Johnny Rockets — Review by Daym Drops
Milford, United States — American/Burgers
Daym Drops visits Johnny Rockets in Milford, Connecticut and raves about the Smokehouse Double burger, praising its tenderness, juicy meat, crispy bacon, and flavorful sauce despite its messiness. The onion rings are crispy and excellent, though the ranch dressing disappoints.
What was great: Crispy onion rings with soft onion inside, honey mustard dipping sauce, well-executed soft toasted bun, crispy bacon, tender beef, flavorful cheese, tangy zesty sauce, moist burger overall
What could improve: Watery ranch dressing that lacked flavor, saltless French fries
The Dishes
Daym Drops ordered the Smokehouse Double burger as the star of the show, and it absolutely delivered. This massive burger arrived with a soft, perfectly toasted bun, crispy bacon that provided an excellent textural contrast, melted cheese, pickles, and a tangy zesty sauce with mayo that tied everything together beautifully. The beef itself proved remarkably tender and juicy, living up to its smokehouse billing. Despite being undeniably messy-grease dripping from every angle-the burger transcended its own messiness to become something genuinely special. The moisture and fat content, rather than hindering the experience, added savory depth and richness to every bite.
The onion rings were equally impressive, delivering that perfect balance of crispy exterior and soft onion interior. They had excellent seasoning and flavor without being overpowering. Daym particularly enjoyed them with honey mustard, calling them "solo dooo" material and praising their superior quality to the accompanying French fries.
Unfortunately, the ranch dressing fell flat. Daym criticized it as watery, comparing it unfavorably to industry standards like Wingstop's ranch, calling it "diet ranch," "2% ranch," and "watery milk" with "green boogers" for coloring. He quickly abandoned it for the honey mustard, which provided genuine flavor and tang.
The French fries offered decent potato flavor with a crispy exterior, though they lacked salt and didn't compare to the onion rings. Canada Dry ginger ale paired well throughout the meal.
The Experience
Daym's visit to the Johnny Rockets location in the Zombie Mall food court in Milford, Connecticut felt casual and straightforward. The setting was a standard mall food court environment, nothing particularly noteworthy about the atmosphere or ambiance. However, the service appeared efficient, and the food came out in good condition. The restaurant seemed to handle the order well, delivering items in the proper order and temperature.
Value & Pricing
While specific pricing wasn't explicitly mentioned in the video, the Smokehouse Double represents solid value for a premium burger in a casual quick-service setting. The portion size was substantial-Daym described it as a "big girl"-and the quality justifies the likely mid-range price point typical for Johnny Rockets. The combination of well-executed sides and a genuine star burger makes this a worthwhile investment for burger enthusiasts.
Notable Moments
"This thing got half to it, family. Oh, this a big girl right here. Oh, she moist by choice trying to bust out the seams."
"My bacon should never be faking. Right. I got pickle popping on the handstand... I got a nice little pop from the pickle."
"That beef, it's so tender. And that cheese is helping everything connect ever so well. So moist, if you will. Just a blend, right? A serious blend on a burger."
The most memorable moment came when Daym did something rare-he went back for a final bite. He emphasized this was an uncommon occurrence, stating this was "the first time in 2026 we're going back in," highlighting just how impressed he was with the Smokehouse Double. His comparison of the burger to a "big body Cadillac with reclining seats" on "four flats that ain't going nowhere" perfectly captured his reverence for the final product.
The Verdict
The Smokehouse Double at Johnny Rockets is a genuine winner and deserves strong consideration for anyone craving a satisfying, indulgent burger. Despite its messiness-or perhaps because of it-this burger delivers on flavor, texture, and overall execution. The crispy bacon, tender beef, and balanced sauce create a compelling eating experience that justifies its indulgent nature. The onion rings provide excellent supporting gameplay, though the ranch dressing needs serious reformulation.
This restaurant is best for casual diners who don't mind getting a little greasy in exchange for real flavor and quality ingredients. It's perfect for those seeking comfort food done right, especially burger enthusiasts willing to embrace the messy reality of a truly indulgent sandwich. Just skip the ranch and opt for honey mustard instead. Fair warning: you may want to plan a gym session afterward, as Daym hilariously suggested.