Decent food, awful environment. I disagree with the crowd-control mechanism Red Lobster uses to speed up diners. My mother had to eat dinner with her coat on, and was still shivering. Asked to turn the blowers down three times. Twice, from our server, I got a confirmation that "they" will turn it down. Asked a different server and she fed me an unbelievable story that they had no control over the blowers. The napkins on my table were flapping around, and the food went cold very quickly. They want you out fast and they're not apologizing for it.
(2)
Debbie M.
Will not be back. We went during crab fest and the king crab I ordered for $30 was still frozen in the knuckles. It was on the "fresh seafood special menu" but yet frozen. My baked potato was not brought out with my meal and when I reminded our waitress she brought it right out but it was just lukewarm. I am used to eating crab in Florida and it is so good, I didn't expect crab in Indiana to be as good but I did not expect this. Our waitress was great and was probably the best part out this trip.
(2)
Brent H.
I usually don't go to Red Lobster because there are so many better places to go to in New England than a chain restaurant, but since I was in the area....overall the food was prepared very well and our server was friendly and thoughtful, stopping be to make sure everything was ok or if we needed drink refills. Would definitely go back and eat when in the area.
(5)
Tonia O.
I repeat...I don't like shrimp. I don't like shrimp. I don't like shrimp. But, sometimes I eat it. Okay, there. I went to Red Lobster specifically for the nostalgia of the cheesy biscuits that I remember as a kid...however, for some reason, they didn't measure up to my memory. Meh...it was okay. The vast majority of chain restaurants have a food tapestry that is quite similar: 45% salty 45% sweet 10% savory ----------------- 100% of the time, not always edible. My food was okay. It did its job just like my involuntary throat muscles. Nuff' said.
(3)
Jalena D.
I haven't been to Red Lobster in a while because I thoughts it was a little too over priced for the food you get. I came here for lunch today, and I really enjoyed myself. The outside of the building was very clean; very presentable. While walking in, we were greeted at the door by the hostess and he was very nice. I used the restroom and it was clean. It was heavily stocked on toilet and tissue paper and soap. There was also someone cleaning it at the time. The restaurant was clean, it looked like they constantly cleaned floors and tables. I wanted a meal that was reasonably priced, and I didn't want the unlimited shrimp because I was not going to eat that much. I saw that they had a lunch menu with everything for $7.99, I figured I would get that. I ordered the grilled shrimp tacos with French fries; I thought the meal was excellent for the price. I got three nice size tacos with a spicy saracha sauce on them. The portions were just right and the the food was good. Our server was also good; it was not extroadary service but she was good. I am not a big fan of Red Lobster, but it was a good experience today. If I'm in the mood for a sea food lunch, I will definitely be back.
(3)
Frank J.
We don't usually go to this kind of restaurant...just because it is a food chain, but...Greeted by a lovely hostess was the beginning of a change of our attitude. Then our waiter, Matt was one of the best we have ever experienced. He asked all the right questions at the right times as well as very attentive! The cocktails were tasty, the salmon was very juicy, the fried food was ok...just needed a bit more seasoning for my taste! Wish they had a better clam chowder (tasted like from a can)! Matt's service and the staff (including the manager) is the reason we would return!
(4)
Melanie H.
Service actually was really impersonal and seemed like she was annoyed, like she had better things to do. Whatever, she brought food and drinks. Soup was okay, needed some more seasoning and it was easily fixed. What really made me angry was the fact that I paid for a pound of crab meat, just for more than half of it to be over cooked. I'm not talking about maybe like a minute over done. The meat inside the shell was flat out crunchy and most of it didn't even come out. Didn't say anything to the waitress...just watched her take my crunchy crab meat filled shells off to the dish room.
(2)
Sean T.
Average experience, average prices, average service except we paid cash and the server shorted the change... So she took her tip? I was trying to clarify while she walked away briskly. I was a server so I know that's where you make your money just not like that... The best part about our experience were the cheese biscuits, the $20 seafood bake the lady and I shared was 3 stars for taste 4 stars on presentation. The major problem with chain restaurants is that many of them might be "good" but none are great. Lots of butter and sauce is not great... But sure who doesn't like butter? Check out Houlihans in Schererville
(3)
Just M.
Hey its a chain restaurant... Its good for the money. Got to love the biscuits
(3)
Sharee M.
You buying that [girl] cheese biscuits? Not the cheese biscuits! " ~ Riley from "Boondocks" Over the years, my family has always felt Red Lobster here is a great treat. Ok, not the best chain for seafood in the whole world, but when you are living in Gary/Merriliville, this will due. I have never had a bad experience at Red Lobster. Everything is usually great, service is good (the manager is always working around) and the drinks are good. I have noticed that the stellar and famous cheese biscuits have changed in their recipe, which is not for the best. They are still good, just not the same or best as I was used to years ago. I would say I have been coming here since Ive been a little girl and they have not received remodeling, so maybe that is due as well. I would never go here from 12:30-4PM on a Sunday...you will wait for hours. Please do not do it to yourself. Overall, I am still happy with the 'villie's Red Lobster after all these years. Got to love those cheese biscuits!
(4)
Damon M.
Came here after a long day at work, and because I couldn't get that damn Lobster Fest commercial out of my head. (Marketing dept, you did a great job) I always say I will never come back every time I come here cause its what i like to call the "McDonalds of seafood". This time I wasn't as disappointed though. I enjoyed my meal and the service (minus the numerous chants of the "Happy Birthday" song) this time. The portions were as always smaller than I like them to be. Who knows maybe I was just that hungry that night. Maybe next time I will never come back again...
(2)
Howard L.
This is an OK Red Lobster, and you get about what you expect from the chain. This may be the busiest Red Lobster we have ever been in, as it's large and was packed at 5pm on a Sunday. Service was good. Food and biscuits were served hot and fresh, and pretty quick.
(3)
Roland S.
We stopped going to Red Lobster a few years ago because the food just never meets our expectations and the service was hit-or-miss. But when we stopped in here recently for the endless shrimp special, we were surprised at the food quality. The food was very good, and the waitstaff was friendly and efficient despite all the extra running free shrimp refills required. They need to hire more staff so that they can have people at some of the empty tables rather than waiting for an hour in the lobby, though. And when the bar becomes a dining area, more staff is needed here too.
(3)
Courtny M.
Never had a bad experience here!! Its also the only place that never gives me a hard time about substitution!! The waiter is always delightful and helpful food is always hot ,fresh,and great!! The only thing is the cheese biscuits has changed. They use to be to die for ..now they are just a accent to the meal!! I LOVE IT
(4)
Steven M.
I don't make a point of coming to chains. But it was good Friday and we were looking for some fish. The place was ultra clean, including the washroom. We were seated right away and the hostess was very pleasent. Our server came right up and had our drinks lickity split. The lemonaid was overly sweet. I had the lobster tail and 2 kinds of shrimp. The tail was standard issue and didn't have much flavor. The shrimp were very good as was the crabby patty bread. I was stuffed when I left. I guess that was the point.
(3)
Annie v.
We went to the Red Lobster at this location for my husband's birthday and I have to say it was a great experience. We were seated immediately and did not have to wait. I had the steak and shrimp dinner which was prepared exactly the way I like it and my husband ordered a huge platter of a variety of fish and he thoroughly enjoyed his meal too (it was such a big portion he had a doggie bag). I secretly asked our server on my way to the washroom to surprise my husband with a piece of cake and they sing to him too (yes I know cheesy but fun). I was impressed at the huge piece of delicious slice of chocolate cake they served with 2 scoops of ice cream on the side! Enough to bring home for my Mom to enjoy! The service was also excellent and even the manager walked around to make sure everyone was enjoying themselves.
(4)
Jeri R.
Red lobsters is the poor fat slobs answer to fancy food. Anyone who has ever had real good food knows Red Lobster is absolute crap, but still (probably due to lack of any other decent restaurants in the area) people go there. I think It may be because Red Lobster tries to give the impression that they are a legitimately fancy place and people seem to be easily fooled by aesthetic trickery. Red Lobster is better than Joe's Crap Shack and Burger King but Applebees may even have more flavor than this lobster house.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Francisco S.
Decent food, awful environment. I disagree with the crowd-control mechanism Red Lobster uses to speed up diners. My mother had to eat dinner with her coat on, and was still shivering. Asked to turn the blowers down three times. Twice, from our server, I got a confirmation that "they" will turn it down. Asked a different server and she fed me an unbelievable story that they had no control over the blowers. The napkins on my table were flapping around, and the food went cold very quickly. They want you out fast and they're not apologizing for it.
(2)Debbie M.
Will not be back. We went during crab fest and the king crab I ordered for $30 was still frozen in the knuckles. It was on the "fresh seafood special menu" but yet frozen. My baked potato was not brought out with my meal and when I reminded our waitress she brought it right out but it was just lukewarm. I am used to eating crab in Florida and it is so good, I didn't expect crab in Indiana to be as good but I did not expect this. Our waitress was great and was probably the best part out this trip.
(2)Brent H.
I usually don't go to Red Lobster because there are so many better places to go to in New England than a chain restaurant, but since I was in the area....overall the food was prepared very well and our server was friendly and thoughtful, stopping be to make sure everything was ok or if we needed drink refills. Would definitely go back and eat when in the area.
(5)Tonia O.
I repeat...I don't like shrimp. I don't like shrimp. I don't like shrimp. But, sometimes I eat it. Okay, there. I went to Red Lobster specifically for the nostalgia of the cheesy biscuits that I remember as a kid...however, for some reason, they didn't measure up to my memory. Meh...it was okay. The vast majority of chain restaurants have a food tapestry that is quite similar: 45% salty 45% sweet 10% savory ----------------- 100% of the time, not always edible. My food was okay. It did its job just like my involuntary throat muscles. Nuff' said.
(3)Jalena D.
I haven't been to Red Lobster in a while because I thoughts it was a little too over priced for the food you get. I came here for lunch today, and I really enjoyed myself. The outside of the building was very clean; very presentable. While walking in, we were greeted at the door by the hostess and he was very nice. I used the restroom and it was clean. It was heavily stocked on toilet and tissue paper and soap. There was also someone cleaning it at the time. The restaurant was clean, it looked like they constantly cleaned floors and tables. I wanted a meal that was reasonably priced, and I didn't want the unlimited shrimp because I was not going to eat that much. I saw that they had a lunch menu with everything for $7.99, I figured I would get that. I ordered the grilled shrimp tacos with French fries; I thought the meal was excellent for the price. I got three nice size tacos with a spicy saracha sauce on them. The portions were just right and the the food was good. Our server was also good; it was not extroadary service but she was good. I am not a big fan of Red Lobster, but it was a good experience today. If I'm in the mood for a sea food lunch, I will definitely be back.
(3)Frank J.
We don't usually go to this kind of restaurant...just because it is a food chain, but...Greeted by a lovely hostess was the beginning of a change of our attitude. Then our waiter, Matt was one of the best we have ever experienced. He asked all the right questions at the right times as well as very attentive! The cocktails were tasty, the salmon was very juicy, the fried food was ok...just needed a bit more seasoning for my taste! Wish they had a better clam chowder (tasted like from a can)! Matt's service and the staff (including the manager) is the reason we would return!
(4)Melanie H.
Service actually was really impersonal and seemed like she was annoyed, like she had better things to do. Whatever, she brought food and drinks. Soup was okay, needed some more seasoning and it was easily fixed. What really made me angry was the fact that I paid for a pound of crab meat, just for more than half of it to be over cooked. I'm not talking about maybe like a minute over done. The meat inside the shell was flat out crunchy and most of it didn't even come out. Didn't say anything to the waitress...just watched her take my crunchy crab meat filled shells off to the dish room.
(2)Sean T.
Average experience, average prices, average service except we paid cash and the server shorted the change... So she took her tip? I was trying to clarify while she walked away briskly. I was a server so I know that's where you make your money just not like that... The best part about our experience were the cheese biscuits, the $20 seafood bake the lady and I shared was 3 stars for taste 4 stars on presentation. The major problem with chain restaurants is that many of them might be "good" but none are great. Lots of butter and sauce is not great... But sure who doesn't like butter? Check out Houlihans in Schererville
(3)Just M.
Hey its a chain restaurant... Its good for the money. Got to love the biscuits
(3)Sharee M.
You buying that [girl] cheese biscuits? Not the cheese biscuits! " ~ Riley from "Boondocks" Over the years, my family has always felt Red Lobster here is a great treat. Ok, not the best chain for seafood in the whole world, but when you are living in Gary/Merriliville, this will due. I have never had a bad experience at Red Lobster. Everything is usually great, service is good (the manager is always working around) and the drinks are good. I have noticed that the stellar and famous cheese biscuits have changed in their recipe, which is not for the best. They are still good, just not the same or best as I was used to years ago. I would say I have been coming here since Ive been a little girl and they have not received remodeling, so maybe that is due as well. I would never go here from 12:30-4PM on a Sunday...you will wait for hours. Please do not do it to yourself. Overall, I am still happy with the 'villie's Red Lobster after all these years. Got to love those cheese biscuits!
(4)Damon M.
Came here after a long day at work, and because I couldn't get that damn Lobster Fest commercial out of my head. (Marketing dept, you did a great job) I always say I will never come back every time I come here cause its what i like to call the "McDonalds of seafood". This time I wasn't as disappointed though. I enjoyed my meal and the service (minus the numerous chants of the "Happy Birthday" song) this time. The portions were as always smaller than I like them to be. Who knows maybe I was just that hungry that night. Maybe next time I will never come back again...
(2)Howard L.
This is an OK Red Lobster, and you get about what you expect from the chain. This may be the busiest Red Lobster we have ever been in, as it's large and was packed at 5pm on a Sunday. Service was good. Food and biscuits were served hot and fresh, and pretty quick.
(3)Roland S.
We stopped going to Red Lobster a few years ago because the food just never meets our expectations and the service was hit-or-miss. But when we stopped in here recently for the endless shrimp special, we were surprised at the food quality. The food was very good, and the waitstaff was friendly and efficient despite all the extra running free shrimp refills required. They need to hire more staff so that they can have people at some of the empty tables rather than waiting for an hour in the lobby, though. And when the bar becomes a dining area, more staff is needed here too.
(3)Courtny M.
Never had a bad experience here!! Its also the only place that never gives me a hard time about substitution!! The waiter is always delightful and helpful food is always hot ,fresh,and great!! The only thing is the cheese biscuits has changed. They use to be to die for ..now they are just a accent to the meal!! I LOVE IT
(4)Steven M.
I don't make a point of coming to chains. But it was good Friday and we were looking for some fish. The place was ultra clean, including the washroom. We were seated right away and the hostess was very pleasent. Our server came right up and had our drinks lickity split. The lemonaid was overly sweet. I had the lobster tail and 2 kinds of shrimp. The tail was standard issue and didn't have much flavor. The shrimp were very good as was the crabby patty bread. I was stuffed when I left. I guess that was the point.
(3)Annie v.
We went to the Red Lobster at this location for my husband's birthday and I have to say it was a great experience. We were seated immediately and did not have to wait. I had the steak and shrimp dinner which was prepared exactly the way I like it and my husband ordered a huge platter of a variety of fish and he thoroughly enjoyed his meal too (it was such a big portion he had a doggie bag). I secretly asked our server on my way to the washroom to surprise my husband with a piece of cake and they sing to him too (yes I know cheesy but fun). I was impressed at the huge piece of delicious slice of chocolate cake they served with 2 scoops of ice cream on the side! Enough to bring home for my Mom to enjoy! The service was also excellent and even the manager walked around to make sure everyone was enjoying themselves.
(4)Jeri R.
Red lobsters is the poor fat slobs answer to fancy food. Anyone who has ever had real good food knows Red Lobster is absolute crap, but still (probably due to lack of any other decent restaurants in the area) people go there. I think It may be because Red Lobster tries to give the impression that they are a legitimately fancy place and people seem to be easily fooled by aesthetic trickery. Red Lobster is better than Joe's Crap Shack and Burger King but Applebees may even have more flavor than this lobster house.
(3)