American restaurant chains are banking on lobster, oysters, and shrimp to attract customers this summer and turn around low foot traffic numbers.
Restaurant visits are down 2.5 percent year over year as of the end of May, according to Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.-based data firm Circana, and more restaurants are focusing on value, promotions, and special menus to draw in diners.
One such restaurant introducing a special menu is Addison, Texas, U.S.A.-based Razzoo’s Cajun Cafe, which operates 24 restaurants in the U.S. states of Texas, Oklahoma, and North Carolina. The chain recently rolled out its “Shellebration” menu, featuring 14 different seafood dishes.
Featured dishes at the New Orleans-themed restaurant chain include Coconut Shrimp, Shrimp and Oyster Gumbo, a Fried Oyster appetizer, Fried Oyster Po'boy, Cajun Shrimp Cocktail, Grilled Oysters on Half Shell, and the Shellebration Cold Combo with six raw oysters and jumbo cocktail shrimp.
The limited-time offerings, available through 23 July, were inspired by “summers [spent] at the beach, enjoying the sea and all it has to offer, including delicious shellfish options,” Razzoo’s CEO Philip Parsons told SeafoodSource.
"Summer and the beach go hand in hand, so it was a natural fit for us. We wanted to give our guests a memorable seafood experience, and we think these will surely delight their taste buds,” he said.
Razzoo’s opted to focus on oysters and shrimp because they are “fan favorites, and our culinary team has created several different ways for guests to enjoy them – from fresh to fried, as appetizers or full meals,” Parsons said. “Guests can visit multiple times and enjoy a different offering each time.”
New York City, New York, U.S.A.-based Just Salad also released new summer entrees, including a Caribbean Shrimp Bowl that features wild-caught, domestic shrimp.
“Adding shrimp to our seasonal offerings allowed us to enhance our menu with a seafood-centric protein that's both versatile and cherished, as well as explore new and exciting flavor combinations within our existing culinary categories," Just Salad Culinary Director Jhonny Castro said. "We're thrilled to introduce these menu innovations to our customers on the new summer menu, as well as our Secret Shrimp Menu, for an added layer of loyalty and excitement.”
Steakhouse Eddie Merlot’s is debuting a Summertime Grill menu, touting several seafood entrees, available through 19 August.
The Denver, Colorado, U.S.A.-based chain is bringing back Filet Mignon & Citrus Shrimp Scampi, which includes a chargrilled steak filet and sauteed jumbo shrimp.
New dishes include North Atlantic Whole Lobster, Pan-Roasted Salmon with Crispy Lobster Risotto Cake, and Escargot Bourguignonne, which includes six white wine-marinated French escargot baked with garlic butter and gorgonzola cheese.
Lobster dishes are also prominently featured in Dallas, Texas U.S.A.-based Friendly’s new SummerFest menu, available through 2 October. The operator of more than 100 full-service restaurants is debuting a Maine-style lobster roll, a Connecticut-style lobster roll, lobster bisque soup, and a lobster and shrimp quesadilla.
“Our team has worked exceptionally hard to create an exciting menu featuring beloved family favorites and new, innovative dishes to create a summer that’s both memorable and delicious,” Friendly’s President Dawn Petite said.
Elsewhere, Logan’s Roadhouse in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A., is debuting a “Logan’s Luau” menu that includes summer entrees and cocktails. Coconut Shrimp Dinner, which includes 15 coconut shrimp served with a sweet and tangy sauce, is one of the new entrees.
Cerritos, California, U.S.A.-based GEN Restaurant Group, which owns Gen Korean BBQ, debuted a new Premium Menu, which it said features “high-quality, top-shelf proteins available for an extra price per person or a la carte, allowing diners to choose from a wide variety of delectable dishes including beef, pork, chicken, and seafood options while enjoying the engaging and interactive experience of being their own chef."
New items include a Cajun Shrimp and Premium Taco Sampler, which includes Carne Asada-, Al Pastor-, and Cajun-flavored Shrimp.
Bonefish Grill, owned by Tampa, Florida, U.S.A.-based Bloomin’ Brands, is also rolling out a summer special, recently debuting Blue Moon Miso Halibut, which features wood-grilled halibut coated in a house-made Blue Moon Miso sauce and served over fresh jasmine rise and sautéed spinach.
