Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. is a theme chain restaurant built around the popular movie Forrest Gump. Before you groan at the shameless commercialism, dig a coconut shrimp out of the paper cone and have a sip of the strawberry lemonade. We are thoroughly charmed by this breezy open-air Front Street shrimp joint, where we bounce through supper as easily as the movie bopped through the life of Forrest.
We’ve never encountered a grumpy server at Bubba Gump, although they do have a habit of bustling so fast they miss your wave. To summon one, flip the table top license-plate-sized sign from the green “Run, Forrest, Run!” to the stoplight red “Stop, Forrest, Stop!” You’ll practically hear the brakes screeching.
 Bubba Gump does not serve health food. The bayou-based menu features many (mostly fried) shrimp dishes, as well as decent steaks, pretty good fish, and fried chicken. This is not gourmet dining, but your wallet will appreciate the prices and your taste buds the comfort food.
We especially like the shrimp sampler, which features several preparations loaded into paper cones suspended from a wire rack for easy reach. The bubbly, fruity lemonades are addictive and the cocktails generous.
With the child-like Forrest as inspiration behind this restaurant, it’s no wonder kids feel so at home. Keiki menus are crayon-ready and hungry tots get served quickly. The Hubba Bubba Popcorn Shrimp is popular, but picky eaters will like the burgers, pepperoni pizza, mac-n-cheese, fish and chips, and chicken strips, as well as child-sized fruit smoothies.
Life may be like a box of chocolates, but we find Bubba Gump remarkably consistent: good food, very good service, a fun (if noisy) location with a great view of the harbor, and reasonable prices for Maui.
| Ambience |
19 out of 25
|
| Food |
19 out of 25
|
| Service |
21 out of 25
|
| Value |
21 out of 25
|
| Total Score: |
80 out of 100
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Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
889 Front Street, Lahaina
(808) 661-3111
Daily 10am – 10pm for Lunch and Dinner
www.bubbagump.com
How to Find: On the seawall, at the corner of Papalaua Street. Park on the street or in public lot.
Average Cost: Adult entrees $9 – $19; keiki meals $5 – 6
Known For: Shrimp, Seafood
View: Directly on Lahaina Harbor. If you sit on the rail, you might get sprayed by the waves rolling in.
Alcohol: Full bar.
Reservations: No reservations. First come, first served, lines can be long.
All Major Credit Cards
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Bubba Gump Shrimp Co 
