New Red Robin @ Brandywine Towne Center

Raptor · #1 06-26-2008, 04:47 PM

I wasn't going to post this, since we went on opening night, but I changed my mind.

Red Robin is a franchise chain. I've been to quite a few of them around the country, but not to any in DE or PA. They tout themselves as "Gourmet Burgers and Fine Spirits". The restaurant is kid friendly - VERY kid friendly (read LOUD). Which kinda makes me question the "Fine Spirits" aspect. At the Towne Center, they have a patio where you can sit out and enjoy your beverages while watching the fountain in the pond..or the people walking around the pond..or the shopping center across Naamans Rd (where the Wild Bird Center is located).

On opening night (this past Monday), they were not utilizing the patio - bummer number one. Each one of the beers ordered in my party had obviously been poured right away (the missing 3 oz. were evidence of that), but not delivered right away...and a good bartender would have noticed that and topped them off - bummer number two. There were quite a few other service issues/delays - things my wife and I come to expect when we hit the "chain" restaurants - bummer number three.

The burgers were good...not great, but good. They get you on the burgers too - nearly $10/ea. They claim "bottomless" steak fries...the fries were good, but one of our service issues was that there was never an offer of more. The margarita that we ordered was weak...very weak..to the point where we sent it back.

This restaurant had been doing "trial" runs for the previous 4 days...they apparently haven't hit their stride yet.

So, for beers and wings and nachos, etc on the patio or at the bar, I would give it another shot. For families with fry-devouring kids, it's probably a winner.

But what is with you parents out there? At 9pm you should not be strolling into a restaurant with your newborns and toddlers! You should be at home with the kids in bed (am I out of line here?)...no wonder kids are so F'd up these days.

Red Robin - Home

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DEMOA · #2 06-26-2008, 04:49 PM

Thanks for the review. I'm looking forward to stopping by there soon!

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Chase · #3 06-26-2008, 04:49 PM

I love the RR on 273

and no, i wouldn't have the kids out at 9pm, they would be homicidal....

we can barely take the baby anywhere, she is off the hook...

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DEMOA · #4 06-26-2008, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chase

and no, i wouldn't have the kids out at 9pm, they would be homicidal....

we can barely take the baby anywhere, she is off the hook...

Tell me about it. While on vacation, our son was eating out at a full-blown restaurant twice a day (we really only like to take him to a restaurant like once a month!!). We try to avoid it at all costs!!
Can I just tell you how much adjeda I got at every lunch and dinner out? We had every crayon book imaginable and all I kept thinking was...everyone around us hates us! ha! ha!

He honestly really wasn't bad at all. I just get worked up over nothing sometimes...but I digress....

Kid Lester · #5 06-26-2008, 05:02 PM

I don't care what time a kid is at a restaurant...

If the parents are RESPONSIBLE!

If the kids are well behaved...we don't have a problem.

If the kids are monsters, and a parent runs them outside and straightens them out...we don't have a problem.

If the kids are monsters and mom and/or dad don't care that they are ruining everyone else's meal, then mom and/or dad should be beaten in the face with a hot skillet.

Raptor · #6 06-26-2008, 05:26 PM

I need to start carrying a hot skillet with me when I go out.....

hockey · #7 06-26-2008, 06:51 PM

Raptor & KL, your issues aren't that kids should be in bed by 9pm....your issues are that kids should be well behaved when out at a restaurant no matter the time?

I'm asking b/c my kids (daughter: 13 and son: 8) are very well behaved but we keep very late hours around our house. I have no qualms about taking my kids out to eat at 9 or 10pm if the establishmnet has late hours. My kids know better than to cause any attention to themselves. They both know that they live in an adult world when keeping these hours and if they can't manage themselves.... they'll be back to seeing mornings again.

Back to topic, I hate chain restaurants.... the service sucks, the food is unoriginal, over priced and poorly prepared, IMO. I honestly can not think of a single chain restaurant that I enjoy. However, I'd be willing to try the BTC Red Robin only for the patio on the water with a few drinks. I doubt I'd like that loud inside area or a $10.00 burger.

I'd much rather go to a locally owned establishment to try some original, local, freshly made dishes.

BTW Raptor- how crowded was RR? It amazes me the number of people out eating in BH every night.

ss0847 · #8 06-26-2008, 07:44 PM

maybe its just me...but I love red robin here on rt40...i never went when they first opened...i never go to a place when they first open because all the kinks arent worked out yet...

bottomless steak fries...yes...i like the idea...the steak fries are actually very good...the service...every single time ive been there has been nothing but exceptional...and lets not forget the cute young waitresses...lol...i think its a perfectly good burger joint if you dont mind loud noise...and people...alcoholic milkshakes sound great...never had one though...always wanted one...the drinks there..are always top notch...nothing about the chain is 'original' obviously...but..its a good place regardless...to me anyway

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Raptor · #9 06-27-2008, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hockeyandDMB

Raptor & KL, your issues aren't that kids should be in bed by 9pm....your issues are that kids should be well behaved when out at a restaurant no matter the time?

I'm asking b/c my kids (daughter: 13 and son: 8) are very well behaved but we keep very late hours around our house. I have no qualms about taking my kids out to eat at 9 or 10pm if the establishmnet has late hours. My kids know better than to cause any attention to themselves. They both know that they live in an adult world when keeping these hours and if they can't manage themselves.... they'll be back to seeing mornings again.

BTW Raptor- how crowded was RR? It amazes me the number of people out eating in BH every night.

My issue is that toddlers (those that can barely keep their balance and have no concept of proximity) and newborns (those that are incapable of self-sustained motion and are confined to the convertible stroller/car-seat/shoulder harness) should not be brought into a restaurant at 9pm. Leaving (to go home), maybe. It's a little late.

Kids who can complete a sentence, carry a conversation, etc are a different story. And also a reflection on the parents.

It was pretty crowded, although not every seat was taken. You could've gotten in without a problem. Nothing like Olive Garden on a weekend evening.

I agree with ya totally on the local shops...I'd much rather hit the Del Rose or Robino's than Macaroni Grill or Olive Garden...sometimes time is an issue though.

Green Lantern · #10 06-27-2008, 07:57 PM

Raptor is mad because me and my kids go in to his shop and the kids are just terrors. The boy likes to hit all the windchimes and make them ring and they make all the birdfeeders spin.

My kids have probably jaded his view of all children.

New Red Robin @ Brandywine Towne Center

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