Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Rooster's

    4.8 (72 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

    Order Rooster's Takeout or Delivery

    Rooster's Photos

    ROOSTER'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Rooster's

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Jessica M.

    Delicious, quaint (but moving to new location within next few weeks) Staff was super friendly, and food is prepared fresh to order in front of you almost. Delicious. Chopped sandwich reminds me of a 10x better Big Mac. Large portion sizes and prices are super reasonable!

    Lunch counter
    Peter D.

    Man, do I love a place that takes pride in their food. We don't spend a lot of time in Utica. Well, we don't spend any time at all in Utica, but it was about halfway between where we were and where we were going, right off the Thruway...and I trust the reviews on this Yelp thing, so we came to give it a shot. It was a fantastic decision. Javon is the owner and the grill man, and he KNOWS HIS FOOD. Not just HIS food, but food in general. He found out we were from Brooklyn and he wanted to talk about pizza, and burgers, and everything in between. And you can tell that he takes an immense amount of pride in serving great food. He's just an awesome guy, and his shop is my favorite kind: they only do a few things, but they do them all very, very well. We shared a Figgy single burger and a Rooster chopped cheese. Our girls had chicken nuggets and fries. Everything was about as good as you can get. Like I told Javon, the only thing I'd change is that I'd get a double burger...but that might've necessitated a nap, and I had a drive ahead of me. If I had to pick just one thing though, go chopped cheese all the way. To be clear, it's a lunch counter. If you're looking for frills, you're in the wrong spot. They've got some stools that my girls loved spinning on, a couple of tables, and not much else besides some walls covered in chalk marker by happy customers. But you're here for the food, not the decor. If you find yourself on the Thruway near Utica and need a meal, do yourself a favor and come see Javon at Rooster's.

    The Figgy
    Sam D.

    One of the best burgers we have ever had. Roosters burgers are smashed burgers. Meaning they are thin and juicy. The have a simple menu with 3 burger options and a few sides. It's a no-frills big flavor type of place. 2 tables and 8-10 bar seats. The staff seem really nice. We ordered one of each burger and loved all of them. Our faves was the Rooster and the Figgy (perfect for people who like sweet and salty!)

    Good food inside...
    Michelle G.

    What a lucky find! Thruway-friendly fare is not usually such a good experience. The fam was traveling from western NY to a lacrosse tournament in Massachusetts, so at late dinner time we found ourselves approaching Utica. We were trying not to get our hopes up because we rolled into Rooster's at about 10 minutes before closing time. That was not an issue! We each ordered chopped cheese sandwiches because we lost out to a phone order on the last burger buns--all the bread is delivered fresh each day, so when they're out, they're out! The chopped cheeses are smash burgers chopped up and served on lovely toasted, soft, sesame-seeded sub rolls that hold up great, even when filled with flat-top yumminess. We got to watch our food cooked from fresh ground beef right in front of our eyes. The owner was so friendly and kind, and it was fun chatting about his place that's been open since 2021 while he smashed patties and built our sandwiches. We took our food to go because we had many hours left to drive. When I dove into the bag, the owner had labeled our orders, "Mom," "Dad," and "Lax Bro." Personalized service, baby! My chopped cheese was the Classic (minus mustard, plus pickles), while my son and my husband ordered the Rooster, one with bacon, one without. Hubby says he'd skip the bacon next time and add some onion. Son says it was really tasty and devoured it in under 5. The beef had some crispy bits and some softer, which gave a great texture to the whole thing. I was glad to have the fresh lettuce and tomatoes to balance out the saltiness. The fries were perfect--lightly browned, crispy, and correctly seasoned with seasoned salt. Well done, Rooster's. Thanks for a great dinner!

    The Figgy Double
    Valerie C.

    Docked a star because it was wicked hot inside. Otherwise it was a fantastic smash burger for a great price!

    The Figgy (single - but can be ordered as a double, as a chopped cheese, or prepared over fries)
    Billy B.

    I'm a big fan of any place that stakes it's claim on very few offerings done very well. That's tough to find in CNY for many reasons so I was excited try Rooster's for lunch. I got The Figgy - a single patty with bacon, cheddar, caramelized onions, and fig jam - and french fries. I was prepared for the roll to be firm and bready from the looks of them, but what a surprise. Soft, pillowy, and perfect. The scent and feel gave me a brief 'glazed donut' vision as I bit in and it was almost immediately enhanced by the patty and bacon. The fig jam gave a lot more nuance than just 'sweet.' You could taste the fruit through it all and it was well balanced by the onions. The fries were golden, crispy, and soft inside. Seasoned with more than just salt. The extra efforts on all fronts paid off. Nicely done!

    Rooster Burger and Cheese Fries

    See all

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Great food and staff. A little out of the way but well worth the trip. Clean, neat and well run. Highly recommend.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Awesome burgers and fries! The place is a friendly atmosphere and great customer service. Looking forward to the next time.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Maestro L.
    45
    1668
    5282

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Stopped in for some "burger therapy" today. You have to try this place. Chopped cheese is fantastic.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Josh M.
    81
    17
    0

    3 years ago

    My son and I ate at Rooster's, and it was excellent! Friendly staff and delicious burgers. We would definitely go back!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Burger was phenomenal! Quick, tasty, full of flavor and the bun was delicious. First visit won't be my last

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    Page 2 of 2

    Ask the Community - Rooster's

    You might also consider

    Swifty's Restaurant & Pub

    Swifty's Restaurant & Pub

    3.7(145 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    I've sat on this review for a week trying to decide if I wanted to share a not-so-flattering…read moreexperience. However, if there is a chance that Swifty's management may read this, along with fellow diners, it may be helpful for the future. The overall experience, food, and service was good. Clearly, this place and its 2 sister locations know how to be successful. But what we experienced could either be because a rogue chef or location manager is trying to cut corners - or - it could be the philosophy of the company to try and nickel-and-dime the customer to reduce costs and take advantage of those who won't notice. My boys and I ordered 20 wings to start, my oldest had a burger to follow, and my younger really wanted to focus on wings, so only ordered fries. I had the. Cheeseburger wrap with onion rings and coleslaw. Wings: crispy, tasty, and really good blue cheese. BUT...when they came to the table, the baskets looked light. So... WE COUNTED THEM. ONLY 17. My (as the menu clearly states) "half pound burger in a wrap" was probably 1/4 of a pound light. Wait til you see the photo. So, all the good service and reasonably good food was ruined by Swifty's trying to either take advantage of customers incrementally hundreds of times a day (order by order) - or - they have a location chef and manager who tolerate food leaving their kitchen that is not as advertised or up to the standard which allowed them to open 3 locations. It's one or the other. Will we be back? I don't know. We really wanted this to be great. We live in the Northwest Corner of CT, my son goes to college in Rochester, this location is literally (to the mile) half-way between. We make the trip weekly due to his athletics schedule. We wanted to be regulars. Will probably look elsewhere next time. 2 stars for the front of the house service. It was excellent. And the blue cheese dressing. It was fantastic. If you go - count your wings and make sure what the menu says is on your plate.

    My reuben sandwich was absolutely fantastic and prepared them like I have not had in a very long…read moretime. Even though this is a particle food is very fantastic if you're looking for something to eat as well. You have to stop by this place if you're in the Utica area. Services incredibly friendly and they get you exactly what you want. Food quality is incredible as well so you get double the dining pleasure

    Photos
    Swifty's Restaurant & Pub
    Swifty's Restaurant & Pub - Irish nachos

    Irish nachos

    Swifty's Restaurant & Pub - Fun!!!

    See all

    Fun!!!

    Rooster's - newamerican - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...