Downtown's Happy Days

By Ed Fuentes
Published: Friday, May 16, 2008, at 02:11PM

Ed Fuentes

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa takes a turn at the grill of the new Johnny Rockets at 5th and Figueroa.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Johnny Rockets held a Grand Opening full of fanfare and fries this morning. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa took some time to have a burger, fries and a chocolate shake before getting behind the counter to break in the grill. He may not be as fast as the more experienced burger masters of Johnny Rockets, but he didn't delay the ribbon cutting with Jan Perry, actress Marion Ross and other burger dignitaries.

It's the first Downtown location for the chain, but two more are in the works. Last week the Downtown News noted the chain's plans to open at 2nd and Central, as well as the AT&T Tower in South Park.

Opening day ceremonies will go on until 6pm, with music by 50s band Jonny Come Lately.

Johnny Rockets / 445 S. Figueroa / Second Level

Ed Fuentes

Johnny Rockets' ribbon cutting with Actress Marion Ross, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Councilwoman Jan Perry.

Ed Fuentes

Actress Marion Ross greets Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. "Oh, you turned out so well," the Happy Days actress told the Mayor in a throw-back to her role as mom.

Ed Fuentes

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa surveys the fries at the new Downtown Johnny Rockets.

Comments

Steve writes:

I love the last picture of him sniffing/staring at the fry. Nice to have another burger place downtown, do you know their hours?

# on May.16.2008 AT 03:17 PM

Eric Richardson writes:

I was just in the neighborhood, so I dropped in to ask. 6am - 9pm, Monday through Saturday.

# on May.16.2008 AT 03:40 PM

Scott Mercer writes:

Bah. Closed Sunday. I feel like I'm living back in New Jersey, with the Blue Laws still in effect.

# on May.16.2008 AT 07:24 PM

jk2001 writes:

How about a Jim's?

# on May.18.2008 AT 05:54 AM

Metro Local writes:

So the political message is?

"Los Angeles, as Mayor I've taken City government into fiscal gloom and doom so I can hike your baseline service fees while continuing to let contracts go to my fat cat political supporters. But you laid off workers can rest easy because another Johnny Rockets has opened and they may still be hiring!"

This guy's a hack who hitched his star to another hack and is now grasping for anything in the news that doesn't mention his girlfriends, absence from being mayor to help Hillary lose, City Terrace or the tattoos he's had removed.

Angelenos, pay attention and vote or pay the price without complaint.

# on May.18.2008 AT 09:12 AM

John Crandell writes:

Look at that Jacaranda!

# on May.18.2008 AT 01:03 PM

David Kennedy writes:

Tell me about the tatoos.

# on May.18.2008 AT 11:12 PM

mark ferem (thehead) writes:

ED...great shot of the Mayor at the grill. Diggin' it! Now I'm hungry for the rocket. thanks for the burger coverage!

-mark

# on May.19.2008 AT 09:37 AM