Red Lobster’s Lobsterfest Is Back—Here’s a Food Editor’s Review of Every Main Dish

• What It Is: warm lobster meat in melted butter on a toasted sweet Hawaiian roll; served with Chesapeake fries
• Price: $33

I love that the soft, sweet roll was segmented, so I could easily break the sandwich into sliders. I also enjoyed the perfectly salty, soggy-leaning fries. But the texture of the lobster was chewy, tough and didn’t seem fresh. I love lobster rolls as much as the next girl, but this one isn’t worth the hefty price tag.

• What It Is: Maine and langostino lobster meat tossed with pappardelle pasta, asparagus and fresh tomatoes, all in savory garlic sauce
• Price: $34

The chunk lobster was softer here than in the lobster roll, but still rubbery, like it had been frozen. I also thought the pasta was a bit overdone, and the asparagus was mostly woody ends, making for an unpleasant, unnecessarily tough texture. The citrusy garlic sauce was most definitely the saving grace here.

• What It Is: rich, creamy lobster bisque, served with crackers
• Price: $7 (cup)

Once I added a touch of salt, the bisque’s flavor was solid (mild, buttery and rich). My biggest bone to pick here was the texture; it looked a bit unappetizing, like a broken cheese sauce. I also expected shreds or chunks of lobster, rather than teeny-tiny flecks of the stuff. However, the creamy soup was pretty enjoyable with saltines. Order it in a six-ounce cup or a 12-ounce bowl.

• What It Is: Maine lobster tail and steak, served with your choice of two sides
• Price: $38

There was a nice sear on the steak, which came out medium. It was also well seasoned and juicy. As for the lobster, it was the best of the lot. Its texture was super succulent and tender, but its flavor was ever-so-slightly too salty. However, this made me realize you should opt for lobster tails and fresh lobster at this chain resto, rather than dishes with the lump kind mixed in. (P.S.: Other beef options for surf and turf include a 12-ounce New York strip and a six-ounce filet mignon.)

• What It Is: Maine lobster tail, shrimp and Atlantic salmon, finished with a brown butter sauce and served with your choice of two sides
• Price: $41

OK, I didn’t see this coming, but the side of rice slapped. It was more like a buttery pilaf with bits of pasta. The salmon was remarkably juicy, tender and flawlessly cooked. The shrimp were a bit tough in spots due to the grilling, but I didn’t mind the char and the extra crunchy tails. The fresh lobster was very tasty and cooked just right, albeit a bit salty.

• What It Is: Maine and langostino lobster meat and shrimp tossed with fresh tomatoes and linguine in a creamy lobster sauce
• Price: $26

I was so excited for this one; a creamy seafood pasta is one of my favorite things of all time. While the lump lobster was dry, the shrimp were literally perfect and the pasta al dente. The sauce was super slick and creamy, and the breadcrumbs added color and crunch to every bite. I’d love to douse it in fresh lemon next time.

• What It Is: split Maine lobster tails with shrimp, mussels and fresh tomatoes over linguine in a garlic-white wine broth
• Price: $39

I was thrilled to find more pasta under all that shellfish. The mussels were super juicy and citrusy, and the sauce was silky and acidic. The pasta was a touch overdone, but the shellfish really shined here. I wouldn’t have minded some crostini or toasted baguette on the side instead of (or in addition to) the linguine for dipping.