World’s First Red Lobster Restaurant Is In Florida - Yes, Red Lobster Closing Nation Wide!

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Tampa Jay

Күн бұрын

Пікірлер: 208

@TampaJay 8 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching! instagram.com/tampajay

@mikemalone2462 8 ай бұрын

Used to lived in wauchula

@sunflowerlove8243 8 ай бұрын

I never knew that !!! Im a Floridian

@Deewatson-vw4id 8 ай бұрын

Wow! How crazy is this. I was your server yesterday when you ordered the lobster pizza and a half and half tea. I will have been with a company this August for 30 years. The first Red Lobster building was owned by Lawton Chiles governor Red Lobster left that building what's the reason they did not own the building and it needed a lot of upgrade, hence the new location thank you so much for doing this video I thought you might like the additional information of who owned the building for the first Red Lobster discover Going on 30 years this August we appreciate your business

@julieortiz827 8 ай бұрын

Hey! My mother was the one that served you! She's been there for YEARS and lakeland is my hometown. Loved watching this!

@LoveAndPower777 8 ай бұрын

My older brother worked there in 1977 when he was a teenager. I remember riding with my mom to pick him up from work. Thanks for sharing. ❤

@TampaJay 8 ай бұрын

That’s super cool your bro worked there thank you

@davidclaycomb5496 8 ай бұрын

My future wife worked there ‘74 to ‘75.

@TheFloridaSnowflake 8 ай бұрын

Jay, I am loving this original content you've been putting out on Florida history. This restaurant series is really great!! Thank you for all you do ✌

@TampaJay 8 ай бұрын

Thank you Snowflake! Appreciate ya

@RobertHarrington-d8z 8 ай бұрын

I have a bunch of pictures of John Candy when he was filming summer rental. I was working across the street. Lol

@TampaJay 8 ай бұрын

Those would be awesome to see! Love Candy

@jenb25 8 ай бұрын

I worked at Red Lobster from 1993- 1996. So many good memories from working there. Started as a busser moved up to waitress then eventually manager. Left when I wanted a regular 9-5 job and got out of the restaurant industry, but had so so so much fun working there. They all closed in my area years ago, I think it was hard to be open as a chain seafood place here in the Northeast. Great memories. Great biscuits.

@0518Purple 8 ай бұрын

I remember eating at that one in the 70’s. We always wanted one of the seats by those big windows you showed. There was a sea plane in that lake one time when we went there, and it was sinking. But it was such a great place. The location of the new one has no water by it, so not as pretty. Great memories. Thank you. 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀

@Elephant2024-wi2li 8 ай бұрын

Great video as always, TJ. The closing of Red Lobster really hits home. Remember when I used to go there with my parents. It was especially great when they would have the shrimp specials. And then there were the biscuits, which were always comforting.

@sharonstover7337 8 ай бұрын

I love these history videos! So interesting! Thanks so much!! ❤

@MiamisburgJay 8 ай бұрын

Thanks for the vid, Jay. It is amazing how many restaurants had their first down in Florida :) I had family that lived in Lakeland, but the last time I was down there was in the mid-90s LOL.

@NancyMuckler 8 ай бұрын

I grew up in Winter Haven. My dad lived in Lakeland. I ate at the original Red Lobster when I was a kid though I have no specific memories of that location. But I do have specific memories of that Steak N Shake. We would pull up in the back and a car hop (no skates in my time, I’m not that old) would come out & take your order, bring your food on real plates and a tray that rested outside and against the window, Fancy. I also remember the Taco Bell near there. We didn’t have one in WH then and it was a treat for my older brother or sister who drove me & my little sister back and forth to stop there either on the way to dad’s house or on the way home.

@MichelleMartin-ld6zg 8 ай бұрын

Great video again Tampa Jay keep up the good work 😊😮😅😂❤❤

@TampaJay 8 ай бұрын

I appreciate you! Thank yoj

@styxfan4022 8 ай бұрын

Back in the day Red Lobster was a fun and decent place for a family to go have dinner. Now most of the corporate chain types, Red lobster, olive garden, longhorn, out back etc etc. have seen prices go thru the roof and service has become mediocre at best and I would not be surprised if Red Lobster and many others will all be gone within the next 10 years at the rate we are going. It's sad to think but the writing is on the wall. Jay thanks again for all you do, keep the good stuff coming.

@charlesbean7396 8 ай бұрын

Thanks Inflation and Bidenomics

@GDavis49 8 ай бұрын

@@charlesbean7396yep 👍

@dragonsmaiden00 8 ай бұрын

My parents would take me there. Later in life I would take my kids there. Lots of wonderful memories. Thank you Tampa Jay❤

@loriwalker5922 8 ай бұрын

I just started watching your videos. Seen you on Adam’s videos. I am really enjoying your content. Never knew this about Olive Garden & Red Lobster. I also like French Dressing. Always hard to find in Restaurants. I grew up & live in North west Ohio. About 20 miles from Indiana. Spent a lot of time in Indiana. I just moved back to Ohio from Orlando. I also lived in Tampa back in 1995-96. Keep up the good work!

@TampaJay 8 ай бұрын

Happy to hear and thank you so much! Small world my friend.

@peachielee 8 ай бұрын

This was a fantastic video! The guy who was commentating did the best job! It was so good and great to watch and informative ❤

@MetalGreggNY75 8 ай бұрын

Summer Rental is one of my favorite John Candy movies.

@TampaJay 8 ай бұрын

It’s hilarious! Hard to pick a fave but o l or that one! Uncle Buck & The Great Outdoors ❤️

@thedorseyway 8 ай бұрын

Tampa Jay, you're almost too 100k subscribers. That's awesome. You have to go live! 🎉

@adriennem3724 8 ай бұрын

I had a feeling you would do a video on this!! 🙌

@RyanRe-rd6wv 8 ай бұрын

Not in South Florida yet

@deborahgriffin9252 8 ай бұрын

The first time I ate at a Red Lobster was in Daytona Beach FL in the early 70's I was probably about 7 or 8 yrs old! Thanks for sharing!!

@markosmith5199 8 ай бұрын

I ate the original Red lobster back in 1985. We didn't know it was the original till we saw the plaque out front.

@TampaJay 8 ай бұрын

That’s awesome! Thank you for watching and confirming that plaque! I took a wild guess at that. I wonder where that plaque is today….

@Rossturnerphoto 8 ай бұрын

I lived in Lakeland during the mid 2000s. I knew that the first red lobster building was there, but I never visited. I think at the time the restaurant that had been there was closed and there was nothing open in that building. There’s a lot of interesting retail history along that stretch of 92. I see you Found the steak ‘n Shake, which I loved as well. Also, I’m not sure if you’re aware, but the Lakes Church down the road used to be called first Baptist when I attended there, but they took over an entire shopping mall. It was very fascinating because at the time you could still see a lot of retail history in the different buildings. I’m not sure what it looks like. I haven’t been there in a few years. Also, I loved going to Lake mirror as well. That was one of my favorite places to visit in downtown when I lived in the area.

@omegaman1409 8 ай бұрын

Sears town was developed in the mid 1960s just down the road. That plus Lake Parker made it a prime spot.That area is now run down.

@LoveAndPower777 8 ай бұрын

I remember that too. Sears town back when Publix grocery store was out there. Plus The Lakeland mall right across the street. It's now a church. So much history on memorial Blvd.

@Floyd69 2 ай бұрын

I did, I’m 54 now and my family eat here often. It had a big lobster tank in the front as you waited and the inside as I remember had dark red crushed velvet like material everywhere. You had a big picture window that reached from one side to the others that faced the lake, and I thought as a child the fish came from that water.

@ricardosoto5512 8 ай бұрын

I met a girl in Lakeland and she lived in the back road of that Red Lobster.... It was there in 1985.... I was picked up in front... Never had any idea it was the 1st Red Lobster... Things change over the years. Lakeland is twice as Big nowadays. I-4 corridor shifted Lakeland. I can see why they moved. Thanks for the Video 👍😊

@MattTheLizard 8 ай бұрын

Jay...I love all your videos, but the historical ones are so interesting. Staring at US98 in Lakeland you gave me an idea for a video series. A trip down 98 from PCB could be fun. PS love your shirt

@savage3960 8 ай бұрын

I remember going there and eating as a kid and when me and my wife first got married. There used to be a restaurant farther up the street called the Half Shell that had way better seafood until it shut down also.

@TampaJay 8 ай бұрын

Both sound delicious that’s some cool memories, thanks for watching and sharing

@buzzwells 8 ай бұрын

The one on Hwy 98, was a China Coast (Darden) before it was Red Lobster

@TampaJay 8 ай бұрын

That’s a fun fact! Thank you

@HalianTheProtogen 8 ай бұрын

3:15 Darden sold Red Lobster to Golden Gate Capital in 2014 for $2.1bn, and _they_ sold 75% of it to Thai Union in 2020 for an undisclosed price after buying the land from under every restaurant and leasing it back to Red Lobster at eye-watering prices, thus breaking their back with debt (and also selling the other 25% to Thai Union in 2016 for $575m).

@christines4880 8 ай бұрын

Last just sad.

@trish5556 8 ай бұрын

The very first Red Lobster I went to was on Blanding Blvd. in Jacksonville around 1975. They closed it many years ago and built a new one close by. When we lived in Apopka we ate at the Altamonte Springs location. I just looked at the list of closures and it was on that list. Sad to lose a place we enjoyed. I was born and raised in New England, so I never thought the lobster was that great at RL, but their cheddar biscuits are the best. I still like to eat at the one in Elizabethtown, Kentucky but not for the lobster. Besides the biscuits my other favorites there are the coleslaw and baked potato.

@joangravel2436 8 ай бұрын

Thanks for the awesome video I enjoyed watching

@TampaJay 8 ай бұрын

Thank you Glad to hear you enjoyed it

@alk61695 8 ай бұрын

I really enjoy the cheddar bay biscuits.

@nancyjorgensen847 7 ай бұрын

Lived near there years ago and enjoyed a few meals at that location. It was probably my first experience eating at a Red Lobster.

@FBT9356 8 ай бұрын

Used to eat at the predecessor of Red Lobster was Gary’sDuck Inn on 441 SOBT in Orlando was a Orlando classic for may decades

@angelsWin5109 8 ай бұрын

Very cool video love pop culture type of history

@TampaJay 8 ай бұрын

Thank you

@lazaruslazuli6130 8 ай бұрын

Red Lobster was started by Charlie Woodsby. He sold 17 restaurants for 14 million to General Mills. Or maybe it was 14 restaurants for 17 million. Then he started Talk of the Town restaurants in Lakeland, WInter Haven, Orlando, and Clearwater. Then he started Charlie's Steakhouse on International Drive in Orlando. I went on a date when I was sixteen to the Lakeland Red Lobster. My date ordered fried chicken. (She didn't like seafood). I asked her if she had any preference where she wanted to eat. She picked at her meal. I resolved not to take her out to dinner ever again. SIx years later, I married her.

@trish5556 8 ай бұрын

Charlie's Steakhouse is awesome! That is a cool backstory.

@p.jacobs5588 7 ай бұрын

My mom worked for him at the Talk of the Town in WH.

@lazaruslazuli6130 7 ай бұрын

@@p.jacobs5588 I did too, in 1977-78. I was #19 when being called for orders that were ready.

@lazaruslazuli6130 7 ай бұрын

@@p.jacobs5588 What year(s)? I was there in WH 1977-78. I was waiter #19.

@Jennifer-se1ux 8 ай бұрын

I drive by this place often, glad a bait shop bought the joint! Hey… I love when you visit Lakeland! So many magical things here in our beautiful city!

@debbieparker5377 8 ай бұрын

Red Lobster was a frequent place when I grew up we lived several places ,olive garden as well.

@garfixit 8 ай бұрын

This was a great video thank you for sharing

@TampaJay 8 ай бұрын

Thank you Gary

@MyDayOff 8 ай бұрын

Now I want to go to Red Lobster!

@amyandtony 8 ай бұрын

Love these videos!! Not a fan of lobster but back in the day I would get their steak with the crab Alfredo. So good but nothing beats those biscuits.

@TampaJay 8 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@Ronaldl2350 8 ай бұрын

Very cool. I didn't know Olive garden and Red Lobster were started by same company. And in Florida. I feel for the employees at the ones that are being closed. My first Red Lobster experience was at one located in Fort Lauderdale back in the 1970s. The same restaurant is still open today. My grandpa and grandma used to take us there. It's also cool the building the first restaurant was at is still there!

@FrankG5874 8 ай бұрын

I ate at Red Lobster for the first time in 1976 in Orlando, FL and we got our Red Lobster in the Trenton/Princeton NJ area in Lawrence Township in 1977 (One of the 87 locations that was recently closed) and both my third cousin along with one of my former girlfriend's worked in the Lawrence Township, NJ location. Last time I ate at a Red Lobster was last year at the Langhorne, PA location.

@Debbierae729 8 ай бұрын

Red lobster in Lakeland on the lake was my first experience. Down the road used to be the mall. Montgomery Ward was our go to store. Great memories. You should come over to plant city. Lots of neat little independent eateries with history value.

@angelah9745 8 ай бұрын

I remember going to the original Red Lobster in Lakeland. The pizza place across the street ( Memorial Blvd) later became a seafood place after the original Red Lobster became a night club. Many memories were made at those two places. I lived not far from there before the area took a dive. Also had good memories of going to Jimbo's BBQ across from that location. It is still there after more than 70 years. They have an awesome apple pie with cider sauce. Many memories of seeing Blinky the alligator on lake Mirror. He had one eye. Rumor was some kids shot him in the eye and a Lakeland legend was born. Lakeland is a wonderful place to live. If they only hadn't built that eyesore of a parking garage blocking the beautiful views of Lake Mirror from downtown 😢

@p.jacobs5588 7 ай бұрын

My cousin Glenda was there ooening day and went on to train the servers at all new red lobsters. Been to that Steak n Shake many times as well.

@timtomlinson119 8 ай бұрын

I grew up in lakeland. I ate there as a kid. It has been several business, night clubs and restaurants.

@annewatts8952 6 ай бұрын

For many years my family and I enjoyed eating at the Red Lobster and Steak and Shake We lived across the street for a long while You could see our house from inside the restaurant while we were eating also look over Lake Parker We used to shop at the shopping center with Montgomery Wards There are also 2 other Steak and Shake s in Lkld Also several in Orlando I agree with the person who suggested you try out the eateries in Plant City especially Frefs Market Restaurant , J ohnson Barbeque and the Brick house which used to be the city jail , which is open for breakfast and lunch every day except Monday Freds is so popular you can hardly find a parking spot, also go there on your birthday for a free meal

@28kbryan 8 ай бұрын

Thank you for the video! I can't believe the original Red Lobster bar was still there, freaking awesome!

@sunflowerlove8243 8 ай бұрын

Omg I can’t believe that !! Haven’t been to one in a while but back in the day they held their reputation and served great seafood meals . No one will ever forget those chedder busquits or that dip inside a bread bowl 🤤

@mrljlanier 8 ай бұрын

Enjoyed the video bruh!

@TampaJay 8 ай бұрын

Thank you

@thaboomer53 8 ай бұрын

I live in the area and have eaten at this Red Lobster in days gone by. it was one of my favorite places to eat seafood back then and still is my favorite seafood restaurant. can anyone get enough of the all-you-can-eat shrimp 5 ways special? it never gets old.

@kimberlylyerly2207 8 ай бұрын

Oh man, I haven't seen French dressing in years... Enjoy your meal, my friend! 😋

@jamesbozeman5811 3 ай бұрын

Great video.

@jeffreyrigged 8 ай бұрын

My first visit was in the early 90s in the older one in lexington ky.

@SFBenjaminK 8 ай бұрын

Back in the '80s I grew up as a middle schooler & then teenager, My family & me used to go Red lobster lots of times, still do off and on, That's sad all these goodies we grew up with is all gone and get demolish.

@Shelly-in-Tampa 8 ай бұрын

I love how you can buy the box and make the cbb at home plus the cheese and milk.

@dannfish 8 ай бұрын

I was like 696. So close to 100k subscribers for your channel, keep up the good work.

@magiccheeseball 8 ай бұрын

Wow I never knew the very first Red Lobster was in Lakeland this is really cool being able to see it! It's sad many of them are closing

@sir2022 8 ай бұрын

My first Red Lobster visit was with my parents on the Tampa side of Courtney Campbell Cswy around 1976

@TampaJay 8 ай бұрын

I thought that used to be a red lobster! Did it become a crappy pills? And then hogans ?

@Gemini8223 8 ай бұрын

Most grocery stores sell the Red Lobster biscuit kit. It’s so easy to make

@trish5556 8 ай бұрын

I made it from the box and it just was not the same.

@buzzwells 8 ай бұрын

Shakeys Pizza was next door, back in the day

@TampaJay 8 ай бұрын

I need to try Shakeys!

@trish5556 8 ай бұрын

@@TampaJay Are there any Shakeys left?

@DepthTechDesign 8 ай бұрын

We have the Rustic Inn over in Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood area super rad and OG to the South Florida area. I remember when a Red Lobster 🦞 closed in North Lauderdale by the Fort Lauderdale Executive airport. Might wanna check it out!

@ManChan-w5p 8 ай бұрын

I have never eaten at Red Lobster and I reside in Eaton Park near the Polk parkway.

@TinaandPokey 8 ай бұрын

In the 1970s, I went to Busch Gardens, and we ate at a Red Lobster 🦞 We came up from Miami. I always kid about Busch Gardens back then actually a bush and a garden and a gift shop.. My meal at Red Lobster was 10 Islandic Lobster tails.

@debbiestephenson9896 8 ай бұрын

Awesome Video !!!!!

@elizabetherwin9192 8 ай бұрын

My first time at Red Lobster was in Atlanta, Georgia. My Dad took me there after going to Dentist because you could eat fish with a numb mouth. Back in the 70’s. My favorite Red Lobster is in Panama City, Florida.

@dawnpatterson7005 8 ай бұрын

Yes, the one by Largo mall. Thank you… Appreciate that.

@milantoombs6696 8 ай бұрын

Grew up in Dade City and went to Lakeland many times to shop and eat!!! 1960-70’s

@noellesimagination7813 8 ай бұрын

The first one we ate was probably the Clear water one on 19. We went there on our yearly trip to Florida. When it came up north, in Illinois and we were in heaven. But like you said, so many good mom and pops, fresh seafood here, better than Red lobster. You also could get cheaper prices at other places. Btw, I keep checking every day for you to pass 100k. So exciting!

@TampaJay 8 ай бұрын

That’s so cool. That is the last RL I ate with my mom and dad that specific one by the mall! Thank you so much for sharing watching and supporting. Appreciate you.

@RickyL305 8 ай бұрын

I have heard that they were going to close down from a couple months ago and lay offs started to occur so it's no surprise however it is a shame. My family owned a chain of seafood restaurants also who competed with red lobsters throughout Florida since our family chain opened in 1948. Unfortunately there is only one Florida location existing within Florida left not including the other restaurants on the east coast of the USA. My favorite red lobster was in Pinellas Park and had since closed as well. It used to make many relatives laugh who enjoyed the Pinellas Park location when they taken our families last name to seat the family knowing that the two restaurant chains competed locally. I absolutely loved red lobster however and they will be deeply missed.

@80smusicfan58 8 ай бұрын

Yessss red lobster and my favorite Richard Marx song 🤟🏻😎 80s baby

@donnaeichholtz3755 8 ай бұрын

My 1st husband and I moved to Lakeland in 1989 and we did eat at that restaurant many times.

@cynthialatina5743 8 ай бұрын

Charlie Woodsby started Red Lobster and he sold it. I worked at red lobster in Jackson, Mississippi from 1975 to 1980 as a hostess. I knew the story about Charlie because he was a member at Highlands Falls country club where I worked as the GM’s and the Board of Directors Assistant in Highlands NC in 1994-1998. He drove a Rolls-Royce. He was a real nice guy And told me the story. He was also the board president while I was there. Oh I have eaten at the first one back in 1976!

@AndyandPapa 8 ай бұрын

I think we went to the first store in the late 70s. Had to get a muffler on the family truckster. Dad bought steak and tail. Was amazing.

@Godert. 8 ай бұрын

welcome to lakeland!!! (I lived there for 9 years)

@TampaJay 8 ай бұрын

Love this town

@kimberlylyerly2207 8 ай бұрын

I ate at a Red Lobster 3 separate times at 3 separate locations. I was a Junior in high school, 1986, when I first ate at one. And ate at the last one in the 1990's. Too expensive for me. LOL

@denisedarnell1641 8 ай бұрын

We dont eat much seafood especially me since i live with so many allergies but hubby loves a good fish n chips dinner ..we love OLIVE GARDEN...used to bring home leftovers but not anymore since portions have shrunk sadly and prices rose on everything!

@debbiestephenson9896 8 ай бұрын

My Stomping Ground😂😂

@celtics20078 8 ай бұрын

Next you need to go to DelTaco it in Bradenton , Kissimmee or Orlando as part of your food segment.

@Hughesthatman 8 ай бұрын

I grew up in Lakeland and I’m still here. . That was the prime restaurant in Lakeland when I was a kid that restaurant over the water at Lake Parker was incredible. The food back then was 100 times better than it is now and they had the best coleslaw that I’ve ever had back then when my mom would check me out of school for a doctors appointment She would ask me where I want to go eat for lunch and I say I want coleslaw at red lobster

@shaneoleary9919 8 ай бұрын

Amazing work cool

@TampaJay 8 ай бұрын

Thank you

@user-lg5dw6lt8r 8 ай бұрын

My first RL was on Courtney Campbell Causeway. Best cheddar biscuits and popcorn shrimp was my childhood favorite. I miss The Colonnade on Bayshore even more. They made mini blueberry muffins that were so good. One of the waiters told us Jack Nicholson ate there table we sat at

@TampaJay 8 ай бұрын

I miss the Colonade! I used to go there with my parents! Very awesome

@dpc374 8 ай бұрын

Red Lobster is still open in Ocala next to Jaws Burgers 😎👊🏻

@tylertheretophiliac 8 ай бұрын

Now I know in Indiana you did go to mug N bun lol ! Milkshakes, tenderloin sandwiches, hotdogs… root beer yum

@TampaJay 8 ай бұрын

Tenderloins!!!!

@tylertheretophiliac 8 ай бұрын

@@TampaJay absolutely

@EricSchumann007 7 ай бұрын

Higghway 60 causeway Tampa also went to the Lakeland store also

@Tomga-sr7vb 8 ай бұрын

Our Red Lobster is still open. City of Industry California. Since the 80s.

@samadams2956 8 ай бұрын

I remember when they used to serve hush puppies before cheddar bay biscuits came along!

@jayweiss4378 8 ай бұрын

I miss the old chains like Pizza Hat too…. “changes” as David Bowie sang

@247good 3 ай бұрын

Definitely experienced a change in food and service at Red Lobster. It used to be one of my favorite restaurants to go to, but last time I went the food was swimming in butter, yet void of taste. It is sad that Red Lobster was bought by an investment firm that gutted the business.

@angelsWin5109 8 ай бұрын

So many good Memories of Red lobster with the family . Sad to see it close

@jeffreynagy5395 8 ай бұрын

My 1st visit to a "Red Lobster" Jay was the old "Courtney Campbell Causeway/ SR 60 Tampa side. Jeffrey Nagy

@joelfeiock4718 8 ай бұрын

the first and only red lobster I have been to is in garden grove, ca.

@thecoolestdad 8 ай бұрын

I remember my parents taking us kids to Red Lobster about once a month. Back in the early 70s it was a big deal to go to Red Lobster. That was uptown Saturday night back then. But today Red Lobster isn't what it used to be. The last time I ate there, I was somewhat disappointed. The menu isn't what it used to be as it was back in the 70s. It used to have a "classic" menu that couldn't be beat. I really don't go to Red Lobster anymore. The service just isn't what it used to be either. Different generation, different values I guess. I wish it was as good as it used to be because I would love to still go there occasionally.