Red Lobster

My family and I went to this location last night around 6:45 — 7:00, we were greeted promptly by the manager and hosts and were seated immediately. Brian came and greeted us at our table probably 10 – 15 seconds after we sat down. He was very friendly and professional.
We had the lobster artichoke as our appetizer and it was great! Then we ordered my sons Mac and cheese with broccoli so we could have him eat first and be occupied while we waited for our main course to come out.
The caesar salad and lobster bisque was fantastic. Brian was on top of my fiancé drinks which is impeccable! He slurps down drinks faster than anyone I know. It was only a Coke lol. We got our main course which my fiancé ordered the pasta harbor that came with linguini noodles lobster and clams I think? And then I had the NY sirloin with Lobster, and upgraded to lobster mashed potatoes and broccoli. And everything was great! As a waitress, myself the service was fantastic. It’s really hard for me to go out and have a fantastic meal and the server be on top of it. I’m usually always nit pitting everything but this time it was absolutely perfect. If you go there ask for Brian. He is a great asset to this company!

Taste was good. My shrimp tacos were really delicious. But lobster dish was a little overpriced. Overall we loved it.

Surprisingly good. Whole Maine lobster is not cheap and I was happy to try their famous cheese rolls.

I’m fascinated with behind-​the-​scenes stuff in the restaurant business: Why do corporations like In-​N-​Out go through the roof, but places your parents loved like Red Lobster get shuffled around like frozen crabmeat? Pfft, if I had the answers I’d be my own dynasty, not some Unilocal dweeb posting reviews from a cellphone.
Can we cut to the chase please? I’m not the biggest fan of Red Lobster, but I think they deserve more than meh. This particular niche of corporate casual dining has got to be the most competitive in the business, doing good seafood has its own problems, and this year Red Lobster is reinventing itself and their menu as its own independent entity. Give them some time and benefit of the doubt — they’re not going to fool around with their Cheddar Biscuits.
My «Choose Your Own» combo of garlic shrimp & scallops was decent at $ 20, I thought the salmon in the lobster/​shrimp/​salmon thing was surprisingly good, and our Brussel sprouts & asparagus were yummy. But everything we ordered was also glossed with a very thin sheen of oil — nothing that made you go «Ewww» exactly, but pretty obvious nevertheless. Maybe the wood-​fired grill needs more seasoning. We did use our website coupon for the Crispy Shrimp lettuce wraps, and if the shrimp had a sprinkling of peanuts for texture, I would have asked for a bowl of rice. I carry my own chopsticks. Incidentally, our server Madison was great.
One final note: The two of us wanted to avoid the typical Friday night restaurant slam, so we were here early, just after 5:00pm. It started filling up right after that with families, toddlers, and a whole bunch of retired citizens. My interpretation is you probably shouldn’t use Red Lobster to validate your hipster status in mixed company, but you can come here quietly for some value and bang for your buck. Relax and enjoy the show. Think, beyond the sea.

All you can eat shrimp. Food tasted good. Service was SLOW. We were seated over an hour and a half.

LONGEST EXPERIENCE EVER! Came to lunch with Friends and it took forever. parties that were seated afterwards with 10 people had salads food drinks everything before us. It truly took forever… to the point we had to ask other waiters for refills etc. Needless to say I am not going to return anytime soon. Food was okay… lower average quality but how much can you really expect.

I love this location, I’ve never had any problems. Food is always great and fills me up every time! Staff is amazing and always nice. Last time i went I got snow crab plate that was extremely juicy! My husband had the steak and lobster but he wasn’t very satisfied with his lobster tail. It looked pretty dried out with no taste. His steak was good but was upsetting that he couldn’t enjoy his whole plate. They did take along time to bring us our biscuits and had to ask for it. They waited to bring our food out first which i thought was odd because we usually get served that first while we wait for food. But other than it was good. I will def go again just not order lobster tail.

Our waiter was awesome. We went for a late lunch for a birthday and were seated right away. Salmon dinner could have been seasoned better but overall good experience.

I was in Austin for the day … so when all nods went to the Red Lobster and my protests were ignored … I was bitter! Really? I’ve eaten at Red Lobster in just about every city I’ve ever stayed in for any length of time – nothing remarkable. Resigned … I changed my attitude because … I like to have fun. After all, I can be bitter about something almost anytime if I start thinking about things … Lol. It was lunch time… and I wasn’t starving. I picked out the $ 7.99 Shrimp Taco Lunch Special. I don’t recall having been at a Red Lobster for lunch before… that doesn’t mean I wasn’t — just don’t recall it. I did, however, remember the last time I was at the 1604 location in San Antonio. The portions were child sized and when we questioned the waiter about the deficiency of the served portion … he claimed that it was weighed in the kitchen… which made me laugh and wonder who was having a party that night. Sooooo … today, I was hoping they wouldn’t put 3 tiny shrimp in the taco… claim they weighed it… and then tell me there was actually 10 pounds of shrimp hidden in the shell… Lol.
The hostess was friendly… and our waitress had a good disposition and was very timely with her service. We ordered Mozzarella Cheese Sticks as the appetizer and it was fine– nothing special … delivered hot with dipping sauces. She brought the little «Garlic and Cheese Red Lobster Biscuits» and they were perfect… hot right out of the oven, not over or under cooked. She brought enough baskets to accommodate everyone at the table… and refilled the baskets without being asked when they were empty – which I appreciated. Then out came my Shrimp Tacos. There were three. They were upright in a rack and looked really tasty. When I picked up the first taco a shrimp fell out the side… no worries, plenty more shrimp were packed inside that shell (the kitchen staff must not have weighed them). I did finally take the Shrimp Taco’s out of the rack and lay them on the plate… I simply needed more room to eat them… because the shrimp were squishing out the sides of the shell when I held the taco. I wasn’t going to cut them up with a knife and fork. It’s a damn taco. It was surprisingly good. It was a little messy … just like a taco should be with a tasty sauce dripping out the sides when you hold it. Every one else enjoyed their lunch and we had Ice tea… which was just okay … but refilled timely, which is important to me… as I don’t like the feel of a dry parched mouth when trying to swallow my food.
Anyway… this Red Lobster in Austin is recommended. if you have a mind to go to Red Lobster – when your in Austin.

Red Lobster was like a trip back in time. I haven’t been to one in maybe 15 years. That last visit was with a friend’s family after we all went to Six Flags for the day. I seem to remember that meal being amazing. The waitress we had was amazing and I can even remember having rosemary skewered chicken. My best friend ordered fried shrimp. The kitchen forgot to drop them in the fryer so he received a free dessert. Maybe I’ve removed my rose-​tinted glasses of youth, but damn Red Lobster really stinks. I browsed the nearly endless menu and didn’t find my chicken dish that I remembered so fondly. Definitely some foreshadowing for the terrible experience to come.
When you walk in, there’s tons of brown décor. As you’re seated, there’s more brown décor. Is this supposed to be like I’m on a ship? Ugghhh Could there be a more depressing color? Hip music is being played at a low volume. As you look around, you may find that the look on everyone’s faces is indicative of being at a funeral. Arms of the Angel from that sad dying puppies commercial should be playing because you feel like you’re seeing a restaurant chain on its deathbed. We were also seated in a small room where it seemed like they were filling up to give the illusion of being busy. As we left, we didn’t see anyone else inside down the other ship corridors. Our waitress was disinterested. She wasn’t awful by any means. She definitely did her job, but there was no wow factor. I overheard her talking to another table about how she couldn’t wait to graduate and get a real job. Another waiter talked about how there was a contest for selling a certain new drink on the Lobster Fest menu. That’s pretty unprofessional in my book.
The food was terrible. I ordered fried mozzarella sticks because I love them at other places. It’s not a good appetizer. It’s more like bar food, but I was already in what felt like a dive bar so why not go for broke? The marinara was tangy (advertised as such) but that ruined it. It tasted spoiled. I had a steak with a shrimp skewer. The shrimp were just reheated frozen garbage that somewhat resembles the texture and taste of real shrimp.
If this restaurant represents what’s going on at other stores in the chain, it’s no wonder the company is having money troubles. A meal for two was around $ 65 and I could have had a way better meal at any other restaurant in town for the money spent.

The menu has the usual fair of fried fish, baked fish and well, fish. Cheese biscuits are adequate while you wait. Lobster was great but of course is never enough with the small lobster tails. The bar is very attentive and the drinks are cheap and strong which helps with the food. I’m my opinion too much salt in just about every entrée.

When Red Lobster advertises «Lobster Fest» then they should all Lobster to what ever pâté they use Lobster on. DO NOT order the Lobster Pizza unless you want more tomato and basil than lobster. Whether its an appetizer or a full meal when you have Lobster Pizza on your menu then the key food item is LOBSTER, NOT tomato or basil.
It was sad to see how they charge 10.30 for the Lobster Pizza and see very little to o pizza in every slice, I had to move lobster that was on the pizza to a slice I wanted to eat. Red Lobster needs to get there crappie together…

The seaside shrimp trio is definitely the best! I love that garlic shrimp scampi. Also, their biscuits are phenomenal! The service was great too. Very attentive.

Came here for my husbands birthday. The service was great our waitress was an old sweet lady. The only reason I didn’t give the 5 stars is because I think more food should be served for the price that is charged.

OK all you Westlake snobs — listen up. You don’t need to go downtown for an awesome King Crab or Salmon dish…
So when we walked into Red Lobster on South Lamar, Kimi greeted us and we absolutely knew we were in good hands. Becky served us and all I can tell you is that is that we kept asking Becky to sit with us to enjoy our wine and martinis because she «gets it» about being engaging. Gotta tell you — you the Alaskan King Crab was better than that at Sullivan’s Steak House or Perry’s. Just gotta tell you that. AND!!! my suggestion to my wife to order her Salmon medium RARE– was right on… it was like BUTTER!!! Pretty sure that Becky made the night, because she is delightful. DONE! Will be back there next week! Johnny

Red Lobsta is tails and scales above 3 stars.
Perfectly grilled fish, salad and fresh sides at depression era prices! This is real food.
Great servers with smiles, clean restaurant, happy place goin on.
½ price meals compared to same quality local seafood restaurants.
Coming back soon because I can afford to and because I want to.

Came back for more of the chicken Cajun pasta with a extra salad and extra 6 biscuits for dinner to go. So no cooking or dishes for me tonight.
This is one store that did not offer a drink while waiting for the Togo order. Other locations offer a soft drink or tea or water while waiting.

I’ll never forget this. many years ago, while I was cashing out at a casino in Tulsa, a guy came up to the window with a winning ticket, and proudly proclaimed, «We’re goin’ to Red Lobster!!»
Anyhoo. So, maybe at one point RL was kind of a fancy place, you went there Sunday after church, and other ‘special’ occasions. Maybe my expectations have changed over the years, but life is too short for so so food, and that’s all RL is, so so. Yes, you will still catch me in this location from time to time, when I feel the need. the need to feed on crablegs. but, I can’t recommend anything else on the menu.
Our last visit, I did my own combo, $ 21. got coconut shrimp, grilled shrimp, and shrimp pasta. The coconut shrimp is not that bad, although the same dish at Papadeaux’s is much better. The dipping sauce is a coconut pineapple mixture, tastes like sun tan lotion to me. The grilled shrimp was NOT done, I showed the waiter, they brought me another skewer of them, not sure they were done either. There was almost no seasoning on them, they were basically tasteless. The shrimp pasta is the same pasta used for their crab pasta, which I like much better. The cheddar garlic biscuits were overcooked and dry. I remember when you would break one of them open, and the steam would roll out. mmm I think over the course of time, RL has run it’s course. They’ve got cooks that don’t care, they haven’t changed the carpets or décor in 20 years, and it smells like an old folks’ home in there.
After this meal, I felt bloated and sick. maybe this is because I have become aware of food that is healthy, and realize that I’m putting this stuff into my body. I enjoy good, healthy, fresh food, but will splurge on occasion, for something that is unhealthy, but really good. RL is neither healthy, fresh, or really good.

I must admit, living in Austin can really spoil a girl with all the delicious, local places to eat, but my visit here was more out of nostalgia and it did not disappoint.
I went alone just after noon on a Wednesday and was promptly greeted and seated at a quaint 2 person booth. My server, Comer, greeted me within only a few minutes and quickly brought out my raspberry lemonade and water along with fresh, soft, buttery biscuits!
Having worked at a Red Lobster during my college years, it was a wonderful experience seeing that the clean atmosphere, kind service and perfectly cooked food was still what I could expect.
Although it was lunch time, I opted for ordering the dinner combination of 3 with snow crab legs, shrimp scampi and coconut shrimp with a super fresh ceasar salad (sometimes places pre make these and the lettuce gets soggy, but it was not the case here) and baked potato.
My server cleared the table quickly and efficiently of any straw wrappers or finished plates and kept my meal at a leisurely, but ordered pace.
While I can’t say I’ll be splurging like this for lunch again any time soon, I must admit this Red Lobster has reaffirmed that even in Austin, chain restaurants can still make a play for my appetite.

Food was not bad which is why I am giving this location 3 stars.
The establishment looks updated from the outside, but dated, dark and dingy inside.
Our server throws down 3 red lobster coasters and says «what can I get you guys»…his name tag says Jeff, so I wanted so badly to say «oh, hey Jeff… it’s nice to meet you too, how is your evening?!»
It took 10 minutes to get water and another 10 min to get the beer and wine we ordered.
Clearly, Jeff didn’t want to be serving tables, and lacked any sort of enthusiasm for his job.
We later finished the appetizer we received, meanwhile… JEFF NEVER EVEN TOOK OUR REGULAR ORDER. I had to flag someone down and ask for napkins, a refill, and for someone to take our dinner order.
Luckily for this establishment, the food was decent. The manager was nice and took our appetizer off the bill since Jeff was clearly overwhelmed by the entire two tables he had in his section.
I don’t think we will be back, but if we do happen to stop back in, I want to make sure the server has some sort of personality.