New Series

I'm starting a new series of articles, but I am at a loss for a title. The series will focus on reviews of various menu items at the big, national restaurant chains such as Red Robin, Olive Garden, Outback Steakhouse, Carl's Jr and Denny's. Readers will benefit by learning to make the most out of sometimes mediocre menus. The reality is, despite my efforts to find the best in local food and beverage, once in awhile I still find myself at a restaurant owned by a company with annual sales in the billions of dollars - who doesn't? Post your name suggestions to the comments!

Today, Red Robin.

Order: Whiskey River BBQ Burger paired with a Sam Adams Octoberfest on draft.

Presentation: The burger arrives in an inviting burger basket with a small portion of familiar Red Robin fries (they are unlimited, you just have to ask for more). The crispy onion straws were not piled high like the picture, in contrast, they were hiding under the burger patty.

Evaluation: The bun and burger had good texture and flavor as I would expect from Red Robin. The signature Whiskey River BBQ Sauce added a subtle sweetness to the burger, but I would've liked a little more presence. I was mostly disappointed with the crispy onion straws which were far from crunchy and only added a light onion-soup-mix flavor. The Sam Adams Octoberfest was light to medium-bodied, malty and biscuity with a subtle hop balance. A satisfactory burger beer in my opinion.

Recommendation: Don't get me wrong, I definitely enjoyed the burger. However, when I order a burger with these ingredients, I'm looking for a tangy BBQ flavor and big crunchy texture from the onions, whether they be rings or straws. If you're really hungry for a BBQ burger, this order might hit the spot - but the best of Red Robin might be found elsewhere on the menu.