# Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits: The secret is out. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 21, 2017, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-lobster-cheddar-bay-biscuits-the-secret-is-out/791816 "2017-07-21T17:49:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-lobster-cheddar-bay-biscuits-the-secret-is-out/791816/1 "2017-07-21T17:49:29Z")
I was at a Red Lobster for the first time in forever with someone who had never been there before. Of course I talked up the Cheddar Bay Biscuits. And true to form they did not disappoint (they are very greasy but delicious). As it happens we had a particularly friendly and chatty waiter and we were discussing the biscuits and he told us something that may or may not be a secret but I know I didn’t know it: The biscuits are simply cheese biscuits coated with their Scampi sauce. He pointed to my shrimp scampi and said that’s all they are. So home chefs, that may make it easier for you to replicate if you want. Maybe everyone knew this but I figured I would share. ---
**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:** [July 21, 2017, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-lobster-cheddar-bay-biscuits-the-secret-is-out/791816/2 "2017-07-21T17:58:43Z")
Good to know. You knew it had to be something simple. It’s not something that requires a lot of training to make, otherwise they wouldn’t be done at Red Lobster. ---
**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:** [July 21, 2017, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-lobster-cheddar-bay-biscuits-the-secret-is-out/791816/3 "2017-07-21T18:04:56Z")
And for those extra lazy, [they sell the mix](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Red-Lobster-Cheddar-Bay-Biscuit-Mix-11-36-oz/32183361?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227021115961&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=40891586072&wl4=pla-78821526632&wl5=9021736&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=32183361&wl13=&veh=sem) at Walmart and Target. I don’t know anything about coating it with sauce, though. I’ve only once been in Red Lobster, about 30 years ago. Do these biscuits come wet or something? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-lobster-cheddar-bay-biscuits-the-secret-is-out/791816/4 "2017-07-21T18:41:47Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > And for those extra lazy, [they sell the mix](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Red-Lobster-Cheddar-Bay-Biscuit-Mix-11-36-oz/32183361?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227021115961&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=40891586072&wl4=pla-78821526632&wl5=9021736&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=32183361&wl13=&veh=sem) at Walmart and Target. I don’t know anything about coating it with sauce, though. The box contains what essentially is powdered scampi sauce, which one is supposed to mix with water and pour over the biscuits. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-lobster-cheddar-bay-biscuits-the-secret-is-out/791816/5 "2017-07-21T18:47:42Z")
Spread on the biscuits, rather. Edit timed out. ---
**Author:** ![USCDiver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uscdiver/32/354_2.png) [@USCDiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/USCDiver)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-lobster-cheddar-bay-biscuits-the-secret-is-out/791816/6 "2017-07-21T18:49:18Z")
I’ve made a copy-cat recipe before. The scampi sauce is basically just melted butter, garlic powder, dried parsley, and (I think) Parmesan cheese. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-lobster-cheddar-bay-biscuits-the-secret-is-out/791816/7 "2017-07-21T19:13:44Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > The box contains what essentially is powdered scampi sauce, which one is supposed to mix with water and pour over the biscuits. > [@Skywatcher](#): > > Spread on the biscuits, rather. Edit timed out. And mix the powder with butter, not water. That’s what I get for trying to finish editing before the timer expires. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-lobster-cheddar-bay-biscuits-the-secret-is-out/791816/8 "2017-07-21T19:19:08Z")
Would seem to me that going to Red Lobster is far lazier that making biscuits at home. Just thinkin’ out loud, and typing… ---
**Author:** ![Tara57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@Tara57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tara57)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-lobster-cheddar-bay-biscuits-the-secret-is-out/791816/9 "2017-07-21T19:25:31Z")
Bisquick has a cheese garlic biscuit recipe that tastes like my memory of Red Lobster biscuits. I think I added some parsley to the garlic butter. > **[Cheese-Garlic Biscuits](https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/cheese-garlic-biscuits/afa7e3c4-f295-4384-9524-688e338f08d8)** > > Surprise your family tonight by serving up a batch of these melt-in-your-mouth cheddar garlic biscuits—dare we say they’re better than the kind you’d order at a restaurant? With the help of handy Bisquick™ Original Pancake & Baking Mix, this... ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-lobster-cheddar-bay-biscuits-the-secret-is-out/791816/10 "2017-07-21T20:21:29Z")
> [@Quimby](#): > > I was at a Red Lobster for the first time in forever with someone who had never been there before. Of course I talked up the Cheddar Bay Biscuits. And true to form they did not disappoint (they are very greasy but delicious). As it happens we had a particularly friendly and chatty waiter and we were discussing the biscuits and he told us something that may or may not be a secret but I know I didn’t know it: The biscuits are simply cheese biscuits coated with their Scampi sauce. He pointed to my shrimp scampi and said that’s all they are. So home chefs, that may make it easier for you to replicate if you want. > > Maybe everyone knew this but I figured I would share. FTR, I have no eaten at a red lobster since I was around 8, so I have no idea what these biscuits are like, but I do have extensive food service experience. Employees do not have access to anything really secret. If there is anything secret to their recipe, it is in the scampi sauce or in the biscuit mix produced at their commissaries. Slight amount of research… [Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits](http://www.food.com/recipe/red-lobster-cheddar-bay-biscuits-31206). Not the official recipe, but one that commenters seem to come close. ---
**Author:** ![Headrush042](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a5b964/32.png) [@Headrush042](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Headrush042)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-lobster-cheddar-bay-biscuits-the-secret-is-out/791816/11 "2017-07-21T23:06:31Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > The box contains what essentially is powdered scampi sauce, which one is supposed to mix with water and pour over the biscuits. Which is precisely how it’s made in the restaurant. I was the baker of these biscuits for about 8 months when I worked at Red Lobster in high school. Powdered biscuit mix + warm water + shredded cheddar. Mix well. Scoop onto baking pan, put in oven. Powdered sauce mix + warm water. Mix well. Biscuits come out, brush sauce on biscuits. Put on line for servers. Repeat for 7 hours. There, now you know the secret. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-lobster-cheddar-bay-biscuits-the-secret-is-out/791816/12 "2017-07-21T23:27:32Z")
I buy the boxes at Sam’s Club. They are the rare example of a in-store licensed product that is actually the same(or extremely close) to the in-restaurant product. Very good. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-lobster-cheddar-bay-biscuits-the-secret-is-out/791816/13 "2017-07-22T12:16:44Z")
> [@Headrush042](#): > > Which is precisely how it’s made in the restaurant. > > I was the baker of these biscuits for about 8 months when I worked at Red Lobster in high school. > > Powdered biscuit mix + warm water + shredded cheddar. Mix well. Scoop onto baking pan, put in oven. > > Powdered sauce mix + warm water. Mix well. Biscuits come out, brush sauce on biscuits. Put on line for servers. > > Repeat for 7 hours. > > There, now you know the secret. 😃 It’s like hearing the Bible from the voice of God himself! ---
**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-lobster-cheddar-bay-biscuits-the-secret-is-out/791816/14 "2017-07-22T12:49:46Z")
Blech, they’re awful, tasteless things. But coming from Dead Lobster where they can screw up a shrimp cocktail, I’m not surprised ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-lobster-cheddar-bay-biscuits-the-secret-is-out/791816/15 "2017-07-22T15:33:52Z")
> [@DummyGladHands](#): > > Blech, they’re awful, tasteless things. But coming from Dead Lobster where they can screw up a shrimp cocktail, I’m not surprised Which Red Lobster do you go to? Go to a different one. Unlike some restaurant chains, Red Lobsters vary widely in quality. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-lobster-cheddar-bay-biscuits-the-secret-is-out/791816/16 "2017-07-22T18:41:32Z")
My Aunt calls them ‘‘Butter Bay Butters.’’ So yes, naturally they are delicious. ---
**Author:** ![eenerms](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cdc98d/32.png) [@eenerms](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eenerms)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-lobster-cheddar-bay-biscuits-the-secret-is-out/791816/17 "2017-07-23T00:09:07Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > I buy the boxes at Sam’s Club. They are the rare example of a in-store licensed product that is actually the same(or extremely close) to the in-restaurant product. > > Very good. Costco has them sometime. ---
**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:** [July 23, 2017, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-lobster-cheddar-bay-biscuits-the-secret-is-out/791816/18 "2017-07-23T00:30:52Z")
> [@USCDiver](#): > > I’ve made a copy-cat recipe before. The scampi sauce is basically just melted butter, garlic powder, dried parsley, and (I think) Parmesan cheese. Parmesan? In _Cheddar_ Bay Biscuits? Saints preserve us. ---
**Author:** ![USCDiver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uscdiver/32/354_2.png) [@USCDiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/USCDiver)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-lobster-cheddar-bay-biscuits-the-secret-is-out/791816/19 "2017-07-23T03:22:20Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Parmesan? In _Cheddar_ Bay Biscuits? Saints preserve us. The cheddar is in the biscuit dough. I was referring to the buttery sauce used to glaze them after they’re baked. I am probably misremembering the Parmesan. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-lobster-cheddar-bay-biscuits-the-secret-is-out/791816/20 "2017-07-23T14:36:13Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats](#): > > Which Red Lobster do you go to? Go to a different one. Unlike some restaurant chains, Red Lobsters vary widely in quality. I’ve never eaten at one which failed to screw up seafood in one manner or another (the last time was half a dozen years ago when we were late getting into town and the only alternative was going hungry until the next morning). The homemade biscuits might not be bad, but they are rather calorie-dense (700 calories worth if you chomp down five of them). [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-lobster-cheddar-bay-biscuits-the-secret-is-out/791816.md?page=2)