Name: Erawan's Red Curry Lobster
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut cream (see Cook's Note); 2 tablespoons red curry paste (recipe follows); 1 1/3 cup coconut milk (see Cook's Note); 6 Thai eggplant (cut in chunks* (See Cook's Note)); 2 tablespoons fish sauce*; 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt; 1 1/3 teaspoons sugar; 5 kaffir lime leaves (torn into small pieces*); 12 to 14 ounces cooked lobster meat (coarsely chopped); 1/3 cup basil leaves; 2 red finger hot chiles (thinly sliced, for garnish*); Serving suggestion: steamed rice; 1 tablespoon coriander seeds; 1 teaspoon cumin seeds; 15 dried birds-eye chiles (soaked in hot water for 15 minutes); 3 tablespoons finely chopped shallots; 4 tablespoons finely chopped garlic; 2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh lemongrass; 3 kaffir lime leaves (minced); 20 black peppercorns; 1 teaspoon dried shrimp paste*; Water

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Chain restaurants are a big part of American life, did you know that? They are perfect for a quick stopover on the go or for a weekend meal. These places give us that relaxed, cozy feeling that we love so much. It all started back in 1925 when the A&W Root Juice Soda Company began franchising. Then came restaurants like Howard Johnson’s and McDonald’s. They changed the restaurant industry with speed and low prices.

These places truly influenced the way we eat and our culture. Little Caesars made pizza takeout easy and accessible. Panda Express brought American Chinese food to many places. The connection many people have with these brands makes sense. They have been in our lives for some time.

But lately, even these large restaurants have found it difficult. The last few years have been tricky indeed. The COVID-19 pandemic in particular messed things up when staffing issues and health regulations closed many spots or chains. Then came inflation and the ups and downs of the 2025 economy. This made it more expensive to run everything as well. Now, people have less money to eat out. Even big brands like Wendy’s and Denny’s have closed many stores. This shows how tough the environment is. Nonetheless, chain restaurants remain vital to America. They provide reliable normalcy when the world feels chaotic.

Let’s take a look at some of America’s favorite hot spots these days. By the way, this information comes from YouGov’s Q1 2025 data.

1. **Red Lobster**: ranked #23 according to YouGov for Q1 2025 Red Lobster has a positive review score of 61%. People of all ages seem to be quite keen on this seafood restaurant. Boomers have a 57% approval rating and Gen Xers have a 56%. Millennials love it a bit more at 62%. This restaurant clearly has broad appeal.

The story of Red Lobster goes back to 1968. Bill Darden opened his first restaurant in Lakeland, Florida. His goal was simple; he wanted a lot of people to have access to good seafood at a good price. In the end the idea seemed to actually work. Today, there are more than 700 Red Lobster restaurants worldwide.

Red Lobster’s menu is all about family-friendly seafood. You’ll always find fresh seafood caught the same day. Classic dishes like lobster, shrimp and steak are also available. Bill Darden founded the successful Darden Restaurant Group. But the chain was sold in 2014. Golden Gate Capital now owns them, as does Bob Evans.

Erawan's Red Curry Lobster

This recipe creates a rich and aromatic Thai red curry featuring tender eggplant and succulent pre-cooked lobster meat. The dish starts by blooming red curry paste in coconut cream, simmering with coconut milk and vegetables, and finishing with lobster and fresh basil, served typically with steamed rice.

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Prep Time 20

Cook Time 25

Total Time 45

Servings 4 people

Equipment

1 Large Deep Skillet or Dutch Oven
1 Measuring Cups and Spoons
1 Stirring Spoon
1 Knife For cutting eggplant, chiles, lime leaves
1 Cutting Board

Ingredients

Main

1/2 cup unsweetened coconut cream see Cook's Note
2 tablespoons red curry paste recipe follows
1 1/3 cup coconut milk see Cook's Note
6 Thai eggplant cut in chunks* (See Cook's Note)
2 tablespoons fish sauce*
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/3 teaspoons sugar
5 kaffir lime leaves torn into small pieces*
12 to 14 ounces cooked lobster meat coarsely chopped
1/3 cup basil leaves
2 red finger hot chiles thinly sliced, for garnish*
Serving suggestion: steamed rice
1 tablespoon coriander seeds
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
15 dried birds-eye chiles soaked in hot water for 15 minutes
3 tablespoons finely chopped shallots
4 tablespoons finely chopped garlic
2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh lemongrass
3 kaffir lime leaves minced
20 black peppercorns
1 teaspoon dried shrimp paste*
Water

Instructions

Bring the coconut cream to a simmer over medium heat in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven. Add the red curry paste and simmer, stirring, for several minutes. Add the coconut milk, simmer for 1 to 2 minutes then add the eggplant, fish sauce, salt, sugar and kaffir lime leaves. Simmer the curry until the eggplant is soft and cooked, about 15 minutes. Add the lobster and basil and heat through. Spoon the curry into a serving bowl, garnish with sliced chiles and serve with rice.

Notes

Ensure the coconut cream simmers adequately before adding the curry paste; this helps 'bloom' the paste and release its aromatics for a deeper flavor. Simmer the eggplant until genuinely tender, as undercooked eggplant can be firm. Be careful not to overcook the pre-cooked lobster meat; it only needs to be heated through, which happens quickly. Use fresh basil and kaffir lime leaves for the most authentic and vibrant Thai flavors. Adjust fish sauce and sugar balance to your taste; the goal is a harmonious salty, sweet, and spicy profile.

garlic dipping sauce — Photo by Vinicius Benedit on Unsplash

2. **Papa John’s**: Right behind Red Lobster at #24 is Papa John’s. It received 61% favorable ratings in the first quarter of 2025. In terms of generations, Boomers rated it at 49%. gen Xers liked it 53%. Millennials have the highest favorability rating for it at 59%. The young people surveyed here rated it more favorable to millennials.

Papa John’s started in 1984, thanks to John Schnatter. Over the years, it has certainly made a name for itself. But in 2017, John Schnatter was removed as CEO. This was due to some controversial comments he made about the NFL at the time. To be sure, it is still going strong today.

One thing that stands out about Papa John’s is its specialties. Their signature garlic dipping sauce is very special, and fans seem to really enjoy the special sauce. Globally, the chain has expanded a lot. Today, it has almost 6,000 locations.

3. **Cold Stone Creamery**: Slipping into the 25th spot is Cold Stone Creamery, another chain with a 61% positive rating. This ice cream parlor seems to be popular among all age groups. Boomers like it at 57%. generation X at 59%. Millennials became the biggest fans at 63%.

The magic of Cold Stone comes from the way they serve it. Here, your ice cream is more than simply scooped up. The key thing about it is that the staff makes it right on the spot and it’s incredibly fresh. They feature a mix of flavors and toppings. Entering the store, you’ll notice that they make their ice cream on a cold granite slab. That slab is kept at 16 degrees Fahrenheit.

This unique idea started in Tempe, Arizona. It dates back to 1988. Since then, Cold Stone Creamery has spread its ice cream far and wide. Today, it has nearly 1,000 locations. Today, Kahala Brands owns the company. The company has other well-known brands under its umbrella. These include outlets such as Pinkberry, Baja Fresh and Blimpie.

pizza on brown wooden table — Photo by Saahil Khatkhate on Unsplash

4. **Little Caesars**: Ranking 26th is Little Caesars, which has a positive opinion score of 61%. In terms of generations, Boomers have a 50% approval rating. generation X has a slightly higher approval rating at 57%. Millennials had the highest approval rating at 67%. Clearly, here are the favorites of the young people surveyed.

The Little Caesar story is a great one. It began with Mike and Marian Ilitch. It was 1959 in Michigan, and it grew from obscurity. It is now one of the largest pizza chains.

An important moment for the company came in 1979. They coined the famous phrase: “Pizza! and sold two pizzas for the price of one. This special way of selling quickly became popular. Today, Little Caesars is the third largest pizza chain in the world. It now has thousands of locations worldwide. Their takeout and delivery services are as recognized as their dine-in offerings.

fresh bread — Photo by Bas Peperzak on Unsplash

5. **Panera Bread**: Ranked 27th is Panera Bread. it has a 60% positive opinion score. In the survey, Panera seems to be most relevant to older people. Boomers like it at 65%. generation X at 55% and millennials at 62%.

Did you know that Panera Bread started out with a different name? It was formerly known as the St. Louis Bread Company. That dates back to 1987 in Missouri, and the name changed when Au Bon Pain purchased the company in 1993. That’s what gave us the name we know now.

This fast food chain is known for its fresh bread. Aside from bread, it has an extensive menu such as sandwiches. They also offer soups, salads, and pastries.Panera has expanded significantly across the United States. There are over 2,200 locations in the United States alone.

Panera Bread Strawberry Kiwifruit Smoothie

This recipe creates a refreshing strawberry kiwifruit smoothie inspired by Panera Bread. It combines fresh fruits, vanilla yogurt, orange juice, honey, and a hint of spice for a quick and healthy drink perfect for breakfast.

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Total Time 10

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Servings 4 people

Calories 1046.6 kcal