Red Robin Yukon Chips: Taste, Calories, Price & a Copycat Recipe
If you love thick, crunchy potato sides, Red Robin Yukon Chips are worth a closer look. They are not your average bagged chip. These are hand cut, seasoned, and served hot right out of the fryer. In this guide, I cover the taste, the calories, the price, the best pairings, and a full copycat recipe you can make at home.
What Are Red Robin Yukon Chips?
Red Robin Yukon Chips are thick cut, wavy potato slices made from real Yukon Gold potatoes. Each chip gets fried until it turns golden and crisp, then it gets dusted with the restaurant's own Red Robin Seasoning. That seasoning blend uses garlic, paprika, black pepper, and a few other spices that give the chips a savory kick.
Unlike thin, delicate chips, these hold their shape and crunch even after they sit on your plate for a few minutes. That makes them sturdy enough to scoop up dip, ranch, or a smear of ketchup without breaking apart.
The best part is that Yukon Chips fall under Red Robin's Bottomless program. Order them as a side, and your server keeps the basket full for free as long as you are seated at the table. That is a big reason so many guests pick them over regular fries.
Taste Review: What Do Yukon Chips Actually Taste Like?
The first bite tells you everything. The outside snaps with a loud crunch, and the inside stays soft and a little buttery, which is the natural flavor of a Yukon Gold potato coming through. The seasoning does not overpower the potato. Instead, it adds a light peppery, garlicky layer that makes you want to keep reaching for more.
Compared to regular steak fries, Yukon Chips feel heartier and more filling. They also hold up better to dipping sauces since the ridges and thickness trap sauce instead of letting it slide off.
- Texture: Crunchy outside, tender inside, with visible ridges from the potato skin.
- Flavor: Salty, garlicky, and a touch peppery, with a natural potato sweetness underneath.
- Best dips: Ranch, Smoke and Pepper ketchup, malt vinegar, or a side of French onion dip.
- Temperature: Served piping hot straight from the fryer, so they taste best in the first few minutes.
Guests who leave reviews online often describe the chips as "addictive" and say the seasoning is what sets them apart from other chain restaurant sides. If you like a chip with real bite and body, this one lands well.
Red Robin Yukon Chips Calories and Nutrition
Yukon Chips are a hearty side, so the calorie count runs on the higher end compared to a small fry. Here is a quick breakdown based on Red Robin's published nutrition data.
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 500 | - |
| Total Fat | 35g | 45% |
| Saturated Fat | 31g | 155% |
| Sodium | 610mg | 27% |
| Total Carbohydrate | 41g | 15% |
| Dietary Fiber | 8g | 29% |
| Sugars | 1g | - |
| Protein | 4g | - |
Yukon Chips are naturally vegan since they only use potatoes, oil, and seasoning. They are fried in a shared kitchen, though, so cross contact with gluten and other allergens is possible. If you have a food allergy, ask your server for the most current allergen sheet before you order.
Price: How Much Do Yukon Chips Cost?
Pricing at Red Robin can shift slightly by location, but Yukon Chips generally sit in the same price range as the chain's other Bottomless sides, which typically runs between $7 and $9 when ordered on their own as an appetizer or side swap. Many entrees, burgers, and combo meals also let you swap your standard side for Yukon Chips at no extra charge, or for a small upcharge of a dollar or two.
Since Red Robin updates pricing by market, it is always smart to confirm the exact number on your local menu or with your server before you order.
Burger Extras and Best Pairings
Yukon Chips work as a side on their own, but they really shine next to a juicy burger. Here are the pairings that come up again and again among regulars.
- Classic Gourmet Burgers: The crunch of the chips balances the soft bun and melted cheese.
- Tavern Burgers: A smaller, simpler patty pairs well with the bold seasoning on the chips.
- Chicken Sandwiches and Wraps: The chips add crunch and heft to a lighter chicken entree.
- Bar Wings: Some locations even serve Yukon Chips right alongside boneless or bone-in wings for a shareable platter.
If you want extra flavor, ask for a side of the Smoke and Pepper ketchup or a scoop of French onion dip. Both dips lean into the smoky, savory notes already in the seasoning, so the whole plate tastes balanced instead of one note.
Is It Worth Ordering?
Yes, Yukon Chips are worth ordering if you want a side with more texture and flavor than a standard fry. They cost about the same as other bottomless sides, refill for free, and pair well with almost anything on the menu. The only downside is the calorie and saturated fat count, so this is more of an occasional treat than an everyday side. If you are watching your intake, split an order with someone at the table or swap in a lighter side like a small salad.
Copycat Red Robin Yukon Chips Recipe
Craving these chips between visits? This homemade version gets you close to the real thing using a few pantry spices and real Yukon Gold potatoes.
Ingredients
- 4 large Yukon Gold potatoes, scrubbed and unpeeled
- 1 quart vegetable or canola oil, for frying
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- Ranch or malt vinegar, for serving
Step by Step Instructions
- Cut the potatoes. Slice each potato into thick rounds, about 1/4 inch, using a crinkle cutter if you have one for that classic wavy look. Keep the skin on for extra texture.
- Soak the slices. Place the cut potatoes in a bowl of cold water for 20 to 30 minutes. This pulls out extra starch and helps them crisp up better.
- Make the seasoning mix. In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, oregano, and onion powder. Set it aside.
- Dry the potatoes. Drain the water and pat the slices completely dry with a clean towel. Dry potatoes fry up crispier and splatter less.
- Heat the oil. Pour the oil into a deep, heavy pot and heat it to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a thermometer for the most accurate result.
- First fry. Fry the potato slices in small batches for about 4 minutes each, until they turn pale gold and just start to soften. Remove them and let them rest on a wire rack for 5 minutes.
- Raise the heat. Bring the oil up to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Second fry. Fry the potatoes again in small batches for 2 to 3 minutes, until they turn deep golden and crunchy.
- Season immediately. Transfer the hot chips to a large bowl and toss them with the seasoning mix right away, while the oil still clings to the surface so the spices stick.
- Serve hot. Plate the chips right away with ranch, malt vinegar, or your favorite dip on the side.
Tip: Double frying is the real secret here. The first fry cooks the inside, and the second fry builds the crunchy shell, just like the original.
Similar Menu Items You Might Like
If Yukon Chips caught your attention, there is a lot more on the Red Robin menu worth exploring. Here are a few pages that pair well with this one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Red Robin Yukon Chips bottomless?
Yes. When you order Yukon Chips as your side, Red Robin refills the basket for free as long as you are dining in.
How many calories are in Red Robin Yukon Chips?
One serving of Yukon Chips has about 500 calories, 35 grams of fat, 41 grams of carbs, and 4 grams of protein.
Are Yukon Chips vegan?
The chips themselves only contain potatoes, oil, and seasoning, so they are vegan. Keep in mind they are fried in a shared kitchen, so cross contact with animal products is possible.
Do Yukon Chips contain gluten?
The chips do not directly contain gluten ingredients, but they are prepared in a common kitchen alongside items that do contain gluten, so cross contact can happen.
Can I swap my burger side for Yukon Chips?
In most cases, yes. Many burgers and entrees let you swap the standard side for Yukon Chips, sometimes for a small extra charge depending on your location.
What is the best dip for Yukon Chips?
Ranch, Smoke and Pepper ketchup, and malt vinegar are the most popular choices among regular guests.
Yukon Chips are a simple but satisfying reason to swing by Red Robin, whether you order them as a side or make your own batch at home with the recipe above. For more picks, browse the Family Menu, Kids Menu, Desserts Menu, or Sides & Sauces to plan your full order before you go.