I don't know what all the hype is about. I went there last night with my girlfriend, and was about as impressed as I would be with any national chain. Which is to say "meh". It wasn't bad by any means. It was along the same lines as Applebee's. A known quantity. Decent food, but nothing to rave about. They sure are proud of their food though. $9 for a burger. $8 for their spinach-artichoke dip (with chips). Come on. It was a good burger, the fries were decent (large steak cut, which I like). I had the carnitas burger. The meat was very good, but it was on a plain white bun that might have cost them $0.25. Girlfreind had the guacamole burger. Again, plain white bun, and the patty was nothing special. The dip was decent, but I want a little more than tricolor chips and 4 small triangles of focaccia bread for $8. If the burgers were in the $6 range I might go back (I do have a thing against national chains when I'm not traveling). But if I want to spend $9 on a burger, I'll drive up to Austin, spend $6 on a burger at Casino el Camino, and gas will make up the difference. Or I'll save the gas, go to the Tap Room and have one more beer. If a company wants to charge that much for a burger, it had better knock my socks off.
I don't know what all the hype is about. I went there last night with my girlfriend, and was about as impressed as I would be with any national chain. Which is to say "meh". It wasn't bad by any means. It was along the same lines as Applebee's. A known quantity. Decent food, but nothing to rave about. They sure are proud of their food though. $9 for a burger. $8 for their spinach-artichoke dip (with chips). Come on. It was a good burger, the fries were decent (large steak cut, which I like). I had the carnitas burger. The meat was very good, but it was on a plain white bun that might have cost them $0.25. Girlfreind had the guacamole burger. Again, plain white bun, and the patty was nothing special. The dip was decent, but I want a little more than tricolor chips and 4 small triangles of focaccia bread for $8. If the burgers were in the $6 range I might go back (I do have a thing against national chains when I'm not traveling). But if I want to spend $9 on a burger, I'll drive up to Austin, spend $6 on a burger at Casino el Camino, and gas will make up the difference. Or I'll save the gas, go to the Tap Room and have one more beer. If a company wants to charge that much for a burger, it had better knock my socks off.
I ate at the one in San Antonio before the one here in San Marcos opened up, and I have to say that I had the same first impression as you.
I tend to prefer local when I'm not travelling as well. For me I think it's more the fact that I want to support local businesses, and if you keep trying you usually find some really nice local places with some good food. When people come visit me it's always fun to show them the local places. They've all seen the chains, they haven't seen the local places.
Sucks is a bit strong. Way overpriced and underwhelming. The burgers were good, just not worth the money.
I think it's just a known quantity thing. Especially for breakfast. Denny's sucks, but it's going to be the same wherever you go. If I knew the local places when I was traveling, I'd go there. I love finding the local gems. Some of the best travel meals I've had have been by accident, but there is more risk and work involved to find them. The local place gives you a better feel about what a place (city, town, village, etc...) than any national chain ever will. National chains just always seem so sterile to me. Even when they are full of stuff, it's all bland and soulless.
Quote:
Originally Posted by A2
thanks for the review El Jefe.
I've never tried Red Robin, only because your like the 100th person I've heard say it sucks.
But I'ld like to ask you about this....
"(I do have a thing against national chains when I'm not traveling)"
What is up with that?
I'm the same way.
I don't eat that much McDonalds, Buger Fling, Taco Hell........But when I'm on a road trip, I jones for McNuggets like a junky.
I know a few other people who are that way....I think I'll get a grant and find out why that is....
As soon as I finish the first series of San Marcos trading cards.....lol
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