Johnny Rocket's

[PennBF]

About a year ago we visited Johnny Rockets and it was pretty dirty with buns on the floor, food laying out etc. We decided we would never go back.
Today I thought it would be good to go in at lunch time and order something to see if things have changed since I understand it is under new management. The good news is that it appeared to be much cleaner and there were plenty of servers.
Here is what happened with my order, etc. I ordered a hot dog, a grilled cheese sandwich and fries. The results were: (a) the order for a Hot Dog was never included, (b) the grilled cheese was just warmed up bread, not toasted and terrible and (c) the fries were "commercial".
Given it appears they did significant work to clean the restaurant up it is a shame they did not concentrate on the food more. If they would have gone to a place like the Light House they would have seen how they could have made better fries. There was no excuse for the grilled cheese. If they would just have ordered one and then determined it was terrible it could have been improved with little work. I disregard the lack of including my order for a hot
dog as the server was young and talking to another server and just missed the order. That can happen anywhere. I don't think we will be going back for awhile as there still seems to be a lack of attention to quality. I am sure Chef Ramsey would have torn the manager apart for serving the grilled cheese as they did and the fries as though they came out of a freezer bag.
Oh well..at least we tried..!!:ohdear:

[Villageshooter]

This would be the best spot for a Hooters,, great wings, great atmosphere, fun place to go. I think we all have had a enough Jonny Rockets, this is a dead horse that just wont ride.

[ilovetv]

Same experience here.....reluctantly decided to give it another try with the new management. Was only 1 of 4 customers present, and there were at least 6 employees chatting behind the counter, doing nothing. That's okay, because incoming customers ebb and flow. However, I waited and waited...and finally my burger, fries and shake were brought to me. This food was pathetic. Burger was dry and tough, and the fries were so cold and rubbery it was like they were made the day before. I had to wait to flag down the server and when I told him about the cold rubbery fries, he said, "Oh...I know.....they were sitting there like you said.....I'll get you new ones." (He knew they were old!) He returned in about 45 seconds with "new" fries that were just as cold and worthless as the first ones. With that many employees standing around chatting, there's no excuse for this.

Worse yet, the bill came to $13. Never again. I don't know how this place can afford to pay their light bill much less commercial leasing in TV that's high.

[Bogie Shooter]

About a year ago we visited Johnny Rockets and it was pretty dirty with buns on the floor, food laying out etc. We decided we would never go back.
Today I thought it would be good to go in at lunch time and order something to see if things have changed since I understand it is under new management. The good news is that it appeared to be much cleaner and there were plenty of servers.
Here is what happened with my order, etc. I ordered a hot dog, a grilled cheese sandwich and fries. The results were: (a) the order for a Hot Dog was never included, (b) the grilled cheese was just warmed up bread, not toasted and terrible and (c) the fries were "commercial".
Given it appears they did significant work to clean the restaurant up it is a shame they did not concentrate on the food more. If they would have gone to a place like the Light House they would have seen how they could have made better fries. There was no excuse for the grilled cheese. If they would just have ordered one and then determined it was terrible it could have been improved with little work. I disregard the lack of including my order for a hot
dog as the server was young and talking to another server and just missed the order. That can happen anywhere. I don't think we will be going back for awhile as there still seems to be a lack of attention to quality. I am sure Chef Ramsey would have torn the manager apart for serving the grilled cheese as they did and the fries as though they came out of a freezer bag.
Oh well..at least we tried..!!:ohdear:

I too had give up on JR's over a year ago. Then read in the Daily Sun of the new management.
We went and it was a total turn around of what we had experienced in the past.
The service was excellant, the food came quickly and was also excellant. I made a point to stop and talk to the manager on duty and told him we were impressed with the change from the past. We have since gone twice more with the same results.
There was another thread recently where all the posters were impressed with the new management. their service and food.
You don't say if you discussed your complaints with the mangement.......how do you expect them to correct something if they are not told?

[Tom Hannon]

This would be the best spot for a Hooters,, great wings, great atmosphere, fun place to go. I think we all have had a enough Jonny Rockets, this is a dead horse that just wont ride.

How about "Famous Dave's". They would be a fantastic addition. As far as Johnny Rocket's goes, I also have had two bad experiences. Never again.

[PennBF]

Boogie Shooter..I think your critizim of my handling was right. I should have gone to the Manager and voiced my concerns directly to them. I was impressed with how clean it was. I would honestly suggest they sit down and the managers/owner's order what is on the menu and see how it is done. Another way is to have customer's go in not announced and order and then provide input to the owner/manager. I understand this is done at 5 guys. That once a week or month someone eats there, makes note of the food and how clean it is and the workers get a bonus depending on how high their marks are.
I hope they do this since I would really like to see them make it..:popcorn:

[starflyte1]

I have been to Johnny Rockets twice in the past month, once in a group 5 , and another, a group of 6, including 2 children under two. We had great food, service and a great time .

[Skip2MySue]

Boogie Shooter..I think your critizim of my handling was right. I should have gone to the Manager and voiced my concerns directly to them. I was impressed with how clean it was. I would honestly suggest they sit down and the managers/owner's order what is on the menu and see how it is done. Another way is to have customer's go in not announced and order and then provide input to the owner/manager. I understand this is done at 5 guys. That once a week or month someone eats there, makes note of the food and how clean it is and the workers get a bonus depending on how high their marks are.
I hope they do this since I would really like to see them make it..:popcorn:

If they got rid of JR's and replaced it with 5 Guys you wouldn't be able to get in to the place with crowds lined up down the block:)
Skip 2

[gatherer47]

I had a fine meal with three others just last Saturday.Good service,food was good,and was very clean.No complaints!

[starflyte1]

IMHO, I think Johnny Rocket's burgers are much better than 5 Guys.

[rubicon]

If they got rid of JR's and replaced it with 5 Guys you wouldn't be able to get in to the place with crowds lined up down the block:)
Skip 2

5 guys has good fries but their burgers are for the birds....and there prices a bit much.

[NotGolfer]

We've been there twice since they new ownership and our experience was the opposite of this poster. We had the "original burger" along with the fries! Have to say we were very satisfied. Great food and service! All the staff were friendly and attentive so we'll definately go back!!!

You can order your french fries, extra crispy and also tell them you want the bread toasted to your specifications. If it's not right tell them and get a do-over! They can't know unless they're told.

[RichieB]

The absolute BEST fast-food burger I have EVER had was at In-N-Out. This is a chain in several western states, unfortunately none in the east. Good fries too.

YUM :coolsmiley:

[PennBF]

I only voiced my experience and therefore would expect some to be happy with JR. If I had children or grand children here it would be a great place to take them. It has a terrific location and has the responsibility to be a key
representation of The Villages. That puts just a little more responsibility to
be very good and not just good.:coolsmiley:

[Bogie Shooter]

I only voiced my experience and therefore would expect some to be happy with JR. If I had children or grand children here it would be a great place to take them. It has a terrific location and has the responsibility to be a key
representation of The Villages. That puts just a little more responsibility to
be very good and not just good.:coolsmiley:

The problem is we all have a different definition of "good".

[hedoman]

Although we found JR's to be quite good after the change in management Steak n Shake beats them by a mile!

[Yorio]

I think the new JR management is doing a much better job than before. Yes, I believe 5 Guys could co-exist and would be a good competition. May the best food and service win or co-exist. I like JR's combo slider and occasional root beer float or milk shakes.

[DeborahL]

Wish I had a JR near me. I went to JR when I lived in TV area and I enjoyed the food and service.:coolsmiley: :coolsmiley:

[Aloha]

I had a cheeseburger, french fries and milkshake and everything was great. The service was excellent. I have no complaints and will go back. I am surprised to hear that the food was cold or bad from other customers. When I was there, everyone was happy and enjoying the food and service.

[skyking]

We've been there twice since they new ownership and our experience was the opposite of this poster. We had the "original burger" along with the fries! Have to say we were very satisfied. Great food and service! All the staff were friendly and attentive so we'll definately go back!!!

You can order your french fries, extra crispy and also tell them you want the bread toasted to your specifications. If it's not right tell them and get a do-over! They can't know unless they're told.
Have visited twice recently and it was clean, food was good and the service even better.

[buggyone]

I prefer Cody's at Lake Sumter Landing to Johnny Rocket. At Cody's, you can sit at the bar, eat free peanuts, have a $1.99 bar burger (excellent) and two pints of beer for $3 during happy hour which is from opening until 7 pm.

So, for $5 you can have a great lunch with much less fat and grease than Johnny Rocket.

[Bill32]

My favorite is now Steak and Shake. Better all around with out getting to details. JR with the original mgt. was our favorite

[jpharmat]

We also had had a bad experience at J.R. several years ago. Gave it another try and was pleasantly surprised ! Good food, very clean and great staff !

[grayesun]

We've visited the JR at Sumter Landing twice, before new management took over - each time it was about average, nothing special, certainly not worth a special trip to get a burger. The few times we've eaten in JR while cruising, the food seemed a little better -fresher. With so many burgers options around here...when we really get a craving for a burger treat, our choice is usually 5 Guys. We really like the burgers at Palmer, Cane Garden and Glenview too. Oh, and have yet to see any entertainment in JR's in TV as they do often during the cruise.