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| - Sure Red Robin is a franchise and they generally play it safe, but their hamburgers are tasty and the selection is good. Prior to my last visit I would have given 5 stars, now I want to give 2 1/2.
I have tried a few different burgers, but when I met the peppercorn burger I tasted perfection. Awesome peppercorn sauce, bacon, crispy onion straws, Swiss cheese, all great. I decided to try the jalapeƱo corn meal bun last time - skip it and get the usual onion roll.
A while back I tried the bacon aioli (seasoned mayo with a good bacon flavor plus bacon pieces) and I fell in love. I wanted it bottled to take home and put on everything possible. Honestly, it was a reason to return, it was that good.
Unfortunately one of two things has occurred since the last time I came here: either the bacon aioli went bad and somehow became clear or someone changed the bacon sauce away from an aioli to some bacon fat slime. When the condiment cup was put on the table I asked for the bacon aioli, they said that was it. Some dark, shiny pile of mush. I thought, well I'll try it anyway. I dipped a few fries in it and NONE of the contents would stay on the fry. They all slid off. If I was to emulate it at home I would only need bacon, bacon fat and gelatin. Not a dipping sauce.
I asked the waitress if the aioli had changed and she asked the manager, they said it had. She asked if she could try it (brave considering I could have double dipped) and by her face I could tell she hated it too. I thought they would know to take the $0.75 charge off my bill but I had to ask when the bill came.
They also took the $3 onion dip & fresh wavy chip appetizer off the menu. It was probably just too cheap and delicious.
I wish Red Robin would quit making changes that remove the consistency that I returned for. At this point I will probably seek out competitors more.
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