That's odd....Johnny Rocket's on Rush closed

I had a meeting in the neighborhood last night and thought I'd run over and grab an egg salad sandwich, which JR's has always done very well. Quite a surprise to see the signage gone, the windows blackened, and not a creature in sight.

Too bad.

I attribute thier demise to the decision to have the staff dance and sing songs.

Kept me away.

Tho' I'm aware of the phenomenon, I never encountered staff singing or dancing at that Johnny Rockets(the 3 or so times I "dined" there).

Similarly, on a recent run through town I was surprised to see "my" Burger King(Taco Fresco) had closed; the Old Town/Gold Coast one. I prefer BK over McD's and never had a problem ordering *my way* at this particular outpost. Now, the homeless and/or crazy person ratio was a bit high, but certainly navigable. They seemed to do a decent business what with blue collar workers, itinerants, and Latin School students. Odd that they couldn't make it.

The one in Northbrook Court is closed as well. In fact the entire food court at NBC is closed!

I remember reading a while back that the Chicago location in the 900 North Michigan building was closing, due, I believe, to a rent increase or the real estate being too valuable.

Surprised that the NBK Court one closed. I know the food court is undergoing a transformation, with half of it closed for awhile now (the side where the Subway used to be or for you old-timers the Arby's). Last time I was there though, the fine choices still available included McDonald's, Taco Bell, Sbarro, that place where they always hand you a piece of chicken on a toothpick, Auntie Annie's Pretzels, and a juice/smoothie/panni/this week's trend place.

This is surprising - I actually really liked their burgers and the 50's style service and music.

Too bad, in my opinion - a great place to take your kids around the Mag Mile.

Even Rick Bayless liked this place!

And also, the staff at Johnny Rockets never broke out into song or dance - that is Ed Debevic's you are thinking of.

Snark wrote:And also, the staff at Johnny Rockets never broke out into song or dance - that is Ed Debevic's you are thinking of.

I assure you, Snark, it is not. It's possible the practice was short-lived, but it was in this very Johnny Rockets, probably about a year and a half ago, that I and seven or eight other individuals did our best to stare through the counter as the entire staff -- servers, grill men, dish washers, managers -- subjected us to a fully choreographed and rehearsed medley. Not a single expression in the restaurant, customer or staff, was anything short of pained.

At the time, I lamented the fact that this practice would most likely keep me away from the Smokehouse, for which I possess an unhealthy affinity. And, indeed, I've only been back once or twice since (though I did not encounter the routine again). Ed Debevic's, on the other hand, I never liked and probably haven't visited in ten years.

I agree, though, the song and dance episode aside, I was quite fond of the place.

I'm surprised it took so long to close. Absolutely sucky burgers.

I assure you, Snark, it is not. It's possible the practice was short-lived, but it was in this very Johnny Rockets, probably about a year and a half ago, that I and seven or eight other individuals did our best to stare through the counter as the entire staff -- servers, grill men, dish washers, managers -- subjected us to a fully choreographed and rehearsed medley. Not a single expression in the restaurant, customer or staff, was anything short of pained.

That's actually hilarious since I would have never expected it from here! perhaps it was a birthday or something - who knows!

Anyway, I'm bummed that this place is gone and I typically hate fast-food - although I feel this was miles from McD's. It is sad to think that your kids cant go to an ole'fashioned, or replica - of a 50's hamburger stand and get a true malted shake and a burger or maybe a true cherry coke. Their fries/onion ring basket was pretty nice too - too bad they are gone!

Dmnkly wrote:I attribute thier demise to the decision to have the staff dance and sing songs.

Kept me away.

I went to the Johnny Rocket's in Bolingbrook when it first opened. I experienced the same terrible song and dance routine with the added bonus of the staff shouting "Hello" to every person that walked in the door. I opened my paper, ignored the shenanigans, ate my lunch, and vowed never to return.

Item in the Sun-Times today noting that Johnny Rocket's has signed a lease with the building on State and Kinzie which is to house the long-awaited Museum of Broadcasting.

Snark wrote:Anyway, I'm bummed that this place is gone and I typically hate fast-food - although I feel this was miles from McD's. It is sad to think that your kids cant go to an ole'fashioned, or replica - of a 50's hamburger stand and get a true malted shake and a burger or maybe a true cherry coke.

Take your kids to Schoop's, they can get the full treatment there.

I hate that singing-staff rubbish, and actively avoid places that I know are into it. How much more insincere can it be to have a group of strangers paid to sing happy birthday to you? Gimme a break. A big one.

My first and last trip there was in the early '90s. The food was OK, nothing special. What really sent me packing was when I started to put a blob of ketchup on my plate for my fries, the counter guy actually grabbed the bottle out of my hand saying, "Let me do that for you," and then proceeded to pour the ketchup out in an adorable smiley face arrangement. I sat there with an expression on my face that was a mixture of total astonishment, nausea, and a fixed stare that said "if looks could kill, you, Mr. Counter Man, would be my next victim". Counter boy took no notice and went on about his business. I ate quickly, paid my check and vowed never to go back to Johnny Rocket's.

It has been the single easiest vow in my life to fulfill. No regrets.

Buddy

Did he ask for your number?

Oh, so you know the guy I'm talking about. Yeah, it was an awkward moment. I just don't get how the whole JR's shtick is appealing to anyone.

Fictional enhancement:...Yeah, it was an awkward moment. He couldn't understand why I wouldn't leave my wife and children for him. I said, "Listen pal, you think you're the first one to pull the smiley face ketchup move on me? Please, if I had a nickel for every time some counter jockey poured me a smile I could eat lunch at Charlie Trotter's instead of this dump."

He was crestfallen. Suddenly I felt sorry for him and I back pedalled.

"Look, maybe if you tried a different condiment," I offered. "Have you ever done a smiley in mustard? Everyone's doing ketchup smiley faces, maybe you should do mustard. Make a clear distinction between you and the rest of the pack. Or how about Barbecue Sauce? I'm more of a Barbecue Sauce kind of guy."

His shoulders slumped. "We...we don't have Barbecue at Johnny Rocket's," he whimpered in defeat.

I quietly paid my check and left. Thus ended a beautiful relationship that never was...

There, that's better.

Buddy

Our typical post-dentist meal is always at Johnny Rockets in Old Orchard Mall, where we've thankfully never been subjected to any routine. Sparky, however, loves the smiley-face ketchup tray to the point that I often do one on his burgers at home. I'm a fan of their egg salad as well, and the boys are big on their melts. I wish malls had them as an option, as opposed to the ubiquitous Yum! Brandsproducts.

However, years ago - on our one and only visit to Joe's Crab Shack - Sparky had to be carried out, screaming, during the song-and-dance number which was not only bad but loud enough to cause him pain.

You know I got the smiley face ketchup deal at NB CT
I thought it was part of JR shtick-
my kids loved it
me- I didn't care either way
I thought their BLT was fine and their milkshakes were good-
any alternative to the evil McD was always fine by me
when I was at NB Ct on Sun there were employees in JR,
but they weren't letting any customers in....
and the rest of the food court was dark
Corner bakery and Magic Pan must be LOVIN this.

Well, as my first college job was AT this JR's, I'll throw in my two cents. You are "taught" the dance in your training when you're hired, but it was never done when I worked there. I heard that when they tried to clean up the corruption and general "ghetto" atmosphere of this JR's, they reimplemented the dancing.

And yes, they also teach you to make the ketchup into smiley faces.

Incidentally, I encountered more famous people in JR's then anywhere else in Chicago, even when serving at the CSO. Who knew?

Oh and in my defense, I have no fondness for their food. It was just a job at that stage in life.

debsdiningdigs wrote:The one in Northbrook Court is closed as well. In fact the entire food court at NBC is closed!

Sbarro was my favorite New York slice ! Damn !

It looks like they are remodeling the entire food court at Northbrook Court.

I guess Corner Bakery would be busier since there is nothing else there right now - in the way of faster food.