Red Lobster

[Iron Woode]

Not that I'm aware of; I've never seen one in Canada. :hmm:

KT

there are a number in Ontario. Even some in Alberta. None in BC.

mine is here: http://www.redlobster.com/locator_g/default.aspx?q=london&submit.x=5&submit.y=5

 

[JulesMaximus]

Used to be the best seafood restaurant but in recent years it has gone down the tubes. But yes the cheese biscuits are the bomb.

It has never been anywhere close to the best seafood restaurant.

 

[zinfamous]

Have you ever been to an Olive Garden?

same restaurant with an augmented menu. expect the same quality.

 

[KeithTalent]

Have you ever been to an Olive Garden?

same restaurant with an augmented menu. expect the same quality.

I think I went to one in high school; unlimited salad and breadsticks for poor high schoolers was pretty damn awesome. No Olive Gardens here either though, so it's been years since I last tried it.

KT

 

[Aharami]

used to be good. but sucks now. All their food is way too salty now

 

[zinfamous]

Used to be the best seafood restaurant but in recent years it has gone down the tubes. But yes the cheese biscuits are the bomb.

Wut?

please tell me you haven't lived your entire life in the Bay Area while thinking that.



If you grew up in Oklahoma or Kansas or some other godless shithole, I can see where you're coming from. But any coastal town will have 100s of seafood joints that will kill Red Lobster.

 

[bobdole369]

Here in Florida - the fishing capital of the world - Red Lobster is a freaking joke. It's really old garbage that costs WAY too much. Seriously Publix has fresher seafood because people actually buy it. If I were looking for seafood - Lobster dripping in butter and whatnot, I would actually pass 7 restaurants where I could get Lobster caught that very morning that was alive 5 minutes before it was on my plate. Same goes for various fish. Its totally not worth it.

Now if you live in Ohio - Its the best you are going to get.....

 

[KeithTalent]

I remember going occasionally when I was a kid and it wasn't bad. I just went earlier this year for the first time in ages and my god was it horrible. I got some kind of scallop meal, where the scallops were puny, completely overcooked, completely unseasoned, and visually unappetizing (little white blobs, no color on them at all). Was like they boiled them or something.
My wife got some kind of baked fish, that was completely soggy/mushy and disgusting.
Could get better seafood out of the grocery store freezer case and cook in the microwave. Seriously was the worst eating out experience I have had in ages. It's now a running joke in the family about going to Red Lobster for dinner. What's laughable is that there is always a huge line outside. Yeah, I was a sucker and had to wait like half an hour for a table when I went too, but at least I had no idea the food was that bad.
What's sad is right across the street is a Joe's Crab Shack, which is infinitely better in my opinion - I really like their crab pots.

I don't think I would ever order scallops from a chain restaurant. They are so finicky and really should be slightly under-cooked when they come out of the pan. Most chains where I've had them they ended up being tough and rubbery.

KT

 

[gophins72]

This happened to us at The Keg (a crappy chain steak joint) in the suburbs of Vancouver. We dressed in just jeans and t-shirts, just like we would with any other crappy chain joint, but when we got in there everyone was dressed up in their fancy clothes for their big night out, and they stared at us like we were crazy. That's when we knew to avoid dining in the suburbs if at all possible.

KT

i've experienced similar in addition to a one hour wait at outback steakhouse.

 

[AstroManLuca]

it's pretty meh

good place to bring my grandma

 

[zinfamous]

I think I went to one in high school; unlimited salad and breadsticks for poor high schoolers was pretty damn awesome. No Olive Gardens here either though, so it's been years since I last tried it.

KT

they are all part of the same corporate conglomerate of multi national chains, and they are easy to spot driving from town to town, state to state. every thing looks the same inside and out.

it's not exactly a horrible thing, mind you (nice to travel where you haven't been and failing to find something local, find something that you know what to expect.)

For me, the only such place that I like is Outback. They certainly don't make the best steaks anywhere (I can now safely say that I make a better steak at home), but for the price and the tastiness, I love 'em.


Also, places like Maggiano's and Bucca d' Beppo (Italian "family style"--whatever that means. I believe it is a complete American invention by the Lettuce Entertain You people).


Lol, if you want an eye-opening, and possibly bizzare-to-sickening look into the American standard of soulless corporate food service that bleeds ultra synthetic authenticity, start looking into the Lettuce Entertain You people.


Don't get me wrong--some of those restaurants are quite good--Wildfire grill in Chicago, for one. I'm shocked to discover that it is one of theirs, actually, But it is fantastic.

 

[Iron Woode]

i've experienced similar in addition to a one hour wait at outback steakhouse.

I really miss our Outback Steakhouse.

I am not sure what they are like in the states, but here it was a very clean, well run establishment. Prompt service and great waitstaff made it a special night out for my GF and me. We had a great menu selection and the food was always great. We never dressed fancy but still above average.

I liked the Mad Max burger and the Aussie cheese fries. Susan liked the salmon and ribs. The pork chops were great too.

 

[Firebot]

Red Lobster is where the elderly go to die, and there are plenty of the restaurants in Canada. Went to 2 different ones in Calgary alone, and several in the GTA. The fish can be good, but I don't care for lobster.

 

[Iron Woode]

Red Lobster is where the elderly go to die, and there are plenty of the restaurants in Canada. Went to 2 different ones in Calgary alone, and several in the GTA. The fish can be good, but I don't care for lobster.

I would rather get fish'n'chips at Archies than go to Red Lobster.

 

[Insomniator]

Red Lobster is a total joke around my area (NJ/NY). Though some people I met at Rutgers that came from the south considered it the 'fancy seafood' restaurant where they lived.

I can't believe anyone actually eats at that place...

Edit: LOL @ Outback as well. There is one right near my house that is always packed for some damned reason... we always make a joke about that place and then go eat at one of the 3 local restaurants in the same shopping center that are cheaper, better, quieter, fresher etc...

I mean really chains for the most part are awful. Cheesecake factory rules though.

 

[gophins72]

I really miss our Outback Steakhouse.

I am not sure what they are like in the states, but here it was a very clean, well run establishment. Prompt service and great waitstaff made it a special night out for my GF and me. We had a great menu selection and the food was always great. We never dressed fancy but still above average.

I liked the Mad Max burger and the Aussie cheese fries. Susan liked the salmon and ribs. The pork chops were great too.

the keg is considered higher end here than outback, but lower end than an authentic steakhouse. that's the nice (and i suppose not so nice) thing about the united states, it will cater to your tastes and wallet, lol.

 

[zinfamous]

I really miss our Outback Steakhouse.

I am not sure what they are like in the states, but here it was a very clean, well run establishment. Prompt service and great waitstaff made it a special night out for my GF and me. We had a great menu selection and the food was always great. We never dressed fancy but still above average.

I liked the Mad Max burger and the Aussie cheese fries. Susan liked the salmon and ribs. The pork chops were great too.

I love Outback. Your description is pretty much like the one's around here--clean, well-run, about as far as you can get from a place like Applebee's, hehe.

I always liked the coconut shrimp, Alice Spring's chicken, the OB special, naturally, and some of them offer and make a fine prime rib and rack 'o lamb.

 

[KeithTalent]

Red Lobster is where the elderly go to die, and there are plenty of the restaurants in Canada. Went to 2 different ones in Calgary alone, and several in the GTA. The fish can be good, but I don't care for lobster.

Sweet, can I have their stuff?

Red Lobster is a total joke around my area (NJ/NY). Though some people I met at Rutgers that came from the south considered it the 'fancy seafood' restaurant where they lived.

I can't believe anyone actually eats at that place...

Edit: LOL @ Outback as well. There is one right near my house that is always packed for some damned reason... we always make a joke about that place and then go eat at one of the 3 local restaurants in the same shopping center that are cheaper, better, quieter, fresher etc...

I mean really chains for the most part are awful. Cheesecake factory rules though.

I freaking hate Cheesecake Factory; went their once and waited in their stupid ass manufactured lines for their crappy food. HATE that place and will never, ever return.

KT

 

[KeithTalent]

they are all part of the same corporate conglomerate of multi national chains, and they are easy to spot driving from town to town, state to state. every thing looks the same inside and out.

it's not exactly a horrible thing, mind you (nice to travel where you haven't been and failing to find something local, find something that you know what to expect.)

For me, the only such place that I like is Outback. They certainly don't make the best steaks anywhere (I can now safely say that I make a better steak at home), but for the price and the tastiness, I love 'em.


Also, places like Maggiano's and Bucca d' Beppo (Italian "family style"--whatever that means. I believe it is a complete American invention by the Lettuce Entertain You people).


Lol, if you want an eye-opening, and possibly bizzare-to-sickening look into the American standard of soulless corporate food service that bleeds ultra synthetic authenticity, start looking into the Lettuce Entertain You people.


Don't get me wrong--some of those restaurants are quite good--Wildfire grill in Chicago, for one. I'm shocked to discover that it is one of theirs, actually, But it is fantastic.

Good to know. Never heard of that Lettuce Entertain You; sounds insane! D:

KT

 

[xSkyDrAx]

they are all part of the same corporate conglomerate of multi national chains, and they are easy to spot driving from town to town, state to state. every thing looks the same inside and out.

it's not exactly a horrible thing, mind you (nice to travel where you haven't been and failing to find something local, find something that you know what to expect.)

For me, the only such place that I like is Outback. They certainly don't make the best steaks anywhere (I can now safely say that I make a better steak at home), but for the price and the tastiness, I love 'em.


Also, places like Maggiano's and Bucca d' Beppo (Italian "family style"--whatever that means. I believe it is a complete American invention by the Lettuce Entertain You people).


Lol, if you want an eye-opening, and possibly bizzare-to-sickening look into the American standard of soulless corporate food service that bleeds ultra synthetic authenticity, start looking into the Lettuce Entertain You people.


Don't get me wrong--some of those restaurants are quite good--Wildfire grill in Chicago, for one. I'm shocked to discover that it is one of theirs, actually, But it is fantastic.

The only one on that list that I've been to is Maggiano's and while it never struck me as a real family run chain their food is quite good. Love their lasagna.

 

[JulesMaximus]

For good seafood there are just so many great restaurants to eat at around here I'd never go to Red Lobster...and there is one close by.

One of my local favorites:
http://www.cohnrestaurants.com/menu-restaurants/333-pacific/

Red Lobster is bottom of the barrel compared to many of the really really good seafood restaurants here locally.

 

[D1gger]

Not that I'm aware of; I've never seen one in Canada. :hmm:

KT

There used to be one here in Victoria many years ago. It was terrible, and couldn't compete with the local seafood restaurants so it closed the doors after a year or two.

RL does a great job of filming their commercials, but the food does not measure up.

 

[zinfamous]

Red Lobster is a total joke around my area (NJ/NY). Though some people I met at Rutgers that came from the south considered it the 'fancy seafood' restaurant where they lived.

I can't believe anyone actually eats at that place...

Edit: LOL @ Outback as well. There is one right near my house that is always packed for some damned reason... we always make a joke about that place and then go eat at one of the 3 local restaurants in the same shopping center that are cheaper, better, quieter, fresher etc...

I mean really chains for the most part are awful. Cheesecake factory rules though.

weird that you laugh at Outback then praise Cheesecake Factory. They are no different. But I like CF, too. the menu is huge and bizarre--you can find anything on there. But it is much more expensive than Outback.

and like I mentioned earlier, I like a place like Outback not because there are much better local places around (and honestly in comparison, they probably aren't much cheaper than Outback--likely more expensive), it's a good place when traveling and you need to stop off the highway and hit the closest soulless strip mall and have the typical offerings to choose from. I would probably do Outback over most others that you expect to find in such places.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

its just OK imo. you will probably be better off at any decently reviewed local seafood place, BUT, that generally comes at a premium. so its OK food at OK value (for seafood).

 

[Dr. Detroit]

its not gourmet seafood and its not disgusting.

Its mediocre seafood with lots of butter, cream and fat.

If you want fresh grilled fish you are going to the wrong place.