While Houstonians may not exactly find a chill in the air this fall season, popular cool weather foods are much easier to seek out, including soul-warming gumbo. The rich, slow-simmered Louisiana stew, thickened with a roux and loaded with aromatic vegetables, bold spices, and meats or seafood embodies the deep, soulful flavors of Creole and Cajun cooking. Over the past 200 years, gumbo has integrated numerous cultures and cuisines, especially in Houston.
The word “gumbo” originates from the West African term “ki ngombo” meaning okra. The famous okra-based stew was brought to South Louisiana by West African slaves and includes influences from French, Spanish and Native American cultures. Its recipe existed in the 1700s but was first publicly documented around 1803.
From classic traditions to elevated homages, these are Houston’s must-have bowls.
1929 Po-Boy Kitchen
Residing in Downtown’s Lyric Market, 1929 Po-Boy Kitchen serves up a menu rooted in Louisiana comforts, from po-boys and yakamein to a few varieties of gumbo. Try the bayou water gumbo featuring chicken, andouille, shrimp, crab meat in a dark roux. 411 Smith St., Houston, 1929poboykitchen.com/
BB’s Tex Orleans
Serving up po-boys, fried delights, and hot gumbo for nearly 20 years, BB’s has a dozen locations around the state. The restaurant has steadily kept its flag planted as the go-to neighborhood local chain for Louisiana comfort food. Try Maw Maw’s gumbo, which comes with a choice of chicken and sausage, or with shrimp, and the option to add on crab meat.
Brennan’s
This Houston institution, running for 58 years, brings a slice of the French Quarter to Texas. Known for its many Louisiana classics, you can start strong with the snapping turtle soup or the seasonal soup du jour. But if a distinct craving for gumbo hits, go for the haute creole gumbo featuring Jazzmen rice and Gulf Coast seafood. 3300 Smith St., Houston, brennansofhouston.com
Lucille’s
For more than a decade, chef Chris Williams has delivered high-quality renditions of Southern classics at this Museum District gem. Find dishes like fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, and the gumbo z’herbs, packed with ham hock, andouille sausage, greens, and rice. Seafood lovers can opt to add shrimp or oysters to their bowl for an extra charge. 5512 La Branch St., Houston, lucilleshouston.com
Ragin’ Cajun
Ragin’ Cajun has been serving up classic Cajun dishes since 1973 at two Houston-area locations. While it’s famous for its crawfish and top notch po-boys, there is plenty to excite your taste buds, including two types of gumbo. Seafood-lovers can opt for the shrimp and crab, while meat-eaters can go for the chicken and sausage—both available by the cup or the bowl. Multiple Locations, ragin-cajun.com
Eunice
Chef Drake Leonard delivers on a modern Cajun-Creole sensibility in high fashion at this Upper Kirby-area restaurant. Within a gorgeous dining hall teeming with natural light during the day, one can enjoy Gulf oysters, Cajun duck poppers, and a smoked chicken and sausage gumbo, thick with okra, tasso, and popcorn rice. 3737 Buffalo Speedway Ste. 100, Houston, eunicerestaurant.com
Josephine’s Gulf Coast Tradition
Josephine’s chef Lucas McKinney is a beloved presence in Houston’s culinary scene for his dedication to sourcing fresh seafood (oysters in particular), maintaining a strong rapport with Gulf fishermen, and serving an unabashedly Southern menu. While the jerk fish collars and peanut pie are not to miss, opt for McKinney’s chicken and andouille gumbo when in the mood for something hot and savory. 318 Gray St., Houston, josephinesgulfcoasttradition.com
Pier 6 Seafood
There are few better scenarios in which to enjoy a bowl of gumbo in the Houston area than at this scenic restaurant located at the edge of San Leon, close to Eagle Point, facing out to the Gulf waters. Breathe in the salty sea air and enjoy a bowl of the seafood gumbo packed with shrimp, oysters, and crab meat, and served with potato salad or rice. 113 6th St., San Leon, pier6seafood.com
Esther’s Cajun Cafe & Soul Food
Since 2008, chef Esther Lewis-Bernard has kept her family traditions, values, and recipes alive at this soul food restaurant and cafe. Guests can walk the line and choose from indulgent comfort eats like savory oxtails, turkey wings (on the weekends) and a Louisiana style gumbo made with chicken, shrimp and smoked garlic sausage. 5007 N. Shepherd Dr., Houston, estherscajunsoul.com
Viola & Agnes Neo-Soul Cafe
Capitalize on a day trip to Seabrook with a visit to Viola & Agnes. Chef Aaron Davis is a talent in fusion food, combining Hawaiian influences with classic soul food dishes. The gumbo features chicken, sausage, blue crab, okra, file, boiled egg, and rice. Get there early, as the seafood is sourced the same day and often sells out fast. To experience the full scope of Davis’ culinary talent, keep an eye on the daily specials. 3659 NASA Road 1, Ste. A, Seabrook, neosoulfood.org
Gatlin’s Fins and Feathers
Pitmaster Greg Gatlin is a known commodity in the Texas BBQ canon, lauded for his Garden Oaks-area restaurant, Gatlin’s BBQ. In 2022, he opened a new restaurant, in nearby Independence Heights, to offer a wider spectrum of Southern comfort food. At Gatlin’s Fins & Feathers, the Everything Gumbo promises a hefty serving of goodness, with chicken, shrimp, crab, smoked sausage and okra in a dark roux served with white rice. A bowl is a splurge at $20, but it’s well worth the price tag. 302 W. Crosstimbers St., Houston, gatlinsfinsandfeathers.com
Eugene’s Gulf Coast Cuisine
This family-owned Montrose gem is a haven for Cajun-style cuisine, and offers two varieties of dark roux-based gumbo. Guests can choose from the seafood variety prepared with shrimp, crab claw meat, and oysters; or the other, with chicken and sausage. Both are served with a side of white rice. 1985 Welch St., Houston, eugeneshouston.com
Navy Blue
For those who prefer seafood over meat in their gumbo, venture into Navy Blue for a bowl loaded with crab, shrimp, oyster, and okra. The restaurant’s take is reflective of its sophisticated seafood-heavy menu, and pairs well with dishes like Bluefin tuna tartare, fried shrimp, and the indulgent lobster roll on a potato bun. 2445 Times Blvd., Houston, navybluerestaurant.com
Treebeards
With three locations in Downtown and one in Memorial, it’s easy to get your gumbo fix at Treebeards. There are three types on offer on designated days, including chicken and sausage; duck; and seafood with shrimp, scallops, and catfish. Availability differs from location to location. Multiple Locations, treebeards.com
Field & Tides
At Field & Tides in the Heights, chef-owner Travis Lenig sources local ingredients from both land and sea, hence the restaurant’s moniker. The organic heirloom vegetables are supplied from Huckleberry Farm in Round Top, which is owned by in-laws. Find Southern comforts like deviled eggs, crispy Gulf oysters, and Low Country fried chicken picatta. Among the starters, the She crab soup gets lots of attention, but give the chicken and sausage gumbo a try for a non-seafood alternative. 705 E 11th St., Houston, fieldandtides.com
