Johnny Rockets

Johnny Rockets is fine. It's not world class, it's not scum of the earth. I visited Johnny Rockets at The Banks location for lunch midweek. It was empty. Literally empty. I was the only person in there at the time. The moment I walked in I felt bad because all of the waitress jumped at me and greeted me warmly desperately trying to get a customer. I ended up sitting at the kitchen bar and had a couple waitresses help me as there wasn't anything else for them to do.

I ordered a coffee, which honestly was pretty darn good, and the Smoke-House Double burger. I don't know if they cook all the burgers to same temperature or if it was the waitress in training that forgot to ask, but it came out well done, which I'm not at all opposed to as long as it is still juicy. The patty's were cooked decently. Nothing amazing but still worthy. It  had a little bit of that char on the edges, which I enjoy. The Smoke-House comes with bacon, onion rings, cheddar cheese, and a BBQ ranch sauce. Overall the burger was perfectly adequate. One gripe I had with the burger was the bun. It was a really hard bun, maybe old, maybe intentional, I don't know. But I prefer a different bun.

The space is maxed out in Cincinnati, mostly Reds which is cool. I've never been to Johnny Rockets in other cities but the ones I have been too were your run of the mill old school diner decor. There are some elements of that here; the juke boxes, shakes, and chrome lined bar, but the Reds signage and memorabilia make you feel some Cincinnati pride while you eat.

Something that I've read in other reviews was that there was a bar. I did see the bar in the back. It was quite small. I didn't go to it but I can only imagine how overpriced it might be. And yes, that is one of the reasons Johnny Rockets gets 3 stars from me. The prices are a little on the high side, especially for the quality of the food.

Listen, I realize there are dozens of locations in the city with better burgers. They also aren't chains which is even better. But, really, Johnny Rockets is what it is. You know what your going to get from it and that's what makes a good chain. I didn't try any of the other food, because honestly Rockets should be judged on their burgers, so I can't speak to their other offerings. Johnny Rockets touts that they have "The Original Hamburger". And while that may be so, progression wins out in this instance. Hamburgers have advanced, and maybe Johnny Rockets should reevaluate theirs a tad.

When we went in here I didn't have high hopes.  I have been to other JR's and they have been ok at best.  What set this one apart was the bar in back.  Who knew this place had a bar.  The place wasn't busy so we just had a beer and talked to the bar tender.  His name was Rick and he was really great.  He told us about what was going on and what was going to opening.  The service there is what made this stop a nice one.  The bar tender was great.

I'm not fond of the food, and the service is only ok.  They tend to get my order partly wrong every time I go there.  The atmosphere is nice.

Bottom line, go across the street to Tin Roof.