The first Johnny Rockets opened in 1986 on trendy Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles.
Do you remember when you could get a vanilla malt or a syrupy Coke float made with real ice cream at the diner down the street? From the jukebox, "At the Hop" is blaring and customers dance while they wait for the best burger in town. Seated in the slick, red vinyl booths, sweethearts slowly sip through straws a shared strawberry shake.
If you are hungry for the good old days, look no further than Johnny Rockets, the all-American diner on Market Street in The Woodlands.
Wearing old-fashioned carhop hats and crisp white aprons, the energetic wait staff entertains customers every half hour by doing the crazy hand jive and dancing to the beat of the Bee Gees or the Beach Boys.
Johnny Rockets opened on March 19, 2005. Since the grand opening, the restaurant has enjoyed record-breaking crowds. The 50s-style diner is popular with every age group from babies to those who are still young at heart.The interior is a blast from the past. The words PIES, HAMBURGERS, FRIES AND MALTS are illuminated in bright neon colors. Cozy booths and metal tables and chairs are accented in red. For a nickel, guests can choose their favorite tune on the tabletop jukeboxes. By 11:30 a.m., most tables are filled. By noon, the place really starts rocking with music, food and fun.
"We have a lot of fun here," said Raworth. "On the weekends, we are busy most of the time. Johnny Rockets is a 50s-style diner that takes people back to yesteryear. It's really a good family atmosphere. The parents enjoy the music, the kids enjoy the food. People come for the experience.Everyone walks out feeling good."
Johnny Rockets features juicy, hand-pressed hamburgers such as the "Route 66 ($5.89)," teaming with fresh grilled onions, sliced mushrooms and Swiss cheese, the "Rocket Double ($6.59)," two thick patties with Tillamook cheddar cheese and "The Original," with lettuce, tomatoes, onion, relish and pickles for only $4.79!
Grilled to perfection with just the right amount of seasoning, these mouth-watering, one-third pound burgers are the kind your grandmother used to make.
Other items on the menu include salads, specialty sandwiches, chicken fingers, onion rings and chili fries.
"The menu is simple," said Raworth. "It's good, all-American hamburgers, hot dogs and fries," Raworth explained. "It's a neat fit for The Woodlands. We are pleased to be on Market Street."
"There are about 200 locations around the world," said Raworth. "We plan to open six stores in the next three years in the Houston area."
The next Johnny Rockets restaurant will open in June in Sugar Land Town Square.
"We plan to open another in Kingwood in the Kings Harbor area next October or November," Raworth said.
Johnny Rockets is sandwiched between Pier One Kids and Learning Express Toys on Market Street.
Now open for breakfast, Johnny Rockets serves eggs "My Way," omelettes, pancakes and French toast with bacon, ham or sausage.
For more information, call 281-419-9002.