# Why "Cheddar Bay" Biscuits
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cheddar-bay-biscuits/840326
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [September 16, 2019, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cheddar-bay-biscuits/840326 "2019-09-16T17:55:36Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)
#### Post date: [September 16, 2019, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cheddar-bay-biscuits/840326/1 "2019-09-16T17:55:36Z")
As often happens, when the subject of Red Lobster came up in a recent thread, someone invariably professed their love for the chain’s signature Cheddar Bay biscuits, which I agree are quite tasty. I’ve never quite understood the name, though. Are they bay biscuits (whatever that is) with cheddar? Or do they come from some place I’ve never heard of called Cheddar Bay?
Enquiring (and insufficiently occupied) minds want to know.
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### Author:  [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)
#### Post date: [September 16, 2019, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cheddar-bay-biscuits/840326/2 "2019-09-16T18:01:51Z")
No such place or biscuit type. Just a marketing name.
“Five years after their premier, the cheese garlic bread became Cheddar Bay Biscuits to reflect the seaside atmosphere of Red Lobster restaurants. However, you will have a difficult time finding Cheddar Bay on the map—it’s a fictitious name created to bring the biscuits to life, embody the seaside theme and emphasize that these are not your typical biscuits.”
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### Author:  [@araminty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/araminty)
#### Post date: [September 16, 2019, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cheddar-bay-biscuits/840326/3 "2019-09-16T18:14:55Z")
I thought it was cheddar + Old Bay seasoning…?
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### Author:  [@Limmin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Limmin)
#### Post date: [September 16, 2019, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cheddar-bay-biscuits/840326/4 "2019-09-16T18:54:47Z")
Cheddar…bay…
Just downstream from Shark Mountain.
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### Author:  [@USCDiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/USCDiver)
#### Post date: [September 16, 2019, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cheddar-bay-biscuits/840326/5 "2019-09-16T19:02:37Z")
> [@araminty](#):
>
> I thought it was cheddar + Old Bay seasoning…?
Except there isn’t any Old Bay in them :smack:
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### Author:  [@Karen\_Lingel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Karen_Lingel)
#### Post date: [September 16, 2019, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cheddar-bay-biscuits/840326/6 "2019-09-16T19:31:28Z")
I always assumed the biscuits were made with cheddar and bay leaf. Ya know, like Cheddar Rosemary Biscuits.
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### Author:  [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)
#### Post date: [September 16, 2019, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cheddar-bay-biscuits/840326/7 "2019-09-16T19:39:53Z")
> [@araminty](#):
>
> I thought it was cheddar + Old Bay seasoning…?
Me too. Dang it.
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### Author:  [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)
#### Post date: [September 16, 2019, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cheddar-bay-biscuits/840326/8 "2019-09-16T20:00:26Z")
I read somewhere that they just took regular biscuit mix and added some “shrimp scampi” seasonings.
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### Author:  [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/actualliberalnotoneofthose)
#### Post date: [September 16, 2019, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cheddar-bay-biscuits/840326/9 "2019-09-16T20:01:05Z")
> [@USCDiver](#):
>
> Except there isn’t any Old Bay in them :smack:
Sounds like a good way to improve them.
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### Author:  [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)
#### Post date: [September 16, 2019, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cheddar-bay-biscuits/840326/10 "2019-09-16T20:11:55Z")
Because it sounded better than Cheddar Yeo (the river in Cheddar) or Cheddar Reservoir? And lots better than Cheddar Gorge? 😉
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### Author:  [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)
#### Post date: [September 16, 2019, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cheddar-bay-biscuits/840326/11 "2019-09-16T20:29:02Z")
Because you can’t trademark “Cheddar biscuit.”
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### Author:  [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)
#### Post date: [September 16, 2019, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cheddar-bay-biscuits/840326/12 "2019-09-16T20:57:24Z")
Which reminds me, there’s a restaurant chain called “Cheddar’s” as well, as if it’s owned by some family named Cheddar.
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### Author:  [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)
#### Post date: [September 16, 2019, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cheddar-bay-biscuits/840326/13 "2019-09-16T21:03:25Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#):
>
> Which reminds me, there’s a restaurant chain called “Cheddar’s” as well, as if it’s owned by some family named Cheddar.
I think that the Cheddar family lived across the street from [Beef O’Brady](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beef_O%27Brady%27s) and his family. 😛
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### Author:  [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)
#### Post date: [September 16, 2019, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cheddar-bay-biscuits/840326/14 "2019-09-16T21:03:55Z")
You know, I always thought of them as “Cheddar ‘Bay Biscuits’”, not “‘Cheddar Bay’ Biscuits.” Like there’s a type of biscuit called a “Bay Biscuit” and these ones are cheesy.
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### Author:  [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)
#### Post date: [September 16, 2019, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cheddar-bay-biscuits/840326/15 "2019-09-16T21:05:26Z")
> [@araminty](#):
>
> I thought it was cheddar + Old Bay seasoning…?
That was my guess as well
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### Author:  [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)
#### Post date: [September 16, 2019, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cheddar-bay-biscuits/840326/16 "2019-09-16T21:12:32Z")
FWIW, buttermilk cheese drop biscuits are dead simple to make and will make you a hero at the potluck. These are pretty similar to cheddar bay biscuits, but not dripping with melted fat. 5-10 minutes to mix, 10 minutes to bake, so good.
> [@](#):
>
> Preheat oven to 450.
>
> Whirl in a food processor:
> 2 cups flour
> 2 teaspoons baking powder
> 1 teaspoon salt
> 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
>
> Add and whirl:
> 1/2 cup shredded cheddar
> A sprinkle of various herbs/spices (oregano, thyme, garlic powder, and paprika are a great combo)
>
> Add and whirl until crumbly:
> 6 tablespoons cold butter cut into slices
>
> Add and whirl until wet:
> 1 cup whole milk buttermilk
>
> Drop by craggy spoonfuls onto a baking sheet or two. I make 'em pretty small, because the smaller they are, the more delicious crusty bits you get.
>
> Bake for about 10 minutes or until golden.
>
> Stuff your face uncontrollably.
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### Author:  [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)
#### Post date: [September 16, 2019, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cheddar-bay-biscuits/840326/17 "2019-09-16T22:28:48Z")
[Bay biscuits](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQKWKl4DBiUMrKfzDFrnmXC1Z2HHfbWmIZSWfiBeTWpITWYymWq), of the non-cheddar variety are a thing, though they seem a big deal in certain hispanic communities.
Makes more sense than cheddar bay, since Cheddar, UK is landlocked. 😉
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### Author:  [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)
#### Post date: [September 17, 2019, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cheddar-bay-biscuits/840326/18 "2019-09-17T02:02:19Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#):
>
> FWIW, buttermilk cheese drop biscuits are dead simple to make and will make you a hero at the potluck. These are pretty similar to cheddar bay biscuits, but not dripping with melted fat. 5-10 minutes to mix, 10 minutes to bake, so good.
Brush those with garlic butter and you’re about as close as you’re going to get to the Red Lobster versions.
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### Author:  [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)
#### Post date: [September 17, 2019, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cheddar-bay-biscuits/840326/19 "2019-09-17T02:12:41Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#):
>
> FWIW, buttermilk cheese drop biscuits are dead simple to make and will make you a hero at the potluck. These are pretty similar to cheddar bay biscuits, but not dripping with melted fat. 5-10 minutes to mix, 10 minutes to bake, so good.
Okay I am WRITING THAT DOWN. Thank you.
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### Author:  [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)
#### Post date: [September 17, 2019, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cheddar-bay-biscuits/840326/20 "2019-09-17T02:36:19Z")
> [@araminty](#):
>
> I thought it was cheddar + Old Bay seasoning…?
Count me in with this crowd…
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