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Read the Full Menu for Red RobinHaystack Double Tavern Burger: Full Review, Price, Calories, and Copycat Recipe
If you love a burger that fights back a little with crunch, the Haystack Double Tavern Burger from Red Robin is worth your attention. Two fire-grilled beef patties, melted American cheese, a pile of crispy onion straws, and a smoky-sweet sauce called Campfire Mayo come together on a soft sesame seed bun. It sits on Red Robin's Tavern Burger menu, which is built for people who want a big, honest burger without paying gourmet prices.
In this guide, you will find real taste notes, the exact calorie and nutrition numbers, what it costs, how to customize it, and a full step-by-step copycat recipe you can make at home tonight.
The Haystack Double Tavern Burger, stacked with crispy onion straws and Campfire Mayo.
What Is the Haystack Double Tavern Burger?
The Haystack Double is part of Red Robin's Tavern Burger lineup, a smaller group of burgers built for simple, filling meals at a fair price. Unlike the Gourmet Burger menu, which loads up on extra toppings and sauces, the Tavern Burgers keep things focused. The Haystack Double gets its name from the tall pile of crispy onion straws on top, which really does look like a small haystack once it lands on your plate.
Here is exactly what comes on it:
- Two fire-grilled beef patties
- Melted American cheese
- Crispy onion straws
- Campfire Mayo (a smoky, tangy, slightly sweet sauce)
- Toasted sesame seed bun
It comes with your choice of side, such as the Bottomless Steak Fries, the Everything Caesar Salad, or the crunchy Yukon Chips. And since Red Robin drinks are Bottomless too, you can pair it with a Coca-Cola, a Freckled Lemonade, or Barq's Root Beer and get free refills while you eat.
Taste Review: How Does It Actually Taste?
4.3 out of 5 — based on flavor, texture, and value for a Tavern Burger.
The first thing you notice is the crunch. Those onion straws are fried until they are light and crispy, and they hold their texture even after the sauce goes on. Under that crunch, the beef patties are grilled with a light char, which adds a smoky base note that plays well against the sweetness of the Campfire Mayo.
The American cheese melts into the gaps between the patties, so you get a creamy layer with almost every bite instead of just on top. Campfire Mayo is the real signature here. It tastes smoky and a little sweet, with a soft tang that keeps the whole burger from feeling heavy. It is not spicy, so it works for people who like bold flavor without heat.
The sesame bun holds up well through the whole burger and does not fall apart, even with two patties and a good amount of sauce. Overall, this burger delivers a satisfying mix of savory, smoky, and crunchy in every bite, and it eats more like a hearty tavern meal than a fast burger.
Burger Extras: How to Customize the Haystack Double
Red Robin calls itself the Gourmet Burger Authority for a reason, and that includes letting you build the burger your way. Here are popular ways guests customize the Haystack Double:
- Add bacon for extra smoky flavor and crunch.
- Swap the cheese to cheddar, Swiss, or pepper jack if you want something sharper.
- Make it a single patty if you want a lighter meal with fewer calories.
- Go bunless or use a lettuce wrap for a lower-carb option.
- Add avocado for a creamier bite alongside the crunch.
- Swap your side between fries, salad, or Yukon chips, or try a side of chicken wings for the table.
Since it is fire-grilled and made to order, the kitchen can leave off any topping you do not want. Just ask when you order, whether that is online, through the app, or with your server.
Haystack Double Tavern Burger Calories and Nutrition Facts
Here is the full nutrition breakdown for one Haystack Double Tavern Burger (patty and toppings only, not including your side or drink). Values are based on a standard build and can shift slightly by location.
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 740 kcal | — |
| Total Fat | 50 g | 64% |
| Saturated Fat | 19 g | 95% |
| Trans Fat | 2 g | — |
| Cholesterol | 120 mg | 40% |
| Sodium | 1,360 mg | 59% |
| Total Carbohydrate | 41 g | 15% |
| Dietary Fiber | 2 g | 7% |
| Sugars | 10 g | — |
| Protein | 32 g | — |
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Needs vary by person, and Red Robin notes that 1,200 to 1,400 calories a day is typical guidance for children ages 4 to 8, and 1,400 to 2,000 calories a day for ages 9 to 13. This burger sits above Red Robin's average menu item (which runs closer to 575 calories), so many guests pair it with a lighter side, like the Everything Caesar Salad, or skip a sugary drink to balance the meal.
How Much Does the Haystack Double Tavern Burger Cost?
The Haystack Double Tavern Burger is priced around $11.79, which puts it right in the middle of the Tavern Burger lineup. The Red's Double sits a bit lower at $10.69, while the smokier Pig Out Double runs closer to $13.39. Keep in mind that Red Robin prices can vary by location and change over time, so treat this as a solid ballpark rather than a fixed number, and always check current pricing at your local restaurant or on the app before you order.
Is the Haystack Double Tavern Burger Worth Ordering?
If you like crunch, smoky-sweet sauce, and a burger that fills you up without a gourmet price tag, the Haystack Double earns its spot on the menu. It is not the lightest option, so save it for a day when a hearty meal sounds good.
For the price, you get two full patties, real crunch from the onion straws, a sauce that actually stands out, and a side included. It is a strong pick for lunch with friends, a casual dinner, or your first visit if you want to understand what Red Robin's Tavern Burgers are about. If you are watching calories closely, this is not the lightest item on the menu, so you may want to split it, go single-patty, or pair it with the salad side instead of fries.
Want to compare it with other burgers before you order? Browse the Full Red Robin Menu here.
Copycat Haystack Double Tavern Burger Recipe
You do not need a trip to Red Robin to enjoy this one. Here is a detailed, step-by-step copycat recipe that gets you close to the real thing at home, including a homemade version of the Campfire Mayo.
Ingredients
For the patties and burger:
- 2 lbs ground beef, 80/20 blend, formed into 8 thin patties
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 8 slices American cheese
- 4 sesame seed hamburger buns
- 2 cups crispy fried onion straws (store-bought or homemade, recipe below)
For the Campfire Mayo:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- A small dash of hot sauce (optional, for a slight kick)
For homemade onion straws (skip if using store-bought):
- 1 large yellow onion, sliced very thin
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- Make the Campfire Mayo first. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. Stir until smooth, then cover and chill while you prep everything else. This gives the flavors time to blend.
- Make the onion straws. Soak the thin onion slices in buttermilk for 10 minutes. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, salt, paprika, and cayenne. Heat about 2 inches of oil in a heavy pot to 350°F. Dredge the onions in the seasoned flour, shake off the extra, and fry in small batches for 2 to 3 minutes until golden and crisp. Drain on paper towels and season with a pinch of salt while hot.
- Season and shape the patties. Divide the beef into 8 equal portions and press into thin, wide patties, slightly larger than your buns since they will shrink as they cook. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
- Grill the patties. Heat a grill or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the patties for 3 to 4 minutes per side for a solid medium doneness, or until they reach your preferred temperature. In the last minute of cooking, place a slice of American cheese on each patty and let it melt.
- Toast the buns. While the patties finish cooking, split the sesame buns and toast them cut-side down in a dry pan or under the broiler for about 1 minute, until lightly golden.
- Assemble the burger. Spread a generous layer of Campfire Mayo on both the top and bottom bun. Stack two cheese-topped patties on the bottom bun, then pile on a handful of crispy onion straws. Add the top bun and press down gently so everything holds together.
- Serve immediately with steak fries, a side salad, or chips, and enjoy while the onion straws are still crispy.
Tip: If you are short on time, good-quality store-bought crispy fried onions work well and save you the frying step.
What to Pair It With
Since Red Robin drinks are Bottomless, this burger pairs naturally with an ice-cold soda or lemonade that you can keep refilling. If you want to make it a full meal, consider starting with something off the appetizer menu, or finishing with a milkshake from the milkshakes menu. For the table, wings from the chicken wings menu make a great shareable starter alongside this burger.
View More Red Robin Menus
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Frequently Asked Questions
It has two fire-grilled beef patties, melted American cheese, crispy onion straws, and Campfire Mayo, all served on a toasted sesame seed bun with a side of your choice.
The burger itself has about 740 calories, not including your side or drink. It is one of the higher-calorie options on the Tavern Burger menu.
It is priced around $11.79, though prices can vary by location and may change over time. Check your local Red Robin or the app for current pricing.
No, it is smoky and slightly sweet from the Campfire Mayo, but it is not spicy. You can always ask for hot sauce on the side if you want heat.
Yes. Red Robin allows full customization, so you can add bacon, swap the cheese, make it a single patty, remove toppings, or go bunless.
It typically comes with your choice of Bottomless Steak Fries, the Everything Caesar Salad, or Yukon Chips.