Pizzeria Oceano's Dak Kerprich Announces Plans For Swell Pizza in Delray Beach

You heard it here first: Dak Kerprich, owner of Pizzeria Oceano, is branching out with a new concept. And no, it's not another location for his Lantana-based restaurant.

It is big news for fans of Kerprich's unique brand of pizza, however, and for South Florida food lovers looking for quality organic, local eats.

See also: Clay Conley Announces Plans For New Italian Eatery in West Palm Beach

In a recent interview Kerprich confirmed he has closed on a small space in downtown Delray Beach for his latest venture, Swell Pizza, that will be a take-out and delivery operation only. Kerprich said depending on permits and build-out, he hopes to open his new concept by January.

Fans of Pizzeria Oceano, take note: Swell Pizza won't be a cookie-cutter concept, but instead will offer a concise menu featuring just two things, pizza and salad.

"We have a great client base in Delray, and I felt the area needed something that's all organic, while focusing on using only local ingredients, that's also take-out," said Kerprich. "There's a lot of great restaurants in Delray, but nothing offering what [Swell] will deliver."

Kerprich said he has been working on creating a multi-location model since opening Pizzeria Oceano in 2009, but hadn't found the right outlet. And although he's been asked to open additional Pizzeria Oceano locations, it's not a concept he wants to replicate, he added.

"I can't franchise Pizzeria Oceano," said Kerprich. "I've been asked dozens of times, but this isn't the type of thing you can do that way. Not with a menu that changes daily, and sourcing only local ingredients -- like fresh fish right off the boat. It just wouldn't work."

To get around that, Kerprich envisioned a more focused concept with a limited menu. Kerprich said Swell will offer just three to four custom pizzas -- and two to three specialty salads -- each day. He plans on opening several more over the next few years if all goes as planned.

Unlike Pizzeria Oceano, Swell won't be doing Neapolitan-style pizza. Rather, Kerprich has designed his own type of pizza "Americana" made with a special dough he's crafted to "travel better than a Neapolitan-style pizza." The toppings will be the same, however: local, fresh, and 100 percent organic.

For more information on Swell Pizza's grand opening, stay tuned here on Clean Plate Charlie, or follow Swell Pizza on Twitter.

Nicole Danna is a food blogger covering Broward and Palm Beach counties. To get the latest in food and drink news in South Florida, follow her @SoFloNicole or find her latest food pics on Clean Plate's Instagram.