Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. London
Home » Ad »You may have read about our visit to Ripley’s Believe It or Not! London a few days ago, as part of a blogger event that my family and I were invited along to? Head over and take a look, I’ll wait!
Well, after seeing all the weird but wonderful exhibits there, we were then invited to dine at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. just a short walk away. It’s funny, the last time we went to Ripley’s London, we went to the same building for food afterwards, when it was a different restaurant! Anyway. We were looking forward to eating here as we’ve dined at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. in Orlando back in 2013 and hadn’t yet made it to the not long opened London location.
There were lots of bloggers there with their families, and it was a bit of a free for all for the tables. By the time we wandered in, there were no tables left, so we asked other tables if there was a spare chair we could use and plonked ourselves down around a large round table! We were served a choice of soft drinks, and I requested a bucket on our table, as it of course hadn’t been set!
Since we were not having regular service on this visit, the signs Run Forrest Run and Stop Forrest Stop, were not explained to us. But essentially, what this means, is if you have the stop sign up, you need your server’s attention, and if it is set to run, they are okay to run on by. Very handy, and saves you worrying about trying to keep your eye out for a server! I know this from our visit to the Bubba Gump’s in Orlando! The buckets are awesome, I kind of want one :D They have some condiments inside, cutlery and a roll of kitchen paper to clean yourself with after noshing on shrimp and ribs!
The kids were served first, with their choice of food, which you can see on the menu below. We were looking forward to the sampling of some of Bubba Gump’s signature dishes, and watched as the servers brought out cardboard boats filled with food for the children, which were pretty cool. I took some photos of the decor, which was awesome – wish I had taken some more, but just, erm, didn’t, which isn’t like me at all.
As the children were being served, staff were bringing out plates of food and leaving them on a buffet table, since I was jammed in the corner, I asked my husband, Steve to take a few photographs of what was on offer. I will admit to feeling it was a bit of a shame that the food was served in this way, as it meant everyone lining up, and sadly, the food getting a bit cold. I did mention this to Chloe who was there overseeing everything, and she apologised, telling me how she wanted everyone to be able to sample lots of different things. It would have been nicer (I think!) to have a platter per table that we could have all shared – or, much like the kids, a choice from the menu – but I understand the reasoning behind doing it the way it was done. I will stress that there was nothing wrong with the food, the taste was good and the variety of dishes (very similar to those I remember from the menu in Orlando) was great. I just wish it had been piping hot!
Let me go through the different dishes that we were able to try out…
Shrimp Mac & Cheese
Southern cookin’ meets the sea! Macaroni mixed with sautéed Shrimp, Cheddar, Jack Cheese and Parmesan Cheese. Topped with golden bread crumbs.
Shrimp & Veggie Skewers
Large shrimp, skewered with fresh Red Bell Peppers, Red Onion, Yellow Squash and Zucchini, chargrilled and served with Jasmine Rice and a Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce.
Dixie Style Baby Back Ribs
Our award winning Ribs are brushed with our own homemade BBQ sauce, slow roasted to perfection and served with fries.
Net Catch Entree
Our twist on a Bubba’s Classic! Beer steamed Peel ‘n’ Eat Shrimp, along with Carrots, Celery, Corn, Potatoes and Sausage all steamed and tossed with Garlic Spice or our Secret Cajun Spice recipe.
Seafood Hush Pups
Not quite Hush Puppies – we make em’ better! Tasty Shrimp and Fish with golden corn, deep fried and served with a Remoulade dippin’ sauce.
Calamari
Deep fried Calamari, Red Bell Peppers and Pepperoncinis. Served with dippin’ sauces.
Other dishes, which I don’t seem to have photographs of were:
Best Ever Popcorn Shrimp – Our popular Popcorn Shrimp plus Pepperoncinis roasted Red Bell Pepper and great dippin’ sauces.
Run Across America Sampler – Bubba’s Far Out Dip and Chips, Chilled Peel ‘n’ Eat Shrimp, spicy Chicken Strips, Hush Pups and Mama Blue’s Fried Shrimp.
Shrimper’s Heaven – Love Shrimp? This one’s for you! Hand Breaded Coconut Shrimp, Chilled Peel ‘n’ Eat Shrimp, Fried Shrimp and Japanese style Tempura Shrimp with Fries. And of course great dippin’ sauces like Tangy Asian, Cajun Marmalade and Zesty Cocktail. (This is what I had for my meal in Orlando!)
Forrest’s Seafood Feast – Forrest’s favourite meal after a day on the boat! Hand breaded Southern Fried Shrimp, Seafood Hush Pups, Fish & Chips, Coleslaw… And don’t forget the delicious sauces for dippin’ – Tartar, Cocktail and Remoulade.
Bubbas After the Storm ‘Bucket of Boat Trash’ – Flash fried Shrimp, Fish with Cajun Spices and a steamed cluster of Snow Crab. Served with fries.
I do love how the food is presented here – the cone holders for the shrimp, fries, calamari and hush pups are cool, and I loved the tipped over pan with the Net Catch Entree. Of the food we sampled from the platters, the Hush Pups were the best – loved these in Orlando, and loved these here. The Mac & Cheese was good too, just wish it hadn’t been cold. I’m not sure what fish they use for the battered fish, but I remember it being very strong tasting, and I wasn’t a fan, neither was Liam. Steve said the ribs were good, but again, sadly cold. I really do hope that this is just because of the time the food had been sitting out on the table as we all served ourselves, rather than coming cold from the kitchen.
We were offered to order something from the menu, and since Liam wasn’t so keen on anything he tried, and was still hungry, ordered a BBQ Cheeseburger with frizzled onion strings and fries. Steve and I shared one of these too. When the food was hot – it was ace, and we really enjoyed the burger!
Just before desserts were served, the waiting staff tested our knowledge of the movie, Forrest Gump with a pop quiz. I’ve not actually seen the film, but somewhere along the line, Liam has, and so he was able to call out answers!
Dessert was served in the same way as our lunch, with small taster platters to help ourselves to, which included:
Key Lime Pie – Garnished with whipped cream. We make this Florida classic from scratch!
‘Best of the Best Sampler’ – Mama’s warm Bread Pudding, homemade Biscuit topped with fresh strawberries and melt in your mouth Chocolate Chip Cookie Sundae.
Although, the biscuit with strawberries wasn’t on the platters that we were served, so no photos of that I’m afraid!
We shared one of each of the desserts – the key lime pie was lush, and the bread pudding was good too; although, for my tastes a bit too powerful on the cloves. I wasn’t a fan of the cookie, it tasted weird to me, but maybe that was the cloves from the bread pudding!
On our way out, we each received a gift bag to take home with us, which included, redneck cocktail glasses! They are added to my collection of two that we bought in Orlando, which is where the photo below is from.
Would I visit Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. London again? Yes I would, and not just because it’s a lot closer than Orlando ;) I’d also like to see the other side of the restaurant too, which Steve said was huge, when he nipped over there to go to the loo! It’s the sort of restaurant that is fun and a little bit different if you’re out for the day in London, and I wouldn’t mind buying another one of the redneck glasses so I have a set of 6!!
Downstairs, is a gift shop area, no magnets for us though (our usual, wherever we go we must buy a fridge magnet souvenir!), as there weren’t any on sale that we could see. I chatted to another blogger, and snapped a picture of the very famous box of chocolates that was sat on the waiting bench!
Have you been to Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. London (or one of the others over in the USA)? What is your favourite dish on the menu?
Beautyqueenuk
July 20, 2015 @ 3:28 pm
WOW! I have this on my list of places to visit here in London, I just havent got there yet x
pinkoddy
July 19, 2015 @ 11:32 pm
OMG I cannot believe you haven’t seen the film – you must, go get it!
Thanks for the explanation about the signs I never knew that!
Zing Zing Tree
July 19, 2015 @ 7:38 pm
Ooh, that looks fabulous. We’re up in London a lot over the Summer so think we may pay a visit!
Helen
July 17, 2015 @ 9:00 pm
Oh these were everywhere in NYC but yet I never tried them out, shame it looks yummy. X
Jen Walshaw
July 17, 2015 @ 5:20 pm
I love the way it looks and shall look out for it when we are next in London. Such a shame about cold food, I really don’t think there is any excuse for it though.
Michelle Ordever
July 26, 2015 @ 6:27 pm
It was a shame – cold fried food is never good :(
Globalmouse
July 17, 2015 @ 11:54 am
I love the way the food is presented and it sounds like a great menu. It’s a shame it was cold, I think it would have been better to let you review as an ordinary customer. I realise they wanted you to try as much as possible but I’d be happy to read a review of what you ordered and enjoyed. I’d definitely look it up when we’re in London though. Great review.
Michelle Ordever
July 17, 2015 @ 3:14 pm
The menu is great with a lot of choices, and as I said in my review, I understood the reasoning for the way it was done, but wish it had been a platter per table so we could have sampled the food as it should have been.
Clare Nicholas
July 17, 2015 @ 11:23 am
This looks and sounds amazing – I was invited but sadly circumstances were such that I had to cancel
Michelle Ordever
July 17, 2015 @ 3:14 pm
I’m sorry you had to cancel, big hugs to you xxx
Erica Price
July 17, 2015 @ 9:31 am
I love the sound of the cone holders and the signs for the waiting staff. Sounds like something a bit different and I like the sound of trying out that American food.
Michelle Ordever
July 17, 2015 @ 3:15 pm
it’s very different, and can work really well! Worth checking out if you’re in central London!
Kara
July 17, 2015 @ 8:47 am
I am afraid I am allergoc to shellfish so this place would not appeal to me but the dessert looks delicious
Michelle Ordever
July 17, 2015 @ 3:15 pm
The key lime pie was definitely the best
Charly Dove
July 17, 2015 @ 12:42 am
Oh how fab, sounds like a great day for the most part. I’ve never been to bubba gump before so we must check it out next time we’re in London :)
Michelle Ordever
July 17, 2015 @ 3:16 pm
It is somewhere different for the family to go, and they have a kid’s menu too with a good selection!
Emma
July 16, 2015 @ 9:42 pm
oh that all looks great, id happily try here. Maybe next time I’m in london.
Michelle Ordever
July 17, 2015 @ 3:16 pm
Hope you enjoy it when (if!) you visit!
Claire Toplis
July 16, 2015 @ 9:17 pm
Same about the coldness , but glad something hot was achieved in the end. I haven’t eaten here.
Michelle Ordever
July 17, 2015 @ 3:16 pm
Us too – it makes all the difference to the taste!