Life is like a box of chocolates...
Written: Feb 01 '00 (Updated Feb 05 '00)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Great service, and Atmosphere
Cons: Food is subpar
|
|
|
| kornell_911's Full Review: Bubba Gump Shrimp Restaurant and Market |
It's your first time in SF and you're doing the tourist thing. You're hungry and you're stuck in Fisherman's Wharf looking for some good 'eats.' You walk around the Wharf's outdoor mini mall and see that there are loads of restaurants but none with a name you've ever seen or heard. No familiar fine restaurants. Not even any of those staple fast food joints here. Wendy's? Duchess? In and Out? McDonalds? Forget about it.
Ok, then settle for the next best thing: Bubba Gump Shrimp Restaurant, the only Forrest Gump themed restaurant in the world. Wahoo!
<This Bubba Gump Shrimp Restaurant is located in the heart of Fisherman's Wharf --the tourist hotspot-- in San Francisco.>
Upon walking up to the restaurant, you immediately remember the film Forrest Gump whether you want to or not. It's all Forrest, baby!
At the front entrance, a rather large round "Bubba Gump Shrimp Restaurant and Market" sign welcomes you. <There are two buildings -- one is the gift shop and one is the restaurant.>
Next to the sign is memorabilia from the movie-- there is a wooden bench that reminds you of Forrest sitting and waiting for his bus to come and pick him up; Forrest's box of chocolates for Jenny are situated on top of his torn wooden suitcase. There is also an oversized pair of running shoes, where you can place your own feet in. These memorabilia are simply for the tourists -- quite truly one of those geeky, cheesy Kodak moments. Live it, love it, take those pics!
Inside
Atmosphere.
Restaurant. The restaurant has an oak, fisherman feel, decorated with old, stolen license plates (I presume), fish nets, buoys, as well as different memorabilia from the movie, and photographs.
Situated on the highest level of the pier's mall complex <prime real estate spot>, Bubba Gump's offers an incredible view of the bay. Looking out from any window (there are lots of windows in this place), there is a great view of The Rock, Alcatraz. Eastbay is also visible, I've heard. Of course, on the day we went, San Francisco rained and the fog wouldn't allow us even a glimpse of the gorgeous bay area.
Food
The bowl of clam chowder I ordered was excellent. I am a New Englander, born and raised, so I know a thing or two about fine chowdah.
And, Bubba's chowder earns my approval....but the chowders about the only item worth ordering on the menu.
Bubba Gumps offers an extensive selection of shrimp. I do not suggest ordering anything else, seeing that Bubba loved his shrimp. (Remember in the movie, Bubba wouldn't stop talking about all those shrimp??).
Another reason not to order anything else? My friend ordered a hamburger that fell below his expectations. It was burnt and dry.
Shrimp:
From the menu, here's a short listing of some of the plates that the restaurant offers:
Alabama Shrimp-Tequila Soaked Shrimp, Scallops and Crab with Citrus Cream Sauce and Linguini Pasta. 11.99
New Orleans Barbeque Shrimp and Sausage- Rubbed with Alabama Gumbo spices and served with Mama Blue's Barbeque Tablernop and Garlic Mashed Potatoes. 13.59
Bubba's After the Storm "Bucket of Boat Trash"- Tender Shrimp, Slipper Lobster Tails and Mahi Mahi cooked Baja Style with Coleslaw and Fries. 16.99
Take a look at the other crazy names of the dishes:
Lt. Dan's Drunken Shrimp. 15.99
Dumb Luck Coconut Shrimp. 15.29
Mama Blue's Southern Charmed Fried Shrimp. 13.29
Jenny's Sweet Ginger and Garlic Shrimp. 13.99
Forrest's Shrimp Net Catch. 14.99
Yes, there's a lot of shrimp and seafood. As you can see, the prices are reasonable. Like any themed restaurant, you are paying a small premium for the service and for the atmosphere. If you don't like seafood, there are other options, but it would be like ordering French Onion Soup in Little Italy or Chinatown. I found my shrimp dish to be average. It was fried and not that tasty; the seasoning lacked any zest. My friend's plate was similarly seasoned; it was greasy and fried. This is not necessarily the most healthy or tasty spot in San Francisco.
Shrimp alternatives include:
Captain's Fish and Chips. 9.59
Dixie Style Baby Back Ribs. 13.99
Jenny's Peace 'n Love Veggie Platter. 8.99
From da Crab Pot at Mama Blue's. 17.99
Cajun Mahi Maji. 13.99
Fresh Pacific Northwest Salmon. 14.99
Mama's Vegetable Patch Pasta. 9.79
Drinks.
It was only noon when we frequented Bubba's. But thumbing through their drink menu, I found a variety of mixed drinks that would suit any dinner. Their beer selection was also average. My friends who are from SF commented that the bar and restaurant fills up on the weekend nights with lots of tourists. There are a couple TVs in the bar--two I believe on adjacent ends. <and, no they weren't playing Forrest Gump>
Service
We came to figure everyone at Bubba Gumps is very friendly, funny and amiable. The service at the restaurant was excellent. I was taken aback when the waiter took a seat in one of our empty seats and began explaining the process of this interactive servicing. If we needed anything, we could turn a license plate <which was situated on our table> that read "Stop Forrest Stop" indicating that we needed servicing or we could leave the plates as "Run, Forrest Run" indicating that we did not need servicing. The waiter, very friendly then began quizzing my table of friends about the movie. Which presidents did Forrest meet? What was the reason that he met each one? What was Bubba's real name? What 3 sports did Forrest play?
Having pretty decent familiarity with the movie, we were able to answer all of the questions without a problem.
Service, indeed, is one of Bubba's best assets.
the LowDown
Like any theme restaurant, you can't really expect much from the food. Bubba Gump's is no different. You pay for the atmosphere and the ambiance as well as excellent service. It is a tourist hot spot, merely because of its name. Not many locals frequent the place. I give the restaurant 5 stars for its service and ambiance but a 2 for its subpar food. I recommend the restaurant as a place to stop while you are in Fisherman's wharf. If the weather is clear, then you can enjoy the lovely bay view and the nostalgia that makes Forrest Gump.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.