So it has been a long time since I had posted here. The need to get myself a job took precedence over everything else...but enough about that. I got the job of my dreams (great boss, helping others, chances to make some great money) so now in 2012, I promise to post at least once a week.
Let me start the new year with my review of Red Robin. My wife and I had dined there on New Years Eve as the craving for a burger won yet again. Being that I have a gluten intolerance, we had to figure out a way for me to have a burger. They do have a protein bun, but multiple layers of iceberg lettuce do not a bun make. It worked for me in the early days of my GF life, but I quickly needed a more bread-like solution.
So we went to Pathmark to get some of Schar's Rolls for my burger. They recently improved their recipe, so now they taste a lot better, but they still need to be toasted. With buns in hand (no pun intended), we went to have our meal.
When the server found out that I had a gluten allergy, he returned with their allergen binder so I could see everything that was safe for me to eat. Now I knew we could have the nachos with guacamole and salsa as all I had to avoid was the homemade chips (not that hard to avoid as they were huge), but once we went to order our burgers, I got the surprise of my life.
John, the manager on duty that evening, informed me that Red Robin now has their own GF burger bun on the premises for $1 extra. I figured I might as well try it. If it sucked, I'm sure they could have helped me out, plus you never really know if you don't try. So I ordered their A1 Peppercorn burger, exchanging the onion straws for caramelized onions.
I actually had to ask to make sure they didn't give me a regular bun! Their GF bun is moist, tasty plain, absorbs the grease and juices just like a regular bun and absolutely no gritty and crumbly texture. It tasted, smelled, felt and looked like a regular hamburger roll. They didn't even have to toast it. They couldn't as the toasters are for regular bread, but the buns are microwaved briefly. John informed me that they had been working on this for quite some time as Red Robin knew they were slacking when it came to GF options. They most certainly knocked this one right out of the park. They even have a system with their burger baskets, so if you go there and ask for your food to be GF, if it doesn't come in a yellow basket, ask for the server to make sure it was prepared properly.
Red Robin really outdid themselves this time and is once again my favorite place to eat a burger. Well done guys! I'll be raving about this experience for a long time to come.
YUMMMMM!!!!
Wow! I actually was in the same Red Robin the very next day, and the manager told me all about your blog! (I'm glad I found it! It's certainly helpful!) They treated my mother and myself like Queens, and I, too, had to double check on the bun!
ReplyDeleteKudos to RR for helping us out in this manner! Now, if we can only get them to carry a GF beer.... :)
I wish they would as well. If you have ever tried Red Bridge, it is a pretty good GF beer. Since you seem to be from the area, there is a Buy-Rite in North Plainfield on Route 22 West next door to Gertrude Hawk chocolates. They have several varieties of GF beer there.
DeleteI'm glad you enjoyed my post and I hope you continue to read. I think it is about time my wife and I check out another location and see if they have made some strides to having GF options.
Chris, Thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteFallon's gluten free bakery in Fords (really Keasby) has some awesome treats, but crappy hours. I don't know if you're taken a trip over yet.
Also, the A+P Liquors in Metuchen has a rotating stock of GF beers. I learned this week that Fox and Hound at Menlo Mall carries Red Bridge, although they weren't very helpful on the food end. I had a giant plate of fries. (eye roll)
Hope all is well, and thanks for blogging!