Red Lobster and Olive Garden

[ToLiveIsToFly]

Never been to either. Tried to go to both of them once, both had hour+ waits, went somewhere else.

In his Red Lobster, White Trash and the Blue Lagoon, Joe Queenan theorized that Red Lobster's secret was that they had a giant vat of crisco in the back and a bunch of molds. When you ordered lobster, they'd fill the lobster mold with crisco, etc.

[silverscreenselect]

Never been to either. Tried to go to both of them once, both had hour+ waits, went somewhere else.

A couple of years ago, our daughter gave us gift cards to Olive Garden and Red Lobster as an Xmas present. That year, when we went on our cruise we decided to use the gift cards the night before down in Cocoa Beach, where we stayed. It was a Friday night. There was a Red Lobster right next door to an Olive Garden there.

The parking lot around both restaurants was full. We went in Red Lobster first, told it would be over a half hour late, then tried the Olive Garden where we were seated after only a ten minute wait (this was after 8:00 at night).

Several months later, we tried to use the remaining Red Lobster card at a Red Lobster here in Atlanta on a Saturday wait. Again, the place was packed and we were seated after "only" a 15-minue wait.

If Red Lobster can't stay afloat with crowds like that, then they do have big problems. (P.S.: This was the only time we'd been to either of these restaurants for dinner in over ten years.)

[Bob Juch]

Never been to either. Tried to go to both of them once, both had hour+ waits, went somewhere else.

A couple of years ago, our daughter gave us gift cards to Olive Garden and Red Lobster as an Xmas present. That year, when we went on our cruise we decided to use the gift cards the night before down in Cocoa Beach, where we stayed. It was a Friday night. There was a Red Lobster right next door to an Olive Garden there.

The parking lot around both restaurants was full. We went in Red Lobster first, told it would be over a half hour late, then tried the Olive Garden where we were seated after only a ten minute wait (this was after 8:00 at night).

Several months later, we tried to use the remaining Red Lobster card at a Red Lobster here in Atlanta on a Saturday wait. Again, the place was packed and we were seated after "only" a 15-minue wait.

If Red Lobster can't stay afloat with crowds like that, then they do have big problems. (P.S.: This was the only time we'd been to either of these restaurants for dinner in over ten years.)

Apparently it depends on where the restaurants are. Some do well, some do not. There's one about a block away from a Carrabba's that must be kicking its butt. Their parking lot has been almost empty when I've driven by. There were a pair of RL/OG in Rogers, Arkansas and another in Duncanville, TX that were never more thyan half full.

They learned the hard way a few years ago not to do the "endless crab legs" dinner but still do "endless shrimp" which must be a loss leader.

[tanstaafl2]

Ate at Red Lobster a few times over the years but was never a big fan. Some years back Olive Garden seemed to be pretty decent but the last few times I went it was less noteworthy. I usually eat at these kinds of places when traveling and local knowledge was limited and/or other options uncertain. I suppose if OG folded I might miss it in this rare circumstance. Although not as if there aren't plenty of other bland chains to fill the void.

The Olive Garden nearest me closed some time ago and nothing else has been able to make a go of it there since. Which perhaps explains why it closed.

[lilclyde54]

Count me in that group that likes Red Lobster in no small part because of the biscuits. Olive Garden they could shut down at midnight tonight and not bother me a bit.

[Bob Juch]

A friend of mine from Boise was complaining tonight that the Red Lobster has no decent entrees under $15 now. That may be the reason for their slide.