quote:

My go to is now Steak and Shake.

The $4.00 menu has a fantastic variety.

No matter which location it is here, they are always crowded.

Which is why all of the locations around here are being closed down, and corporate is trying to sucker "franchisees" into buying into them.

You can't operate a business that costs twice as much to operate while charging half the price for food.

quote:

I'll throw in a vote for Freddy's.

And yet Freddy's thrives, although they are more expensive.

That's because they have enough money to pay the help and keep their facilities clean and maintained.

The Red Robin down here was just decently ok a couple of years back. Then a few months ago went with one of my daughters for lunch and she ended up feeling bad but keeping her food down while I ended up with throw up level food poisoning not long after eating there. I also noticed that they had their air conditioning on the warm side the last couple of visits before that and the last time we were there too. I think we went there a total of four or five times over the years only because it was in the area we happened to be in, but never again. As others have mentioned, Chili's puts them to shame as far as similar type chain restaurants go IMHO.

So I got dragged off to Red Robin once more after swearing them off, this time I had no choice as it was an extended family Black Friday thing.

Decided to try their "Premium" line of burgers and verified they are in serious trouble. This "premium burger" was a thin, sad overcooked hockey puck MAYBE 3.5 oz. It literally looked like a $1 McDonald's burger patty. They try to load it up with everything else to hide that it's not a very big or good burger patty, Ugh.

In the time since I've been to Cracker Barrel where my Dad got a burger and it was big, thick and just oozed pink juice all over his plate.

RR is going to put themselves out of business trying to cheap out.

Wow! I was just skimming through my old posts and read back through this thread. I saw it back at the top of the normal page and was wondering if I accidentally posted in it resurrecting it. Funny.

The one here (Davenport IA) is still fine. Me and two pals ate there about a week ago, no complaints at all. FWIW, it was 1245 on a weekday when they were not real busy.

I've never really liked RR, anyplace that won't cook my burger to order (medium rare, like it should be) doesn't get my business. Same reason I won't eat at Chili's. Either your food is safe or it isn't. Locally Zinburger puts them both to shame.

quote:

Originally posted by Nuclear:
I've never really liked RR, anyplace that won't cook my burger to order (medium rare, like it should be) doesn't get my business. Same reason I won't eat at Chili's. Either your food is safe or it isn't. Locally Zinburger puts them both to shame.

Around here they ask if you want some pink or no pink.
I like medium rare as well and at least here their some pink I would classify as medium rare.

quote:

Originally posted by Nuclear:
I've never really liked RR, anyplace that won't cook my burger to order (medium rare, like it should be) doesn't get my business. Same reason I won't eat at Chili's. Either your food is safe or it isn't. Locally Zinburger puts them both to shame.

Well this isn’t exactly true. The food safety part. Most cows have E. coli in their gut. When they are processed the E. coli gets on the surface of the meat. Grinding the meat mixes this bacteria up with it. It’s safe to get a steak rare because the surface is cooked and any bacteria on it got killed. Burgers are not the Same. Most burger places will not cook medium rare burgers. Although it’s not likely a problem for healthy adults eating fresh burgers.

quote:

In the time since I've been to Cracker Barrel where my Dad got a burger and it was big, thick and just oozed pink juice all over his plate....

IMO, it's not a good idea to eat undercooked hamburger...

A link to this article:

Eating undercooked ground beef is one of the main causes of E. coli, which can cause symptoms including diarrhea, vomiting and stomach cramps. These symptoms usually occur between two and eight days after eating contaminated food and can last for up to a week..Dec 7, 2018.

...now back to our regular program.

You’re playing Russian roulette eating uncooked/undercooked hamburger meat.

There is a Freddys in the home away from home now, burgers look good but I always get drawn into the Chicago style hot dogs. I am more surprised to hear Culvers has made it to Florida, they have been a treat since they expanded into our area. Still no desire to go to RR after reading this thread. The one closest to me has a Five Guys on the other side of the interstate which I visit often

November RR offered a veteran discount.i canned in an order for fish & chips, mentioned the discount and was told they’d take care of it at pickup.
It was busy the waiter took my card, brought the food and the bill. When I asked about the discount I was told there wasn’t one. When I got home the fish had obviously been reheated.
Yes, I should have tossed the meal back and called for the manager. That’s the last time I’ll be nice.
I contacted corporate and gave feedback for “How did we do?” While the auto reply was I’d get a call, none came. I did get an email for a credit equal to the cost of the meal.

When we go out shopping a local town we eat at an AppleBee’s, never had a bad meal yet.

quote:

Originally posted by PowerSurge:

You’re playing Russian roulette eating uncooked/undercooked hamburger meat.

I really like Steak Tartare. You guys are scaring me.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

quote:

Originally posted by PowerSurge:

You’re playing Russian roulette eating uncooked/undercooked hamburger meat.

I really like Steak Tartare. You guys are scaring me.

That’s fine. Just cook it well.

I was at my first in Buffalo, NY at the request of my nephews. I was impressed. Apparently different locations have different results.

Went to RR tonight. Our server was a guy who's been there for years, a total pro. So service was better than usual, food excellent, no complaints. It's the inconsistency that bothers me.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

quote:

Originally posted by PowerSurge:

You’re playing Russian roulette eating uncooked/undercooked hamburger meat.

I really like Steak Tartare. You guys are scaring me.

Ground the same day you eat it? No problem.

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

quote:

Originally posted by PowerSurge:

You’re playing Russian roulette eating uncooked/undercooked hamburger meat.

I really like Steak Tartare. You guys are scaring me.

Ground the same day you eat it? No problem.

Really? Is this true?

If this is correct, then that would mean that if I grind my own hamburger meat and cook it within an hour, it would be safe to eat it rare?

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

quote:

Originally posted by PowerSurge:

You’re playing Russian roulette eating uncooked/undercooked hamburger meat.

I really like Steak Tartare. You guys are scaring me.

Ground the same day you eat it? No problem.

Really? Is this true?

If this is correct, then that would mean that if I grind my own hamburger meat and cook it within an hour, it would be safe to eat it rare?

Assume all ground beef has E. coli. If it is fresh beef and freshly ground the contamination is mixed in. E. coli reproduces every 20 minutes. In 8 hours that is about 17 million of them from one cell. Healthy adults may not get sick. But the risk is there. I eat medium burgers a lot with no issue.

If you grind and eat within an hour there will be less contamination but it’s still there. Question is if your body can outcompete it.