5 dishes to avoid ordering at Red Robin can save you money, calories, and that “why did I order this?” regret.
5 dishes to avoid ordering at Red Robin also makes it easier to choose a meal that actually tastes good and fits your health goals.
Red Robin is famous for burgers and bottomless sides. But not every menu item is a win—especially when you look at what customers complain about most: bland flavor, weird textures, dryness, or “not worth it” value. Below are five Red Robin menu items to avoid, based on review-based roundups and reported customer experiences, plus simple swaps to make your order feel lighter and more satisfying.
A food can be popular and still be a poor choice for taste, texture, or nutrition. When people consistently flag an item as disappointing, it’s usually one (or more) of these issues:
Texture problems (dry fish, soggy fries, mushy coatings)
Flavor imbalance (too sweet, too salty, sauce-heavy)
Portion traps (bottomless refills that sneak calories up fast)
Low satisfaction for the price
Red Robin is a burger-forward kitchen, and reviewers note the blackened salmon can come out overcooked, turning what should be tender and buttery into something dry and bland. Some complaints also describe it as unpleasantly “fishy,” which is a red flag for salmon.
Ask if the kitchen can cook it just until flaky (not “well done”).
Pair it with extra veggies and skip creamy sauces if you’re watching calories.
If you’re picky about seafood quality, you may be happier choosing a grilled chicken or salad-based entrée instead.
This dessert looks fun and Instagram-friendly, but reviewers say the donut base tastes bland and the sauces don’t save it—so you end up with a lot of sugar without that “wow” dessert moment.
A nutrition listing for Red Robin’s Cinnamon Sugar Doh! Ring shows 740 calories with 60g sugar in a serving—easy to overshoot your day if you’re already eating a burger and fries.
Share one dessert among the table.
Or do a “dessert hack”: order hot tea/coffee and stop at a few bites.
The Banzai Burger has a teriyaki-glazed vibe with pineapple—some people love that combo, but many reviewers find it oddly sweet, unbalanced, or just not “burger-y.” A survey cited in review coverage showed it as the most-picked “worst burger” among respondents.
Red Robin’s nutrition guide lists the Banzai burger at 980 calories and 1,580 mg sodium.
For context, the American Heart Association recommends ≤2,300 mg sodium/day (ideal 1,500 mg for most adults).
If you like sweet-savory:
Choose a simpler burger and add flavor with pickles, onions, mustard, or salsa-style toppings.
Skip extra sweet sauces and balance with side salad or veggies.
Avocado sounds like a smart upgrade, but reviewers say this burger can land flat—creamy + salty without enough brightness or punch. It’s one of those “should be better than it is” items.
The nutrition guide lists Smashed Avocado N’ Bacon at ~930 calories.
Ask for lemon (if available) or add acidic toppings like pickles.
Swap mayo-heavy sauces for mustard or request sauce on the side.
Taste-wise, reviewers complain steak fries can be soft and not crisp enough. But the bigger issue is behavioral: “bottomless” can turn into mindless extra servings—especially if you’re snacking while chatting. Some customers also report inconsistent “bottomless” refills by location.
Red Robin lists Bottomless Steak Fries at 350 calories per serving (and 570 calories for an 8 oz portion).
Two refills can quietly add hundreds of calories, without improving fullness much compared to fiber-rich sides.
If you’re going by frequent review complaints, start with blackened salmon, Cinnamon Sugar Doh! Rings, Banzai burger, Smashed Avocado N’ Bacon burger, and bottomless steak fries.
It depends on portion and customization, but some burgers and combo-style meals can exceed 900–1,000+ calories, and sodium can climb fast.
They can be—because refills make it easy to eat more than you planned. One serving is listed at about 350 calories, and extra servings add up quickly.
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