Does Red Lobster Have King Crab? A Look at Their Crab Leg Options

Red Lobster is synonymous with indulgent seafood, especially their famous Cheddar Bay Biscuits Crabfests and specials draw in crowds craving sweet, tender crab But does this chain actually serve decadent king crab legs? Let’s explore Red Lobster’s crab offerings to see if they include this premium seafood delicacy.

Overview of Red Lobster

Red Lobster is the largest full-service seafood restaurant chain in the United States. Their menu focuses on American-style preparations of fish and shellfish along with fried appetizers, pastas, and steaks. Headquartered in Orlando, Red Lobster has over 670 locations in the U.S. and Canada.

The restaurant is known for their endless Cheddar Bay Biscuits and weekly seafood specials. These include Crabfest offerings that feature snow crab legs.

Types of Crab Legs

There are several varieties of crab legs consumed in the US

• Snow crab – Also called Queen crab, its long, thin legs have sweet meat.

• King crab – The largest variety with thick, meaty legs and a rich flavor. The Red and Blue varieties are most common.

• Dungeness crab – A Pacific coast specialty with a slightly salty, briny taste. Shorter legs.

• Stone crab – Found in warm waters and prized for their huge, meaty claws.

Snow Crab at Red Lobster

While they don’t serve king crab, Red Lobster does feature snow crab quite often. Their recurring Crabfest promotion offers snow crab in several preparations

• Snow crab leg clusters served with melted butter

• Crab legs paired with fish and steak entrées

• Dishes featuring snow crab meat like crab cakes

Snow crab legs can also be added to entrées from the regular menu for an added price. For crab fans, snow crab is an accessible option at a lower cost than king crab.

Reasons for Lack of King Crab

So why doesn’t Red Lobster offer king crab legs given their popularity? There are a few likely reasons:

Price – King crab costs significantly more per pound due to small harvests. Not in line with Red Lobster’s value-driven menu.

Availability – King crab quotas are tightly regulated, making large supplies needed for a chain difficult to source.

Preparation – King crab’s hard shells and thick meat require more work. Snow crab is easier to prep in a commercial kitchen.

Taste – Red Lobster’s core customer base may prefer the mild sweetness of snow crab over king crab’s richness.

Traditions – Red Lobster has built their reputation on snow crab, while king crab is served at higher-end seafood establishments.

Alternatives for King Crab Lovers

While king crab legs are noticeably absent from their menu, Red Lobster does offer some options for customers seeking that sweet, indulgent crab flavor:

• Alaskan King Crab Appetizer – A seasonal item featuring a broiled king crab cake.

• King’s Feast – Their largest seafood platter with a king crab cake included.

• Crab-Topped Dishes – Some entrées feature a king crab and bechamel topping for a taste of the meat.

• Dungeness Crab – Related to king crab, Dungeness has a unique savory flavor available roasted or fried.

• Crab Linguini – A dish combining lump crabmeat with tomatoes, linguini, white wine, and garlic.

While not the same as steaming hot king crab legs, these dishes provide a sampling of king crab’s delicious flavor.

Time for An Indulgent Seafood Meal

For those truly seeking an extravagant king crab experience, a dedicated seafood restaurant may be a better option than Red Lobster. But the chain still satisfies cravings with their ample offerings of crab dishes and snow crab legs. Ultimately, Red Lobster provides the chance to crack open some crab legs doused in butter with unlimited freshly-baked biscuits – and that’s hard to complain about!