A few weeks after Red Lobster filed for bankruptcy, I visited the chains Times Square location to try its now-infamous Endless Shrimp promotion for the first time.
This wasnt my first time eating at a Red Lobster. When Ive gone in the past, its been on the weekend. Now, here I was — on an otherwise dull Monday night — prepared to eat my weight in bottomless shrimp at a Times Square chain restaurant.
The promotion was originally launched as a $20 once-a-week deal. Customers were pleased with the deal, so in the summer of 2023, Endless Shrimp became available every day of the week.
However, inflation and the rising cost of seafood meant Red Lobster would raise the price of Endless Shrimp twice, eventually landing at a base price of $25 to cope with demand and improve profits. At the location I visited in New York City, it was priced at $30.
Despite the increased price to offset expenses, the all-you-can-eat strategy backfired. In the two quarters following the initial launch of the daily endless shrimp promotion, Red Lobster reported operating losses of $11 million and $12.5 million.
Discussing the companys low profits in an earnings call in November, Ludovic Garnier, the global chief financial officer of the chains owner, Thai Union Group, told investors the overwhelming response to endless shrimp had led to the losses.
“For those who have been in the US recently, $20 was very cheap,” Garnier said. “We dont earn a lot of money at $20.”
Garnier added the deal “did not deliver what we were expecting” and was “one of the key reasons for the losses we generated in Q3 2023.”
However, Endless shrimp isnt the only factor that led to the fall of Red Lobster. Business Insiders Emily Stewart reported that changing customer tastes, frequent leadership turnover, and the chains decision to switch its real-estate model from owning to leasing restaurants are also to blame for the companys bankruptcy filing.
Still, what was once a daily promotion, Endless Shrimp is now only available on Mondays, which is when I found myself at the revolving doors of Red Lobsters Times Square location on a hot summer night.
Red Lobster’s Shrimp Fest is one of their most popular seasonal promotions. If you love shrimp, you’ll want to take advantage of this limited-time offer. But how much does it cost to get endless shrimp at Red Lobster during Shrimp Fest? Let’s break it down.
What is Shrimp Fest?
Shrimp Fest is an annual promotion Red Lobster runs where you can get unlimited shrimp for one flat price. It usually takes place in the early fall.
During Shrimp Fest, you pay a set fee and can enjoy unlimited servings of crispy, grilled, or scampi shrimp, paired with sides and biscuits. It’s all you can eat shrimp heaven!
Red Lobster offers Shrimp Fest both for dine-in at their restaurants and for takeout/delivery. So you can indulge in endless shrimp in the restaurant or from the comfort of home.
When is Shrimp Fest?
The exact dates for Shrimp Fest vary from year to year. Typically it runs for 2-3 months in the fall, starting around late August or early September.
Red Lobster restaurants advertise the promotion in advance so guests can plan their shrimp-eating extravaganzas. Check the Red Lobster website or sign up for their email club to get alerts for Shrimp Fest dates.
In the past Shrimp Fest has run anywhere from early September through late November. The 2022 dates were September 5 through November 27.
How Much Does Endless Shrimp Cost?
The price of endless shrimp at Red Lobster’s Shrimp Fest is:
- $19.99 for dine-in
- $24.99 for takeout/delivery
So if you want to maximize value, dine-in pricing gives you the lowest cost per shrimp. But takeout/delivery means you can devour endless shrimp from home.
Taxes and gratuity are additional costs for dine-in. There may also be fees for takeout/delivery orders.
What is Included in Endless Shrimp?
With the Shrimp Fest promotion, you get unlimited servings of shrimp prepared three ways:
- Crispy Shrimp
- Grilled Shrimp
- Garlic Shrimp Scampi
The shrimp is paired with a side dish and unlimited Cheddar Bay Biscuits.
For the side, you can choose from rice, broccoli, coleslaw, fries, or mashed potatoes. Endless shrimp also comes with a non-alcoholic beverage.
So for one flat fee, you get loads of shrimp plus a side, biscuits, and a drink. It’s excellent value compared to ordering multiple shrimp dishes.
How Does Endless Shrimp Work?
At participating Red Lobster restaurants, endless shrimp is all-you-can-eat for one price.
When you order endless shrimp, you’ll receive an initial serving of shrimp and can request additional servings as you go. There’s no set limit and you can keep enjoying shrimp until you’ve had your fill.
For takeout/delivery, some limitations on number of servings may apply. But in general, you can order multiple courses of different shrimp dishes.
Shrimp Fest makes it easy to try all the shrimp flavors and find your favorites. Mix up each serving for variety if your taste buds get bored with one preparation.
Tips for Maximizing Shrimp Fest Value
To really capitalize on the savings from Shrimp Fest’s unlimited shrimp deal, keep these tips in mind:
-
Come hungry! This is the time to bring your big appetite. You’ll want stomach space to fit in multiple servings.
-
Pace yourself. Don’t fill up too fast on biscuits and the side dish so you have room for shrimp.
-
Switch up shrimp styles. Alternate between crispy, grilled, and scampi so you don’t get sick of any preparation.
-
Take home leftovers. If you can’t finish, box up extra shrimp since it reheats well.
-
Watch specials. Red Lobster may offer weekly deals during Shrimp Fest, like discounts certain days.
-
Order extra biscuits. You can never have too many Cheddar Bay biscuits, so double up.
Other Shrimp Deals at Red Lobster
If you miss out on Shrimp Fest, don’t worry. Red Lobster has other shrimp specials throughout the year:
-
Daily Deals – Specials that change daily and often include shrimp dishes.
-
Create Your Own – Custom platters where you pick 2-4 shrimp dishes.
-
Happy Hour – Discounted appetizers like shrimp cocktails.
-
Lunch Deals – Affordable shrimp meals, with some under $10.
-
Promotions – Occasional limited-time shrimp specials, like 2 for $25.
Check your local restaurant for current shrimp specials. While not endless, these deals make shrimp affordable.
Is Shrimp Fest Worth It?
If you’re a shrimp lover, Shrimp Fest is absolutely worth it. The value is unmatched for unlimited shrimp paired with sides and biscuits.
It’s a fun way to try shrimp prepared different ways without breaking the bank. Splitting an order can make it even more budget-friendly.
Just come prepared with an empty stomach and pace yourself. Shrimp Fest lets you fulfill all your crustacean cravings in one epic, affordable shrimp feast.
My platter of shrimp arrived promptly, as did the side of coleslaw.
My dinner came out at the same time as my guests, a Caesar salad topped with shrimp. I was impressed the restaurant was able to serve the three different kinds of shrimp in such a short amount of time.
I was also impressed by the portion size. The shrimp skewer, which came with rice, had six pieces of shrimp on it. Also on the plate were four pieces of coconut shrimp and five pieces of Walts favorite shrimp.
Right away, I knew it would be a struggle to order even a second helping, let alone a third or a fourth.
My second shrimp skewer didn’t come with rice, but I didn’t mind.
Again, the shrimp was buttery and tender. I didnt struggle too much to finish this second helping.
Red Lobster’s new CEO explains what went wrong with endless shrimp
FAQ
Does Red Lobster still have $20 endless shrimp?
However, he confirmed that the $20 endless shrimp deal has ended permanently. “Relevant, compelling and exciting is what we want Red Lobster to be for the future, and so we’re working on that now,” Adamolekun told TODAY.
How much is endless shrimp at Red Lobster?
Customers were pleased with the deal, so in the summer of 2023, Endless Shrimp became available every day of the week. However, inflation and the rising cost of seafood meant Red Lobster would raise the price of Endless Shrimp twice, eventually landing at a base price of $25 to cope with demand and improve profits.
Is endless shrimp worth it?
The value of Red Lobster’s Ultimate Endless Shrimp is difficult to quantify. If you’re dining with a family full of ravenous kids or a college student with a bottomless stomach, it’s probably worth it. If you’re counting calories or trying to have any semblance of a reasonable meal, it’s probably not.
What day of week is endless shrimp at Red Lobster?
While our Endless Shrimp event is not currently running, you may still enjoy Endless Shrimp Monday. Which is available every Monday, until 6pm.
How much does Lobsterfest cost?
Lobsterfest always adds new menu items alongside returning fan favorites at your local Red Lobster, and this year is no exception. Each meal will cost you from $17.99 to $51.99, depending on your order. Lobster Lover’s Dream (reg. $51.99): Rock and Maine lobster tails with a lobster and shrimp linguini. Served with your choice of two sides.
Does Red Lobster have lunch specials?
You can also grab weekday lunch specials starting at just $9.99. Whether it’s a casual meal or a special event, Red Lobster’s menu specials offer delicious seafood at great prices. Check them out and make your next visit even better! Create your perfect shrimp meal by choosing four items from Red Lobster’s menu of classic and new shrimp dishes.
Does Red Lobster have a 3% discount?
In the past, we’ve seen discounts of up to 3%. The best deal at Red Lobster is still the Endless Shrimp Mondays. The best deal at Red Lobster is also one of our favorite Monday restaurant deals — Endless Shrimp. For $21.99, you’ll get all-you-can-eat shrimp and your choice of side.
What’s new at Red Lobster’s Crabfest?
Crabfest is back at Red Lobster! Treat yourself to Crab Your Way with NEW Cajun Butter or dive into NEW dishes like our Creamy Crab Carbonara starting at $20. *Offer available for a limited time. Price and participation may vary. Bairdi crab available while supplies last for an additional charge. Subject to Terms
Can you get a discount on Lobsterfest with a Target REDcard?
Get a discount on Lobsterfest when you use a discounted Red Lobster gift card. When you use your Target RedCard on your gift card purchase, you’ll always get a 5% discount — including Red Lobster gift cards. That means you can get your Lobsterfest meal at an easy 5% discount without anyone knowing. Don’t have a Target RedCard?
Is Lobsterfest free?
While the food is free, beverages, tax and gratuity are not included. In line with tradition, the Florida-based chain is offering 10 limited-edition menu items to celebrate Lobsterfest, including five new dishes such as the Crispy Lobster & Shrimp Stack and the Lobster Lover’s Duo.