I really love shrimp---even fictional shrimp! Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. is a chain of restaurants themed to the 1994 Tom Hanks movie, Forrest Gump. The first Bubba Gump's restaurant debuted in 1996.
My first visit to Bubba Gump's was in October 2008 at the location in Anaheim, California's GardenWalk shopping district. Some of the people working there got a kick out of the fact that I had an Alabama Driver's License.
In November 2009, I got to visit Bubba Gump's at Universal CityWalk in Orlando, Florida. The staff seemed to enjoy giving little Forrest Gump trivia tests. I did pretty well!
I visited the Anaheim location twice in the same week. It was nice to escape the dinner and fireworks crowd at Disneyland and walk to GardenWalk for a relaxed meal. I got a Shrimp Po' Boy sandwich one night, and a Dixie Fishwich the other night. In Orlando, I tried the Baja Shrimp Tacos. Everything I tried was great!
When Forrest Gump was released, people often called me "Lieutenant Dan" (I still hear this today). I also still get called "Daniel-san" (from The Karate Kid).
Pictured here are fiberboard magnets from the Orlando restaurant's Gift Shop. I also have a plush shrimp keychain and a shrimp baseball from the Anaheim store.
Bubba Gump's shrimp character is probably the cutest shrimp I've ever seen. There are two designs---one is seen in the logo and the keychain, and a more cartoony version is on the map magnet and baseball.
Awesome! I just may have to try this place during my Cali trip this summer! Did they have lots of other merchandising in their souvenir shop?
ReplyDeleteTill' I took a closer look at your magnet, I didn't even realize there was a Bubba Gump in Denver just 60 miles away!! LOL!
ReplyDeleteHey Darrin! They had a lot of T-shirts with Gump-isms on them. There were mugs, shot glasses, keychains, and magnets. My Mom got my Dad a shirt---I can't remember what it said!
ReplyDeleteI noticed the Denver location on the magnet, too!
My Anaheim trip was one of the best vacations I've been on. It was great walking pretty much everywhere, and it was October so it was beautiful.
We're going in June. Should be getting a little warm by then!!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you've got everything planned out already--probably smart in June. I was shocked at how many people were on vacation in the middle of October when we went, but it was fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI've seen the Bubba Gump in Baltimore. Didn't eat there, though. I like the mascot.
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