You’ve seen the bench. You know the one—the concrete slab where Forrest sat with his box of chocolates, waiting for the bus. If you’re walking down Shoreline Drive in Long Beach, you’ll find a replica of it right outside Bubba Gump Long Beach. It’s a bit of a magnet for tourists, honestly. People line up to take photos, dangling their legs just like Tom Hanks did in 1994. But once you get past the photo op and step inside the restaurant at The Pike Outlets, you’re entering a weirdly specific corner of American pop culture that manages to survive on nostalgia and coconut shrimp.
People think it's just a gimmick. They’re partly right.
But there is a reason this place stays packed while other themed cafes from the nineties have gone the way of the dinosaur. It’s not just about the movie anymore; it’s about a very specific type of waterfront experience that Long Beach excels at providing. Located at 87 Aquarium Way, it sits right in the heart of the action, wedged between the Aquarium of the Pacific and the harbor. It’s loud. It’s kitschy. The servers will absolutely quiz you on movie trivia if you look even remotely like you’re having a good time. If you can’t remember who Forrest’s drill sergeant was, you might feel a little heat.
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The Reality of Eating at Bubba Gump Long Beach
The first thing you’ll notice is the "Stop Forrest Stop" sign. It's the primary way you get service here. Flip it to the blue "Run Forrest Run" sign and the servers will zoom past you. Flip it to red, and they stop. It’s simple, kinda silly, but it actually works better than waving your arms like a maniac in a crowded dining room.
Most locals in Long Beach tend to avoid The Pike during peak summer hours because the traffic is a nightmare, but if you’re visiting, you’re probably already there for the Ferris wheel or the aquarium. The food is exactly what you expect from a high-volume seafood spot. Is it Michelin-star dining? No. Is it consistent? Surprisingly, yeah. The menu is heavily skewed toward fried shrimp, which makes sense given the source material.
You should know that the prices reflect the location. You’re paying for the view of the harbor and the proximity to the water. A lot of folks get sticker shock when they see the bill for a round of "Run Across America" samplers and some specialty cocktails in those light-up glasses.
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What to Actually Order (And What to Skip)
If you’re going to eat here, lean into the shrimp. The "Forrest’s Seafood Feast" is the heavy hitter, featuring fish and chips, fried shrimp, and seafood hush puppies. It’s a lot of beige food. If you want something with a bit more flavor profile, the Dumb Luck Coconut Shrimp is generally considered the standout. They use a Cajun marmalade that actually has a decent kick to it, which cuts through the sweetness of the coconut.
- Avoid the steak. Seriously. You are at a restaurant named after a shrimp company. Ordering a ribeye here is like going to a library to buy shoes. It exists on the menu for the one person in the group who hates seafood, but it's rarely the highlight of the meal.
- The Jenny’s Skillet Seared Chicken is a safe bet for those who want to avoid the deep fryer. It’s reliable, though not exactly groundbreaking.
- The drinks are where the "tourist" element really shines. They have a variety of margaritas and "mules" that come in souvenir glasses. If you don't want to carry a plastic cup around the rest of the day, just tell them you want the standard glass.
The Atmosphere and That Famous "Quiz"
Walking into the Long Beach location feels like walking into a prop warehouse. There are license plates on the walls, movie quotes etched into the wood, and "shrimping" gear hanging from the ceiling. It’s cluttered. It’s intentional.
One thing that catches people off guard is the trivia. The servers are trained to engage with guests. They’ll ask you things like, "What was the name of Forrest’s boat?" or "Where did Forrest go to college?" Honestly, if you haven't seen the movie in a decade, it can be a little intimidating. You don't have to participate, but it’s part of the brand's DNA. If you’re looking for a quiet, romantic candlelit dinner where you can whisper sweet nothings, this is 100% the wrong place. It is loud. There are birthdays. There is cheering.
Why the Long Beach Location is Unique
Not all Bubba Gumps are created equal. The one in Santa Monica is iconic because it’s on the pier, but the Long Beach spot at The Pike has a different vibe. It feels more integrated into a "day out" itinerary. You have the Aquarium of the Pacific literally steps away. You have the Queen Mary visible across the water.
There’s a specific breeze that comes off the Long Beach harbor in the late afternoon. If you can snag a table near the windows or on the patio, it’s actually a pretty great spot to watch the boats come in. You see the Catalina Express ferries hauling people back from the island, and the harbor tour boats circling the lighthouse. It grounds the "corporate" feel of the restaurant in the actual maritime history of the city.
Managing the Crowds and Logistics
Long Beach isn't always easy to navigate. Parking at The Pike can be expensive if you don't get validation. Make sure you bring your ticket inside.
- Timing is everything. If you show up at 6:00 PM on a Saturday during the Long Beach Grand Prix or a major convention, expect a two-hour wait.
- Weekday lunches are the "pro move." It’s much quieter, the service is faster, and you can actually hear the person sitting across from you.
- Check for events. Long Beach hosts a lot of festivals. If there’s a marathon or a music festival at Rainbow Lagoon Park, this restaurant will be the epicenter of the chaos.
The staff here handles the volume remarkably well. These aren't just servers; they're high-volume hospitality workers who deal with thousands of people a week. They are efficient. They have to be.
Is it Worth the Hype?
It depends on what you value. If you’re a film buff who loves Forrest Gump, it’s a pilgrimage. If you have kids, it’s a godsend because the environment is loud enough that nobody cares if your toddler has a meltdown over a dropped fry.
However, if you are a "foodie" looking for the authentic, artisanal Long Beach culinary scene, you might be disappointed. Long Beach has incredible local spots like Heritage or Roe Seafood just a short drive away in Belmont Shore or on 4th Street. Those places offer chef-driven menus and local ingredients. Bubba Gump is a franchise. It’s consistent, it’s themed, and it’s predictable. For many travelers, predictability is exactly what they want after a long day of sightseeing.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
If you're planning to head to Bubba Gump Long Beach, don't just wing it.
- Download the Landrys Select Club app if you plan on eating at any of their properties (like Saltgrass or Rainforest Cafe) more than once. It usually costs money to join, but they give you a credit back, and more importantly, it often lets you skip the waitlist.
- Walk the Esplanade first. Before you sit down, walk along the water toward the Pine Avenue Pier. It gives you a sense of the scale of the harbor.
- Validate your parking. The Pike parking structure is the most convenient, but the rates are steep without that stamp.
- Prepare for the gift shop. You have to walk through it to leave. It’s a gauntlet of "Mama Says" t-shirts and ping-pong paddles. If you have kids, set a budget before you enter, or you'll walk out with $80 worth of trinkets.
Look at the harbor. Watch the lights of the Queen Mary flicker on at dusk. Despite the corporate branding and the movie quotes, the view from this spot in Long Beach remains one of the best in Southern California. The shrimp is just a bonus.