Landlocked Seafood Fiesta

Published on Wednesday, February 20, 2008, by James Norton / Edit Post

What’s new? What’s great? What’s weird? Our columnist samples offerings from supermarket aisles and fast-food menus.

Landlocked
Seafood Fiesta

Caribbean Citrus Jumbo Shrimp and Southwest Tequila-Lime Shrimp

By: Red Lobster
Suggested Retail Price: $6.50

TASTE:
**
MARKETING:
****

James Norton edits the Upper Midwestern food journal Heavy Table. He's also the coauthor of a book on Wisconsin's master cheesemakers. For his Supertaster column, he samples offerings from supermarket aisles and fast-food menus. You can follow him on Twitter and fan him on Facebook. His wife, Becca Dilley, takes the photographs for Supertaster. She specializes in weddings and food photography, and is the coauthor of and photographer for the book on Wisconsin's master cheesemakers.

ALLSupertaster
POST A COMMENT |12 Comments

COMMENT

  • Red Lobter???? Are you frickin' kidding me?

  • Dear Supertaster,

    I really like your column. I don't like the videos as much, but I still tune it. Please, NEVER make me watch you eat in your car again. I am begging you.

    Thanks.

  • Did they at least give you a few of the heavenly cheddar garlic biscuits to atone for the crappy seafood offerings?

  • mwliechty, coming from a small canadian city not far from Bloomington, Minnesota, I understand Norton's assumptions about the seafood at Red Lobster. It's rare to eat anything from the sea that tastes even remotely fresh at a chain restaurant in those parts.

  • Thanks for providing close ups on the food.

    Gotta say though, what's up with the depressingly, dark backdrops in the Super taster videos? 2 of the 3 videos look like they've been shot in a college dorm and in this edition, he eats in his car??? Those backdrops wouldn't make anything look too appetizing

  • What a horrible review. Why horrible? Because Norton went into the review completely biased. First, he says he has never benn "the biggest fan" of Red Lobster. But then he says he has never been to one. HUH? As a professional reviewer, how can you have an opinion of a place you've never been to? Next he says, let's go on in and have a taste of this "dubious shrimp." Way to be open-minded Norton....+READ

    What a horrible review. Why horrible? Because Norton went into the review completely biased. First, he says he has never benn "the biggest fan" of Red Lobster. But then he says he has never been to one. HUH? As a professional reviewer, how can you have an opinion of a place you've never been to? Next he says, let's go on in and have a taste of this "dubious shrimp." Way to be open-minded Norton. Maybe the shrimp didn't taste that good because Norton had a preconceived notions of what it was going to taste like.-COLLAPSE

  • I don't mind either format, video or column....EXCEPT for the miked chewing noises- nothing is more disgusting than listening to someone chew. seriously.

  • Also prefer a written recipe to a video, please. At least, include a recipe for whatever you're making.

  • Really prefer the written column as well. Never watch any of the video on this site really. Love the rest of CHOW though!

  • Videos are cute, but I really prefer a written column.

  • I feel as if I've just peeked into the life of a shrimp-eating hobo.

    I would have rather read a column. The clever Mr. Norton can get across a lot more of his thoughts in a written column.

  • This video was much better than the previous ones. While I think I still prefer the written column, I really enjoyed this entry! Thanks for the review.