Red Lobster — Restaurant in Maryland

My boyfriend and I decided to go to Red Lobster in White Marsh because the one across from Harford Mall has closed. We arrived at 6:45 and were told there would be a fifteen minute wait to be seated in the empty dining room but if we wanted to sit at a table right away we could seat ourselves in the bar area, which didn’t make sense to me but we sat at a booth in the bar area anyway and the couple that walked in before us did the same.

The bar itself was empty - there was us and the other couple. We were brought plates napkins and cheddar biscuits right away. We ordered our drinks which were sat at the table sloppily (no straws). My specialty drink was brought with no fruit or straw. When he came back to take our food order we asked for straws so he abruptly took off and came back more than 5 minutes later with them.

He takes our order and while we’re waiting for our food he’s running around the bar area with an ear bud in his ear obviously on the phone with someone complaining about people and different races. While he’s moving around the bar area he’s not getting much work done. He completely ignored customers that looked like they wanted service and didn’t even acknowledge them. So a couple of them left. Then he starts to realize (after the other couple brings it to his attention) that we have waited more than 40 minutes and still don’t have our food. He goes back in the kitchen and comes back out 10 minutes later complaining to whoever he’s still on the phone with about how there’s a large party causing his tables food to take longer and now he’s not going to get good tips. He still hasn’t come to tell his customers the situation.

Finally at 8:00, he brings our food out! I asked him to fix one of my sides that was wrong and instead of seeing if we needed anything else first, he takes off to fix my side. Me and my boyfriend are looking at each other and shaking our heads because he never brought us silverware.

So I took it upon myself to get up and look for silverware because none of the other servers/hostess/manager in the restaurant seemed to care about anything really. They watched me walk around looking on tables, looking around server stations, and opening cabinets/drawers and no one even bothered to ask if I needed anything. I took salt and pepper off of another table so I had some. I never did see this “large party” that was mentioned, unless 10 people at a table is large for them.

I returned to my table defeated without silverware. My boyfriend was somewhat successful, he at least asked our server to get some while I was gone but who knew how long that would be because the side he was supposed to fix was still missing.

We decided to start eating the shrimp with our fingers so that our food wouldn’t all be cold by the time we got silverware.

When he finally brought us silverware it looked like he just ran a couple of forks and knives under water and brought them out to us. At that point I just wanted to get out of there, so I wiped the silverware off really good and finished my food. I was never offered refills on my drinks. I had to ask for the side that was supposed to be brought out when we were asking for the check because he never came to ask how we were doing or how the food was. My boyfriend never got his Walt’s shrimp either. I’m still wondering if I’m going to get sick from the lobster because it was mushy and cold in a couple spots, I spit it out but ya never know. 🤞🏻

On the way out the other couple asked if we were compensated for anything on our check. I told them I’m going to cut my losses and save myself some time because they would screw that up somehow too and then I’d have to be there even longer. I’m just never coming back. They also said they would not return. I hope they got something off they’re check, they seemed like they were willing to subject themselves to that nightmare longer and fight the good...

I just visited the Red Lobster in White Marsh. We arrived Sunday to have food in the 1-2pm hour. Upon arrival, the restaurant was pretty empty with one active server on duty and another staffer who was helping seat guests and get food for the pick up orders. We only waited about 5 minutes to be sat for a table of two. There was a party of four who came in at the same time and they were seated shortly after.

It didn't take long for Ashland to arrive and introduce herself as our server. She said she would be back with biscuits to give us time to view the menu. Once we were ready to order, it did not take long for our appetizer to arrive. We got the calamari. It was fresh tasting though a bit too salty. We barely got to dig into it before our main courses arrived. That was good! Our food was steaming hot and my lunch date who got lobster said it was good. I had the lobster linguine and it was very hot. Not a bad thing!

We gave one less star because the calamari was a bit over salted for taste but not so much it made it unpleasant to eat. One star less because my pasta was very wet. Not a broth but almost if you didn't drain all the water from the pot before pouring the pasta onto the dish.

Ashland was very nice and she came to check on us during our meal. I would have liked to have one more visit to request a refill but new guests were coming in to be sat in her section so I don't fault her for being busy!

I know this is a long read so for those who've made it this far, hopefully you're finding it useful. I admit I read a lot of the newest reviews that were not impressed with their experience here. And even as we were leaving, no one said goodbye to us. And that means a family of three who came in were not acknowledged either. As my partner and I were getting into the car to go, the family who happened to park next to us were heading out to their car and leaving with unhappy faces. They were waiting for a little while while I was at the front waiting for my partner in the bathroom. It's sad because that could have been a another customer. So I get the sentiment of the bad reviews regarding the wait time.

My partner and I still wear masks to keep safe and even through my kn95, I noticed what some reviewers have describe as a strong smell in the lobby. I couldn't tell if it was the darkened lobster tank or the restrooms.

It was very dark in the restaurant but we were seated in the window section. The music was playing and we received real utensils when we were given the menus. I know some reviewers mentioned getting no utensils or only getting plastic ones.

Overall I think it depends on when you go what kind of experience you'll have. Props to Ashland for being personable as a one woman show in the window section for the afternoon "rush". I hope the new leadership of the chain can really put the time into redesigning the business model...

Had the worst experience today. My wife and I have lived in whitemarsh for 10+ years. This was the third and last time we’ll patronize this red lobster. Walked in on one of the busiest weekends ( easter) and realized that the bar was closed. First red flag. My wife really wanted to stay so I obliged. We got seated quickly and were greeted by our waiter after about 10 minutes. My wife and I knew it would be a long wait but not an hour and 15 minutes long. After about 20 minutes he brought my salad and drinks. After 45 minutes I asked the waiter how much longer for the food. This grown man throws his hands up , shrugs his shoulders and says “I don’t know man what you want from me I checked”. It was almost like I inconvenienced or annoyed him asking about my order. Again , I’m out with my ole lady but I almost flipped . A group of 4 women next to me all turned and looked at him like he was crazy. My wife calmed me down and convinced me to stay once more. About 5 minutes later a table that walked in 20 minutes after us got all of their food. Then a second table. At this point I go to the front receptionist and tell him to cash me out. He said I had to clear with a manager. The manager comes out 2 minutes later and says he’s comping the meal. Of course as the conversation is happening our two courses come . Shrimp Caesar salad( literally 5 minutes to make) , shrimp scampi , shrimp Alfredo , and fried shrimp get to the table I was no longer at. The hostess of the establishment literally told me I should have just walked out. I told him I’m not doing that for y’all to call the cops and say I skipped on a all of $75 buck meal. Not happening. I offered to pay for everything that we touched which was a side salad, sprite , and lemonade . The manager says don’t worry about it we comped it. I didn’t even trust or want the food. Of course all the waiters are snickering and laughing as we walk out. Backed up service I understand but blatant ignorance and disrespect to a paying customer trying to inquire about the status of an order is despicable. A simple “ I’ll go check on it now”, “sorry about that we are running behind” “would you like some more bread while you wait” would have sufficed. I get it , it’s not a Michelin but I’ve spent a couple hundred bucks with them in two previous visits. A simple courtesy while working in a restaurant , I thought was a common thing. I explained that to the manager and he said don’t worry I comped it . I didn’t sit there for an hour and a half get a comped meal . We walked out . I know customer service declined after the pandemic but this place was absolutely horrible. They’ll be facing the carrabas, red robbin fate sooner than later at this rate. They probably already know the writings on the wall...