Bubba Gump reopens, refocuses on local market

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. has health and safety protocols in place to keep employees and customers safe while dining. (BEA CABRERA)

One of a few American restaurant chains on Saipan reopened its doors yesterday after a three-month hiatus due to COVID-19 concerns.

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurant’s reopening comes with a new and more affordable menu and services that hope to entice the local market and make their experience worthwhile.

Robert H. Jones, chairman and CEO of Triple J Enterprises, Inc., said in a news briefing yesterday that Bubba Gump’s reopening entails many new changes. “People used to say that Bubba Gump was expensive and I say it might have been in the past but we are not, in the future. We are designing our menus and prices based on local consumption rather than tourists,” he said.

Triple J Enterprises is the local franchisee of Bubba Gump in the Marianas.

“…We have had really a robust economy the last few years…and it has been tough the last few months. …But we want to make a statement today that we want to put prices based on what the income is on the island. Our goal and hope is to be able to get a lot of locals to join us, enjoy the new prices, and experience the new improvements as we want to do a good job for you,” Jones added.

The new prices and experience begin with their lunch specials, available from 11am to 4pm. There are six choices available for only $9.95—Shrimpin’ Dippin’ Broth featuring shrimps in a spicy broth, Mama’s Southern Fried Chicken, half-pound All-American Cheese Burger & Fries, Captain’s Fish and Chips, Shrimp Caesar Salad, plus a new addition in local favorite Tinaka Katne served with homemade finadene and chicken kilaguen.

Dinner specials are available from 4pm to 9pm with six dishes to choose from for only $14.95. This includes Dixie-Style Baby Back Ribs, Chinese Chicken Salad for a healthy option, pasta dish “…Of Course We Have Scampi!,” Mama’s Southern Fried Chicken, Shrimp New Orleans, and Forrest Seafood Feast.

Iced tea, coffee, and fountain drinks are available for only $1.95.

Family platters are available that can be shared by four people, ranging in price from $40 to only $35.

The safety of families in the community are paramount, so the restaurant also offers curbside service and pick-up. “The new trend now is not dine-in but drive-thru, take-away, and pick-up services and this is something that is in the [United] States now…and we have it here as well. …Just give us 15 to 20 minutes to prepare and we will serve it straight to your car,” Jones said.

From left, Perry Inos, Triple J Saipan, Inc. business manager; Maria Valentina Haberman, Triple J Saipan, Inc. marketing manager; Ringo Medina, Bubba Gump general manager; Robert H. Jones, chairman and CEO of Triple J Enterprises, Inc.; Benjamin Babauta, Bubba Gump executive chef; Mike Sablan, Triple J Saipan Inc. VP Finance & Administration; and Frank Ada, Triple J HR director. (BEA CARERA)

Despite the occupancy restrictions, Bubba Gump can accommodate 120 people indoors and 36 people in the patio located in front of the restaurant, said general manager Ringo Medina. “We have received a number of reservations already even if we have just reopened today and we are happy about that… [My staff and I] are energized and excited to be working again,” he said.

“We are not serving breakfast like before but maybe we will reconsider once we get feedback or when the tourists come in again. …Right now, our focus is the community and to help them in this time of crisis,” he added.

Benjamin Babauta, who is a chef at the restaurant, said that they have been busy trying to come up with special dishes and getting the restaurant ready for reopening. “We were really busy cleaning up, sanitizing, and washing up everything. We’re taking extra protocols like temperature-taking as you enter, we put up guards in between tables, and inside the restaurant is a pathway that leads customers one way in and out. We are excited to deliver good food while staying safe as much as possible,” he said.

According to Jones, Triple J closed two of its other restaurants—Tony Roma’s and Caprissiosa. “One of the reasons why we closed is it was convenient as our lease expired, and we could not justify renegotiating our long-term lease at the moment. Not knowing what is going to happen in the next year or so, we feel optimistic that we will come back as strong as we did in the past,” he said.

“We thank the community for the support all these years as we have always had a lot of local people in the Surf Club, Tony Roma’s, and Caprissiosa, but we never had many locals as we would like to have in Bubba Gump. We hope the new menus and pricing will entice local people to eat more and dine more at Bubba Gump,” he added.

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurant is open from Monday to Sunday. For more information, call (670) 233-8592.