EXCLUSIVE: Red Lobster revamps menu, brings back fan-favorite item

Red Lobster is rolling out new menu changes in an effort to excite seafood lovers —  including those on TikTok.

Damola Adamolekun, the restaurant chain’s new 35-year-old CEO, revealed the changes, which include seven new items and the reintroduction of two fan-favorite dishes, during an exclusive interview Nov. 11 on the 3rd hour of TODAY.

Adamolekun said his goal is to help make Red Lobster — which filed for bankruptcy protection earlier this year and closed approximately 100 locations —  better than it was before.

“Relevant, compelling and exciting is what we want Red Lobster to be for the future, and so we’re working on that now,” Adamolekun told Savannah Sellers.

Red Lobster (Red Lobster)
Red Lobster's new Lobster Pappardelle.

Part of that success, Adamolekun said, is the launch of a new menu on Nov. 11. Although the menu is 20% smaller, it features seven new items, including bacon-wrapped sea scallops, a lobster bisque and some new pasta dishes.

It also includes the reintroduction of the chain’s beloved hush puppies, which have been missing from its menu in recent years.

“There was a social media riot over us taking off the hush puppies a few years ago. So that is coming back,” said Adamolekun.

Hush puppies may be back on the menu, but another longtime item has vanished: the chain’s famous Ultimate Endless Shrimp promotion.

Read on to learn more about Red Lobster’s new menu. (Are you listening, Flavor Flav?)

Red Lobster’s new menu

Red Lobster’s new menu features seven new items, including bacon-wrapped sea scallops, a lobster bisque and some new pasta dishes.

The chain’s famous hush puppies, missing from the menu in recent years, are back, which Adamolekun predicts will make diners happy. Popcorn shrimp has also made a comeback, too.

“I expect a stampede into our restaurants because we’re bringing back the hush puppies,” he joked.

Red Lobster (Red Lobster)
Red Lobster's Hush Puppies are making a comeback.

The return of hush puppies is good news for Al Roker, specifically.

“I stopped going to Red Lobster because they stopped the hush puppies. Since I was in college I love the hush puppies. I’m glad they’re back,” the 3rd hour of TODAY co-host said.

Red Lobster is also now giving customers the ability to mix and match their own seafood meal with the launch of Create your Own Ultimate Feast, which includes two premium picks (like Maine Lobster Tail or Snow Crab Legs) and two classics (like Walt’s Favorite Shrimp and Garlic Shrimp Scampi).

As far as drinks go, Red Lobster is bringing back seasonal sips such as its “fan-favorite” sparkling Snowglobe Sangria, Ruby Mule and Mocha Espresso Martini, for a limited time.

All the new menu items

  • Lobster Pappardelle

  • Pasta Bacon Wrapped Sea Scallops

  • Lobster Bisque

  • Lemon Basil Mahi

  • Simply Prepared Mahi

  • Parmesan-Crusted Chicken

  • Roasted Asparagus