Does Texas Roadhouse Have Lobster Tail? An In-Depth Look at Their Menu

Texas Roadhouse is known for its hand-cut steaks fall-off-the-bone ribs country fried chicken, and fun, lively atmosphere. With a focus on American cuisine, this restaurant chain serves up big portions of classic comfort foods. But with such a meat-heavy menu, some guests wonder – does Texas Roadhouse have lobster tail?

As a seafood lover myself, I was curious to find out. I took a deep dive into their menu to get the full scoop on whether you can order lobster tail at Texas Roadhouse. Keep reading to learn what I uncovered.

Overview of the Texas Roadhouse Menu

First, let’s take a quick look at the layout of a Texas Roadhouse menu. They divide their offerings into categories like

• Appetizers
• Salads
• Steaks
• Ribs
• Chicken
• Burgers & Sandwiches
• Sides
• Desserts
• Drinks

Scanning through these sections, you’ll find lots of hearty, indulgent dishes like bacon cheese fries, hand-cut steaks, and fall-off-the-bone ribs. Lighter options are available too, such as salads and grilled chicken sandwiches.

There’s also a section dedicated to “Dockside Favorites” which features fried catfish, grilled salmon, and grilled shrimp. This is where you’d expect to find lobster tail, if it was offered.

Is Lobster Tail on the Menu?

After thoroughly reviewing the Texas Roadhouse menu, I could not find any mention of lobster tail. There are no lobster dishes at all actually – not even lobster bisque which is sometimes served at steakhouses.

The only seafood items on the menu are fried catfish, grilled salmon, and grilled shrimp. While delicious, these don’t satisfy a craving for tender, butter-brushed lobster tail.

It makes sense that lobster would not be served, when you consider Texas Roadhouse’s concept and price point. They aim to provide generous portions of American classics at reasonable prices. Lobster is one of the most expensive seafood items, so it doesn’t quite fit their affordable family-dining model.

Why Isn’t Lobster Tail on the Menu?

Lobster tail is rarely found at mid-priced casual dining chains like Texas Roadhouse. There are a few reasons for this:

Cost – Lobster is one of the priciest items a restaurant can buy. The high cost and volatile lobster market makes it hard for chains to put on their regular menu.

Preparation – Cooking lobster takes some skill and care to get it just right. The volume at large restaurants would make executing it consistently difficult.

Concept – Texas Roadhouse has an American, meat-centric theme. Lobster seems somewhat out of place and random on their menu.

Geographic location – Inland restaurants far from coastal lobster fishing areas are less likely to serve it. As a national chain concentrated in the Midwest and South, Texas Roadhouse’s concept isn’t seafood-focused.

For all these reasons, you won’t find lobster tail at Texas Roadhouse locations. Their menu development has focused on perfecting steaks, ribs, chicken, and other dishes that fit their brand.

Closest Alternatives to Lobster Tail

If you have a lobster craving while dining at Texas Roadhouse, the closest items would be:

Grilled Shrimp – Large shrimp seasoned, grilled, and brushed with garlic lemon pepper butter. The grilled preparation and butter bring out the sweetness, for flavors reminiscent of lobster.

Fried Catfish – A classic Southern fish fry. While not similar to lobster in flavor, it satisfies the desire for a seafood meal.

Cactus Blossom – Their signature blooming onion appetizer. For dipping in drawn butter, it evokes the experience of eating lobster dunked in that velvety, rich sauce.

While not lobster, these menu items provide the richness, garlic butter flavors, or general seafood fix you may be looking for.

Customizing Your Order

One option could be to customize your order, to create makeshift “lobster” dishes:

• Order grilled shrimp and ask for extra lemon butter on the side for dipping.

• Get a steak and add a side of melted butter with some lemon juice squeezed in.

• Request grilled shrimp or fried catfish layered over your baked potato, with extra butter.

While not the same as true lobster tail, a little creativity can yield some “surf and turf” pairings that may satisfy the urge.

Limited Time Offers

Many chain restaurants will offer short term or seasonal specials that are not on their permanent menu. So it’s possible that lobster tail could be a limited time offer in the future.

Texas Roadhouse sometimes promotes holiday meal deals or summer features that expand their repertoire. Around Valentine’s Day they’ve offered Surf & Turf with lobster tail and filet. Keep an eye out for special event menus that may include lobster.

Signature Drinks

In addition to food, Texas Roadhouse has a full bar with many signature cocktails. Their drink menu doesn’t currently include any with lobster.

However, restaurants have been known to create special lobster cocktails during summer promotions. It’s something Texas Roadhouse could potentially experiment with in lobster roll form or mixed in a unique cocktail.

The Verdict on Lobster at Texas Roadhouse

After combing through the offerings at Texas Roadhouse, it’s clear that lobster tail is not part of their core menu. As a casual steakhouse and barbeque chain aimed at families, lobster doesn’t quite match their concept and price point.

Seafood lovers may be disappointed, but this restaurant still satisfies with their hearty cuts of steak, fall-off-the-bone ribs, chicken critters, and indulgent sides. To get your lobster fix, you’ll have to visit a higher-end steakhouse or New England-style seafood restaurant.

That said, limited time specials could occasionally include lobster tail, so keep an eye out for holiday or summer special menus. And feel free to get creative with add-ons and substitutions to replicate the buttery, garlic flavors of lobster with items like grilled shrimp.

While you can’t expect lobster tail at Texas Roadhouse everyday, they still deliver on big portions of American classics in a lively, fun atmosphere. Stick to the steaks and you won’t be let down by this dependable restaurant chain.

So visit your local Texas Roadhouse soon and get ready to indulge in their famous hand-cut steaks, fall-off-the-bone ribs, and all the fried, buttery fixings your heart desires. Just don’t go expecting lobster – and you’ll have a delicious time!