Red Robin joined the value menu fray this week with a trio of daily deals.
On Monster Mondays diners can add an extra beef patty to their burgers for an extra $2, get a chocolate, strawberry or vanilla milkshake for $4 or indulge in what it describes as an extra large Monster Margarita for $5.
On $10 Cheeseburger Tuesdays, diners can get a Gourmet Cheeseburger with a bottomless side for $10.
On Kids Half-Off Wednesdays, customers can get 50% off a kids meal, which includes entrees such as cheeseburgers and chicken tenders, a side and a drink.
We checked out Cheeseburger Tuesday, and here’s what we found.
Red Robin serves more than 20 burgers, including veggie and turkey. The Gourmet Cheeseburger is on the basic side with pickle relish, pickles, onions, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise. It’s usually priced around $14.39. The higher-end burgers come with such extras as bacon, multiple cheeses and specialty sauces. They top out around $17.59.
All burgers come with bottomless sides. Most people go for steak fries but other options include Yukon Chips and steamed broccoli. For an extra three bucks, you can upgrade to sides such as sweet potato fries, mac ‘n’ cheese or coleslaw. Onion rings are available, but not bottomless.
To keep our order simple, we got the Tuesday special with ice water and, resisting the temptation of bottomless broccoli, stuck with steak fries and ketchup. Several dipping sauces are available, including ranch and Campfire Mayo, but some have extra charges.
With sales tax, our total was $10.78, not including tip. A soft drink would have added $3.59-$4.99 to the tab.
Cheeseburger Tuesday resembles the Big Smasher at Chili’s Grill & Bar, a burger that CNN claimed is beating McDonald’s at its own game, based on the idea that if a meal at a quick service restaurant costs $10-plus, people might want full service for roughly the same amount.
The Big Smasher is made with Thousand Island dressing, American cheese, onions, pickles and lettuce, similar to a Big Mac. It’s on Chile’s 3 For Me menu, meaning it comes with fries and a drink for about $10.99. Other 3 For Me choices are higher, such as a 6-ounce sirloin steak for $16.99.
Nation’s Restaurant News calls Chili’s strategy “barbell” pricing, that is, simultaneously promoting high-end and value-priced items. You can see that strategy at work at McDonald’s too, with its current Collector’s Meals around $12 and its $5 or $6 Meal Deal.
As usual, these offers come with the disclaimer that prices and participation may vary by location.
