Old-school joint with diner-style counter seating, serving burgers, fries & malts since 1962.
Matt Larson
This place is interesting, as it’s menu was creative and had alot of unique choices. I went with a classic burger and fries as a benchmark for an American diner, along with a strawberry milkshake.
The owner undoubtedly plays an active role in making sure the staff was well cared for, to provide an excellent customer experience. They were fast, efficient with keeping the place clean, and even brought me water, after my burger and fries, so I could better enjoy my milkshake.
Service-wise, these guys delivered with finesse.
As for things they could do better, would start with the food. The cheeseburger I received wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t a $14 burger. The burger itself was a little thin/floppy, and the rest of the toppings appeared rushed (granted, this was their final order of the night, and they made a kitchen exception for me). The bun was good, but would’ve been better if it was toasted golden brown. It felt more like a $10 burger.
The fries weren’t bad, but for a diner, I would have expected them to be more crisp, and well seasoned. I’d say they were more like $3-4 fries.
The milkshake was beyond fair. A perfect ratio of fruit to ice cream, totally punches above $8. They give you a proper straw so you can actually enjoy it on the go. A perfect 5/7.
When I go back here, I’ll try something less conventional, and at a more reasonable time of day.
… moreErica Edwards
Nestled in downtown Rochester, we stumbled upon a charming restaurant located at the corner of Third Street and Main Street. Red Knapp’s, a quaint hamburger joint, instantly captured our attention. We were seated at a cozy booth in the corner, surrounded by a delightful retro old-school ambiance. The establishment has a nostalgic feel with classic elements such as malts, hearty burgers, a rounded bar, and a small café setting that accommodated around 30 patrons.
The culinary experience was nothing short of spectacular. The burgers were not only delicious but also made with high-quality ingredients, and the bread was wonderfully fresh. One standout was the Cajun fries, perfectly seasoned to tantalize the taste buds. While we indulged in the delectable food, we couldn’t help but imagine how a small jukebox and roller skating waitress would have cemented the vibe.
Nevertheless, our dining experience was thoroughly enjoyable. The attentive and friendly servers further elevated our visit. We are grateful for the exceptional service and look forward to returning to try their famous malt on our next visit.
Our bill came to approximately $60.72. We enjoyed two burgers, two orders of cajun fries, sprite chicken tenders, and a BLT. As a side note, the burgers are not served with fries; however, customers have the choice of selecting either regular seasoned fries or cajun fries for an extra cost. The seasoned fries are a combination of salt, pepper, butter, and garlic.
We dined in and carried extra out
… moreMelanie Wisdom
So we ended up here by accident and it was a wonderful accident indeed as our original choice was closed. The service was pleasant and worth the little wait we had. Our server checked on us several times to make sure we had everything. The food was outstanding. My husband truly enjoyed the “Brown Cow” shake. My banana shake was so fresh tasting and creamy. The burgers were juicy and well flavored. The onion rings definitely held up and I loved that the onion stayed in the batter after a bite. Will definitely be back and bring our kiddo as they have dairy free shake options as well.
… moreChristopher David
Came to Red Knapps and tried the Shake challenge! The shakes were delicious, and the food looked fantastic as well. If your passing through i definitely recommend stopping and grabbing a shake or something to eat! I recommend trying the Mikey Burger!
… moreGrace Huebner
Very good things to say all around about this place! I originally found this place via the internet. The owner has been very passionate about his restaurant and has created many fun social media videos within the restaurant. They have burgers that are so big, you can barely take a bite. But one bite, and you’ll fall in love. Everyone in my party ordered a different burger, and we loved them.
Our waitress was also named “Grace”, and must’ve said something about my birthday or something, but I was able to meet the owner as well! The whole staff there tonight was incredible and made my twentieth birthday memorable. The whole place even pitched in to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ as well, which made my night.
Thank you Matt, Grace, and the staff at Red Knapps, I will definitely be back!
… moreAngie Person
Took a stroll down memory lane and visited. This place hasn’t changed much in 40 plus year’s. I remember the twirling seats and excellent malts. I was so happy it made me cry. This is a excellent place to make your own memories at with your little ones or friends and family. Hope to come back again.
… moreAlysa
I love this places. It brings you back in time. The burgers are really good and the shakes are heavenly. The owner is really cool and a very nice guy. The team is super sweet and a joy to talk to. I found a new favorite spot.
… moreRyan Snow
I grew up eating here for four decades and was so excited to come back for lunch. The maltd milkshake was amazing as always. Unfortunately the classic burger which was historically unique was off. The burger meat was not the same quality with a crumbly texture and crispy, flavorful edges on a large, thin patty. The bun, which was unique was under cooked and didn’t live up to memories. While the location should definitely have a historic marker, the signature burger doesn’t continue the history of the place.
… moreDavid Joseph
Small diner experience, but unfortunately small on taste and value as well. Meh mushroom & swiss burger pictured. All toppings cost extra which is a little strange, even down to pickles. Regular fries for $3 or seasoned for $3.10! The only redeeming factor are the milkshakes which are very good.
… moreJaymie Wilde
We have been coming here for years since we were kids and our grandparents used to come there when they were kids as well. We always stop in around Christmas time. It was packed as usual. We had a big party to accommodate and they don’t take reservations which I feel like makes it harder on staff. We had to wait for seating which we expected. There was a misunderstanding between the waitress and someone in our party. The manager came out and handled it very graciously. As packed as they were with more big parties trickling in after us ..they handled it very well. A few mistakes when food was brought out, but it was rectified. A little pricey on the shakes ($8) that all seemed to need more flavor, but other than that the food was great. Honestly their prices are steep for everything. The sink to wash your hands in the bathroom wasn’t working. All in all still a great experience.
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