mother’s friends.) The women of the church, many who had married G.I.s during WWII, would have potlucks, which David says were “insane,” with each dish a twist on American dishes.
Today, through their menu offerings at Rokkos, locals and visitors alike can experience these same wonderful Japanese-inspired flavors right here in Coeur d’Alene. As David notes, the most popular item on the menu is their Teriyaki Chicken. Other favorites include Yakisoba, and Beef Teriyaki. As for David’s favorite menu item? “I love them all,” he smiles. “They wouldn’t be on the menu if I didn’t love them.” One menu item he does tend to lean toward is their Japanese Curry, which he says is “one of my favorite things on Earth!”
Offered once weekly, on Taco Tuesday, is another fan favorite — their Asian Street Tacos. Made with ground beef cooked in Inez’ sweet yet spicy Asian sauce, topped with a wasabi coleslaw and served in a tortilla warmed on their char-broiler, David says the tacos, though only offered one day a week, are the second highest-selling item. “Our Asian Street Tacos are that popular, even though only on the menu once a week. It’s hard to believe.” Tacos are just $3 each. Another weekly special is their $1 Beer Wednesday, where patrons can get a “tall boy” for just a buck with their meal.
Their drink list includes green tea (both hot and cold), lemonade, Italian soda and soda, as well as craft beer and wine with a focus on local (Idaho, Washington and Oregon).
David and Inez invite you to dine with them 11am to 8pm Monday through Thursday, 11am to 9pm Friday and Saturday. Closed Sunday. As November tends to be the slowest month of the year, according to David, they may be closed Mondays, so be sure to call ahead.
Rokkos Teriyaki & BBQ
322 East Sherman Avenue
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83814
208.930.0092
RokkosTeriyaki.com
