Mambo Gumbo Jumbo: Top 10 Best Gumbo in Houston

1. Goode Company Seafood

Website: Goode Company Seafood

Address: 10201 Katy Freeway, Suite 400 Houston, Texas 77024

Contact info: 713-4640-7933

Operating hours: Sunday – Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM

Friday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 10:30 PM

Goode Company Seafood has been around for a long time and has provided Houstonians with a Texan mix to the Louisiana staple!

We really commend Goode Company Seafood for their prices. Although they’re a bit more expensive compared to other entries on this list, they make up for it with their large serving sizes, especially with their Gumbo bowl.

Speaking of their Gumbo Bowl, you have two soup options, and both of them, (which we recommend for larger parties) will set you back $16. Their Gumbo is good, but we recommend the Blue Crab, Corn, and Poblano Bisque as well.

But if you have allergies, then Goode Company Seafood is not the right place for you since almost every item on their menu has seafood or nuts in it. They do have fries for $7, but if you’re going there just for their fries then why not just go to a McDonald’s?

You can still get something to drink at Goode Company Seafood though, since their Damn Goode Margarita is available for both the happy hour and the regular menu. And one sip of it more than makes up for the lack of allergen-friendly options.

2. Zydeco Louisiana Diner

Website: Zydeco Louisiana Diner

Address: 1119 Pease Street Houston, TX 77002

Contact info: (713)-759-2001

[email protected]

Operating hours: Monday – Friday: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Saturday – Sunday: Closed

As their name implies, Zydeco Louisiana Diner manages to bring authentic, Louisiana-style cooking to every Houstonian who wants to try it out. And if you ask us – they managed to bring one of the best gumbos to Houston yet!

The thing that we like the most about their Gumbos is the variety. Unlike other restaurants that stuck with the more traditional route, Zydeco Louisiana Diner isn’t afraid to make some (delicious) twists on their Gumbos.

We recommend trying out their Chicken and Sausage Gumbo for meat lovers out there, but the Seafood Gumbo is also a good choice if you’re looking for a more traditional, Louisiana-style food.

They also have daily specials, which means that you’ll have a different experience every time you visit! We suggest visiting them on Thursdays for their excellent Smothered Pork Chop and Chicken and Sausage Creole!

Although they have good options for food, Zydeco Louisiana Diner lacks the drink options that other restaurants in Houston have. They do have Mexican Coke, and their Homemade Strawberry Lemonade is also good.

That, and we also have to mention the fact that Zydeco Louisiana Diner has relatively short operating hours, even on weekdays. They’re also closed on weekends, too.

All that aside though, Zydeco Louisiana Diner is still a must-visit for all the gumbo enthusiasts out there. Their gumbos are great and their other menu items maintain the same quality as their signature gumbo – especially their Homemade Chocolate Cake!

3. Ragin’ Cajun

Website: Ragin Cajun

Address:  4302 Richmond Ave Houston, TX 77027

Contact info: 713-623-6321

Operating hours: Monday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Friday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Sunday: 10:00 PM – 9:00 PM

If you want to spice up your Wednesdays, then we suggest visiting Ragin’ Cajun’s “The Original” location at Richmond Avenue. You’ll love their Chicken & Sausage or Shrimp & Crab Gumbos with French Bread for as little as $13!

That’s not the only advantage of visiting Ragin’ Cajun on Wednesdays though. Kids under the age of 12 can eat for free and choose from their Lil’ Cajuns menu! 

But Ragin’ Cajun still stands out on regular days, too! Their regular menu gives you plenty of menu options, and both their Chicken & Sausage or Shrimp & Crab Gumbos will cost you $11 for the bowl, which will be your best bet for a filling meal.

However, Ragin’ Cajun blows other gumbo restaurants in Houston out of the park because they have options for those who can’t eat seafood! The Veggie Penne Pasta is a must-have for both vegans and non-vegans alike – and it only costs $14, too!

The only minor criticism we have against Ragin’ Cajun is that the only change they have for their weekend specials is their drinks. We recommend them if you want something tasty and cheap though, because you can even get their Chocolate Chip Brownie for $3!

4. Bayou City Seafood & Pasta

Website: Bayou City Seafood & Pasta

Address: 4712 Richmond Ave Houston, TX 77027

Contact info: (713) 621-6602

Operating hours: Sunday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Friday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Although it might look like Bayou City Seafood & Pasta offers exactly the same food as other gumbo restaurants in Houston, they have unique food options make them stand out from the rest! 

Their gumbos are one of the best in Houston that we’ve tried yet, specifically the Seafood Gumbo. It will cost you $15 and if you’re feeling a bit fancy, then you can add $6 for a cup of Red Beans, Sausage, & RIce!

But if you’re looking for something a bit more extreme, then Bayou City Seafood & Pasta has some Alligator meat you can try out! Yes, it might be a little exotic, but ordering it fried will make it taste exactly like quail with a little kick of fish flavor in it.

Yes, alligator isn’t everybody’s cup of tea so that’s where their House Specialties come into the mix! We do have to warn you that they’re a lot more expensive compared to their other menu items costing at least $15 more than the gumbo.

It’s worth it for the price though, especially their Chicken Courtboullion. But if you want a more exotic experience similar to alligator meat, then they also have Frog Legs on their House Specialties, too!

5. Boudreaux’s Cajun Kitchen

Address: 5475 West Loop South Houston, TX 77081

Contact info: (713) 838-2200

Operating hours: Sunday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Friday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 10:30 PM

What we like the most about Boudreaux’s Cajun Kitchen is the fact that they mix this traditional, Louisiana-style dish with a Texas-style flair that Houstonians have liked for a very long time!

Both their Seafood and Shrimp Gumbos have a very distinct flavor profile that separates them from their competitors. It’s also a bit cheaper compared to the other items on this list, but paying $14 for a bowl of delicious gumbo is very much worth it.

What really sets Boudreaux’s Cajun Kitchen apart though is ordering through their app where you can earn points and great deals! You can even get free Fried Pickles after signing up and either a Bread or Sweet Potato Bread Pudding on your birthday, too!

Where Boudreaux’s Cajun Kitchen falls short compared to other gumbo restaurants in Houston is that they have little variety on their menu. They do have all the Louisiana-style staples, but the lack of food variety can be a tad underwhelming.

If you do want a different experience with Boudreaux’s Cajun Kitchen, they also have a holiday menu that you can order for your special occasion! Their specialty Cajun-Fried Turkey feeds 12 people, and the Deluxe Package comes with lots of extras!

6. Gumbo Jeaux’s

Website: Gumbo Jeaux’s

Address: 15655 John F Kennedy Blvd, Houston TX, 77032

Contact info: 281-227-7138

Operating hours: Monday – Friday 11:00 AM – 8:30 PM

Saturday – Sunday: Closed

With a name like Gumbo Jeaux’s, you would expect them to give one of the best gumbos in Houston – and for the most part, you will be right. It’s the perfect comfort food if you’re looking for a taste of Louisiana right in the heart of Houston!

Gumbo Jeaux’s gumbos live up to their title, maybe even more since they use a Texan-style, Cajun roux which gives it a more distinct flavor compared to others.

But if you’re not feeling like having gumbo, then their Crawfish Etouffee is a good enough substitute. The best thing about both the Gumbo and the Etouffee though is that you can get them for cheap!

However, if you want to try out Gumbo Jeaux’s food on the weekends, then you’re out of luck since they’re closed then. They’re open until 8:30 PM on the weekdays though.

And if you do visit them on the weekdays, then you’ll need to try out their daily specials! The Big Jeaux Burger really is big and if you add gumbo to that and you’ll be having a super filling meal, for less than $25!

7. The Bayou Cajun Cafe

Website: The Bayou Cajun Cafe

Address: 9803 Spring Cypress Rd, #700 Houston, TX

Contact info: (281) 257-5922

Operating hours: Sunday – Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Wednesday – Friday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Saturday: 11:00 AM –  9:00 PM

If you’re on the lookout for the best gumbo in Houston that is delicious AND affordable, then you should try out The Bayou Cajun Cafe!

The Bayou Cajun Cafe’s main selling point is their cheap prices.  Both their Shrimp and Sausage Gumbo start for as little as $5.25, and adding some of their Dirty Rice to it will still cost you less than $10!

The Bayou Cajun Cafe takes the affordable level up to a 10 by giving you Family Packages that are large enough to feed 6-8 people, too! We recommend the Fish and Etouffee with Dirty Rice for the best balance between taste and price.

Unfortunately, Bayou Cajun Cafe is closed on Saturdays, but that’s really the only criticism we have about the place. The flavor profile of their food and the price more than make up for this relatively minor inconvenience.

8. Brennan’s of Houston

Website: Brennan’s of Houston

Address: 3300 Smith Street, Houston, TX 77006

Contact info: 713-522-9711

Operating hours: Monday: Closed

Tuesday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 2:00  PM, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

If you’re on the lookout for more posh – yet cheap and delicious – twist on the best gumbos in Houston, then Brennan’s of Houston would be your best pick!

The thing that we like the most about Brennan’s of Houston is the fact that even though the decor gives off a “too good for you” atmosphere, their items are affordable while maintaining the authentic, Louisiana-style flavor.

Brennan’s Featured Gumbo Du Jour comes with their twist on Dirty Rice by using Jazzmen Rice from Louisiana. And we know that it sounds like it’s on the more posh side, but paying $14 for this is more than worth it.

That being said though, not every item on their menu shares the same price with their Gumbo. Most of their items (*ahem, Crabmeat Cheesecake) cost well over $23 for a relatively small serving.

They still have an affordable option though, with their three-course, $30 Chef’s Package which has all of their specialties! If you do get the Chef’s Package, we suggest getting their Gumbo Du Jour plus the Cajun Pork Ribeye for the best experience.

That, and if you’re lucky enough to drop by during their lunchtime, then you can also get their Martinis for 25 cents! The Classic Martini is good, but the Cosmopolitan Martini is the go-to if you want something light.

9. BB’s Tex-Orleans

Website: BB’s Tex-Orleans

Address: 6154 Westheimer Rd Houston, TX 77057

Contact info: (713) 339-2566

Operating hours: Sunday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 MN

Friday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 2:00 AM

BB’s Tex-Orleans is a fusion restaurant that seamlessly mixes the best of the South’s most prolific cooking styles. Their food is made so well that they have 9 locations all over Houston!

But the locations aren’t the only thing that BB’s Tex-Orleans has a lot of. They also have plenty of menu items you can try, too!

If you ask us, the Maw Maw’s Chicken & Andouille Sausage Gumbo is great, and shelling out an extra $3 – $5 for a larger size makes it more special. But if you’re indecisive on what to get, then we suggest trying out their Po’boy & Gumbo Combo.

The only nitpick we have is that some menu items are only available on certain days. That, and the sheer amount of menu items also means a longer wait time for your food, too.

That being said though, they still have one of the best gumbos in Houston – and the fact that you can add some extra crab meat to it makes it more special. And if you’re on a budget, then you should try out the Queso Maricela from their To Share, Or Not menu!

10. French Quarter Cajun Seafood

Website: French Quarter Cajun Seafood

Address: 7099 Hwy. 6 North Houston, TX 77095

Contact info: (281) 550-8334

Operating hours: Monday – Thursday:11:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Friday – Saturday:11:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Sunday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM

If you’re on the lookout for authentic, Louisiana-style food, then French Quarter Cajun Seafood would be your best bet. Especially when you consider that the vast majority of their menu items are straight out of the Deep South!

Though French Quarter Cajun Seafood does share the same menu as the entries on the list, they offer a unique twist on the gumbo if you try out their Chicken & Andouille Sausage Gumbo.

But if you want something other than gumbo, there are plenty of menu options for you to choose from. For comfort food, the Chicken Fried Steak is a good pick, but the Fried Gator is good if you’re looking to expand your taste palate.

Again, one of the major complaints that we have for restaurants with large menus is their long wait time – and the same can be said with them. The service is great, don’t get us wrong, but the wait time can be a bit too long for comfort.

French Quarter Cajun Seafood does gain extra points with their bulk menu. Though it’s on the more expensive side, it can still serve a lot of people, and the flavor is consistent with the offerings on their menu.

FAQs about Gumbos