My weekday lunchtime habits have changed as of late. Since I work for a restaurant chain with almost 2,000 locations, I’ve been thinking about and going to more chain restaurants than ever before. Because I’m interested and want to see what the competition is doing, I’ve been checking out places I used to not pay much attention to.
Usually, this space is where I talk about how great mom-and-pop shops are, but I thought it would be fun to switch things up a bit and talk about two restaurants that are always open in America: Red Lobster and Olive Garden. Humor me, yes? Thank you.
First up, Red Lobster‘s Endless Shrimp®! For $17. 99, I ate six different kinds of shrimp: hand-breaded shrimp, garlic shrimp scampi, coconut shrimp bites, and Sriracha grilled shrimp. But I couldn’t get enough of them all.
The offer also included a salad (not pictured and not eaten) and unlimited Cheddar Bay Biscuits®. Whereas the former was anemic and sad, the latter were tasty lil’ carbohydrate bombs. We asked for seconds, thirds, and fourths. No joke.
I asked for the Sriracha Grilled Shrimp, the Hand-Breaded Shrimp, and the Garlic Shrimp Scampi on my first visit to Endless Shrimp. The platter also included rice pilaf and steamed broccoli, both of which didn’t merit any precious gastro-real estate.
The fried shrimp with cocktail sauce was my favorite because the shrimp were so big and didn’t have much grease on them. The scampi was surprisingly well-balanced, while the Sriracha was just alright. Truth be told, I’m not a huge Rooster Sauce fan. None of the shrimp were overcooked. Yay!.
Round two brought a big ol’ plate of Shrimp Linguini Alfredo. The shrimp were very small but cooked all the way through. The sauce and pasta were solid in a way that felt very rich and decadent. Spoiler alert: Red Lobster executes a tastier alfredo than sister restaurant Olive Garden. The irony!.
Finally, I had the Parmesan Shrimp Scampi, which was a lot like the Garlic Shrimp Scampi but with melted cheese on top. These went down easily, with the parm adding a bit of saltiness to the buttery mix. The only stone left unturned was the Coconut Shrimp, which I stole from my dining mate—Much. Too. Sweet.
All in all, Red Lobster’s Endless Shrimp® met and, dare I say, exceeded my expectations. I’d hit it again.
Olive Garden’s Never Ending Pasta Bowl® felt more like a homey meal, like a meal in a rustic Tuscan villa, if you will.
On tap for $9. There were six kinds of pasta ($9.99): spaghetti, angel hair, fettuccine, penne, cavatappi, and whole wheat linguine. There were also four standard sauces ($1.50 each): Marinara, Alfredo, Five Cheese Marinara, and Meat Sauce. There were also two premium sauces ($1.00 each): Spicy Three Meat and Roasted Mushroom Alfredo; and $4.00 each for Shrimp Fritta, Chicken Fritta, Italian Sausage, and Meatballs.
The deal also included unlimited breadsticks, which were brushed with butter, sprinkled with garlic powder, and served warm. Pro tip: Eat the breadsticks immediately because they taste terrible once they’ve cooled. The window of palatability is approximately 30 seconds.
There was also all-you-can-eat salad dressed in Olive Garden’s signature Italian dressing. I liked how chilled salad plates were thoughtfully served alongside—it’s the little things.
After the meat, there was pasta! My favorite was the corkscrew-shaped cavatappi with mushroom alfredo and fried shrimp on top. The pasta’s texture was indifferent—neither al dente nor complete mush. The sauce was tasty, but definitely could’ve used more ‘shrooms.
In round two, they brought whole wheat linguini with five cheese marinara and fried chicken strips. It was good, but not amazing.
And then I was totally and completely stuffed. It turns out I can eat plenty more shrimp than pasta. Wah wah….
I wouldn’t think twice about going back for more Endless Shrimp, but I probably won’t go back for more Never Ending Pasta because I can make pretty good noodles at home (see below). Both meals were disappointments, which was a pleasant surprise. That’s all I could ask for, really.
Now that I’ve gotten that out of my system, it’s back to exploring mom and pop shops!
Red Lobster is known and loved by seafood fans across America for its delicious shrimp dishes. One shrimp entrée in particular has reached an almost legendary status on the menu – Walt’s Favorite Shrimp. But what exactly makes this dish so special? Let’s take a closer look at the history preparation and reasons why Walt’s Favorite Shrimp remains a classic favorite at Red Lobster.
A Brief History of Walt’s Favorite Shrimp
So who is Walt and why does he have a signature shrimp dish named after him on the Red Lobster menu? Walt was one of the original founders and creators of Red Lobster back in 1968. As a seafood lover and creative chef, Walt helped develop many of the recipes still featured at Red Lobster today. His original shrimp dish combined his love of plump, perfectly breaded shrimp fried to crispy perfection.
Walt enjoyed these shrimp dipped in cocktail sauce so much they became his routine favorite meal anytime he dined at Red Lobster. Servers would know to bring out “Walt’s usual” order of his signature shrimp. Over the years this dish became known as Walt’s Favorite Shrimp, memorializing it on the menu even after Walt passed away in 2011. It remains both a tribute to his legacy and a long-standing customer favorite to this day.
The Preparation – Crispy, Crunchy Shrimp
So what makes the preparation of Walt’s Favorite Shrimp so mouthwatering? Each shrimp is carefully hand-breaded in a light, crispy coating specifically formulated for Red Lobster. The shrimp is lightly fried just until the coating achieves the optimum balance of crunch and tenderness. Unlike heavy, doughy fried shrimp found elsewhere, Walt’s Favorite Shrimp is remarkably light yet packs all the satisfying crunch you crave.
The shrimp itself also stands out – these are not tiny popcorn shrimp. Each plump shrimp is nearly an inch long, providing juicy, succulent bites of shrimp with every crunch. Try one on its own or dip it in the accompanying cocktail sauce to add a tangy, creamy accent to each bite. Every batch is fried fresh and hot just as you order it, so every shrimp arrives at your table in peak form.
Shrimp Prepared Just How Walt Liked It
To this day, Red Lobster chefs prepare Walt’s Favorite Shrimp using the same method Walt himself perfected decades ago. The recipe has remained unchanged since it was first introduced to the menu. The chefs never alter or adjust the signature breading or frying technique. This consistency enables them to achieve the exact flavor, texture and style of crisp fried shrimp that Walt fell in love with.
Part of why Walt likely loved this dish so much was the versatility of the preparation. Crispy fried shrimp pair beautifully with a wide range of side dishes and condiments. At Red Lobster, Walt’s Favorite Shrimp is served with your choice of two sides ranging from rice, broccoli or french fries to creamy mashed potatoes or coleslaw. The crispy shrimp also work well when dipped into cocktail sauce, tartar sauce or even Walt’s favorite condiment – melted butter. However you choose to enjoy it, the flexibility of the flavors and textures in Walt’s shrimp is part of its lasting appeal.
A Tried and True Crowd Pleaser
It’s clear why Walt’s Favorite Shrimp remains one of the most iconic and beloved dishes at Red Lobster after over 50 years on the menu. Its origins from an original founder’s favorite meal give it historic appeal. The preparation remains unchanged to honor Walt’s signature style of crispy fried shrimp perfection. And its flexibility to pair with diverse sauces and sides makes it a customizable crowd pleaser.
For shrimp lovers, seafood fans, and anyone craving a social, fun dining experience, it’s hard to go wrong with an order of Walt’s Favorite Shrimp. The crispy battered shrimp and tangy cocktail sauce bring smiles around the table alongside warm cheddar biscuits and conversations shared with good company. Don’t just take our word for it – stop by your local Red Lobster and taste Walt’s shrimp for yourself. Just one bite, and you may find a new favorite dish like Walt did all those years ago.
Red Lobster Is Hemorrhaging Millions Because of Endless Shrimp | WSJ What Went Wrong
How to make Red Lobster Walt’s favorite shrimp recipe at home?
Learn how to make Red Lobster Walt’s favorite shrimp recipe at home. This mouth-watering dish is full of flavor and easy to prepare. In a small bowl, combine paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Season the peeled and deveined shrimp with the spice mixture, making sure each piece is coated evenly.
Does Red Lobster have shrimp?
If you’re a seafood lover, you’ve probably heard of Red Lobster, a popular restaurant chain known for its delicious seafood dishes. One of the most beloved items on the menu is the shrimp, and there are numerous options to choose from.
What to eat at Red Lobster?
One of Walt’s favorite shrimp at Red Lobster is the Shrimp Scampi, a classic dish that features shrimp sautéed in a garlic butter sauce and served over linguini. The combination of flavors and textures makes it a standout choice for seafood enthusiasts. Another favorite shrimp dish at Red Lobster is the Hand-Breaded Shrimp.
What is the best shrimp at Red Lobster?
➦ Ultimate Endless Shrimp can be found at all Red Lobster restaurants in the United States and Canada. ➦ Parrot Isle Jumbo Coconut Shrimps: hand-dipped and tossed in flaky coconut before being perfectly fried. Red Lobster’s pina colada sauce is served with this dish. ➦ Walt’s Favorite Shrimp: butterflied, hand-baked, and lightly fried.