Lobsterfest 2013 - It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Best time of the year to be a waiter at Red Lobster is Lobsterfest. Big tickets, big waits in the lobby due to Lent and Easter. Not enough to get me out of retirement, but tempting to pick up a couple of shifts just to have a bit of fun.  Only tempting though, no way I'm doing it (nor would they probably let me at this point).




If you want my opinion - the Lobster Lover's Dream is my favorite.  If I want something light I'd go with the Harborside & skip the drawn butter.  If you've had a true "bake" on the NE Atlantic coast, I'd avoid the Bar Harbor Lobster Bake.  If you've only lived in the Midwest and never had fresh seafood on the coast you might be surprised to find you like it.  And the Lobster Tacos sound like a good idea until you get to the last taco and it is cold, runny, and a bit funky.  It's a good idea, but I don't think it will be on next year's menu.

Featured menu items for 2013 Lobsterfest at Red Lobster:

Wood Grilled Lobster Tacos

A wood-grilled split Maine lobster tail and three lobster-and-shrimp tacos with cilantro slaw, fresh pico de gallo and spicy ranch sauce.

Maine Lobster & Shrimp Trio

A wood-grilled Maine lobster tail, garlic-grilled shrimp, and lobster-and-shrimp mac 'n' cheese with a white Cheddar and bacon sauce, topped with Parmesan crumbs. Served with wild rice pilaf.

Bar Harbor Lobster Bake

A roasted split Maine lobster tail, tender shrimp, sea scallops, mussels, and linguini in a garlic and white wine broth.

Rock Island Stuffed Tilapia

Fresh tilapia roasted with crab-and-seafood stuffing and topped with Maine lobster meat in a creamy lobster butter sauce. Served with fresh broccoli.

Lobster and Shrimp Linguini Alfredo

Wood Grilled Sirloin Surf & Turf

A succulent rock lobster tail and a peppercorn-rubbed center-cut sirloin, served with mashed potatoes.

 Lobster Lover's Dream

A succulent rock lobster tail and sweet split Maine lobster tail, roasted and served with lobster and shrimp linguini Alfredo.

Harborside Lobster & Shrimp

 A roasted rock lobster tail, savory garlic shrimp scampi and a skewer of garlic-grilled shrimp over wild rice pilaf.

30 Shrimp Promo at Red Lobster

Red Lobster is running their 30 shrimp promo at the moment.



Along with this, if you get the Red Lobster emails (sign up on their web site) they have recently sent out an email coupon for $4 off 2 dinner entrees or $3 off 2 lunch entrees.

Not a bad deal if you like what they are offering for the shrimp.

New Mango-Jalapeño Grilled Shrimp over wild rice pilaf

New Crunchy Parmesan Ranch Shrimp

Or you can get the good 'ole
Hand-Breaded Shrimp
Garlic Shrimp Scampi
Shrimp Linguini Alfredo




If you go this route, both of the new shrimp are pretty tasty, though I'm not a big mango fan so I'd personally not order them again.  The Parmesan Ranch Shrimp should be eaten just seconds after the cool to the point they won't scorch your mouth.  Don't let them cool, they aren't nearly as appetizing after sitting on your plate for a while.

But if you are asking me, I'd stay away from the promo and go with the simple but far better quality butterflied shrimp.  18 of those beauties and I'm in grease induced heaven.

Gift Cards from Red Lobster for your Festivus celebration

Red Lobster is running a promo on gift cards at the moment - buy $25 or more and get a $5 card bonus coupon.  If you are a regular guest I'd suggest just buying them $25 at a time to maximize your bonus $5 opportunities.  I don't paid on the card in any way, but figured I can help people save.  If you do use the coupon make sure you tip off the original total, not the reduced total.

And for employees of Red Lobster - if you aren't getting your discounted employee gift cards, you are seriously missing out on some easy cash - at least if you have any friends or family near you.

Here's what you do:

Buy as many gift cards as you can.  I was known to sometimes buy cards from other employees who weren't planning on purchasing them for themselves.  The more you can get, the better.  Yes, this requires tying up some of your cash, but if you plan ahead and save for a while, you can get there too.  So if you can't pull it off this year, do it next year.

Give these cards to friends and family who live nearby as gifts.  Tell them when you work.  Ask that they request you as their server.  Now they are paying for a meal with a card you bought at a discounted price.  So you look like a generous giver up front, and then they come and sit in your section, are friendly to you, and are very likely to leave a generous tip. 

If you were already planning on giving them a $25, $50, or $100 range gift for Christmas/Hanuka/Kwanza/Festivus/Circumcision you no longer have to wrap it (saves time, expense, frustration and the ozone layer).  You save money on the front end, and collect a fat tip on the back end.  Winning.

Just as an aside - don't let your family/friends leave you the remainder on a gift card.  Carrying that card around - even if it is legit - is an easy excuse for Red Dumpster to terminate you if you are caught in possession of it while working.

There are some dark arts that go beyond this, but I'm not going to share those details publicly lest some moron unable to work the system tries it and gets fired and his kids don't get Christmas because the Grinch Lobster Boy planted this idea in his baked out head.

Be smart out there this Christmas season.  Make some serious bank.  Enjoy yourselves the best you can in spite of all Darden has been, is, and will be doing to screw you over.

Crabfest at Red Lobster

I've always thought that name sounded like a bad porno.

But alas, it is just another promotion from Red Lobster hoping you'll come empty your pockets there.  See below for details.  If you're asking my opinion, go for the Seafood Bake or the Parm-Crab Shrimp plates.  You can get snow crab just about any time and anywhere, so it's the other stuff that makes the difference.

It's Crabfest at Red Lobster! 

The one time of year you can savor five succulent crab entrées, like our NEW Crab & Seafood Bake for $19.99 and our NEW Snow Crab & Garlic Shrimp, just $12.99. It's only here for a limited time, so come in today!

  Crab & Roasted Garlic Seafood Bake
Steamed snow crab legs paired with tender shrimp and bay scallops roasted in a garlic and white wine broth. Served with sweet corn on the cob and red potatoes.

  Crab Lover's Trio
½ pound of steamed snow crab legs, crab-and-seafood-stuffed shrimp with lobster butter, and a creamy crab bake with a Parmesan crumb topping.

  Snow Crab & Parmesan-Crab Shrimp
½ pound of steamed snow crab legs paired with a skewer of wood-grilled shrimp topped with sweet crabmeat in a creamy Parmesan butter. Served with wild rice pilaf and fresh broccoli.

 Snow Crab & Garlic Shrimp
½ pound of steamed snow crab legs paired with a skewer of wood-grilled shrimp finished with a buttery garlic sauce. Served with wild rice pilaf.

And last but not least - Snow Crab Legs

All dishes come with your choice of salad and unlimited Cheddar Bay Biscuits™.

Free App for Veterans today at Red Lobster

At Red Lobster, we're honored to serve those who have served in the military. On November 11th, we're celebrating Veterans Day by offering a free appetizer to all veterans and active duty military.

Guests should present a Military ID or Proof of Military Service to receive free appetizer. One offer per veteran/active duty military.



One of the few upstanding things that Red Lobster has done.

And please remember to tip as if the app was included in your total.

Maine Stays - 15 meals for $15 - AKA welcome to Applebee's

Red Lobster takes yet another step toward the inevitable slow death by copying their non-competition.  While they are competing with Applebees, Chili's, TGIFriday's, insert bland chain restaurant here, they are not competing with them for food type or dining environment.  Cheapening the menu this way is a mistake Red Lobster will not be able to back away from.  Short term appeasement for stock holders with little foresight for the long term damage they are doing.

But if you want a "cheap" meal at Red Lobster, I guess you're in for a treat.  The only redeeming value of this is that perhaps people will move up to it at lunch time.  But I wouldn't bet the Farm on it.

And the one place I'll credit the Slobster - they've chosen some decent flavor profiles in these meals.  





Red Lobster Gift Card - $25 - Food Gift Cards

Our NEW Maine Stays include 15 surprising selections, like Tilapia with Roasted Vegetables and Wood-Grilled Chicken with Wine Sauce. Come in today and find something new to love for under $15.

All served with your choice of salad and unlimited
Cheddar Bay Biscuits

• Tilapia with Roasted Vegetables Tender tilapia is seasoned and roasted in a parchment bag with white wine, asparagus and artichokes. Served with wild rice pilaf.
  

• Wood-Grilled Chicken with Portobello Wine Sauce A chicken breast is cooked to perfection over our wood-fire grilled and topped with portobello wine sauce. Served with mashed potatoes and choice of accompaniment.

• Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp Our shrimp are delicately wrapped in bacon, glazed with peach-bourbon BBQ sauce and topped with pico de gallo. Served over mashed potatoes with your choice of accompaniment.
  

• Bar Harbor Salad with Shrimp or Salmon This sweet and savory salad is tossed with dried berries and honey-roasted pecans in a blueberry-balsamic vinaigrette. Top it off with wood-fire grilled shrimp or fresh salmon. Crumbled blue cheese is served upon request.
  

• Blue Cheese Sirloin A 7 oz. peppercorn-seasoned sirloin is cooked over our wood-fire grilled and topped with a creamy blue cheese sauce. Served over mashed potatoes with choice of accompaniment.
  

• Tilapia with Pineapple Salsa (½ Portion) A half portion of Today's Fresh tilapia can be prepared on our wood-fire grill, oven-broiled or blackened. Served with a fresh pineapple salsa.
  

• Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Alfredo A new favorite! Parmesan-crusted chicken breast is served with creamy Alfredo sauce over corkscrew pasta and fresh broccoli.
  

• Caesar Salad Salmon Fresh romaine lettuce, crispy croutons, and shaved Parmesan cheese are tossed with creamy Caesar dressing and topped with wood-fire grilled salmon.
  

• Chesapeake Shrimp with Crab Our Chesapeake-grilled shrimp skewer is served with crab butter and five crab-and-seafood-stuffed shrimp, all topped with a lobster beurre blanc. Served with wild rice pilaf and choice of accompaniment.
  

• Wood-Grilled Pork Chops Your choice of one or two wood-fire grilled pork chops topped with apple compote and peach-bourbon BBQ sauce. Served over mashed potatoes with your choice of accompaniment.
  

• Roasted Vegetable Skewers An array of our freshest vegetables are roasted and topped with a lemon-garlic beurre blanc and served with wild rice pilaf.
  

• Tropical BBQ Glazed Chicken Chicken with a tropical twist! Our wood-fire grilled chicken breast is brushed with a papaya-BBQ sauce and topped with fresh pineapple salsa. Served with wild rice pilaf and choice of accompaniment.
  

• RL Cobb Salad with Shrimp, Salmon or Chicken A Red Lobster take on a classic! This hearty salad is served with diced tomatoes, bacon, egg and crumbled blue cheese. Top it off with your choice of wood-fire grilled shrimp, salmon or chicken.
  

• Tilapia with Lemon Garlic Butter (½ Portion) A half portion of Today's Fresh tilapia can be prepared on our wood-fire grill, oven-broiled or blackened. Served with lemon garlic butter.
  

• Bar Harbor Salad with Chicken This sweet and savory salad is tossed with dried berries and honey-roasted pecans in a blueberry-balsamic vinaigrette. Top it off with wood-fire grilled herb chicken breast. Crumbled blue cheese served upon request.
  

Red Lobster - 2012 Endless Shrimp $14.99

I haven't mentioned it, but my old posts on Endless Shrimp are gathering new comments so I figure it is once again worth writing something up.

Endless Shrimp is once again going on at your area Red Lobster.  As a consumer that means a solid deal if you don't mind the smaller shrimp used.  I personally do mind after more years than I care to recount, but if you don't eat shrimp all the time they can still be pretty tasty.

There is a "new" offering of Teriyaki Grilled Shrimp for 2012.  In my opinion they are not all that good.  The Teriyaki sauce isn't all that good quite honestly.  I'm not a huge Teriyaki fan to begin with, but this one just has an off note.  I tried two skewers cooked at different times during our last visit (yes, I do visit my old co-workers, and no I wasn't the one who ordered the AYCE Shrimp).  I'm pretty sure this is the same old sauce we've seen before, though again I don't have a great liking for this flavor profile so I could be wrong.

The new Parmesan Shrimp aren't too bad. Imagine shrimp scampi with Parmesan bread crumbs.  Again, I'm a bit biased against the flavor because I'm not a big scampi fan.  But I do definitely like this a lot better than the plain scampi.

There there are the old standby features of scampi, shrimp alfredo, and fried shrimp.  The fried shrimp are NOT the butterflied shrimp in case you've never been on this ride before.

As a server this promotion is hell the first week, and hell on the weekends during peak business periods.  The first week sucks because inevitably the line will fall behind crashing your refill hopes, slowing everything down.

Endless Shrimp especially sucks during peak business times because it slows down table turns, and is multiplied by fewer dessert sales - because hey, after eating a third of your body weight in butter and fried breading, who has room for more food?  And not only is it harder to get tables in and out, but on average, the tables that come in for all you can eat pigout fest tip worse than the other tables.  As a server it means seeing those people who come out of their holes twice a year - once on groundhog day, and once to do their very best to depopulate the world of shrimp.

So while you are enjoying your Endless Shrimp this year, keep all this in mind.  Your server probably drank too much last night, hasn't had a smoke break for too long, and is tired of shit tips from people with questionable hygiene who sat in your booth before you.  So be nice.  Tip well, and for fuck's sake - don't camp out in the table.  Eat and get out.  That'll at least give your server a moment of hope before the reality of Endless Shrimp once again crushes that.

Lobsterfest 2012 at Red Lobster

From Red Lobster:
It's everyone's (especially your server!) favorite time of year — Lobsterfest at Red Lobster! The only time you can choose from 12 of our sweetest, most succulent lobster creations. Savor classic entrées like the Lobster Lover's Dream, or try a new creation like Maine Lobster & Shrimp Trio. Come in today and join the Lobsterfest celebration!

New - Maine Lobster & Shrimp Trio

New - Bar Harbor Lobster Bake

Grilled Maine Lobster & Shrimp

Harborside Lobster & Shrimp

Lobster & Shrimp Linguini Alfredo

Lobster Lover's Dream

Wood-Grilled Sirloin Surf & Turf

Rock Island Stuffed Tilapia

My thoughts - best promo of the year.  Both in food, as well as in tips.  Thank you fish eating Catholics for Lent.  And Jesus for fish.

The Rock Island Tilapia is good but has a weird texture.  If you don't mind that, the flavor is great.  The Lobster Lover's Dream gives me a boner because of its price point.  I frankly don't like it as much (eating wise) as I do the new Lobster Bake - though I want some of Olive Garden's Alfredo to dump on mine to top it off.  The Surf & Turf is nice, though I wish we featured a King sized version with a large rock lobster and New York Strip.  You can buy up to that if you want, but pictures sell.  And if you're asking me, the seafood pasta is tired.  The only way you can get me to eat it is with blackening seasoning or something to spice it up.  But it is ever popular, so don't let that scare you away.  And the casserole in the Maine Lobster and Shrimp Trio just doesn't do it for me.  I like the idea, but I'd like more distinct flavors.  If I was making it in my kitchen it'd be a hell of a lot better, but it probably wouldn't appeal to as wide of an audience.

So get off your ass and get to Red Lobster.  And leave a fat tip.  And thank Jesus, if nothing else, for the fish.

Red Lobster is giving away free $50 Gift Cards

Red Lobster is giving away a $50 Red Lobster Gift Card every day through
February 13th. Show your love for Red Lobster by entering daily
for a chance to win. "Like" us on Facebook and enter today.

It might as well be one of my readers who wins it.

4 course meal for $15 per person

Red Lobster is running a promo right now that I think is a really great deal.  See below for details.

Red Lobster's Four Course Seafood Feast is back! Begin with one of our signature soups, then move on to a crisp salad served with unlimited Cheddar Bay Biscuits. Try one of 7 entrées, like our NEW Grilled Honey-BBQ Shrimp Skewers, and finish with one of our mouthwatering desserts. All four courses just $15. Come in for your feast today!

Choose your entree:

• Grilled Honey-BBQ Shrimp Skewers
• Garlic Alfredo Shrimp-and-Scallop Pasta
• Garlic-Herb Shrimp and Chicken
• Cajun Chicken Linguini Alfredo
• Wood-Grilled Fresh Tilapia
• Parrot Isle Jumbo Coconut Shrimp
• Hand-Breaded Shrimp

Choose your soup:

• New England Clam Chowder (cup)
• Creamy Potato Bacon Soup (cup)

Choose your salad:

• Fresh Garden Salad
• Fresh Caesar Salad

Chose your dessert:

• Triple-Chocolate Brownie á la Mode
• Apple Crostada with Caramel Drizzle
• Key Lime Pie

While yes - it is a low cost/budget set of meals, I fully endorse this promo because there are some really solid choices there.  And of course, the salad normally comes with the entree so it's not a "bonus", but we have edible (if uninspired) salads.  The Grilled Honey-BBQ Shrimp are damn tasty.  On the desserts I'd still stick with the Key Lime, but the other two aren't bad.  And despite the fact that I've probably eaten 100 gallons of our clam chowder in my life time, I still love it.  I'm pretty sure the extra 35lbs I carry above my belt is all clam chowder.

I especially like this meal grouping during lunches.  I've been able to move a few people that direction and they've all left quite satisfied.

Surf & Turf - our new promotion at Red Lobster

Goodfuckingbye endless hell....I mean Endless Shrimp.


Love seafood and steak? At Red Lobster's Surf & Turf event, you don't have to choose. Our Grill Masters are cooking up three mouth-watering Seafood & Steak combinations, like Maine Lobster & Peppercorn Sirloin for just $19.99, or our New Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp & Blue Cheese Sirloin for only $14.99. Try them all today!

 NEW:  Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp & Blue Cheese Sirloin

Bacon-wrapped jumbo shrimp paired with a peppercorn-rubbed, wood-grilled sirloin topped with a blue cheese sauce. Served over mashed potatoes with fresh broccoli. 14.99

 Wood-Grilled Maine Lobster& Peppercorn-Grilled Sirloin

Our wood-grilled split Maine lobster tail, paired with a peppercorn-rubbed, wood-grilled sirloin. Served over mashed potatoes with fresh broccoli. 19.99

 NEW:  Crab-Topped Peppercorn-Grilled Sirloin

Sweet lump crabmeat in a creamy hollandaise sauce over a peppercorn-rubbed, wood-grilled sirloin. Served with mashed potatoes and fresh asparagus. 17.99

Endless Shrimp 2011

Get ready shrimp lovers; Endless Shrimp is back at Red Lobster. We have so many delicious shrimp entrees to choose from, featuring new recipes like Sweet and Spicy Shrimp, and Parmesan Shrimp. And don't forget to try classic favorites like Garlic Shrimp Scampi, Shrimp Linguini Alfredo, and of course our traditional Hand-Breaded Shrimp. For just $15.99 you can try as many dishes as you like, any way you like. For a limited time & you'll pay extra to eat this in Hawaii & Times Square FYI.


Our two "new" flavors this year are: Sweet & Spicy Grilled Shrimp

and Parmesan Shrimp. For the record, these damn things are like crack to me.  I'm not kidding when I say that I think I could eat 100 of these things.  I haven't tried, but if enough money was on the table I'd enjoy every moment of proving it could be done.

Endless shrimp is thankfully, NOT endless

That light at the end of the tunnel out there for all you Red Lobster servers is the end of Endless Shrimp.  Indeed, it will be ending a week from today, November 15, 2010.  There will be a lot of drinking that evening, and rejoicing and celebrating!

Suffice it to say, we've survived yet another AYCE Shrimp promo but with the greatest disdain possible.  I'm pretty sure they serve Endless Shrimp in Hell.

I don't know how much I'll be blogging in the next few weeks.  I have a business trip (my not Red Lobster side) a mini-vacation with my lady, and a minor surgery.  Maybe I'll post while hopped up on opiate based pain killers.  That would be fun!

All you can eat shrimp commercials piss me off!

Every time that damn Red Lobster all you can eat shrimp commercial comes on TV, my stress meter pegs.  Not because work stresses me out, but because some corporate douche-bag gets paid way too much to torment me like this.  It's bad enough I have to deal with AYCE 5-6 days a week, and then I can't escape it on my off hours.  It interrupts football.  It's a poke in my eye.  Its like when a bull sees the matador waving this weak ass crappy flap of cloth.  I want to give it the horns and gore the hell out of it and then stomp on his balls to make sure he gets the point.  But that would only break my TV which I am quite fond of.

Endless shrimp is back...

..in other news, Red Lobster servers across the country are contemplating suicide.

Thankfully it only lasts until November 15, 2010, so it won't run into the holiday season.

The Baked Parmesan Shrimp are good, but you don't want them if they get overcooked even a little bit.

The wait is over! Endless Shrimp® is back with our best value of the year! Choose from a variety of succulent shrimp choices such as NEW! Baked Parmesan Shrimp, Garlic Shrimp Scampi, Shrimp Linguini Alfredo, Garlic-Grilled Shrimp and Hand-Breaded Shrimp. The shrimp may be endless, but the offer isn't. Hurry in today! Pick two of your favorite shrimp preparations. When you're ready, we'll bring more. Choose from:

NEW! Parmesan Shrimp Garlic Shrimp Scampi Shrimp Linguini Alfredo Garlic-Grilled Shrimp Hand-Breaded Shrimp

So servers, get on your walking shoes.  Fatties get on your stretchy pants.  Let's all meet at the Lobster.