Dining Out

GLENDALE -- When you’re at the Glendale Galleria and don’t want to

wander aimlessly for a table in the food court, ditch the trays and

enjoy a nice, leisurely meal at Red Robin, located near Robinson-May.

Red Robin has been a family favorite of mine for years offering a diverse

menu of hamburgers of the highest quality, large salads, and other

entrees at reasonable prices. There are 17 varieties of hamburgers all

around a third-pound thick, cooked to your order. I tend to favor the

mushroom cheeseburger ($7.25) covered with Swiss cheese and plenty of

sauteed mushrooms that never seem to all stay on the bun. Vegetarians

can still enjoy a “meatless” Gardenburger made from brown rice,

mozzarella cheese and seasonings, which is actually a very tasty

substitute. The chicken burgers are actually whole chicken breast

sandwiches. If you’re looking for lighter fare, there’s the basic

chicken breast with lettuce and tomato or the California chicken burger

($7.65) made with bacon, cheese and avocado, which is a wonderful

temptation and definitely not for the diet conscious. Unique to Red

Robin is that they offer free refills of its delicious plank french

fries, which you’ll find is a mixed blessing. The tasty chicken fajitas

($9.75) is a sizzling iron pan filled with chicken breast strips,

onions, red and green peppers, served with a side of flour tortillas.

You build your own soft taco, which also includes, guacamole, sour

cream, black beans, cheese and salsa. Those watching the calories need

not be excluded from the menu, where you’ll find the Bamboo Steamer

($6.95), a large steaming bowl of fresh vegetables served with a

teriyaki-type sauce for dipping and is also served with chicken ($8.25).

If you go to Red Robin on a Tuesday evening, not only do children eat

free, but you will be entertained by their resident roaming magician,

Duane Bertonneau. The children particularly enjoy how he allows them to

participate in many of his tricks and he also makes balloon animals.

Most of them end up looking like dogs or giraffes no matter what you

request, but his dry wit is infectious and part of his charm.

* ANNIE BETTELLI welcomes requests. Send correspondence in care of the

News-Press/Leader to 111 W. Wilson Ave., Suite 200, Glendale 91203 or

contact her directly via e-mail at BERIES@aol.com. Her column appears

each Wednesday. Wednesday.

IF YOU GO

*WHERE: Red Robin, 1187 Glendale Galleria, Glendale.

*PHONE: 551-0191.

*LIQUOR: Full bar.

*HOURS: Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to

9 p.m.

*PRICES: Burgers $6.25 to $7.75; salads $6.45 to $8.45; entrees $6.75

to 9.75; children’s menu (10 and under) $3.99; Kids eat free Tuesdays

after 5 p.m.