How Busy is Red Lobster Right Now? Everything You Need to Know Before You Visit

Craving those famous Cheddar Bay biscuits and mouthwatering seafood dishes? With over 700 locations across North America, Red Lobster is one of the most popular casual dining chains for seafood lovers But nothing can ruin the dining experience faster than showing up to a packed restaurant and facing an hours-long wait. So it’s only natural to wonder – how busy is Red Lobster right now?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about current wait times and busyness levels at Red Lobster restaurants. You’ll find tips on the best days and times to visit to beat the crowds, how to check wait times, and strategies to minimize your wait so you can dig into those juicy shrimp and lobster tails faster.

Here’s what we’ll be discussing

• Typical Wait Times at Red Lobster
• Busiest Days and Times at Red Lobster
• Methods to Check Wait Times
• Tips to Avoid Long Waits
• Holiday Crowds at Red Lobster
• Takeout and Delivery Options

Armed with this information, you’ll be ready to plan your ideal Red Lobster dining experience. So let’s get started!

Typical Wait Times at Red Lobster

Like most popular restaurants, wait times at Red Lobster vary by location, day of the week, time of day, and seasonal holidays. While each restaurant has its own ebb and flow, here are some general averages:

• Weekday lunch: 15-20 minutes
• Weekday dinner: 30-45 minutes
• Weekend lunch: 30-40 minutes
• Weekend dinner: 45-60 minutes
• Holidays: 60+ minutes

Waits are typically longest on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, especially for dinner. You’ll encounter the shortest waits earlier in the week and during non-peak lunch.

The Busiest Days and Times at Red Lobster

Planning your Red Lobster visit during their slower periods can make all the difference. Here are the busiest times to watch out for:

• Fridays and Saturdays: The weekends draw big crowds, especially for dinner from 5 pm-9 pm. Lunches are busy too.

• Sundays: After church crowds pack many locations on Sundays after 11 am. Dinner is very busy.

• Holiday Weekends: Any major holiday or long weekend sees high demand. Think Mother’s Day or Labor Day.

• Peak Dining Hours: From 11:30 am-1 pm for lunch and 5 pm-8 pm for dinner tend to be the most slammed.

• Special Events: Local events like concerts or sports games fill restaurants near the venues.

• Prom Season: Locations near high schools get extra busy when prom coincides with peak Fridays and Saturdays.

To avoid the longest waits, opt for weekday and early evening visits. Calling ahead for wait times is advised if visiting during typically busy periods.

How to Check Red Lobster Wait Times

Wondering exactly how slammed your local Red Lobster is at the moment? Here are some ways to check real-time wait times before you head out:

• Call the restaurant: The most direct option – phone the host stand and ask how long the current wait is.

• Check with your server: If you made a reservation or are waiting at the bar, ask your server for an estimate.

• Ask the host: Once at the restaurant, have the host or hostess confirm how long until seating.

• Check wait list numbers: Eyeball the wait list board or ask hosts how long the list is to gauge waits.

• Time it out: Arrive early and time how long it takes for seats to turn over to estimate waits.

• Ask departing guests: Catch people leaving and inquire how long they waited to be seated.

Calling ahead is best to get wait times directly from the source. But once onsite, utilizing the host stand is key for the most up-to-date info.

Tips to Avoid Long Waits at Red Lobster

Beyond picking slower dining times, here are some savvy tricks to minimize wait times when visiting Red Lobster:

• Make reservations – Some locations take reservations, so call ahead to book (especially for large parties).

• Arrive early – At opening or right at the start of lunch/dinner to beat crowds.

• Dine late – After 8:30 pm on weeknights or 9:30 pm on weekends to miss the primetime rush.

• Sit at the bar – Bars are first-come, first-served so you can order immediately.

• Bring a book – Having a book or magazine can make wait time pass quickly if waits are inevitable.

• Order takeout/delivery – Call ahead for pickup or delivery through services like DoorDash to skip dining in.

• Be flexible – If the wait is really long, inquire if sitting in the bar area or switching to a smaller table could get you seated faster.

Being adaptable and open to off-peak times or alternative seating can help minimize your waits.

Brace for Holiday Crowds

If you think weekends are busy, holidays at Red Lobster take it to another level entirely. Here are some of their most jam-packed days of the year:

• Mother’s Day – One of the busiest days with waits of 1 hour or more

• Valentine’s Day – Packed with couples making it a date night

• Easter – Huge demand for the Easter Sunday specials

• Thanksgiving Eve – Everyone is eating out before Turkey Day

• Christmas Eve – Another prime date night close to the holidays

• New Year’s Eve – Festive crowds ring in the New Year

On these mega-busy holidays, expect to wait 1-2 hours for a table unless you plan in advance. Making reservations or takeout is strongly advised!

Takeout and Delivery Options

When Red Lobster is too packed to handle, getting your seafood fix through takeout or delivery is a solid alternative. Call ahead for pickup or order through services like DoorDash, Grubhub, Postmates, or Uber Eats for delivery in many areas.

Red Lobster also offers online ordering for takeout and delivery on their website or mobile app. Build your feast – from Cheddar Bay Biscuits to Snow Crab Legs – and have it conveniently brought to your door.

No matter how you get it, Red Lobster takeout allows you to skip the dining room crowds and enjoy those same signature flavors in the comfort of home.

The busyness at Red Lobster can vary drastically depending on the day, time, location, and seasonal holiday crowds. But armed with this intel, you can plan the optimal time to visit your local Red Lobster. Follow these tips to minimize your wait time and get into those steaming lobster pots or crispy coconut shrimp faster!