Red Robin is a popular restaurant chain known for its gourmet burgers and bottomless fries. One of their most popular side dishes is the garlic fries, which feature crispy french fries tossed in a garlic parmesan seasoning. A common question that many Red Robin patrons have is whether the garlic fries also contain cheese in the seasoning.
About Red Robin
Red Robin first opened in Seattle in 1969 and has since grown to over 570 locations across North America. The restaurant is casual dining and family-friendly, with a menu focused around gourmet burgers cooked to order and served with bottomless fries. In addition to burgers, Red Robin also serves salads, wraps, sandwiches, milkshakes, and alcoholic beverages. They are known for their extensive burger topping options and innovative specialty burgers like the Whiskey River BBQ Burger and the Brunch Burger.
Red Robin’s Famous Bottomless Fries
While Red Robin has received acclaim for its wide array of burger options, many loyal customers also rave about the bottomless fries. With every burger or sandwich order, customers can request unlimited fry refills of Red Robin’s signature bottomless Steak Fries at no additional charge. The fries are thick cut potatoes, lightly battered and fried until golden brown and crispy on the outside while still fluffy on the inside. The bottomless fries help make Red Robin a popular spot for big appetites looking to indulge.
About the Garlic Fries
In addition to their original bottomless fries, Red Robin also offers several seasoned fry varieties. The Garlic Fries are one of the most popular. They take the signature fries and toss them in a parmesan garlic seasoning for added flavor. The garlic fries offer a nice garlicky bite and herby aroma from generous amounts of garlic and herbs in the seasoning blend.
Garlic Fries Ingredients
According to Red Robin’s official nutrition information, the garlic fries contain the following ingredients:
– French fried potatoes
– Canola oil
– Garlic
– Parsley
– Parmesan cheese
– Salt
– Black pepper
So the seasoning does contain real parmesan cheese along with garlic, parsley, and basic seasonings. The cheese adds a rich, umami flavor to complement the garlic.
Nutrition Information
Here is the full nutrition information for Red Robin’s garlic parmesan fries according to their website:
| Serving Size | 112g |
|---|---|
| Calories | 380 |
| Fat | 15g |
| Sodium | 730mg |
| Carbs | 53g |
| Sugar | 2g |
| Protein | 5g |
As you can see, while the garlic parmesan fries are higher in sodium and fat compared to the original fries, they pack a lot of flavor for the calories. The cheese and garlic provide healthy fats and additional protein.
Do the Garlic Fries Contain Dairy?
Since real parmesan cheese is listed as an ingredient, the garlic fries do contain dairy. Parmesan is a hard Italian cheese made from cow’s milk. It has a rich, savory umami taste that works well with the garlic seasoning.
What About Lactose Intolerance?
Parmesan is very low in lactose, so while the garlic fries contain milk derivatives, most lactose intolerant individuals can typically consume small amounts of parmesan without issue. However, those with severe dairy/lactose intolerance may still want to avoid them or take an enzyme supplement beforehand.
Vegan or Dairy-Free Options
Red Robin does not offer a vegan or dairy-free version of the garlic fries, since the parmesan cheese is integral to the traditional recipe. Those avoiding dairy can order the original fries or another seasoned variety like the Chili Chili Fries or Sweet Potato Fries, which do not contain cheese. You can also request for the restaurant to leave off the parmesan seasoning.
Tips for Ordering
Here are some tips if you want to indulge in cheesy garlic fries at Red Robin:
Size Matters
Since the fries are bottomless, you can order multiple rounds if needed! But start with a regular size if you want just a taste. The larger appetizer serving may be overkill depending on your appetite.
Add Extra Garlic
Some garlic lovers recommend ordering extra garlic seasoning on the side to really maximize the garlicky punch and sprinkle it on top.
Get a To-Go Box
When you’ve had your fill of fries at the restaurant, you can request a to-go box and take the rest home to enjoy later. The fries usually reheat well.
Pair with Cool Dip
Cut the richness of the cheesy garlic fries by pairing them with a cooled, creamy dipping sauce like ranch, blue cheese, or garlic mayo.
Watch the Sodium
While delicious, the combination of cheese, garlic salt, and regular salt makes these fries high in sodium, so limit portions if you’re watching your salt intake.
Are the Garlic Fries Worth It?
Overall, for garlic and cheese lovers, the Red Robin garlic fries are hard to resist and make a delicious addition to your burger or sandwich order. While certainly an indulgent, higher calorie side dish, they offer big, satisfying flavor in every crispy, garlicky bite. Just don’t overdo your portion! When enjoyed in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet, these creatively seasoned fries can be a tasty treat.
Conclusion
So in summary, yes – the famous garlic fries served at Red Robin do contain real parmesan cheese as part of the seasoning blend. The parmesan adds a signature rich, nutty flavor that perfectly complements the garlic. While not a good choice for the dairy-free or vegan, most fans agree the combination of crispy fries, zesty garlic, and parmesan is hard to beat when you’re craving something savory and indulgent alongside your Red Robin burger. Just be mindful of your portion size to keep the calories and sodium in check.