Red Robin Gourmet Burger in Vacaville, CA

Pale yumminess.

Yes, I went to

Red Robin (please insert registered trademark here) Gourmet Burger .

I ordered a BOCA burger that came with their Bottomless Steak Fries® (and don't you forget to insert registered trademark here as well!). Don't make the mistake of looking at their nutritional information or googling it. I looked up the info on my veggie burger and it was 610 calories, not including the frikkin' cheese! I'm not sure how you can make an innocent vegan burger that many calories, but I'm assuming it's all in the oil and bun.

Back to the fries. According to the web site, they are fried in "zero trans fat oil," aka "hydrogenated soybean oil." But is this soybean oil laced in lard? I want to get to the bottom of my 610 calorie BOCA burger! (Not to go on a tirade, but I buy BOCA Burgers occasionally for home use, and know that depending on which kind you're buying, they're not more than 100 calories a burger, and that buns are generally about 210 or so calories for BOTH top and bottom portions of the bun).

I didn't look up the nutritional "value" of the fries, because it would probably make me faint. They were okay, in a frozen sort of way. Slightly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They are thick, long, fat steak fries, not my mostest favorite in the first place, but do-able. And if you are on some kind of french fry diet, I imagine the bottomless basket would be a godsend. Homer Simpson, take note.

+++

Price: $7.89 included my BOCA burger and endless fries

Portion Size: Bottomless! (you just have to ask for refills)

Texture: Crispy on outside, soft on the inside

Greasiness Level: 3 out of 5 (a bit greasy)

Seasoning: Underseasoned

Fried in: Hydrogenated soybean oil, aka "zero trans fat oil"

Condiments: ketchup, mustard, salt, pepper

Additional comments: Most likely pre-cut and frozen. They just have that "been around the block for a while" taste and texture to them.

Overall Quality of French Fries: 4 out of 10.

Extra point for being bottomless and thus, a boon for those experiencing economic hardship and intense french fry cravings.