6 New Red Robin Menu Items, Ranked, Reviewed and Photographed by a Food Editor

• What Is It: crisp romaine in house-made everything Caesar dressing, topped with shaved Parmesan cheese and smashed croutons
• Price (bottomless side): $3

OK, this is my bottom pick, but there’s a caveat. Because this item was available as a bottomless side and a full-size salad (for $16), I asked for it as a side with one of the sandwiches I ordered. Instead of bringing me a tiny version of the salad I meant, I was given a small house salad with everything Caesar dressing on the side. So, I can’t speak to the salad itself, which I’m sure would have paired better with the condiment. But I can speak to the dressing, which was borderline too salty, albeit thick and creamy. Mixing it into the greens tamed its intensity just right; I think the everything bagel seasoning’s impact was mostly visual though, as its flavor was stifled by the Caesar.

• What Is It: crisp romaine in house-made everything Caesar dressing, shaved Parmesan cheese, smashed croutons, tomatoes and freshly grilled chicken breast, wrapped in a flour tortilla; served with a bottomless side of your choice
• Price: $16

It’s likely not everyone’s go-to Red Robin order, but this wrap was solid. The chicken was succulent and well-seasoned, and the dressing was very balanced instead of too sharp or salty. The tortilla was admittedly a bit tough, but sturdy (enough to not go soggy in the fridge, if you took home leftovers), thick and pleasantly chewy. I could’ve done without the tomatoes—I feel like Caesars are best when they’re nothing but veg, dressing, cheese and some sort of bread, whether it’s crumbs or croutons—but they didn’t ruin it for me.

• What Is It: bone-in wings or boneless chicken bites tossed in Mike’s Hot Honey and topped with red pepper flakes
• Price (bone-in): $15

Let me start by saying the chicken wings were perfectly fried: They were crunchy on the outside, but not fried so hard that the inside lost tenderness. I loved the addition of the potato chips; I felt the wings and honey were lacking a bit of salt, so the chips helped balance the appetizer out. However, I suggest lightly salting the wings, then tossing them in the honey, as it pools at the bottom of the basket. This makes for a more even, well-rounded flavor, promise.

• What Is It: mango and passion fruit topped with Minute Maid lemonade; optional Tajín garnish
• Price: $5

This bev tasted like summer. It wasn’t too sweet, which is typically my main complaint with fruit-infused lemonades. The mango tasted rounded, tropical and authentic, like the canned Goya nectar my abuela used to bring me as a kid. Pro tip: Say “yes” to the zingy Tajín on top and sip without a straw for an extra dose of salt and acid. (P.S.: There’s also a spicy passion mango margarita on the menu, made with reposado tequila, Cointreau, agave, lime, fresh jalapeño, passion fruit, mango and a Tajín rim.)

• What Is It: hand-breaded, made-to-order fried chicken breast topped with Mike’s Hot Honey, green chili aioli, fresh jalapeño and shredded cabbage mix on a bun
• Price: $16

This chicken sandwich may have been a bit messily assembled (all the coleslaw was pushed to one side), but it was delicious. The chicken was stunningly crisp and not dry at all. Its shape and size were just right for the bun; I feel like some restos and fast food chains prioritize a thick piece that’s impossible to bite through without making a mess, or a long, flat slab of chicken that extends past the edges of the bun and inevitably dries out. The fresh jalapeños were surprisingly nice—I’m partial to pickled—but I would’ve loved a tangier mayo in the slaw or on the bun.

• What Is It: two or three beef patties, hardwood-smoked bacon, American cheese and Red’s Secret Tavern Sauce on a bun
• Price (double): $20

No surprise here, as burgers are what Red Robin does best. They used to be flame-grilled, but now they’re cooked on a flattop. That change in method didn’t take away from this LTO handheld though, which can come with either two or three patties. The meat itself was crisp and charred on the outside yet incredibly juicy, savory and flavorful. (It also came cooked exactly how I asked for it, which is rare for a chain resto, in my experience.) It was *super* cheesy, and the bacon was high-quality, crisp and salty. The brioche bun was also soft and hardy. The only thing that could have improved it is raw or caramelized onions, but it was honestly quite flawless.