Happy Hour with Forrest Gump

I like shrimp. Cajun ones. Popcorn ones. Anaheim Bubba Gump Shrimp Factory ones.

Apparently I am not the only one. It is a Friday night, 9pm, and the rooms of Bubba Gump Shrimp Factory are still filled with happily eating families, young couples, business people and singles.

The establishment brings me back to my southern roots. It is filled with a happy, laid-back (yet attentive and efficient) staff and some good smelling food. The eatery is modeled like an old bayou warehouse, with wooden boards decoratively splayed with Forrest Gump memorabilia.

Scott (my husband) and I know where we are heading: directly to the bar. Late Night Happy Hour kicks into full swing at 9:30 and runs until close. We wait briefly for a seat at the bar, then clamor onto the barstools next to a group of three friends visiting from Texas.

The friends immediately suggest a Greenbow Tenders and we take their word for it. I opt out of the $5 beer + shot happy hour special they are partaking in and instead order up the Bayou Surprise, made with Skyy Vodka, a refreshing tropical mixture of juices and presented with a fan of lime and lemon slices. (Ok, I’m a girl, I get to drink like one sometimes :)).

The happy hour menu is so cheap, ranging from $3-$6 for munchies and drinks, that we add a few choices of our own: Cajun shrimp, Garlic Bread and Best Ever Popcorn Shrimp. The spicy, buttery-garlic kick in the Spicy Cajun shrimp is right up Scott’s alley and by the time I’ve finished eating a finger of the garlic bread, they’re almost gone. It’s fine, that leaves the Best Ever Popcorn Shrimp for me! No need to explain this this dish; they’ve already done it for me.

Ordering is done off of ping-pong rackets. Kaitlyn and Mindy, or bartenders (pictured below) chat with us as Forrest Gump plays over their heads on a widescreen TV. Its been playing there since the restaurant opened 2 years ago. I don’t know how many Forrest Gump impersonations I hear while seated there, but they are too many to count. It is entertaining; some are actually good.

Bellies stuffed, we get up to leave and everyone working in the restaurant wishes us a good night. A staff member is also on break, and taking to the door alongside us. He is mulling over where to go on his break.
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“I know a great place-” a lady at the bar calls after him. “Wait-," she pauses, "Its here!". We all smile and agree.



**A Must-Eat for anyone visiting the nearby Anaheim Convention Center and Disneyland!