Red Lobster Roasted Over Its New Menu Item: 'Will Never Go Back'

Red Lobster is hoping to bounce back from bankruptcy with a splash, but its newest Crabfest menu items are already sparking controversy.

The seafood chain, which filed for bankruptcy in May and shut down over 100 locations, recently launched two new signature boils, the Mariner's Boil and the Sailor's Boil, part of its annual Crabfest celebration.

But while some customers are calling the dishes "delicious" and "worth the price," others are accusing Red Lobster of serving up disappointing, even inedible meals.

The Mariner's Boil features a Maine lobster tail, snow crab legs, a dozen shrimp, red potatoes, and corn, starting at around $45 depending on location. The Sailor's Boil offers a more modest helping of shrimp, smoked sausage, potatoes, and corn for roughly $24. Both come with a choice of Cajun butter, roasted garlic butter, or Old Bay seasoning.

One Reddit user raved about the deal, saying, "It was really good & worth the price… I was surprised!" They added that their dining partner went through three baskets of Red Lobster's iconic Cheddar Bay Biscuits.

But others had a drastically different experience.

"My corn was cold, sausage burnt, and the garlic butter was just shrimp scampi sauce," one diner complained on Daily Mail's report.

Another said, "You couldn't pay me to eat at RL," while a third described their local Red Lobster in Pineville, NC, as a "dumpster," citing dirty tables and limited menu options. "The seafood boil looked like a kids meal," they added.

Complaints also rolled in over pricing and portion size. "A small side of Cajun sauce is $3.99? There's some work that needs to be done for sure," one review read.

Despite the backlash, Red Lobster is going full steam ahead with its Crabfest revival.

"Red Lobster's Crabfest is the ultimate summer dining experience, featuring exciting and flavorful dishes like our new Seafood Boils," Nichole Robillard, Chief Marketing Officer of Red Lobster, said in a news release. "Whether you're a longtime Red Lobster lover or participating in Crabfest for the first time, we've got something to bring everyone joy."

In addition to the new boils, seasonal offerings include Crabby Stuffed Mushrooms, a Crab-Topped Baked Potato, and Steak or Salmon Oscar topped with lump crab and creamy sauce. Fan favorites like Crab Your Way and Crab Carbonara also make a return.

The restaurant giant first filed for bankruptcy in May 2024, following a reported $76 million loss in 2023. As part of its restructuring strategy, Red Lobster shuttered dozens of underperforming locations across the country, including several in Alabama, in an effort to "simplify" operations and cut costs.

The chain's recent bankruptcy has been linked to a combination of rising operational costs and the infamous $20 endless shrimp promotion, which, while a viral sensation, reportedly dealt a significant blow to the company's finances.

At the helm of this turnaround is new CEO Damola Adamolekun, who has already made bold moves to revive the struggling brand. One of the first orders of business? Placing a hard stop to the "endless" promotions that some insiders say contributed to the chain's downfall, most notably the infamous "All You Can Eat Shrimp" deal, which went viral but ultimately proved unsustainable.

Instead, Red Lobster is shifting its focus to profitability and more strategic menu choices.

New offerings, including seasonal seafood boils and revamped favorites, have already begun to roll out across the country. With the court's green light, the brand is hoping this reboot can steer it back to its former glory.

Whether the new menu can help turn the tide for Red Lobster remains to be seen, and diners aren't holding back their reviews, good, bad, or boiled.