Red Lobster

Went there with my in-​laws after they helped us move in to our new place. Coconut shrimp was good… especially liked the pineapple dipping sauce. Overheard a waitress tell an older couple at the table next to us that they were out of Diet Coke even as our waiter brought me a refill. Overall, though, everything just seemed kinda greasy. If visitors really would like to go there, I’d go back, but I don’t think it will be on our regular rotation.

Have dined at Red Lobster Mankato approximately 15 times over the last 5 years. Here’s my assessment:
PROS: Consistently excellent food. One of my favs is the stuffed flounder — good ol’ classic white fish with crab stuffing, always good, every time. Also love: fried shrimp, grilled shrimp and scallops are tasty and well prepared. Have recently tried the fairly new lobster bisque and this is done well but is heavy, but lobster bisque is usually heavy. Salads are timely and served well before the entrée which is important. Timing of the serving is good, have never felt rushed. My husband is a huge salmon lover and he says the Salmon New Orleans is the best in town. The only appetizer we’ve tried is the calamari and its delicious but beware of a rather large portion — this is not a criticism.
CONS: The BAR — the Mankato Red Lobster was just renovated, we had SO hoped this would include an overhaul of the interior design to open up the bar. We were so disappointed to find its still a tiny, uninviting bar closed off and stuck in the middle of the restaurant. We enjoy sitting at bars and often eat at them — not so here. This is unclassy and my largest criticism. Next con is food presentation — consistently underwhelming, small pieces of fish with a glob of mashed potatoes on a huge white plate — quite off-​putting. Recommend a higher priority placed on food presentation, makes me feel like I’m eating at Perkins but paying Red Lobster prices.
SERVICE: Always excellent, prompt, friendly, professional.
BUILDING: Always clean, smells great, nice large seating area for people waiting, would have been better to make the bar LARGER for people waiting. Plenty of parking.
If the bar issue were better would give a 5 stars.
Do I recommend? Yes, but skip the bar.