Red Lobster — Restaurant in Aurora

Poor Quality. Not Worth It.

I'll spare you all the reading, but if you need a late night read, see "My sob story" further below. The short of it is, after years of giving this Red Lobster numerous 2nd chances (primarily out of convenience/location), this last visit is the last time I will be going to this particular restaurant. For the amount of money and quality of food, selection and service you'll actually get a better lobster at Outback Steakhouse (my opinion/recommendation).... And they have steak and shrimp too!

My sob story:

Not living in the northeast, where lobster joints are in abundance, Red Lobster used to be my "go-to" mid-range restaurant to get lobster without having mortgage the house. I've lived in this south east area of Denver for nearly 20 years and gone to this Red Lobster many times, but in the last probably 3-4 years, the quality of food and service have noticably declined while their prices continue to increase. The last visit pretty much sealed the deal for me:

I ordered the Lobster Feast, a $38 meal that did not come with a side salad or soup without paying an upcharge. They brought my wife me our salads and appetizers together, and then no more than 5 mins later brought us our main courses. So, all our food is sitting on top of each other, getting cold and difficult to maneuver. Then, when I was finally able to get to my lobster tail (their signature dish) it wasn't cooked all the way through! So, I called the manager over, explained to her in good humor our experience so far this evening and then showed her the under cooked/raw-on-the-inside lobster tail. She agreed and apologized and proceeded to bring me a new one... which, you guessed it, was under cooked too! She was clearly embarrassed, apologized and brought me a new one (3rd time's a charm), meanwhile my wife had finished her dinner and watched me patiently. The manger took 20% off our bill, but we still paid nearly $70 for a really lousy dining experience. (and yes, having bussed tables in my youth, I did tip the server. None of this, except all the food coming out at once was really her fault - she just needs to go work for another restaurant).

Anyway, in all honesty, this is not the first, second, third or even fourth time I have had this type of experience at this establishment. My wife and I left that night in agreement that it's worth making the extra 10-15 min drive down Arapahoe to Outback Steakhouse for better selection and service at a similar price range.

(Of course there are higher-end restaurants, etc. But this is just trying to keep this comparison within the same realm of food...

We went to the southlands location for my son's 11th bday 07/20/25. It was a bit late a little after 8pm I did not realize they closed at 9pm. I noticed the menu has changed , 1st disappointment, they took off the Create your own where you pick 2 or 3 entrees now they just have the ultimate feast for $50 which doesn't offer the same entrees as the create your own. The clam chowder 2nd disappointment, it wasn't how it ALWAYS is very creamy and delicious. It was as though it was over cooked , really lumpy and thick, flavor was NOT good. My son in law ordered the ultimate feast with the lobster tail, 3 rd disappointment, it was all mushy and also seemed overcooked, he did not eat it. We didn't complain because my son loved his food which that is why we went there in the first place. My daughter told me today that she thinks because we went so late that we got the "bottom of the barrel" of the clam chowder because they were already closing by the time we got our food. So it wasn't fresh. That's exactly how it seemed, like when you scrape the bottom of the pan when you heat up creamy soup and it sticks to the bottom. I go to this Red lobster location ALL the time and I go there because of the food, preparation and flavor. I have to say I give this visit a 2 , service was...

WoW where to start with this one . Spent a lot more then received that is for sure. Side of crab had shrunken over cooked meat inside , our poor server was all over while 5 servers were standing in Back by bathrooms , dirty tables everywhere and what look to be a manager that really didn't care about much more then when will the night end! Very disappointed and of all days on my birthday . I will be leave a review online , I will tell more then the normal 10 don't go to this one. Our server had quit a load with a 7 top that was dully pointed out by another server how they been waiting and they had already requested some drinks - can't help a fellow worker out ? Nice job miss G . As for K as we will call her ( cant use names) she did her job and apologized for the wait at table , no silverware , no napkins , no biscuits , no waters and also added the manager would be by to see us! Pretty sure I saw manager on way out door and didn't show a bit of interest to say have a good night or thank you for coming or inquire about visit. I hope corporate can resolve some issues going on at that location . This was a well over $100.00 visit before tip. My business will not return to this location even for free food I'm that disappointed at...