14 Things You Need to Know Before You Take Mom To Eat At Red Lobster (2024)

FAQs

Is Red Lobster healthy? ›

At Red Lobster, you'll find a wide range of fish and shellfish dishes, as well as plenty of “land lover” fare like steak, chicken, and pasta. Many types of seafood can be healthy meal options, whether you're dining out or at home, because they are a good source of lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids.

Florida has the most Red Lobster locations.

But don't worry, you'll find Red Lobster restaurants in more than just Florida; there are more than 700 restaurants in the U.S. and Canada.

Most Of It Comes Frozen

Don't let it scare you, though; it's mostly a product of shipping realities, and the fact that most Red Lobsters aren't coastal.

Red lobster microwaves EVERYTHING except the biscuits and the fish they hand you on the card separate from the menu.

Pink Meat - Occasionally Maine lobster tail meat will have a pinkish tint to it. This is NOT an indication that the meat has gone bad by any means! The color of the meat is usually an indication that you have received a female lobster that is either preparing to produce eggs, or just did.

Most Red Lobster restaurants have live Maine Lobsters available on the menu, usually in a tank near the lobby. Their standard lobster tails are Carribean Spiny Lobsters that they get frozen. The Maine Lobsters are more expensive.

In 2014, Darden sold off Red Lobster to Golden Gate Capital, a private equity firm, for $2.1 billion. Since 2020, seafood distributor Thai Union Group, based in Thailand, has been the largest Red Lobster shareholder. Thai Union owns 49% of the company. But Red Lobster has struggled under Thai Union.

A bicolored lobster is a 1 in 50 million occurrence, according to New England Aquarium biologist Jordan Baker. The split-color crustacean's blue side is, in adherence to gender reveal party norms, male, while the red is female.

Red Lobster's roots date back to 1968, when the first restaurant opened in Lakeland, Florida. In the decades following, the chain expanded rapidly. Red Lobster currently touts more than 700 locations worldwide.

Grilled Sea Scallops & Shrimp Skewers

A grilled skewer of each, served over rice with your choice of two sides.

Why is my frozen lobster red? ›

Just a few years ago, scientists discovered that the color change happens because of astaxantin, a chemical in a lobster's shell. Astaxantin itself is bright red in color but it hides within the shell of a lobster, only showing its face once the lobster gets heated.

In reality, freezing and thawing live lobsters may be safe, but it simply isn't worth the risk of toxins developing as a result of the process. Safety aside, freezing and thawing lobster prior to cooking it will lead to enzymes leaching into the meat, resulting in a mushy, unappetizing texture.

With the new service model, they say you tip out 7% of your sales, when it is closer to 20%. Keep in mind if a table doesn't' tip you (which happens all the time at Red Lobster) you still have to tip out on that sale.

You can also reheat lobster in the microwave. If the lobster has its shell, wrap it in damp (but not soaking wet) paper towels. Skip this step if you're just reheating the meat. Microwave for a minute or two.

What's This Inside the Lobster? If you have a female lobster, you'll see red balls inside a cooked lobster. These are immature eggs called roe and are naturally black. If the eggs are black and not red when you are ready to eat your lobster, that means the lobster needs to be cooked further.

It's not as rich in omega-3 as fatty fishes like salmon and mackerel, but lobster is a lean, low-calorie source of protein with a number of vitamins and minerals, including zinc and calcium. While it is relatively high in cholesterol, Rimm says that's no reason to be concerned.

As experts and enthusiasts in the seafood industry, we can safely say that seafood is the healthiest protein as it is an incredibly nutrient-dense food. The low fat, high protein content makes seafood healthier than meat.

Health Benefits of Lobster

It has more EPA and DHA—two omega-3 fatty acids linked to a slew of health benefits—than other shellfish like shrimp and crab, though it doesn't quite measure up in that department to fattier fish like salmon and tuna.