I have something to admit. I've never been to Johnny Rockets before. *Que boo's and shoe-throwing*
I thought it was just public opinion when people claimed it serves the best burgers in Bahrain. We all know how public opinion is. Many here seem to think more western = better. What ever happened to Tip Top and M7ammad Noor? End Rant.
Overview: Johnny Rocket's is pretty much an American diner experience. It's located next to the Aali Mall shopping complex, at the very front. You can't miss it. Is its reputation comparable to the food served? Let us embark on this magical food journey and find out.
The service is above-average, if anything. It took the food (for 6 people) a total of 17 minutes to arrive. This is astounding, as our meal encompassed several appetizers like the chili-cheese fries, and buffalo wings. The waiter had a wide knowledge of the menu, advising my friends on what to order according to what they're looking for. My only complaint is that the drinks took 7 minutes to arrive. This would be understandable if we ordered freshly brewed iced teas or a similar beverage, but this was not the case; I don't think six glasses of soft drinks take that long to serve. This is only a minor and trivial matter; they certainly make up for it with their speed in delivering the main course. Again, I must emphasize the need for waiters asking the customers how a meal is halfway through. This seems to be ignored at many restaurants nowadays. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it certainly does separate above average service from a perfect one.
4/5
Atmosphere:
I think Johnny Rockets nails the atmosphere spot-on. I can't think of anything they left out to make the atmosphere any more authentic. It incorporates the old hand-painted Coca-Cola advertisements of blondes holding coke bottles and smiling emptily into the distance. The place has those tall diner chairs that always make the experience funner for the kids. Music choice is, surprisingly, well chosen and ranges from a variety of old American classics. Did I also mention that some tables have a small jukebox on them? You put in 100 fils and you can flip through a range of classics for you to choose from. The waiters' uniforms is what tops it all off. You really feel like you're in the 70's. They wear those hats and everything. A+
5/5
Presentation:
Well it's not amazing, but it's not disappointing. The burgers look good aesthetically and the chili-cheese fries looked scrumptious. Everything was served steaming hot straight from the grill. I could not wait to dig in. Although the food did look good, the presentation was not necessarily memorable. Keep in mind that a 5 in this criteria is a presentation that surprises you with something new that sticks with you. All in all, Johnny Rocket's produces some good looking burgers that are comparable to the pictures in the menu.
4/5
Food:
This is the most important criterion in our reviews. Everything is irrelevant if the food is sub-par. I am happy to say that Johnny Rocket's does not disappoint. I ordered the Smokehouse, and I can confidently say that I have not eaten a better burger anywhere else. The proportion of the meat to the other ingredients is precise. The fries are decent and everyone seemed satisfied with their meal. I would like to note that the patties are made as soon as you order. They look hand-shaped, not perfectly circular like in many other restaurants serving burgers. In addition to this, the chef work station is located conveniently behind the tall diner chairs so you can see them work. Another great experience for the children. I would like to note that someone mentioned their burger was good but extremely heavy. This was not the case with mine, but his complaint will be noted. Other than that, everything was excellent. Good job and keep up the good work.
4.5/5
Pricing:
The pricing is similar to what you would pay at Chili's or Fuddrucker's. I paid a total of 4BD which encompasses the burger and a drink. One thing to note is that, unlike its competitors Johnny Rocket's doesn't serve any fries with the burger. You need to order them separately. This may put Johnny's more in the pricey range. The burgers are good and of high quality, but the burger is all you're getting. Usually you get a side of some sort, but this was not the case.
3/5
Total: 20.5/25
Overall, I think this is one of the best places to go to if you have the burger munchies. Think I was too lenient? Too harsh? Let me know with a comment below.
