You’ve seen the headlines. You’ve probably heard the rumors about the "end of an era" for endless shrimp. But if you’re standing in the middle of East New York or cruising down the Belt Parkway, the only thing that actually matters is whether the Red Lobster Gateway Mall Brooklyn is actually open and if those biscuits are still warm.
Honestly, it’s been a weird year for the brand. After the high-profile bankruptcy filings and the closure of dozens of locations across the country, people in Brooklyn started wondering if the Gateway Center spot was next on the chopping block. It wasn't. While the Bronx and parts of Jersey saw shutters go up, the Gateway Mall location remains a massive anchor for that shopping complex. It’s a survivor.
Why? Because Brooklyn eats.
The Reality of Dining at Red Lobster Gateway Mall Brooklyn Right Now
Let’s get the logistics out of the way because nothing ruins a dinner like a closed door. The Red Lobster Gateway Mall Brooklyn is located at 501 Gateway Drive. If you’ve ever tried to park at Gateway on a Saturday afternoon, you know it’s a special kind of chaos. The lot is shared with Target, Home Depot, and Best Buy, so it’s basically a competitive sport.
The vibe inside is exactly what you’d expect, but with a specific Brooklyn energy. It’s loud. It’s celebratory. You’ll see grandmothers celebrating 80th birthdays right next to a couple on a first date trying to look fancy while cracking open a crab leg. It’s one of the few places in the area where you can get a "sit-down" seafood experience without heading all the way to Sheepshead Bay or paying Manhattan prices.
Service can be hit or miss. That’s just being real. On a busy Friday night, the staff is running. They are slammed. Sometimes the wait for a table exceeds an hour even when the app says thirty minutes. But then you get that basket of Cheddar Bay Biscuits—salty, garlic-heavy, and falling apart—and suddenly the wait feels a little less annoying.
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What Actually Happened with the Bankruptcy?
You might be worried that the quality has dipped since the corporate shakeup. In May 2024, Red Lobster Management Inc. filed for Chapter 11. They blamed a lot of things. Most famously, they pointed at the "Ultimate Endless Shrimp" promotion. Apparently, people ate way more shrimp than the company’s profit margins could handle. Thai Union, the former part-owner, took a lot of heat for how they managed the supply chain.
But here’s the thing: the Gateway Mall location was consistently one of their higher-performing units.
When a company goes through Chapter 11, they look for "underperforming" leases. The Brooklyn spot stays because the foot traffic at Gateway Center is relentless. Even with the rise of fast-casual spots like Shake Shack nearby, the demand for a full-service seafood dinner hasn't gone anywhere. The menu has been trimmed down a bit to save costs, but the core hits—the Admiral’s Feast, the Lobster Lover’s Dream—are still there.
The "Endless Shrimp" Trap
Is it still endless? Sort of. The brand shifted the promotion back to a limited-time or specific-day event rather than a permanent fixture to keep the company from bleeding out. If you’re heading to the Gateway Mall specifically for a shrimp marathon, check their current daily specials first. The days of $20 all-you-can-eat every single day are largely behind us because, frankly, it was a business model that didn't make sense in 2024 and 2025.
Navigating the Gateway Center Chaos
Gateway Center (or Gateway Drive) is split into two main sections. Red Lobster sits in the older, more established section (Gateway I).
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- Timing is everything. If you go between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM on a weekend, expect a crowd.
- The App is your friend. Use the "Join the Waitlist" feature before you even park the car.
- Parking Hack. Don't even try to park right in front of the restaurant door. Drive toward the periphery near the BJ’s gas station and walk the extra two minutes. You’ll save ten minutes of circling like a vulture.
The interior of this specific branch has aged, sure. It’s got that dark wood, nautical theme that feels a bit 1998, but it’s clean. Compared to some of the other aging franchises in the city, the Brooklyn Gateway crew keeps the place in decent shape.
Is the Food Still Good?
Look, nobody goes to Red Lobster for Michelin-star innovation. You go for the salt, the butter, and the nostalgia.
The Atlantic Salmon is usually a safe bet—it’s consistently cooked, which is more than you can say for some of the more expensive bistros in North Brooklyn. The lobster tails can sometimes be on the smaller side lately, a likely result of those tighter corporate margins we talked about. However, the Crab Your Way option remains a fan favorite at this location, especially for the locals who don’t want to trek to the pier.
One thing to watch out for: the "shrinkflation" is real. You might notice the side portions look a little more modest than they did three years ago. The prices have also crept up. A dinner for two with a couple of drinks and an appetizer will easily clear $100 now.
Why People Keep Coming Back
Despite the corporate drama and the competition, Red Lobster Gateway Mall Brooklyn has a loyal base. It’s a community hub. In a neighborhood that has seen a lot of change, there’s a comfort in knowing exactly what a Cheddar Bay Biscuit is going to taste like.
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It’s also about accessibility. If you have a large family, finding a place in Brooklyn that can seat ten people on short notice without a "pre-fixe" menu requirement is getting harder. Gateway’s Red Lobster still handles those big tables better than most.
Critical Takeaways for Your Visit
Don't just wing it. If you're planning a trip to the Gateway Mall location, keep these specific points in mind to avoid a frustrating night:
- Check the Hours Directly: Don't just trust Google Maps. During the restructuring, some locations adjusted their closing times to 9:00 PM or 10:00 PM on weeknights to save on labor. Call ahead if you’re planning a late dinner.
- Manage Expectations on Service: The turnover in the restaurant industry in NYC is high. You might get a veteran server who knows the menu back-to-back, or you might get someone on their second day. Be patient.
- The Rewards App: If you eat here more than twice a year, use the app. They’ve been pushing heavy discounts and "free" appetizers to get people back into the seats after the bankruptcy news scared everyone off.
- Avoid the Holiday Rush: Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day at this location are legendary for all the wrong reasons. Unless you enjoy waiting three hours for a table, pick a different day.
What’s the Verdict?
The Red Lobster at Gateway Mall isn't going anywhere for now. It survived the 2024 closures because it’s a high-volume, high-traffic powerhouse in a borough that loves its seafood. While the company as a whole is still finding its footing under new management and trying to recover from the "shrimp-pocalypse," the Brooklyn branch remains a reliable, if slightly hectic, staple.
You aren't going there for a quiet, whispered conversation. You’re going for the biscuits, the "Ultimate Feast," and the fact that it’s one of the few places left that feels like a classic American Sunday dinner out.
Next Steps for Your Visit:
Before you head out, download the Red Lobster app to check the real-time waitlist for the Gateway Mall location. If the wait is over 45 minutes, consider hitting the "Join Waitlist" button while you're still at home. Also, double-check your "My Red Lobster Rewards" for any "Welcome Back" coupons, as the company has been aggressive with mailers and digital codes to boost traffic this quarter.