Citywalk-Bubba Gumps warning

[APinCA]

Tonight we arrived at Bubba Gumps and were told by the host that if all 14 of us were there, he could take us "now". We rushed everyone over and were taken to a second check-in point because it would be "faster". We then waited for about 20 minutes before questioning why it was taking so long to be seated "now". We were told that it would be 20-25 min since we were a large group and there were other large groups ahead of us. The manager was called when we questioned the "now" description and he apologized and tried to get us in earlier. We felt foolish for falling for the old "bait and switch" routine. I guess they figure that once you decide on their resturant because it will be quick, you'll stay expecting to be seated quickly. We were seated 40 minutes after being told we could be seated "now".

We explained that we were not upset about waiting, but about the fact that we were led to believe that we would be seated immediately. The manager gave us sampler appetizers which was nice of him. All did not go smoothly once we were seated. One person didn't get their meal until well after the rest of our group - we had to call a waitress over to ask for it.

Overall, the food was good, but we won't be returning.

 

[jstehman]

We were there for dinner on 6/26 and 6/30. Party of 4 with 2 teens. These were our first times... WE COULDN'T HAVE BEEN MORE PLEASED WITH THE FOOD AND SERVICE.

 

[dogodisney]

I'd be upset about it too.

 

[Bluer101]

Sounds like our first visit to there. Took forever to get seated when promised it to be short and my meal never arrived. I had to ask for it and the waitress look like I did not order anything. We went back after about 6 months and it was fine that time.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

I hear some great reviews of Bubba Gumps, but we were there last vacation and it was the worst meal of the trip (and that was during 3 and a half weeks of meals!!) and the service was even worse than that!! (It was as if we were interrupting their private conversations to dare ask for service!!)

Considering all the other choices at Citywalk and resort restaurants, I doubt we will ever go back. Such a shame as we went to one years ago in Hawaii, which was great!!

 

[coasterj]

I've been to this and other locations and i have to say this one is the worst. It is hit or miss with service, food quality, and never has food as good as daytona or mall of america location. If you want a good Bubba Gump experience, make the extra hour drive to daytona.

 

[ky07]

Its a hit or miss with Bubba Gumps and I am asumming it was due to your large group of 14 and a large group like that you have to expect things to go wrong with orders

 

[NashvilleTrio]

Our first visit to Bubba Gump 2 years ago was awful. The waitress was rude and rushed, our son's soda was taken away for a refill and never returned for the remainder of the meal and the food was ok at best.

Our second try at Bubba Gump's was fantastic. It was probably one of the best meals of the trip and the service was far and away the best we had all week. Our server, Newell, was on top of the ball and everyone team member we encountered was really nice.

 

[Metro West]

Considering all the other choices at Citywalk and resort restaurants, I doubt we will ever go back. Such a shame as we went to one years ago in Hawaii, which was great!!

I went to the location on Maui in 2000 and loved how they opened the whole wall so you could enjoy the view and the breezes. The whole experience was outstanding and I even got a t-shirt that I still wear!

 

[JagMan]

To get the best restaurant experience, you simply have to sit at the bar. You eliminate the waiter/waitress and have a full time server. Order and eat your food there. I find it to be 3 to 4 times faster and the best part, there's usually never a wait...You can order a drink and hang out until people leave.

I understand the OP was complaining about the group of 14 people. It's simply the host/hostess going to manager "I got 14 people through the door!"

 

[PKap]

There is no reason to expect bad things to happen just because you are a large party. A restaurant should be able to handle a party that size.

 

[Laurabearz]

I was very impressed with the Bubba Gumps in Garden Walk near Disneyland, but we are 2 for 2 with bad service/poor food at the city walk location.

We will skip it from now on.

 

[rcraw45425]

One thing that surprised me about Bubba Gump in general is how they pared down their menus in the past few years. We dined at the one at City Walk shortly after it opened and the food was pretty good, lots of menu choices, server was decent. Fast forward a year or two and we dined at one in Gatlinburg TN. Teeny tiny establishment, feel like you're sitting in your neighbors lap. But the menu....OMG, very limited compared to the old one. I have went on the site since then to look as we are planning a November trip to US/IOA and I see even fewer choices than before. My Capt. Dan's drunken shrimp (think that waws the name, it was drunken something) was gone by the time we went to G'burg, but even the platter thing I got tht time seems to have gone away as well. Here's their ENTIRE menu off the website:

http://www.bubbagump.com/menu.html

 

[Sue909]

When we went to Universal in April, I printed out a coupon I found on here that was for Priority Seating there. It said something like you didn't have to wait once you got in there. I never used it but I wonder what the reviews are on that. Do you have to wait like everybody else or do they take you right away?

Sue

 

[macraven]

Bubba Gumps at city walk is not a repeat place for me.

The one in Chicago, ditto.


i find the chain restaurants sometimes miss the mark on service and food quality.



i know when people vacation and do not have a BG near them, they are anxious to try them out.

it has been a hit or miss for me for the one at CW.