Hard Rock Cafe

09/06/2008 Posted by Jaymen

While many reviews do state valid points, i.e.- a bit loud atmosphere and a little on the touristy side, Hard Rock Cafe is a great place to sit back, eat, have a drink or two, and relax amid the bustle of Times Square. Their bar staff is top-notch, and will remember your name, where you're from, and what you're having by your second visit. The food and menu is pretty much your standard theme-place fare, but not excessively priced. Good burgers, and very good desserts. Traversing through the store to get to the restaraunt and bar can be a pain, but the place is big enough to not be crammed-in after that. If you're staying downtown, or get a bus at Port Authority, HRC is perfect. Staff is what really makes this place worthwhile.

Pros: Service, atmosphere, location, people-watching

Cons: Pricing (to a point), entrance and exit through retail store

08/24/2008 Posted by chmpgnrose

Just another theme restaurant like any other. The music is monster truck loud as you cannot hear what people in your party are saying. The food is also just average. The walls and ceiling are plastered with copies of rock and roll memorbilias. The originial location was in Midtown on 57th Street between 7th Ave. and Broadway which had a more non-tourist clientele. Patrons can expect the wait for a table to about approx. close to 1 hour if no reservations are made. Seating is elbow-to-elbow with your back next the to person from another party.

Pros: Good drinks

Cons: Monster truck loud music, tourist trap, very expensive

08/07/2008 Posted by jcalotta

We decided to do some "Touristy Things". Headed into Times Square with Family and their friends. Kids picked HR Cafe - and our group of 5 was seated immediately - 4pm on an August Sunday. Server was very friendly; Shift Change was seemless. Food took a little longer than I was comfortable with - but I think I was the only one who noticed. Atmosphere served its purpose -- kept the kids busy walking around and talking about "Hard Rock" Stuff. Menu keeps to the HRC Standards of simple stuff - and the portions and prep were on par with what is to be expected -- your paying for the atmosphere / Times Sq (Touristy) and not the food. Food was not a distraction to our group - allowed all of us to enjoy the atmosphere. We walked around quite a bit inside the HRC - we got in the Staff's way at times and the staff seemed to accept that. They politely announced "Coming Thru" with their various loads of food / dirty dishes / etc.

Pros: Atmosphere, Friendly service

Cons: You are Paying for the Atmosphere not the Food

11/30/2007 Posted by sandy951

We only went into the bar. The TV videos are very loud, but that's what Rock n Roll is about right? It was fun to watch some old videos and at one point the employees joined in by singing along with the videos. I enjoyed the bar, but have 3 gripes. First, our table was very sticky and our server told me at least 3 times he would have it cleaned which never happened. Second, our server apparently ended his shift and didn't let us know. When it was time for us to pay the check and leave (we had dinner reservations some where else) he was no where to be found. We tried to pay at the bar but were told our server needed to give us a check! Hello, he went home. Finally I noticed the other server who took over his shift and tracked her down so we could pay and make it to our reservations. My third gripe was when we got the check it was $35.49 for 5 beers!! A bit much I think. We could have easily just left and not paid the check because our original server failed to let us know he was going home. Oh but could we have lived with that guilt?? :)

Pros: Lively, fun videos

Cons: Pricey, lack of communication between employees and patrons, and must walk through Hard Rock store to get to restaurant

08/13/2007 Posted by newmom07

My mom and I visited on our first trip to NYC and we had FUN!! Cool atomsphere, prompt service and great food. I had pulled pork sandwich which was GREAT! My mom had salad that she loved. I found the drinks to be a little high but it was a fun experience!

Pros: Great pulled pork sandwich

Cons: Wait but it was expected!!!!

10/15/2006 Posted by oreginator

Last night my friends and I ate at the Hard Rock before our concert. When we got there around five o'clock, there was a line. It wasn't that bad, and since we were only three people, the wait was about 30-35 minutes. Right after you give your name, there's a lounge area filled with pictures of Elvis, John Lennon, and a huge flat screen tv that displays rock videos and concerts. When we went in, our server didn't come to our table for about fifteen minutes. We waited around a half hour for our food, or maybe longer. The food was average, nothing special. This place is expensive, and it's very touristy. The atmosphere is cool though, and I recommend it for groups. The enormous plasma screen tv is fun to watch. I'd recommend this place for a visit.

Pros: Cool atmosphere, food is okay

Cons: Bad service

08/23/2003 Posted by utah

I ate at the Hard Rock Cafe NYC in July of 2003. I was very satisfied with my meal. I almost always order the Pig Sandwich, which is the Hard Rock's version of a pulled pork sandwich. always very good. also it's always neat to check out the rock n roll memrobilia they have displayed throughout. quick service overall very happy

12/29/2002 Posted by glttrdst

Yeah, sure it is always crowded and the music is loud but that is the point. The food is awesome (I haven't had anything that I didn't like yet) the enviroment is fun and this resturant combines the two best things, good food and good music. Forget serious, stuffy four and five star resturants, life is to short to morgatge your house and dress all stuffy for a meal. If you are looking for a quiet place to share a dinner than this is not for you but if you want to have fun, people watch and listen to some great music (almost always great music) than this is it. I may not be a fancy resturant reviewer but I know what I like. I recommend the veggie fajitas and the veggie burger.

Pros: good food, moderate price, atmosphere

11/21/2002 Posted by tinman2112

This restaurant is a great find for any lover of great food and great music.

Pros: great food, great atmosphere, great service

10/24/2002 Posted by mytabbycat

We got seated right away, had a very nice waitress, food was good, not too expensive.