Red Robin - Mixed Results And The Reason Why

[Eric-C]

We've been going to three different RR's in the area since we heard about the dedicated fryers.

First few times I felt great.

Then so-so...sometimes got mildly sick, other times very sick. Either the bacon or the seasoning they put on the burgers is not gluten-free. If its the way they slice the bacon(the slicer itself) or something I don't know.

I've started to tell them no season/salt on the burger either and although they claim it is gluten-free saying that has completely cleared up my issues there.

We got a bad bottle of ketchup a few weeks ago after I had already put it on my burger. Manager stopped by and made me a new burger. When he delivered it he said it was free of everything and that was the first time I felt great leaving there.

Since then I've made sure to speak to the manager when we came in, said no salt on anything...and I say salt because that seems to be a generic term for seasoning there, and have been great every time since then and that is at three different locations.

Next time I am going to inquire about the bacon.

[butterfl8]

Thank you for the info! My celiac family is not as sensitive as I am and are going to want to go there soon, my protests or no. And when I say not as sensitive, I mean my sister will have some of her husband's oreo milkshake, and my mother eats at Mcdonalds, has dairy queen malteds, and wonders why she doesn't feel good. AHHHH!!!! So thank you for helping me to know how to keep myself safe under stressful family situations!

-Daisy

[buffettbride]

RR seasoning is not safe. The ingredients on the container "look" safe, but the gluten-free menu advises against the seasoning. My hubby and daughter get bunless bacon cheeseburgers w/out seasoning and unseasoned fries at RR fairly regularly and do not have problems, and daughter is particularly sensitve

[Heidi S.]

Yes the only way the fries are gluten free if they do not apply the RR seasoning/salt. I always get the RR gourmet cheeseburger just lettuce wrap tomato and cheese with some ketchup and its great! You can ask to see their gluten free list, most have an allergen binder. No seasoning salt on the burger or fries and you will be ok! In addition all allergy special orders come out in a yellow basket instead of red. Look for your food to arrive in the yellow basket, if it doesn't ask or send it back!

Hope that helps!

[Coleslawcat]

  On 4/11/2010 at 1:01 AM, Heidi S. said:

Yes the only way the fries are gluten free if they do not apply the RR seasoning/salt. I always get the RR gourmet cheeseburger just lettuce wrap tomato and cheese with some ketchup and its great! You can ask to see their gluten free list, most have an allergen binder. No seasoning salt on the burger or fries and you will be ok! In addition all allergy special orders come out in a yellow basket instead of red. Look for your food to arrive in the yellow basket, if it doesn't ask or send it back!

Hope that helps!

You can ask them to use regular table salt on your burger instead of the seasoned salt. I found the first time I had it made seasoned salt free it tasted very bland, but just having them use the regular salt made a huge difference! The Red Robin near us has two different friers for their fries, one with the seasoning and one without. The waitress said a fair number of people ask for them seasoning free so they always have both batches running. I've had great results there. I've never had an issue with their bacon, but I definitely get it made without the seasoning salt!

[digmom1014]

I've also had great luck when ordering their brushetta chicken sandwich on lettuce wrap with the garlic/parmesan fries. These are a delicious treat for me!!

[jyoung]

I have also had mixed results when going to red robin. They have a policy that the manager is supposed to bring out and plates that are ordered with special diets in mind but they have been failing to do so when I have been there recently. The last two times that I was there they brought the food out incorrectly and then had to remake it. The last time was because they "accidentally" got something else on the plate. I couldn't tell if it was ranch dressing or mayo but I can't have either do it wouldn't have mattered. I always ask that they bring my food out separately so there is no CC, though it still rarely happens. Each time something like this goes on I try to educate the manager about what happens when we eat gluten or casein. I am trying to look on this positively but it is getting very hard to go out with the family when you almost always have to watch them eat while you wait for them to fix your meal for the 2nd or 3rd time.

[lynnelise]

I had a very good experience at a RR this weekend. The menu I was given stated that you should request no seasoning on the fries or burger. I got the chicken with guacamole and plain fries. It was great and I had no issues, which was a relief since I was in for a five hour car trip! lol!

[mindaugas]

red robin fries without seasoning? ... I just don't go there anymore, the seasoning was the only saving grace.

[buffettbride]

  On 4/13/2010 at 5:24 PM, mindaugas said:

red robin fries without seasoning? ... I just don't go there anymore, the seasoning was the only saving grace.

Hubby and my daughter just bring some Lawry's seasoning salt from home. It's basically the same thing.

[kareng]

The Red Robin website does say that they grill on the same grill as everything else, so there could be problems.

From the Red Robin site"

AS WE COOK, PREPARE, AND SERVE YOUR MEAL, THE LISTED MENU

OPTION MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH THE ALLERGEN YOU WANT TO

AVOID. FOR EXAMPLE, WE MIGHT COOK THE LISTED MENU OPTION ON

THE SAME BROILER AS A MENU ITEM THAT CONTAINS THE ALLERGEN

YOU WANT TO AVOID. THAT

[jerseyangel]

Wow--thanks everyone for the info on Red Robbin. I have one nearby, but didn't realize that they recognized gluten-free. I haven't had "restaurant fries" in over 5 years! I may give it a whirl

[jerseyangel]

  On 4/13/2010 at 7:46 PM, kareng said:

The Red Robin website does say that they grill on the same grill as everything else, so there could be problems.

From the Red Robin site"

AS WE COOK, PREPARE, AND SERVE YOUR MEAL, THE LISTED MENU

OPTION MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH THE ALLERGEN YOU WANT TO

AVOID. FOR EXAMPLE, WE MIGHT COOK THE LISTED MENU OPTION ON

THE SAME BROILER AS A MENU ITEM THAT CONTAINS THE ALLERGEN

YOU WANT TO AVOID. THAT

[jerseyangel]

I just hung up the phone with Josiah at The Woodlands, Texas Red Robbin. I asked if they had a gluten-free menu and when he said they did I asked if they prepared the gluten-free foods separately and were aware of the care needed to keep gluten-free foods separate to avoid cross contamination.

He told me that the manager is very aware of Celiac, and that they will make sure that gluten-free foods are prepared separately--either in a clean fryer, a cleaned grill, or what ever is needed. His tone implied to me he knew what he was talking about.

It's always a good idea to call first, or stop in and see how the restaurant you plan to go to handles things. They are only as good/knowledgeable as the management/staff at that location

[lizard00]

I've never had a problem with RR, but as Patti said, it's important to make sure they know what's up. I always wondered about the seasoning, too, because it looked safe. But, if they say to leave it off, I leave it off. Glad I did

[Darn210]

  On 4/13/2010 at 7:46 PM, kareng said:

The Red Robin website does say that they grill on the same grill as everything else, so there could be problems.

From the Red Robin site"

AS WE COOK, PREPARE, AND SERVE YOUR MEAL, THE LISTED MENU

OPTION MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH THE ALLERGEN YOU WANT TO

AVOID. FOR EXAMPLE, WE MIGHT COOK THE LISTED MENU OPTION ON

THE SAME BROILER AS A MENU ITEM THAT CONTAINS THE ALLERGEN

YOU WANT TO AVOID. THAT

[lizard00]

Now I want a Red Robin burger with bacon and guacamole... fantastic.

[jerseyangel]

  On 4/13/2010 at 8:22 PM, lizard00 said:

Now I want a Red Robin burger with bacon and guacamole... fantastic.

I know....all I can think of is a burger and fries!

[Eric-C]

  On 4/13/2010 at 8:23 PM, jerseyangel said:

I know....all I can think of is a burger and fries!

Well since posting this I've been back a few times...yes a few times, when we meet with customers for lunch it is one of the few places I can go so we do go often.

Since I've made the manager aware every single time I've been in there have been zero issues. Speaking with the manager seems to make a difference and being a familiar face seems to make a difference.

This is at 3 different RR's and good results at all. These are the same ones I had issue with, the difference is in speaking with the manager every time we go in.

[buffettbride]

  On 4/15/2010 at 10:20 PM, Eric_C said:

Well since posting this I've been back a few times...yes a few times, when we meet with customers for lunch it is one of the few places I can go so we do go often.

Since I've made the manager aware every single time I've been in there have been zero issues. Speaking with the manager seems to make a difference and being a familiar face seems to make a difference.

This is at 3 different RR's and good results at all. These are the same ones I had issue with, the difference is in speaking with the manager every time we go in.

Becoming a regular and knowning the managers definitely helps! There's a place called Noodles where we go often and the manager and cashiers know us all. They've even comped a meal or two for us if something has taken too long.

[butterfl8]

And after all that good news, I have to report that my Red Robin experience was not happy. It started off well, with the waiter getting the gluten and soy allergy menus, and checking to see if the fries were fried in soy oil, etc. And as soon as I was done eating, the restroom called. So at the very least, the RR in Centennial, CO is out. At least for me.