Posts Tagged ‘red robin gourmet burgers’

Red Robin or Fuddruckers Update: A Visit to Red Robin

Tuesday, July 7th, 2009

This past evening, I happen to be out with my wife and daughter.  We were in the vicinity of a Red Robin Gourmet Burgers restaurant, and my wife, since it had been some time since we had eaten there, suggested a visit.  It seemed like good timing, since Consumer Obsession had just recently featured the Red Robin vs. Fuddruckers piece.

First of all, I was a little suprised that it wasn’t very busy.  Usually, in that area at dinner time, it’s hectic to say the least.  Then again, as most of us know, people are eating out less right now, due to economic conditions, and after visiting Red Robin and seeing their current prices, I can see why people could be cutting back on the visits.

I decided to go for the old standby, the bacon cheeseburger, though I was a little shocked the see the $9.59 price tag.  Red Robin’s burgers aren’t known for being all that big, but they do include the “bottomless” french fries.  Their fries still don’t make the price go down any easier, as I found them to be only average.  I must say, though, the burger was decent.  I ordered it medium, and while it was slightly overcooked, it still had some hints of pink.  I found it to taste better than my previous experiences at the restaurant, but I still didn’t think it warranted the high price tag. 

A larger and truly great-tasting burger can be had in my area for nearly half the price Red Robin is charging for theirs.  And if we are again comparing Red Robin to Fuddruckers, Fuddruckers proves to be a better value.  While not cheap, one can get more for their money at Fuddruckers.

It’s really too bad, because I would eat that Red Robin burger again, but not at that price.

Red Robin or Fuddruckers?

Wednesday, June 17th, 2009

Fuddruckers-logo

Fuddruckers and Red Robin Gourmet Burgers were both born in 1980.  Red Robin’s orgins are way earlier, but the current concept was hatched in 1980.  Red Robin seems to currently be hitting its stride as far as franchises go.  In my area of W. Pa, three Red Robins have opened in the past few years.   Fuddruckers, on the other hand, has had a rougher ride.  The chain has been bought and sold and quality issues have dogged some of the restaurants, but they continue to hang in there.

But, which is better?  Please vote in the poll below.  My own views follow.

 

Which do you like better?

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In my experience, I have found that non-burger people seem to really like Red Robin.  Personally, I’ve never been totally pleased.  The burgers are somewhat overpriced and merely ok.  I’ve never had to get a refill on the “bottomless” fries they offer, because the initial order wasn’t that hot to begin with.  This isn’t to say that I would never eat at a Red Robin again, because I would, but I wouldn’t go out of my way.

Fuddruckers started out right.  I remember going to my first Fuddruckers in 1987, on Independence Blvd. in Charlotte, NC.  It had the air of something new and special.  They had a glass wall where one could see the fresh cuts of meat that would soon be their hamburgers.  But, somewhere along the line, the wheels fell off.  The original owner left and the chain seemed to be going through an extended identity crisis.  The chain seemed to stabilize a bit when its current owner took over in 1998.  While the chain seems to still try to be too many things to too many people (family fun center, bar, gourmet burgers), things seem a little more stable. 

Fuddruckers’ food is still pretty good.  While one will pay more than at a fast food place, it seems worth it.  The burgers themselves are not incredible, but they are good.  Whether they are better than Red Robin may come down to personal taste preference.  I do like them better, but I’m not sure why.  Red Robin has probably gotten the “medium” order right more consistently than Fuddruckers, but the Fuddruckers’ burger has that some elusive thing that makes me like it a little better.

The Fuddruckers fries have never been anything to brag about.  I’d put them about even with Red Robin.  Why are french fries the weak link at many of these places?  If you’re a hot dog person, the Fuddruckers dog is also worth trying.