Latest news with #Cajun
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Red Lobster Roasted Over Its New Menu Item: 'Will Never Go Back'
is hoping to bounce back from bankruptcy with a splash, but its newest Crabfest menu items are already sparking controversy. The seafood chain, which filed for bankruptcy in May and shut down over 100 locations, recently launched two new signature boils, the Mariner's Boil and the Sailor's Boil, part of its annual Crabfest celebration. But while some customers are calling the dishes "delicious" and "worth the price," others are accusing Red Lobster of serving up disappointing, even inedible meals. The Mariner's Boil features a Maine lobster tail, snow crab legs, a dozen shrimp, red potatoes, and corn, starting at around $45 depending on location. The Sailor's Boil offers a more modest helping of shrimp, smoked sausage, potatoes, and corn for roughly $24. Both come with a choice of Cajun butter, roasted garlic butter, or Old Bay seasoning. One Reddit user raved about the deal, saying, "It was really good & worth the price… I was surprised!" They added that their dining partner went through three baskets of Red Lobster's iconic Cheddar Bay Biscuits. But others had a drastically different experience. "My corn was cold, sausage burnt, and the garlic butter was just shrimp scampi sauce," one diner complained on Daily Mail's report. Another said, "You couldn't pay me to eat at RL," while a third described their local Red Lobster in Pineville, NC, as a "dumpster," citing dirty tables and limited menu options. "The seafood boil looked like a kids meal," they added. Complaints also rolled in over pricing and portion size. "A small side of Cajun sauce is $3.99? There's some work that needs to be done for sure," one review read. Despite the backlash, Red Lobster is going full steam ahead with its Crabfest revival. "Red Lobster's Crabfest is the ultimate summer dining experience, featuring exciting and flavorful dishes like our new Seafood Boils," Nichole Robillard, Chief Marketing Officer of Red Lobster, said in a 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." In addition to the new boils, seasonal offerings include Crabby Stuffed Mushrooms, a Crab-Topped Baked Potato, and Steak or Salmon Oscar topped with lump crab and creamy sauce. Fan favorites like Crab Your Way and Crab Carbonara also make a return. The restaurant giant first filed for bankruptcy in May 2024, following a reported $76 million loss in 2023. As part of its restructuring strategy, Red Lobster shuttered dozens of underperforming locations across the country, including several in Alabama, in an effort to "simplify" operations and cut costs. The chain's recent bankruptcy has been linked to a combination of rising operational costs and the infamous $20 endless shrimp promotion, which, while a viral sensation, reportedly dealt a significant blow to the company's finances. At the helm of this turnaround is new CEO Damola Adamolekun, who has already made bold moves to revive the struggling brand. One of the first orders of business? Placing a hard stop to the "endless" promotions that some insiders say contributed to the chain's downfall, most notably the infamous "All You Can Eat Shrimp" deal, which went viral but ultimately proved unsustainable. Instead, Red Lobster is shifting its focus to profitability and more strategic menu choices. New offerings, including seasonal seafood boils and revamped favorites, have already begun to roll out across the country. With the court's green light, the brand is hoping this reboot can steer it back to its former glory. Whether the new menu can help turn the tide for Red Lobster remains to be seen, and diners aren't holding back their reviews, good, bad, or boiled.
The Hindu
21 hours ago
- Business
- The Hindu
This coffee shop in Kochi offers coffee, community and comforting food
Koffee Junction by Renai is a coffee shop-meets-fine dining kind of place. Located adjacent to Renai Cochin, it is an oasis of green on that very busy stretch of road. Renai Hospitality and Healthcare's Koffee Junction, which opened in December 2024, is an upmarket take on coffee shops albeit more spacious and ample [think half a football field] parking space. The interiors are done up in pastel shades of salmon pink and teal which contrast the black and white, Ottoman-tile reminiscent floor. Large glass panels make the walls which look out into greenery. It is a welcome change from most coffee shops in the city that are crammed with tables and chairs, where you can eavesdrop simultaneously on conversations on three different tables. This space is also ideal for those working out of cafes. Rather than just limit the offerings to burgers, sandwiches and pizzas, the team has curated a 'global' menu with cuisines such as continental, Asian, finding representation on it. Essentially designed as a coffee shop, 'You can also get your five course meal: soup, starter to dessert!' says Aneesh K Sankaranarayanan, sous chef in charge of Koffee Junction. The chef recommends we take that route since it is lunch time. So, first comes chicken chilli coriander soup, a tangy flavour bomb, which whets the appetite and if you have blocked sinuses…it would open those as well. After the soup comes loaded fries covered by a blanket of creamy cheese sauce and spiced mayonnaise, the jalapenos and onions giving the crunch and bite! Then come fish and chips, 'not crumb fried but batter fried as it is done in the United Kingdom. We wanted to keep it different, and stick to the original,' Aneesh adds. The menu is the work of more than four months of research and trials. 'We wanted something different, our take on the original recipes,' he says. The Cajun grilled chicken on a bed of stir fried veggies, potato wedges and mushroom sauce is a nod to Mexican cuisine. The flavours on this plate — the mildly spiced veggies and the wedges work well with the Cajun spice. The mushroom sauce brings in the oomph to the dish which otherwise could have been one dimensional. From the rice bowl menu, the chef picks the Cantonese honey glazed pork rice bowl which does not work. The sweetness of the pork does not complement the blandness of the rice — a dash of spice might have given the dish the much deserved kick of flavour. Instead of dessert, we sampled red velvet shake and Lotus Biscoff shake. The red velvet shake with bobbing ice cubes is refreshingly light and not too sweet, while the Biscoff shake, which had a dollop of vanilla ice cream, is thick and creamy in a way that makes one wish that it would never finish. The menu is rather expansive, spanning salads, burgers, wraps, rolls, waffles, smoothie and rice bowls. The coffee menu too is extensive, apart from the expressos and machiatos, there are also manual brews too. As a wrap to the meal, we sample the French press, made of crushed Arabica beans coffee. The colour and contents of the French press resemble tea, but it is coffee the colour of tea which implies that it is possibly lightly roasted. Anyway, it is one of the best no-milk coffees for the coffee curious who might not have the stomach for the caffeine hit a shot of expresso is.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Red Lobster's new CEO makes waves with $5 drinks, seafood boils and Sangria flights
Red Lobster might be making a big comeback. Their new CEO, Damola Adamolekun, just made some exciting menu changes like $5 drinks, seafood boils , and sangria flights and now everyone online is talking about it. He made these major new changes to the menu to bring in more customers. One of the biggest changes is this year's Crabfest , which fans are loving, as per reports. New food and drink options The Seafood Boils are back and come in two different styles, Mariner's Boil includes: Maine lobster tail, 12 shrimp, snow crab legs, corn, and red potatoes. Sailor's Boil includes: shrimp, smoked sausage, corn, and red potatoes. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Join new Free to Play WWII MMO War Thunder War Thunder Play Now Undo You can choose your favorite sauce for the boil, Roasted garlic butter, Cajun butter, Old Bay seasoning. Red Lobster is also offering new drink flights for a limited time, seaside Sangria Flights with mango berry, tropical white, and triple berry flavors. Main Deck Margarita Flights with Caribbean blue, passionfruit, and watermelon flavors, as stated by delish report. Social Media loves it During Happy Hour, customers can get cocktail specials for just $5. Social media is going wild with excitement about the new CEO and menu, one TikTok user said, 'CEO popped off… he figured out us ladies to a T… seafood boils, margs, and cheddar bay biscuits', as per reports. Live Events ALSO READ: Visa controversy erupts: Jasmine Crockett presses how Melania Trump got elite US visa Another commented: 'This is seriously about to be the new spot! He's tapped in. He knows what the people want. Keep the biscuits coming.' Others said they're ready to go back to Red Lobster after years. One said: 'I just might go back… I could use a biscuit and some hush puppies…', according to the report by delish. People are especially excited to enjoy their favorite items again, like cheddar bay biscuits . One person even joked, 'Can this new CEO fix Chipotle now too?' Red lobster's struggles In May 2024, Red Lobster filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 to fix its money problems The company closed several restaurant locations to save costs. They also worked with a real estate advisory firm to check and cut down on lease expenses. The goal was to restructure its finances and survive the tough situation, as per the report by Catalunya Diari. Red Lobster is now trying a big comeback with its brand new strategy. They brought back Crabfest, one of their most loved events, running from June 23 to September 14. The menu now has 10 new dishes, mostly focused on crab. They also added a new range of refreshing cocktails to bring in more customers, as mentioned in the reports. FAQs Q1. What new food is on Red Lobster's menu? Red Lobster added 10 new dishes, including seafood boils and crab-focused meals. Q2. What is Crabfest at Red Lobster? Crabfest is a special event featuring crab dishes, running from June 23 to September 14.
Indianapolis Star
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indianapolis Star
35 Central Indiana food trucks to try this summer and where to find them
Food truck season is in full swing, meaning you never have to go far for a slice, skewer or sauce-smothered slab of something delicious. Below you can find more than 35 Indianapolis-area food trucks listed — loosely categorized by cuisine — with what they serve and where you can find them. Amayesing Taste What: Fried chicken, catfish fillet and other deep-fried favorites. Where: Amayesing Taste regularly operates downtown near Monument Circle, but you can find their exact location day-of at A.P.'s Delicious Ribs What: Ribs, fried catfish, macaroni and cheese, wings and other quintessential comfort food. Where: Periodically parks on South Meridian Street near Monument Circle. Check for updates. The Big Easy What: Cajun fare including jambalaya, shrimp, catfish and, occasionally, even alligator. Where: Occasional appearances throughout the Indianapolis area with a base in Anderson and nearby suburbs. Check for schedule updates. Bus Stop Bistro What: High-end sandwiches, burgers and hot dogs with options for vegetarian and vegan eaters. Where: Bus Stop Bistro gets around, typically Thursday through Saturday, with frequent stops in Indy as well as Hamilton, Hancock and Johnson Counties. The roaming eatery updates its schedule every week at Chef Dan's Southern Comfort What: In addition to a carry-out restaurant at 8059 E. 38th St., Chef Dan's operates a truck slinging catfish, po' boys, gumbo and myriad fried fare. Where: Regular appearances across Marion County. Check for day-of updates. Chomp'z Truck What: Smash burgers, pork tenderloin sandwiches, tacos and more. Where: Frequent appearances in Greenwood and the south side of Indy. Chomp'z typically updates its Facebook page at the day before an event. Huge Impact Restaurant What: A smorgasbord of comfort food including wings, fried fish, loaded baked potatoes, Cajun pasta and fried tomatoes. Where: In addition to its carry-out restaurant at 5110 W. 38th St., Huge Impact typically wheels out its food truck at least once per week to different Indianapolis locations, such as Riverside Park. Check for day-of updates. J & J A Taste of Home What: This Indiana State Fair mainstay serves its distinct brand of comfort food, namely egg rolls stuffed with nearly anything you can imagine. Where: A frequent flyer at Carmel Food Truck Nights, Central Indiana county fairs and other events. Visit for regular updates. J's Lobster Truck What: Seafood appears tucked into rolls and tangled in macaroni and cheese at the J's Lobster food truck, which the business runs in addition to its stall at the Garage Food Hall downtown. Where: Everywhere from Monticello to Rushville, with several stops in between. J's generally sets up shop on Fridays and/or Saturdays; you can see upcoming schedules at Legendary Kitchen What: Home to the runner-up of IndyStar's 2025 Tenderloin Tournament, the Legendary Kitchen also serves burgers, chicken sandwiches and French fries. Where: Based at the Legends Golf Club at 2555 Hurricane Road, Franklin, with occasional stops elsewhere in Franklin and Indianapolis. Visit for updates. More: The best tenderloin in Indiana has been crowned. See who won IndyStar's Tenderloin Tourney. Jumbo Jive Turkey Legs Smoked and Stuffed What: Piled-high and sauce-soaked sandwiches, biscuits and pasta and plenty of turkey. Where: Set to reopen for summer soon, per its Facebook page, Jumbo Jive has historically operated throughout Marion County, most recently in Lawrence and Garfield Park. Check for updates. Old Gold Barbecue What: Texas-style barbecue, heavy on dry-rubbed smoked meat with pickles, macaroni and cheese and other sides. Where: Outside Metazoa Brewing Co. from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Porkopolis What: More or less any form of smoked meat you can imagine, from rib tips and burnt ends to smoked wings and brisket. Homestyle sides also available. Where: Often booked for private events, but regularly open to the public throughout Marion County. Check for updates. Spencer's Bacon Station What: Burgers, melts and extravagant grilled cheese, most of which, predictably, contain some amount of bacon. Where: Open periodically at festivals and farmers markets in Lapel, Anderson and Middletown northeast of Indianapolis. Check for updates. T'Days Jerk What: Jamaican jerk-grilled chicken appears in the form of wings and fusion varieties including burritos, tacos, nachos and jambalaya. Where: Semi-frequent appearances across Marion and Hamilton County, including at the Statehouse Market (Thursdays at the Robert D. Orr Plaza at 100 N. Senate Ave.) and Rock the Ruins music venue (6363 Spring Mill Road). Check for the truck's complete upcoming schedule. Gosia's Rustic Kitchen What: Formerly known as Polska Chata, Gosia's Rustic Kitchen sells Polish and Eastern European food like barbecue burnt ends, pierogies and sausages. Where: A regular at Indy-area farmers markets including the Original Farmers Market (10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every Wednesday on Monument Circle), as well as in Carmel and Westfield, Gosia's Rustic Kitchen updates its schedule frequently at Pierogi Love Indy What: Eastern Europe's beloved fried dumplings, pierogies, plus sausage and more distinctly American options like cheesesteaks and chicken sandwiches. Where: Pierogi Love regularly attends events in the Indianapolis area, but also occasionally sets up shop outside office parks, movie theaters and apartment complexes. See the truck's full schedule at Bearded Burger What: A straightforward menu of burgers, hot dogs and assorted fried potatoes. Where: Frequently operates at various Indianapolis-area events, plus regular appearances throughout Noblesville and other towns northeast of Indy. Check for updates. Books Bourbon & Bacon What: A globally influenced spread of handheld eats including Korean corn dogs, beignets and sopapillas. Where: In addition to operating out of the kitchen at the Loom/Black Circle Brewing (1901 E. 46th St.), BB&B is a frequent flyer at Indianapolis-area fairs and festivals as well as the Original Farmers Market (10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every Wednesday on Monument Circle). Visit for regular updates. BoxBurger What: A nearly decade-old vendor of Black Angus burgers, fried chicken sandwiches and pork tenderloins with sides including fries, potato salad and coleslaw. Where: Open frequently at various locales in Indianapolis, Bargersville, Greenfield and Greenwood, with regular visits to the Statehouse Market (Thursdays at the Robert D. Orr Plaza at 100 N. Senate Ave.) and Mallow Run Winery (6964 Whiteland Road, Bargersville). Visit to see BoxBurger's full upcoming schedule. Fillers Stuffed Burgers What: Thick, oven-baked stuffed burgers, plus chicken wings and twists on Latin street food. Where: On the move across all of Indy, Carmel, Fishers and other nearby suburbs. Fillers regularly updates its schedule at Garcia's Hot Dogs What: A mainstay in Indy's mobile dining scene, selling sausages loaded with a wide variety of toppings and a handful of Mexican and Mexican American dishes. Where: Open six days a week (closed Sunday) outside Family Dollar at 5102 E. 16th St. on the Near Eastside. Scott Diggity Dogs What: Burgers, dogs, nachos and desserts with a hefty payload of toppings. Where: Open most days across the Indianapolis area, typically in Hamilton and Handcock County. Smash Daddy's Burger, Fries, ETC. What: A regularly changing menu of American favorites including hamburgers, hot dogs and assorted fried fare. Where: Operates most days with a wide coverage area ranging from downtown Indy to Plainfield and Bargersville. Full schedule available at and Arepas What: The beloved Venezuelan and Colombian street food called the arepa, a pocket of fried corn dough stuffed with meat, cheese and other fillings. Where: A summer mainstay at the Original Farmers Market (10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every Wednesday on Monument Circle), Carmel Farmers Market (8-11:30 a.m. every Saturday at 2 Carter Green) and Carmel Food Truck Nights (5-8 p.m. every Friday at 930 N. Rangeline Road). See for Arepas' full schedule. The Latin Flavor What: A blend of traditional and Americanized Mexican fare including tacos, tortas, tostadas and burritos. Where: Open from noon to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and noon to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday at 9130 E. 38th St. Lupita's Taqueria What: A wide spread of Mexican street food staples including tacos, tortas, huaraches (masa dough filled with beans and topped with salsa and cheese), quesadillas and more. Where: Open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily by the BP gas station at 7068 N. College Ave. Las Mexicanas Super Tacos What: $3 tacos with a seemingly infinite variety of fillings, plus other Mexican staples incluing menudo, tamales, pork ribs, birria and pollo asado. Where: Typically open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday outside Las Mexicanas Super Market at 424 S. Sherman Drive in Christian Park. Visit for other scheduling information. Pico de Gallo What: Tacos, tortas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas with a colorful array of aguas frescas. Where: Open weekdays from early evening to late at night at 2307 Lafayette Road. Taco Time Food Truck What: An eclectic assortment of tacos and walking tacos, street corn, wings, gyros, hot dogs and more. Where: Stationed outside the Richard G. Lugar Plaza downtown at 230 E. Washington St., open early morning through evening weekdays. Jason's Stix n Rice What: Filipino staples including chicken adobo and lumpia, plus American dishes including smash burgers and crinkle-cut French fries. Where: Typically stationed afternoons and evenings outside Fountain Square Brew Co. (1301 Barth Ave.). See for updates. Thai Out What: Traditional Thai stir fries and street food including spring rolls, crab Rangoon, pad Thai and sweet basil-dotted pad ka prow. Where: Occasional appearances at Indy-area events. Visit for scheduling information. Byrne's Grilled Pizza What: Grilled thin-crust pizza with toppings that span from traditional (pepperoni, olives) to eyebrow-raising (Brussels sprouts, pulled pork). Where: In addition to a full-service restaurant at 5615 N. Illinois St. in Butler-Tarkington/Rocky Ripple as well as a truck at sister restaurant Gather 22 in the Near Northside (22 E. 22nd St.), Byrne's occasionally shows up at notable Indy-area events and venues like Rock the Ruins. Check out for updates. Pi Indy What: The rare food truck with floor-to-ceiling windows so you can see your food being made, Pi slings wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas. Where: You can find Pi stationed outisde Metazoa Brewing Company downtown most days, but the mobile eatery also makes stops at other Indy-area venues. Check for updates. Nicey Treat What: A variety of ice pops from one of Indy's biggest names in frozen treats. Where: In addition to brick-and-mortar locations in Broad Ripple and Fishers, Nicey Treat occasionally vends ice pops from its truck at events in Indy and surrounding suburbs. Check for scheduling information. Papa Curl Ice Cream What: Beech Grove-based vendor of Dole pineapple soft-serve and other ice cream concoctions. Where: Regular appearances across Central Indiana, from Connersville to Bargersville, plus stops in downtown Indy. Papa Curl posts its schedule every week on Zo-Bot's Sodas What: Self-billed as Indy's first dirty soda shop, Zo-Bot's sells sodas mixed with various flavors, plus seasoned fries and funnel cake "fries." Where: Zo-Bot's posts its schedule weekly at with frequent stops at farmers markets in Indianapolis' donut counties.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Red Lobster introduces seafood boils as part of its Crabfest event: What to know
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 me down there trying a Cajun butter one: — Mike (@ParadoxicalMike) June 23, 2025 Red Lobster got seafood boils coming on the menu. Dipping that biscuit in that sauce… yeah — awrealya, m.a. (@BlkMissFrizzle) June 17, 2025 Red Lobster finna start having seafood boils! That new CEO know what he doing — Maybe: Nikki (@SoMagNIKKficent) June 18, 2025 Red Lobster got seafood boils — 👑 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@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Red Lobster introduces seafood boils: When to get them
