Red Lobster is one of the most popular restaurant chains in the United States, and its menu has a lot more than just its signature dish. Besides lobster, customers can choose from a wide range of vegetable dishes, fish, steaks, and different versions of the classic shrimp dish. There is even classic American fare like hamburgers available if seafood really isnt your thing. But what if you don’t want to order from the menu? Some say that Red Lobster’s best dishes are secret special orders that only insiders can get.
This article should help you get the most out of your next trip to Red Lobster by getting you to think outside the lobster cage. The best part is that some of the things we’ve listed can be changed in different ways, so you can make some of these your own. Some items are familiar Red Lobster staples with important additional details and customization options. Others are unique combinations you may have to assemble yourself. And there are even a few twists that the kitchen will apply for you. No matter what, youll want to dive right in and try these hacks yourself.
Red Lobster is a popular seafood restaurant chain known for its delicious dishes like lobster, shrimp, and of course, those famous Cheddar Bay Biscuits. While Red Lobster has a lot more to offer than just salad, you may be wondering – do all meals at Red Lobster automatically include a side salad? Let’s take a closer look at what we can expect when dining at Red Lobster.
An Overview of Red Lobster’s Menu
With a focus on high-quality seafood, Red Lobster provides diners with a variety of options for appetizers, main entrees, and side dishes Menu items range from classics like Atlantic salmon and snow crab legs to regional specialties like New England clambakes and Cajun seafood platters
In addition to seafood, the menu also features chicken and steak dishes as well as pastas No matter what you’re craving, Red Lobster aims to have something to satisfy every palette
Do All Entrees Include Salad?
When exploring the menu at Red Lobster, you’ll notice that not every single entree or main dish automatically comes with a side salad. There are certain seafood dishes that include the option to add a salad or choose from a selection of side dishes, but a salad is not universally included with all entrees.
For example, menu items like the Seaside Shrimp Trio or the Wood-Grilled Shrimp Skewers come with a choice of either a side salad, rice pilaf, vegetables, or garlic mashed potatoes. However, Fried Shrimp, Snow Crab Legs, and other dishes don’t automatically include a salad – it must be added separately.
Adding a Salad to Any Meal
Even if the entree you select doesn’t come with a salad, you can easily add one by ordering a side salad to complement your meal. Red Lobster offers a few salad options that can be purchased individually:
- Garden Salad: Mixed greens with veggies, cheese, and croutons
- Caesar Salad: Romaine lettuce with parmesan and croutons
- BLT Wedge Salad: Wedge of iceberg lettuce topped with bacon, tomatoes, and blue cheese dressing
These salads provide a fresh, crunchy accompaniment to balance out any entree. Most diners report that a small to medium sized salad is plenty for most meals.
Dressing and Toppings
Red Lobster offers several dressing choices for their salads, allowing you to customize according to your tastes. Options like Ranch, Honey Mustard, and Caesar are all crowd-pleasers. You can also choose to have your salad served without croutons, cheese, or other toppings based on your preferences.
Tips for Ordering
If you want to ensure your meal comes with a salad, here are some tips:
- For entrees that don’t include salad, order a Garden, Caesar, or BLT Wedge salad on the side
- Ask your server for dressing and topping suggestions to create your ideal salad
- Opt for small or half-size salads if ordering multiple courses
And if you want to skip the salad altogether, Red Lobster has plenty of yummy side dishes like rice, veggies, and of course Cheddar Bay Biscuits to fill up on!
Frequently Asked Questions about Red Lobster and Salad
Do all combinations and platters come with salad at Red Lobster?
No, Red Lobster combination platters and mix-and-match meals do not universally come with salads. Depending on the specific items selected, you may need to add on a salad separately.
What about soup – does it come with meals?
Soups and salads do not automatically come with meals at Red Lobster. They can be added on as side items or substitutions in some cases.
Can I substitute a salad for another side dish with my meal?
In some cases, yes you can swap out another side for a salad at no extra charge, but this varies by location. Check with your server to see if salad substitutions are allowed for your entree.
How much do side salads cost at Red Lobster?
Side salad prices range from $3.99-$5.99 depending on size and type of salad. Red Lobster offers both full and half sizes for their Garden, Caesar, and BLT Wedge salads.
What’s the most popular salad dressing at Red Lobster?
The most popular salad dressing at Red Lobster tends to be the chain’s signature Creamy Parmesan Peppercorn dressing, made with Parmesan cheese, cracked black pepper, and cream.
Does Red Lobster have any specialty salads?
Yes! In addition to side salads, there are some larger premium salads like the Shrimp-Lover’s Salad with shrimp, lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, and crisp tortilla strips. There is also a Cajun Chicken BLT Salad topped with blackened chicken.
Gluten free may actually be better
Red Lobster’s wait staff is ready to help people with special dietary needs find a wide range of gluten-free options. You can’t eat anything fried, which limits your options a bit, but the menu still has some interesting items that aren’t clearly marked as gluten-free. To keep things simple, you can just order plain seafood, like a skewer of boiled shrimp or a steamed lobster tail. But if you really want to go for it, you can ask for classics like the Garlic Shrimp Scampi to be made gluten-free.
As our server highlighted, some customers find the gluten-free scampi has a butterier flavor than the standard version. Your server can help you choose from other gluten-free shrimp on the menu, and you can also order gluten-free sides like mashed potatoes or house salad to go with it.
You can go dairy free on the main dish
People who love lobster know that adding a lot of fresh, melted butter to an already delicious dish makes it even better. It adds a deep, creamy flavor to lobster meat that was already very sweet. Eating it is like going to culinary heaven. But you cant eat butter, you dont have to miss out. Theres a dairy-free way to add a similar kick to your lobster dinner. On request, your server can bring you out a pot of olive oil as opposed to butter. It isnt exactly the same, but different doesnt mean second best.
The meat gets its fatty depth from the olive oil, and it goes well with common additions like lemon. In fact, it’s often served with lobster in many cultures, so you can enjoy a taste of the Mediterranean with your favorite North American seafood dish. It has been said for a long time that olive oil is healthier than butter, even if you can handle dairy. This could be an easy way to fit a very rich meal into your new healthy diet if you’re trying to take better care of your health.