You’ve probably seen the headlines. One minute, C.J. Gardner-Johnson is celebrating a massive Super Bowl LIX win with the Philadelphia Eagles, and the next, the internet is absolutely losing its mind over a restaurant in Florida. It’s wild how fast things move. One tweet, one caption, and suddenly a small business becomes a battlefield for one of the most intense fanbases on the planet.
But honestly? Most of the noise you heard about the CJ Gardner-Johnson mom restaurant was based on a massive misunderstanding.
If you were looking for King’s Grill in Rockledge to grab a cheesesteak or see what the fuss was about, you’re already behind the curve. While the internet was busy typing out one-star reviews, the actual story had already shifted.
The Swiftie Storm and King’s Grill
Here’s the deal. After the Eagles took down the Chiefs in early 2025, Gardner-Johnson—never one to shy away from trash talk—posted something on Instagram that didn’t sit well with Taylor Swift’s fans. He made a comment referencing Travis Kelce’s ex, Kayla Nicole, and let's just say the "Swifties" didn't take it as a lighthearted joke.
They did what modern fanbases do: they went for the jugular.
They found King’s Grill, the sports-themed eatery in Rockledge, Florida, owned by C.J.’s mom, Delatron Johnson. Within hours, the restaurant's Yelp and Google pages were flooded. People who had never even been to Florida were claiming the food was "poisonous" or the service was "horrible." It got so bad that Yelp had to put up an "unusual activity" alert to stop the bleeding.
But there’s a twist. A big one.
Delatron Johnson eventually hopped on TMZ Live to clear the air, and she was basically laughing. Why? Because King’s Grill had already been closed since late January. The "Swifties" were review-bombing a building that wasn't even serving food anymore.
Where is the Restaurant Now?
If you’re trying to find where C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s family is actually doing business now, you have to look toward Cocoa, Florida. The family moved on from the King's Grill concept and transitioned into a new venture.
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The new spot is called the Village Bier Garten.
It’s a complete shift in vibe. While King’s Grill was a sports-centric spot known for po' boys and cheesesteaks (a nod to C.J.’s time in New Orleans and Philly), the Village Bier Garten is a different beast entirely. It’s located in the historic Cocoa Village area.
Think less "sideline intensity" and more "community hangout."
A History of Hustle
Delatron Johnson isn't new to this. She’s been an entrepreneur for a while, often tailoring her businesses to where her son is playing.
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- Café Krewe 22: When C.J. was with the Saints, she ran this New Orleans-style coffee shop.
- King’s Grill: Established later, using C.J.’s childhood nickname ("King").
- Village Bier Garten: The current focus, showing they aren't letting online drama slow down their local footprint.
It's actually pretty cool when you think about it. Most NFL parents just sit in the stands, but Delatron has built a series of businesses that bridge the gap between her son’s professional life and her own career.
The Reality of "Review Bombing"
What happened with the CJ Gardner-Johnson mom restaurant situation highlights a really weird part of 2026 culture. We live in an era where a player’s performance—or his mouth—can directly impact his mother’s livelihood. Or at least, people try to make it impact her.
In this case, it backfired because the business was already in transition.
Google eventually stepped in to scrub the fake reviews, which is something they’ve become much faster at doing. If you look at the listings now, you won't see the thousands of angry comments from February 2025. They’re gone.
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The lesson? Don't believe every one-star review you see after a high-profile NFL game. Half of them are usually coming from a bedroom three states away because someone’s favorite tight end got his feelings hurt.
Supporting the Local Spot
If you're actually in the Space Coast area and want to support the family, the Village Bier Garten in Cocoa is the place to go. It’s a legitimate local business that serves the community, regardless of whatever trash talk is happening on the gridiron.
The Johnsons have made it clear: they aren't sweating the trolls. Delatron basically told the world that they're going to be fine regardless of the "Bad Blood."
Practical Next Steps for Fans and Foodies
If you are planning to visit or want to stay updated on the Gardner-Johnson family ventures, keep these points in mind:
- Check the Location: Ensure you are looking for Village Bier Garten in Cocoa, not the shuttered King's Grill in Rockledge.
- Verify Hours: Like many family-owned spots in Florida, hours can shift seasonally, so check their social media before making the drive.
- Ignore the Legacy Reviews: When searching online, filter for "Recent" reviews to see how the actual food and service are, rather than the leftover noise from the 2025 Super Bowl fallout.
- Look for Events: The family often hosts watch parties or community events, especially when the Eagles are playing a big game.
The restaurant world is tough enough without international pop stars' fans coming for your Yelp page. But for the Johnson family, it seems like just another day in the life of an NFL family.