I ordered same meal at Johnny Rockets and Red Robin, clear winner
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There's nothing like a good bacon cheeseburger. It's been my favorite meal since I was a kid and is still my go-to order when I go out to eat.
That's why I decided to order the same meal — a bacon cheeseburger and fries — at two popular casual-dining chains, Johnny Rockets and Red Robin, and compare them based on taste, quality, and overall value.
Here's how the meals stacked up.
I started out at Johnny Rockets.
I started my tasting journey by going to Johnny Rockets for a weekday lunch.
The chain, which was founded in Los Angeles in 1986, is now a subsidiary of Fat Brands, which also owns restaurants like Fatburger, Great American Cookie, and Elevation Burger.
Today, Johnny Rockets has over 275 locations across 26 US states and 26 countries.
Johnny Rockets' decor was a nostalgic recreation of an American diner.
When I walked inside, I was greeted by Johnny Rockets' familiar decor: A nostalgic recreation of an American diner.
The open kitchen sat behind a winding counter with vinyl-cushioned stools and miniature jukeboxes.
A big group was eating outside, and a few other parties were spread out among the small booths that lined the dining room.
I ordered a single-patty bacon-cheddar burger and a side of fries.
I ordered a single-patty bacon-cheddar burger ($10.30) with lettuce, tomato, onion, and a special sauce. Since the meal didn't come with fries, I ordered some as a side for $5.
The food came out quickly and was served piping hot, with the burger and fries practically sizzling.
The patty itself was a little thinner than I'd hoped it would be. I also wasn't asked how I wanted it cooked, and it came out a bit more well-done than I'd usually order.
The patty wasn't anything special, but I enjoyed most of the toppings.
The patty wasn't especially flavorful and kind of reminded me of a McDonald's quarter-pounder — which isn't the worst thing, but it didn't exactly feel special.
That said, I really enjoyed the brioche bun, which had a pleasantly squishy texture and a hint of sweetness to it. The bacon packed a good amount of flavor but was unevenly cooked — crunchy at the edges and chewy in the middle.
I really enjoyed the special sauce, which had the creaminess of mayo, the sweet tang of ketchup, and enough flavor that I didn't find myself reaching for another condiment.
The side of fries looked promising, but once I took a bite, I found they weren't as crispy as I'd hoped they'd be and didn't have much flavor.
Next, I went to Red Robin.
Next, I visited Red Robin, a fast-casual restaurant known for its burgers and bottomless fries. Founded in 1969, the chain now has 500 locations across the US and Canada.
Although I visited Red Robin around dinnertime, the restaurant was pretty empty.
The location I visited had a spacious dining room divided by a bar area in the middle. TVs on every corner were tuned to live sports, and the walls were covered in various pop-culture and beer-related decor.
When I visited around 6 p.m. on a weeknight, the restaurant was nearly empty. However, I was seated at a booth right between the other two parties.
I ordered a bacon cheeseburger, which came with fries.
I ordered a bacon cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, mayo, and my choice of cheese. I forgot to specify which cheese I wanted, so I was given American.
Unlike at Johnny Rockets, the burger at Red Robin came with bottomless fries. However, I found one order was plenty for me.
My meal cost $15.30 — the same price as a burger and fries at Johnny Rockets.
The burger at Red Robin was more substantial but not as tasty.
I waited a bit longer to get my food at Red Robin, but the burger looked more substantial than the one I received at Johnny Rockets.
The accompanying fries were thick, seasoned, and crispy. I actually liked these better than the fries I had at Johnny Rockets.
However, I wasn't really a fan of the burger. I found the bacon to be stringy and flavorless, and the burger patty crumbled apart when I bit into it. It also tasted mostly of salt.
The bun was good but a little too bready for my taste. I also could've done with less mayo, and adding ketchup turned the sandwich into a bit of a mess.
Both burgers were just OK, but I'd return to Johnny Rockets for the atmosphere.
Though I enjoyed Red Robin's fries, I preferred the burger and the more cheerful ambiance at Johnny Rockets.
I'd probably skip Red Robin next time, but could imagine eating at Johnny Rockets again with my kids. I'm sure they'd enjoy the diner stylings, jukebox options, and milkshake menu.
