Red Lobster — Restaurant in Charleston

I visited on Sunday at 1pm. Our table of 6 did not have to wait to be seated except for the table to be cleaned which wasn't done well because we still saw crumbs. I told the 2 male hostesses we needed a high chair. He did not get it for us until our server told him again. We could not find any info in the menu about the endless shrimp advertised outside on a banner hanging outside. We asked our server who went to the hostess to get an insert that they neglected to give us. It took a while for our server to greet us because he was very busy and working very hard for his other guests but once he was able to get to us he was an excellent server and deserved a very generous tip. I wish we'd gotten his name because he is probably one of the best servers anywhere. I was very disappointed that the coconut shrimp included on the endless shrimp menu was not available. They substituted popcorn shrimp with a coconut breading. Maybe Walt's shrimp could have been done the same way? Otherwise, popcorn shrimp was not on the endless menu. The table next to us left and their children had dropped macaroni and biscuits all over the floor under their table which is fine but then I watched in disgust as a new group was seated there without it being swept. This is a big problem at many restaurants along with the seats often needing to be wiped off before seating someone there. We were seated at the back of the first left side when you walk in, before that back room. There were off duty employees lounging in the entry way of that room in their crop tops and shorts that look like underwear. They were trying to get the attention of the other employees so they would come talk to them in the room. One of the hostesses stayed there a while while with his ear piece still on, slapping the table momentously about something that was said. All this time I never commented on it but it must have been pretty obvious because my 8 year old son whose back was to this whole scene, surprised me when he said, "that room must be the get-away room". There was a lot of employee traffic going to and from there. It was just a room with tables, not the kitchen or...

"Red Lobster or Long John Silver's, what's the difference?"

Anderson Cooper is right: Red Lobster is the Applebee's of seafood, but this location in particular is more so the McDonald's.

This place went downhill when the pandemic hit and never recovered. Last time I went I swore to never return for the reasons I soon rediscovered this most recent, and certainly final, visit.

The waiters take forever to return to your table to ask you for anything, and when you do, they often don't/forget to deliver. Asked for refill and waited 20 minutes before I went to the bar and asked for a water. I counted three times our waiter passed us and refused to make eye contact to see if we needed anything.

Totally negligent.

Much the same for biscuits or condiments, which may never arrive even after asking for them twice.

Not to mention the small amount of Biscuits they give you (3-4) to cut corners, likely the same reason they don't refill your drinks: the less they fulfill those responsibilities, or ask to, the less money they are out.

I had THE EXACT same issues here a year or so ago: such terrible table service that would exalt a circus animal to supercomputer levels of courtesy and routine service.

The food is subpar now too: rice is always overcooked, overly wet, and sticks together like oatmeal. The stuffed mushrooms are overcooked/dried out, the mozzarella sticks are lukewarm at best (and you only get 6 for $12), and the fries have less taste than those reheated from McDonalds.

The only good thing that remains is the butter garlic dip, but it's hard to screw up something pre-made I guess.

Oh, and it would be nice if you cleaned this place every now and then. The white and yellow stains running down your hardwood walls and booths have been there steadily since 2018. DISGUSTING. But I assume that's why they keep it so dark in there, to hide all the mess.

Save $70 and your dignity and go to a Long John Silver's instead, which is what Red Lobster now...

To management: Red Lobster: Charleston,WV. Taking a reservation over the phone at noon and then not honoring it when we arrive at 5:45 …..actually stating that you do not ACCEPT same day reservations, even though I have the confirmation text on my phone was bewildering to my husband and I. The reservation was made to secure a dinner that was celebrating both of our birthdays. The result was being over an hour from home at peak dining time in Charleston with an average wait-time of 45 minutes to an hour at the handful of decent restaurants nearby…..which was EXACTLY what we THOUGHT we were avoiding when we called and made our reservation. We were actually told all the people waiting would be seated before us. A string of available tables were unused. We were told there was no staff to serve that area. Obviously, if same day reservations were not ‘allowed’, not everyone employed there was made aware of that. (Someone needs to tell Daniel). I am not going to pretend that our completely ruined birthday(s) celebrations and loss of business will matter to you, as a manager, because as it seems, you have many other issues to deal with such as finding people who show up to work, want to work, or know how to speak apologetically and courteously when faced with a situation such as ours. All dressed up (and so hungry ) after the movie ( I should have had the popcorn I thought would ruin my appetite for the up coming dinner) with no place to go made for very disappointing evening. ☹️. * in response (to owner’s response, ) I am not on facebook. Also not looking for a free meal. Just frustrated and...