Johnny Rockets has the worst hamburger in TV

[texasfal]

My husband and I went there yesterday to use the buy-1-get-1-free coupon from the paper. We both ordered the bcon cheese burger. After 5 minutes the server brought our drinks and told us it would be a 20-25 minute wait as the kitchen was backed up. As he spoke, the mgr. delivered our food? Anyway, the burgers were horrible. The meat was cold, dried out and mine was burnt. It was like eating beef jerky. Obviously the meat had been cooked way ahead of time. We kept waiting for the server to come back so we could send the food back but after 20 minutes he only came to hand us our checks. We told him the food was terrible. He spoke to mgr. who took $2.00 off the bill. Then we handed the server the coupon. The mgr. then put the $2.00 back on the bill and gave us the free(?) hamburger. We'll never go back. We walked down to Two Jays and split a sandwich. So where to get the best burger? Suggestions?

[Felice]

Steak & Shake has a good one at a very good price. Beef-o-Brady's has a really good burger. If you are in Lake Sumter Landing, try the burger at The Lighthouse!

[Shirleevee]

Beef O'Brady's.........my husbands favorite burger in TV.......
Good wings and onion rings too.

[aln]

MY favorite burger in TV is at the Saddlebrook Softball complex $3.00

Nothing fancy but always tender, juicy and tasty.

Other than that I've had burgers at Toojays, McCalls & Marguerita Republic and they're ok. I especially like the Patty Melt at Marquerita

and by the way, I pretty much feel the same as you on Johnney's :yuck:


There was an old thread on this about a year ago - don't know if it's still up but you could search on 'hamburger'.

[rshoffer]

My husband and I went there yesterday to use the buy-1-get-1-free coupon from the paper. We both ordered the bcon cheese burger. After 5 minutes the server brought our drinks and told us it would be a 20-25 minute wait as the kitchen was backed up. As he spoke, the mgr. delivered our food? Anyway, the burgers were horrible. The meat was cold, dried out and mine was burnt. It was like eating beef jerky. Obviously the meat had been cooked way ahead of time. We kept waiting for the server to come back so we could send the food back but after 20 minutes he only came to hand us our checks. We told him the food was terrible. He spoke to mgr. who took $2.00 off the bill. Then we handed the server the coupon. The mgr. then put the $2.00 back on the bill and gave us the free(?) hamburger. We'll never go back. We walked down to Two Jays and split a sandwich. So where to get the best burger? Suggestions?
Glenview CC

[judylou]

I agree with you about Johnny Rockets. If he didn't have that prime location he would certainly be closed by now. The service is terrible, the place is greasy and nasty and the glasses are deplorable. The ice cream is good but not enough to ever go back. The idea of the waitresses dancing is cute, the kids love it. It is a very good idea with terrible management.

[Russ_Boston]

I agree about JRs!

I like the patty melts at Steak and Shake. Beteen 2-4PM the shakes are 1/2 price.

[under55]

On Friday nights Lopez pool bar serves a 2 for 1 burger and they are great.
You don't have to be a priority member to eat there either.

[texasfal]

Thanks for all the replies. I agree that there are some wonderful burgers in TV. Especially at the country clubs. I'll have to give the Lighthouse a try, too.

[KathieI]

I agree with you about Johnny Rockets. If he didn't have that prime location he would certainly be closed by now. The service is terrible, the place is greasy and nasty and the glasses are deplorable. The ice cream is good but not enough to ever go back. The idea of the waitresses dancing is cute, the kids love it. It is a very good idea with terrible management.

Judy, I agree and the dirty aprons on the waitresses isn't too pleasant either. Cute place but it isn't run very well.

[nONIE]

We couldnt agree with you more about J R's. We had coupons for free burgers and didnt even bother to go back to use them.

Witnessed a disgruntled X employee throwing food from his plate on the grill. Uggg!!!barf

[Shirleevee]

OFF TOPIC.....

Inquiring minds would like to know WHO inspects these restaurants for cleanliness, etc.? JR's was deplorably dirty on my one and only visit there.

[soonfl]

5 guys on the way Village Crossroads

Coming Soon!

US 441 & Rolling Acres Rd.
Lady Lake, FL 32159

[dadspet]

Service was so bad wen we were there we finally walked out without our food = and it wasn't all that crowded!

[BobKat1]

I guess I'm in the minority here. We ate at JR's in March (outside so we didn't see the conditions inside) and the malts and fries were very good. Nothing to complain about on the burgers, although I liked my burger better than my wife did. Service was good too, although the restaurant wasn't too busy.

[zcaveman]

I ate at JRs a couple of times and was not happy with the food. Steak and Shake offers much better food and has a better variety.

[SteveFromNY]

My one vist to JR's was also awful. We sat outside, and the food was OK (not good, but edible), but the wait was atrocious. Close to 40 minutes! For me, the worst part was the SMELL inside. It was horrible. Mostly it smelled dirty.

[MMC24]

Only been to JR's once in 3 years of living in TV. I did't like it then and after reading this thread I don't think I will go any time soon.

[captgeo]

We went to Johnny Roc kets for lunch back in Dec. on our first visit to TV. It was by far our worst meal of the week. The service was horrendous and the food was atrocious.We will never go back.:beer3:

[BobKat1]

From the sound of it, JR's might be the next empty restaurant in TV.

I agree with zcaveman, Steak n Shake is our "go to" place for a burger, fries and a malt.

[l2ridehd]

YUM, 5 guys will put them all out of business. Excellent burgers and fries. Not as good as In and Out, but real close.

[Sgt Mac]

Oak Wood we think has the best Hamburger around and it is ashame about JR's great spot but thats about all very slow, and not good food Has anyone tried Sonnys? do they have a Hamburger?
Da Sgt

[Pookirgirl]

Johnny Rockets is really a disgrace. It is dirty and it stinks inside. For an eatery in The Villages, I am surprised it has remained open for so long. Most people are very particular of their eateries and this place is just awful.
The most delicious burger I have tried in TV is in The Havana restaurant. It was truly a treat and the wait staff is very friendly.

[MelZ]

5 guys on the way Village Crossroads

Coming Soon!

US 441 & Rolling Acres Rd.
Lady Lake, FL 32159

I saw the ad that they were hiring in The Sun and I was thrilled. Since all they serve is burger, fries and hot dogs, you would think they would make a good burger.

Well it's a great burger and fresh cut fries, perfection:icon_hungry::icon_hungry:

[Shirleevee]

I am still curious ....how does this place JR"S pass inspection?

[hoganth]

I have eaten at JR's in Winter Park and there is no comparison with the service and food. The JR's in TV is just plain awful. Suppose they will be gone before to long as well

[Talk Host]

Does anybody ever tell the manager, servers or owners to read Talk of The Villages? I can't image this thread totally escapes their notice.

[aln]

YUM, 5 guys will put them all out of business. Excellent burgers and fries. Not as good as In and Out, but real close.

BUT, I don't think they're going to golf cart accessible.
Correct me if I'm wrong.

[BobKat1]

Does anyone know if JR's are corporate or franchised?

You'd think a corporately owned location would be more consistent than a franchise.

[chuckinca]

Looks to be a very big chain:

http://www.johnnyrockets.com/aboutus/factsheet.php


Their location in LSL is great, too bad it is mismanaged.

I just sent a Guest Comment on their form - might get some action if others did too:

http://johnnyrockets.com/sitemap.php


.

[ABC]

We also do not like the food at JR's our favorite burgers are Ruby Tuesday's and Chili's

[chuckinca]

The general manager of the TV Johnny Rocket's just called me after I sent them a guest comment email yesterday.

He read thru this thread last night and said he was very sorry that everyone was having a bad experience at Johnny Rocket's.

I told him to join TOTV and he could respond directly to the people that disliked the store.

.

[nONIE]

Thanks for taking the Bull by the horns Chuck! Johnny Rockets is a fun place to go and the concept is really great for the Villages, hopefully some changes will be made.

[Boomer]

Nice work, Chuck,

You gave them a chance to get in there and figure out what is going on and to fix any problems.

You would think that a Johnny Rocket's in TV could be a gold mine. What's not to like? Hamburgers. Ice Cream. Singing the Oldies. The Johnny Rocket's concept has a good thing going. Franchises cost a blue fortune. I just don't get it when I see an investment in a franchise allowed to go downhill. It makes no sense to me. But I know it happens. All the time.

You can always tell a well run franchise. Good food, of course. Excellent customer service training that shows. Teamwork. And the whole staff, the boss included, goes by the motto, "If you've got time to lean, you've got time to clean."

I hope by the time I get back to TV, Johnny Rocket's is getting rave reviews. I just love a happy ending.

Boomer

[l2ridehd]

Agree Chuck, glad you invited him to respond. Hopefully he will take corrective action. I am somewhat concerned that will not happen. In 100% of the time, the real root cause of the problem is management. The business model works. The products are usually quite good, the customers are the customers and are the same everywhere. I am sure I will hear that "no, the Villages is different because the customers are all retired" but I will not agree with that. I am sure if the JR's in Orlando was failing, they would say it's because the customers are all kids.

Management owns 100% of all problems with every business. And if one place it works well and another it does not, I could just change the management and the problems would follow. It is never the employees, the customers, or the environment, it is always management. I have seen changing management bring about success far to many times for it not to be true. Good managers will find a way to make the business successful and solve the problems.

[gemorc]

In Detroit, directly across Woodward Ave. from Comerica Park, is a Johnny Rockets. It is open 20 hrs. a day with lines waiting to get in. Rated "Best burger in Detroit". Just after I moved here, I tried JR's at LSL. I was never more disappointed with a hamburger in my life. But I learned from my mistake, NEVER will I go back.

The burgers and shakes at Steak and Shake are pretty darn good, but my oh my, I sure love the 5 way chili.

[kar guy]

Just to let you know. My wife was in Tuesday and told the manager of what was going on at TOTV and he apologized for any problems that had occured. MY wife ordered a hamburger, fries and malt, with the use of her coupon the total price was $6.00. She said the food was very good, the amount of food was more than she could eat, the place looked and smelled as if they just cleaned and sparkled it. She was happy and will be back.. The service was very good also. Maybe, just maybe this blog helped them do a better job. The manager Said he has been there over a year and he assured my wife that the food and service will be what she expects. Take care kar guy

[chuckinca]

Kar Guy:

That's good news! I really like Johnny Rocket's and hope they are a huge success with lines down the street like Detroit! (will let Detroit other comments pass)

Chuck

[Shirleevee]

Does anybody ever tell the manager, servers or owners to read Talk of The Villages? I can't image this thread totally escapes their notice.


I complained and got a shoulder shrug.......

[schwarz]

We went there a couple of times a year or more ago and questioned the manager as to how and why they would cook so many burgers ahead and leave them out on the counter to dry out. Also not allowed by the health department. He covered them up and said sorry but the practice continued so we stopped going. Do not think they will last much longer.

[GatbTester]

J.R. has about the most inept serving staff in any of TV restaurants. The service is abominal. Once there, most never repeat the performance.

[chuckinca]

Another response to my "guest comment" email:

Dear Charles,

Thank you for taking the time to let us know about your recent visit and your experience at Johnny Rockets. I deeply regret that your experience at Johnny Rockets was less than satisfactory.

We take very seriously any concerns our customers have and ask that you accept our apology for not meeting your expectations.

We have strict regulations and training programs that help us ensure our standards are being followed not only for the preparation of our products, but for the way they are served to our customers nationwide.

I assure you that your comments have not been taken lightly. As such, I have shared your concerns with the Johnny Rockets restaurant management team supervising this unit.

We hope you will give us another opportunity to serve you soon and want you to know that we value your feedback.


Sincerely,



Brett Babick, Vice President, Operations
The Johnny Rockets Group, Inc.

[juan2009]

Hello everyone, I am the store manager and I appretiate all your comments, we are deeply sorry for all the bad experiences you guys had at our restaurant, as my boss said we are making the proper adjustments, getting more and better staff, we hope we get another chance

Sincerely,

Juan duque
General Manager

[Talk Host]

I read your bosses response. I saw only an apology and a statement saying that the comments were shared with the "restaurant management team." I didn't see anywhere that he said things were going to be changed.

I wonder what changes have been made. If there are "strict regulations' concerning training why weren't they enforced when the current staff was hired? Is there a new staff?

An apology is hollow if nothing is done to correct the problem. I'm also wondering if I went in there today, would things be improved remarkably?

[Lucko]

As a retired restaurant owner, I find Johnny Rockets to be the absolute pits !!! My wife and I ate there twice a while back. The first time the place was messy and the service slow, the food was fair, but way over priced. The second visit was restaurant HELL !!! The place was filthy, the help was dirty and inattentive. After fifteen minutes the waitress noticed that they had a third couple in the place and took our order. Forty-five minutes later we interrupted their horseplay to ask about our food and she came back to say that the printer had run out of paper and our order had been lost. She re-entered our order and in less than five minutes we were served a miniature malt, a watered down soda, a very raw hamburger and a chicken sandwich that was bloody raw on the first bite !!!!!!!! I don't know how they could pass any inspection as I saw over a dozen serious violations from where I sat !!! I like Johnny Rockets in Nashville, but I will never, thats NEVER, go near Sumter Johnny Rockets again !!! Stay healthy, stay out of there !!! I regret that I paid for that crap that we could not eat !!! Steak and Shake is a far better deal, better food and very clean. Corporate should close Sumter Johnny Rockets, as should The Villages and the Health Department !!!

[Talk Host]

I felt that it was in the best interest of fairness to send this thread to Johnny Rockets home office. I went on line and found their "contact us" information. I then went to the "comment" section. It took me 10 minutes to fill out all the information. I took the time to fill it out because I think it's important, but I'm guessing most other individuals would not have spent all the time required to fill out everything on that forum.

The product you ate
The time you ate it
The date you ate it
The location of the store
Comments on the meal.
Your city
Your state
A cross street reference
Was it eat in or carry out
Your name
Your address
Your day phone
Your night phone
How many times do you visit per month?
How much do you normally spend each visit?
How many people were in your party?

Let's see if I get a response. I'll let your know if and when I hear anything.

[redwitch]

I've had good and bad at JR's. The burger has been decent every time but the service has been, shall we say, seriously lacking. I haven't gone there in several months and really don't play to return. The last time there the restaurant smelled, the bathroom was semi-clean and the service was beyond bad.

Johnny Rocket's at the mall near our old home in California was a favorite place to stop and eat after shopping. There was nearly always a line but worth the wait.

After my experiences and the comments made here, I'm really afraid to try another one -- at least in Florida. It really is a shame a good chain can be brought down so much just by one bad franchisee.

However, going back to one of the original questions -- I vote for Cane Gardens burgers. Big and juicy. They drip just the way a burger should without being greasy.

[Eve2278]

Yeah, what happened to Johnnys. It was just a couple of years ago the place was good and now your lucky if you get waited on when there not even busy.. the servers appear to be apathetic. Such a shame the decor and location is perfect for The Villages. Must be management...something has changed..

[Taltarzac]

Yeah, what happened to Johnnys. It was just a couple of years ago the place was good and now your lucky if you get waited on when there not even busy.. the servers appear to be apathetic. Such a shame the decor and location is perfect for The Villages. Must be management...something has changed..

I did not notice any glaring health code violations or anything like that which would prevent me from going back. I am just not that into greasy burgers anymore.

[bevlaur]

Heard Five guys was going to replace Johnny Rockets! Great Burgers and REAL French Fries!!!

[Bogie Shooter]

Heard Five guys was going to replace Johnny Rockets! Great Burgers and REAL French Fries!!!
What do you mean "replace"?

[Taltarzac]

What do you mean "replace"?

I just looked at Five Guys' website and they are putting in a new restaurant at US441 and Rolling Acres Rd. 32159.

[BBQMan]

Good to know. Does anyone know which side of Rolling Acres Road yet?

[Taltarzac]

Good to know. Does anyone know which side of Rolling Acres Road yet?

I got the impression that this will be on the South Side of US 27/441.

[chuckinca]

Maybe over by Kohl's(?)


.

[suebanj]

Saw the sign in the Kohls, JoAnns, shopping center

[beady]

right on the corner of the Best Buy side of the shopping plaza. Backs up to Rolling Acres........hope it is better than Johnny Rockets......although that souldn't be hard to accomplish.:confused:

[jdsl1998]

Sad about JR's....when they are good, like the one in Ohio, they are very good. I have not eaten in TV location, too many other resturants to try. Sorry to say, I will not even give it a go with these reviews. Another milk shake and fries, I coulda' had....