Red Lobster — Restaurant in Oak Ridge

The food at red lobster I have to admit was really good, the service on the other hand was one of the worst I’ve ever had. Weird from the start. When we get there I wait a few minutes to be seated by a younger gentleman with his cheeks full of food (not the worst thing I understand workers need to eat). He then asks how many, I tell him 8, he looks confused then says “reservation” again confused for some reason. Once we are set our server (Brittany K ) takes a while to get to our table, which again is fine. After we order drinks and she brings bread we asked to have extra served because at almost any restaurant a big table runs out of bread and most have to flag down to get more. She responds with she’s a good server and will make sure she pays attention which is great but that didn’t happen. The men at the table were constantly out of water and not brought refills until we flagged someone down. Half of our table got the endless shrimp and two of them sat there for over 15mins with nothing on there plate. All of this at 12:30 with maybe 7 tablets in the restaurant. Me and my mother in-law decide to order our second drink for the meal. After taking over thirty minutes to bring out two drinks and the cheeks. I have a few sips of my drink, not tasting anything like the first drink and I’m starting to have some irritation in my mouth and throat I decide I shouldn’t drink it. After another 10 minutes of not seeing our waitress, I flagged down a different waitress. I tell her the drink doesn’t taste the same and my throat and tongue are starting to burn if she could take that one back and take it off the bill that would be great. Time goes by we still haven’t seen our waitress. The guys at our table are out of drinks again, i am now in a hurry because I had somewhere to be so I decide I’ll go up to the front ask for my check, cash out no big deal. On my way out. I passed the waitress and ask if she has my check because I had sent it back. She says yes, and continues to walk. Once we get to the table that she is now serving which is next to ours she tells me she has to take my check then continues to ignore me and finally hand me my check, she proceeds to leave without taking it and my card. A few minutes later she goes back to the table next to us and grab their checks, mind you we have been there two hours at this point. Seeing her cash out other peoples checks I go and ask her if she could cash mine out that we’re kind of in a hurry now. She proceeds to jerk the card and receipt out of my hand, saying a simple yep. I told her that was unacceptable with a few choices words, she tells me she didn’t jerk the card. I point to the security cameras and told her we could get her manager to pull them up and prove that she did, not another word was said and I leave because again I’m in a hurry. With my family still at the table waiting to be cashed out one of the boys that brought our food asked if they were ready, they all said yes with cards in their hands. The manager then comes out and takes their cards, doesn’t apologizing, doesn't asking any questions, nothing. We will never be back to the Red Lobster in Oakridge. With all that being said as a previous server and manager of a restaurant, obviously Service is a major part of why you go out and eat. A more important part is when someone tells you, there’s an issue like irritation, or burning in their mouth. You should probably find out why the drink taste different and ask them what’s going on. Thankfully, my reaction didn’t warrant for a hospital visit, but I am now on day five with excruciating pain and burns from an allergic reaction that I don’t know what from because I don’t know what they put different in the second drink. Servers and management need...

I haven’t left a review in awhile but I’m going to for here I came here the other day close to closing time (I’m sorry I didn’t drive) and our waitress was Kasey I don’t remember her last name she had brown hair and a small nose ring (I love y’all allow that! that’s awesome y’all allow people to be themselves) she was an absolute sweetheart. I was there with not so kind people so I apologize on their behalf of their behavior I left her a drawing. I felt bad so I’m leaving this so hopefully the owner will see this and know that that girl put up with not so friendly people in an amazing way! She’s a wonderful girl and amazing worker I would love y’all to give that woman a raise. She deserves it 100%! Let her know I said thank you for being an amazing person 💜 and again I apologize for their childish behavior. Would love to come again alone on a day that she works there. She has manners like a girl I’ve never seen before I can’t see how she does it. Obviously a heart of gold. Please give her a raise or recognize her amazing work ethic! She deserves it 🥰 and food was amazing. It was my first time at a red lobster and I enjoyed it. Great atmosphere too I love the boat theme and the flags...

The only reason I gave two stars is because of the service. The service was the saving grace. The only pro. Firstly, always make up your own mind these are my options. For the most part clean except for the filthy carpet, this is the only critique of the Oak Ridge restaurant although unappetizing. The restaurant locally certainly relies on corporate. I saw no remnants of the restaurant I knew and loved in the 90’s. Every dish I witnessed or tasted was either made smaller, shortcuts taken and or different than advertised. The only example I will waste my time sharing was my shrimp cocktail. The description was “Jumbo” shrimp. The shrimp were 14-16 count per pound at very best yet the cost was $12. I understand improving margins and profit. Well Red Lobster some people know quality. That’s what I had originally agreed to pay for. These shortcuts are not fooling me and based on quality well overpriced. Good luck on attracting folks that will accept less. Final assessment: poor corporate structure on food...