Red Lobster is one of the most popular casual dining seafood restaurant chains in America. With over 700 locations across the country, it’s a go-to spot for delicious seafood classics like shrimp, fish, and of course – lobster But does Red Lobster actually serve real, fresh lobster? Let’s dive in and find out!
As you may have guessed from the name, lobster is a big part of Red Lobster’s identity. Lobster is featured prominently in their logo and marketing. So it would be pretty strange if they didn’t actually serve lobster, right?
The good news is – yes Red Lobster absolutely does serve lobster! In fact, it’s one of their most popular menu items. Red Lobster offers a few different lobster preparation including
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Lobster Tails – Succulent lobster tail steamed and served with drawn butter. This classic preparation really lets the sweet lobster flavor shine.
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Lazy Man’s Lobster – Lobster tail and lobster meat baked in a butter herb sauce and served over rice. A decadent, casual take on classic lobster.
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Lobster Fest – For a limited time each year, Red Lobster offers special lobster menu items and deals, like lobster rolls and 3 or 4 course lobster dinners. A great way to indulge in lobster.
So how does Red Lobster ensure they are serving high-quality, fresh lobster in their restaurants? Here are a few key facts about their lobster supply and preparation processes:
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North American Lobsters – Red Lobster uses lobsters sourced from cold North American waters, like Maine, Canada, and the northern Atlantic. This helps ensure they are getting high-quality American/Canadian lobsters.
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Daily Deliveries – Lobster is delivered fresh to Red Lobster restaurants every single day. This guarantees it hasn’t been sitting around and losing freshness.
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On-Site Storage – The live lobsters are kept in temperature controlled water tanks to maintain freshness until they are ready to be prepared and served.
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Cooked When Ordered – Lobsters are steamed and cooked to order, right when you place your order, to serve you the freshest lobster possible.
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Hand-Cracked – Kitchen staff hand-crack open every lobster, ensuring the meat is extracted carefully to preserve its tenderness.
So while Red Lobster does serve other non-lobster seafood like shrimp and tilapia, they definitely live up to their name when it comes to serving fresh, delicious lobster. Next time you’re craving a lobster dinner, you can feel confident that Red Lobster’s lobster options will deliver on that fresh, sweet lobster flavor.
Of course, lobster does come at a higher price point than other menu items. Here are some tips to get your lobster fix while sticking to your budget:
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Go for lunch – Lobster is typically a few dollars cheaper at lunch versus dinner.
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Choose lobster tails – The lobster tails allow you to get the most coveted part of the lobster at a lower price than a whole lobster.
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Pick a lobster deal – Go during Lobsterfest or keep an eye out for lobster tail deals and coupons.
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Split an entree – Order one entree with lobster to split, with sides you both like.
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Get just a side/add-on – Add a lobster tail on the side of your main entree.
While lobster may be a splurge, it’s an indulgence worth enjoying. With responsible sourcing, fresh prep, and cooking to order, you can feel good about the lobster you’re getting at Red Lobster. Next time you’re in the mood for a classic lobster dinner, don’t hesitate to stop into your local Red Lobster and get cracking! Just be sure to have some wet naps on hand – it’s gonna get messy!
One meal a day at Red Lobster | maybe for the last time?? #whatieatinaday #foodvlog #reallife #omad
FAQ
Does Red Lobster have real lobster?
Live Maine Lobster (1.25 lb.) Wild-caught, fresh from the Atlantic. Served with your choice of two sides. Not available for raw purchase.
Does Red Lobster have lobster rolls now?
New! Lobster Roll. Warm lobster meat in melted butter on a toasted sweet Hawaiian roll. Served with Chesapeake fries.
Do Red Lobster have fried lobster?
Priced at $25.99 plus tax and tip, the dish was described as “a split Maine lobster tail, buttermilk-battered and fried, served on top of our Signature Cheddar Bay [capitalization theirs] waffle and drizzled with real maple syrup.” I naturally wondered where Cheddar Bay was and ran for my atlas, only to discover that …
Does Red Lobster serve lobster tail?
Classic Maine Lobster Tail. Served with lemon and melted butter.
Does Red Lobster have seafood?
From classic favorites like the signature Cheddar Bay Biscuits and Lobster Bisque to hearty entrees such as the Ultimate Feast and Wood-Grilled Lobster, Shrimp, and Salmon, the menu offers a blend of traditional and innovative seafood creations. Q: Does Red Lobster have a dress code for customers? Q: Does Red Lobster have a drive-thru?
What is the Red Lobster menu?
The Red Lobster menu is a celebration of fresh, high-quality seafood with a wide variety of dishes to satisfy any palate.
Is Red Lobster a good restaurant?
Sharing is caring! Red Lobster is known across the country for its endless shrimp and affordable pricing. It has locations all over the US, making it a convenient treat for seafood lovers. The food is consistent throughout its locations and its portion sizes are generous.
How do you know if Red Lobster seafood is fresh?
You will notice that most of Red Lobster’s seafood comes fried with lots of breading or it’ll use toppings to distract you. You can always tell the quality of the seafood by the preparation. Lots of sauce and breading? That could be a red flag that the seafood isn’t fresh.
Can you get fresh lobster at Red Lobster?
For the price you’re paying for endless shrimp, you’d have to eat 2-4 times the initial platter – that can be a lot of shrimp, especially when it’s fried. Yes, you can get fresh lobster at Red Lobster, but beware – insiders warn that the only way to get it fresh is to order a whole lobster.
Does Red Lobster have lobster chunks?
Instead of lobster, many of the “lobster chunks” at Red Lobster come from langostino, which is a crustacean that is related to lobster but is not quite the same. Red Lobster can’t fake a whole lobster or even a lobster tail, but anything with lobster bits or chunks is probably langostino meat which is cheaper.