Forget football season, Halloween, and the return of all things pumpkin spice — for the Bubba Gumps of the world, fall means one thing: all-you-can-eat shrimp. Red Lobster's never-ending parade of seafood, known as Endless Shrimp, is back this September. With it comes two new additions to the menu — and a whole range of secret menu items you'll never see promoted in-store. But trust us, they're real, and all of the servers know about them.
You'll be able to order two at a time, like your plate's a proverbial Noah's Ark of dinner, choosing from five official options and five off-the-menu picks. Shrimp linguini alfredo, hand-breaded shrimp, and garlic shrimp scampi are all back on the menu, along with this year's new dishes: Nashville Hot Shrimp and Mediterranean Shrimp.
Here's a breakdown of what you can try — as long as Endless Shrimp season's around.
New This Year: Nashville Hot Shrimp
Like Music City's sweet-yet-spicy chicken, this panko-crusted shrimp is fried and tossed in a mixture of brown sugar, cayenne, black pepper, and paprika, then drizzled with honey.
Pro Tip: Slice open a few Cheddar Bay Biscuits to make Nashville Hot Shrimp sliders. You won't regret it.
New This Year: Mediterranean Shrimp
If you're trying to watch your calories — while you, erm, enjoy a buffet-style meal — go for the Mediterranean shrimp. Grilled shrimp's loaded on a skewer and coated in a white wine, garlic, and lemon butter sauce. It's served with green onions and grape tomatoes.
Secret Menu: Cape Cod Kettle Chip-Crusted Shrimp
Shrimp that's covered in potato chips may seem lowbrow, but the crunch is incomparable. If it sounds familiar, you may remember this dish from the chain's Lobster & Shrimp Summerfest earlier this year.
Secret Menu: Panko-Crusted Red Shrimp
Another Lobster & Shrimp Summerfest item is back — as long as you know to ask for it. Some say red shrimp has a more lobster-like texture than regular shrimp.
Secret Menu: Popcorn Shrimp
Of course these bite-sized nuggets are available. It wouldn't be a proper Red Lobster meal without them, after all.
Secret Menu: Coconut Shrimp Bites
This dish seems made for Parrotheads everywhere: Crispy coconut shrimp served with a side of piña colada sauce. Chase it all down with a marg before searching for that cheeseburger in paradise.
Secret Menu: Garlic-Grilled Shrimp Skewers
It is exactly what you think it is: two kabobs of grilled shrimp, dripping in a buttery garlic glaze. Sometimes, simplicity is key.
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