Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews — Restaurant in Madison

I usually love red Robin. It’s my go to place the service and the food is always fantastic. Unfortunately, this experience was not. I thought it would be busier due to it being a holiday as well but it wasn’t thankfully at the time we got there at least but even without being super packed the service was the worst experience yet. When we first entered, we were behind a family that we walked in behind and both of us sat there awkwardly waiting for what seemed like 15 minutes. I didn’t actually check but the host just sat around not doing anything…. Thankfully, another worker came over and helped sit us. After we were seated finally, I ordered the bottomless beverage and I’ve done this a million times. Then I proceeded to order another bottomless beverage but my server said this particular drink wasn’t a part of the promoted beverages but on the menu it said it was one, even in the same section and no where did it say it wasn’t apart of it not to mention a few weeks ago I ordered the same drinks with no issue. But this waitress was rude and disrespectful in telling me not even just trying to be helpful. I felt really judged the whole night and I have bad social anxiety and I’m postpartum and she made it harder than it already is. Also my significant other got A root beer float the first one was perfect just fine and then the second one literally was one small piece of ice cream not like layered nor about a fourth away full like the first one. It literally wasn’t even a 10th of the way for like one small scoop or it kind of looks like it came out of a swirl machine so not even like it would feel the bottom of the ice cream cone. It was depressing to look at it. And definitely just made a root beer not a root beer float. The entire experience felt very rushed. When were finishing our meal we wanted to stay and enjoy a conversation and night without the kids. But the waitress took the tablet/kiosk off our table and asked for my phone number (more like demanded) to see if I had rewards and then proceeded to put it in, tell me what rewards I had made the bill pop up and put in directly in front of my face, and that has never happened to me. No one’s ever asked me to give my personal information and then type it in on a self pay kiosk then rudely put the bill in front of my face while I’m trying to have a nice conversation. I just felt like she wanted us to pay it and leave and I didn’t appreciate having to give my personal details even if it was just my phone number. Not to mention the fact that I’ve been going since 2017 and no other server has ever done that the whole point of the kiosk is to self-pay not to have assistance and just do it by yourself so you can get up and leave whenever you feel ready… maybe this is not a big deal to some but to me it was everything especially when I’ve been looking forward to this night (also my 7 year anniversary) since I had my daughter and have been building up the courage to face my anxiety head on and go to a restaurant on a...

had dinner at the Red Robin in Madison, Wisconsin, and while the food was just what I hoped for—hot, tasty, and exactly what you want after a long day—the service was… something else. And by “something else,” I mean that Jon, our server, might have actually changed the trajectory of my life.

Let me be clear: I came in hungry. I left full. But somewhere between the bottomless fries and the refill on my drink, I also may have fallen a little in love.

Jon was, in every sense of the word, exceptional. The kind of server you don’t just appreciate—you remember. The kind who makes you wonder if this is just a job for him, or if he’s secretly writing a book called How to Make Every Table Feel Like the Only One in the Room. His timing? Impeccable. His vibe? Friendly but not forced. His intuition? Honestly, kind of eerie—in a good way. He knew when we needed something before we did. I asked for a ranch, he was already on the way back with it. I thought about a drink refill, and somehow it appeared like he’d read my mind. I laughed at something he said, and for a brief moment, I forgot what century I was in.

But let’s not get distracted. (Too late.) The facts are: Jon was efficient, attentive, and effortlessly good at what he does. He made our table feel like we mattered. He had the rare ability to be personable without ever crossing into fake or performative. It’s the kind of hospitality that doesn’t just check a box—it elevates the entire meal. We weren’t just served, we were looked after. With grace. And charm. And a jawline that could probably cut glass.

Now, I didn’t come to Red Robin looking for love. I came for a burger. But life is unpredictable like that. Sometimes you order onion rings and leave wondering if you just met the kindest, most capable man in southern Wisconsin. Will I ever see Jon again? Unclear. Will I secretly hope he’s working every time I go back? Without question.

Red Robin, please recognize what you’ve got in this man. If there’s a tier above employee of the month, Jon deserves it. Put his name on a plaque. Or a throne. Or my number.

We’ll be back soon. For the food, sure. But mostly… for Jon.

Want to go even more romantic or keep it exactly this level of...

I'd rather give ZERO stars....Waited well past my given pickup time. When I walked in, there's a little table for sanitizing menus, nobody was there, and the other side of the entry lobby was set up for pick up orders, nobody was there either. There's a wall on the left that blocks you from being able to see into the kitchen, yet you can hear staff laughing & talking. Staff can't see when guests enter, and guests can't see anyone to even flag them down. There is a small booth right around the edge, so if you were to step in to get staff's attention, you'd be right on top of the guests sitting there. The bar was basically unstaffed, except the occasional server going back there to make a drink. A server hurriedly walked past like 6 times, not ONCE did she even turn her head towards me to greet me or acknowledge my presence. When some guy FINALLY came out & handed me my order, all he said was, "Oh hey!" For a full order of chicken strips and fries, I got maybe enough sauce for 1 chicken strip. I had to go back inside an wait almost 8 more minutes to get someone's attention to ask for more. My fries were cold and shriveled. And I paid almost $6 for a freckled lemonade.....when dining-in, it's the same price, but you get unlimited refills......I got like a small cup with barely any lemonade in it, obviously no refills because I didn't dine in. Just the waiting & the rude, unprofessional, inattentive, dismissive staff had me sooooo annoyed, all I wanted to do was get my food (then a 2nd trip back inside for dipping sauce while my food got cold) and get back on the road to go home. I had been looking forward to getting myself something from Red Robin......now I'll DEFINITELY never go back to this particular location in Madison, but I threw away half my food because my drink didn't last long enough to wash anything down. What a rip off....