You know that stretch of Route 9 in Queensbury, right across from the Aviation Mall? It’s basically the local heartbeat of casual dining. If you've lived in Warren County for more than five minutes, you’ve probably pulled into the parking lot of the Red Lobster Queensbury NY location at 756 Upper Glen Street. Maybe it was for a high school graduation dinner, or maybe you just had a soul-crushing craving for those biscuits. Lately, though, the vibe around this specific spot—and the brand in general—has felt a little shaky. People are asking if it’s still open, if the quality is holding up, and whether the "Ultimate Endless Shrimp" debacle actually broke the company for good.
It's still there. For now.
But things are different than they were five years ago. Walking into the Queensbury location today feels like a bit of a time capsule mixed with a dash of corporate uncertainty. While the Adirondack region has seen plenty of local eateries come and go, this chain staple has managed to hang on through a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing that saw dozens of other locations shuttered across the country.
Why the Queensbury Red Lobster Survived the Cut
When Red Lobster started closing doors in May 2024, people in the Glens Falls and Queensbury area panicked. We saw locations in Buffalo and the Hudson Valley get the axe almost overnight. So why did the Red Lobster Queensbury NY location stay on the map? It’s not just luck. It’s geography and real estate.
This specific spot serves a massive catchment area. If you’re in Lake George, Saratoga, or even heading down from Ticonderoga, this is your primary seafood chain destination. Unlike the saturated markets in Long Island or Syracuse, Queensbury doesn't have a Red Lobster on every corner. The foot traffic from the Aviation Mall—even if the mall itself isn't what it used to be—and the proximity to the Great Escape during the summer months provides a seasonal buffer that many suburban locations lack.
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Honestly, the "Endless Shrimp" thing was a disaster for the corporate office, but for local diners, it was a goldmine. The company lost roughly $11 million because of that promotion. People were sitting in those booths in Queensbury for three hours, smashing plates of shrimp scampi and fried shrimp like it was their job. It was great for us; it was terrible for the balance sheet.
The Current State of the Menu in Warren County
Let's talk about the food, because that's why you're actually reading this. If you haven't been in a while, the menu has undergone some "streamlining." That’s corporate speak for getting rid of stuff that's too expensive to make.
You can still get the Admiral’s Feast. The Walt’s Favorite Fried Shrimp is still a staple. But you'll notice the prices have crept up. It’s not the "cheap" night out it used to be. A dinner for two with a couple of drinks and an appetizer can easily clear $80 now.
- The Biscuits: They are still the GOAT. They’re still free. They’re still brought out warm. If they ever start charging for these, that’s when we know the end is nigh.
- The Lobsters: The tanks are still there at the front. It’s a bit of a 90s aesthetic, but kids still love looking at them while waiting for a table.
- Freshness Factor: Look, it’s a chain. It’s not the same as getting a catch-of-the-day in a shack on the Maine coast. But for the North Country, the consistency is what keeps people coming back. You know exactly what that tilapia is going to taste like every single time.
The Bankruptcy Reality Check
In 2024, Red Lobster filed for bankruptcy. It sounds scary. It sounds like they’re going out of business. But in the world of big business, it’s often just a way to shed debt and close underperforming stores. The Queensbury location was spared because it was actually making money.
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The company was bought by a group called RL Purchaser LLC, which is essentially a collection of lenders. They brought in a new CEO, Damola Adamolekun. He’s the guy who used to run P.F. Chang’s. His whole mission is to make the brand "cool" again, or at least functional. This means the Red Lobster Queensbury NY site might see some renovations soon. If you’ve noticed the carpet looking a little frayed or the booths feeling a bit 2008, help might be on the way. Or, they might just keep it exactly as it is to save cash. It’s a toss-up.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Location
People think that because it's a chain, it doesn't matter to the local economy. That's just wrong. The Queensbury location employs dozens of local residents—waitstaff, line cooks, dishwashers. When a place like this closes, it’s not just about losing a place to get crab legs; it’s about jobs in our community.
Another misconception? That you can't get a "healthy" meal here. If you avoid the deep-fryer and the butter dipping sauce (which, I know, is the whole point), the wood-grilled salmon is actually decent. They’ve also been leaning harder into their "Sea Feast" bowls, trying to compete with the fast-casual crowd. It’s a bit of an identity crisis, honestly. Is it a fancy dinner spot? Is it a casual lunch joint? It’s trying to be both, and sometimes it feels a little confused.
Navigation and Timing Tips for Locals
If you’re planning a visit, don't just show up at 6:30 PM on a Saturday. The wait times at the Queensbury location can be brutal because it’s one of the few "nice" sit-down chains left in the immediate vicinity.
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- Use the App: Seriously. Join the waitlist before you leave your house in Glens Falls or Lake George. It saves you from standing in that cramped entryway for 45 minutes.
- Lunch is the Secret: The lunch specials are significantly cheaper and the portions are surprisingly similar to the dinner sizes.
- Check the Hours: Since the restructuring, some locations have trimmed their hours. Always call ahead if you’re planning a late-night seafood run.
The Future of Seafood on Upper Glen Street
What happens next? The Red Lobster Queensbury NY location is currently in a "wait and see" phase. The new ownership is focused on "back to basics." They want to stop the gimmicks—no more $20 endless lobster deals that bankrupt the company—and focus on better service and consistent food.
There’s a certain comfort in knowing that if you want a Parrot Isle Jumbo Coconut Shrimp, you can still get it. In a world where everything is changing and local favorites are being replaced by luxury condos or car washes, there's something to be said for the staying power of a place that serves seafood in the middle of a mountain region.
The Adirondack region thrives on its local flavor, but places like Red Lobster provide a necessary baseline. They are the reliable choice for the "I don't know, what do you want to eat?" argument.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Visit
Don't just walk in and order the first thing you see. To get the best experience at the Queensbury location right now, you have to play the system a little bit.
- Audit the Specials: They often have "off-menu" or seasonal catches that aren't highlighted as much as the fried platters. Ask the server what's actually fresh.
- Rewards Program: If you go even twice a year, the "My Red Lobster Rewards" app is worth it. You get free points just for signing up, and it usually leads to a free appetizer or dessert pretty quickly.
- Feedback Matters: Since the bankruptcy, corporate is hyper-focused on store-level performance. If your service is great (or terrible), fill out the survey on the receipt. The managers at the Queensbury site are under a microscope right now, and they actually pay attention to those scores.
Go for the biscuits. Stay for the nostalgia. Just maybe skip the tenth round of shrimp if you want the place to stay open another decade. Supporting these local anchors, even the corporate ones, keeps the Queensbury retail corridor alive and kicking while the brand navigates its newest chapter.
Next Steps for Diners:
Before your next visit to the Queensbury location, download the official Red Lobster app to check the real-time "Call Ahead" waitlist status, as this specific location on Upper Glen Street frequently sees surge pricing and long wait times during the peak Adirondack tourist season. Additionally, verify current operating hours directly via phone at (518) 793-2415, as regional staffing adjustments can occasionally lead to mid-week closures or reduced lunch hours that may not be reflected on third-party map applications.