The Olympics are the event that athletes train for their whole lives, and the Games are not only a life-changing moment for those taking part, but also an amazing moment for those watching the world's best athletes perform at their best. So, with the excitement building every time the Olympics approach, it's no wonder that we see a variety of fun food and merchandise tie-ins.
Red Robin is starting the fun a little early in the most classic way: The chain is celebrating the summer sporting event season with a medal-winning burger. It's no coincidence that the new Gold Medal Burger weighs about 1.25 pounds, the same weight as an Olympic gold medal. And it's just in time for the countdown to the 2024 Paris Olympics, which are scheduled to begin in late July. The 2024 Olympics will be held in Paris from July 26 to August 11.
Red Robin's Gold Medal Burger.
“We're always thinking of new and creative ways to make America's favorite foods fun,” Brian Sullivan, executive chef and vice president of food and beverage innovation at Red Robin, which already has more than 20 burgers on its menu, said in an email interview about the burger.
The Gold Medal Burger features three giant patties topped with golden American cheese, Red's relish, mayonnaise, pickles, onion, lettuce and tomato and served on a brioche bun. “It's one of our biggest burgers ever,” Sullivan said of the Olympic-inspired burger. The burger is available now in stores nationwide and will be available through August 1.
When Sullivan came up with their new giant burger, they took inspiration from the gold medal that everyone hopes their country's athletes bring home, which coincidentally weighs about 18 ounces.
This burger element is also a contest in itself, as is the sporting event, and those who complete the Gold Medal Burger Challenge can also be inducted into Red Robin's Gold Medal Burger Hall of Fame.
Of course, a burger that's over a pound (not including the unlimited fries that come with it) is bound to be pretty filling, but it seems people are already trying to outdo themselves — like athletes. “We've seen guests experimenting with adding patties to their burgers, so it's fun to capitalize on that trend in a timely way and see who's up for the challenge. Finishing this burger won't be easy, but it's been fun to see our guests' enthusiasm so far,” Sullivan said.
After you've finished eating that giant burger, you might want to go for an athlete's run around the neighborhood or find a friend to share your food with.
