99 Restaurant — Review by Daym Drops
Unknown, United States — American Casual Dining
The reviewer returns to 99 Restaurant and gives it a solid 3.8 out of 5 rating. While the coconut shrimp starter and bacon mac and cheese are standout dishes, the lobster roll is mediocre with some quality issues in the meat. Overall, the restaurant delivers good value with mostly excellent execution on their signature items.
What was great: Coconut shrimp with strong coconut flavor and thick, tasty shrimp inside; crispy, well-seasoned fries that are perfectly balanced; exceptional bacon mac and cheese with Vermont cheddar, crispy bacon, and spiral noodles that hold the cheese well
What could improve: Lobster roll had some questionable lobster pieces that weren't fully cooked through; expectations for lobster at a casual restaurant chain are inherently limited
The Dishes
The meal kicked off with complimentary movie theater quality popcorn, setting a great tone. The coconut shrimp appetizer impressed with its strong coconut flavor and perfectly crispy batter that gave way to thick, tender shrimp inside. While the batter somewhat masked the pure shrimp flavor, it was still a solid starter that prepared the palate for what followed.
The main event was a 30 dollar plate featuring bacon mac and cheese, crispy fries, and a lobster roll. The bacon mac and cheese was the standout, served hot and bubbling in a cast iron dish. The Vermont cheddar blended beautifully with crispy, perfectly salted bacon pieces, creating what the reviewer described as exactly how mac and cheese should be made. Spiral noodles helped the cheese adhere perfectly. The fries were lightly salted with a touch of pepper, hitting that Goldilocks sweet spot of being neither too crisp nor too soft, with excellent potato quality that seemed to rival Idaho potatoes.
The lobster roll, however, was the weak link. While it was served on a buttery roll, some pieces of the lobster were questionable and not fully cooked through, suggesting quality control issues in the seafood sourcing or preparation.
The Experience
The reviewer conducted an on-camera food review, which apparently was a first for the restaurant staff member who mentioned working in restaurants for almost 25 years. The atmosphere and service seemed pleasant, with no complaints mentioned about wait times or hospitality.
Value and Pricing
The 30 dollar plate was noted as the price point for the main course. Given that the mac and cheese and fries were excellent, the value proposition was strong, though the subpar lobster roll dragged down the overall value slightly. The reviewer suggested that if someone wants a truly great lobster roll, they should visit restaurants specifically known for seafood rather than expecting excellence at a casual dining chain.
Notable Moments
Don't touch the dish cuz it's dumb hot
If you don't know how to bake mac and cheese, right, you need to pull up on the 99 restaurant, have them make you like a platter of mac and cheese in front, you know, bring it for Thanksgiving, act like you made it. Folks wouldn't even know any better.
The Verdict
99 Restaurant scores a 3.8 out of 5 from the reviewer. It's best for casual diners looking for solid comfort food like mac and cheese and shrimp appetizers, but shouldn't be your destination for premium seafood like lobster rolls. The restaurant executes well on their core offerings and the reviewer plans to return for more.