I spent $125 on dinner for 2 at Red Lobster. It was the most decadent meal I've ever eaten at a chain restaurant. (2024)

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A friend and I dined at Red Lobster in the heart of Times Square on a Saturday night. It was my first time eating at the chain. Inside the restaurant, a fishnet-covered wall advertised the chain's merchandise. After checking in with the hostess, we were directed up the elevator to the second-floor dining room. We were seated in the Board Room of the restaurant, a smaller, enclosed dining room in the back. The art on the walls emphasized the chain's nautical theme. The menu was large and offered everything from appetizers and flatbreads to lobster, shrimp, crab, and signature surf-and-turf feasts. I had never been to Red Lobster before, so I was excited to try the chain's signature Cheddar Bay Biscuits. The biscuit was buttery and fluffy. The biscuits had a delightful cheesy taste, with a slight kick. We both ordered a Deep Sea Lobsterita, which is a new twist on the chain's signature margarita. The margaritas were very large and came topped with a pineapple garnish and a paper, glitter-covered lobster. We ordered two appetizers for the table. The first was the Parrot Isle jumbo coconut shrimp. The shrimp were extremely crispy, and the sweet coconut flaked off in my mouth with every bite. The second appetizer we ordered was the lobster dip. The dip was piping hot when it arrived and contained large pieces of lobster meat. By the time we were done with our filling appetizers, I was feeling a little bit intimidated by our main courses. The double serving of pasta was massive. I thought it was a great deal for the price. The carb-heavy dinner left me feeling stuffed, but I loved the taste of everything. My friend ordered the grilled sea scallops and shrimp skewers. This was, by far, the most decadent meal I've ever eaten at a chain restaurant. FAQs

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Food

Erin McDowell

2024-02-08T13:20:01Z

I spent $125 on dinner for 2 at Red Lobster. It was the most decadent meal I've ever eaten at a chain restaurant. (1)

In honor of Valentine's Day, a friend and I had dinner for two at Red Lobster.
We ordered two appetizers, two entrées, and two signature cocktails.
The rich, decadent meal impressed me, and I felt completely stuffed.

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Red Lobster is arguably the most romantic chain restaurant, thanks to its focus on seafood and decadent dishes.

I took a friend out for dinner on a Saturday night at the chain's Times Square location in New York City to determine if the hot spot is a good option for couples on Valentine's Day.

From Red Lobster's signature Cheddar Bay Biscuits to the glitter-filled cocktails, the meal felt more special than those at other chain restaurants I've been to.

But I was a little intimidated by the prices on the menu.

Here's what our visit was like.

A friend and I dined at Red Lobster in the heart of Times Square on a Saturday night. It was my first time eating at the chain.

I spent $125 on dinner for 2 at Red Lobster. It was the most decadent meal I've ever eaten at a chain restaurant. (5)

The first Red Lobster opened in Lakeland, Florida, in 1968. Red Lobster, a family-owned restaurant, was founded to provide "delicious, high-quality seafood" to everyone, according to the restaurant's website.

In 1970, General Mills acquired Red Lobster, according to the restaurant's timeline online, and the business expanded across the country. Today, Red Lobster has more than 700 locations across the world.

Because it was my first time dining at a Red Lobster, I was eager to see how this restaurant compared to other chain restaurants I love, such as Chili's.

Since it was a Saturday night in Times Square, an extremely busy tourist destination, I made a reservation a few hours before arriving at the restaurant.

As we approached, I took in the large marquee that advertised the chain's "fresh fish and live lobsters." Along the side of the building was a large lobster. It was impossible to miss the restaurant's name, similar to how other chains in Times Square advertise to draw in tourists.

Inside the restaurant, a fishnet-covered wall advertised the chain's merchandise.

I spent $125 on dinner for 2 at Red Lobster. It was the most decadent meal I've ever eaten at a chain restaurant. (6)

From vintage-inspired tees to a play on the iconic "I Heart NY" shirts — featuring a lobster instead of the "I" — the merchandise was fresh and a fun nod to New York City and the restaurant.

After checking in with the hostess, we were directed up the elevator to the second-floor dining room.

I spent $125 on dinner for 2 at Red Lobster. It was the most decadent meal I've ever eaten at a chain restaurant. (7)

The dining room was expansive, with booths and tables filling the large restaurant. I was glad I made a reservation because the main dining area was nearly full.

It was borderline dark inside the restaurant, which created a slightly upscale vibe. The mahogany-accented booths and tables compounded the romantic atmosphere.

We were seated in the Board Room of the restaurant, a smaller, enclosed dining room in the back.

I spent $125 on dinner for 2 at Red Lobster. It was the most decadent meal I've ever eaten at a chain restaurant. (8)

The room had five tables of various sizes, but we were the only two in the dining room.

It created a more private atmosphere, but we couldn't help feeling a little awkward — we couldn't hear any music from the main dining area, and we missed the buzz of being surrounded by other diners.

The art on the walls emphasized the chain's nautical theme.

I spent $125 on dinner for 2 at Red Lobster. It was the most decadent meal I've ever eaten at a chain restaurant. (9)

The walls themselves had a polished-wood finish. We thought it gave the impression of being inside a luxury ocean liner.

The menu was large and offered everything from appetizers and flatbreads to lobster, shrimp, crab, and signature surf-and-turf feasts.

I spent $125 on dinner for 2 at Red Lobster. It was the most decadent meal I've ever eaten at a chain restaurant. (10)

Right away, the prices intimidated us a little. They were higher than at other chain restaurants I've tried, including Chili's and Applebee's.

But since seafood is typically more expensive than other cuisines, it probably shouldn't have been all that surprising.

I decided to be mindful of the prices, but also order a similar amount of food to what I've ordered at other chains, for comparison's sake.

I had never been to Red Lobster before, so I was excited to try the chain's signature Cheddar Bay Biscuits.

I spent $125 on dinner for 2 at Red Lobster. It was the most decadent meal I've ever eaten at a chain restaurant. (11)

I've heard a lot about these biscuits over the years, and I've come across countless copycat recipes online. But I had never dug into the real thing until this visit to Red Lobster.

We received a basket of four biscuits, free of charge.

The biscuit was buttery and fluffy.

I spent $125 on dinner for 2 at Red Lobster. It was the most decadent meal I've ever eaten at a chain restaurant. (12)

They also arrived at the table warm, which we appreciated.

The biscuits had a delightful cheesy taste, with a slight kick.

I spent $125 on dinner for 2 at Red Lobster. It was the most decadent meal I've ever eaten at a chain restaurant. (13)

The biscuits were moist and flavorful, and I could immediately see why they have such a devoted following.

We both ordered a Deep Sea Lobsterita, which is a new twist on the chain's signature margarita.

I spent $125 on dinner for 2 at Red Lobster. It was the most decadent meal I've ever eaten at a chain restaurant. (14)

The Deep Sea Lobsterita comes with Cazadores tequila blanco, Malibu coconut rum, and Finest Call blue curaçao.

Each margarita cost $15.99, excluding tax.

The margaritas were very large and came topped with a pineapple garnish and a paper, glitter-covered lobster.

I spent $125 on dinner for 2 at Red Lobster. It was the most decadent meal I've ever eaten at a chain restaurant. (15)

The drinks were very sweet, and we were pleasantly surprised that they actually glittered as we swirled them with our straws, thanks to edible glitter poured into the drink.

The Deep Sea Lobsterita was fun and deliciously sweet and sour. The drink was also so large that we only needed to order one each.

We ordered two appetizers for the table. The first was the Parrot Isle jumbo coconut shrimp.

I spent $125 on dinner for 2 at Red Lobster. It was the most decadent meal I've ever eaten at a chain restaurant. (16)

The plate had six pieces of coconut shrimp and a piña colada-flavored dipping sauce.

It cost $15.49, excluding tax.

The shrimp were extremely crispy, and the sweet coconut flaked off in my mouth with every bite.

I spent $125 on dinner for 2 at Red Lobster. It was the most decadent meal I've ever eaten at a chain restaurant. (17)

The creamy, pineapple-flavored sauce added a delicious tartness to the coconut shrimp. I've never had this kind of sauce with fried shrimp before, and I was really impressed.

But while I thought this dish was very tasty, I think the portion size was a little small for almost $16 for the serving.

The second appetizer we ordered was the lobster dip.

I spent $125 on dinner for 2 at Red Lobster. It was the most decadent meal I've ever eaten at a chain restaurant. (18)

The menu said it was made with Maine and Langostino lobster, spinach, and artichoke in a three-cheese blend sauce. It came served with tortilla chips and pico de gallo.

The lobster dip cost $17.99, excluding tax.

The dip was piping hot when it arrived and contained large pieces of lobster meat.

I spent $125 on dinner for 2 at Red Lobster. It was the most decadent meal I've ever eaten at a chain restaurant. (19)

The lobster meat was tender and juicy, and the dip itself was perfectly cheesy. I didn't even realize it had artichokes in it when I ordered it but was pleasantly surprised by the addition. It was creamy, rich, flavorful, and filling.

My only complaint was that the chips served with the lobster were a bit oily. Combined with the richness of the dip, the dish left me feeling a bit weighed down.

By the time we were done with our filling appetizers, I was feeling a little bit intimidated by our main courses.

I spent $125 on dinner for 2 at Red Lobster. It was the most decadent meal I've ever eaten at a chain restaurant. (20)

I ordered the Shrimp Your Way deal, which offered a variety of shrimp dishes. I could choose two from the menu and opted for a double serving of shrimp linguine Alfredo.

The Shrimp Your Way combination was among the least expensive entrée options on the menu. It cost $21 for the entrée, excluding tax.

The double serving of pasta was massive. I thought it was a great deal for the price.

I spent $125 on dinner for 2 at Red Lobster. It was the most decadent meal I've ever eaten at a chain restaurant. (21)

The pasta tasted strongly of cheese, and there was a generous serving of Alfredo sauce that clung to each and every noodle.

The dish was slightly on the oilier side, but the shrimp tasted fresh and had a nicely grilled texture that amped up the flavor. While I liked the dish's taste, it was on the heavier side — I definitely wouldn't order any appetizers if I chose this one again.

Since it was my first time at Red Lobster, I had no idea what to expect regarding portion size. I would get this dish again but go for the half portion next time.

It was just too much food, and I ended up taking half home for leftovers.

The carb-heavy dinner left me feeling stuffed, but I loved the taste of everything.

I spent $125 on dinner for 2 at Red Lobster. It was the most decadent meal I've ever eaten at a chain restaurant. (22)

In addition to the two shrimp dishes, I could choose a side from a number of options, including broccoli, orzo rice, mashed potatoes, fries, coleslaw, or a baked potato.

There were also premium sides to choose from, such as bacon mac and cheese and crispy Brussels sprouts.

I chose the mashed potatoes, which I thought were creamy, buttery, and well-seasoned.

My friend ordered the grilled sea scallops and shrimp skewers.

I spent $125 on dinner for 2 at Red Lobster. It was the most decadent meal I've ever eaten at a chain restaurant. (23)

The dish came with a skewer of grilled scallops, a skewer of grilled shrimp, rice, and the choice of two sides. She opted for the mashed potatoes and broccoli.

My friend thought the scallops and shrimp were hearty and nicely charred, as if they were actually roasted over a fire, and agreed with me that the mashed potatoes were creamy and herby.

She also agreed that the portion was massive. She got six scallops and six pieces of shrimp, in addition to the three sides — by the end, we both felt extremely stuffed.

"Overall, the skewer meal felt lighter and healthier than the rich appetizers we shared," she said.

The grilled sea scallops and shrimp skewers cost $28.99, excluding tax.

This was, by far, the most decadent meal I've ever eaten at a chain restaurant.

I spent $125 on dinner for 2 at Red Lobster. It was the most decadent meal I've ever eaten at a chain restaurant. (24)

Whether you go to Red Lobster for Valentine's Day, a special occasion, or just for a regular Tuesday night, I think it's a good option if you want to splurge a little on some fresh seafood.

The highlights from the meal were the coconut shrimp, the lobster dip, and the shrimp and scallop skewers. We also enjoyed the Lobsterita cocktails and the complimentary Cheddar Bay Biscuits.

Our meal came to $125, excluding the tip, for two appetizers, two large entreés with sides, and two large cocktails. I thought the meal was expensive, but most of the portions were bigger than any I've ever had at another chain restaurant.

For a special occasion, I wouldn't mind spending this kind of money. But for a standard Saturday night out, it was a little out of my budget for only two people.

FAQs

Does Red Lobster boil lobsters alive? ›

First, a piece of good news: Red Lobster does not boil lobsters alive—not anymore, at least. A statement on their FAQ section reads, "Unlike some seafood restaurants, Red Lobster does not boil lobsters alive.

Keep Reading ›

Why did Red Lobster get rid of lobster bisque? ›

Red Lobster plans to update its menu to be more transparent with customers that its lobster bisque partially contains langostino, which is not a lobster. Inside Edition tested the lobster bisque, and found that one bowl had lobster and langostino, which is most closely related to a hermit crab.

Find Out More ›

Does Red Lobster microwave their food? ›

Red lobster microwaves EVERYTHING except the biscuits and the fish they hand you on the card separate from the menu. Literally everything else comes out the microwave.

Can you eat the red eggs in lobster? ›

If the eggs are black and not red when you are ready to eat your lobster, that means the lobster needs to be cooked further. Once the eggs are red — meaning they're cooked — they can be eaten. Roe is tasty on its own, but it is also used in sauces, bisques and stocks.

Discover More Details ›

Does Red Lobster use MSG? ›

There is no MSG in any of our food, and we are proud to freshly prepare our dishes for our guests to enjoy.

Is Red Lobster owned by China? ›

Golden Gate Capital acquired Red Lobster from Darden Restaurants in 2014 and Thai Union paid $575 million in 2016 for a minority stake in the business. Thai Union led an investment group that surprisingly bought control of the chain in 2020, during the depths of the pandemic.

Are Olive Garden and Red Lobster sister companies? ›

Olive Garden became the cash cow, however, and Red Lobster was sold off about 6 years ago. So technically Red Lobster and Olive Garden were sister companies at one point, but aren't affiliated today.

Get More Info Here ›

Are Red Lobster and Olive Garden owned by the same people? ›

In addition to Cheddar's, Darden's owns Olive Garden (890 units), LongHorn (553), Yard House (85), The Capital Grille (51), Seasons 52 (45), Bahama Breeze (42), Eddie V's (29) and The Capital Burger (three). It has owned and sold other chains over the years, including Red Lobster and Smokey Bones.

Find Out More ›

How does Red Lobster cook their lobsters? ›

Each Red Lobster restaurant has a special device that bakes and broils the lobsters without burning them. Since these special broilers don't come with most homes, I've created a cooking method using a conventional oven that produces broiled lobster just like that which you can dig into at the restaurant.

Discover More Details ›

What happens if live lobster dies before cooking? ›

After a lobster dies, it's generally safe to consume within 24 hours. There are various misconceptions surrounding the safety and edibility of dead lobsters. It's a common belief that all dead lobsters should be avoided, but this is not necessarily true.

Show Me More ›

How long does it take for a lobster to boil alive? ›

Put 1/2″ of water, a tablespoon of salt and a tablespoon of vinegar in the pot and bring to a boil. Put the live lobsters in the pot, cover and steam for 15 minutes for a 1-pound lobster. Add 5 minutes for each extra pound.

Tell Me More ›