Cliff Van Sickel

Review of Red Robin

Red Robin is a chain so the typical lack luster ap...

Red Robin is a chain so the typical lack luster approach to your dining experience is to be expected. The silver lining is that you pretty much get the same experience whether you're at the Lynnwood, WA location or in downtown Seattle. Red Robin has always been consistent. The problem is that it's consistently blah.

This location at the Seattle pier is especially blah because it's so small. Often times you're left waiting for someone to pass you so that you get get to the bathroom, get back to your seat or simply leave.

The food is slightly poor for the value. It's close but I would say you pay more for something than it's worth. Over the last few years the chain has tried to change things up and part of that is higher prices with a less personal touch on service. Red Robin takes advantage of something called a Ziosk. The moment your child touched the Ziosk they can easily gain access to games, and the moment that happens your bill just got a $1.99 charge. Even if they don't play the game, or you take the Ziosk from them...there's a charge.

So what's up with the Ziosk anyway? I'm not really sure. Rather than give your server a card/cash and pay your share, you do it all through the Ziosk if you're paying with a card. You can review your bill, call your server, pay, print/email a receipt, and play games.

Now take into account I might be a little biased. I can cook, I'm rather good at it, and I gauge a lot of my experience on whether the food was worth the price. Cutting the chase, the food wasn't bad but it wasn't awesome. Was the food edible and the order correct...yes. There are obviously more expensive places to eat in the area and this is probably on the low/medium side of the price guide for the pier.