Situated in strip malls and along highways throughout the United States, Red Lobster is among the most well-known chain restaurants in the country. Its a proverbial seafood haven, bringing the bounty of the sea to all corners of America at reasonable prices. Its menu is brimming with specials and iconic classics, from the aptly named Lobsterfest to the chains beloved Cheddar Bay biscuits. Perhaps none of Red Lobsters deals have quite as much sway as its Ultimate Endless Shrimp.
While plenty of chain restaurants have versions of all-you-can-eat gimmicks, Red Lobsters Ultimate Endless Shrimp exists in a category of its own. What started as a promotion to bring in more customers eventually became so successful that Red Lobster made it a permanent menu item in the summer of 2023. It wound up being a bit too popular at its original price point, though; the chain lost $11 million in the same quarter that Ultimate Endless Shrimp was affixed to the permanent menu, per CNN.
And though Red Lobster has since adjusted its prices to account for Ultimate Endless Shrimps popularity, I knew that, when presented with the opportunity, I had to sample this lavish offering of seafood decadence for myself.
Does Red Lobster Still Have Coconut Shrimp? A Deep Dive into This Popular Menu Item
Coconut shrimp has been a beloved appetizer staple at Red Lobster for over 35 years. The sweet and crispy coconut-breaded shrimp paired with a tangy dipping sauce is a taste sensation that customers just can’t get enough of. But with restaurants frequently revamping their menus, you may be wondering: does Red Lobster still have coconut shrimp?
In this detailed article, we’ll take a deep dive into Red Lobster’s iconic coconut shrimp to see if it’s still available on their menu. We’ll explore the history of this popular dish, check out the current coconut shrimp options at Red Lobster, look at why it remains such a customer favorite, and more.
A Brief History of Coconut ShrimpCoconut shrimp originated in Southeast Asian cuisine before becoming popularized in North America in the 1980s and 90s Chinese immigrants to Thailand are credited with creating the dish after using local coconuts to coat and fry shrimp
The dish gained major popularity in the U.S. in the 1980s when casual dining chains like Red Lobster started adding it to their menus. Offering new “Americanized” twists on classic dishes like coconut shrimp helped these chains expand their menus and draw in customers.
Coconut shrimp was an instant hit with American diners looking to try exciting new flavors. The sweet coconut coating perfectly contrasted the savory, briny shrimp. Dipping sauces like tangy orange marmalade or sweet pineapple sauce added even more flavor.
Coconut Shrimp on Red Lobster’s Menu Over the YearsRed Lobster first added coconut shrimp to their menu back in 1985 It quickly became one of their most beloved and iconic appetizer items Here’s a quick timeline of coconut shrimp at Red Lobster over the years
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1985 Coconut shrimp debuts on the menu. It features large shrimp coated in shredded coconut and coconut milk then fried up.
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1990s: Coconut shrimp is featured as an “Admiral’s Feast” menu item during a promotion. This added colossal-sized shrimp with a Hawaiian glaze.
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2000s: Various limited-time and seasonal coconut shrimp dishes appear, like a coconut shrimp skewer and spicy coconut shrimp.
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Today: Coconut shrimp remains a permanent staple on the Red Lobster menu. Both regular and jumbo sizes are available.
So not only does Red Lobster still have coconut shrimp, but it’s been a beloved menu item for over 35 years and counting!
Red Lobster’s Coconut Shrimp Options in 2022
These days, Red Lobster guests can still order up several tasty coconut shrimp options:
Parrot Isle Jumbo Coconut Shrimp
This signature dish features large, crispy jumbo shrimp coated in flaky coconut breading. The jumbo shrimp are hand-dipped in a coconut milk batter, then coated with shredded coconut and fried up to perfection.
The coconut shrimp are served with Red Lobster’s iconic piña colada dipping sauce and your choice of two sides. Priced at $17.49 and clocking in at 1,220 calories, it’s a decadent treat.
Coconut Shrimp Skewer Appetizer
This shareable appetizer features shrimps coated in the same signature coconut breading, but presented on a wooden skewer for easy dipping in the piña colada sauce. It’s a great way to sample the coconut shrimp before your entree.
Priced at $6.49 and with 590 calories, this appetizer version offers 4 large coconut shrimps per skewer.
Create Your Own Coconut Shrimp Dish
You can also customize your own coconut shrimp dish using Red Lobster’s “Create Your Own” menu options. Choices include:
- Picking regular or jumbo coconut shrimp
- Choosing your dipping sauce like piña colada or mango habanero
- Pairing it with sides like rice or crispy Brussels sprouts
- Adding extra shrimp skewers or lobster tails
Get creative and design your dream coconut shrimp meal!
Why Coconut Shrimp Remains a Red Lobster Favorite
There are several reasons why coconut shrimp remains such an iconic, beloved menu item at Red Lobster after over 35 years:
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Unique flavors: The sweet coconut coating paired with savory shrimp is a one-of-a-kind flavor profile you can’t find anywhere else on the menu. It adds delicious diversity to Red Lobster’s seafood options.
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Nostalgia: For long-time fans, coconut shrimp brings back fond memories of dining at Red Lobster over the decades. It’s a nostalgic taste of the past.
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Special occasions: Coconut shrimp is often saved for special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries when people want to indulge. The jumbo shrimp and piña colada sauce make it feel extra special.
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Adaptability: Coconut shrimp complements many flavors. Red Lobster can easily pair it with new sauces or shake up the presentation, like serving it on skewers.
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Simple to make: Though exotic sounding, coconut shrimp is relatively simple for most kitchens to replicate. This makes it an easy and profitable permanent menu item for Red Lobster.
By appealing to diners’ nostalgia while still tasting fresh and exciting, it’s no wonder this dish remains a staple after over three decades.
Is Coconut Shrimp Available Year-Round at Red Lobster?
Coconut shrimp is so popular that Red Lobster offers it on their permanent menu all year round. So no matter the season, you can always order up this tropical appetizer or entree.
That said, Red Lobster does occasionally offer limited-time coconut shrimp dishes during certain promotions or seasons:
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Summer: Coconut shrimp skewers are sometimes added as a summer seasonal menu item. Spicy Argentinian coconut shrimp is also featured during some summers.
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Fall: For football season, Red Lobster often debuts new spicy coconut shrimp paired with a fall beer.
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Holidays: Around holidays like Mother’s Day, larger Admiral’s Feast platters with jumbo coconut shrimp are offered.
So while the classic coconut shrimp stays on the menu year-round, keep an eye out for fun seasonal twists on it as well!
Nutrition Information on Red Lobster’s Coconut Shrimp
If you’re wondering about the nutrition facts of Red Lobster’s coconut shrimp dishes, here are the calories and nutrients:
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Jumbo Coconut Shrimp: For the 5 large shrimps, it contains 1,220 calories, 48g fat, 33g protein and 167g carbs. As a fried dish with coconut milk and heavy breading, it is quite high in calories and saturated fat.
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Coconut Shrimp Skewers Appetizer: The 4 shrimp appetizer skewer has 590 calories, 26g fat, 27g protein and 63g carbs. The slightly smaller shrimp in a portion controlled skewer makes this a lighter option.
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Piña Colada Sauce: The signature dipping sauce is 130 calories and 0g fat for 2 oz. It contains 33g carbs including 20g sugars. The sauce contributes extra sugars.
Overall, coconut shrimp is a high calorie indulgence at Red Lobster. Those watching their weight or diabetes may prefer getting it as an appetizer or sharing the jumbo entree version. Lighter dipping sauces like salsa also help reduce the calorie count.
Indulge in Coconut Shrimp on Your Next Red Lobster Visit
Coconut shrimp has been a staple on the Red Lobster menu for over three decades now. Its signature sweet and crispy coconut coating paired with a tropical dipping sauce remains a longtime customer favorite.
While the recipe has stayed largely the same, Red Lobster does frequently offer some creative new twists on this classic appetizer. Keep an eye out for limited-time versions featuring different dipping sauces or shrimp varieties.
The jumbo shrimp entree and appetizer skewers provide two tasty ways to satisfy your coconut shrimp craving. And the “Create Your Own” menu always lets you customize your dream coconut shrimp dish.
So the next time you’re craving a taste of the tropics, head to your local Red Lobster. Their iconic coconut shrimp recipes will transport you to paradise in every bite. Just be prepared to see this dish disappear quickly when dining with a group!
What is Red Lobster’s Ultimate Endless Shrimp?
The conceit of Ultimate Endless Shrimp is fairly simple: For a flat fee of $25 per person — at the time of publication and up from its original price of $20 — you can eat as much shrimp as your crustacean-loving heart desires. The special offers seven different shrimp dishes (four of which are breaded), as well as one side. Customers can order up to three dishes at once and can do so for as long as theyre able. Oh, and perhaps Red Lobsters most popular dish, the Cheddar Bay biscuits, are complementary.
After fasting for almost the entire day, my girlfriend and I trekked to the Red Lobster near my home in New Jersey. I figured at best it would be a fun meal to share and, at worst, it would be an interesting test of our relationship. How much damage could all this shrimp really do?
One of the employees led us to a centrally-located round table large enough for six or seven people. I was thrilled. A booth wouldnt have worked here; this was the perfect arena for the shrimp feast we were about to undertake. Our server, Karl, couldnt have been nicer, explaining the menu like a referee reading the rules to two prizefighters ready to come out swinging. We pored over them with fake deliberation — as if we didnt already know our exact order. After a minute or so, we each ordered a water, beer, and our first round of Endless Shrimp dishes.
Round 1: Grilled shrimp skewer
Our first plate arrived about 10 minutes later, an oval slab containing our first three Endless Shrimp choices: the grilled shrimp skewer, Parrot Isle jumbo coconut shrimp, and shrimp linguini alfredo. We started with the skewer: six grilled shrimp atop a bed of orzo and served with a slice of lemon. Aside from being the humblest dish on the plate, it was easily the most straightforward — and that wasnt a bad thing.
The shrimp themselves were slightly rubbery and a bit dry, but it was nothing a little lemon juice couldnt fix. They also paired well with our chosen side of broccoli, which was steamed and extremely salty. I suspect the orzo was added to lend to a Mediterranean feel — not easy to achieve when nestled next to a heap of shrimp alfredo, but somehow, just barely, it worked. We knew there was plenty of gluttony to come, but the skewer kicked things off on a light, almost refreshing note. If only that couldve lasted!
Are Red Lobster’s Coconut Shrimp Worth $7.48 ??
FAQ
Did Red Lobster get rid of their coconut shrimp?
Then Red Lobster responded, too, telling Mahomes: We still have have coconut shrimp! “Brittany, we think you’re shrimply the best and we’re sorry you didn’t get your coconut shrimp! It’s still on the menu so don’t worry.
Does Red Lobster do coconut shrimp?
Our Coconut Shrimp Bites are tossed in real shredded coconut and paired with the Sweet Chilli Sauce.
Is Red Lobster ending endless shrimp?
Endless Shrimp was the final straw for Red Lobster. But it was just the last in a long line of problems that led the casual-dining seafood chain to close more than 100 restaurants and file for bankruptcy this spring.
Does Red Lobster still have endless shrimp in 2025?
Red Lobster CEO says endless shrimp is never coming back because ‘I know how to do math’ | Fortune.