(johnnyrockets.com) – Pacific Place, Downtown

How I heard of this place: Who hasn’t heard of this place with 1950s-inspired decor, served by wait-staff dressed in white, who break out in song and dance? 

Type of cuisine: Simple and unpretentious hamburgers, fries, shakes, sandwiches and salads. Very American. Very easy. You know exactly what you’re going to get.

Ambiance: All-American. With tabletop jukeboxes and nostalgic (for those who were around) decor. Booths and bar seating area available. The ones I have been to are bright, red and white and very simple.  

What I ordered: Two of us started to dine at this establishment and four of us (two who joined before we all went to see “Black Swan“) helped to finish the food! We started with two milkshakes, one strawberry and one Oreo cookies ‘n cream ($4 each). We continued with appetizers, three mini all-beef hot dogs ($5-$6) and Rocket wings ($4-$5), breaded chicken wings fried to a golden brown, served plain or tumbled in Hot Rocket Fuel sauce. For the main course, we had one order for the Smokehouse double ($8.99): two fresh patties, Cheddar cheese, applewood smoked bacon, crispy onion rings & “Smoke House” barbecue-ranch sauce and a St. Louis ($8.99), applewood smoked bacon, Swiss cheese, grilled onions, shredded lettuce, pickles & our “St. Louis” sauce. Each burger came with a side of fries, ketchup and mustard (available upon ordering).

What I loved: I loved that we could pop in before seeing a movie, sit right down and order immediately when we were ready. The staff were friendly, hard-working and very sweet. The food just as to be expected in such a place. The flavors were not unfamiliar nor did they blow us out of the water, but we knew what we wanted, what to expect and we got it. 

Why I loved it: It was a simple meal and tasted great before watching a long, dark movie.

Cost: low to mid-range for a burger meal ($8.99 each)