I tried the breakfast here one day before doing my Christmas shopping. I like the 50s style of the restaurant and the neon light decor. The service was okay. The food choices are great. Large portion sizes. They use pancake syrup instead of maple syrup. read more

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In the world today, there are too many behaviours that are trending with one objective which is to get views. Similarly, in the 'Foodie" world, the eating experience has to have Umami or any other of the 5 tastes. I can't believe the number of Adjectives used to describe food in these times. Sometimes, and I maybe dating myself here, we just want good tasting grub. Should I be calling it 'Comfort Food'? Depends on your definition. For example, food that provides consolation or a feeling of well-being, typically any with a high sugar or other carbohydrate content and associated with childhood (nostalgic or sentimental value) or home cooking. For the record, I grew up in England in the 60's & 70's. Beef drippings on Toast, full English Breakfast with fried (in bacon fat) bread & of course the ubiquitous 'Beans on Toast". To make a long review longer, I was in the Westgate mall/Carling Ave area recently for one of those visits to the Civic that require fasting as of the previous midnight. After my discharge, around NOON 30, I found myself in the parking lot of the Mall and noticed the Marque for Rockin Johnny's Diner. How could I resist. Especially since I was starving. No expectations or previous experience in this establishment to reference. But I was looking for some nostalgic Diner food. Once I received the menu, I found the Liver and Onions. Tender baby beef liver grilled and topped with sauteed onions, bacon & their famous gravy. I chose the fries as a side with corn. One can choose onion rings (why?), mashed potatoes or seasoned rice. I am very picky when it comes to my mash so, generally speaking, I only eat at home. Oh boy was it good. Everything reminded me of my earlier days. The liver was just the way I like it - not burnt but with a crispy sear on it. The bacon (at least 4 strips) covered the whole protein, it was accompanied with the right amount of onions and topped with a rich gravy. Two more items that are paramount - a warm plate so the meal stays hot til you're done and more than a few dabs of HP sauce were provided. Everything was marvelous. Like having an out-of-body experience. The only thing missing was a dinner roll or slice of bread & butter. I paired my meal with a coffee as tea in restaurants is never hot enough. Times have changed as the beverage was almost $4 but it was a bottomless cup. Final bill was a bit pricey for everyday but every once in-a-while a nice treat. read more

The food & service is all good no issues there. My last visit however I noticed the sugar & sweetener are not on the table. Sweetener Ok, it's expensive. But sugar? We had to ask the server for packets of both as our meal progressed. All I can suppose is the accountants have found a potential cash savings and servers were instructed to do this. If money is the motive how about loose sugar dispensers, and diabetics like me will continue to ask the servers for packets of sweetener. read more

Awesome food, huge portions! Definitely a go to! Good value for your money! Would definitely return!

This used to be my go to place. Sadly don't think I'll be returning. I ordered eggs benedict. the hollandaise had absolutely no flavor. none. nada. My friend ordered a reuben. soggy and again strangely flavorless. we both started to wonder if we had come down with covid. Staff were friendly. Service was great. Pricing was too high. read more

My family and I use to come here for brunch but hadn't been back in a few years. Food was done, nothing special, but the prices were so high it's not worth it. $9 for a milk shake? $4:50 for a small chocolate milk? I can buy a carton at the shoppers drug mart next door for $1 99 so an $82 breakfast for 3 people was ridiculous. It's a shame but we won't be back. read more

Rockin' Johnny's has been an Ottawa staple for the past two decades, and is a popular chain in the area. Another 50's inspired diner, it has the requisite jukebox, milkshakes and burger menu, and brightly-lit interior that brings people back into time, or those that never were in that time, to try to re-experience it. While the decor and atmosphere is good, the food is average at best. The burgers are dry, the fries are too greasy and the milkshakes, while very big in portion, are a bit too watery. The salads and wraps are pretty good though. The prices are moderate. I'd rather go to Zak's, but Rockin' Johnny's is a decent place with a cool atmosphere that is still worth checking out. read more

Rockin Johnny's Diner - rockin johnny's diner - Diners Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

Main was excellent, but veg was super over cooked. Staff was lovely. Really friendly. Price was good. Bathroom was kinda dodgy, under lit and over air freshener-ed. read more

Rockin Johnny's Diner - steak with gravy and french fries - Diners Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

I have been anticipating writing this review for a few days. I love Rockin' Johnny's the atmosphere is fun and usually quite enjoyable....I actually just wrote a review for the Kanata location 5 minutes ago. It's quite rare that I would go to Rockin' Johnny's twice in a week, but with a friend in from out of town, I hoped that this location would serve as a lovely brunch spot for 4 of us ladies on a Saturday morning. Two of our brunch attendees got there and saved us a table - which was great, because it was fairly busy. When the later two of us arrived, we sat down, and coffee was immediately brought over. We ordered some juice and got to catching up. It took a while for the server to come back, which could be due to the fact that we were talking loudly and reminiscing, but we were starving and it was almost 11 (when they stop serving breakfast). We ordered and the food came fairly quickly, 2 breakfast specials, BLT with home fries, and Eggs Benedict for me! hehe! The food was good, portions were huge (none of us managed to finish what was on our plates) but when I got up to use the ladies room, my whole impression of the restaurant changed. The bathrooms were FILTHY. I will not go back. I know the food and service should speak for the restaurant, but there is no way I can eat at a place that disregards their public facilities to that extent. *also, I know this is probably just me, but I hate when people who are also dining at a restaurant let their annoying little children scream through their entire meal. You might think it's charming and that your baby/toddler has a cute voice, but it ruins meals for other people. just sayin' read more

I was always impressed with how fast they are able to deliver your breakfast from kitchen to table. You barely have time to finish a cup of coffee and your breakfast has arrived. The refills are generally poured consistently speedy too. The staff are friendly and get to know you if you go there a few times. It's been in the Westgate Mall for what seems like forever, and it's always been a favorite. Only down side: they stop serving breakfast at 10 (or 11?) which kinda sucks for the Brunch crowd. read more

The best smoked meat sandwich and onion rings in Ottawa! The smoked meat is generously pilled high, it's never dry, chewy or fatty. The onion rings are always golden brown and hot. The restaurant is a tribute to reliving the '50s and as it's stated in the name of the restaurant, it is a diner so don't expect much of the dinning atmosphere. read more