Waymooreland Member Username: Waymooreland
Post Number: 96 Registered: 11-2007
| Posted on Saturday, January 24, 2009 - 10:51 pm: | |
I just noticed this morning passing by the Fox that the Johnny Rockets on the corner of Woodward and Montcalm is gone without a trace. The sign is gone and the windows are covered with Foxtown logo wraps. I swear it was there less than a week ago. It's too bad that another national chain has left the city proper. Anybody have any dirt on a new tenant taking over the space? I'm really surprised, frankly -- as that seems like prime real estate to me! |
48202 Member Username: 48202
Post Number: 59 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Saturday, January 24, 2009 - 11:21 pm: | |
The Johnny Rockets franchise was owned by Mike Ilitch. Hopefully he has something new planned for this prime location. |
Chub Member Username: Chub
Post Number: 259 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Saturday, January 24, 2009 - 11:36 pm: | |
That Johnny Rockets was pretty much on the same quality level as Mike's track record with preserving historic Detroit buildings. No big loss to me. |
1kielsondrive Member Username: 1kielsondrive
Post Number: 818 Registered: 08-2008
| Posted on Sunday, January 25, 2009 - 12:16 am: | |
Thanks, and right on Chub. |
Reddog289 Member Username: Reddog289
Post Number: 866 Registered: 08-2007
| Posted on Sunday, January 25, 2009 - 2:14 am: | |
Never ate there, going through old pix the other day found an old one of the Hockeytown beore it was the Hockeytown, It was the Risata or sumthin like that. Wasn,t Johnny Rockets a Pizza Cafe or sumthin like that? |
Thnk2mch Member Username: Thnk2mch
Post Number: 1324 Registered: 02-2006
| Posted on Sunday, January 25, 2009 - 9:38 am: | |
Johnny Rocket's is a Hamburger/fries chain. |
Gnome Member Username: Gnome
Post Number: 2257 Registered: 08-2007
| Posted on Sunday, January 25, 2009 - 9:58 am: | |
Reddog, Ilitch had a shortlived business concept designed to compete against Wolfgang Puck's California Pizza Kitchen, titled American Pizza Cafe. That American Pizza Cafe wasn't there very long, they had terrible service, a sullen staff and iffy food. Same as Johnny Rockets. Might be a management thing. |
401don Member Username: 401don
Post Number: 919 Registered: 11-2007
| Posted on Sunday, January 25, 2009 - 10:18 am: | |
I ate there a few times. Found it okay. Prices were actually less than other JR's I've eaten at. Lousy service or not. It's the same old story. Not enough foot traffic on non-event days to support it. How much longer can the Foxtown Grille last? |
Detroitrise Member Username: Detroitrise
Post Number: 3749 Registered: 09-2007
| Posted on Sunday, January 25, 2009 - 10:51 am: | |
quote:It's too bad that another national chain has left the city proper.
|
Rrl Member Username: Rrl
Post Number: 615 Registered: 12-2003
| Posted on Sunday, January 25, 2009 - 11:19 am: | |
No surprise. I ate there once...has to have been at least 7-8 years ago. The food was mediocre, the service terrible. After that experience, had no desire ever to return. I think their fate was sealed, it did not seem like a well managed operation. Ilitch will find another restaurant to take it's place. Or maybe a wig shoppe? |
Rjk Member Username: Rjk
Post Number: 1109 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Sunday, January 25, 2009 - 11:40 am: | |
I ate at JR's once and I wasn't sure if the wait staffs behavior was done on purpose or the result of them doing lines of coke in the back room. Annoying as hell. |
Smogboy Member Username: Smogboy
Post Number: 6539 Registered: 11-2004
| Posted on Sunday, January 25, 2009 - 11:55 am: | |
I've eaten at other Johnny Rocket's before. The only other one that was in the area was at the Star Southfield I believe. It's supposed to be a retro hamburger joint. It's nothing to write home about. I would've much rather sat at the counter at Bray's, the TelWay, the Hunter House or some other much more authentic greasy burger joint. (Message edited by smogboy on January 25, 2009) |
Softailrider Member Username: Softailrider
Post Number: 261 Registered: 02-2007
| Posted on Sunday, January 25, 2009 - 8:45 pm: | |
At one time , I think there was a Great Lakes Crossing location. |
Danindc Member Username: Danindc
Post Number: 4208 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Sunday, January 25, 2009 - 9:01 pm: | |
48202, are you sure it was franchised by Mike Ilitch? I was under the impression Dan Snyder--owner of the Washington Redskins--owned Johnny Rockets outright. The guy has been having some money troubles lately (see also: Six Flags), which is why he has to gouge fans at FedEx Field. Makes sense, though, right--an overpriced inferior product that leaves you with indigestion and heartache. |
Dtowncitylover Member Username: Dtowncitylover
Post Number: 453 Registered: 02-2008
| Posted on Sunday, January 25, 2009 - 10:03 pm: | |
There still is a Great Lakes Crossing location. |
Cmubryan Member Username: Cmubryan
Post Number: 454 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Sunday, January 25, 2009 - 10:20 pm: | |
I liked America's Pizza Cafe actually. They had a location there and on Telegraph in Southfield. The one in Southfield had a kickbutt selection of smoothies. This is probably circa 1990. |
48202 Member Username: 48202
Post Number: 60 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Sunday, January 25, 2009 - 11:46 pm: | |
DaninDC, Don’t know who owns the chain, but here’s an article from when Ilitch bought the franchise for the Fox. If the link doesn’t work, just search “Johnny Rockets Mike Ilitch” I was trying to point out that it wasn’t an outside tenant renting space in the building. |
Reddog289 Member Username: Reddog289
Post Number: 869 Registered: 08-2007
| Posted on Monday, January 26, 2009 - 12:48 am: | |
I knew it was a PizzaCafe before JR.I never ate there either wanted to try it but didn,t. Remember that one on Telegraph. Johnny Rockets looked cool, guess their food wasn,t. |
Smogboy Member Username: Smogboy
Post Number: 6550 Registered: 11-2004
| Posted on Monday, January 26, 2009 - 12:58 am: | |
I liked the America's Pizza Cafe too. I vaguely remember the one on Telegraph in Southfield (was it south of Ten Mile?). I grew up on Pizza Pizza from Little Caesars and was initially appalled that my local pizza place had gone upscale but the food there was actually pretty good. I remember great salads and a much more diverse pizza topping selection. The wood ovens would also permeate the place and I also remember taking a few dates there. It seemed unique then. And now places like Johnny Rockets comes along and tries oh-so hard to recreate a greasy 1950's burger joint. Just because one puts in stools, a formica counter, Coca Cola paraphernalia all over, and vinyl bench booths- it's not that inventive and relatively soulless. And the menu? Did we forget to mention what makes a restaurant somewhat unique? The food wasn't that great either. |
Danny Member Username: Danny
Post Number: 4420 Registered: 02-2004
| Posted on Monday, January 26, 2009 - 8:22 am: | |
PITIFUL!!! In a area where they could get customers during the Tigers and Lions games plus entertainment. Johnny Rockets claim that couldn't make a honest buck. That's the price a corporate franchises. Build your location, make a profit, if not close down and leave the building to some suckers. |
Iheartthed Member Username: Iheartthed
Post Number: 3673 Registered: 04-2006
| Posted on Monday, January 26, 2009 - 8:26 am: | |
Is the Johnny Rockets still open in the Star Southfield? Johnny Rockets sucks anyway. Now Detroit has space for a Cheesecake Factory. All jokes aside, I wonder were there any franchise rules for how many hours per day the restaurant had to be open. I remember that JR being closed even during times of the day when most other restaurants in the area were still open. |
Detroitplanner Member Username: Detroitplanner
Post Number: 2225 Registered: 04-2006
| Posted on Monday, January 26, 2009 - 8:33 am: | |
What they need to do is open up a diner like Aretha Franklin ran in the "Blue Brothers" complete with a guy who jumps up on the counter to play the Saxaphone. Call it Aretha's Place. |
Swingline Member Username: Swingline
Post Number: 876 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Monday, January 26, 2009 - 4:09 pm: | |
That Johnny Rockets location lasted at least five or six years. Not that bad of a tenure. Have to admit though, the food wasn't very good. They refused to grill their thin and mostly tasteless hamburgers to anything less than "well-done." The policy was written right on the menu. The staff always seemed sullen and harried even when it wasn't very busy. Here's hoping that Mr. Ilitch finds an energetic and creative local restauranteur to open in that very prominent location. |
Lodgedodger Member Username: Lodgedodger
Post Number: 1366 Registered: 05-2008
| Posted on Monday, January 26, 2009 - 5:06 pm: | |
Whenever we'd walk by, the place was closed. Of course, the menu at Hockeytown was similar to that of Johnny Rockets, why not open a different sort of place? When in that area, I'll go to the Bucharest Grill. They're always open and their food rocks. |
Hooha Member Username: Hooha
Post Number: 132 Registered: 06-2005
| Posted on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - 11:15 am: | |
Casualty of bad service. That place was always an hour and a half dining experience just to get a burger and fries. If you wanted a quick meal before a Tiger's game, you'd be late for the game. Much quicker and better options around there. |
Downtown_lady Member Username: Downtown_lady
Post Number: 506 Registered: 08-2008
| Posted on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - 11:27 am: | |
We went one time but left before we even ordered. Right after we sat down, one of the employees came through the dining area with a big bin of trash on wheels -- he actually went through the tables to take the trash out to the curb on Woodward Avenue. It was so disgusting we had to go. We could only imagine that if they could do something so ridiculous and gross, there might be a lot of unsanitary stuff going on in the kitchen that we didn't want to experience. |
Gumby Member Username: Gumby
Post Number: 976 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - 11:28 am: | |
I always found it wierd that with Little Caesar's headquartered in the building that it wasn't a sit-down restaurant version of Little Caesars in that space. kind of like a flagship restaurant. |
Gumby Member Username: Gumby
Post Number: 977 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - 11:29 am: | |
I always found it wierd that with Little Caesar's headquartered in the building that it wasn't a sit-down restaurant version of Little Caesars in that space. kind of like a flagship restaurant. |
Gumby Member Username: Gumby
Post Number: 978 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - 11:31 am: | |
lol just like pizza pizza you get 2 posts for the price of one. |
Jams Member Username: Jams
Post Number: 7596 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - 11:41 am: | |
Are my onion rings done yet? |
Solarflare Member Username: Solarflare
Post Number: 192 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - 2:57 pm: | |
I rarely saw the place open for business. No great loss. |
Erikd Member Username: Erikd
Post Number: 612 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - 10:08 pm: | |
Did anybody eat there more than once? I can't remember any downtown resident/worker/regular who went there on a regular basis, spoke highly of the place, or recommended it to others. I'm surprised it lasted as long as it did. |
Detroitej72 Member Username: Detroitej72
Post Number: 1143 Registered: 05-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - 10:13 pm: | |
I went there twice, no lasting impressions, just a convinent place to eat before going to the State, er Filmore Theater. |
Goose Member Username: Goose
Post Number: 94 Registered: 02-2005
| Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 12:10 am: | |
I stayed at a hotel in Cancun Mexico in 1990 that was right above a Johhny Rockets, that place was the bomb back then.... 1 yard beers, lots of fun.... its closed and torn down there also.... |
1kielsondrive Member Username: 1kielsondrive
Post Number: 833 Registered: 08-2008
| Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 12:11 am: | |
I also had the impression it was never open or the front was a decorative facade. It seemed every time I went by there, there was no one in it and the lights were out. Not necessarily unusual for downtown. |
Detroitpetanque Member Username: Detroitpetanque
Post Number: 200 Registered: 09-2006
| Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 11:10 am: | |
What Detroit needs is a place that sells pizza by the slice made in real pizza ovens - NY style. |
Rjlj Member Username: Rjlj
Post Number: 750 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 11:34 am: | |
Doesn't Niki's Pizza already do that? |
Tetsua Member Username: Tetsua
Post Number: 1529 Registered: 01-2004
| Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 12:27 pm: | |
Nikki's isn't NY style pizza though. |
Sailor_rick Member Username: Sailor_rick
Post Number: 125 Registered: 02-2004
| Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 10:18 pm: | |
Try Sargent Pepperonis in the Majestic Theater complex on Woodward. That's the closest I've seen yet to NY style pizza by the slice. I wish they'd sell knishes too for the true "poorman's" NY subway diet. |
Atwater Member Username: Atwater
Post Number: 354 Registered: 09-2007
| Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 11:21 pm: | |
quote:I wish they'd sell knishes too for the true "poorman's" NY subway diet. There aren't enough Jews in the immediate area to create a demand for knishes- notice the demographic diff between NY and Detroit! |
Iheartthed Member Username: Iheartthed
Post Number: 3685 Registered: 04-2006
| Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 8:09 am: | |
quote:What Detroit needs is a place that sells pizza by the slice made in real pizza ovens - NY style. Famous Famiglia. Isn't there one in the Ren Cen? |
Christos Member Username: Christos
Post Number: 134 Registered: 12-2006
| Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 9:58 am: | |
Detroit doesn't need NY style pizza- we have our OWN style, well TWO styles in fact. Deep dish with the sauce on top (Niki's, Buddy's, and Pizza Papalis, well sorta), and then your, well, "corporate round pizza" a la Little Caesars, Domino's, Hungry Howies, etc. Though, I can't help but wonder, now that I think about it, if "square deep dish- but not quite as deep as Detroit" is just our signature pizza. Again, like Niki's, Buddy's, and even Jet's. |
Gingellgirl Member Username: Gingellgirl
Post Number: 241 Registered: 04-2007
| Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 10:09 am: | |
Wanna buy a Johnny Rockets franchise? http://www.johnnyrockets.com/f ranchise/johnnyrocketsforsale. php |
Harsensis Member Username: Harsensis
Post Number: 358 Registered: 07-2005
| Posted on Sunday, February 08, 2009 - 10:29 am: | |
I love their burgers with the spicy red sauce. The service was really slow though. You could never eat there before going to an event. Whenever we wanted to eat there, we would plan only to do that. And you could not do it on a game night otherwise parking was expensive. We have one that I go to in Texas and the last few times I have eaten at Johnny Rockets I flew up to Minneapolis, taken the LIGHT RAIL from the airport over to the mall. Again if Detroit had a light rail from the airport I would be back there more often, but I have to find a ride or rent a car there. |