Best Gumbo in NO?

Where can I find the best seafood gumbo in New Orleans? I always liked Sid-Mar's before it got touristy, but I need a new spot to try.

Any recommendations?

[nowonmai11]

I hate to burst people's bubble,, but what Gobbles said about many restaurants buying pre-made gumbo, is true, sort of.

I am pretty sure that the brand is called Gumbo Factory, but I can't be certain. Many local restaurants do order this product. (I have worked in a few of them, in fact.) Some doctor it up, others just heat and serve with rice. It is a surprisingly tasty product that comes frozen in a bag.

That being said, there are LOTS of restaurants that would never think of ordering pre-made gumbo in a bag. Mr. B's, Herbsaint, Casamento's, Dooky Chase, Commander's, etc. all make their gumbo in house. You can probably guess which one's would make their own, and which would order it. (though you might be surprised by some).

[Hungry Celeste]

I think Gumbo Factory is in Mandeville...isn't this the place that used to be called Mr. Gumbo? Certainly some lower price point restaurants use pre-packed products--more than would freely admit it. Unfortunately, the heat-and-serve revolution has spread beyond fast food joints.

[MakingSense]

Sad, isn't it. But a lot of folks need to wake up and smell the Starbucks because even good old New Orleans coffee is getting hard to find locally.
A lot of the character of New Orleans food is changing due to mass production and perhaps the expectations of the tourist trade. My grandparents would scarcely recognize much of it now. Not to say it should not evolve, but it's sad to see traditions lost. I walked by the acclaimed Stella's recently and there wasn't a single local fish on the menu. I hear tourists raving about the wonderful salmon they ate in New Orleans...

[apb1235]

A good restaurant for a nice dark roux gumbo is Atchafalaya Cafe.

[Tchoupitoulas]

Gumbos are like snowflakes, there are no two alike. Depends on whether you want Creole Gumbo (tomatoes and okra) or a Cajun Gumbo (neither tomatoes nor okra but often with a dollop of potato salad in the middle). Funny but I don't think I can ever remember ordering gumbo when I have gone out to eat, it's always been a "make it at home" thing, so I guess I'm not much help.

[BandeetoBehr]

None of you had the gumbo from the kitchen of my Aunt Isobel's on Coliseum Street. I have the recipe but have never been able to duplicate it exactly ... whatever the secret ... it went to the grave with her elderly cook.

I really like the gumbo at Dookey Chase.

[Hungry Celeste]

This old topic just resurfaced, and the sentiment & timing of the above post brought a tear to my eye...

I vote for Mr. B's, it's marvelous and I don't particularly like gumbo, I always have the catfish beignet app.

I have to pick Herbsaint because after years of eating gumbo, I have come to love the sausage and game/poultry gumbos rather than the seafood/okra. Just a preference but Herbsaint makes a great one!

i like mothers

Where the f**k is the Gumbo Factory? Is that a joke?
I find the best and most consistent gumbo comes from the Gumbo Shop. Yes, they are touristy, but the price is right and they have been doing it for over 60 years, so I think they've got it right. I especially like their Smoked Duck and Oyster Gumbo when it is the special.

Mr. B's gumbo ya ya is very good.
But the best gumbo (IMO)is: Brigtsen's Restaurant Rabbit Gumbo.

Link: http://foodfest.neworleans.com/rec_in...

Many, if not most resturants in NO buy their gumbo in wholesale bulk from the Gumbo Factory

What on earth are you talking about?

C'mon Lisa. You must be talking about NYC, where you are from.

Gumbo in New Orleans is a time honored tradition, and no two are alike. Every chef makes their own version.

For you to say that "most restaurants in New Orleans buy theirs in bulk from the gumbo Shop" just shows your ignorance.

Stick to something you know, like NYC. Leave NOLA to the locals.

Um, Pat, before you start calling people names, maybe you should double-check whether you're replying to who you think you're replying to. (You're not.)

My vote(s) go to Mr. B's and Herbsaint.

Seafood gumbo: Luizza's By The Track on Lopez

Okra gumbo: Cassamento's (which closes for the summer simmer)

I think Casamento's has some of the worst gumbo in the city. They need to stick to oysters.

I will agree that Martin's has awesome gumbo. Sid-Mar's is hit-or-miss and it has come out cold before, although I wouldn't call it touristy.

Oh, I agree about Casamento's gumbo. Keep the tomatoes and oregano out of the gumbo pot, please! IMHO, none of the best gumbos will ever be found in a restaurant kitchen (sorry)...this is akin to searching for really, really great chicken soup in a restaurant. Some foods only achieve true greatness and perfection in the home kitchen. That aside, I've eaten gumbos I liked (in differing styles) at Gabrielle, Bon Ton, and the old Zachary's on Oak (Wayne Baquet is now at Lil' Dizzy's on Esplanade). Baquet's gumbo is good ol' creole homestyle...fresh sausage rather than smoked, crab bodies in the gumbo, good dark-but-not-burned roux, thin enough to truly be a soup...not made from "soup base" or "seafood stock", but actually composed in the pot from raw ingredients.

Martin's wine Cellar (either location) has the best I think. Eat there or take out. Friday only & they sell out by 1pm.