Bubba Gump in Anaheim, CA

During our first trip to California together, my friend and I visited Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. She’s a huge fan. Naturally during this trip we wanted to go there again. Plus their food is truly delicious.

We had great luck – only a fifteen minute wait on a Saturday. Just enough time to peruse the gift shop and take a picture with the odd costumed shrimp (I say odd, but I was excited to get a picture with him)

Partway through our meal, I got up to see if the bathrooms were available, and to see the people sitting behind us. Sounded like a rather odd first date.

Another batch of luck, when I walked into the bathroom I was the only person in there.

That’s where my luck ended.

Bubba Gump is a pretty busy restaurant. Near Disney, in the heart of Anaheim, and a testament to a new-American classic. I understand that it’s highly trafficked, especially on a Saturday night.

But oh my.

I snapped some photos before entering a stall to utilize. While there, I heard an employee enter and make a comment that she was starting to clean. Not more than twenty seconds later, she was called away to help with something else. Not sure if I heard her wash her hands, but I don’t want to think about that.

There was trash all over the floor. One of the trash cans had toilet paper sticking out of the lid.

The bathroom fits two smaller and one accessible stall, with a baby changing station.

It’s pretty well lit overall, though pretty darn outdated.

Nothing vile to be seen, but messy enough that otherwise I would have waited to use one of the many other nearby locations.

So – Let’s Break It Down

Cleanliness

2/5 Paper everywhere

Smell

2.5/5 Neutral

Stock

3/5 It was pretty difficult to tell. I’m surprised they could be stocked enough considering all the toilet paper on the floor

Space

3/5 Spacing was fine. For such a busy place, you’d think there would be more space for waiting

Lighting

3/5 Adequate lighting. Some shadows, but generally well-lit

Environment

3/5 The restaurant itself is pretty awesome, and the staff is great. The bathroom could have been more theme-y

'Wow' Factor

2/5 It absolutely could have been cleaner, and considering how well the rest of the place is put together, you’d think there would be more effort put in to the bathroom.

So out of the potential 35 total, the Bubba Gump in Anaheim’s women’s restroom came in at 18.5. I’m sure if I had come in at a different time, it would have been better. I’ll give it another shot next time. Even if the bathroom isn’t great, Bubba Gump is tradition enough to make sure there is a ‘next time’.