logo
Red Lobster introduces seafood boils as part of its Crabfest event: What to know

Red Lobster introduces seafood boils as part of its Crabfest event: What to know

Yahoo4 days ago

Crabfest is back at Red Lobster and this year, the seafood restaurant chain is introducing all-new seafood boils to the lineup.
The company said in a June 23 news release this year's Crabfest lineup is packed with "exciting new flavors," including the seafood boils that are "designed to bring fun and flavor straight to the table."
Red Lobster says customers can choose between two options:
Mariner's Boil: Features a Maine lobster tail, a dozen shrimp, snow crab legs, corn and red potatoes
Sailor's Boil: Features a mix of shrimp, smoked sausage, corn and red potatoes
Each boil can be finished with a choice of roasted garlic butter, Cajun butter or Old Bay seasoning, according to the chain.
"Red Lobster's Crabfest is the ultimate summer dining experience, featuring exciting and flavorful dishes like our new Seafood Boils," said Nichole Robillard, Chief Marketing Officer of Red Lobster, in the news release. "Whether you're a longtime Red Lobster lover or participating in Crabfest for the first time, we've got something to bring everyone joy."
Crabfest is available for a limited time, from June 23 through Sept. 14, according to Red Lobster.
In addition to the seafood boils, customers can also get the Crab Your Way offering, which features a full pound of crab legs prepared your way over crispy potatoes.
Diners can choose between Snow Crab or Bairdi Crab (for an extra $9) and then choose their flavor between Simply Steamed, Roasted Garlic Butter, Cajun Butter or Old Bay Parmesan flavoring.
Other dishes offered as part of Crabfest include:
Crabby Stuffed Mushrooms: A flavorful appetizer packed with rich crab stuffing
Crab-Topped Asparagus: A premium side featuring asparagus topped with crab
Crab-Topped Potato: A premium side dish, elevating a classic dish with savory crab
Steak Oscar: Sirloin topped with lump meat in a creamy, decadent sauce
Salmon Oscar: Atlantic salmon topped with lump crab meat in a creamy, decadent sauce
The chain is also introducing a "Festival of Summer Sips," which is a lineup of three festival-themed cocktails.
Social media users appear to be thrilled with the concept of seafood boils at Red Lobster.
"Red Lobster is about to have seafood boil bags, a sangria flight, and $5 drinks. Whew, that new CEO came in the door swinging," X user @BombshellCole posted on June 21.
Red Lobster is about to have seafood boil bags, a sangria flight, and $5 drinks. Whew, that new CEO came in the door swinging.
— Nicole ✨ (@BombshellCole) June 21, 2025
Here's how other social media users reacted to the news.
Me: Red Lobster having seafood boils is insane.Also me down there trying a Cajun butter one: pic.twitter.com/sy6fDzkAat
— Mike (@ParadoxicalMike) June 23, 2025
Red Lobster got seafood boils coming on the menu. Dipping that biscuit in that sauce… yeah pic.twitter.com/Ka0OSDmiJv
— awrealya, m.a. (@BlkMissFrizzle) June 17, 2025
Red Lobster finna start having seafood boils! That new CEO know what he doing pic.twitter.com/wI6M1kAolB
— Maybe: Nikki (@SoMagNIKKficent) June 18, 2025
Red Lobster got seafood boils pic.twitter.com/VUP1gXoI8G
— 👑 Bo 🇳🇬 (@JumpManZ) June 24, 2025
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Red Lobster introduces seafood boils: When to get them

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Red Lobster's Seafood Boils And Why We Love A Comeback
Red Lobster's Seafood Boils And Why We Love A Comeback

Forbes

timea day ago

  • Forbes

Red Lobster's Seafood Boils And Why We Love A Comeback

With Crabfest back on the menu, Red Lobster isn't just serving seafood—it's offering a soft relaunch ... More of trust. And we're showing up for it. After bankruptcy headlines and shuttered locations, Red Lobster is back with boil bags, biscuits, and something people still crave: a reason to celebrate. The Return of Seafood Boils as Comfort Theater Red Lobster has always carried more meaning than its menu lets on. For a lot of us, it was the place you went for a birthday dinner, a celebration, or just a break from cooking when you needed something to feel like a treat. That kind of emotional association doesn't disappear, even when the brand itself falters. After a very public Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing this spring and successfully emerging from it last year, Red Lobster is trying to reintroduce itself—not with a new logo or splashy rebrand, but by bringing back Crabfest. This time, they've added customizable seafood boil bags and bright, summer-ready cocktails that feel both of the moment and unmistakably theirs. At first glance, it reads like business as usual. But beneath the surface, this is a deliberate shift. Crabfest does more than a seasonal promotion—it's a public reminder of the brand's staying power and an attempt to tie its future to what people already remember fondly. It's a key part of their comeback story. A Familiar Format, Reframed for 2025 The seafood boil bag is built for the current moment. It's visual, it's interactive, and it puts the diner in control—pick your proteins, choose your seasoning, decide how bold you want to go. That kind of format lends itself well to social media (hello, TikTok bait), but it also taps into something simpler: the pleasure of cooking it yourself. Whether it's the Mariner's Boil (crab legs, lobster tail, shrimp) or the simpler Sailor's Boil (shrimp, sausage, corn), the idea is the same: hands-on, no-fuss indulgence. You can finish it with garlic butter, Cajun seasoning, or the new OLD BAY® and Parmesan combo. It's not trying to be fine dining—it's trying to feel like an event. And that's part of the strategy. Right now, restaurants are competing on food and on experience. A seafood boil bag that arrives steaming to your table feels like a moment. It gives people a reason to go out, even if they're watching their budgets. More Than Just a Meal: The Real Red Lobster Seafood Boil Review The comments on Red Lobster's social posts say more than the press release ever could. You see it clearly when people are tagging friends, talking about birthdays, and making dinner plans. Take this one: After an eight-month recovery from surgery, one person shared on Instagram that Crabfest was going to be their first big outing. Or another, who immediately imagined dipping the restaurant's cheddar bay biscuits into the buttery bottom of the boil bag – "I'm imagining dipping one of them biscuits in the butter at the bottom of the bag omg." You also see the simple excitement, "Making my reservations 😍" or the truth, 'Looks good! Love a good seafood boil. Will have to check it out.' But the conversations aren't just one-sided. Over on platforms like Reddit, where diners tend to be a bit more candid, you find common questions and observations. Many immediately zeroed in on the seasoning, with one person noting the frequent first take they saw was, "Did they season this?" or a concern that the 'garlic they use is apparently very conservative.' While some felt the seafood boil price was "a fine price point for what you are getting," others expressed hesitation, waiting for a "nationwide PSA... on how to properly season a Seafood Boil." This blend of excitement and critical feedback shows the new boils are definitely getting people talking. These are the kinds of details that don't show up in earnings reports. They're the ones that tell you whether a brand still matters, and for many, Red Lobster still very much does. Crabfest has always been one of Red Lobster's most recognizable campaigns, but this year, it's carrying a different weight. It's a reminder that the brand is still here, still worth visiting, and still good at what it's always done: delivering a meal that feels like a little celebration. Why This Works—for Them and for Us With Crabfest back on the menu, Red Lobster isn't just serving seafood—it's offering a soft relaunch ... More of trust, and we're showing up for it. There's a reason this version of Crabfest feels like it landed at the right time. It's not just a savvy move by the brand—it's something people were ready to say yes to. Right now, dining out carries more emotional weight than it used to. For a lot of folks, it's no longer just about convenience—it's about choosing joy, about marking something. The seafood boil bags, the biscuits, the familiar flavors—these aren't just menu items. For some memories and emotional comfort may be that's been harder to come by in recent years. People are tired, grocery prices are still high, and there's uncertainty everywhere, from the economy to the headlines. So when a brand like Red Lobster says, Come in, sit down, let's bring back something that used to feel good, that offer lands differently. It's not flashy, but it's sturdy. And sometimes, that's exactly what we're looking for. Crabfest works now because it remembers what people liked about Red Lobster in the first place—and it doesn't try to overcomplicate that. It invites you to pick your boil, order your cocktail, and dip your biscuit in something buttery. It's the kind of experience that doesn't ask for much but gives back just enough to feel like a win. That's not marketing fluff. That's what we crave when everything else feels up in the air: a little taste of normal. A reminder that celebration doesn't have to be perfect, expensive, or rare. It just has to show up when you need it. What Crabfest Says About What We Crave Crabfest works because it's rooted in something people already have emotional memory around. You don't need to convince someone what a crab boil is or why cheddar bay biscuits matter—they already know. What Red Lobster is doing here is connecting that memory to a moment of transformation. It's saying: we went through something, and now we're ready to bring you back in. Not every brand gets a second chance. Red Lobster seems to understand that what people want right now isn't just novelty—it's familiarity done well. Something that feels good, even if just for an hour or two. And that's what this version of Crabfest is offering: not just a plate of food, but a reason to feel like things are okay again—or at least okay enough to order the boil and let yourself enjoy it. Why We Love a Comeback There's something deeply satisfying about seeing our favorite brand come back from the edge of collapse, especially one that's been part of our lives for decades. Coming back from the brink like Red Lobster did isn't just about recovery; it's about recognition. That feeling of being counted in again and getting another shot at joy, comfort, or normalcy. We root for comebacks because they reflect something true about how we move through the world—how we mess up, regroup, and try again. Crabfest might be a promotion on paper, but to the people planning birthday dinners or post-surgery celebrations around it, it's also a signal: you can come back from hard things. You can make something feel like a celebration again, even if everything isn't perfect. That's what Red Lobster is really selling right now. Not just crab or value, but the feeling that it's okay to want something nice. That you've earned a biscuit in butter. That you—and maybe they—are still standing.

Red Lobster's summer seafood boils go viral as customers debate whether worth the hype
Red Lobster's summer seafood boils go viral as customers debate whether worth the hype

Fox News

time3 days ago

  • Fox News

Red Lobster's summer seafood boils go viral as customers debate whether worth the hype

Red Lobster's newest menu additions have gone viral on social media now that the chain introduced affordable, buttery seafood boils for the summer. The Orlando, Florida-based chain announced the beginning of Crabfest with two new dishes: a Mariner's Boil and a Sailor's Boil. The Mariner's Boil features "a Maine lobster tail, a dozen shrimp, snow crab legs, corn and red potatoes," according to the seafood outlet on Monday. Meanwhile, the Sailor's Boil includes a mix of shrimp with smoked sausage, corn and red potatoes. Each boil can be finished with one of three options: roasted garlic butter, Cajun butter or Old Bay seasoning. Other Crabfest dishes include Crabby Stuffed Mushrooms, Crab-Topped Asparagus and Crab-Topped Potato, along with Steak Oscar and Salmon Oscar. The prices vary by area, but the general price range is between $24 and $45, with the Mariner's Boil being more expensive. Red Lobster's seafood boils are generally on the lower end of pricing, as others can cost as much as $75 per person. Users on Reddit offered varied takes on the new deal, with some expressing excitement while others were skeptical. "A seafood boil and cheap sangria? Oh, I'm absolutely clocking out early for this," one person said. "Five-dollar drink gonna have one drop of alcohol in it," one user speculated, referencing the $5 happy hour that began in December. "Just don't f--- with the biscuits," another very blunt commenter wrote. One user who claimed to have tried the deal said it was "really good & worth the price." "My corn was cold, sausage burnt and the garlic butter was shrimp scampi sauce." "I got the bag with crab and lobster for $45 with the Cajun butter AND I WAS SURPRISED," the Redditor said, adding that the server was also generous with the chain's signature Cheddar Bay Biscuits. "My boyfriend ate 3 baskets," the user said. Other Redditors were critical of the meal and complained about the chain's prices. "Who can afford to eat at Red Lobster anymore?" one person wrote. "Just had the Sailor's Boil for $24 yesterday (the Mariner's Boil is $44)," another said. "My corn was cold, sausage burnt and the garlic butter was shrimp scampi sauce." The user added, "A small side of the Cajun sauce that comes with the Mariner's boil is $3.99. There's some work that needs to be done for sure." Reactions on X were similarly mixed, with some users raving about the new offerings, while others were unimpressed. "We tried the Red Lobster seafood boils & they were so fresh," one satisfied customer said. "Just tried the Red Lobster seafood boil," another person wrote. "I give it a 6.5." "Honestly tried the new Red Lobster boil yesterday," a third person said. "UNPOPULAR OPINION: great marketing [and] bad taste. They need better seasoning and flavor." Fox News Digital reached out to Red Lobster for comment.

Improperly Dressed Applebee's Diner Provided Loaner Stained Hoodie
Improperly Dressed Applebee's Diner Provided Loaner Stained Hoodie

The Onion

time3 days ago

  • The Onion

Improperly Dressed Applebee's Diner Provided Loaner Stained Hoodie

BLOOMINGTON, IL—Stopping the polo-clad man and ushering him off toward the bathroom, restaurant staff reportedly provided an improperly dressed Applebee's patron with a loaner stained hoodie on Wednesday. 'I'm sorry, sir, but we cannot seat you unless you are wearing something more in line with this establishment's dress code,' said Applebee's hostess Angeline Reilly, who explained that while it was nothing to be embarrassed about, the other diners would just be more comfortable around someone properly attired in a black hoodie that bore the remnants of barbecue sauce and other condiments that failed to come out in the wash. 'We also have tattered sweatpants you can wear in lieu of your khakis. If you don't like the hoodie look, I can offer you a ripped Chicago Bears 2006 NFC champions T-shirt that could be worn with a pair of ratty cargo shorts. Unfortunately, we can't have people walking in here with collars and buttons on their shirts and ruining the mood we've cultivated. This isn't Red Lobster. And I'm afraid your guest will have to change out of her blouse and into this oversized Looney Tunes sweater with half of the words peeling off.' At press time, an Applebee's waiter was seen apologetically handing out a $50 gift card to a table that had been seated for nearly 20 minutes without seeing a single customer start a fistfight in the bar after throwing a strawberry margarita in someone's face.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store