Bubba Gump Shrimp Market Serves Fish and Fun Fare
Written: Jun 25 '08
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Pros: Excellent fish and shrimp, fun atmosphere, excellent service.
Cons: Pricey cocktails, avoid the gift shop if you're with kids tempted by junk.
The Bottom Line: Bubba Gump's is a crowd pleaser with lighter or hearty fare for everyone in your party. Service is prompt, staff friendly.
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| MsHooterville's Full Review: Bubba Gump Shrimp Restaurant and Market |
My first visit to any Bubba Gump Shrimp Market was at Mall of America with my daughter several years ago. Since then it's been an annual event, and we've had a chance to eat at a second location in Charleston, South Carolina where quite a lot of the movie was filmed.
We don't have a Bubba Gump in Omaha, so when my daughter got hooked on the Shrimp New Orleans we have made the effort to eat at any location we find while traveling. It's a fun place with great food and a broad enough selection for a large group.
Always Crowded, But Rarely a Wait
The Mall of America location is always busy, but I've never had to wait for a table for two. Service is prompt and turnaround is relatively quick, too. Larger parties may have a different experience.
Charleston's location has more historical significance, housed in an historic building with more charm than you can get in a big mall, but the interior decorating is the same with the expected shrimp boat nautical theme. You don't need to dress up to dine with Bubba Gump, but it is sit-down service with attentive staff.
The night my daughter, my mother and I were in Charleston last February it was raining and the restaurant was not too busy for a Friday evening.
They have on display the original white suit Tom Hanks wore as Forrest Gump in the movie, as well as other props. Because many scenes were filmed in the area, there's a stronger Charleston connection than in some of the other locations and locals seem to enjoy playing it up.
Consistent Quality in Varied Locations
We've found Bubba Gump in Times Square and in the New Orleans French Quarter, but skipped those stops in favor of local fare, and because we will eat there soon at MOA.
Bubba Gump's food is a known quantity. I've had the same crispy battered mahi mahi fish and thin, salty fries in Minnesota and South Carolina.
When I haven't been as hungry, I've had the Mahi Mahi fish sandwich. The Shrimp New Orleans my daughter loves is the recipe created by the staff at the French Quarter, and also is consistently good.
If you enjoy specialty drinks and appetizers, that's where you'll run up your bill. Entrees and soft drinks for two with tip will be about $40. We haven't ordered dessert because the entrees have filled us up, but the Key Lime pie and chocolate cookie sundae look tempting and big enough for two.
Servers Enjoy Forrest Gump Movie Trivia
Staff at Bubba Gump's are all personality plus and like to quiz guests about the movie. They seem to have endless questions geared to every customer's familiarity with the film.
In Charleston they stumped us by asking what other role Sally Field played besides Forrest's mother (she was a reporter interviewing Forrest about his cross country run).
The other entertaining part of dining at Bubba Gump's is the license plates used to signal the servers. If you're content, leave the "Stop, Forrest, Stop" plate on display. When you need something, show the red "Run, Forrest, Run!" plate. Somehow our servers are always right at our side when we switch to the red plate. I've wondered before if this activates an electronic signal.
Sometimes in other restaurants when my husband and daughter and I are waiting for drink refills and nobody comes, my daughter mumbles "Run, Forrest, Run!"
The Ever-Present Gift Shop
We usually look at the Bubba Gump gift shop even though we never buy anything. There are t-shirts with the well-worn "Life is Like a Box of Chocolates" line. Of course, there also are Forrest Gump's Chocholates in cute little boxes.
The soft pink shrimp logo is available as a toy, a fridge magnet, on baseball caps, and every other configuration imaginable.
In Charleston, they cleverly have a big basket of Bubba's umbrellas for sale -- an excellent move because there's a fair amount of rain and plenty of guests without protection like we were the night we ate at that location. We opted for wet hair over a $12 umbrella.
Run Forrest Run to Bubba Gump's
My nieces and nephews in Chicago love Bubba's, my family and I have enjoyed all of our meals there, and I think most people will. Avoid the pricey cocktails and the gift shop and you'll eat well without breaking the bank. The staff won't rush you, but they won't waste your time and leave you thirsty.
Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: Yes
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations Stick to entrees over appetizers and split desserts. Portions are generous.
Best Suited For: Kids and Families
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Epinions.com ID:
MsHooterville
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 - Top 200 |
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Member: Ms Hooterville
Location: Hooterville Green Acres USA
Reviews written: 596
Trusted by: 416 members
About Me:
News and feature writer, graphic designer and artist, wife and mother, small business owner.
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