As a lover of shrimp, few deals excite me more than the promise of unlimited shrimp Many restaurants have jumped on the all-you-can-eat shrimp bandwagon, tempting diners with unlimited plates of breaded, grilled, or fried shrimp But how much do these never-ending shrimp feasts actually cost? I decided to investigate some popular shrimp deals to find out if they’re really worth it.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- The most popular all-you-can-eat shrimp deals
- What’s included in the price
- Average cost per shrimp plate
- Estimated total shrimp consumption
- If it’s actually a good value
- Tips for maximizing your endless shrimp experience
Grab some cocktail sauce and let’s dig in!
Popular All-You-Can-Eat Shrimp Deals
Several chain restaurants have become known for their all-you-can-eat shrimp specials Here are some of the most popular
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Red Lobster’s Ultimate Endless Shrimp – $25 per person for unlimited shrimp dishes
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Applebee’s All-You-Can-Eat Shrimp – $17.99 per person for unlimited hand-breaded shrimp.
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Sizzler’s All-You-Can-Eat Shrimp – $17.99 per person for unlimited crispy breaded shrimp.
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Golden Corral’s Never Ending Shrimp – $14.99 per adult for unlimited fried and grilled shrimp.
Of course local restaurants offer their own shrimp specials too. But the major chains attract shrimp fans with bold marketing and national availability.
What’s Included in the All-You-Can-Eat Price
The all-you-can-eat shrimp specials typically include:
- Unlimited shrimp entrees/plates
- Choice of several shrimp preparations
- One side dish
- Unlimited drinks, bread, soup/salad
At some chains like Red Lobster, signature items like Cheddar Bay Biscuits come included too.
So you’re not just paying for endless shrimp – the price also covers sides, appetizers, drinks, etc.
Average Per Plate Shrimp Cost
To determine the value, let’s break down the per plate cost based on average shrimp counts:
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Red Lobster: $25 per person ÷ 6 shrimp per plate = $4.17 per plate
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Applebee’s: $17.99 per person ÷ 8 shrimp per plate = $2.25 per plate
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Sizzler’s: $17.99 per person ÷ 6 shrimp per plate = $3 per plate
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Golden Corral: $14.99 per person ÷ 8 shrimp per plate = $1.87 per plate
This back-of-the-napkin math shows the plate cost ranges from $1.87 – $4.17 across the major chains.
Estimated Total Shrimp Consumption
How many shrimp can the average person actually eat in one sitting?
Let’s say you can finish:
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5 plates at Red Lobster = 30 shrimp
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7 plates at Applebee’s = 56 shrimp
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8 plates at Sizzler’s = 48 shrimp
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10 plates at Golden Corral = 80 shrimp
That’s an estimated shrimp range of 30-80 shrimp per person. So you’d need to consume around 8-12 plates to get your money’s worth.
Is Endless Shrimp Worth It?
Based on average costs per plate and estimated consumption, Red Lobster’s Ultimate Endless Shrimp provides the least value at $4.17 per plate. Applebee’s and Sizzler’s are slightly better at around $3 per plate.
But Golden Corral appears to offer the best deal at only $1.87 per plate. Eat 10+ plates and you’ll come out way ahead.
However, the quality and preparation also matter. Reviewers praise Red Lobster for its flavors and shrimp quality. Some buffet shrimp can be low-grade.
So weigh cost, quality, appetites and local deals. For big shrimp eaters, endless specials can be worth it!
Tips to Maximize Endless Shrimp Value
To make the most of all-you-can-eat shrimp:
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Come hungry! The more shrimp you eat, the better the deal.
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Pace yourself. Don’t fill up on apps, sides or biscuits first.
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Split the meal cost with others to maximize shrimp for your buck.
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Take home leftovers. Enjoy bonus shrimp without paying more.
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Go on an off-peak night. Ask if they have any shrimp specials on slower nights.
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Weigh costs vs. quality. Make sure the shrimp is worth the price.
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Consider adding lobster to your meal. Some deals let you upgrade.
The Bottom Line
While pricing and values vary, well-executed all-you-can-eat shrimp deals let you indulge in unlimited shrimp at a fair fixed cost. Just come with big appetites ready to shell out for shellfish!
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With news that the shrimp scheme has been too popular that it has eaten into company profits, we check out what the fuss is all about.
Red Lobster’s famous “Ultimate Endless Shrimp” deal, which has been going on for more than 18 years, became a permanent part of the menu this summer as part of the company’s overall plan. Thai Union, which owns Red Lobster, started the promotion so that restaurants would get more customers during slower times of the year. For a fixed price of $20, customers could eat as much shrimp as they wanted.
“We knew it was time to make this guest favorite available all day, every day because we know how much our guests love and look forward to the return of Ultimate Endless Shrimp every year,” the company’s CMO, Patty Trevino, said in June. “And this is just the beginning. ”.
Great idea, right? Well, sometimes great ideas can backfire.
The “success” of the promotion has brought about problems that were not expected. It is thought that this is why Red Lobster lost about $11 million in the third quarter of 2023.
My entry to the above challenge:
Look! We got endless, shrimp delight
Seafood dreams, every night
Cheddar Bay bliss. No empty plates.
Why is Red Lobster’s deal causing problems?
The popularity of the “Ultimate Endless Shrimp” exceeded the company’s expectations, contributing to the aforementioned financial setback. The promotion did successfully bring in more customers—by 2% compared to the previous quarter and by 4% compared to the previous year—but more customers than expected chose to take advantage of the deal. Thai Union’s chief financial officer, Ludovic Garnier, admitted that the $20 price point wasn’t making money for the business. The company had to make changes because of the unexpected success. So how would they adapt?.
Because they are having trouble making ends meet, Red Lobster has slowly raised the price of the deal, first to $22 and now to $25. Garnier emphasized the importance of carefully determining the entry and price points for promotions to ensure sustainable profitability.
$22 ALL YOU CAN EAT SHRIMP at RED LOBSTER! Eating Challenge with Raina Huang!
How much does ultimate endless shrimp cost?
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.
How much is endless shrimp at Red Lobster?
Price, of course, is one of the most important considerations for most people when they’re dining out. Endless Shrimp is priced at $20, which is easily the best deal on Red Lobster’s menu. Take, for example, the two-entree combo platter, which comes with two sides.
Does Red Lobster have unlimited shrimp?
Red Lobster has — per a press release — officially brought unlimited shrimp to its permanent menu. Now, you can have a shrimp-eating competition any time of the year. Ultimate Endless Shrimp is a fan-fave promotion that Red Lobster has typically brought back, year after year, for a select period of time.
How much does a shrimp scampi cost?
Choose three delicious shrimp flavors for $20*, including our NEW Street Corn Shrimp, signature Garlic Shrimp Scampi, and more. Plus, enjoy some Cheddar Bay Biscuits, of course. *All shrimp flavors subject to availability. Offer includes one side. Price and participation may vary. Subject to Terms VIEW MENU