Brand New Johnny Rockets in Little Tokyo Already Expanding

By Ed Fuentes
Published: Sunday, May 24, 2009, at 07:01PM

Ed Fuentes [Flickr]

Tables for Johnny Rockets are creeping in front of the former Pastagina.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — The small Johnny Rockets in Little Tokyo has only been open a week, but already it is looking to expand. The location opened with only 15 indoor seats, but will soon be adding capacity in a portion of the space vacated by the closing of Pastagina.

For now, shaded outdoor tables on Central Avenue add capacity to the 50's style burger diner.

The opening next door created an opportunity for Johnny Rockets. "The space will be split in half," says owner Moe Nariman, whose Nutri Partners, Inc also franchises Pinkberry, Robecks, and Quiznos. "One side will be for more seating for Johnny Rockets, and the other side will be a coffee house.

Work on the Pastagina space has just gotten started, and could take up to six months to complete.

Downtown's first Johnny Rockets opened at 5th and Figueroa in May of 2008, with an appearance by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Added note: From Monday to Saturday, Little Tokyo's Johnny Rockets will be open until midnight.

Johnny Rockets/ 131 S. Central, Little Tokyo / 213-626-0480 / Hours: Monday-Saturday: 7am to Midnight; Sunday: 7am to 10pm

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Comments

David Kennedy writes:

Interesting that you guys noted this. I was just at Pastagina on Friday on Grand. They told me about the closure and they said the opening of Johnny Rockets just killed their business in Little Tokyo. Odd, but that's what they said. Also, they told me overall the chain is struggling with much weaker business because of the recession. Unfortunate, since I love the place.

# on May.25.2009 AT 12:22 PM

meow writes:

that's too bad but they are totally differnt bussiness one sells burgers another pasta, why would it just die?

# on May.25.2009 AT 03:10 PM

Tornadoes writes:

I'm not surprised Pastagina closed. I ate there once. The pasta was disgusting.

# on May.26.2009 AT 08:55 AM

Norman writes:

Do they still have the $4.99 burger and fries/side salad combo special in Little Tokyo? I went there last week, and its a great deal! They don't skimp on the portion size either!

# on May.26.2009 AT 11:41 AM

JM writes:

If anything, the new Little Tokyo Johnny Rockets will kill business for the other location on Fig, which is a pain to get to and always quiet evenings and weekends. Judging by what I've seen of the new joint in Little Tokyo, they've got a winner. These Express locations would do well in a number of spots Downtown. As for Pastagina, I've been wondering how long they'd last, as I never see anyone eating there. The one on Grand is always pretty dead too. I don't think it's a bad concept, but I don't think the initial marketing was effective and the locations aren't that great.

# on May.26.2009 AT 02:52 PM

AB writes:

I have visiting this location about 6 times in the last 2 weeks. Parking is a little bit of a hassle due to all of the places across the street and around the corner. Great food and changed menu (new items and now fries or salad included with every sandwich or burger), but they still need to work on their attention to detail with orders. Almost every time something was missing-- and the order was assembled by the "Manager." I had previously gone to the Fig location, but the parking cost more than the meal.

# on May.27.2009 AT 11:14 AM

JM writes:

Had the same experience with parking at Fig, but so far I've had a great experience in the Little Tokyo location. I walked though, so it was a breeze. And the staff were friendly and got everything right. They recommended calling orders in at lunchtime, because that's when they have their crunch.

# on May.28.2009 AT 09:15 AM