Red Top Drive Inn — Restaurant in Winnipeg

So, this one is tough to post. It could be I was just there at the wrong time, but there were also issues that would have existed regardless of how busy/slow it was.

For starters, this is a place that's highly recommended, it was on an episode of "You Gotta Eat Here", and seems like it has all the foundations of being a great diner, the problem is in some of the execution.

The good: had a chocolate shake that was everything you'd expect from a great hand dipped shake, no complaints there. Also, the staff seemed friendly, and helpful, definitely a great group to interact with.

The meh: I think Greek salad has a pretty universal definition by now, what Greek salad is not: mostly bag lettuce mix with shredded carrots, then topped with a few token tomatoes, cucumber, olives, and feta. All edible, but not Greek salad. Just call it a house salad and everyone's happy.

The ugly: The fries seemed like they could have had potential, but were undercooked, soggy, and cold when they were handed to me in the bag. The deluxe dog was so overcooked that all that was left was a shriveled, tough casing around a thin straw of edible interior (also, it was supposed to come with lettuce and tomato that was absent), and the chicken was so over-brined that the overwhelming taste was just salt (I initially thought it was the batter/skin, but even after removing that, the meat itself was just too salty to eat). Finally, my takeout order was provided without utensils or condiments (I mean come on, no ketchup for a box of fries?), which meant that even if everything was spot on, it still would have been an incomplete meal.

So after all that, what I was left with for my $27 with tip, was a pretty decent shake, whatever I could eat with my fingers of a 'Greek' salad, a hotdog that time forgot, and about 60 minutes of serious indigestion. Hence, a review that I don't want to leave, but 2 stars that were unfortunately...

First time at this restaurant. Let's just say I was very very disappointed as I heard that it was a Winnipeg institution. We were told to pick a table and then weren't sure what to expect as nobody came by to greet us. So we weren't sure if were supposed to order at the counter or what. We were not given a menu or water...waited around 10 minutes not sure if we should say something or leave. Finally the waitress came by and had given us the menu. No hello or anything. We were like ok....we actually didnt feel welcome .Ordered our drinks and dinner. What we had observed was the table beside us who had arrived about 15 min after us had gotten their food first. We had placed our food first before that table. I thought that the chicken dinner meal that was brought was for me but it was given to that table instead... along with food for the other guests at that same table. NOT IMPRESSED as it seemed that it was intentional as that group may have been local regulars. THEY seemed like regulars as they were greeted with kindness and warmness. We waited for our food. Chicken dinner and a couple of burgers. The food was less than ok. Laughably bad. My salad was full of brown lettuce. Normally I don't say anything but it was bad and wasn't appetizing.... I had to ask the waitress to return it. The milkshakes that were ordered was luke warm and expensive. For that price i expect them to be cold...The burgers were very dry. My son didn't even really eat his burger that was how dry it was. The chicken and fries was ok. Probably the most decent item that was ordered. None of us finished our meals. Would definitely NOT go back there again. First impressions are always the lasting...

I don't typically write or do reviews on experiences but, I feel this should be addressed considering my experience wasn't the best. Despite reading and hearing great things about this restaurant, I've wanted to go to this place for sometime and finally did so some days ago. People commented on the "great atmosphere" and such, but I feel like I experienced something much difference and that'd be judgement, disgust among other things. Decided to treat my parents to a dinner out in this establishment and I know it'll be the last time going there, upon our arrival we were welcomed with looks of disgust and down right dirty looks from the other people in the diner, the waitress was kind and I thank her for the service she's provided. I remember as we sat down at our table, I look over and see this old man looking down upon us with the corner of this eyes, as well as another older woman doing the same as we go to our table. Truly rubbish how people can be so judgmental and wicked, I know for one thing when I sat down I knew I wanted to leave. Who knew someone of color could have their day ruined by such prejudice, sorry for playing the race card, but after this experience I know that I won't recommend this place for my friends, family or anyone...