Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews — Restaurant in West Hartford

Lot of better burger places around, went here out of nostalgia last Sunday. Poorly managed. Waited for several minutes to be seated which did not makes sense seeing empty tables after being seated. Hostess took people's names and number in party, then someone else came and did same, then yet another person came for same?? Only takes one to hostess. Waited many more minutes after being seated for a waitress. Waitress had crummy manners/attitude. Kitchen was slacking in getting orders out, made easier to see by having an open counter and the door to the kitchen being open as well. Many parties sitting at tables without being served or waited on, many of us looking around the tables at each other wondering what's going on. Took no less than 30 minutes to get out the order. In very poor form, our waitress returned and informed us that our order was taking so long because one of us ordered their biggest burger, well done, and the time was because of how long it took to cook it. Major foul to blame the customer, especially when you can look around and see multiple tables without their order, orders sitting in the heat lights in the kitchen, people wandering around the kitchen, customers looking at each other. At the end it was difficult to pay and get out of there. When the waitress finally brought our bill we needed change. Waited again. Waitress returns with one big bill for change. Explained we needed change for that. Waitress says it might be a minute and I explain it's the difference between receiving a tip or not and after being in the place for 2 hours we're tired of waiting. Waitress says it's because of the bartender, they are the only ones with a cash register and access to such. In any event, very poorly managed, is the manager new to this or someone who was promoted from within and doesn't know how to go from being friends with employess to being boss? Not the service I would expect here, but then again, this is the place where someone died outside in their car and no one noticed for how long? I know RR from the West Coast, years before it made it to West Hartford, and it would appear that this place is better preserved as a memory, especially with the number of places around offering "gourmet"...

It is not my habit to leave public reviews, but my recent experience at Red Robin compelled me to offer a candid account of what transpired. Regrettably, the visit was marred by a series of disappointments that culminated in a deeply unsettling incident.

Upon arrival, the service was noticeably subpar. Our server exhibited a demeanor that oscillated between disinterest and outright discourtesy, and the pace at which we were attended to was unreasonably slow. Basic requests were met with visible irritation, setting a tone of discomfort from the outset.

However, the most distressing aspect of the experience occurred during the meal. While consuming my burger, I bit into a foreign object—something long, chewy, and entirely inedible. The texture and nature of the object were so revolting that I immediately became physically ill and had to excuse myself to the restroom. The shock and nausea induced by this discovery rendered the remainder of the meal impossible.

The sole redeeming element in this unfortunate experience was the manager who intervened. Though I did not catch his name, he was a younger gentleman, distinguished by tattooed sleeves, and he handled the situation with remarkable professionalism and empathy. His sincere concern and willingness to address the matter directly brought a small degree of solace amidst the disarray.

Unfortunately, the sense of resolution was short-lived. Following the manager’s departure, our original server returned only to brusquely remove the items from our table without a word—an action that seemed more retaliatory than routine, and wholly lacking in hospitality.

Given the severity of the incident and the dismissive conduct displayed by the waitstaff, I cannot in good conscience recommend this location. While I commend the manager’s efforts, the overall experience was unacceptable and...

If I could rate lower I would, and to be honest I don’t even know where to start.

Let’s begin upon walking into this establishment, my wife and I walked up to the hostess and were told it was a 20 min wait and we didn’t have an issue with it. The hostess took down my phone number (so I thought) while waiting two families who were much larger than our party were sat before us even tho they came several minutes after us. I walked up to the hostess to find out that they not only took my number down wrong but a few other parties as well.

We sat down at the table and were approached by a server named “Q” ordered our drinks and appetizer. We’re told the bar was backed up and that the wait on the drinks would be a little longer. (Didn’t have an issue with it) when we received our first round of drinks they were made extremely sloppy, glass sticky and looked like it was rushed.

Received our appetizer and it seemed like it was pre made and tossed together (the pretzel bites were almost burnt, hard and cold.

Ordered a second round of drinks and the glasses were filthy as if they were never cleaned.

Only thing I can say that came out well was my wife’s salad, and my burger.

Not to mention during the extent of our visit (over an hour) there was a table almost across from us that was never even touched, food left out dirty dishes and cups.

The server hardly checked on us and our empty dishes had to be cleaned out by the runner who brought us our food.

Upon receiving our check we handed the server the money for the check and was asked (would you like any change) told her yes. When she came back to the table she said with an attitude “you’re a penny short is that fine” and proceeded to toss the change on the table with an attitude.

This will be our last time ever coming to...