You'd expect an establishment with a name like 'Bubba Gump Shrimp' to exude expertise in prepping shrimp dishes, and here you'd be right. From the appetizers to the main course, shrimp offerings are creative and omnipresent (though alternatives abound too, like fish and chips or many different kinds of kids' meals). We found the appetizer sampler ($14) to be an effective introduction. The spinach-Monterey Jack cheese dip was invigorating, the spicy chicken nuggets just a shade too hot, the peel and eat shrimp remarkably succulent and tender, the fried shrimp expertly nuanced, and the real surprise, hush pups (not hush puppies) that add fish and shrimp to the customary recipe for an incredible flavor.

The Shirley Temple ($3) was overpriced, but the blueberry lemonade ($4) came with $1 refills - though the strawberry lemonade probably offers better flavor. But ignore the drinks. If it's flavor you want, the entrees succeed in spades. The shrimp scampi ($16) doesn't veer far afield of usual recipes, but the soft and moist shrimp seemed a step above the competition, and the linguini it came on was irresistible with the scampi seasoning. Having such a large slice of garlic bread was pure indulgence. Meanwhile, the crab stuffed shrimp ($17) provided a tremendous mixture on a bed of white Jasmine rice, every bit as delicious and undeniable as the scampi. Don't be surprised if you eat past your point of feeling 'stuffed'. 

We found the service adequate, friendly, and capable, though nothing particularly out of the ordinary. Apart from the high quality food, what is unusual is the way service is carried out (and this spills over into the 'atmosphere' category): servers interact with visitors on the pretext of the Forrest Gump movie, grilling them about trivia from the movie and injecting still more details the casual visitor is unlikely to know.

In fact, the room is outfitted with Gump-like accoutrements, as if this were really Forrest's restaurant. You'll find his sayings painted on the wooden beams, knickknacks such as he might collect all over, and the eponymous movie playing (without sound) on TVs around the room. On the table, a green license plate proclaims RUN FORREST RUN, but this is no mere instance of theming. If you need your server, you flip the plate and a red version will display, saying STOP FORREST STOP, and the server will know you need their attention.

Overall, it's a complete experience at Bubba Gump Shrimp. The food is just slightly pricey, but you get extraordinary flavor and the value is certainly there. We found no wait time at all, but weekends will be different, and evenings are likely to be mobbed, when CityWalk gets really busy. Plan accordingly.