I’m same as captainlee, I’ve been to all of those places, but it’s been probably 15 years since the last time. Locally, we have our favorites, and when traveling, the internet has made it easy to find distinctive choices, so there’s no more need for the safety of corporate dining.
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Yeah, I don’t think I’d ever been to a Red Robin before, and many years since I’ve been to a Chili’s. -
I used to work near a Chili’s and a Red Robin. It was so long ago I can only say that back then, the Red Robin burgers were dry and unappealing. But they may have changed, so I don’t feel right dissing them; and anyhow, franchise restaurants’ quality is a direct reflection on the franchise itself, not the product in general.
The Chili’s, I don’t think I ever got a burger there. We maybe ate there once, and didn’t go back. Not because it was bad, but because there are other, better places. -
I’ve only done Red Robin once and you couldn’t have paid me to go back. Took an hour to get burgers that were burnt beyond edible and the fries were horrible. My daughter was around 5 at the time and she wouldn’t even eat it. Manager couldn’t care less so we cut our losses and left.
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Going to Hooters for their hamburgers reminds me as a teenage boy, looking at a certain monthly magazine just to read the articles.Comment
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When I was dating my husband, he and his roommate had their Playboy Top Ten on their apartment wall. Luckily for him, I am not easily offended and didn't care that their accoutrements eclipsed mine considerably.
Finster "Article of the year" I had to read that twice. 😆
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I've been to Red Robin a couple of times. Meh...
Never been to either of the other two.
Don't really feel like I'm missing anything.
Part and parcel of my disdain of chain restaurants in general..Comment
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Enjoyed your burger "smackdown". The best burger, far and away, is available at my back porch.
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My go to burger is the Oldtimer at Chili’s. I’ve had them at several different Chili’s and all were good. They use a charbroiler to cook their burger patties which gives them an incredible taste and still leaves them moist. Every time I eat a burger at chilis or a steak at Saltgrass I swear I’ll order a charbroiler as soon as I get home. Way to go John!Comment
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Red Robin has a decent burger, the California burger is what I normally get when we go there - which hasn’t been in some time. But guacamole and bacon wrapped protein style is pretty good. And the fries as well are good. Nice that they use a separate fryer for the fries, at least they use to.
I think the last time I was at Red Robin was with my son a few years ago when we were traveling for his baseball. Always an easy find when traveling and you know they can make these for gluten free finds.
thanks for posting the comparison PJ!
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Red Robin will usually make your burger with a lettuce wrap, in place of bun. -
acorgihouse - yep, that’s how I order them - protein style/lettuce wrapped! It’s pretty good that way!
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There are three steak chains and three family restaurant chains, (including Chili's), within 15 min of our house. The only time we visit any of them is if friends want to get together at one of 'em.
The exception was a while back when Chili's had a tv add for a special. It had a choice of several entrees and apps. I went and ordered a burger with fries and the chips and salsa app for $9.99. It was great for a chain, but I have had better. And the price was in current fast food territory.Comment
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The sacrifices we make in the name of science!
I'm surprised the burger from Hooters didn't score higher.Comment
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Beefchop Hooters was actually the first place I ate at. I was ready to give the burger a solid B…until I ate at the other 2 places.
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Have not been to those places in over 20-30 years. Had a friend that managed a Red Robin long ago and it was a good burger. Use to take the kids to Chili's, but it was for their, "baby back, baby back, baby back ribs. Chili's baby back ribs, Chili's baby back ribs...BBQ Sauce". The kids would sing the jingle at the table waiting for their ribs. Never had a burger at Hooter's.
For me in So. Cal, it was Fatburger, Islands or Fuddruckers (now gone). Great burgers.
Thanks for the write up John.Comment
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TripleB it was the Rosarito Burger. I almost started writing this in abbreviations….. 😜😜😜😜 you build from the bottom up.
Bottom bunk
Spicy mayo
Shredded lettuce
Red onion
Burger patty
Pepper jack cheese
Griddled green chiles
Pico de gallo
Avocado slices (optional add on, highly recommended)
Spicy mayo
Top bun
So good! Of course at home, we can make it even better.
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My wife and I stopped at a Red Robyn for lunch a couple of weeks ago. First time we had been there in many years. They gave us complimentary fries since it was our first time at that restaurant. The fries came with Ranch and cowboy sauce to dip in. The cowboy sauce was really good. I found a recipe for it online and made my own. It's definitely a keeper.The burgers we ordered were good but not great.Comment
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Nice writeup! I've always been a fan of Chilis.Comment
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TBF Hooters has the only breaded wings I actually like. Though I still prefer naked wings there. Honestly never ate anything OTHER than wings at Hooters. Also, Hooters is way better than BWW, fight me!
As to Burgers, of the 3 places I've only had burgers at RR. Our local Chilis sucks. We don't have a Hooters in reasonable driving distance. (Though when I lived in England, there's a Hooters in Nottingham and they always ran Monday specials for All You Can Eat Wings. It was fantastic because most of the American Holidays are on Mondays so the place would be dead empty and I'd eat wings until I could eat no more)Comment
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Our Chili's down here is something of a local institution. This area was all new construction in the early and mid 2000s. The Chili's opened in 2006 and really was the only place to eat and the only restaurant/bar establishment around. It's turned into a local hangout for government employees.
City Hall is right across the freeway, two campuses of The University of Texas Medical Branch are right next to it, and many of the county employees live in the area. The bar sits sixteen and it is not unusual for it to be filled with regulars that all work in municipal, county, or state roles. (Do not complain about getting a jury summons; the county district clerk may be sitting next to you. Yes, I've seen it happen a few times!)
It isn't as hopping as it used to be. Other restaurants have sprung up and some have migrated there as it is closer to home. Also, Chili's decimated its happy hour. It used to be from 3 pm to close on weeknights....all well drinks $2.75 (double for 75 more cents), 20 oz domestic drafts for $4, house wine for $5 (six ounce pour).
Now it is 3-6 pm and just draft Bud Light ($4), Modelo ($5), and the house wine for $5.
I don't go as often as I used to, but I'm in there roughly once a week to catch up with some friends. I also have an odd reputation of stealing their bartenders and some servers. Not to another restaurant, but to get them to enroll in my university lol.
(But always as transfer students; Chili's will pay for your associates degree. That is thousands of dollars in free money. Take it!)
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Not that they will ever see this, but I’d like to give a big shout out to the staff at Red Robin where I ate yesterday…I-10 and Silber location. Thank you so much for your honesty! After eating there yesterday, I paid at my table through one of those portable Point of Sale devices they had on each table. Apparently I left my DEBIT card on the table without realizing it. 😳 About 3 or 4 hours later I was at Krogers checking out and noticed my card was missing from my wallet, immediate panic set in, oh crap! What happened I thought to myself? Then I remembered I must have left it at RR as that was the only place I’d been that day. I called RR and asked if they’d found a card with my name on it…”hold on while I check”, the lady said. After about 2-3 agonizing minutes she came back and said, “Does your card read John …….?” Yes, thank you very much! She told me it will be in their safe until I pick it up. I told her I’d be by the next day and thanks again. I just now got back from picking it up. I like the fact she asked for my ID after arriving to get it! Can’t be too safe these days. While this might not sound like a big deal, it could have been, if not for some honest employees. 👏👏Last edited by Panhead John; February 18, 2025, 03:44 PM.Comment
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Oh, I should mention, in case anyone is going to Red Robin to try this out, there's a "secret" drink menu you should definitely try!
2 shakes I know about.
#1.
Blue Moon shake - it's vanilla ice cream, Blue Moon beer and Cointreau. Tastes just like a damned dreamsicle. This thing is AWESOME.
#2.
Guinness shake - this is chocolate ice cream and Guinness. Also, very good!
Just throwing that out there if anyone is interested!Comment
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