Red Lobster, and other American eateries
Discussion
If you are a seafood fan as we are RL are good, good menu, specials board too.
They are just a franchise like McDonald’s though so some will be better than others probably depends on location and how busy they are, fast turnover = fresh food
If you are out to enjoy the food tell the waiter you do not want to be rushed or you will get you’re main course before the starters are finished! Americans will complain if they do not get served fast.
Try the Alaskan crab legs, but takes time to eat them picking out the meat from each leg, worth the effort though, yummy.
They are just a franchise like McDonald’s though so some will be better than others probably depends on location and how busy they are, fast turnover = fresh food
If you are out to enjoy the food tell the waiter you do not want to be rushed or you will get you’re main course before the starters are finished! Americans will complain if they do not get served fast.
Try the Alaskan crab legs, but takes time to eat them picking out the meat from each leg, worth the effort though, yummy.
The cheese biscuits at Red Lobster are basically crack, I cannot stuff them in my mouth fast enough! As for the rest, it’s ok. As with any chain restaurant it’s not going to blow you away buts it’s not going to be bad. My wife’s grandparents who are in there 80s love it so make of that what you will!
I have to disagree about KFC over here. It’s awful and not even in the British “it’s awful but I quite like it occasionally”, it’s just awful! Soggy chicken, mashed potatoes that taste like wallpaper paste and biscuits that can be used as a weapon. Decent gravy though
Wendy’s is decent, wife loves Taco Bell but I'm not convinced, Chik Fil A is fantastic with amazing service but annoyingly not open on Sundays, MacDonald’s is the same as the U.K. and I’ve only had Burger once over here and they was fine.
I have to disagree about KFC over here. It’s awful and not even in the British “it’s awful but I quite like it occasionally”, it’s just awful! Soggy chicken, mashed potatoes that taste like wallpaper paste and biscuits that can be used as a weapon. Decent gravy though
Wendy’s is decent, wife loves Taco Bell but I'm not convinced, Chik Fil A is fantastic with amazing service but annoyingly not open on Sundays, MacDonald’s is the same as the U.K. and I’ve only had Burger once over here and they was fine.
Arby’s is interesting. We go once a year (weird 4th of July tradition) and it never fails to make you feel gross. Thinly sliced roast beef covered with cheese sauce on a bun.
Texas Roadhouse, Outback Steakhouse and Longhorn steakhouse are pretty much the same. Good steaks and beer so cold ice forms on the top.
Can’t comment on Applebee’s, Ruby Tuesdays or Chillis haven’t had the dubious pleasure yet.
O and Dairy Queen do really really good ice cream
But the daddy of them all (well if you live in this part of Pennsylvania) is Wawa. Think Subway but better in every conceivable way. Customise your hoagie to exactly how you want it.
What I would say about living and eating her is that the chains are fine. It’s average food served averagely. You probably won’t be disappointed but you won’t get a flavour of America. I would highly recommend finding pretty much any brewery and eating there. Your going to get decent beer, interesting food, good service and (cliched as it sounds) friendly people.
If anyone wants anything more specific I’m more than happy to answer or if there’s something that needs a taste test I can oblige, purely for science of course!
Texas Roadhouse, Outback Steakhouse and Longhorn steakhouse are pretty much the same. Good steaks and beer so cold ice forms on the top.
Can’t comment on Applebee’s, Ruby Tuesdays or Chillis haven’t had the dubious pleasure yet.
O and Dairy Queen do really really good ice cream
But the daddy of them all (well if you live in this part of Pennsylvania) is Wawa. Think Subway but better in every conceivable way. Customise your hoagie to exactly how you want it.
What I would say about living and eating her is that the chains are fine. It’s average food served averagely. You probably won’t be disappointed but you won’t get a flavour of America. I would highly recommend finding pretty much any brewery and eating there. Your going to get decent beer, interesting food, good service and (cliched as it sounds) friendly people.
If anyone wants anything more specific I’m more than happy to answer or if there’s something that needs a taste test I can oblige, purely for science of course!
Edited by snoopygoose on Monday 26th July 23:38
snoopygoose said:
The cheese biscuits at Red Lobster are basically crack, I cannot stuff them in my mouth fast enough!
I would actually believe it if they told me crack is the secret ingredient in them.It's worth going to Red Lobster at least once in your life just to eat these things.
Chick Fil A is good for chicken.
If you can find a Panera Bread, they do really nice sandwiches/soups etc, a lot better than Subway.
Edited by Radec on Monday 26th July 23:37
Truckosaurus said:
American KFC is better than UK KFC, choice of coatings and type of portion (drumstick, breast, etc), mashed potato side dishes, although burgers are only a recent addition.
When you've been in the US staying in a hotel for weeks on end the KFC Chicken Pot Pie hits the mark like nothing else can 
Personally never rated red lobster been twice once in Florida and once in Los Angeles think seafood meets harvester.
In n Out burgers are worth a visit tastier and cheaper than 5 guys. Cheesecake Factory also a good chain.
Roscoe's chicken and waffles was surprisingly good though i didn't mix the sweet with the savory.
In n Out burgers are worth a visit tastier and cheaper than 5 guys. Cheesecake Factory also a good chain.
Roscoe's chicken and waffles was surprisingly good though i didn't mix the sweet with the savory.
wastedyouth86 said:
Personally never rated red lobster been twice once in Florida and once in Los Angeles think seafood meets harvester. ...
Same. (Though I can concur with the addictiveness of the biscuits, even though you know you shouldn't).But then I think the same of pretty much all of this type of outlet in the US. Quantity over quality all the way. Far better off trying to find decent indie places wherever you are (ask the locals).
wastedyouth86 said:
Personally never rated red lobster been twice once in Florida and once in Los Angeles think seafood meets harvester.
In n Out burgers are worth a visit tastier and cheaper than 5 guys. Cheesecake Factory also a good chain.
Roscoe's chicken and waffles was surprisingly good though i didn't mix the sweet with the savory.
Have to say I had high hopes of Red Lobster, but frankly found the food poor.In n Out burgers are worth a visit tastier and cheaper than 5 guys. Cheesecake Factory also a good chain.
Roscoe's chicken and waffles was surprisingly good though i didn't mix the sweet with the savory.
It's only really in Texas but Papasitos & Papadeaux chain are great also
I live in the US...these places can be pretty poor. Like all franchise places YMMV.
America is weird for seafood. They do oysters and raw bar so well, but when it comes to cooking seafood, everything gets fried. After a few days eating anywhere coastal I just get sick of the grease.
Exception for Cajun/Creole gumbos and soups...which are delicious.
America is weird for seafood. They do oysters and raw bar so well, but when it comes to cooking seafood, everything gets fried. After a few days eating anywhere coastal I just get sick of the grease.
Exception for Cajun/Creole gumbos and soups...which are delicious.
wastedyouth86 said:
Personally never rated red lobster been twice once in Florida and once in Los Angeles think seafood meets harvester.
I've never got Red Lobster either, yet friends of ours rave about it.Apparently they use to be part of one of the better chain restaurants groups but they were spun off some years ago.
Some of the chain restaurants appear oddly high-end - we went to a Seasons52 (same chain as used to own Red Lobster) in Fort Lauderdale and there was a line of Porsches outside being valet parked. Felt a bit awkward inside in shorts and tee-shirt!
Sheepshanks said:
I've never got Red Lobster either, yet friends of ours rave about it.
Apparently they use to be part of one of the better chain restaurants groups but they were spun off some years ago.
Some of the chain restaurants appear oddly high-end - we went to a Seasons52 (same chain as used to own Red Lobster) in Fort Lauderdale and there was a line of Porsches outside being valet parked. Felt a bit awkward inside in shorts and tee-shirt!
Slight tangent I do think one of the big differences between eating here and back in the UK is no one gives a sh*t what you're wearing in restaurants or bars, outside of white linen places of course. It does lead to some interesting sights though!Apparently they use to be part of one of the better chain restaurants groups but they were spun off some years ago.
Some of the chain restaurants appear oddly high-end - we went to a Seasons52 (same chain as used to own Red Lobster) in Fort Lauderdale and there was a line of Porsches outside being valet parked. Felt a bit awkward inside in shorts and tee-shirt!
I am definitely finding a Waffle House on my next trip Stateside (if global travel is ever allowed again).
It looks gloriously dreadful.
https://www.wafflehouse.com/
It looks gloriously dreadful.
https://www.wafflehouse.com/
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