# (Longhorn Steakhouse Ad) Lobster Tail not avail ME, RI, NH **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 5, 2013, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longhorn-steakhouse-ad-lobster-tail-not-avail-me-ri-nh/673113 "2013-11-05T01:55:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longhorn-steakhouse-ad-lobster-tail-not-avail-me-ri-nh/673113/21 "2013-11-06T14:57:14Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > It must be the cheese biscuits. They now sell a box mix for the cheese biscuits. I think I bought it at Wal-Mart. Haven’t made it up yet to see how close it is to the real thing. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longhorn-steakhouse-ad-lobster-tail-not-avail-me-ri-nh/673113/22 "2013-11-06T15:21:04Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > Longhorn decided calling it “spiny lobster” would be a turnoff to customers, so they just don’t offer the dish in those States. Calling it ‘spiny lobster’ would definitely get my attention, and would prompt me to go there. Pacific spiny lobster tastes better than Maine lobster. Disclaimer: The Pacific spiny lobster I’ve had has been ‘local’. The Maine lobster I’ve had has been shipped across the country. Maybe California got the East Coast reject lobsters; but Pacific spiny lobster tastes better on this coast. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longhorn-steakhouse-ad-lobster-tail-not-avail-me-ri-nh/673113/23 "2013-11-06T15:59:28Z")
Here’s the [commercial.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uv9nkuwcyM) The voiceover described it as “cold water lobster tail” around the 13 second mark. I don’t know what that’s supposed to mean - Homarus Americanus but from Canada? ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longhorn-steakhouse-ad-lobster-tail-not-avail-me-ri-nh/673113/24 "2013-11-06T21:55:01Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > How was the lobster? 😉 I rarely eat lobster, not worth the money, I would rathe rbuy live lobsters and cook them at home, or go to [Nordic Lodge](http://www.nordiclodge.com/). > [@muldoonthief](#): > > So _suburban_ New York. :dubious: Not particularly, Hartford is almost exactly between Boston and NY driving timewise. I think it is slightly closer to NY but the traffic that direction sucks more. [Who’s the Boss](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who%27s_the_Boss%3F) was in Fairfield anyway. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2013, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longhorn-steakhouse-ad-lobster-tail-not-avail-me-ri-nh/673113/25 "2013-11-07T01:01:28Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > Longhorn Steakhouse is owned by [Darden Restaurants Inc](http://www.darden.com), which also owns the Red Lobster (and other) chain. Red Lobster rather famously ships all their seafood frozen to all their restaurants, and presumably Longhorn Steakhouse is just using the same supply chain. Their cooks probably wouldn’t know what to with an actual live lobster. > > I really have no idea how Red Lobster restaurants survive in New England, but they do. > > ETA: Actually, they don’t. I know they used to be around here, but the closest one I can find now is in New York. So that’s a relief. They may ship most of their seafood frozen, but definitely not all of it. Unless lobsters can survive being frozen and come back to life like Captain America, that is. They have a huge tank with live lobsters at every Red Lobster I’ve ever been to. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2013, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longhorn-steakhouse-ad-lobster-tail-not-avail-me-ri-nh/673113/26 "2013-11-07T01:05:29Z")
I can’t remember where I saw this but I just read a few days ago that Lobster is an economic anomaly because the best quality lobster is cheap (but only in the states where it is caught) while the more expensive lobster (everywhere else) is of lower quality (because it travels better). Normally quality follows price but not here. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2013, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longhorn-steakhouse-ad-lobster-tail-not-avail-me-ri-nh/673113/27 "2013-11-07T01:46:35Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > Yep, my parents live in Massachusetts and complain when they visit us here that they have no Red Lobster restaurants near them. For Pete’s sake, they could get real, fresh lobster in about 20 places within 15 minutes of their house for 2/3 the price of a frozen lobster at RL. It must be the cheese biscuits. I don’t get it even in Albany, NY. Well, it’s technically in Colonie, but on one side of the street there’s a Red Lobster. On the other side of the street (and north a little ways) is a very good local seafood place. There’s even a pretty good fish fry on that same stretch of road as well if you liked your fish fried and served in a bun. I don’t understand the popularity of Olive Garden either. If I want chain Italian, there are better options. If I want to go to an actual Italian restaurant, there’s a couple perfectly fine local places just down the street. Heck, I could get better Italian food at the pizza place nearby than at an Olive Garden. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2013, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longhorn-steakhouse-ad-lobster-tail-not-avail-me-ri-nh/673113/28 "2013-11-07T13:01:38Z")
> [@Enderw24](#): > > Maybe they could call them Patagonian Spinefish. Better: “Patagonian Spine_beast_.” ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2013, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longhorn-steakhouse-ad-lobster-tail-not-avail-me-ri-nh/673113/29 "2013-11-07T13:43:12Z")
> [@kittenblue](#): > > They now sell a box mix for the cheese biscuits. I think I bought it at Wal-Mart. Haven’t made it up yet to see how close it is to the real thing. About as close as chocolate chip cookies are to the real thing. I tried it - I will never buy it again. I was **very** disappointed. Next time I’ll go with the Top Secret Recipes recipe and make them myself. ---
**Author:** ![lazybratsche](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ba8739/32.png) [@lazybratsche](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lazybratsche)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2013, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longhorn-steakhouse-ad-lobster-tail-not-avail-me-ri-nh/673113/30 "2013-11-07T16:22:50Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > Lobster isn’t less expensive in those states, according to my experience and everything I’ve read on the subject. Lobster is in demand nationwide, easy to ship, and in very high demand in New England. I have never seen any statistics on the subject, so I’m willing to admit I could be wrong. Here in RI I’ve seen cheap lobster in those “just off the boat” lobster joints, and occasionally in local independent grocery stores and seafood markets. A few times, I’ve seen it as low as $5/pound. Right now my (sadly) former local grocery store has it at $8/pound. On the other hand, restaurants in the major tourist traps and bigger cities never seem to lower their prices. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2013, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longhorn-steakhouse-ad-lobster-tail-not-avail-me-ri-nh/673113/31 "2013-11-07T16:34:13Z")
Lobster prices are ultra-cheap right now. I don’t think $8 a pound is much lower than what we’re seeing in Atlanta. I’ll check again next time I’m in the store. I spent a month in Maine several years ago, in a small lobster village. The prices there weren’t much different than what I was used to. ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2013, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longhorn-steakhouse-ad-lobster-tail-not-avail-me-ri-nh/673113/32 "2013-11-07T16:51:38Z")
> [@TBG](#): > > They may ship most of their seafood frozen, but definitely not all of it. Unless lobsters can survive being frozen and come back to life like Captain America, that is. They have a huge tank with live lobsters at every Red Lobster I’ve ever been to. Have you ever seen a cook or one of the kitchen staff actually go fish one out to go cook it? Neither have I. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2013, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longhorn-steakhouse-ad-lobster-tail-not-avail-me-ri-nh/673113/33 "2013-11-07T17:21:35Z")
> [@Dogzilla](#): > > Have you ever seen a cook or one of the kitchen staff actually go fish one out to go cook it? > > Neither have I. I have. Because I’ve ordered one. When you order one, they walk you over to the tank and you choose one; they fish it out, let you inspect it if you wish, then take it into the kitchen. They cook it and bring it out to you whole, or they can break it down for you if you ask. ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2013, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longhorn-steakhouse-ad-lobster-tail-not-avail-me-ri-nh/673113/34 "2013-11-07T18:39:42Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > I have. Because I’ve ordered one. > > When you order one, they walk you over to the tank and you choose one; they fish it out, let you inspect it if you wish, then take it into the kitchen. They cook it and bring it out to you whole, or they can break it down for you if you ask. Cool! I’ve never seen anyone order one, nor have I myself. Not that I go there much. I live in FL: plenty of cheap, fresh, well-prepared seafood. I only go to Red Lobster when I’m traveling and someone in my party wants to go there. I don’t mind the place; just doesn’t come to mind when I’m craving seafood. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2013, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longhorn-steakhouse-ad-lobster-tail-not-avail-me-ri-nh/673113/35 "2013-11-07T18:52:48Z")
> [@Dogzilla](#): > > Cool! I’ve never seen anyone order one, nor have I myself. Not that I go there much. I live in FL: plenty of cheap, fresh, well-prepared seafood. I only go to Red Lobster when I’m traveling and someone in my party wants to go there. I don’t mind the place; just doesn’t come to mind when I’m craving seafood. I too only ever go there if I’m taken, but I have to admit I do like the food at Red Lobster. Granted, dousing seafood in butter and garlic is nearly impossible to fuck up. The cheese biscuits are awesome though. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2013, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longhorn-steakhouse-ad-lobster-tail-not-avail-me-ri-nh/673113/36 "2013-11-07T22:51:01Z")
> [@TBG](#): > > They may ship most of their seafood frozen, but definitely not all of it. Unless lobsters can survive being frozen and come back to life like Captain America, that is. They have a huge tank with live lobsters at every Red Lobster I’ve ever been to. The cooks at actual _Red Lobster_ locations are trained to handle live/fresh lobsters, but not a the Longhorn locations. ---
**Author:** ![Tethered\_Kite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a5b964/32.png) [@Tethered\_Kite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tethered_Kite)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2013, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longhorn-steakhouse-ad-lobster-tail-not-avail-me-ri-nh/673113/37 "2013-11-07T23:06:20Z")
> [@Dogzilla](#): > > Have you ever seen a cook or one of the kitchen staff actually go fish one out to go cook it? > > Neither have I. Daughter used to work there when she was climbing the chef ladder. She said she had to leave the kitchen when they plopped them in the pot. They scream! Actually, I don’t believe they do. But the sound of them cooking is like a scream. Never mind. I don’t want to know. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2013, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longhorn-steakhouse-ad-lobster-tail-not-avail-me-ri-nh/673113/38 "2013-11-07T23:43:39Z")
I’ve cooked a bunch of lobsters, and I’ve never heard anything resembling a scream. I think that’s mostly urban legend. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2013, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longhorn-steakhouse-ad-lobster-tail-not-avail-me-ri-nh/673113/39 "2013-11-08T00:13:47Z")
> [@Missy2U](#): > > About as close as chocolate chip cookies are to the real thing. I tried it - I will never buy it again. I was **very** disappointed. Next time I’ll go with the Top Secret Recipes recipe and make them myself. You must have done something wrong then. I’ve had that box before (actually had some tonight, coincidentally enough) and it’s nearly identical to what you get in the restaurant. ---
**Author:** ![Tethered\_Kite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a5b964/32.png) [@Tethered\_Kite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tethered_Kite)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2013, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longhorn-steakhouse-ad-lobster-tail-not-avail-me-ri-nh/673113/40 "2013-11-08T02:21:37Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > I’ve cooked a bunch of lobsters, and I’ve never heard anything resembling a scream. I think that’s mostly urban legend. She has since told me that occasionally you get a sound caused by air escaping their shells. Another place said _stomachs._ Apparently the guys in the kitchen were teasing their new help. I’ve found a cite on Kitchen Myths verifying this but unless you absolutely need it I’ll skip the miserable process of trying to reproduce the URL. It’s from the 03/31/2011 issue. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longhorn-steakhouse-ad-lobster-tail-not-avail-me-ri-nh/673113.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longhorn-steakhouse-ad-lobster-tail-not-avail-me-ri-nh/673113.md?page=3)