Red Robin burgers

[Smallpotatoes]

In the last few months, I've seen ads on TV for a chain restaraunt called Red Robin.
I've always enjoyed a good hamburger, especially on my cheat day (from the other 6 days of healthy eating) and was wondering if anybody has eaten at one of these places and how good it is and what you might recommend.
There are two Red Robins in my state, each about an hour from me. I wouldn't drive that far just for a burger, but if I'm ever in the area on a Saturday, if it's any good, I might want to check it out.
How does it compare to say, Fudrucker's or someplace like that?

 

[wickedwritah]

On par with Fuddrucker's, but a bit more expensive.

 

[Trouser_Buddah]

I let a woman I was dating convince me to try the fried zuccini the only time I've been there... absolutely disgusting, to the point I can't even remember what else I had...

 

[PaperDoll]

I haven't been to a Fuddrucker's in years, but I suspect Red Robin's better than that. It's an actual sit-down restaurant, where Fuddrucker's always seemed to be entirely too expensive, not fast enough food.

That said, the "bottomless" basket of fries is the best thing about Red Robin.

If you're going to cheat, why not go crazy at Cheesecake Factory instead?

 

[MileHigh]

We just had a burger debate. And it remains the same, despite this stupid-ass survey:

In-N-Out

http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/47223/

 

[Riddick]

Love that place! much better than Fuddruckers! Nice atmosphere.

 

[Frank_Ridgeway]

People who didn't like it the first time tend not to try it again, so we can't really claim any expertise. I'm aware that I might have caught them on a bad day.

 

[Claws for Concern]

Agreed on the bottomless fries. Gourmet cheeseburger is solid.

 

[slappy4428]

Love the place, but I like the fixins bar at Fuddruckers better...

 

[Eagleboy]

The one near me is always a circus. It's a family restaurant, understood, but it seems to go the extra mile to accomodate a three-year-old's birthday part on the days that I've been there.

I'd say I've visited three or four times. I found the burgers to be nothing special and, thus, haven't really gone back. I'll prefer Chili's or Friday's for a chain burger any day of the week.

 

[Angola!]

Red Robin's burgers are awesome and the fries seasoning is amazing.

The Whiskey River BBQ burger is my favorite, though there gourmet cheeseburger is legit as well. The closest one to me right now is 2.5 hours away and that sucks. I grew up eating at Red Robin and miss it badly.

Did they start in the Northwest?

 

[wickedwritah]

Did they start in the Northwest?

From http://www.redrobin.com/redrobin/home/about-us/history.aspx:
"Red Robin started as a tavern near the University of Washington in the 1940’s. It was called Sam’s Tavern. Sam sang in a barber shop quartet and loved to sing the song “When the red robin goes bob bob bobbin along…” Sam eventually changed the name of his tavern to Sam’s Red Robin."

 

[Angola!]

Did they start in the Northwest?

From http://www.redrobin.com/redrobin/home/about-us/history.aspx:
"Red Robin started as a tavern near the University of Washington in the 1940’s. It was called Sam’s Tavern. Sam sang in a barber shop quartet and loved to sing the song “When the red robin goes bob bob bobbin along…” Sam eventually changed the name of his tavern to Sam’s Red Robin."

That would explain why I seem to be one of the only people in Texas that has ever heard of them.

 

[Angola!]

That's because they're smart enough to go to Whataburger instead. Much better than RR.

That is one of the most ridiculous thing I have ever read on this board Buck. The only time Whataburger is good is at 2:30 a.m. after a night at the bars.
Whataburger is just like Wendy's or McDonalds or any of that other drek.

 

[Flying Headbutt]

Red Robin is to Ruby Tuesdays is to Applebees is to TGIFridays is to any other standard, sit-down chain restaurant. An hour's drive? Not even worth it.

 

[old_tony]

Love the place, but I like the fixins bar at Fuddruckers better...

Completely agree. The good tomato slices, the shredded lettuce, the onion slices, the mayo, the BBQ sauce, the mustard .... Only one Fuddruckers in my area now but RR is moving in. Ate at an RR in suburban Denver on a work road trip this summer. Wasn't that impressed. If I recall correctly, I asked for medium rare and got medium well.

 

[MacDaddy]

Red Robin is to Ruby Tuesdays is to Applebees is to TGIFridays is to any other standard, sit-down chain restaurant. An hour's drive? Not even worth it.

I agree Red Robin isn't worth an hour's drive, but it's better than the other restaurants you mentioned. And try the Royal Red Robin Burger -- if it's your cheat day, you might as well go for the burger with a fried egg on it.

 

[Tom Petty]

but only red robin serves a flat-on-your-beak special. solid drink.

 

[imjustagirl2]

Comparing Whataburger to McD's? You're insane.

Amen.

I'd eat at McD's 8 times a day before I'd ever put Whataburger in my mouth again.

 

[Tom Petty]

Comparing Whataburger to McD's? You're insane.

Amen.

I'd eat at McD's 8 times a day before I'd ever put Whataburger in my mouth again.

wow - with zero regard to the "fun with quotes" regulars. ballsy indeed.