That Food Guy
Friday, February 14, 2014
Red Robin, St Petersburg, Florida
This particular Red Robin is almost hidden. The large
parking lot of the mall makes for a large set back and there is no attention
getting sign; you sort of have to know where it is because it is not readily
apparent from the street. That didn’t seem to affect the customer base. Even
though we went a bit early for dinner it was quite busy. However, we had almost
immediate seating. We were shown to a lounge area table for two. That area has
elevated tables with stools and bench seats to match. I suppose they were
saving the regular dining area booths for larger parties. The seats are okay
once you climb up and in but I would prefer a regular booth the next time if at
all possible.
Our server, Sarah J was quickly there to take our beverage
order. A very personable young lady, Sarah took good care of us during our
visit and her kind words added immeasurably to the dining experience. Red Robin
features Coca Cola products (soft drinks
$2.79) which I prefer and my wife, Janis, ordered her favorite, a banana
milkshake (Classic Milkshakes and Malts.
Choose from chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, banana, raspberry or peach. Classic
$3.99, Monster, milkshake with a refill tin $4.99). The beverages arrive in short order and we
sipped as we read the menu. It is similar to previous Red Robin menus we have
seen but there are a lot of new additions as well as old favorites. There is a
section for substitutions and sides as well as a variety of sauces to “Customize
Your Order.”
In spite of the new and tantalizing dishes offered, we
ordered much as we have always when dining Red Robin. We are, after all,
creatures of habit. Janis ordered her usual, the Crispy Chicken Burger ($9.99 Anything between two buns is a burger
to us, even if it’s made with a premium whole chicken breast. The only things
that could top this burger are pickles, tomatoes, onion and mayo.) She
chose the bottomless fries as her side dish. It is a large serving of chicken,
the flattened breast overhanging the large bun on all sides. It was cooked a
nice golden brown and with a crispy crust, moist and tender inside. Janis said
it was very tasty and she had no difficulty in finishing her meal; well, a
small scrap of sandwich to take home for a couple of real dogs (who gave the
crispy chicken burger their seal of approval). The fries were, as expected,
very good. Red Robin is noted for their steak fries always served cooked to a
tee and served piping hot.
I have a couple of burgers that I switch between but this
time I chose the Bacon Cheese Burger ($9.99
Bacon. It makes everything better; even our cheeseburger which is tough to
beat. Topped with mayo, tomatoes and your choice of cheese.) The meat is
cooked to order. I chose Swiss cheese for my burger, and of course, I chose the
fries. Read the menu thoroughly. There are no-charge substitutions for the
fries, such as side salad, broccoli and coleslaw, which are bottomless like the
fries. The burger was made from a large, nicely toasted sesame seed bun. The
patty was grilled with a bit of crispy char, cooked to order, not pink, but
not well done, and was very flavorful beef. The Swiss cheese was nicely
melted and there were fresh tomatoes and crispy lettuce. The bacon was two full
strips cooked almost crispy. As I mentioned, the meat had a very good flavor by
itself and the rest of the ingredients made for a delicious hamburger, one that
I really enjoyed. I also love my French fries. I especially like the steak
fries served by Red Robin. I asked Sarah one of her frequent appearances for an
additional order of fries. It seemed that it was taking a long time but she
arrived right on time with the fresh, piping hot order of fries just as I was
down to the two or three from the original serving. I thoroughly enjoyed my
reintroduction to Red Robin. Sorry Dogs, there wasn’t anything left to bring
home.
Red Robin,
St Petersburg, Florida
Tyrone Mall
2468 Tyrone Blvd Suite 435B
St
Petersburg, FL 33710 (727) 345-3581
Our last meal at a Red Robin was during our last trip
together to Alaska some three or four years ago. During our Alaska residence it
was a favorite place to go for that special hamburger and a milkshake (not to
mention the “bottomless fries”). During our tenure in Florida, at first there
were no Red Robins. Not too long ago we learned that there was a Red Robin a
bit to the north of Orlando. As good as the Red Robin sandwiches are, a six to
eight hour driving round trip was just a bit too much. About the middle of last
year we read in the paper that Red Robin was going to build a restaurant in the
Tyrone Mall, just a few blocks from where we live. That was good news indeed.
That Red Robin was completed a bit before the Christmas season but we never
managed to make our way there for a meal until today. That’s not to say that
the spouse didn’t visit and get me a gift card from Red Robin to help fill my
Christmas stocking. With gift card in hand, we went to Red Robin for a
Valentine’s Day Red Robin Hamburger.
This particular Red Robin is almost hidden. The large
parking lot of the mall makes for a large set back and there is no attention
getting sign; you sort of have to know where it is because it is not readily
apparent from the street. That didn’t seem to affect the customer base. Even
though we went a bit early for dinner it was quite busy. However, we had almost
immediate seating. We were shown to a lounge area table for two. That area has
elevated tables with stools and bench seats to match. I suppose they were
saving the regular dining area booths for larger parties. The seats are okay
once you climb up and in but I would prefer a regular booth the next time if at
all possible.Our server, Sarah J was quickly there to take our beverage
order. A very personable young lady, Sarah took good care of us during our
visit and her kind words added immeasurably to the dining experience. Red Robin
features Coca Cola products (soft drinks
$2.79) which I prefer and my wife, Janis, ordered her favorite, a banana
milkshake (Classic Milkshakes and Malts.
Choose from chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, banana, raspberry or peach. Classic
$3.99, Monster, milkshake with a refill tin $4.99). The beverages arrive in short order and we
sipped as we read the menu. It is similar to previous Red Robin menus we have
seen but there are a lot of new additions as well as old favorites. There is a
section for substitutions and sides as well as a variety of sauces to “Customize
Your Order.”In spite of the new and tantalizing dishes offered, we
ordered much as we have always when dining Red Robin. We are, after all,
creatures of habit. Janis ordered her usual, the Crispy Chicken Burger ($9.99 Anything between two buns is a burger
to us, even if it’s made with a premium whole chicken breast. The only things
that could top this burger are pickles, tomatoes, onion and mayo.) She
chose the bottomless fries as her side dish. It is a large serving of chicken,
the flattened breast overhanging the large bun on all sides. It was cooked a
nice golden brown and with a crispy crust, moist and tender inside. Janis said
it was very tasty and she had no difficulty in finishing her meal; well, a
small scrap of sandwich to take home for a couple of real dogs (who gave the
crispy chicken burger their seal of approval). The fries were, as expected,
very good. Red Robin is noted for their steak fries always served cooked to a
tee and served piping hot. |
| Bacon cheeseburger on a serving plate |
 |
| Bacon Swiss cheeseburger in a basket (New Mexico) |
There was nothing wrong with our sandwiches and we will be
going back to Red Robin, that is for sure. I do have some observations about
perceptions and presentation that really didn’t affect the quality of the food.
In all previous visits to Red Robins, the service was in a more traditional
burger basket with a sheet of wax paper liner. The burger was also wrapped with
the top half exposed ala the roadside diner hamburger tradition. The back side
of the burger was compressed a bit and that forced some of the filling towards
the unwrapped top. The bun gaped a bit and the effect was a humongous hamburger. As well, the basket
was a bit smaller than the serving plate in use at this Red Robin and that made
the combination of burger and fries look very large indeed.
This meal was served on a flat, rectangular plate with the
burger sitting flat, unwrapped and secured with a wooden skewer. The fries are in a serving ring, much like a
fries to go carton but without a bottom and made of stainless steel. With the
contents of my meal displayed on the larger plate the effect was of a much smaller
meal than I remembered; the perceptions from the presentation. I had to look
closely to be sure it was the same sized burger that I remembered. The burger was delicious, the fries excellent
but even though I am sure the burger is the same size, I am also sure that the
supplier is cutting the fries from a slightly smaller potato that before; they
are good fries just a bit smaller. I don’t believe that is of any real
importance because you can have as many as you can eat.
If you haven’t been to a Red Robin in some time or the
restaurant chain is new to you, try them. I’m sure you will be glad you did and
it will become one of your favorite places to go for that special burger.
Labels: banana, bottomless, chicken, Coke, Florida, French fries, gourmet, hamburger, milkshake, Red Robin, Sandwich, St Petersburg
¶ 4:30 PM 0 Comments
Friday, June 22, 2012
Ross Park Drive In - Pocatello, Idaho
During my first trip to Pocatello, Idaho, many, many years ago, my sister took me to the Ross Park Drive In for a burger and fries. Memory always recalled the burgers as a bit special, perhaps a cut above the usual chain store burgers. With that in mind, these many years later, we went to the Ross Park Drive In for a hamburger and fries. On the corner the streets cross at an angle and the corner where the drive in is located juts out making a triangular plot. It has been a fixture in Pocatello for many years. Open seasonally, it serves fast foods to the locals and visitors to the nearby Ross Park. Although called a drive in, it doesn’t offer car-hop service, it is walk up window instead. It frequently serves a hangout for local teenagers though it does offer limited parking.
The Idaho afternoon sun was fierce as we waited in line. Our turn at the order window was next. The order was straight forward: two double cheeseburgers, one without sauce and one with everything, one double hamburger with everything, one large French fries, one Tater Tots, one onion rings and one small Coke. The clerk seemed to have a bit of trouble getting it all noted correctly. We sought the comfort of the shade provided by a large tree while we waited for our order to be completed. The small patio was shaded and although the direct sun was fierce, the shaded area would have made a comfortable place to eat the meal.
Our name was called and we carried the food to the car. Something didn’t seem right; perhaps the bag too small? Then it dawned on us. There two Cokes instead of one. We checked the bag. There were the three burgers, one onion rings and one Tater Tots, but no French Fries. Sister went back to the order window. The clerk was rude and told her she got what she ordered. He didn’t offer any apology for the mis-order or even offer to correct it. Rather than argue and make a scene and prolong our wait in the hot sun we took what we did have home.
Eagerly, we all gathered around the dining room table. The foil-wrapped burgers were not identified. We had to unwrap and pry open the sandwich to see who got what. The burgers are reminiscent of the roadside diners of a bygone era. Griddle cooked burger patties, the buns toasted on the back of the grill, and when assembled, a few moments under a dome on the grill to steam them. Perhaps it was just the foil wrap that didn’t allow the moisture to escape. The result is a slightly damp and wrinkled bun, cooked lettuce and the sandwich pretty much glued together. We doled out the sandwiches and put the onion rings and Tater Tots in the center of the table. Each hamburger came with a small Solo cup of dressing much like Thousand Island.
The appearance notwithstanding, the proof of the product is in the taste. As we ate our meal we traded words back and forth looking for just the right word to describe the hamburgers. The best we could come up with was just adequate. Not bad burgers but certainly nothing special. The quality of the burgers seems to have deteriorated over the years. They certainly were not what we remembered. The Tater Tots were just that - Tater Tots and the onion rings were the good
Not much further away in the opposite direction are a McDonalds and a Burger King. Their comparable burgers are much better than the Ross Park Drive In. Although you still have to check your order at the drive-thus, they will correct the order and, with a smile, bid you to come again. In summation, the local chain drive-thru restaurants offer a better product as well as better and kinder service. Perhaps one day Ross Park Drive In will turn around and upgrade their product and service to the way it once was. Unfortunately, we’ll never know because we won’t be back to see.
Ross Park Drive In
2340 S 2nd Ave Pocatello, ID 83204
During my first trip to Pocatello, Idaho, many, many years ago, my sister took me to the Ross Park Drive In for a burger and fries. Memory always recalled the burgers as a bit special, perhaps a cut above the usual chain store burgers. With that in mind, these many years later, we went to the Ross Park Drive In for a hamburger and fries. On the corner the streets cross at an angle and the corner where the drive in is located juts out making a triangular plot. It has been a fixture in Pocatello for many years. Open seasonally, it serves fast foods to the locals and visitors to the nearby Ross Park. Although called a drive in, it doesn’t offer car-hop service, it is walk up window instead. It frequently serves a hangout for local teenagers though it does offer limited parking. 
The Idaho afternoon sun was fierce as we waited in line. Our turn at the order window was next. The order was straight forward: two double cheeseburgers, one without sauce and one with everything, one double hamburger with everything, one large French fries, one Tater Tots, one onion rings and one small Coke. The clerk seemed to have a bit of trouble getting it all noted correctly. We sought the comfort of the shade provided by a large tree while we waited for our order to be completed. The small patio was shaded and although the direct sun was fierce, the shaded area would have made a comfortable place to eat the meal.Our name was called and we carried the food to the car. Something didn’t seem right; perhaps the bag too small? Then it dawned on us. There two Cokes instead of one. We checked the bag. There were the three burgers, one onion rings and one Tater Tots, but no French Fries. Sister went back to the order window. The clerk was rude and told her she got what she ordered. He didn’t offer any apology for the mis-order or even offer to correct it. Rather than argue and make a scene and prolong our wait in the hot sun we took what we did have home.
Eagerly, we all gathered around the dining room table. The foil-wrapped burgers were not identified. We had to unwrap and pry open the sandwich to see who got what. The burgers are reminiscent of the roadside diners of a bygone era. Griddle cooked burger patties, the buns toasted on the back of the grill, and when assembled, a few moments under a dome on the grill to steam them. Perhaps it was just the foil wrap that didn’t allow the moisture to escape. The result is a slightly damp and wrinkled bun, cooked lettuce and the sandwich pretty much glued together. We doled out the sandwiches and put the onion rings and Tater Tots in the center of the table. Each hamburger came with a small Solo cup of dressing much like Thousand Island.
The appearance notwithstanding, the proof of the product is in the taste. As we ate our meal we traded words back and forth looking for just the right word to describe the hamburgers. The best we could come up with was just adequate. Not bad burgers but certainly nothing special. The quality of the burgers seems to have deteriorated over the years. They certainly were not what we remembered. The Tater Tots were just that - Tater Tots and the onion rings were the good
kind made with rings of real onion, not the mashed, processed and formed kind. The serving size of the Tater Tots and onion rings was small for the price.
Not much further away in the opposite direction are a McDonalds and a Burger King. Their comparable burgers are much better than the Ross Park Drive In. Although you still have to check your order at the drive-thus, they will correct the order and, with a smile, bid you to come again. In summation, the local chain drive-thru restaurants offer a better product as well as better and kinder service. Perhaps one day Ross Park Drive In will turn around and upgrade their product and service to the way it once was. Unfortunately, we’ll never know because we won’t be back to see.
Labels: cheeseburger, Coke, drive in, French fries, hamburger, Idaho, onion rings, Pocatello, Ross Park, tater Tots
¶ 10:05 AM 2 Comments
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Sam's Club, St. Petersburg, FL
Some restaurants are posh, decorated and have an ambience of luxury. The food courts at Sam’s Clubs are a bit different. Almost as if an afterthought and in space available, they are usually placed next to the exit door and adjacent to the cash registers. The open warehouse architecture makes for high ambient noise levels, the nearby exit makes for perceptible drafts, and the high traffic density from the checkout counters makes for crowding and congestion.
On the other hand, if you have favorites on the rather limited menu, it is a convenient place to get an inexpensive bite to eat after filling your basket with all the house-goods staples. As soon as you have the receipt in hand you shove the basket to an empty table to claim it as your own. If there are two of you it certainly is easier. One gets to guard the basket and table while the other goes and stands in line to order the food.
One of the wife’s favorite foods is pizza, pepperoni pizza to be specific. A slice of pepperoni pizza is $1.88. It is well covered in pepperoni slices. It is a crispy thin crust pizza. With all the pepperoni sausage on top, it is just a little greasy but all to the liking of a pizza lover. There is adequate cheese and the sauce has a nice flavor. It appears to be a 14- or 16-inch pizza and cut, I believe, into sixths, a generous portion. It was one of those overbearingly hot Florida summer days so to go along with her pizza, the wife ordered a 32-ounce ICEE, $1.08.
I chose the combination, a large hot dog and bun with a 32-ounce soft drink, $1.70. This Sam’s Club serves Nathans hot dogs which is a good thing. It is a large hot dog and a large bun to match. I have never seen the large Nathan’s hot dogs like that in the supermarkets. Also, in this store, adjacent to St. Petersburg, diced onions are available on request at the pick-up counter; they give you a nice little Solo cupful. Mustard is a pump dispenser on the condiment table and the relish is in those little tear open bags that I hate so much. If you are from New York, there are larger tear-open packages of sauerkraut if you desire. Soft drinks are Coca Cola products and the two machines feature most of the popular brands.
The kitchen and food service area always appears clean and well cared for. The dining area is basically clean but the majority of the table bussing is the patron’s responsibility and I am afraid some of my fellow diners are not really up to the task.
Although we didn’t partake on this day, one other menu item worth mentioning is their Four-Berry Sundae, $1.50. It is a large cup of soft-serve ice cream swirled with a chunky four-berry sauce. On really hot days it is really a life saver on the long trip over the hot asphalt paving to the car. More than once I have been on the verge of brain freeze.
All in all, it was a quick and simple meal that we both enjoyed. And after all, where can you take the wife for lunch and treat her to one of her favorite foods and have the bill come to less than five dollars? A pretty good deal after all.
Some restaurants are posh, decorated and have an ambience of luxury. The food courts at Sam’s Clubs are a bit different. Almost as if an afterthought and in space available, they are usually placed next to the exit door and adjacent to the cash registers. The open warehouse architecture makes for high ambient noise levels, the nearby exit makes for perceptible drafts, and the high traffic density from the checkout counters makes for crowding and congestion.
On the other hand, if you have favorites on the rather limited menu, it is a convenient place to get an inexpensive bite to eat after filling your basket with all the house-goods staples. As soon as you have the receipt in hand you shove the basket to an empty table to claim it as your own. If there are two of you it certainly is easier. One gets to guard the basket and table while the other goes and stands in line to order the food.
One of the wife’s favorite foods is pizza, pepperoni pizza to be specific. A slice of pepperoni pizza is $1.88. It is well covered in pepperoni slices. It is a crispy thin crust pizza. With all the pepperoni sausage on top, it is just a little greasy but all to the liking of a pizza lover. There is adequate cheese and the sauce has a nice flavor. It appears to be a 14- or 16-inch pizza and cut, I believe, into sixths, a generous portion. It was one of those overbearingly hot Florida summer days so to go along with her pizza, the wife ordered a 32-ounce ICEE, $1.08.
I chose the combination, a large hot dog and bun with a 32-ounce soft drink, $1.70. This Sam’s Club serves Nathans hot dogs which is a good thing. It is a large hot dog and a large bun to match. I have never seen the large Nathan’s hot dogs like that in the supermarkets. Also, in this store, adjacent to St. Petersburg, diced onions are available on request at the pick-up counter; they give you a nice little Solo cupful. Mustard is a pump dispenser on the condiment table and the relish is in those little tear open bags that I hate so much. If you are from New York, there are larger tear-open packages of sauerkraut if you desire. Soft drinks are Coca Cola products and the two machines feature most of the popular brands.
The kitchen and food service area always appears clean and well cared for. The dining area is basically clean but the majority of the table bussing is the patron’s responsibility and I am afraid some of my fellow diners are not really up to the task.
Although we didn’t partake on this day, one other menu item worth mentioning is their Four-Berry Sundae, $1.50. It is a large cup of soft-serve ice cream swirled with a chunky four-berry sauce. On really hot days it is really a life saver on the long trip over the hot asphalt paving to the car. More than once I have been on the verge of brain freeze.
All in all, it was a quick and simple meal that we both enjoyed. And after all, where can you take the wife for lunch and treat her to one of her favorite foods and have the bill come to less than five dollars? A pretty good deal after all.
Labels: bun, Coca Cola mustard, Coke, hot dog, ICEE, Nathans, onions, pepperoni, pizza, relish, Sam's Club
¶ 11:44 AM 2 Comments
