Review: Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. in Minneapolis, Minnesota – You may recall that in the movie Forrest Gump, after returning to the United States when discharged from the war, as promised to his best friend, Benjamin Bufford “Bubba” Blue, Forrest took the money he won from his ping-pong championships and endorsements and bought a shrimp boat. After finally striking it big, the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. was born. Two years after the release of the film in 1994, Viacom Consumer Products and the Rusty Pelican Company opened the first Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. in Monterey, California. It has now grown to twenty-seven locations across the United States, Mexico and even eastern countries of Asia.
At the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, you will find the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. on the third level of the mall just outside of Bloomingdales. The restaurant has a casual atmosphere and the food is quite good and the staff is top notch, young and energetic. Of course young and energetic can sometimes lead to distracted so plan to sit back, relax, have a cocktail and enjoy the music and ambiance. Join them for lunch or dinner Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday until 12:00 a.m. The decor is comparable to most seafood restaurants looking like a well painted weather-beaten shack, if that makes any sense to you, with lots of knick-knacks around along with memorabilia from the film. The cutest thing about this restaurant is that every table has license plates at the tables and if you need service, you take out the red one that says “Stop, Forrest, Stop” to get a waiter’s attention or the blue one which says “Run, Forrest, Run” which tells the staff that all is fine and dandy at your table.
The food choices at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. are sort of limited if you’re not looking for shrimp, hence the name, duh. You should start out by ordering a Southern Charm to take the edge off and that it will. With a concoction of vodka, amaretto, Southern Comfort, orange juice and sweet and sour mix, how could you not relax with one of those. If you’re planning on having an appetizer, expect it to probably be shrimp. That was pretty much it except for a spinach dip which was very good for $6.99. I decided not to get shrimp as an appetizer since I really wanted to try some shrimp as my entree. The menu is not very extensive, but you can still get a decent Tossed Chicken Cobb Salad for $9.99, a classic no-frills hamburger for $7.99 and even Dixie Style Baby Back Ribs which are slow roasted and served with fries for $18.99. Choices for the shrimp entrees include Mama Blue’s Southern Charmed Fried Shrimp which is served with coleslaw and fries for $15.99, but for what it was, which wasn’t anything special, the prices could be a little lower. I guess you need to keep in mind that this is more of a theme restaurant and that’s what you’re paying for, not outstanding food. There are also some sandwiches available for around $8-$10 for fish, chicken or a Shrimp Po’ Boy. If the kiddies are with you, then they have menu choices of a burger, pizza, Li’l Forrest’s Fish & Chips, chicken, popcorn shrimp and of course, mac n’ cheese. I think the best was saved for last when I ordered a slice of the Key Lime Pie. More like a slice of heaven, but not a cheap heaven at $5.29.
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. also has apparel and souvenirs to purchase or snag yourself a gift card for a great present. The restaurant also offers food for your next home or office party. Choices include barbecue feasts, peel-n-eat shrimp, jumbo shrimp cocktails, king crab legs and much much more. Having a birthday or corporate function and need a location, then give Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. a call to see what special offers they have as they can even offer theme parties.
Since the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. is intent on keeping ahead of its competition, their menus at all locations can change quite often so they can offer up to date and innovative dinners to please all patrons. As Forrest’s mother told him, “Life is like a box of chocolates.. you never know what you’re gonna get” and that goes the same for the menu choices. Just know that it is pretty good quality food and fairly competitive prices and the decor makes it fun enough to visit more than once.
