# Getting the (Inexpensive) Cape Codder Platter at Red Lobster. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 22, 2015, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-the-inexpensive-cape-codder-platter-at-red-lobster/718251 "2015-04-22T02:44:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jim\_B](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jim_b/32/4338_2.png) [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-the-inexpensive-cape-codder-platter-at-red-lobster/718251/1 "2015-04-22T02:44:52Z")
I live on a fixed income. I am not ashamed to admit that. I am not poor per se. But I do live on a fixed income. Anyways, from time to time, I do like to eat out (although I don’t do this as much, since my father died in 2011). And from time to time, I do go to Red Lobster. (I assume they have a Red Lobster in every state. But in case you don’t know, it is a sea food restaurant that specializes in [you guessed it] boiled lobster.) Anyways, Red Lobster is a bit pricey. But I have found an ingenious way around their often ridiculous prices. I buy the Cape Cod appetizer platter. Last time I was there, it was still about $10. And despite being an appetizer, you really do get a lot to eat with it. What do the rest of you think about my idea:)? :):)🙂 ---
**Author:** ![GoodOldKJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc79bd/32.png) [@GoodOldKJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GoodOldKJ)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-the-inexpensive-cape-codder-platter-at-red-lobster/718251/2 "2015-04-22T03:06:18Z")
We will order appetizer samplers in a lot of places we go so rock on brother! ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-the-inexpensive-cape-codder-platter-at-red-lobster/718251/3 "2015-04-22T03:17:51Z")
Appetizers items can often be a meal. My husband and I go for the triple dipper one at Chilis. TGIF also has an unlimited app promotion, 10 bucks for endless apps of one item or mix and match for 12. Last time we each picked one and shared. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-the-inexpensive-cape-codder-platter-at-red-lobster/718251/4 "2015-04-22T03:22:54Z")
You’re eating it. Have whatever you want! ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-the-inexpensive-cape-codder-platter-at-red-lobster/718251/5 "2015-04-22T04:11:06Z")
Enjoy! Even on a fixed income (and you’re right, you shouldn’t be ashamed of that), it’s important to treat yourself once in a while. ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-the-inexpensive-cape-codder-platter-at-red-lobster/718251/6 "2015-04-22T13:56:28Z")
I do not live on a fixed income, eat at restaurants \>2x per month, and I quite often order an appetizer as an entree. Especially if the appetizers look better than their entrees. Sometimes I’m asked if I want a larger portion for a small upcharge and I’m usually fine with that as I know it’s probably the server trying to protect their tip. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-the-inexpensive-cape-codder-platter-at-red-lobster/718251/7 "2015-04-22T14:20:07Z")
Tullys, home of the worlds best chicken tenders, offers low priced appetizers, but of course this is during happy hour - my neighbor used to take her grandkids there (for food, not margaritas!) for a real relatively low cost treat. I often order an appetizer at lunch as I can’t eat a big meal in the middle of the day. You have the 1/2 lb. burger and fries, I am happy with a few clams casino or chicken bites! When my husband and I go out to eat, I will order an appetizer and he gets the full entree. I will ‘help’ him finish it when he slows down. Not a thing wrong with all of this, I always leave a decent tip, everyone is happy. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-the-inexpensive-cape-codder-platter-at-red-lobster/718251/8 "2015-04-22T14:27:38Z")
Plus all the biscuits you can eat! ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-the-inexpensive-cape-codder-platter-at-red-lobster/718251/9 "2015-04-22T14:39:29Z")
If that makes you happy go for it. I know plenty of people who have more than enough money who still shop for the deals on any purchase. It’s one of the ways they’ve ended up with more than enough money. There’s nothing wrong with it, if RL doesn’t want to sell their food cheap that way they’ll take it off the menu. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-the-inexpensive-cape-codder-platter-at-red-lobster/718251/10 "2015-04-22T14:41:29Z")
I used to do this at Dixie Cafe. It’s not just that it was cheap, but you got a variety of food not served in any other context. Unfortunately, it was all battered and deep fried stuff, which I can’t have anymore. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-the-inexpensive-cape-codder-platter-at-red-lobster/718251/11 "2015-04-22T15:04:11Z")
If an appetizer is enough for a snack for 2 or even 3 people, then it’s definitely enough for a meal for one! And yeah, all the biscuits you can eat! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-the-inexpensive-cape-codder-platter-at-red-lobster/718251/12 "2015-04-22T16:20:23Z")
I often order appetizers as my entree. The dinner-sized portions at many restaurants are HUGE! ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-the-inexpensive-cape-codder-platter-at-red-lobster/718251/13 "2015-04-22T16:21:05Z")
If it is something you enjoy and is at a price you can afford, rock on!! You might be incorrect about the “every state” thing though. I don’t think we have them in MA. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-the-inexpensive-cape-codder-platter-at-red-lobster/718251/14 "2015-04-22T16:42:21Z")
I don’t think they have any in Maine either. I can’t remember the last time I saw an appetizer that was…well…appetizer-sized. Most are at least the size of a lunch portion. If it’s what you want to eat, go for it! ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-the-inexpensive-cape-codder-platter-at-red-lobster/718251/15 "2015-04-22T16:50:11Z")
I order appetizers as meals all the time! I’ll check out that platter the next time I’m at Red Lobster. They don’t have it on their on-line menu, at least not for my RL. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-the-inexpensive-cape-codder-platter-at-red-lobster/718251/16 "2015-04-22T16:55:49Z")
The fried ravioli appetizer at Old Spaghetti Factory is one of my regular dinner orders there. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-the-inexpensive-cape-codder-platter-at-red-lobster/718251/17 "2015-04-22T17:05:18Z")
Ordering appetizers as the main dish is pretty usual for me. There’s a few places I go to where I just order off the app menu: one is for the steak tartare, another for the wings. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-the-inexpensive-cape-codder-platter-at-red-lobster/718251/18 "2015-04-22T17:33:01Z")
I read an article in Gawker (IIRC?) by a writer who was assigned to eat the TGIF endless appetizer special from the time the place opened at 11am unitl it closed at 1am. With the TGIF offer, she was only allowed to get repeat servings of whatever she originally ordered. She ordered the mozzarella sticks and immediately regretted her choice. Imagine eating fried cheese for 14 hours. Having said that, my wife and I will sometimes each just order appetizers. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-the-inexpensive-cape-codder-platter-at-red-lobster/718251/19 "2015-04-22T17:38:05Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > Imagine eating fried cheese for 14 hours.ja [I don’t understand it. James Coco went mad in 15 minutes!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3ZcZ2h4Ths) ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-the-inexpensive-cape-codder-platter-at-red-lobster/718251/20 "2015-04-22T18:29:08Z")
Nothing wrong with that. I also learned from a senior citizen I knew that you can request the lunch menu and order a smaller portion for less money. ETA: As long as you tip your server generously. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-the-inexpensive-cape-codder-platter-at-red-lobster/718251.md?page=2)