Red Robin

[Puppypants]

I recently made a date to meet my son at a Red Robin for dinner. I always check a restaurants web site for nutritional info so I can make an informed menu choice. Red Robin does not and, according to their corporate office, will not, offer nutritional info. They say their focus is on quality ingredients and service, and that guests should determine the nutritional content of their food. We went, I had a Burger & Greens Salad, which was pretty yucky, and their service stunk!:mad:

[owlyn]

If they don't want to tell you, then they're not proud of it. I would (and do) stay away. Same for Crackerbarrel. BTW, here's a good one (Chili's nutrition info) :

http://www.brinker.com/gr/nutritional/chilis_nutrition_menu.pdf

caution: This will scare the s**t out of you. I used to go and get the Lime Grilled Shrimp Caesar Salad. Sounds pretty tame, doesn't it?

well...

only 39g carb, but, are you sitting down?

980 calories. Haven't been there since reading the nutrition sheet.

Want a good laugh? Check out the Molten Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream (it's the last thing on the chart, bottom of page 2). I won't spoil the surprise for you, but let's just say this would be eaten by most Americans after a full meal consisting of an appetizer (onion loaf perhaps?) and main course, plus probably chips & salsa. And beer or one of their famous calorie-laden margarita-type drinks. It's no wonder Americans are so overweight. It's times like this that I am hsppy I am a diabetic because I am more or less forced to look at nutrition info before I eat.

[notme]

I went to this site Weight Loss - Restaurants - Fast Foods - Nutrition Facts - DietFacts.com (http://www.dietfacts.com/fastfood.asp) and I was appalled at some of the calorie counts and FAT content of most of the food. I swear, I will never eat out again.

You are right. I couldn't find any nutritional information on Red Robin. They are off my list for sure.

[statdeac]

In my opinion, Red Robin sucks donkey dongs.

Besides the lack of nutritional info, the service is slow and the food overpriced for the value delivered.

But then again, that's just me...

[HiImDan]

Doesn't surprise me.....TheShortStraw- PIECE OF THUMB FOUND IN SALAD IN OHIO (http://www.theshortstraw.com/art_13.htm)

[Penny]

I have never seen one of these places, but don't get out alot. :D They are doing a big advertising campaign on TV, though. So there must be one around someplace. I was just thinking about suggesting it for the next lunch meeting with my friends, so glad you all posted this before I did.

[Puppypants]

Well, Chili's is off my list! Appleby's has a great Weight Watcher's menu, and of course, nothing beats a Wendy's Cranberry Pecan Chicken salad. Their Mandarin Chicken salad is okay for me if I skip the oriental noodles.

I never realized how bad some of the food is for people until I was diagnosed. Even my sons are paying more attention to where and what they eat - an added benefit from my dianosis!

[notme]

After I read some of the sites, I will NEVER eat my beloved Chicken Scalopini at Macaroni Grill again. :eek:

[sleepy_hound]

One of the things I had to do when I got my pump was to buy the book from Calorie King: "Calorie, Fat and Carbohydrate Counter". It includes a section of restaurants/fast food joings (and no, Red Robin isn't in it). It's been quite the eye opener of things I used to eat!

Their website isn't too bad, either...CalorieKing - Diet and weight loss. Calorie Counter and more. (http://www.calorieking.com)

[HelenM]

Just looked at that Chillis menu out of interest.
How can 'grilled salmon with garlic and herbs' have 48 carbs and 700 calories. They're aren't any carbs in salmon and negligible amounts in herbs and garlic. A big (8oz ) salmon portion has only 360 or so calories so where does everything else come from?

[Ed-In-TX]

Since Chili's 'grilled salmon' is a meal, I believe it includes black beans and 'seasonal veggies'. That's where the rest of the calories and carbs probably are.

[HelenM]

Thankyou Ed, I thought that there must be something else but the menu also had veg etc listed separately. Its still an awful lot of calories for something that I would order as being a healthy option.

[notme]

I really was amazed at all of the foods from restaurants. Things that I never thought twice about were off the charts. My guess is that is why restaurant food always tastes better than what you cook. Lots of fat and carbs. ****!

[lewsterr]

WOW! What an eye-opener. All this time I thought the vegie burrito at Baja Fresh was healthy. The information about it in the Dietfacts.com link totally blew me away. Now I understand why it affects my BG. I'm beginning to think twice now when going out to eat. Needless to say, you don't always get what you think you are getting. Thanks for the 'heads-up'. I'm going to be much more selective now before heading out to eat.

[lilituc]

I read on another forum that Red Robin has said that they will soon release nutritional information.

[Puppypants]

That is true - I talked with one of their corporate people today, and she told me they are working on posting nutritional info on their web site, but is quite a few months away. I personally won't ever go there again - the service stunk, and the prices were out of sight!

[amyjo29]

WOW! I can't believe it! I usually get the grilled chicken ceaser salad and couldn't believe how fattening!!!! Who thought there would be that much fat and carbs in a simple salad?!

[volleyball]

I laugh at the people who have a salad full of iceburg lettuce covered with a creamy dressing and crutons and then think they are eating healthier than a lean burger.
I prefer to avoid the chains as usually it's more processed.
I also think everyone should email the chains complaining about their food. I emailed Red Robin and I think everyone should. Squeaky wheels avoid the grease

[painthorse]

I wonder how anyone has managed to even stay alive for all these years! It seems that these eateries have been trying to actually poison for our whole lives. How is it we survived, not to mention our poor uninformed parents?

[volleyball]

I did the online complaint to Red Robins and there reply was, tell your server how you want it prepared. My question is if you and the server do not know what is in it, how to you get it modified? They are off my list of places to eat at for now

[angrycustomerba]

i read in this website Roadfood.com (http://www.roadfood.com) that in the kitchen of red robin in ballantyne north carolina the the cooks don't wear gloves and the nails of one cook are very long loaded with filthy black dirt.
be careful.
if somebody knows how to contact the health department please help.
Angry

[GeishaGirl]

A few weeks ago, I went online to find the nutritionals of ALL the local fast food places, to see which had good carb/protien ratios (more important to me than total carb count, honestly). The best place I found was Wendy's -- their chicken salads are good, and their chicken nuggets aren't bad either :)

I'm looking into other places, but Wendy's usually keeps my sugars even, or at least down to a minimal spike.

[EllieK]

I am sure that if we actually knew what went on in ANY Restaurant kitchen we would never step foot in it again. I've heard enough horror stories and seen a few myself while working my way through college ...... there must be plenty of people here on this forum who could come up with a few too.

I also don't understand how they can cram sooooo many more calories into the food.

[someone]

Well, Chili's is off my list!

Now lets try not discourage restaurants from posting their nutrition info. ;)

[jsntay]

You would think that it would be law to post nutritional values by now.

[mzteacher]

actually wouldn't you think any of the fast food places would have a white bun alternative (if any do i am not aware of it)...such as a wheat bun or even rye bread for a patty melt....our only alternative shouldn't have to be wrapped in lettuce (although thank you in and out) if you are in the mood for a burger and not a salad....must say haven't had a white bun since diagnosis!
i sure do learn a whole bunch from you guys!!
susan

[cyberus]

You would think that it would be law to post nutritional values by now.

The problem is that of how do you paint an entire industry with a single brush??

How would a mom and pop (aka independent) restaurant comply? I know that it would be a nightmare for me to have tried to give anything but a ballpark figure for my whipped up specials!

Now the big chains already know whats were within a range, cuz thats how they keep control of costs but how does one make them give that info without making the little guy without those resources do the same?

Then we get into liability. The big L

As soon as they do publish nutritional data the first time the guy in the kitchen throws a few extra fries on the plate cuz he would rather have someone eat them than toss them or in our case we never really kept that close track we just dropped a handful, a lawyer somewhere is going to sue because the data was wrong and someone failed to count the extra carbs and didn't take enough insulin or etc etc etc.

Now I would be happy if they would put out a "ballpark" average figure for menu items and let you know that the numbers may vary, but somehow I don't think the food police will be satisfied with that.

[Jules49]

I checked Red Robin's website. Read their FAQ. You can customize and it will give you the info you are looking for. Not very healthy for anyone. The hamburger I would choose was not on that list. I never eat frys. Don't miss the white things anymore.

[JadeMonkey]

Personally, I think Red Robin (at least the one around here) is great. The food has always been excellent as has the service. As for the nutritional value..... well I guess I have different expectations of what I'm getting when I walk into a quick-serve burger chain than many of you do. At least there are not any carbs in the bacon, cheese, and fried egg I'd like on top of my burger. When I go, I do it right. :D

If you knew what went on in a lot of restaurant kitchens (or home kitchens) you'd never eat out again. I have too many friends working in the restaurant business to even ask or think about it anymore. Just enjoy your time out and don't let it bother you. The stress reduction will be good for you and you'll boost your immune system at the same time. ;)

Those extra calories in many restaurant dishes come from many of the little tricks that are used to make things taste better. That nice lean piece of steak or salmon you make at home tastes pretty good doesn't it? It tastes even better if you melt a generous pat over butter into it once it comes off of the heat. Bonus points for garlic herb butter. You won't see it but you will taste it.

[queenbee310]

I agree with Cyberus. It would be really hard for a mom and pop shop to post nutritional info. But chains that have over lets say a million in profit a year should be legally made to post nutritional information.

I really cant believe that Red Robin does not have its nutritional info up. That is pure crazyness. Maybe they dont have it posted because they know there food is ridiculously bad for you, and dont want people to know it.

[someone]

As soon as they do publish nutritional data the first time the guy in the kitchen throws a few extra fries on the plate cuz he would rather have someone eat them than toss them or in our case we never really kept that close track we just dropped a handful, a lawyer somewhere is going to sue because the data was wrong and someone failed to count the extra carbs and didn't take enough insulin or etc etc etc.

The poor guy that thinks he's doing you a favor by giving a little extra...

For the most part, when I eat out, I can successfully guesstimate the carb content. Even for places that have the nutritional info, I don't really bother to look.

It would pose all sorts of issues if restaurants were legally required to give out nutrition info. Eat where you feel comfortable eating... if you're unsure of what's in something, you can always ask the waiter and they are usually willing to find out for you.

[Pdljmpr]

Red Robin - Customizer (http://www.redrobin.com/home/customizer.aspx)

Here is the customizer from their site.

[someone]

Red Robin - Customizer (http://www.redrobin.com/home/customizer.aspx)

Here is the customizer from their site.

LOL... they have the nutritional info after all...

[PattiM]

With the exception of dinner out with the family once a week at a Chinese/American buffet, I rarely eat out. Dining out doesn't have to be difficult though. I have memorized a lot of the carb counts per serving, but if I'm not sure, and there is no nutritional info available, I just don't eat it. If nothing on the menu will work for me, a salad with vinegar and oil is usually safe. If I must have a hamburger, and once in a great while it is nice to indulge, I make them at home so that I know exactly what it consists of.

Unfortunately, most fast food places and family restaurants are not diabetes friendly. Their eye in on their bottom line, not on the health of their customers. I haven't eaten at Wendy's since the 70's except for their mandarin chicken salad a couple of years ago. It is nice to know that they do have some other salads that are somewhat healthy. :)

[d_k_moon]

I recently made a date to meet my son at a Red Robin for dinner. I always check a restaurants web site for nutritional info so I can make an informed menu choice. Red Robin does not and, according to their corporate office, will not, offer nutritional info. They say their focus is on quality ingredients and service, and that guests should determine the nutritional content of their food. We went, I had a Burger & Greens Salad, which was pretty yucky, and their service stunk!:mad:

Here's a link to Red Robin's Nutrional Guide.

Red Robin - Customizer (http://redrobin.com/home/customizer.aspx)

[LaurenS11]

I ate an A-1 burger there over the weekend....I thought it was really good, but not worth the price. Plus my sugar went through the roof :(

[amccrazgrl]

I Love the Banzi burger w/ no lettuce or tomato.
I get cup of chili instead of fries.