If you’ve been to Red Lobster and tried a Cheddar Bay Biscuit or Endless Shrimp, you’re probably just as hooked on the delicious foods that come in those checkerboard-lined baskets as I am. And heres the thing: you and me? We arent the only ones.
A quick browse of Reddit Lobster (a mecca for all things Red Lobster on Reddit. com) will show that Red Lobster employees want to share some information that not many people know. Now, employees are using the AMA threads to let die-hard RL fans pick their brains (but not their baskets). What monster shares fried shrimp?). Remember these things before you go into the booth to order that famous Red Lobster shrimp basket the next time you want to do that.
Red Lobster is synonymous with indulgent seafood, especially succulent lobster. Who doesn’t dream of cracking open a whole lobster doused in butter at America’s largest casual dining seafood chain? But can you actually hand-pick your own lobster from the tank at Red Lobster?
As a long-time lobster lover, I’ve always wondered if I could choose my own lobster at Red Lobster. Wouldn’t it be fun to tap on the tank glass and select the liveliest, feistiest lobster like choosing a pet goldfish?
Unfortunately the ability to pick your own lobster at Red Lobster comes with some caveats. Here’s the inside scoop on how lobster selection works at this popular restaurant chain.
Do Red Lobster Locations Have Lobster Tanks?
The first step to picking your own lobster is actually finding live lobsters on display. However, not every Red Lobster location has a lobster tank.
Red Lobster restaurants can differ in size and format. Bigger busier locations are more likely to have a dedicated lobster tank by the host stand or bar area. Quieter or smaller footprint restaurants probably won’t invest in a live lobster tank.
Your best bet for finding live lobsters is to visit a large, high-volume Red Lobster in a downtown or touristy area. Call ahead to confirm they have a lobster tank if selecting your own crustacean is important to your dining experience.
Can You Point Out Your Lobster to Be Cooked?
Okay, so you’ve verified your local Red Lobster has live lobsters on display. Can you simply point to a lobster in the tank and request that specific one for your dinner?
Unfortunately, the process isn’t quite that straightforward. Here’s how it works:
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The live lobster tank is primarily for display rather than active selection. It shows customers the freshness of the seafood.
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Periodically, the kitchen staff will harvest multiple lobsters from the tank that have reached optimal size for cooking.
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These harvested lobsters are all placed together in a holding tank in the kitchen, no longer identified individually.
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When you order a steamed lobster, one of these previously harvested lobsters will be selected at random to fill your order.
So while you can admire the lobsters in the display tank, you likely won’t be able to handpick which exact lobster ends up on your plate.
Ask If You Can Choose After Harvesting
While pointing out a lobster from the main display tank may not be possible, you may be able to select after the kitchen harvests their lobsters for cooking.
Here is how to nicely ask if you can select your lobster:
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When placing your order, politely ask your server, “I noticed you have live lobster tanks. I’m really excited to try it! Is there any way I could possibly choose my own lobster after they are gathered from the tank?”
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Emphasize that you don’t wish to inconvenience them if it’s not possible. You’re just curious as a lobster fan.
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If the manager approves, they may allow you to be escorted into the kitchen to briefly choose from harvested lobsters before cooking.
The staff wants you to have an exceptional dining experience, sopolitely asking about selecting your lobster can’t hurt! The worst they can say is no.
Order Lobster “Fresh from the Tank”
One insider tip is to specifically order your lobster “fresh from the tank.” This signals to the kitchen your preference for the freshest lobster possible.
While you still can’t hand-select, ordering “fresh from the tank” means they’ll grab the first freshly harvested lobster ready for steaming.
This can help you get a lobster cooked right after being pulled from the tank, instead of sitting in a batch waiting. They may even time the harvesting to coincide with your order!
Understand Why Individual Selection Is Limited
While choosing your own individual lobster sounds fun, there are some valid reasons why the process is restricted at chain restaurants like Red Lobster.
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It’s time consuming to allow every lobster order to handpick, slowing service during busy rushes
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Workers can get pinched by lobsters snatched too quickly from tanks
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There aren’t food safety protocols for customers sticking hands in lobster tanks
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The tanks aren’t divided into separated enclosures for each lobster
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Staff don’t track lobsters individually since they’re commodities, not pets
For these reasons, the chain opts to harvest lobsters in batches versus individual orders. But you can still request the freshest lobster possible!
Enjoy Your Red Lobster Lobster Feast!
Part of the experience at seafood chains is enjoying dishes you may not easily make at home. Even if you can’t handpick every detail, relax and indulge in red Lobster’s buttery, delicious lobster sensations.
The display tanks still assure you the seafood is fresh. And ordering “fresh from the tank” or asking politely about selecting after harvesting can possibly get your meal as close to your ideal lobster as possible.
So next time you visit Red Lobster, delight in their lobster rolls, stuffed lobster tails, lazy lobster manicotti, or traditional steamed lobsters. Catching a glimpse of the live lobster tank is just an appetizer for the main event – devouring tender, sweet lobster prepared by the seafood experts at Red Lobster!
Employees Are Not A Fan Of The Endless Shrimp
That Endless Shrimp promotion might be great for customers, but for employees, it can be kind of a nightmare. One former employee told Reddit, “The problem with Endless Shrimp is that ticket times become so long that it is damn near impossible to turn tables at a high enough volume to make good cash. Its a promotion that most employees loathe.”
Another employee said that they prefer Lobsterfest, explaining, “Dishes are delicious, usually healthier, and people are willing to pay for the pricier lobster dishes. From a servers point of view, we love pricier dishes because then generally the tip is better.”
When They Say ‘Endless,’ They Mean It
Some customers have been known to eat more than 150 shrimp in one sitting during the “Endless Shrimp” festival. And yes, RL will keep on dishing em up as long as you keep asking. Its a pretty great deal, too. One diner asked an ex-employee if the Endless Shrimp deal was really that great, and they confirmed, saying if you crunch the numbers, it only takes eating two more shrimp than come with the meal, to get your moneys worth.Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
Is red lobster ACTUALLY GOOD lobster?
Do Red Lobsters pluck lobsters from the tank?
Don’t let it scare you, though; it’s mostly a product of shipping realities, and the fact that most Red Lobsters aren’t coastal. One IRL RL employee confirmed that yes, kitchen staff do in fact pluck lobsters from the tank out front. If the tank’s empty when you walk in, you might want to re-think your order.
Does Red Lobster have a secret menu?
There aren’t any secret menu items on the Red Lobster menu, but one f ormer employee told Reddit users that customers are “able to order items that we have had previously on the menu but that have since been removed, so long as the ingredients have not been removed from our menu.”
Where can I buy fresh lobster?
If you live far from the shore, you can look for live lobsters at fish markets or grocery stores, but check carefully that lobsters in tanks appear healthy, have enough room to move around, and live in clean, clear tanks free of mold or dead lobsters. Another option is to order fresh lobster online.
Does Red Lobster have fresh fish?
Red Lobster offers a Fresh Fish menu that is updated daily with five-to-eight fresh fish options. So even if you think you know the menu like the back of your hand, you probably don’t. 13. There’s a specific way to crack your crab legs. If you’re a fan of the restaurant’s Crabfest, then you need to watch this video.