Let me start by saying, Bubba Gump Shrimp is just not the place for a first date. There are so many inexpensive, unique places here to dine here in Los Angeles.  Bubba Gump Shrimp is just a no! I recently had the pleasure of catching up with my dear friend Stacey.  She couldn’t wait to tell me about a recent first date she had at Bubba Gump Shrimp.  Like many people, Stacey is an online dater, and met a man with whom she found interesting.  She actually reached out to him and they had a meet and greet over coffee.  There was some chemistry, he was engaging, so she agreed to have dinner a week later.

Since Stacey chose the location for the coffee, he was a gentleman and chose the day, time, and place for dinner.  When he called and invited her to Bubba Gump Shrimp (located at Universal City Walk, here in Los Angeles), she was a bit surprised and caught off guard.  Just as the name sounds, Bubba Gump Shrimp is more of a casual tourist restaurant.  Stacey did not know if she should dress up or dress down.  So she opted to dress up and wore a dress with heels.  First impressions are everything, right?

Stacey was optimistic that the date could only go up from here, however she was proved wrong.  Strike one was the long walk through the parking structure to get to the restaurant.  When she walked into Bubba Gump Shrimp her date was waiting dressed in his Sunday finest.  They were seated in a booth, and he immediately suggested she order the salmon.  He raved and raved about the salmon.  A woman approached the table selling raffle tickets for Bubba Gump Shrimp jackets.  He purchased four of them.

He was excited about the salmon, excited about the raffle tickets, and gushed about how Bubba Gump Shrimp is his absolute favorite place to dine.  He even stated that when he wants to do it big on the town, he gets “Suited and booted” and heads to Bubba Gump Shrimp.  Although she was less than thrilled to be at Bubba Gump Shrimp, Stacey said the first 20 minutes of conversation was pleasant. That she almost forgot where she was.  At 21 minutes it all went south very quickly.  He proceeded to make derogatory remarks about gays (Stacey is a huge supporter if the GLBT community).  He also made the remark “Black people don’t like to own things.”  Stacey herself is a homeowner, owns her own business, and is African-American as was he.

The icing on the cake was when he compared the shape of female genitalia to a church.  It doesn’t even bare repeating.  After offending her over and over again, Stacey finished her meal and wrapped up the date.  Surprisingly he was not aware of the error of his ways, and asked her out for a 2nd date.  Stacey politely said “No thank you.”  He was surprised by the rejection and replied “Why? I didn’t mean everything that I said and thought we had a good time.”  Stacey replied “We really don’t have anything in common.”  She also mentioned her favorite food is Mediterranean.  He replied “What is that?”

By no means am I suggesting that Bubba Gump Shrimp is not worth dining at.  It would be a better option for when you’re seriously dating or married.  I honestly believe that if his conversation had been better, or if they shared similar interests, he would have gotten that second date with Stacey.