Red Lobster — Restaurant in San Marcos

Restaurant Review: Red Lobster – A Memorable Birthday Experience with Excellent Service from Aubrey

I recently had the pleasure of celebrating my birthday with my family at Red Lobster, and I can confidently say it was an experience to remember. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warmth and enthusiasm, but what truly made the evening exceptional was the outstanding service provided by our host, Aubrey. Her attentiveness, professionalism, and genuine care for our experience turned what could have been just another meal into a truly special occasion.

As soon as we arrived, we were welcomed by Aubrey with a big smile and a cheerful “Happy Birthday!” which immediately set the tone for the evening. She showed us to our table, making sure everyone was comfortable and had a great seat. The ambiance of the restaurant was perfect for a family gathering—cozy, inviting, and filled with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked biscuits. Aubrey made it clear that she was ready to ensure our dining experience was seamless from start to finish.

Throughout the evening, Aubrey was incredibly attentive without being overbearing. She checked in on us at the right moments, ensuring that we had everything we needed, from refills to extra napkins, all with a smile. When it came time to order, she patiently walked us through the menu, providing helpful suggestions and answering all our questions about various dishes. She even made a few recommendations based on her own personal favorites, which were spot-on and delicious.

One of the highlights of the evening was when Aubrey learned it was my birthday. She surprised me with a heartfelt birthday greeting, and without us even asking, she arranged for a special dessert to be brought to the table. The gesture was simple, yet thoughtful, and it truly made me feel celebrated. As the dessert was brought out, she also took the time to explain how Red Lobster’s signature Birthday Sundae is prepared, adding a personal touch that made the moment even more memorable.

Aubrey’s attention to detail extended beyond just the service. She was very knowledgeable about the menu and offered recommendations that enhanced our meal. From the lobster bisque to the perfectly cooked seafood entrees, every dish was delivered with precision and care. She even made sure my family’s dietary preferences were taken into account, ensuring that each of us had something we truly enjoyed.

As the evening came to a close, Aubrey thanked us again for choosing Red Lobster to celebrate such an important occasion, and made sure we left with everything we needed, including a small token of appreciation from the restaurant. Her kindness and professionalism didn’t go unnoticed, and it was clear that she genuinely cared about making our experience as enjoyable as possible.

In conclusion, Aubrey’s exceptional service at Red Lobster truly made my birthday celebration unforgettable. Her warm hospitality, attention to detail, and thoughtful gestures turned what could have been a typical dinner into a special occasion. If you’re looking for excellent food paired with top-notch service, I highly recommend visiting Red Lobster and asking for Aubrey—you won’t be...

[ ] I wanted the ultimate feast but left with ultimate disappointment. On 12/30/24 was by far the worst dining experience l've ever had in my entire life. From a waitress screaming in the middle of the restaurant she makes only $2 an hour to a random waiter running up trying to physically assault my boyfriend (the "manager" had to physically hold this waiter back and get between them), all in plain view of the entire view of guests. Long story short, the overwhelmed waitress took over 10 minutes to come to take our drink order and did not bring out silverware or plates for the appetizer. We shrugged it off but by the time we got the plates, the appetizer was cold and we still had to wait for silverware. When our entrees arrived, my coconut shrimp was rubbery and cold. I asked the waitress if she could send it back and bring me scampi and she stated she had to get permission first from her manager (shocked to find out the manager was the man we saw grab her buttocks in passing earlier..yikes). She brings out the scampi and I tried to hand her the old plate of food . She drops the plate hard on the table and snatches the old plate from my hands saying "I'm gonna trade you". I didn't want the old plate hence why I asked for the new one. My boyfriend asks to talk to the manager who offers pennies off the dollar or a free dessert. When my bf said that wasn't enough the manager started arguing and visibly gets mad and says "we keep everything under heat lamps" "I'm not able to comp your meal. I'm not allowed ". After going in circles without resolution, the manager yelled we need to leave all in front of guests while the waitress is yelling and screaming and running in and out of the kitchen getting other and begging tables not to cancel their orders. Other tables started commenting about how cold their food and their beer is warm and how long they have been waiting (over an hour) and asking if it's true you can only make $2 an hour. A waiter came and ran up to get in my bf face and that's when it finally dawned on the manager that this whole situation had escalated to the point that other guests are asking for their checks and fearing their safety and ultimately disappointed in their experience. The kicker, the manager at this point offers to comp the meal! If red lobster believes in physically assaulting and yelling at their guests and condones manager-waitress cop-a-feels, this establishment deserves to stay in 2024; no amount of shrimp scampi...

I'm not big on seafood in general, but I do like shrimp, chicken and salads. I can count on one hand the number of times I have eaten at a Red Lobster and it has always been at someone else's interest/request. That said, I also have never eaten here and not been satisfied with the meal that I have chosen. However, the service this time left you with something to be desired. I was a server for several years while in high school and college. I do hold servers to a higher standard, but I also pay attention to other factors when summing up the experience at hand. This particular day, the server didn't seem overwhelmed, or busy. As a matter of fact they appeared to not be in a hurry. The table greeting was delayed more than it should've been at 3-5min, the drinks took an additional 10-12 minutes to arrive to the table. We had to stop her from walking off to order appetizers as well when we finally received our drinks. After that it was a more normal experience. But I still label this as a subpar experience. The biscuits, appetizers and entrees were very good as expected. Like I mentioned earlier, it was only the service that left something to be desired. The ticket was just over $100. I still left a 20% tip, though 15% is generally my minimum even with bad service. But they could've earned much, much more. If well taken care of, I am very generous because I have been in their shoes and I know how hard they can work and I know what a generoustip can do for a person. But note: generous tips are...