Red Robin

[Wilson]

We stopped in for lunch while running errands today... we've eaten there probably 5-6 times and it's always been fine.

But today... the hostess handed out the menus and mine had something smeared all over it that was the consistency of syrup. Disgusting. When the waitress came over, I asked for another, which she obliged... but she took the dirty one and kind of tossed it near the bar - it fell in front of the bar and *stuck* to the wall. Ummmm, gross.

We ordered and it was uneventful... until I got my food and unwrapped the silverware. The knife had food caked on to it. Another gross. I quickly checked the kids' silverware and all was fine. Then, while eating the food, I made the mistake of glancing up at the light fixture above the table. Huge mistake - it looked like it had never been cleaned. It was flat, clear & red glass, and there was a very thick layer of dust caked on the top that you could clearly see from underneath, and there was some kind of greasy liquid splatter all over the top of it.

I told the manager about all this as we were leaving, but she didn't sound all that surprised, really. She said they'd take care of it and I hope she follows through. But now I'm morbidly curious about the cleanliness of the kitchen...

[schnauzermom]

Watching too many Kitchen Nightmares? I know I really look at the condtion of the restaurant now because of that show.

[Wilson]

I do think that is becoming a problem! LOL! It's Gordon's fault! I'm much more aware, I guess, and easily grossed out now :p. I can appreciate his prayer before each meal, "Please don't let them poison me".

[TripleA]

YIKES!! I watch too much of that show too. We ate at RR a few weeks ago on a Sunday and all was fine. I hadn't been in months. Nothing dirty that I recall, but I truly wasn't looking that closely. I hope they do clean it up though!

[TXrose]

I was just there yesterday 12/28. All seemed fine. I didn't look at the fixtures, I usually don't in ANY resturant.

[msucowboy97]

yall think that is bad...check this out

http://www.divinecaroline.com/article/22178/39039-hidden-truth-hotel-drinking-glasses

[msmichellemiller]

speaking of bad experiences, I HATE Johnny Rockets in Market Square. Visited twice since moving ('cause I believe in second chances and I used to love it in San Antonio) and both times just made me frustrated. There are no adults running the place; I'm convinced of that. I just love sitting there waiting as I watch my teeny-bopper server gossip with her equally as young manager as they fix each other's hair. :rolleyes: ****I WON'T go back again due to the last visit where I sat at the bar stools and witnessed the cooks using a spatula to turn both raw burger patties and cooked ones. :eek: Helllllooooo?!!! Cross contamination? Gross. Once we finally got my food, I couldn't touch mine at all after what I saw. I wanted to complain and explain that the kitchen definitely needed some re-training but since it was ran by all teens I just didn't want to deal with eye-rolls and whatevers. Yall just beware of this place!

[cgwoolf]

It's getting to so no place is safe.

[smcbelle]

Check the bathroom before you order. That will give you a good idea of what the kitchen looks like.

[kraazynak]

I've worked in restaurants for several years now and I can give some inside truths about cleanliness. smcbelle is definitely correct about checking the bathroom. If the bathroom is unclean, then you can bet that the rest of the restaurant is as ignored. Chain restaurants are for the most part going to be clean in their kitchen. They have a written regiment on how to clean the Back Of House, AKA kitchen area. Sadly these regiments get shortcutted, but fairly often the managment has the staff do a good deep cleaning.

The one thing you should worry about more than the kitchen, and glasses, since these are cleaned with disinfecting chemicals, is the tabletops and seats. In most chains they are cleaned with water and some lemon juice. If you look around the table where you are sitting, and you see dust or grease caked onto anything, you might want to get up and leave. This means that the staff has been not been doing all they were supposed to, the management wasn't noticing, and you can bet there will be some other problems too.

[Wilson]

I'd be scared to work in a restaurant at this point. On the other hand, it might be a great way to lose weight :p. I'd be too grossed out to eat anything!

I did waitress at my aunt's small restaurant when I was a young teen... learned a lot, but I think my aunt was much better than average at keeping the place clean.

[msmichellemiller]

I think my years in restaurants are what caused me to be so hyper-vigilant about my kitchen and foods I eat.

[Carpe Diem]

And, just think, while eating at Red Robin & Johnny Rockets, you two got to pay out the butt for your experience.

Dh took youngest son to Red Robin Friday because he had earned a free milkshake at school. He said for the two of them to eat two burgers, fries and drinks (milkshake was free) was $20. Give me Whataburger anytime.

I do like the food at Red Robin, it is just overpriced for what it is. Same with Johnny Rockets. Last time we were there (last year sometime) an old friend of ours was the manager. He obviously isn't managing there anymore or the place would have sparkled. I can certainly understand why he wouldn't stay there though. That place would drive me nutso.

[Wilson]

Our Red Robin lunch came to $45 with the tip for the 4 of us. But dh had a cup of soup with his meal and I can't stand fast-food burgers anymore, so I get the fish tacos at RR.

[TXrose]

I find RR no more expensive than Fudruckers.

[Wilson]

True, but I was at Fuddruckers a couple of weeks ago and the place was downright nasty. I ended up having to get the manager involved to get the tables cleaned even somewhat properly before the rest of our party arrived.

[schnauzermom]

I really like Fudds but it always feels sticky in there. I think it needs a really serious deep cleaning.

[TXrose]

Fudd's has been nasty for awhile, at least this one. The last straw was when my chicken was raw inside..... they had just cooked it on the outside.

[Cook57]

I really like Fudds but it always feels sticky in there. I think it needs a really serious deep cleaning.

Remember when it opened; was packed everyday, but in those days very few restaurants here in TW area.

I have not been inside in Years; but my walking takes me past the rear area, back door, trash area, etc. Big accumulation of grease and building deteriorating. "Serious Deep Cleaning" definitely needed there also! :(

[Lon Chaney]

Remember when it opened; was packed everyday, but in those days very few restaurants here in TW area.

I have not been inside in Years; but my walking takes me past the rear area, back door, trash area, etc. Big accumulation of grease and building deteriorating. "Serious Deep Cleaning" definitely needed there also! :(


Oh yes, I remember... Fudds was a very big deal back then. But if you look at it now, it has not been renovated or updated since. The building is deteriorating, the staff is somewhat in need of a swift kick in the a$$ and they are probably getting their business taken away by Becks Prime across the parking lot.

I won't be back. There is hope for RR, but if they don't step up to the plate they will end up like Fudds in a few years.

[Cook57]

My comment on RR; may sound nutty, but just cannot get beyond the name! Love the bird, look for them all the time. But "Red Robin" as a hamburger restaurant? I don't get it.:confused::confused: