Bill Darden started the famous seafood chain in 1968 because he wanted everyone, not just people who lived near the coast, to be able to get seafood. First, a piece of good news: Red Lobster does not boil lobsters alive—not anymore, at least. A statement on their FAQ section reads, “Unlike some seafood restaurants, Red Lobster does not boil lobsters alive. Our culinary professionals are trained to humanely end the lobsters life moments before they are cooked. There is some disagreement about whether lobsters feel pain, but you can eat the sea creature that is at the heart of this 50-year-old seafood chain without feeling bad about it.
But you might want to think twice before you crack open those shells, drizzle that butter on top, and eat shrimp and other seafood with those famous Cheddar Bay Biscuits. Here are seven secrets Red Lobster would just as soon keep submerged.
Lobster is one of the most prized seafood delicacies, loved for its succulent meat and distinct sweet flavor. It’s no surprise that lobster features prominently on the menus of many popular seafood restaurant chains like Red Lobster. But there has been an ongoing debate around whether chains like Red Lobster actually use real lobster in their dishes or rely on substitutes to cut costs.
As a seafood lover and home cook, I was determined to get to the bottom of this question once and for all: does Red Lobster really use real lobster in their recipes? I decided to do some digging on their lobster sourcing and prep methods to find out.
Tracing the Lobster from Ocean to Plate
Red Lobster states that they are committed to serving high-quality, sustainable seafood. On their website, they share that they source lobster from cold North Atlantic waters as well as the warmer waters of the Gulf of Mexico and South America. This variety allows them to offer both the prized Maine and Rock lobsters on their menus.
The restaurant chain has also indicated that they aim to develop long-term partnerships with lobster suppliers who have responsible and sustainable fishing practices. This allows them to ensure a steady supply of fresh lobster year-round.
Once the live lobsters arrive at their restaurants, Red Lobster employs trained staff who humanely prepare them in-house daily The lobsters are steamed or boiled just before serving, guaranteeing maximum freshness.
Examining the Evidence in Red Lobster’s Lobster Dishes
To truly determine if real lobster meat is used in their dishes we need to closely examine some classic Red Lobster menu items
Lobster Tails
The tender, perfectly cooked lobster tail served at Red Lobster displays the distinctive lobster meat color, texture, and flavor. The translucent quality of the meat and the presence of the digestive tract running through the tail are clear signs that genuine lobster tails are being served.
Lobster Rolls
These rolls feature generous chunks of lobster meat soaked in butter and served in a toasted bun. The pieces have the stringy texture and briny sweetness unique to lobster meat, confirming real lobster.
Lobster Bisque
This creamy, robust soup features flaky pieces of lobster meat. The dizzying aroma and decadent flavor can only come from real lobster shells that have been simmered into a seafood stock.
Live Maine Lobster
Select Red Lobster restaurants offer live Maine lobsters for customers to purchase and cook at home. This indicates that they have direct access to fresh live lobsters.
Based on this evidence, it’s clear that the signature lobster dishes at Red Lobster contain real lobster meat rather than substitutes like langostino or surimi.
Why It Makes Sense for Red Lobster to Use Real Lobster
Given Red Lobster’s focus on quality, using real lobster in their dishes aligns well with their brand image and reputation. Some key reasons why relying on real lobster makes good business sense include:
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Authenticity – Customers expect real lobster at these prices, not substitutes. Using real lobster meat helps meet customer expectations.
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Flavor – The unique briny sweetness of real lobster meat is impossible to replicate. Only real lobster can deliver the depth of flavor Red Lobster is known for.
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Texture – The tender yet slightly chewy texture of real lobster meat enhances the dining experience. Substitutes can’t imitate this perfectly.
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Simpler Supply Chain – Sourcing real lobster allows Red Lobster to deal with fewer suppliers compared to using multiple seafood substitutes.
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Food Safety – With substitutes, there is a higher risk of allergic reactions and contaminants. Red Lobster minimizes this by sticking to real lobster.
So although real lobster may be pricier than substitutes, it’s a smart business decision for Red Lobster to serve authentic dishes using genuine lobster meat. The benefits outweigh the higher costs.
The Verdict: Yes, Real Lobster is Used!
After looking closely at Red Lobster’s lobster sourcing, preparation methods, and the composition of their lobster dishes, it’s evident that they live up to their commitment to serve high-quality seafood by using real lobster meat.
The mix of wild-caught lobsters from North American and South American waters gives Red Lobster flexibility in their supply. Their in-house preparations result in extremely fresh, perfectly cooked lobster dishes. And the taste, texture and appearance of menu items like lobster rolls and bisque verify that real lobster meat is being used.
While imitation seafood undoubtedly cuts costs for restaurants, at Red Lobster, shortcuts are not taken when it comes to lobster. So you can indulge in your favorite lobster dishes at Red Lobster with full confidence that you are enjoying the real thing! The next time you have a lobster craving, you can head to your nearest Red Lobster to get your fix of delicious, authentic lobster.
Bored employees have been known to hold lobster races
Multiple sources cite Red Lobster employees speaking about the holding of so-called lobster races during slow shifts, which is really just adding insult to injury for these condemned crustaceans. Worse still, according to an employee quoted in Oola, some of the lobsters are held in tanks for days and even weeks without food prior to becoming food themselves.
The chain has been caught selling imitation lobster
According to Inside Edition, a few years back Red Lobster was caught offering dishes that claimed to contain lobster but actually used other seafood as a substitute. Some of the dishes, the lobster bisque, in particular, had both lobster and other, cheaper seafood, called langostino, while a few lacked lobster completely. And while langostino is technically a type of lobster, it needs to be labeled as langostino lobster when used as the sole fish, according to the FDA.
Which Restaurants May Be Serving You Cheap Fish Instead Of Lobster
Does Red Lobster eat fresh seafood?
The answer: sometimes, and it depends. Red Lobster’s FAQ page says that when the restaurant is able to, it sources fresh seafood. But in other cases, to ensure quality, it is frozen right on the fishing boats or as soon as it reaches the dock before being shipped to restaurants.
Does Red Lobster have lobster?
According to Inside Edition, a few years back Red Lobster was caught offering dishes that claimed to contain lobster but actually used other seafood as a substitute. Some of the dishes, the lobster bisque, in particular, had both lobster and other, cheaper seafood, called langostino, while a few lacked lobster completely.
Where does Red Lobster seafood come from?
As of late 2021, the last time Red Lobster’s “Seafood With Standards” page was updated, the answer seems to be a bit clearer. The restaurant’s seafood is indeed gathered from “all over the world.” For example, its shrimp come from areas in South America and Asia including waters off Ecuador, India, and China.
Does Red Lobster have secrets?
Since its establishment in 1968, Red Lobster has gained a reputation for generous portions, affordable prices, and irresistible all-you-can-eat deals. That’s probably the extent of your Red Lobster knowledge, but beneath the surface of America’s celebrated chain seafood restaurant lies a treasure trove of secrets waiting to be unveiled.