Red Lobster — Restaurant in West Des Moines

This visit was on Father's Day, so the wait time to be seated was not unexpected. One hour for a party of five. The waiter did his best, but we could tell he was overwhelmed and possibly a bit inexperienced.

Now, while the one hour wait time seemed typical, the time between actually being seated and being served any of our food seemed excessive: it was a little over an hour from when our waiter took our order and when we finally got our food, and it was 30-45 minutes before we received biscuits, and a second basket of biscuits shortly before we left. It was over 2 hours between when we were seated to when we left.

I have never finished my drink before I received my food, so this was a first. I at least expected my son's food to come out quickly, and the only thing my brother ordered was mozzarella cheese sticks, but it all came out at the same time.

Again, this was Father's Day, and any holiday, I can understand wait times being longer (we were not told how long the food would take, and the waiter just kept apologizing for everything), but all of our food was overcooked. I ordered the snow crab legs, and I have boiled my own crab legs over the years enough to know when they have been overcooked: they lose flavor (little to no salty flavor to the point it tastes like chewy water) and are harder to remove from the shells, as they squish and bend instead of remaining rigid and cracking. Also, I don't know who thought it was a good idea to put an entree that is dripping wet like crab legs on top of a side of crispy potatoes, but that's how it was served. Needless to say, by the time I finished my crab legs and got to the potatoes, they were soggy. They were bland anyway, so not much was lost.

The waiter, while pleasant, was not very subtle in trying to up sell items from the menu, from suggesting a smoothie for my son, to suggesting the bacon mac and cheese for pretty much everyone's side dish. My brother ended up having a drink comped because it was forgotten four times in a row. In fact, the waiter ended up making it himself.

Overall, it was not the worst dining experience I've had, but it was the worst at Red Lobster and the worst crab legs I've had, and I have been to this location in the past, so I know it's...

TL;DR – After years and multiple visits and problems at most times, this RL is off the rotation, most likely permanently. Plus one star for their cheddar biscuits.

Unless a restaurant really knocks it out of the park, every spot gets at least two visits before I waste your time with a review. Sometimes reviews even become a moral duty; this happens to be one of those. I don't like knocking restaurants, small Mom & Pops especially, or even the large national chains. I also don't like seeing some decent money wasted on a substandard experience. There are some standards you expect from any restaurant, especially the big boys.

We dropped in at the long-standing Red Lobster here on a slow Tuesday afternoon in search of their latest big promotional offer. So far as the early-bird plan goes, it's working well… And that's where it started falling apart. After specifically requesting a near table (due to a 70-year-old bad hip and back) we were escorted to the far back of the restaurant past multiple empty setups. (Nowhere else I dine will I EVER let that happen again!) After a reasonable delay we were served with menus and those Cheddar Bay biscuits, and then our drinks. So far… passable. Our entrees arrived quite swiftly and I was glad we came early until we noticed the lack of melted butter for the $39.99 lobster tails. Now I was raised in the midwest, but even I think melted butter for lobster is kind of a no-brainer. No problem, the server should be back momentarily to check in and such. Twenty minutes later, after we finally flagged down a runner, we got the butter for the now-cold and rubbery lobster. After placing a request for the manager, he showed up with the usual apologies; no staffing, in the back doing paperwork, only two servers for service, etc. It would be boring and churlish for me to repeat the dressing down he received, but at that point I'd had enough. We negotiated a satisfactory compromise and rapidly left disappointed promising ourselves that our next seafood adventure would definitely not involve this Red Lobster. Thanks...

Nestled in the heart of Des Moines, Red Lobster stands as a beacon of culinary excellence, offering an unforgettable dining experience that tantalizes the senses and leaves a lasting impression. From the moment you step through the door, you are greeted by an ambiance that effortlessly combines cozy charm with an air of sophistication.

Upon being seated by our lovely waiter, Fara, our journey through gastronomic bliss began with a meal of endless shrimp that set the tone for the exceptional meal to come. The endless shrimp were impeccably seasoned, boasting a perfect balance of crispy skin and tender, succulent meat. Each bite was a symphony of flavors, leaving us eager for what was to follow.

However, it wasn't just the food that left us in awe; our server Fara played an integral role in ensuring that our dining experience was nothing short of exceptional. We arrived around 7pm, the restaurant packed, but without a doubt his attentiveness, knowledge, and genuine passion for hospitality were evident from start to finish, elevating our meal from merely excellent to truly unforgettable. His recommendations were spot-on, and his warm demeanor added an extra layer of warmth to an already inviting atmosphere. He could often be seen taking charge and I did not see him rest for a second. The kid is truly a hard worker and takes initiative, no matter how big or small the task. We got a little drunk and his jokes had all 5 of us in absolute tears.

In conclusion, dining at Red Lobster was an experience that transcended the ordinary and left an indelible mark on our culinary memories. From the impeccable service to the exquisite cuisine and charming ambiance, every aspect of our visit was nothing short of perfection. Red Lobster has undoubtedly earned its place as a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts seeking an unforgettable dining experience. I will always highly recommend...