Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews — Restaurant in Florida

I met Gabrielle at a Red Robin in Secaucus, New Jersey, in the summer of 2001. I was a regular then—partly for the bottomless fries, but mostly for her. She had this spark, the kind that makes you forget whatever was weighing on you when she smiled your way. Witty, sharp, with a laugh that echoed louder than the dinner rush. She could talk you into ordering a milkshake even if you swore you were watching your sugar.

But she wasn’t just a waitress.

Gabrielle was a paramedic before she wore the red polo. A car accident had left her with a busted knee and an aversion to ambulances. So instead, she brought people comfort in burgers and banter. But the hero in her never left.

September 11th, 2001, started with skies so clear they didn’t seem real. I was heading to a meeting on the 87th floor of the South Tower. I’d gotten up early and, without much thought, stopped at Red Robin on the way—just to say hi. Gabrielle was off-duty, sitting at the bar with coffee and a newspaper, looking out the window like she was somewhere else.

“You’re up early,” she said, not turning around. “Trying to impress your Wall Street overlords?”

I laughed. “Trying not to get fired.”

Something in her face changed. She folded her paper, looked me in the eye, and said, “Don’t go in today.”

“What?”

“Call in sick,” she said flatly. “Hang here with me. You can fake a cough. I’ll help.”

I laughed again, nervously this time. “Why would I do that?”

She paused. “I don’t know. Bad feeling. Just stay. One day won’t kill you.”

It was irrational. But there was something in her tone—something I couldn’t shake. So I called. Made up a story about food poisoning. My boss sighed and told me to rest.

An hour later, we were sitting side by side, watching the sky fall.

The screen above the bar flickered images of smoke, fire, steel bending like paper. I remember the taste of my coffee going bitter in my mouth. I remember Gabrielle’s hand squeezing mine before I realized I was shaking.

She didn’t say “I told you so.” She didn’t cry. She just ordered two whiskeys from the bar and turned off the TV.

“You’re okay,” she whispered, as if saying it enough times would make it true.

⸻

It took me years to ask her why. Why that day, that moment?

She shrugged. “Maybe it was luck. Maybe something bigger. Or maybe I just couldn’t let a good guy die before he tried the onion ring tower.”

I owe my life to Gabrielle—Red Robin waitress, ex-paramedic, reluctant prophet.

And to this day, whenever I walk into that restaurant and hear someone laugh too loud, I swear I still see her—tray in hand, grin on her face, saving lives one...

Excellent Burgers, But...

Red Robin is known for the great tasting burgers and the bottomless sides and the flavors on this visit did not disappoint. It was a very rainy evening with few diners and we were seated immediately. Our drink order was taken quickly and drinks soon arrived. Fountain soda ($3.79) and a 22 ounce Sam Adams Oktoberfest bier ($9.50). What made the visit even better was my birthday reward which is a free burger. The reward applies to any of their burgers, not just their lowest price menu item which is nice. I selected the Mad Love Burger which normally sells for $18.19, including a bottomless side. The burger is monstrous with 2 types of cheese, bacon, avocado and more. Spectacular! I had their steak fries which are always great. My wife had the A1 Steakhouse Burger ($17.99). Bacon, mushrooms, cheese and more on this gourmet burger. Yummm! She opted for the bottomless side salad. A note on the bottomless sides. Only a few are included with the price of the burger. The other sides are considered ‘premium’ and have a $2.99 up-charge, but are still bottomless. We have eaten at Red Robin several times and have yet to order more sides after the first round. They give you plenty right up front. Now for the BUT… AND THIS IS WHY I KNOCK OFF 1 STAR - We have consistently experienced ice cold air temperatures at Red Robins both in Illinois and Florida and have complained each time. Fortunately, we keep extra clothes in the car just in case of situations like this and that makes the visit tolerable. Unfortunately, our food is cold before we’re done eating and while a burger may still taste OK, fries are awful when cold. This visit will probably be our last to Red Robin as we were hypothermic when we left. We also ate in record time which is not normal for us. So if you go, wear long johns or have a down coat. Maybe we’ll find a Red Robin with...

Something had happened to this place in the last 6 months. A year ago the service and food were great. I would bring the whole family which includes two young boys. Balloons for the kids and occasionally a dressed up red robin costume would please the crowed. But not any more. The service and food has become horrible. We gave the place three additional chances as we eat out before going to the movies every other Friday and we do like burgers. We order that onion ring tower before the meal and the time before they didn't bring it out until after our burgers came out and the time before that we sat close enough to the kitchen that I could see one sitting up there waiting to be run, I watched sit there for five minutes and then walked to the kitchen and asked a server if those were ours and he checked and yes they were and he said he would go find my server. Two more minutes went by so I walked up there and got them myself. As we were eating the now lukewarm onion rings I didn't notice that he rest of our meal was sitting up there waiting to be run. I again had to go ask and yes it was. Our server was hanging out with the other servers. Our bottom buns had soaked up all the burger juice and was a cold greasy mess. Kids didn't seem to mind and my wife gets a salad. I'm sorry I was a waiter for 6 years back in college and this was unacceptable. I am not one to complain to the management as I have learned that typically does not do anything. I did give the place three more chances but we had different servers each time and they were all bad. This tells me there is a general air of complacency about the place that is the direct result of poor management. I am glad that there are more choices these days at gulf coast town center as this place will...