The Royal Red Shrimp, a shrimp species that is known for its soft meat and rich, buttery taste, is considered a delicacy in the Gulf Coast states. The species is particularly noted for its preference for deeper, colder water than other shrimp varieties and its tendency to turn red when cooked properly, making it difficult to prepare. Despite being a challenging catch, royal reds were introduced in the 1970s and only a handful of fishing boats began catching them in the mid-1990s. Despite this, their popularity began to grow and they have since become a regional delicacy. The shrimp's price tag has fluctuated over the years, with modern retail and menu pricing from 2026 showing they are typically in the middle-to-high price range.