In this edition of Pottstown Foodie, Red Lobster introduces a take-out order system that relies on artificial intelligence. Area restaurants and food sellers team up with the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Bureau to battle hunger. Moe’s Southwest Grill has a new value meal.
Calling Red Lobster? Maybe AI Will Answer
POTTSTOWN PA – The next time you order food take-out service at Red Lobster restaurants – like those in Pottstown, King of Prussia, or Wyomissing – the answering voice you hear on the phone may be powered by artificial intelligence (AI).
Red Lobster and a technology partner, SoundHound AI Inc., said Tuesday (Sept. 23) they are rolling out “an AI-powered phone ordering agent” nationwide. The goal: is to “ensure every phone call across locations is answered, no matter how busy a (Red Lobster) restaurant gets.”
The system reportedly can handle multiple calls simultaneously, with “seamless order placement.” It also provides answers to common guest questions about store hours, locations, and menu items.
Photo by Juliane Monari on Unsplash
Area Restaurants, Food Sellers Support Anti-Hunger Drive
KING OF PRUSSIA PA – Five restaurants and food services in Royersford, Skippack, and King of Prussia are supporting this year’s Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Bureau “Freedom from Hunger Drive.”
The fund-raiser intends to address food insecurity in Montgomery County.
The drive began in 2015 as a farewell gift to the late Pope Francis, which at the time followed his greater Philadelphia area visit for the World Meeting of Families. St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, located within the county, provided the pope’s lodging.
Then, as now, the drive benefits the MontCo Anti-Hunger Network. The network buys high-demand food items like eggs, poultry, and ground beef, and distributes them to food banks and pantries county-wide.
Business participants in the drive are donating portions of proceeds from meals or purchases to the network. They include:
- Sweet Ashley’s Chocolate in Royersford, which is making donations for boxes of selected custom gift chocolates sold through Oct. 31;
- Blossom Café at Floral & Hardy in Skippack, donating for every Peanut Butter and Fluff Latte sold during September;
- bartaco in King of Prussia, offering a donation for every catering order placed through Oct. 31;
- Taku Japanese Steakhouse in King of Prussia, donating for sales of its featured appetizer, Creamy Crab Rangoon, through Oct. 31; and
- Clusters Handcrafted Popcorn, King of Prussia, making contributions for sales of “Tubs, Tins, and Pick Six deals” through Oct. 31.
Additional monetary donations have been provided by Conlin’s Print, Home2Suites by Hilton King of Prussia, PPL Promotions, Playeasy, The Proving Grounds, and the King of Prussia Mall.
Interested individuals also can support the MontCo Anti-Hunger Network with their own donations. Every dollar contributed pays for seven meals, equaling about 12 pounds of food, according to the Tourism and Convention Bureau. Donate online.
Photo by Jakub Kapusnak on Unsplash, used under license
Moe’s Southwest Grill Launches Value Meal
OAKS PA – Moe’s Southwest Grill, which operates at 1570 Egypt Rd. in Oaks, has launched a new value meal. It consists of a junior burrito, a 2-ounce side of queso, a regular fountain drink, and Moe’s signature free chips, salsa, and dipping sauces for $9.95.
Additionally, through Oct. 5 (2025; Sunday), the restaurant is running an accompanying online game that’s open to the public. All players are expected to win a prize. Most are likely to receive a Moe’s Reward Members 20% in-app discount off one new value meal. One grand-prize winner will receive value meals for a year. Find contest rules online.
Photo provided by Moe’s Southwest Grill
Our reporting on “Local Dining” covers activities and events of restaurants, and food or beverage suppliers, within Montgomery, Berks, and Chester PA counties. Find more articles here. Also, see or follow “Pottstown Foodie” on Facebook.
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