You're sitting there, staring at a frozen turkey that’s still rock-hard in the middle, or maybe you just really, really don’t want to do the dishes this year. It happens. We’ve all been there. The craving for Cheddar Bay Biscuits is real, and it doesn’t care if it’s a federal holiday or not. So, the big question on everyone's mind as November rolls around: is Red Lobster open Thanksgiving Day? The short answer is yes, usually. But—and this is a big "but"—it’s not a universal guarantee like a 24-hour diner.
Red Lobster generally keeps its doors open for the holiday, but they don't operate on their standard 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. schedule everywhere. Some spots might open late. Others might close early so the staff can actually get home to their own families. It’s a bit of a gamble if you just show up without checking first.
Why Red Lobster Stays Open When Others Close
Most chain restaurants see Thanksgiving as a lost cause. They figure everyone is tucked away at home eating grandma's stuffing. Red Lobster leans into the "non-traditional" crowd. Think about it. Not everyone wants turkey. Some people have shellfish allergies in the family and need a safe haven, or maybe they just prefer a Lobster Lover’s Dream over a dry bird.
Historically, Red Lobster has been a reliable fallback. In previous years, they’ve even leaned into the holiday by offering specific seasonal "Feasts." They know that there is a massive demographic of travelers, singles, and families who just want to pay someone else to do the heavy lifting on a Thursday afternoon.
The Reality of Holiday Hours
You have to understand how franchises work. While many Red Lobster locations are corporate-owned, local management often has a say in the specific "holiday hours" posted on the door. One location in Times Square might stay open until midnight because the foot traffic is insane, while a suburban location in the Midwest might wrap things up by 6:00 PM.
Honestly, the "official" word from the company usually lands on a "select locations" policy.
If you're planning to go, you absolutely must use the store locator on the Red Lobster website or, better yet, just call them. Google Maps is great, but it often gets holiday hours wrong because it relies on automated updates that might not capture a last-minute change by a local manager.
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What’s on the Menu? (Don't Expect Turkey)
If you’re hoping for a traditional Thanksgiving spread with cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes, you might be looking in the wrong place. Red Lobster sticks to what they know. You’re going there for the seafood.
- The Biscuits: They are the main event for most people. They’ll be there. They’re always there.
- Seafood Commons: Expect the Ultimate Feast—Maine lobster tail, wild-caught North American snow crab legs, garlic shrimp scampi, and Walt's Favorite Shrimp.
- Seasonal Specials: Sometimes they run "Holiday Seafood Celebrations" starting in early November. This usually involves some kind of steak and lobster combo or a festive cocktail like a Cranberry Smasher.
Don't go in expecting a butter-basted bird. It’s a shrimp-and-lobster kind of day.
The Logistics of Dining Out on Thanksgiving
It’s busy. You aren't the only one who had the "let's just go to Red Lobster" idea. If is Red Lobster open Thanksgiving Day is your primary search, you should also be searching for "Red Lobster reservations."
They use a "Join the List" feature online. It’s not a traditional reservation where a table sits empty waiting for you, but it puts you in the queue before you even leave your house. On Thanksgiving, the wait times for a party of six can easily climb to two hours if you just walk in at 4:00 PM.
Also, keep in mind the "To-Go" factor.
A lot of people choose to order those massive family-style seafood buckets to take home. This bakes the kitchen. Even if the dining room looks half-empty, the kitchen might be thirty tickets deep with takeout orders. Patience is pretty much required.
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Addressing the "Closing" Rumors
There has been a lot of noise lately about Red Lobster’s financial health and store closings. You might have seen headlines about bankruptcy filings or locations shuttering overnight. While it’s true the company has faced some serious headwinds—partially due to that infamous "endless shrimp" promotion that cost them a fortune—most locations are still operational.
However, this makes it even more vital to check your local branch. A store that was open last Thanksgiving might not be there this year. The company has been trimming the fat, closing underperforming stores to stabilize the brand.
Expert Tips for a Smooth Holiday Meal
If you're committed to the seafood Thanksgiving, here is how you do it without losing your mind.
First, go early or go late. The "Golden Hour" of Thanksgiving hunger is between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM. If you hit the restaurant at 11:30 AM right when they open, you’ll likely breeze right in. Alternatively, a late-night seafood dinner at 8:00 PM (if they stay open that late) is usually much quieter.
Second, check the "Daily Deals." Usually, holiday dates suspend the standard weekday deals, so don't expect the Monday or Tuesday specials to apply if the holiday falls on those days (though Thanksgiving is always a Thursday, obviously). Thursday's usual special might be replaced by "Holiday Pricing."
Third, be a human being to the staff. Working Thanksgiving is rough. Most of the servers would rather be watching football and eating pie. A little extra kindness and a decent tip go a long way when the restaurant is chaotic and everyone is stressed.
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Alternative Options if Your Local Spot is Closed
Sometimes, the local manager wins the battle and the store stays closed. If you find out your nearest Red Lobster is dark on Thanksgiving, you aren't totally out of luck.
- Cracker Barrel: The king of Thanksgiving dining. They do a full traditional meal.
- Golden Corral: If you want quantity over everything else.
- Ruth's Chris Steak House: For a much more expensive, high-end experience.
- Local Diners: Often the most reliable "open" sign in town.
But really, for the seafood lovers, it’s Red Lobster or bust. Just remember that the "Open" sign is a privilege, not a right, on a day like this.
What Most People Get Wrong
People assume that because a restaurant is a massive national chain, the rules are the same in California as they are in Maine. They aren't. Labor laws, staffing levels, and even local demand dictate these hours. In some regions, it’s culturally expected for everything to close. In others, it’s business as usual.
Don't rely on a blog post from three years ago. Don't rely on your memory of what they did in 2022.
The most accurate information will always come from the Red Lobster app on the morning of the holiday. It syncs with the POS system of the specific restaurant. If the app says they aren't taking orders, they aren't open.
Actionable Steps for Your Thanksgiving Plans
Stop wondering and start confirming. Here is exactly what you need to do to ensure you actually get your lobster fix:
- Download the App: Check the specific location hours three days before Thanksgiving.
- Call the Manager: Not the day of—call the Tuesday before. Ask, "What are your specific hours for Thursday, and when is your last seating?"
- Join the Waitlist Early: If you plan to eat at 3:00 PM, start checking the digital waitlist at 1:30 PM.
- Confirm the Menu: Ask if they are running a limited "Holiday Menu" or if the full catalog is available. Sometimes they prune the menu on holidays to keep the kitchen moving faster.
- Have a Plan B: Keep a frozen pizza in the freezer. It sounds cynical, but in the world of post-2020 restaurant staffing, "Open" can change to "Closed" if three people call out sick with the flu.
Ensuring you have the right info now saves you from a very hungry, very frustrated drive around town on Thursday afternoon.