Listen up, seafood lovers! If you’ve ever wondered whether Red Lobster’s famous Endless Shrimp promotion is truly endless, I’m here to spill all the tea (or should I say, cocktail sauce?) As someone who’s done their fair share of shrimp-eating research, I’ve got the inside scoop on this popular promotion that has folks coming back year after year
The Truth Behind the “Endless” Promise
Let me cut straight to the chase – yes, Red Lobster’s Endless Shrimp is technically endless! According to a Red Lobster employee on Reddit, you can literally eat from opening until closing time. But here’s the real talk – you probably won’t want to (unless you’re planning to be wheeled out in a seafood-induced coma).
The Price Tag
- Current cost: $25 per person (recently increased from $20)
- Includes 7 different shrimp dishes
- Comes with one side dish
- Unlimited Cheddar Bay Biscuits (but more on that trap later!)
How “Endless” Has Been Tested
Some brave souls have really put the “endless” claim to the test
- Two Business Insider employees managed to eat 350 shrimp before giving up
- Multiple customers have reportedly spent hours eating shrimp
- Servers confirm you can literally stay all day if you want
The Secret to Making It Worth Your Money
Here’s my pro tips for getting the most bang for your buck
-
Skip the Fillers
- Don’t fall for the Cheddar Bay Biscuits trap (even tho they’re amazing!)
- Avoid the sides that’ll fill you up quick
- Stay away from sugary drinks
-
Strategic Ordering
- Start with lighter options (like grilled shrimp)
- Save breaded varieties for middle rounds
- Try 2-3 different types per round
-
Timing is Everything
- Go when you’re really hungry
- Pace yourself – it’s a marathon, not a sprint
- Plan to spend at least an hour or two
The Fine Print You Should Know
Ya’ll should know there are some catches (pun intended!):
- Limited to 2-3 shrimp varieties at once
- No doggy bags allowed
- Not available at all locations
- Prices might vary by location
- Tip your server well (they’re watching you eat shrimp all day!)
Is It Really Worth It?
Here’s the honest truth – it depends on your eating capacity. According to Red Lobster staff, you need to eat “2-4 times beyond the initial meal” to make it worth your money.
When It’s Worth It:
- You’re super hungry
- You really love shrimp
- You’ve got time to spare
- You’re with friends who also love shrimp
When It’s Not:
- You’re a light eater
- You fill up quickly
- You’re in a rush
- You prefer variety in your meal
My Personal Take
Look, I ain’t gonna sugar coat it – this deal can be amazing if you approach it right. But don’t be that person who tries to stay for 8 hours just to prove a point. The servers have seen it all, and trust me, nobody’s impressed by your shrimp-eating marathon skills!
Tips for a Successful Endless Shrimp Experience
-
Come Prepared
- Skip breakfast
- Wear stretchy pants (seriously!)
- Bring good company
-
Be Smart About It
- Drink lots of water
- Take breaks between rounds
- Listen to your body
-
Don’t Forget Etiquette
- Tip well
- Be nice to your server
- Don’t waste food
The Bottom Line
Yes, Red Lobster’s Endless Shrimp is really endless – but that doesn’t mean you should test its limits! It’s a pretty sweet deal at $25 if you’re a serious shrimp lover. Just remember to be reasonable, tip well, and maybe schedule a nap afterwards!
And hey, if you don’t manage to try all seven shrimp varieties in one visit, that’s totally fine – there’s always next time! After all, this deal ain’t going nowhere since it became a permanent menu item in 2023.
Round 2: Garlic shrimp scampi
Several minutes passed between the first Endless Shrimp plate and our second order, and we needed every moment of it. Periodic sips of Modelo and lemon water werent exactly clearing space, what with the alfredo gumming up the works. But we decided to continue headlong into the dairy, ordering garlic shrimp scampi and “Walts Favorite Shrimp.” (We were also surprised with a second grilled shrimp skewer, which we accepted with a bit of a friendly groan.)
Thankfully the scampi didnt come with pasta — wed already had plenty — but it mightve helped sop up some of the separated butter sauce pooled in the rounded rectangular plates in which the shrimp were served. These were the tiniest shellfish we received, possibly grilled as the skewered shrimps were, but there was no way to tell because of all the butter. I made the brutal mistake of grabbing one with my hands, turning into buttery King Midas until I could get my greasy paws on a napkin. Suddenly the end of Endless Shrimp seemed near.
Sitting alongside the scampi was Walts Favorite Shrimp, apparently named for Walt King, said to beone of Red Lobsters first employees. These were butterflied and tightly breaded, which created a unique texture that we couldnt fully appreciate as our digestive systems began to rebel against us. Plain old breaded shrimp just wouldnt stand out here, so our compliments to Walt, wherever he may be.
Though the actual shrimp were good, the real highlight was the cocktail sauce they came with. If this was an approximation of homemade cocktail sauce, you can tell Red Lobster tilted more toward the ketchup than the horseradish. But unlike the coconut shrimp, the sweetness here was more of a subtle touch that made the whole plate more enjoyable. I even dipped a couple of the extra skewered shrimp into it when no one was looking.
That said, this far into the meal, time began to slow down. It felt as if an hour passed after Walts final shrimp disappeared from our plate — and it still wasnt enough. But I knew we had more shrimp to try.
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.
Red Lobster’s new CEO explains what went wrong with endless shrimp
FAQ
Is endless shrimp gone forever?
The endless shrimp promotion that sank Red Lobster’s bottom line in 2021 and forced the restaurant chain into bankruptcy will not be returning. “We don’t have any plans to bring it back,” Adamolekun said. “We listen intently to customer comments and try to react really quickly to deliver people what they want.”
Is shrimp your way unlimited?
Is this endless shrimp?? Shrimp Your Way is not unlimited.
Why did Red Lobster stop all you can eat shrimp?
The deal was once again too popular, and Red Lobster was unprepared for its customers’ insatiable lust for discounted shellfish. Red Lobster’s major shareholder Thai Union, a Bangkok-based canned seafood company, lost $11 million. “We need to be much more careful,” a Thai Union executive said.
Does Red Lobster still do never-ending shrimp?
Red Lobster CEO says endless shrimp is never coming back because ‘I know how to do math’ Sydney Lake is an associate editor at Fortune, where she writes and edits news for the publication’s global news desk. Red Lobster CEO Damola Adamolekun is making waves at the seafood chain.
When is Ultimate Endless Shrimp available?
For a limited time, Ultimate Endless Shrimp is available all day and all week at Red Lobster locations nationwide. Traditionally, it is only available on Mondays. Shrimp lovers, this is one seafood opportunity you won’t want to miss! Want more Thrillist? Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat.
Is Red Lobster’s ultimate endless shrimp a gimmick?
But, even if you count yourself among the shrimpiest of Red Lobster shrimp lovers, beware: though the shrimp may not end, your taste for it surely, eventually, will. While plenty of chain restaurants have versions of all-you-can-eat gimmicks, Red Lobster’s Ultimate Endless Shrimp exists in a category of its own.
Is Red Lobster’s endless shrimp profitable?
Red Lobster’s Endless Shrimp is actually a spinoff of a much less profitable promotion the company tried in the early 2000s — Endless Crab. Testing the public’s ability to eat endless crab cost Red Lobster millions and resulted in its then-president getting the boot after a $405.9 million loss in stock value (via the New York Post ).
What is the Ultimate Endless Shrimp event?
During the Ultimate Endless Shrimp event, guests can choose two of their favorite shrimp preparations. When they are ready, they can order additional shrimp dishes one at a time. Each Ultimate Endless Shrimp meal comes with a choice of side and unlimited Cheddar Bay Biscuits.
Is endless shrimp your money’s worth?
According to Business Insider, Endless Shrimp made its debut a year after the crab experiment ended. Here’s the thing with getting your money’s worth when it comes to Endless Shrimp, though — it’s going to take some serious willpower. Remember those Cheddar Bay Biscuits? As tempting as they may be, you would be wise to avoid touching those.
How do you make Ultimate endless shrimp taste good?
Salt and vinegar (and shrimp-induced meat sweats) will make you do that. It’s a good thing this is a limited flavor because Red Lobster might run out of these, too. Is Ultimate Endless Shrimp worth trying?