New Voyage for Captain D's
When I was a kid, we'd go to Captain D's (or the similar Long John Silver's) maybe every couple of months. Mmmmmmmm, malt vinegar on bready things—and what kid could resist that treasure chest full of free toys and prizes at the exit? I think I even signed up for the birthday club, which is now called the Aqua Kids program.
Now, the Captain is steering for a new course. Yesterday the company opened a new pilot restaurant in Clarksville, Tennessee, featuring a new menu and look. Over the summer, the other two Clarksville locations will be converted to the new paradigm. From there, it's on to Nashville and, I assume, the rest of the system.
What's changed? The pilot store offers an array of grilled items, including wild Alaskan salmon, tilapia, mahi mahi, deep sea flounder, and shrimp skewers. (A piece of cooking equipment called a clamshell grill makes the grilling possible.) And there are new pasta selections, like shrimp scampi, creamy shrimp alfredo, and chicken parmesan. Many of the old favorites are still on the menu.
[Aside: Wonder how the FDA's recent ban on seafood imports from China is affecting Captain D's and other quick-serve seafood menus?]
Looks-wise, the revamped Captain D's restaurant aims to create a more welcoming and laid-back atmosphere. There's also a new logo, shown above. Sounds like the company is going for the full-on fast casual strategy, leaving its fast-food days behind.
From my point of view, that's a smart approach to the future—a comfy interior, a menu with more variety, which makes it even easier for families. What do you think? If you haven't been to a Captain D's in a while, would this new menu convince you to give it another try?
