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    J. Gumbo's

    3.7 (138 reviews)
    InexpensiveCajun/Creole
    Open 5:00 pm - 1:00 am (Next day)

    Order J. Gumbo's Takeout or Delivery

    J. Gumbo's Photos

    J. GUMBO'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Leah S.

    DELICIOUS FOOD. I grew up eating Cajun food from Yats in Indianapolis and this place is just as good! Really tasty stuff. I love it here. My dad and sister are in town and they enjoyed the tasty food as well. "Pretty good" -Dad "pretty great" -sister "I am full though"

    Top: Jambalaya Bottom: Gumbo
    carly g.

    So delicious! I have never had gumbo before so I can't speak on comparison, but this one was delicious and spicy! The jambalaya was amazing and so was the bread pudding. Service was greatand quick and restaurant was quiet. Will return!

    Sriracha Honey Chicken over White Rice, Buttered French Bread Toast, and Cornbread
    Laura B.

    I'm sooo excited the Sriracha Honey Chicken is back to stay! You have to try it. It will change your life!! Photo: Sriracha Honey Chicken over White Rice, Buttered French Bread Toast, and Cornbread

    Shrimp etouffée and drunken chicken with 2 scoops of sour cream and added cheese
    Matthew W.

    I love their food and the one guy is always a hard worker and takes pride in his job I may not be from Louisiana but it makes me feel right at home The guy behind the counter is really chill, you start a conversation with him and just see how he's doing

    Voodoo Chicken

    The food is so good and very well seasoned. Definitely what I needed today! Coworker recommended it and I will be ordering again!

    1/2 drunken chicken & 1/2 gumbo with white rice at the bottom.
    Tuesday R.

    Had the drunk chicken mixed with the gumbo and it was such a great combination with just enough spice. I am excited for my next visit to Cincinnati so that I can come back for more!

    Voodoo Chicken and White Bean Chili
    Meagan D.

    I drove 40 minutes to go to this J. Gumbo's. My pregnancy cravings had me thinking about it, even though I hadn't had J. Gumbo's in about a decade (and never at this location.) The service was quick and friendly, and the food was just as good as I remembered. I got a bowl with half voodoo chicken and half white bean chili. The serving sizes are huge. When I was done eating, it didn't even look like I had made a dent in the bowl. I'm no expert in Cajun food, so I can't comment on the authenticity, but what I can say was that it was great. Bonus point: it still tasted good reheated (and I'm not a leftover fan usually.)

    Voodoo chicken
    Chrissy T.

    Got the voodoo and drunken chicken bowl. This was prob better then what I had when I was down in New Orleans. The voodoo was spicy but manageable though to me. The service was great. Friendly employees. Quiet atmosphere. If you haven't been here, it's a must!

    The big bowl of bumblebee stew
    Tanya P.

    This a perfect late night eat location! The rice and beans will definitely sop up all that alcohol from late night partying! The food is so good too! Plus, they're one of the few places in the Clifton area with their very own parking lot! That's a +10 for me. I hate trying to parallel park. We got a big bowl of bumble bee stew for $6. It's served over rice like all the meals, unless you un-request it. It's pretty spicy and doesn't contain meat. I usually order a combination of two or three entrees in the same bowl to mix it up. I like a combination. Sometimes it takes away from the spiciness. They have plenty of seating and a unisex bathroom. They have late night specials here. They also have garlic bread and cornbread. They should always accompany the entrees.

    GROSS!!!
    Steven C.

    Taste like cat food, poorly prepared ordered brown rice got white rice. Eating this food made me feel as if I was a inmate being served a 0.30 tray. Definitely do not recommend.

    Half and half bowl of Bumblebee Stew and zydeco chicken

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    Good eats considering that this is in Ohio! I've gone a few times and tried a couple different things. All pretty dang good.

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    Swampwater Grill - Blackened catfish, Roasted Corn Cheese Grits, and Cole Slaw

    Swampwater Grill

    4.2(488 reviews)
    4.8 miColumbia-Tusculum
    $$

    We have been wanting to try this place for awhile now. Went on a Thursday evening, special was…read moreseafood boils and place was crowded. Told it would be 45 minute wait, but seating at bar was first come first serve. So we sat at the bar. Service was great. Brian bartender was top notch and did a great job of explaining menu, drinks and specials. Was not pushy or didn't try to steer us towards one item or another. Jalapeño poppers for appetizer was good. Wife got the swamp water mahi mahi with side of jambalaya. She loved it and only offered me 1 bite! I got the swamp water pasta. This was also fantastic! Portions are large and filling. We didn't try any desserts as there was no room Cool vibe to this place. Nice ambiance. You could tell there were many regulars and everyone was very friendly. Will definitely go back to try the pork chop and the seafood boils next time!! Cost for 1 appetizer, 2 entrees, 2 draft beers and 2 wines was under $100. That's a great deal!!

    The server was gear and recommended different options. We really enjoyed the food and a very…read moreunderrated restaurant that needs to be talked about more. Very family friendly but also a cool date night spot as well We go to the antique mall next door all the time and now that we know this food is amazing, we will be back!

    Photos
    Swampwater Grill - Picture looking towards front of restaurant from our bar seats

    Picture looking towards front of restaurant from our bar seats

    Swampwater Grill - Smoked chicken with sides

    Smoked chicken with sides

    Swampwater Grill

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    Laveau - Ruby Slipper

    Laveau

    4.1(53 reviews)
    2.9 miDowntown

    Wow!! Can't believe this place has been here 2 yrs and we had not tried it or even knew it was…read morethere. Great Cajun/creole food and atmosphere! Service was friendly, quick, polite and helpful with menu and drink selections! Drinks- hurricane, grenade, ruby slipper and square (their take on an old fashion). Drinks were strong and great flavor. Appetizer- crawfish boudin balls were outstanding. Plenty to share. Entrees- blackened catfish and the Cajun pasta (both suggested by server). Large portions and superb!! Definitely will be back!!

    We stopped here before a show a Taft Theatre. Laveau offers a New Orleans dining experience and we…read moredecided to give it a try. I'm glad we did. We were here on a Tuesday and the restaurant was not hopping. Here's hoping it hops other days of the week. The place is cute and our booth was very cozy. Our waiter, Scott, was helpful and pleasant. I ordered a Iberville Hand Grenade to start. It was slightly sweet and strong. It was a nice start for our dining experience. We started with Fried Green Tomatoes. Scott explained there was currently a shortage of asparagus, so no asparagus on this appetizer, but I didn't miss them. We both thought flavor of this dish was completely satisfying. I ordered Pasta Laveau with Shrimp, which was delicious. Mark had the Gumbo, which he thoroughly enjoyed. I'm glad this place is close enough to stop in before a show. I think I'd bring friends back to give it a try. Overall, a good experience and a good meal.

    Photos
    Laveau - Cocktails

    Cocktails

    Laveau - Menu

    Menu

    Laveau - Entry

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    Entry

    Knotty Pine On the Bayou - Alligator Bites. Yum!

    Knotty Pine On the Bayou

    4.0(296 reviews)
    10.1 mi
    $$

    We visited Knotty Pine On the Bayou on a Thursday. The restaurant is pretty good size. I didn't…read morerealize this until it was time for a restroom break. It was a long walk. The wicker chairs in the section to the left of the bar as you face the bar were unusually deep and low. Over time I think we all adjusted, but sitting in them definitely felt unusual. There are other chairs throughout the restaurant. I recommend finding a table with different chairs. Our waiter was knowledgeable and very efficient. We hadn't checked on the website, but found out Thursday is oyster day, with $1 oysters and fried oysters and $1.50 for Oyster Bienville. The fried oysters were delicious. The raw oysters were good, though I had one that was gritty. We are going again in two weeks and will try the Oyster Bienville along with other assorted oysters. Two of us had the special Pan Seared Sea Bass. It came highly recommended and did not disappoint. The crisp on the top was delicious and the fish itself was delicate and moist. It did indeed melt in my mouth. The potatoes were very good, though I didn't finish all of them. The greens were good. Mark had a ribeye and is still raving about it today. He ordered the preparation version made with just salt and pepper. He also had a cup of gumbo. He said it had an amazing depth of flavor. We wrapped up with dessert. Three folks had Key Lime Pie. I opted for Karma's Opera Crème Cake. Oh my goodness, it was huge, sweet and delicious. I tried a bit of key lime and it just didn't compare. That said, those who had the Key Lime Pie loved it. Not only would we return, but we have the date already scheduled. I'm looking forward to trying something different.

    So first of the ambiance is kinda confusing, like it feels like they want to be a fine dining…read morerestaurant, while also kinda being a sports bar. Not to mention the fact that you HAVE TO HAVE A RESERVATION, was mind boggling for the place. Like the server was very nice and all, that is a plus. Though sadly the food, we had the gumbo and etu fay, it was honestly pretty sad. Like it's up there with the top 5 most sad restaurants I've ever eaten at. The food was pretty bland, and lacked any form of spice. Not to mention it was hard to tell what was actually in it, like a lot of the ingredients tasted over cooked. So yeah it's going to be a no for me.

    Photos
    Knotty Pine On the Bayou - Inside

    Inside

    Knotty Pine On the Bayou - Catfish Filet with Rice and Gravy and Collard Greens

    Catfish Filet with Rice and Gravy and Collard Greens

    Knotty Pine On the Bayou - The place is gorgeous rustic!

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    The place is gorgeous rustic!

    BrewRiver Creole Kitchen - PASTA MONICA

    BrewRiver Creole Kitchen

    3.8(598 reviews)
    5.6 mi
    $$

    I had a great time here the food was good and fresh and the service was great…read more For food I had the alligator, blackened catfish basket, fried green tomatoes, truffle Mac and cheese, Etouffe, and Pasta Monica. For drinks I had the hurricane, the espresso martini, I left my heart in Nola and sazerac. The alligator had good flavor but it was a tad bit tough. The fried green tomatoes were thin and I was not expecting that. The pasta, Mac and mussels had very good flavor. The blacked fish could have had more flavor in my opinion. My favorite drink was the espresso martini. It was one of the best I've ever had.

    This past Friday night was my first visit to BrewRiver. Since I have been to New Orleans in the…read morepast and loved the food, I was looking forward to the Shrimp Po' Boy on the menu. I sat in the bar so I could watch the band Mystic Mile perform, and they were great. I wish I could say as much for my Po' Boy. As shown in the photo, it was huge! As soon as I saw it, I knew I was going to need to eat some of it with a fork before I could get it down to being a manageable sandwich, especially since it had 13 nice-sized pieces of breaded shrimp. There was so much on the French bread roll that I could not even see the roll. The shrimp were perfectly cooked and tasty, and the homemade pickle slices added a nice touch. However, once I got to the point of trying to eat it as a sandwich, I was very disappointed to find that the roll had a hard crust and tough interior. It definitely was not crisp on the outside with a flaky, paper-thin crust and airy on the inside, which is how Po' Boy rolls were in NOLA. I took two bites of the roll and decided I would finish the shrimp with a fork. I ordered the Bananas Foster bread pudding for dessert. It had a great flavor, but the banana pieces were hard, like biting into an undercooked carrot. Overall the bar service was good, but the food quality was mixed since it tasted great but had some big flaws. BTW, if you're a big fan of root beer, try their draft root beer. It was extremely tasty. I wanted so much for this to be a great experience, but I have yet to decide if I'll return to give them another try.

    Photos
    BrewRiver Creole Kitchen - Live Band

    Live Band

    BrewRiver Creole Kitchen - Catfish, shrimp, chicken with four different sauces delicious

    Catfish, shrimp, chicken with four different sauces delicious

    BrewRiver Creole Kitchen - Whole pic of plate

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    Whole pic of plate

    Nolia - Peach skillet cobbler

    Nolia

    4.6(165 reviews)
    2.2 miOver-the-Rhine

    This visit was such a treat! I made a reservation and got a front row seat of the kitchen by…read moresitting at the bar. Both my server and manager were so engaging and friendly, it didn't feel like I was dining alone. The space itself definitely doesn't make it feel like you're in Cincy- very warm and inviting. I settled on the cornbread, which is a menu staple. The butter on top felt so decadent and the cornbread itself was very savory. For my entree, I chose the jollof and the veggie selection for the evening which was grilled okra with a banana gastrique. That alone felt so cool, I had to order it. The jollof was so good, so filling, perfectly spiced and Chef actually broke it down for me all the spices he used to capture that flavor. I wish I had room for dessert, but I didn't want to go too crazy! Between the service (which they make it a point to open the door for everyone), the open kitchen, the food and then since I was a tourist they gave me recs for so many places to go in the city, I'm happy to rate this place 5 stars.

    Have been to Nolia at least a dozen times. Chef Jeff always has an interesting menu that changes…read morequarterly. Through all of our visits, we've had some truly wonderful meals, but this one may have been the top! We were immediately greeted at the door by Kristen who welcomed us back and showed is to our preferred table. Shortly after, Henry introduced himself as our server. Having already previewed the just dropped summer menu, we had a pretty good idea what we wanted. Henry shared some specials and we got to to ordering. The tuna appetizer was a great start. Three different cuts of tuna with a peach and oil sauce. The fish was amazing with the slight peach flavor amping it up a notch. Great start. Next we had the pork belly skewer. The pork belly was grilled with a drizzle of Alabama bbq. The pork belly was so tender and flavorful. Again, plenty of smiles to go around. For the main course, we shared the fish and iberico mains. The fish this night was swordfish which was so flavorful and moist. The iberico was tender and, for me, the corn maque choux made the dish. I could have eaten a big bowl of that goodness! Though we dont normally order desert, we did get to peach skillet cobbler. A perfect light tasty finish to the meal. Throughout the evening, Henry was the perfect server, happy to share his observations and always with a smile. Love when we get a minute with Chef Jeff as well. So glad we got to experience this menu so early. We well for sure be back before the next seasonal switch.

    Photos
    Nolia - Interior

    Interior

    Nolia - Potatoes Murros - fried potatoes and chimichurri

    Potatoes Murros - fried potatoes and chimichurri

    Nolia - Interior

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    Interior

    Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen

    Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen

    3.9(981 reviews)
    10.8 mi
    $$$

    When I came to Pappadeaux in Ohio, our service started off a little rocky. However, the manager,…read moreStacy, came over and completely turned our experience around! Stacy was absolutely amazing. She offered us so many options, was attentive, personable, and had such an incredible energy. Her positive attitude and willingness to make sure we were taken care of truly stood out. She was so delightful and made us feel valued as guests. After that, we had Pat as our server, and he was amazing as well! The service, attention, and overall experience completely changed for the better. Thank you, Pappadeaux, for such a great experience. We will definitely be back! Stacy, you truly made our visit so delightful. Thank you for going above and beyond! You deserve to be recognized for the wonderful job you're doing.

    Ever since my middle son (youngest at the time) wanted Pappadeaux as his reward for winning Silver…read moreGloves state championship, I've been loving them. My first impression was wonderful, because my eldest son has a fish allergy. I inquired with our server whether they use separate oil to fry shrimp (he can eat shellfish). The kitchen manager comes to our table and assured us they do, but to be safe, they would drain the vat, clean it and pour fresh oil. I was in love after that. My most recent visit was for a corporate function and once again they did not disappoint. There was a colleague who stated she felt they'd gone downhill, but I could not cosign her opinion. We were sat in a separate room, had our designated servers, who didn't miss a beat. The food was phenomenal; I filled up and more to take home and comfort eat, lol. I'm a bathroom snob, so I had to snap a Pic. Theirs were clean and smelled good. Zero complaints!

    Photos
    Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen
    Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen
    Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen

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    Louis Cajun Seafood - Fried Fish (Catfish) Basket with Fries.  Extremely Tasty!

    Louis Cajun Seafood

    4.3(7 reviews)
    5.1 miWestwood

    Tried LCS for the first time ever tonight and a boil for myself for the fist time ever, my…read moregirlfriend got the fried Cod with fries and 10pc hush puppy. Oh my lanta! We were worried that we put the order in a bit after 9 and they close at 9:30 and would that affect the quality, oh but let me tell you, NO IT DID NOT! Everything we ordered was so good, so flavorful it was unreal. They even converted my girlfriend to a snow crab lover at the age of 48 lol. You have made fans out of us and any friends and family looking for recommendations! Well done guys and thank you fo making us believers in the unknown cuisine!

    I was in the mood for fried catfish and decided to try Louis Cajun Seafood…read more I can honestly say, I wasn't expecting much. However, I was happily surprised. Louis' Cajun Seafood offers seafood boils, fried fish (Whiting, Catfish and Tilapia), fried chicken and sides. I ordered the Fried Fish Basket with 3 Pieces of Catfish and a side of fries. When I got my food, it was hot and fresh. The catfish was fried and had just the right amount of crunch. The fries were crispy and everything was well-seasoned. The flavor, the portions, the entire meal instantly made me a fan. The only problem I had was the sauce I had ordered on the side was placed on top of the food...making the sauce hot. I highly recommend Louis Cajun Seafood to anyone who loves perfectly cooked fish.

    Photos
    Louis Cajun Seafood - Fried Fish (Catfish) Basket and Fries.  I highly recommend getting this!

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    Fried Fish (Catfish) Basket and Fries. I highly recommend getting this!

    J. Gumbo's - cajun - Updated August 2026

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