World’s First Red Lobster Restaurant Is In Florida - Yes, Red Lobster Closing Nation Wide!

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Wow! How crazy is this. I was your server yesterday when you ordered the lobster pizza and a half and half tea. I will have been with a company this August for 30 years. The first Red Lobster building was owned by Lawton Chiles governor Red Lobster left that building what's the reason they did not own the building and it needed a lot of upgrade, hence the new location thank you so much for doing this video I thought you might like the additional information of who owned the building for the first Red Lobster discover Going on 30 years this August we appreciate your business

My older brother worked there in 1977 when he was a teenager. I remember riding with my mom to pick him up from work. Thanks for sharing. ❤

Hey! My mother was the one that served you! She's been there for YEARS and lakeland is my hometown. Loved watching this!

I have a bunch of pictures of John Candy when he was filming summer rental. I was working across the street. Lol

I worked at Red Lobster from 1993- 1996. So many good memories from working there. Started as a busser moved up to waitress then eventually manager. Left when I wanted a regular 9-5 job and got out of the restaurant industry, but had so so so much fun working there. They all closed in my area years ago, I think it was hard to be open as a chain seafood place here in the Northeast. Great memories. Great biscuits.

Jay, I am loving this original content you've been putting out on Florida history. This restaurant series is really great!! Thank you for all you do ✌

I grew up in Winter Haven. My dad lived in Lakeland. I ate at the original Red Lobster when I was a kid though I have no specific memories of that location. But I do have specific memories of that Steak N Shake. We would pull up in the back and a car hop (no skates in my time, I’m not that old) would come out & take your order, bring your food on real plates and a tray that rested outside and against the window, Fancy. I also remember the Taco Bell near there. We didn’t have one in WH then and it was a treat for my older brother or sister who drove me & my little sister back and forth to stop there either on the way to dad’s house or on the way home.

I ate the original Red lobster back in 1985. We didn't know it was the original till we saw the plaque out front.

Back in the day Red Lobster was a fun and decent place for a family to go have dinner. Now most of the corporate chain types, Red lobster, olive garden, longhorn, out back etc etc. have seen prices go thru the roof and service has become mediocre at best and I would not be surprised if Red Lobster and many others will all be gone within the next 10 years at the rate we are going. It's sad to think but the writing is on the wall. Jay thanks again for all you do, keep the good stuff coming.

Great video again Tampa Jay keep up the good work 😊😮😅😂❤❤

Red lobster in Lakeland on the lake was my first experience. Down the road used to be the mall. Montgomery Ward was our go to store. Great memories. You should come over to plant city. Lots of neat little independent eateries with history value.

I remember eating at that one in the 70’s. We always wanted one of the seats by those big windows you showed. There was a sea plane in that lake one time when we went there, and it was sinking. But it was such a great place. The location of the new one has no water by it, so not as pretty. Great memories. Thank you. 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀

Thanks for the vid, Jay. It is amazing how many restaurants had their first down in Florida :) I had family that lived in Lakeland, but the last time I was down there was in the mid-90s LOL.

Great video as always, TJ. The closing of Red Lobster really hits home. Remember when I used to go there with my parents. It was especially great when they would have the shrimp specials. And then there were the biscuits, which were always comforting.

I grew up in Lakeland and I’m still here. . That was the prime restaurant in Lakeland when I was a kid that restaurant over the water at Lake Parker was incredible. The food back then was 100 times better than it is now and they had the best coleslaw that I’ve ever had back then when my mom would check me out of school for a doctors appointment She would ask me where I want to go eat for lunch and I say I want coleslaw at red lobster

I love these history videos! So interesting! Thanks so much!! ❤

My parents would take me there. Later in life I would take my kids there. Lots of wonderful memories. Thank you Tampa Jay❤

Sears town was developed in the mid 1960s just down the road. That plus Lake Parker made it a prime spot.That area is now run down.

Thank you for the video! I can't believe the original Red Lobster bar was still there, freaking awesome!