It may be hard for a portion of our reading audience to consider Johnny’s Hall of Fame as a destination for great food. I, too, had issues when I first heard an organization I was involved with was catering in Johnny’s pizza for a lunch. But, I trusted the individuals who were putting that lunch together and just went with the flow…boy was I rewarded.
Johnny’s is right on Court Avenue, right in the heart of the Court Avenue bar scene, which makes it a great destination to watch the big game or catch up with friends over a happy-hour adult beverage. What many don’t know, or have forgotten (from drinking), is Johnny’s has fantastic food! Not just the typical fried bar food, but really good food that includes pizzas, sandwiches, salads, and burgers.
I have eaten at Johnny’s on numerous occasions and, obviously, had it catered a time or two as well. So, I have had many items off their menu, but during my last visit I swayed – not because I was drinking – towards the Graziano’s Italian Grinder, for obvious reasons. The grinder boasts Des Moines own Graziano’s Italian sausage topped with provolone cheese on a hoagie bun with a side of fries. I know, not the healthiest meal, but oh boy it was fantastic. My buddies had the Rarebit Burger and French Dip and both went away very happy campers. In past experiences, I have mainly stayed with the sandwich angle, but I have had their Patty Melt, which was also very good.
Johnny’s also has the traditional appetizer items like chicken wings, chicken tenders, nachos, and mozzarella sticks, which are extremely popular. Regardless, I find it very easy to say you will enjoy your experience at Johnny’s, I always have.
After all, why would you want to eat at a chain restaurant when you can eat at Johnny’s?
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I’ve been hesitant about dining at Johnny’s, due to some unfortunate experiences in the past. One story comes to mind.
It was a slow Wednesday night about a year ago. I sat down and waited for a waitress to take my order. There was hardly anyone there (about 15 customers and 3 waitresses + full bar staff). It was 15 minutes before anyone took my order. I gave that a pass. It happened before in the past.
I ordered a small pizza, nothing special or big. She placed the order in and left. 20 minutes past, 30, and now 45 have past. I’m wondering what type of pizza did I ordered (pepperoni)? The waitress finally saunters over and tells me that the cooks left the pizza in the oven and it burned. It would be another 20 minutes.
By now, I decided that “nah, no tips will be given for this” as I peered towards the kitchen, where the cooks were goofing off a bit (slow night as I stated at the beginning). Twenty minutes later, pizza shows up, and it’s fall flat to my liking. But I keep quiet and ate what I could.
I paid the bill (w/no tip) and said to myself not to dine there for awhile. I hope that they were attentive this time around. Johnny’s, to me, have felt more like a bar first, restaurant second, in this new generation of the place.
Thanks Romelle. Stinks that you service was so bad that time hope that sort of service doesn’t happen often.