Red Lobster — Restaurant in Virginia

I have never been so disappointed in going out to eat all my life. When my meal arrived by which I mean, the bowl had just sat down on the table and I instantly picked up the lettuce to see if the toppings were somehow underneath— as if that made sense. But no half of the bowl was lettuce with no edamame or Asian dressing. The waiter said he’d be right back and when he came back, I thought maybe he was bringing those items when he didn’t. I Did mention to him that it was supposed to come with any edamame and Asian dressing. I was given a look of deer in the headlights /doesn’t make much sense. He told me that no, it doesn’t always come that way. I said on the menu and online (I double checked while he was away from the table the first time) if this is what I’d order was correct yes, edamame does belong on the salad. He finally went to the kitchen to go to get these items. When he came back a second time he didn’t bring me the items and said that the dressing wasn’t available. And, in fact, it was never available. Having dry lettuce to eat I asked what sort of dressings did they have not knowing what was available. I was told there was a lemon dressing that everyone got with this bowl. I don’t like lemons I’m not a lemon fan I asked again what other sort of dressings they had, and again the waiter went round, and round on this dressing that this dressing is the only one he’s ever seen on this meal. He kept talking about the lemon dressing. He would not tell me what other dressings were available I said, could you at least bring me the edamame and we could discuss dressing after that he went back to the kitchen the third time. He back and said there was no edamame.

Finally, he went and got the manager. The manager came over and came with an attitude.

This really boggles the mind at the point of the waiter telling the manager with the issue is he should’ve explained as I did to him that if the chef can’t accommodate the actual meal that was ordered, it should’ve been brought back to me to be given an opportunity to change what I’ve requested to order something else and that did not happen.

The waiter did not give any information to the manager when she came over, she kept an attitude with me. What’s the problem. I had to explain it from the beginning.

Instead of being empathetic to the plight of a customer not getting what they are paying for she asked. “When did I tell the waiter items were missing”? I told her the moment I realized that the items were not coming. I only waited from the first moment because he said he would be right back, and he brought other items to the person I was eating with and, as it turned out not my salad toppings thought was going to happen.

There was no apology from the manager. At this time she went to inquire what was going on. Eventually, she came back to explain that the waiter didn’t create the meal. I never said, or thought that he did. That the salad dressing does exist they hadn’t prepped it. Again, I don’t know anything about that. All I know is that I ordered some thing that I didn’t get And she took it off the bill. I would’ve been happy to have paid for the salmon at least third of the cost half of the cost that would’ve been fair.

Beyond the rudeness of the manager, I am disappointed in the fact that there was no orzo in the orzo rice, but beyond that the rice wasn’t even cooked properly. I never got a refill on my drink.

The person I was with had to beg for her side overall it was the most disappointing meal.

I don’t live near Fredericksburg for us going out to eat while in “the big city” is a treat. A luxury. We could choose from any restaurant and we chose red lobster based on past experiences and instead of a nice time, we were met with disappointment.

I don’t think I want to go back there. I am...

So, it's been years since we've dined at a Red Lobster and I'm just now remembering why. Extremely overpriced and underwhelming I would say for our meal. They still have the 50+gallon tank with half dead lobsters to view on the way in which probably have the same ones that were in there the last time I was there . Smells like the place needs the carpeting and inside redone. We went at lunchtime at its peak hours between 12-2pm. We requested a table from the hostess, which she replied that she would have to see if the waiter in that area could handle another table. I could understand this if the place was busy but it wasn't . She then came back after a few minutes and then told us that she would have to see if the table was clean. Again ok, but why didn't she do that on the first few minutes she was gone? We were then approached by a man for the back asking if we had been waited on and told the gentleman yes we were just waiting on the hostess to seat us. Mind you it's only two of us, it's not like we had a party of 10+ people . So after waiting a few minutes we were finally taken to our half table half booth. Reviewing the menu we found the lunch area which advertises starting at9.99 which has only one selection of being 9.99 and most other things are 15$+, which are better than the dinner prices definitely, but I was still a little sticker shocked. After ordering one of the tables left from our area, where when noticing the waiter seemed shocked and was looking out the window trying to see what vehicle the people got in. Seeing this we asked if they walked out on paying , he said no, but they didn't leave him a tip on a 134$ bill. I get it , I would be aggravated too, but visibly show in front of other patrons as he did. We then received our food and the person I was with said to the waiter that their meal came with a drink , if she could get a tea , instead of the water she was drinking. He politely said yes. We finished our meal and here is where the real hiccups start. The tablets they have to pay are horrible. Instead of getting a bill and paying they are relying on these things now that barely work, they are in need of a touch pad recalibration and do not show you your bill before paying. They ask for a tip on your total which we gladly did, not trying to stiff the poor guy that was just done on that 134$ lunchtime bill of two people . After reviewing the receipt we ended up paying for the drink what was supposed to be included in the cost of the Thursday special. We waited a few minutes and without seeing our waiter again, decided to just leave and say that the added 3+$ would be a lesson learned and added tip to the waiter. Overall the food was warm, not WOWing, very bland, and not worth it. See you in another 10+ years...

Well let me start off by saying I have NEVER, (dreamed and prayed about it) as a single Domestic Violence Narcissistic Survivor ate @ a sit down restaurant by myself (paranoid and insecure before, my Mom; sister and I have always celebrated my bday together @ that specific location, went to RL fur my bday and to celebrate Mother's Day last year in May and then Veteran's day, my Mom and my sister's bday @ Red Lobster. Fur 3 years I have treated myself to Red Crab, ( my bday gift fur myself by my self, sat down @ McDonald's, and Wendys, and Tito's in Central park anywhoo I have Cox Cable where I live and Red Lobster advertised the $19.99 Shrimp Sensation, so I thought one day after working @ Office Depot, last place this year on the bday tour, and I had a $25 GC that I won years ago in a contest @ work; why not go to RL, so that's what I did, no time constraints, no stress or pressure to leave and my waitress Cheyenne McQueen, was phenomenal, after talking to her, we found out we have alot in common, it was meant fur me to b seated @ her station, table #32, she was courteous, professional, sympathetic, and always made sure I was being taken good care of, the food was delicious, she was always smiling w a positive attitude, just like me Smiley, and to boot, I happened to mention something about Steve McQueen, and she shares w me she is related to him, small world after all, lol. I currently have 42 years Customer Service, so I recognize good and bad on the phone and in front of me, she is to b highly recommended fur her outstanding work ethic, and deserves a raise, not only did she go above and beyond, I had so much leftovers to take home it was awesome and she orchestrated your RL Team to sing. Happy Bday to me, busy as they were and brought out icecream. Ally one of the Mgr's even came to my table and welcomed me there, felt very special after leaving on Friday May 30th; RL always sings Happy Bday to us and treats us to ice-cream to enjoy and to just let u know my Mom, sister and I will def b back to that location or just me again, honestly it was liberating and freeing, should have done it a LONG time ago, Cheyenne keep up the fantastic work, so very proud of u and 🙏 fur u, take care of all of those 3 precious babies and I'll b back to check up on u, tc and God bless, Diane...