I will never understand the love for this place. I think people like it by association with good times. Most good reviews say after being out late and having a great time... So even the good reviews are not about johnny's they are about having fun then stopping here drunk for a bite, those shouldn't count. There is even a review saying they got sick but the place was legendary, how is that possible?
Old is cool, I like a place that has history but this looks more run down than old and the meat in the burgers is so soft I imagine it was poured onto the grill. I didn't find the prices out of this world and the taste was very middle of the road and one of the times I visited gave me well.. intestinal discomfort which seems to be common.
Maybe the soft meat reacts well to the right amount of alcohol and I just haven't experienced that but I think three tries is enough.