A RED Lobster site has been replaced by a mouth-watering all-you-can-eat diner – and it comes after the seafood giant closed 100 locations last year.
The beloved chain, known for its cheesy biscuits and popular lobster dishes, closed the site in May 2024 – making way for a brand new Asian restaurant.
An old Red Lobster site has been transformed into an Asian-style buffet[/caption]
Mikata Buffet Sushi & Hibachi has now opened its doors at 8720 Baymeadows Road, in Jacksonville, where the old Red Lobster once stood.
The Orlando-based chain closed all three of its locations in Jacksonville last year.
The total cost of the brand new revamp are estimated to be around $280,000, according to documents.
The overhauled site is in Baymeadows which is 500-square-foot has been given a complete facelift as it is re-imagined as a buffet.
The Mikata site is the first in Jacksonville and second in Florida – joining the original in Jensen Beach.
It comes as a string of other buffets replace closed Red Lobster sites.
Mikata is the second of three unrelated Asian-style buffets taking over Jacksonville’s ex-Red Lobster restaurants.
In March, Fushimi Grill & Modern Buffet opened at 13090 City Station Drive in River City Marketplace shopping center in North Jacksonville.
It is Fushimi’s second Jacksonville location – now joining its first site at 12777 Atlantic Blvd. in East Arlington.
Meanwhile, Gogi Korean BBQ has been giving the former Red Lobster at 416 Commerce Center Drive in the Regency area a total makeover.
The re-work is estimated to cost the owners around $180,000, according to a building permit.
No target opening date has been announced for Gogi Korean BBQ – but it would mark the barbecue’s first Jacksonville location.
Red Lobster shut down over 100 locations nationwide including the three Jacksonville restaurants, when filed for bankruptcy in 2024.
Only the chain’s site at Orange Park on 32 Blanding Blvd. escaped closure in Northeast Florida.
The chain is now under the leadership of CEO Damola Adamolekun, who has made some big promises to customers.
Adamolekun has said he wants to improve the menu and the service namely, and also acknowledged the chain’s strong points.
He said: “We’re doing some new things on the menu using lobster and crab mostly.
“The differentiator for us is product, and I want it to be service too.
If we win on those two it’s like okay, it’s not just a chain restaurant because it’s got something that you can’t get anywhere else.
“If you want lobster and you want it for $20, we’ve got the lobster roll for that price in certain markets.
The beloved diner closed hundreds of locations in 2024[/caption]
