Red Lobster opens its first-ever ghost kitchen in Chicago

Like many restaurants trying to adapt to the new restriction-ridden dining landscape, Red Lobster is getting in on the delivery game by debuting its first-ever ghost kitchen in Chicago. Located in the South Loop, the delivery-only outpost will service the Loop, River North, Bronzeville, Prairie District and the Near South Side.

For the unfamiliar, ghost kitchens (or dark kitchens) are professional facilities that allow chefs to prep and cook carryout and delivery meals; they don't offer any dine-in service. The billion-dollar industry allows restaurants to ditch many overhead costs, which has become increasingly important as restaurants face permanent closure due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Red Lobster's South Loop ghost kitchen is open daily from 10:30am to 10:30pm. Diners who are in range will see the seafood chain pop up on third-party delivery apps Grubhub, DoorDash, Uber Eats and Postmates. The menu includes fan-favorite dishes like crab-stuffed shrimp rangoon, lobster entrees, the Ultimate Family Feast and—of course—Cheddar Bay Biscuits.

As devotees know, this isn't Red Lobster's only Chicago location. There's a brick-and-mortar restaurant at 5201 S Pulaski Road in Archer Heights, which currently offers carryout and delivery—just one more way to get your seafood fix in a hurry.

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