Craving some Spicy Lousiana style Gumbo in the Houston area? We have gathered a list of restaurants serving the best Gumbo in Houston. Before we dive into the list, let’s start with a little history of Gumbo.
In the 18th century, Gumbo was first introduced in Louisiana. The Gumbo is thickened soup-like stew that contains strong-flavored stock, chicken or shrimp, crawfish, and the creole. Creole is the trinity of onions, celery, and bell peppers.
This dish got its name from Africa through Louisiana French. It is categorized into two depending on whether Okra or file powder is used for thickening.
Top 10 Places To Try Gumbo In Houston
If you have never tasted Gumbo or looking for a change from the usual, here are the top ten places where you can find the best Gumbo in Houston.
#1 Bayou City Seafood & Pasta
If you want to taste some best gumbo in the state, here is where you should head! Yes, the Bayou City.The Bayou City Seafood & Pasta serves some of the best Cajun-inspired dishes that one would love to taste!
They offer you two types of Gumbo:
- Seafood Gumbo
- Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
Address: 4712 Richmond Ave, Houston, Texas 77027, United States.
Price Range: $11 to $30
For more information do visit: https://www.bayoucityseafood.net/
#2 Goode Company Seafood
Having Gumbo in a comfortable and roomy space with nautical décor is a different life experience. If you want to have the same experience, you should head to the Goode Company Seafood.
They have an array of cuisines and including the Cajun. If you can, do visit and taste their Gumbo. The Goode Company prepares their Seafood Gumbo with crabs, crawfish, and shrimp, making it the best in Texas!
Address: 1. Westpark: 2621 Westpark Drive, Houston, Texas 77098, United States 2. Memorial: 10201 Katy Freeway, Suite 400, Houston, Texas 77024, United States
Price Range: $100 for two.
For more information, do visit: https://goodecompanyseafood.com/
#3 BB’s Tex-Orleans
There are plenty of Cajun restaurants in Houston. But, no doubt the Tex-Orleans is one of the best! Even though the restaurant is located in Houston, it has a theme of New Orleans.
They offer dishes entirely based on Cajun food, and their cuisine goes by the name of Tex-Orleans!
If you want a variety of Cajun dishes, this is the place. If you plan to visit this place, do try their homemade Gumbo!
Address: 1. Energy Corridor: 1275 Eldridge Parkway, Houston, Texas 77077, United States 2.Montrose: 2710 Montrose Blvd, Houston, Texas 77006, United States
Price Range: $35 for two (without Alcohol)
For more information, do visit: https://www.bbstexorleans.com/
#4 Grace’s
The Grace’s is another renowned restaurant in Houston!
The restaurant has brick-wall, a spacious interior, and a great ambiance that makes the environment for lunch, brunch, and dinner.
Also, they have a variety of cuisine, but the Gumbo they serve is one of the best!
Yes, they serve a Louisiana-style gumbo with crab, crawfish, shrimp, and Okra served rice and saltiness.
Address: 3111 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098, United States.
Price Range: $11 – $30 for two.
For more information do visit: https://gracesonkirby.com/
#5 Brennan’s Of Houston
Who does not want to taste some great seafood with a delicious taste and spicy touch to it? This is the place you are looking for!
The classic shrimp Gumbo from Brennan’s is a must-try for anyone who loves Gumbo. What is it that makes it so special? The creole gumbo of Brennan’s is served to brim with oysters, crawfish, shrimps, and crabs. Not only that, you get this dish served over Jazzmen rice with a sprinkle of fine powder.
Address: 3300 Smith Street, Houston, TX 77006, United States.
Price Range: $31 – $60 for two.
For more information do visit: https://www.brennanshouston.com/
#6 Esther’s Cajun Cafe and Soul Food
The Esther’s is among the top ten places for Gumbo. It is known that Chef Esther Lewis Bernard is the matriarch in the family. Esther Lewis Bernard was renowned as the Queen of Soul Food and Cajun Cuisine.
What makes this so special is their unique servings on Friday and Saturday. On these days, they serve three sizes of Gumbo, with a special fried fish fillet!
Address: 5204 Yale Street, Houston, TX 77091, United States
Price Range: $25 for two.
For more information do visit: https://www.estherscajunsoul.com/
#7 Zydeco Louisiana Diner
The Zydeco Diner is one of the best restaurants in Houston if you want to eat some good gumbo.
All items are prepared fresh every day. Gumbo lovers boast about this restaurant because Zydeco offers you both crab and shrimp claw Gumbo, chicken gumbo with a special sausage.
Address: 1119 Pease Street, Houston, TX 77002, United States
Price Range: $25 for two.
For more information do visit: https://www.zydecolouisianadiner.com/
#8 Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen
No doubt, the Pappadeaux is an excellent place for Gumbo. This place is well-known for its great food quality, incredible ambiance, and helpful staff.
The Cajun specialties offered by the Pappadeaux are one of the greatest you can have in Houston.
Address: 10499 Interstate 10 Frontage Road, Houston, Texas 77024, United States
Price Range: $60 for two.
For more information do visit: https://pappadeaux.com/menu/
#9 Abe’s Cajun Market
Abe’s Cajun market is a renowned place that has been serving exquisite Cajun dishes to all Houstonians.
Abe’s will give you the authentic taste of Louisiana Cajun with their red beans, rice, and sausages, shrimp and corn bisque, seafood, and chicken sausage gumbo.
Overall, if looking for great Gumbo, this is the place you must visit!
Address: 8116, 1080 Clear Lake City Blvd # D, Houston, Texas 77062, United States
Price Range: $40 for two.
For more information do visit: https://www.abescajunmarket.com/menu
#10 Rouxpour Restaurant & Bar
Last but certainly not least, the Rouxpour is popular when it comes to Cajun cuisines. Food quality is excellent, and it offers both chicken and sausage Gumbo and also the seafood sausage gumbo!
If you love Gumbo, you have to eat at Rouxpour at least once.
Address: 303 Memorial City Mall, #604, Houston, Texas 77024, United States
Price Range: $75 for two.
For more information do visit: https://www.therouxpour.com/
What Is Gumbo? A Stew or A Soup?
Gumbo is a soup-like stew prepared with Okra, meats, Cajun, and creole seasonings. Gumbo is the top-rated food in Louisiana, and this soup-like stew has European, American Indian, and African elements.
The dish got its name from a Bantu word for Okra. It is very delicious – no wonder it’s Louisiana’s official state cuisine.
Hence, Gumbo is neither a stew nor a soup. However, it certainly has both the characteristics of soup and stew.
What Is The Secret Ingredient In Gumbo?
Gumbo is known for the ingredient that is used to thicken it. The Gumbo has three primary ingredients: Roux, Okra, and File Powder.
Roux
The roux has originated from French cuisine. The gumbo roux is comparatively dark compared to the toasted Gumbo that is used in traditional French cuisines. Roux is prepared by blending flour with butter until the mixture becomes golden-brown.
Okra
Over the years, Okra has been the most uncommon thickening agent used in the preparation of Gumbo. Yet, it is Okra that gives the Gumbo its flavor and taste. It’s gotten more popular over time, now to the point that it is difficult to find gumbo recipes that do not include Okra.
File Powder
File powder is made by crushing the dried leaves of sassafras.
The sassafras plant comes from the Southeastern United States. After cooking the Gumbo, the chefs crush it and add the file powder to the dish. It helps thicken and season the food.
You can easily find file powder in a well-stocked grocery store.
Conclusion
Gumbo shares the characteristics of both soup and stew. But what’s important for you to remember is that it is thicker than both soup and stew.
Curious? There’s only one way to find out what it tastes like: you have to eat it!
With the top ten places for Gumbo in Houston highlighted above, all you have to do is find out which restaurant is closest and ask for their famous Gumbo.
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