Well, crap. There goes my ability enjoy having a burger at Red Robin

Why is this a Republican propaganda bus? Because it is all red, white, and blue -- are those Republican colors now? The Hitler quote in question ("who owns the youth owns the future") is rather a Democratic leitmotiv right now, no?

What kind of word is Leitmotiv?

Sounds kinda Nazi to me.

You just watch yourself Herr Wright...

Sounds like that line from "Rage Against the Machine"?

http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=941545

So, I guess they like Hitler, too.

But, now your blog has been arrested for failing to observe Godwin's Law.

That's Herr Doktor Wright to you, Napoleon! :-)

I take that Hitler quote appearing on this bus as a warning against having a government-run school system - that such a thing appealed to Herr Hitler.

Am I the only one?

"Those who have the youth have the future"

-Allister Fiend

Say what you like about the Hitler quote; you gotta admit that truck is a graphic-design masterpiece.

I think there's a Ben and Jerry's flavor that looks like that truck.

If there isn't, there should be.

it boggles the mind that someone would seriously put a hitler quote over an american flag backdrop. especially a quote that's so fucking trite. didn't enough american soldiers die trying to kill the asshole, now your going to frame some banal truism of his in the us flag?

please elaborate on why this is a republican bus, i'm not sure i get it.

@8: I disagree. I'm not a fan of long chunks of text on moving vehicles. It seems like an invitation to stop watching the road in order to read.

If they really wanted to summarize their message without all the wordy text, they should have painted the side of a panel van with a mural of a bald eagle holding a gun in one claw, and lighting a fire made of books with the other. On top of the fire would be Barack Obama dressed as an Arab, Hillary Clinton in a stained blue dress, and their mixed-race love child dressed as a Mexican (complete with sombrero). All three are wearing Che t-shirts and reading copies of The Advocate, whose cover story is "Abortions Are Fun!" The whole tableau would be backed by an American flag, two rearing monster trucks (driven by white Jesus and Ronald Reagan), and a picture of Tobey Keith wearing a 9/11 "Never Forget" T-shirt.

@11: I would die a happy man to see some artist actually airbrush this mural and send it in to The Stranger. They can use it as the cover if McCain wins.

@1 It will take more than a garish-looking right wing propaganda truck to keep me from enjoying delicious Red Robin burgers. I feel like a bad liberal for saying that, but it's true.

Where are the graffiti "artists" when you need them ...

@13 Bad liberal? dude, you just admitted to liking RED ROBIN.

you have larger problems than political correctness.

You are a bad liberal for eating meat, hernandez.

And taking it in a styrofoam to go clamshell...

@13 but Red Robin cooks their fries in Oil, which just gives yet more windfall profits to the Oil companies.

The Hitler quote is often used, not in admiration, but as jmr says, as a warning for what "they" (i.e., us) want to do to their kids.

#1 The Japanese bought Red Robin a long time ago, and Kingen wasn't it's founder anyway, so we can eat Monster Burgers to our hearts content.

unless one is White Power or Neo-Nazi, Hitler quotes are always in poor taste. the pairing with ben franklin, a US founding father, is curious... is Kingden an 88?

I didn't really need an excuse to continue NOT eating at their overpriced fish shack and shitty hamburger chain, but thanks for the heads up!

It never hurts to have a backup!

@9 Wasn't that flavor covered in Colbert's Americone Dream?

actually, # 19, jerry bought red robin back from the japanese a few years ago. he probably has a one or more partners in ownership, but he's definitely back involved.

@23 and others: Are there any other burger places open until 11:00 PM on weeknights? My wife and I tend to eat late on some nights, and reasonably priced dining after 9:00 PM seems to be more and more difficult in Seattle.

Of course, we might not be looking hard enough... Any suggestions on where to try?

@20, but when one IS a white power advocate or nazi, Hitler quotes are in perfectly good taste?

@23: my heart went down, up, and down again. Goddamnit, sometimes I just want a fucking Whiskey River BBQ burger at 10pm on a Wednesday! Is that so hard? I couldn't give less of a shit about Salty's, but the news about Red Robin is breaking my (mental) heart. My real heart is probably breathing a sigh of relief, as is my digestive tract.

whats wrong with baiting native americans? A 22 of Natty Ice on a string is endless entertainment.

@27: I thought that was how you baited frat brahs. Guess I'm not up on my stereotypes.

@28: Frat brahs are a type of native american.

@24 : Burgermaster (Fuck Red Robin!)

@30: Allow me to revise my request...

Are there any other burger places open until 11:00 PM on weeknights, that have a seating area? Or for that matter, are there any sit-down places to eat that are not expensive, or a bar, or the front seat of my car? I mean, we've got Beth's, but the same place over and over gets a little old.

And don't even think of suggesting The Hurricane. Their food turned to shit years ago.

@26,31
If you're looking for burgers on Wednesday nights (or any night) there's Burgerama at DeLuxe on Broadway...

Salty's is a dreadful place: Think "Acres of Clams" with delusions of grandeur. It's not even worth taking tourists there - if you are going to spend that kind of money for that kind of food, go to The Space Needle.

And Red Robin? Yeesh.

Is it true that inside of that van is a pile of hot greasy cheesy hamburger Red Robin goodness?

#23 Please post a link to the story that says this is true and I will never go back to Red Robin. Otherwise I will continue to go there unless there is a better alternative.

#30 Comparing Burgermaster to Red Robin is like comparing diamonds to charcoal briquettes. They might be made from the same ingredients, but I'd rather have the diamond.

Burgermaster's mediocre food, high-ish prices, and 70's steakhouse aesthetic were enough to keep me away in spite of my longing that style of drive-in burger joint.

I'd sooner eat at an old A&W.  At least they're cheap!

#31, For 24 hr. sit-down, there's also 13 Coins and Denny's in the SODO area (4th Ave S). Red Robin WAS a nice funky hangout until Kingen bought it and moved in the red leatherette banquettes and elevator music. The Beach Broiler WAS a great union shop until Kingen bought it and let the help go.....and staffed his new eatery with minimum wage nonunion staff, and re-named it Salty's. Kingen has been an active campaigner for Geo W. Bush for the last two campaigns - I remember him unfurling an oversized Bush banner on Fauntleroy Way eight years ago, positioning himself in front of the early-morning Kerry campaigners, effectively blocking them from view of the passing motorists. I will not go in that restaurant. Good that he's finally shown himself to the world with that lunatic van.

@31 - Check out Greenlake Bar & Grill... the Grill side has table seating for all ages and I think they serve their full menu until 11:30pm (1:00am on Fri/Sat.) They have very decent burgers.

Kingen is CEO of the Robin, and after buying it back took it public this decade(selling shares) From 1996:

IRVINE, Calif. - Gerald Kingen, founder of the Red Robin Burger Spirits Emporium concept, and Michael Snyder, a Denver businessman and veteran Red Robin franchisee, have acquired a "substantial equity position" in the 136-unit chain and taken over top management posts at Irvine-based Red Robin International Inc.

Kingen, who sold Red Robin to Tokyo-based Skylark Co. Ltd. in 1985, has been named chairman and chief executive, posts formerly held by senior Skylark officials. He remains chairman of Happy Guests International, owner of the Seattle-based Salty's seafood dinner-house chain.

haha, Irvine, the capitol of Orange County, California. SHOCKED I TELL YOU!

Schmader, it's unfair to unleash this information on us without providing an alternative to Red Robin where Dad can enjoy a burger and a couple of beers with the kids.

Is Smith kid friendly?

Salty's is not a great restaurant but it does have a great view. I have always taken out-of-towners there to dine so they could see the city at its best. I will have to find a new upscale restaurant with outside seating in West Seattle on the waterfront. does anyone have any suggestions?