U.S. restaurant menus are highlighting several new seafood dishes and specials this fall, with lobster, pollock, shrimp, and oysters among the species that eateries have heavily focused on this season.
Appealing to consumers seeking a value, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.A.-based Long John Silver's is offering two for USD 5 (EUR 4.63) Fish Tacos, along with its continuing special of USD 10 (EUR 9.26) Shrimp Sea-Shares.
The hand-battered fish tacos, made with wild Alaska pollock, “offer great flavor and value, making them a must-try this fall,” LJS Senior Vice President of Marketing Christopher Caudill said in a press release. “Our fall menu brings fresh, tasty options that are perfect for the busy back-to-school season and fall gatherings.”
The chain’s Shrimp Sea-Shares allow guests to choose from 15 grilled shrimp, 15 batter-dipped shrimp, or a “boatload of crispy breaded popcorn shrimp to share with your crew.”
Long John Silver’s is also bringing back its Wild-Caught Norway Lobster Bites, made with wild-caught Norway lobster tails that are coated in breading, for a limited time to celebrate the holiday season.
Elsewhere, Andover, Massachusetts, U.S.A.-based Burtons Grill & Bar, which operates 20 restaurants along the U.S. East Coast and is set to open a 21st location in Atlanta, Georgia, on 7 November, recently added an Ahi Tuna Bowl to its signature dishes, Vice President of Marketing Ida Faber told SeafoodSource.
Other signature menu items include Crab-Crusted Haddock, Salmon Romesco, and Lobster & Shrimp Pasta.
“Our guests love our premium seafood selections,” Faber said.
Burtons also recently launched a Bar Bites program, which features shrimp cocktail and oysters in all of its Massachusetts locations.
"We are testing oysters and will likely roll them out company-wide on happy hour menus in the future,” Faber said.
Additionally, the company is featuring New England clam chowder at its northern U.S. locations and She-Crab Soup at its Southern restaurants.
Oysters have also been a star item on the menu at Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.-based Legal Sea Foods throughout October as the company “celebrates its rich maritime heritage and longstanding partnership with family-run Scorton Creek Oysters and others,” Legal said in a press release.
The company recently ran a month-long oyster festival, which paid tribute to oysters with inventive dishes such as Cajun Oyster Po’ Boy, Buffalo Fried Oysters, and Oysters Rockefeller.
“With an abundance of fresh oysters this season from all over the East Coast, restaurants will expand their Raw Bar selections, with up to six different oyster varieties each day,” the company said.
Legal also offered individual oysters for USD 1 (EUR 0.93) every Tuesday in October.
Bonefish Grill, operated by Tampa, Florida, U.S.A.-based Bloomin’ Brands, recently launched a new fall menu, following several other promotions it has put forth in recent months. The limited-time fall menu includes Bourbon-Glazed Salmon, Swordfish Ravioli, and its returning Saucy Shrimp appetizer.
Bonefish Grill also added three new dishes that are available on weekends only: Lobster Ravioli, Lobster Stuffed Shrimp, and Parker’s Margarita Sea Bass.
Meanwhile, Dallas, Texas, U.S.A.-based Fogo de Chao, which specializes in elevated Brazilian churrasco dining, added branzino to its menu for the first time.
“The whole branzino will be delivered fresh to all U.S. locations coast to coast and will be available Wednesday to Sunday for lunch, brunch, and dinner,” the operator of 60 restaurants nationwide said in a recent release.
The branzino is deboned and then grilled on a churrasco grill over an open flame which blisters the skin, “giving the fish a crisp and decadent flavor,” the company said.
The fish is carved tableside and finished with extra virgin olive oil and sea salt.
Texas de Brazil, also based in Dallas, is rolling out two seafood-focused dishes: Moqueca de Camarão and Grilled Shrimp.
Moqueca de Camarão is a tropical seafood stew that's a staple in the northern regions of Brazil, the restaurant chain said.
The Grilled Shrimp offering “showcases the simplicity and elegance of perfectly grilled seafood,” Texas de Brazil said.
The shrimp is marinated with garlic, oregano, and a hint of cayenne pepper and then grilled over an open flame.
“The result is a juicy, flavorful bite that captures the essence of Brazilian grilling traditions,” the company said.
These fall promotions are coming on the heels of an overall disappointing summer for the U.S. restaurant industry, which saw many establishments’ sales fall short of expectations.
