Red Robin

Been here a few times, mostly because someone out of town wanted to eat at the original Red Robin. I never liked the local, the carpet stank and it was just not homey.
It’s history, so… Regardless, sad to see it go.

I can’t believe it’s closing! My friends and I went here all the time during college at the University of Washington, especially when we were living just across the bridge in Lander Hall. You could find us there almost every Thursday, eating Teriyaki Chicken Burgers just dripping with sauce (it takes real talent to eat these without looking like a slob), sometimes drinking Speckled Lemonades, and watching the UW crew teams practice on the lake.
Anyway, I’ll miss it, with the exception of the super slanted parking lot. That thing was a bad idea…

This location is shutting down on March 21^st! I’m gonna need to find a new bar to hang out at before UW Football games :(
Props to RR though for finding new jobs at other locations for all the displaced employees.

I’m not a huge Red Robin fan, but I end up going to to eat here more often than I prefer since I have a lot of friends who like this place. However, this is probably the best Red Robin around. Every time I’ve been here, the service has been quick, friendly, and accurate. I’ve never had to wait for a table. The food somehow tastes better than other locations. Also, the view is an added bonus.
I’m not a huge fan of the food, but there are a few things I like here: the veggie burger (go for the Boca patty rather than the Gardenburger patty — major upgrade!), the chicken caesar wrap, the salmon & chips (the only salmon on the menu that has never been terribly dry when I’ve ordered it), and the never-​ending, delicious, bottomless fries. They used to have some really good fish tacos too, but I don’t believe they serve them anymore. Bummer.
I will note that if Red Robin ever decided to sell their Whiskey River BBQ sauce in bottles, I would gladly order a dozen immediately.

RED ROBIN SMOKES POT! That was the first great thing about this Red Robin — in the mural on the wall, good ol’ Red is smokin a joint. I don’t smoke joints myself but hey, I think it is pretty cool when RR does. And this was the first RR EVER, so that means pot-​smokin RR is part of the Red Robin canon.
I have eaten here three times and all of them have been great for various reasons.
#1: A year and a half ago. One of my friends ordered one of those bottomless frou-​frou drinks (mambo mango or some other alliterate title) and got it refilled SIX TIMES. He was mighty thirsty. Each time it was refilled without my friend even asking, the waiter was so attentive. I wrote a comment about the impeccable service on my credit card slip.
#2: A couple months ago, I had to undergo a medical procedure during which I had to get all drugged up. After the medical procedure my buds took me to RR! Everything is kind of a blur, but I remember sitting there eating my tortilla soup with a dazed smile on my face. I vaguely requested «extra stuff» on my tortilla stuff and the waiter was keen to oblige.
#3. Came here with my mom. I remember the waiter being a little kooky, but he was attentive and pleasant. I pestered the waiter for various sauces and condiments and he never once seemed phased. I also stole all of my mom’s fries and asked for fry refills (I had ordered a salad to pretend I was being healthy but alas).
A high RR, good service, exxxxcellent bottomless fries, excellent bottomless frou-​frou drinks = me like.

Ok, I don’t often go to chain restaurants… except for when there’s a really limited option otherwise… but for some reason I love Red Robin… especially this one. I mean, it’s the ORIGINAL Red Robin. How can you not get excited about it!!!
I’m a big fan of the Whiskey River BBQ burger (for dinner that comes with bottomless fries), whiskey river BBQ chicken wrap (for lunch), the chicken tortilla soup (anytime, so good!), and the sickenly sweet limeaids. Seriously, just typing about this right now is giving me a craving and I’m wondering how I can make it there for lunch even though I work nowhere near a Red Robins. Maybe I can convince the boyfriend to take me there for dinner tomorrow! YUM!

A table of three 30+ folks: Do you guys have Happy Hour?
Waitress: We used to… but now we’re too corporate.
Bummer!
I still usually consider it an easy destination for some okay food and smoothie-​like delicious daiquiris, but the burgers just haven’t been doing it for me lately. Don’t know if it’s me or them. I also didn’t like the pickles they had this time. Is it weird to be picky about pickles?
Recent development: They now give out nutritional menus along with your food menu and I learned that it’s safest to stick to the Strawberry (I think!!) Daiquiri. All the other flavors apparently have hundreds more calories!

The original Red Robin on the edge of the U-​District features really nice views of the UW, even on a bad day! The parking lot right next to the building is scarily slanted, however there is additional parking across the street.
The menu is your standard Red Robin burger fare and the service is decent. Nothing that makes you go oooh (although the bottomless steak fries, do come close), but nothing eww either.

I’ve been coming here since I was a wee lass and never before, before tonight that is, have I noticed that the OG Red Robin has a first generation rendering of a very high «Red» gracing the entry way. His dropping eye lids obscure blood shot eyes, a joint dangles from his feathered paw thing. He’s baked — there’s really no question about it.
Maybe it’s that legacy that has set the tone for mediocre (albeit very filling) fare, half-​assed table service, and sloppy kitchen service that is an ever-​present reality here. I lived around the corner for a few years and would often dine here when I was a straight up broke mother fucker because I knew that something would happen in the course of the meal that would get me my entrée gratis.
Tonight was no exception. Miracle Whip is not «dijon vinagrette», bagged iceberg salad mix is not «wild greens», and if you’re going to say goat cheese on the menu, please be sure it’s present on the plate. And the «bottemless fries» fucking suck.

YAY! I am a fan! I like how they cut the burger perfectly when me and my friend couldn’t finish one ourselves. The drinks are amazing! So are the fries! It was a small place to eat, but I like how it’s next to the lake. I didn’t know that this was the first Red Robins, wow.
I remember when me and my friends hid from our coordinator by lying down on the benches where people sit, and we pretended to be sleeping, of course he noticed us.

The original Red Robin! Great views, crazy slanted parking lot, same menu and hyperactive service as at every other location.
When I’m not feeling like being a vegetarian I go for the burger with the guac and the tortilla strips. Their fries don’t disappoint, and I like how they’re bottomless. I don’t think I’ve ever actually asked for a refill on them, but I like to know that the option is there.

Red Robin, I’m not gonna hate on you like so many others have done. Seriously, If you expect the most amazing burger meal of your life, you have never eaten at a Red Robin before.
Don’t get me wrong, Red Robin, I think you are pretty swell. As a matter of fact, I have never been disappointed. True, we are growing a part a bit but it’s not you, it’s me. But when we do get together, I always have a rather pleasant experience.
Sure, I was a little sad the day I no longer found the Honey Mustard Chicken Burger on the menu but you know what? I’ve been happy with the Whiskey River (both chicken and hamburger) Burger and on occasion, the California Chicken Burger.
Well, I guess that’s it. I will be seeing you soon (but not too soon), at various locations (though I have to admit, Eastlake and Downtown by the waterfront are my favorite places)

I always know to expect from Red Robin: great burgers, endless fries, good service, fast food, and relatively cheap prices.
I know, it’s a chain — but if you got one of these burgers at a mom and pop joint in Cle Elem, you’d be creaming your pants.

Who can’t resist endless steak fries? The special seasoning is great too.
I’m not someone who eats a burger everywhere I dine but at Red Robin they’re so darn tasty I can’t resist. In fact — they offer so many unique variations of this American classic that I always have a hard time deciding. Eventually I just badger my date or friend and make them decide for me. I’m annoying like that sometimes :)
This Red Robin in particular is a great spot because of its view and size. Not to mention the staff here was really friendly. The parking isn’t fabulous but it’s worth it.

I went on a bad day. Or bad time. Lunch time. Well, that’s when people go to lunch. A well-​managed restaurant will KNOW that after snowboundness in Seattle or in most cities at the end of a year on a school vacation everyone will be out to lunch and plan staff accordingly.
Employees looked stressed. The place was full. …full of Moms with young kids and parties. The kids added to a high volume. One mother kept getting things changed due to special needs. Her server had that glazed smile of the overworked yet truly trying to be service-​oriented hospitality staff. None of the employees really smiled.
The food was ok. I love my fish and chips there with tartar sauce.
It took forever to get my order. I almost left. the wait in a really noisy place. The fish was great. The chips must have been from the bottom of the bucket because they were not hot or crispy.
I was asked how my chicken was from a passing manager? I had fish.
I was a bit confused by actions of the busboy. he must be new. Not only did he often leave tables half cleared; but he also walked around the restaurant with his grey bustub to clear tables. It didn’t seem ok. But how do I know? I have recently worked at a 5 star place. We NEVER had a bustub in sight. NO matter what!
I left. It was a bad day. I will be back. MANY times of going there and having really good food in a more stufl yet upbeat atmosphere override in my mind this experience. Yet, today was my personal treat as the year ends.

It’s a Red Robin, you get what you get at Red Robin. They’re essentially all the same. Food’s always good, service is always friendly and peppy! My complaint about this one is the freakish parking and my fear of door-​jacking someone when I open my door because I’m parked at a 45 degree angle, okay so it’s not 45 degrees, but it’s kind of awkward to park on, and it’s kind of hard to get out of your car when you’re hungover, I based this on the fact that I actually had to have my 6’5″ 250 lbs roommate walk over and help me get out for fear of falling on my butt. Maybe I was still a little drunk, the next afternoon, or maybe it was a lack of energy because I hadn’t eaten in a while because my stomach had chosen to seriously reject the oodles and oodles of beer and long island iced tea (you mean it’s not tea?!) I had consumed the day before.
I digress, our waitress was attentive and she kept the refills of my strawberry lemonade coming and even laughed at my stupid jokes (one star!) I don’t know where you lucky bums sat that you had nice views of Portage Bay, we got a view of a nasty house down below. Ick!
I should note that I think if you’re a gay man looking to pick up on some pretty cute gay waiters, (who wants to date a waiter? no offense if you are one) then this might be your bag because it’s like the gay-​waiter Mecca.

I hate this parking lot. Sooo, sooo much.
Besides that, it’s pretty standard Red Robin. Sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s not so good, but at least it’s familiar, right?
It’s also really, really bad for you. Like, more than a day’s worth of calories in one meal bad for you.

Endless steak fries? Hi, that’s my version of heaven.
Decent food, friendly waitstaff, kept tidy, HUGE dining area. Pretty standard.

When you read car reviews, the cars are described to others in their class. «This car has the best legroom in its class.» «That car has the best crash test rating in its class.» I would put Red Robin in a class with a Fridays or a Chili’s, and so compared to other kitschy American food places in it’s class, Red Robin grades out well.
This place is not El Gaucho and it’s not The Capital Grill. But what it is is a good burger place, with good service and unlimited fries. The price is good, the meat is quality and you’ll walk out full. It’s not a Mercedes, but it’s a pretty nice Honda.

Red Robin is best visited when hungover. Why?
The red robin on the original sign is smoking a joint. Parking in the parking lot is kind of like a rollercoaster ride. The entire restaurant could potentially be sucked in if another sinkhole opens up near the bridge. The bathrooms have the tiniest, narrowest stalls in all the land. The servers are shiny and happy. The drinks are syrupy, sweet and overpriced. The food comes out within ten minutes.
This Red Rob has hit the spot on two consecutive New Year’s Days, which I think makes it a tradition. See you in 2009!