Red Lobster — Restaurant in Temecula

Red Lobster Review – 3.5/5 Stars

We started with the Crab Queso, and it was a standout appetizer. The queso arrived warm and comforting, with a smooth, creamy texture that balanced the richness of the cheese and the sweet, tender crab meat beautifully. The crispy tortilla chips were fresh, lightly salted, and had a satisfying crunch that made every bite perfect. Visually, the dish looked inviting with a colorful sprinkle of pico de gallo on top, adding a fresh pop.

For the main course, we ordered the Lobster Lover’s Duo, featuring a Maine lobster tail and a Caribbean rock lobster tail. Unfortunately, this dish fell short. Both lobster tails lacked flavor and had a rubbery texture, suggesting they might have been overcooked. It was disappointing given the high expectations we had for such a signature dish.

The crab legs were cooked properly, with a good firmness, but the flavor was mild and somewhat forgettable. On the other hand, the shrimp in butter sauce was delightful — buttery, herby, and nicely seasoned, pairing wonderfully with the tender potato side. The broccoli was also a highlight: fully cooked, soft, and almost melting in the mouth without being mushy.

Of course, we enjoyed the famous Cheddar Bay Biscuits — warm, fluffy, cheesy, and just as crave-worthy as expected.

Service: The staff was polite but seemed slightly distracted during our visit. Service was efficient enough, and wait times for food weren’t bad, but it didn’t feel especially attentive or personalized.

Ambiance: The restaurant was clean but lacked energy — the atmosphere felt a bit bland, and even our server looked a little tired or disengaged. The lighting was neutral, and the environment was quiet, though it could use a bit more warmth and character to make it feel welcoming.

Price: For the price point (around $46.99+ for the Lobster Lover’s Duo), the food quality, particularly the lobster, didn’t feel like the best value. However, other parts of the meal, like the appetizers and shrimp, made the cost a bit easier to justify.

Provide a Balanced Perspective: While some dishes missed the mark (especially the lobster), there were definite highlights, such as the Crab Queso, shrimp, broccoli, and biscuits. Drinks were well-prepared and served chilled, and the addition of wine was a nice touch to the meal.

Additional Points:

Dietary Options: There were seafood and non-seafood options available, though we didn’t specifically explore vegetarian or vegan choices during this visit.

Personal Preferences: We were really hoping for a flavorful lobster experience, so our disappointment may reflect those high expectations more than casual diners might feel.

Conclusion: Overall, we had a pleasant enough time at Red Lobster. While there were a few letdowns, especially with the lobster tails, the appetizers and sides helped redeem the meal. The setting could use a little more life, and the service, while acceptable, could be more engaging. Would I recommend it? — Yes, but with a small warning: if you go, stick to the appetizers, shrimp, and classic favorites like the biscuits, and set reasonable expectations for the lobster.

Final...

Date:June 23, 2025

Time: 3:30 pm - 4:40 pm

Location: Temecula, CA

We visited Red Lobster during their advertised seafood boil promotion, but our experience fell short of expectations. Upon arrival, we noticed a lack of signage and advertisement outside. Inside, the restaurant was empty with tables in disarray. The hostess barely cleaned our table, leaving it wet, and we had to request a different table.

Our drink order was incorrect, and the bartender informed us they were out of Grey Goose after serving us Grey Goose and water. The on-duty manager's customer service was particularly disappointing. When we brought the issue to their attention, they failed to introduce themselves, didn't apologize, and simply stated, "I took the drink off your bill" without any effort to make it right. There was no "hi, how are you?" or "can I offer you another drink?" - just a rushed and impersonal interaction.

The manager's lack of engagement and poor customer service set the tone for the rest of our experience. They never made an effort to come back around to check on us or thank us for coming, leaving us feeling like our business wasn't valued.

We ordered an espresso martini, which tasted like chocolate milk with no scent or taste of alcohol. My marine boil lacked flavor and wasn't served with lemon slices or seasoning. My husband's shrimp Alfredo had no flavor, overcooked noodles, and a sticky sauce. The children's menu needs more options, such as linguine noodles with Alfredo.

Our waiter, Daliaha, tried her best, but the leadership seemed lacking. We were told the store manager was out sick, but the on-duty manager's performance was still disappointing.

The ambiance was also off, with dark lighting and outdated music.

Given the hype around the new vision, we were expecting a revitalized experience reminiscent of Red Lobster's past glory. Unfortunately, our visit was a disappointment.

However, I want to emphasize that our disappointment lies with the specific location's execution, not with the company's overall direction under the current CEO's leadership. We appreciate the efforts to revamp and improve, and we hope this feedback will be taken constructively to enhance the customer experience.

Recommendations:

Improve exterior signage, advertisement, and ambiance Ensure tables are clean and well-maintained Provide accurate drink orders Train staff on customer service and introductions Update children's menu options Ensure managers check in with customers and thank them for their business Improve management's customer service skills and engagement

We hope to see improvements...

I have been a loyal Red Lobster customer for years, frequently choosing their restaurant to celebrate special occasions with my family. However, the incident that occurred has left me extremely disappointed — both due to the quality of food served and the unprofessional handling of my concern.

One of the meals I recently purchased came with a coleslaw side. Upon arriving home and sitting down to eat, my father commented that the coleslaw tasted strange, how slimy it was and how it had a strong, unpleasant odor. I attempted to take a bite myself but couldn’t bring myself to eat it due to the overwhelmingly sour smell. It was very clear to both of us that the coleslaw was spoiled.

I immediately called the restaurant to speak with a manager, not in search of compensation, but to inform them of the issue in the hopes they could check their food storage and prevent serving spoiled food to other customers. However, when I spoke to McKenzie, who identified herself as the manager, I was met with an unexpected lack of professionalism. She offered no apology and seemed confused when I used the term “spoiled.” Instead of taking my concern seriously, she dismissed it by saying “there’s just a lot of liquid” and insisted that the coleslaw is “made fresh every morning.”

I did have to pursue and take actions in a different way because of how lightly the manager was taking my concern. I am now worried that my father will get food poisoning from the coleslaw that he ate.

Her tone was defensive and accusatory, rather than understanding or solution-oriented. Despite the seriousness of my concern about spoiled food, the only resolution offered was a $5 gift card. I requested to speak with the owner or someone above her, and she vaguely responded that she would “try.”

Again, I want to stress that this complaint is not about a refund — it’s about food safety and the way the situation was handled. My father genuinely enjoys their coleslaw and was disappointed not only by the spoiled food, but also by the way the issue was brushed off. I still have the coleslaw stored in my refrigerator should it need to be reviewed.

I sincerely hope this matter will be addressed appropriately and that better customer care and food safety practices are reinforced at...