Cheddar Bay has a certain ring to it, doesn’t it? Like Chesapeake Bay or Cape Code it brings up images of quaint fishing towns you visit late in summer when the days are long and the to-do list is rightfully short. But, while the latter two places are quite real, Cheddar Bay is a fictional place. This may come as quite a shock to some Red Lobster fans since the famous Cheddar Bay biscuits have a extremely strong following. But, the history behind these show-stopping biscuits is an interesting one.
The now-famous biscuits were invented by Kurt Hankins in 1992 who at the time was head of the product development team at the Red Lobster chain of seafood restaurants. The biscuits started out life without the catchy name, but were a welcome addition to the menu instead of hush puppies. Hankins was inspired by garlic bread, Texas Toast, and of course, drop biscuits to create these fabulous rolls. There’s cheddar, garlic, and just a touch of sugar in these flavorful biscuits.
They were first served in the lobby as a pre-seating snack while guests waited for tables. Demand was so high that they added them to the menu as a starter and now they are an wonderful addition to the meal that comes to your table complimentary. Some would argue they make the whole trip worth it!
The fun name for these biscuits didn’t come until 1995, but that was so long ago that even diehard fans probably won’t remember the original name of these biscuits which was “freshly baked, hot cheese garlic bread”. While it was descriptive, it certainly didn’t have that sun-bleached, boathouse, fresh seafood on the beach vibe that the later name imparted to the biscuits. It is a bit sad to learn there’s no such place, but in a way it makes them all the more special as no other restaurants have them.
If you’re a mega fan this news about the bay might hit you like finding out the truth about Santa Claus. But, unlike Santa you can visit this place through the biscuits anytime you like. There are even mixes now you can buy at the store. And, if you love these biscuits you might also enjoy the viral TikTok Chicken Cobbler made with this Cheddar Bay biscuit mix, too!
Despite some closures the company is still around and offering these heavenly biscuits.