Onion Ring Tower (Towering Onion Rings)
An “onion ring tower” is a tall stack of onion rings, usually served separately on its own dish (often with a rod in the middle of the rings). The term “tower of onion rings” has been cited in print since at least 1993. Images of the towers of onions rings somewhat resemble the Towers of Hanoi.
The chain restaurant Red Robin Gourmet Burgers has a 13-rings-tall dish called “Towering Onion Rings” (trademarked use from 2001). It’s not known who or what establishment originated the onion ring tower.
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers
Towering Onion Rings
13 rings tall, this proves we really know how to pick ‘em and stack ‘em. Sweet yellow onions—breaded & crisply fried. Served with tangy Campfire Sauce and ranch dressing for dippin’.
22 January 1993, Dallas (TX) Morning News, “High steaks dining: Ranking the meat elite” by Waltrina Stovall:
We were much happier with a tower of onion rings ($6, a nightly special, bracelet-size and tender in crisp batter…).
Google Groups: pgh.food
Newsgroups: pgh.food
From: “Sean C. Madden”
Date: 1995/06/07
Subject: Bar-B-Que in Liberty Boro
Blaine Hill Bar-B-Que in Liberty Boro
672- 1133
(...)
Onion Ring Tower (12) .................. $2.25
Google Books
Frommer’s 96 Arizona
By Karl Samson and Jane Aukshunas
New York, NY: Simon & Schuster, Inc.
1996
Pg. 294:
How about a jailhouse rock burger or hound dog hot dog with a tower of onion rings?
25 September 1998, San Antonio (TX) Express-News, “Clear Springs does onion rings right” by Bonnie Walker, Weekender section:
After being seated we watched a waitress walk by balancing a plate with a tottering tower of onion rings.
Google Books
The Food of Texas:
Authentic Recipes from the Lone Star State
By Caroline Stuart
Boston, MA : Periplus : Distributed in the U.S. by Tuttle
2000
Pg. 5:
Opposite: Patron John Boutin prepares to devour a crispy-fried tower of onion rings at Restaurant Biga in San Antonio.
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Newsgroups: uk.misc
From: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (Marcus Houlden)
Date: 25 Mar 2001 00:34:40 GMT
Local: Sat, Mar 24 2001 6:34 pm
Subject: Re: the hills are alive
> >>I used to be quite fond of Tony Roma’s Rib Room in
> >>Lower St. Martins Lane
> >Sounds fine to me.
> >I’ve been to one of those in Vancouver.
> >Global chain, I guess.
> >Can’t remember the ribs (maybe a bad sign) only the tower of onion
> >rings.
New York (NY) Times
For Grown-Ups, Not Gadabouts
By FRANK BRUNI
Published: June 7, 2006
(...)
There’s an inconsequential chopped salad with feta and olives, and of course there’s a rib-eye, in this case supporting a tower of onion rings that are nearly big enough to double as Hula-Hoops.
(Restaurant review of Dressler in Williamsburg, Brooklyn—ed.)
Onion RIng Documentary
Monday, September 21, 2009
Red Robin onion ring tower
Restaurant: Red Robin
Location: 9810 Riverside Drive, Tulsa, OK 74137
Number and Size of Rings: 14 sorted by size
Cost: $7.99
This glorious whimsical Seussian tower of onion rings was sooo good. Especially with the campfire sauce, which tastes like mayo with bbq flavor in it. The rings are marvelous, but not quite as homemade tasting and flavorful as Biggs bbq (see two posts ago).
(Trademark)
Word Mark TOWERING ONION RINGS
Goods and Services IC 029. US 046. G & S: processed vegetables. FIRST USE: 20010500. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20010500
Standard Characters Claimed
Mark Drawing Code (4) STANDARD CHARACTER MARK
Serial Number 78547912
Filing Date January 14, 2005
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Published for Opposition August 1, 2006
Registration Number 3156362
Registration Date October 17, 2006
Owner (REGISTRANT) Red Robin International, Inc. CORPORATION NEVADA Suite 200N 6312 South Fiddlers Green Circle Greenwood Village COLORADO 80111
Assignment Recorded ASSIGNMENT RECORDED
Attorney of Record Kevin S. Costanza
Disclaimer NO CLAIM IS MADE TO THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO USE “ONION RINGS” APART FROM THE MARK AS SHOWN
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE