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    J Gumbo's - Highlands

    4.1 (61 reviews)
    InexpensiveCajun/Creole
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Order J Gumbo's - Highlands Takeout or Delivery

    J Gumbo's - Highlands Photos

    J GUMBO'S - HIGHLANDS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

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    Menu
    Caroline H.

    This place is a hidden gym. It is on Grinstead kind of hidden. It's a house on the street with its own small parking lot which is not necessarily common in the Highlands. There is also plenty of seating on the inside. I hadn't been in a while so I wanted to check it out. They had so many options to pick from and Jacob was so helpful. He let you try anything you wanted and he was very knowledgeable about everything on the menu. I ended up getting a bowl with 2 different items. You actually have the choice to do half and half which is amazing. I got the bourbon chicken and the classic gumbo with shrimp. The bourbon chicken is not like what you get at a Chinese restaurant. It is much different but still sweet. It tasted great even over the rice it comes with. The classic gumbo was classic. I will say the shrimp had a weird texture. Almost as if it needed to be cooked longer maybe. I will end up picking those out. They also give you two slices of garlic bread. It is like they got plain bread and put their own Garlic butter sauce on them. I really like those as well. All in all, the place is great. I hope it stays open and gets more business. The people there are very nice.

    Smoked Sausage Gumbo
    Lauren H.

    Amazing service and even more amazing food. I was craving some Cajun food, but didn't want to sit down somewhere when I searched Yelp and found j gumbos. The lady working was beyond kind impatient with us as my brother and I argued over what we wanted. The honey Sriracha chicken was absolutely delicious. I'm not a big Sriracha person, however, this was amazing. The sausage gumbo is also really good. The lady at the counter recommended mixing the Sriracha chicken with the mac & cheese, and wow, was she right. The food was tasty, but the price was even better. For two meals, two mac & cheese, and two drinks, it was around $30. You would pay the same or more at a fast food spot for that. Overall, this food was delicious and the price was amazing, and I cannot wait to come back!

    White Bean Chili
    MaryCarol K.

    I came in not knowing what to expect and left already trying to plan the next time I could come back! This is the best kind of hole in the wall place, it's nothing fancy just insanely good food. The woman at the counter was wonderful - when she offers you a sample - TAKE! IT! Try it all! And once you've tried it all get your two favorites together. If you're vegetarian/vegan it's a no brainer. Get the Bumblebee Strew with the White Chili. I'm not 100% sure they're vegan but they are dairy and meat free! This place absolutely blew me away! The bumblee strew is the perfect amount of sweet - almost like cornbread in chili form! All I have left to say is yum!!!!

    Sausage Gumbo
    Kelly M.

    Man, the food is killer! Service was good, great atmosphere, just an overall good experience, I recommend!

    Shelley S.

    Hidden gem just off Bardstown road, behind dittos. Not much parking near building. They have both inside and outside seating. Was so impressed we were able to taste samples before ordering. So glad it really helped us make our decision. Great sized entree for price. My son had gumbo, my mom had chicken and I had the honey sirachi. Can't wait to go back!

    Honey Sriracha Chicken Bowl Drunken Chicken Bowl Voodoo Nacho Red Beans and Rice Bowl Crawfish Etouffee
    Tyler S.

    It's mostly pre-made in large pots that they scoop out for the customers, but many of the items are quite good. Easy online ordering and fast service, which was especially impressive as we went on Mardi Gras-- even when very busy, they were kind and clearly working hard. Covid safe! Our favorite items are the voodoo chicken and the drunken chicken. We were a little disappointed by the crawfish etouffee, but everything else was really good. Great for what it is-- a quick option for a few good Cajun items.

    Bourbon chicken and Bumblebee Stew
    Emily H.

    When I first moved to Louisville several years ago, J Gumbo's was my jam. I would get takeout from the original Frankfort Avenue location quite often. And now there is a J Gumbo's in my neighborhood. I bet I will be ordering J Gumbo's -- especially since I can order it for delivery now via the Yelp app -- quite often. This started this week. It had been a bit since I last had this Cajun-inspired delight, so I decided to go with my fave: the Double Combo featuring half Bourbon Street Chicken and half Bumblebee Stew. The Bourbon Street Chicken is slightly sweet from the hoisin sauce but also peppery. It is the least spicy item on the menu, in case that's what you're looking for. The Bumblebee Stew has a sweetness as well from the sweet corn and tomatoes, in a spicy sauce with black beans. Both of these are served in a large bowl over white rice. It's incredibly filling -- usually good for two servings. It also comes with a piece of bread on the side. If you eat in store, be sure to get a Big Red soda to go with your meal. J Gumbo's is no frills, filling food and is not to be missed.

    William F.

    took over an hour to get food - server than gave attitude when I asked when it would be ready. this place has really fallen off. service is terrible. Don't go to bardstown road location unless you're cool with an all around terrible experience.

    Red Beans and Rice
    Tiffany B.

    Great food, friendly service, small quaint interior. The food was really good, nothing fancy. A must try!

    Joseph T.

    My personal rule is that I do not give chain restaurants more than 3 stars, unless said restaurant blows my doors off (I'm looking at you, Taco Bell). And J Gumbo's does what it is supposed to do. Offers food at a decent price that adequately fills the hole. Rice, meat, sauce, and bread. All in one bowl. It's like the Cajun version of a Chinese food restaurant. And there's no reason to ever go out of your way to eat at J Gumbo's or a Chinese restaurant. You just go to the nearest one because you're hungry and need to be filled quickly. And that's what J Gumbo's does. Good for them.

    Bumblebee Stew

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    4 months ago

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    2 months ago

    I love the bourbon chicken poboy! The lady at the register is always engaging and helpful. Usually plenty of seating available.

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    7 months ago

    Super quick and very good. Come here for great food. Food and atmosphere was better than the places I ate in New Orleans.

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    Lou Lou on Market

    Lou Lou on Market

    4.4
    (278 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    Great patio ambiance and an excellent menu! I love Cajun food but my wife does not, so the variety…read morehere was perfect for both of us. The Boudin Balls are fantastic--easily better than most I've tried. I always order gumbo when it's on a menu, and theirs is a very solid choice, but the She Crab Bisque completely stole the show. It is excellent! We look forward to coming back!

    Lou Lou on Market absolutely delivered when it came to the food. From the moment my meal arrived, I…read morecould tell I was in for something special. I ordered the shrimp and grits, and without exaggeration, they were the best I've ever had. The shrimp were perfectly cooked, and the balance of textures throughout the dish was incredible. Every bite had the perfect amount of crunch, flavor, and toppings. Nothing felt overwhelming or out of place. It was one of those meals where you find yourself slowing down just to enjoy every bite. Even the water deserves a mention. It was clean, crisp, and refreshing. If it came straight from the tap, I would have never known. It's a small detail, but it speaks to the overall dining experience when even something as simple as water stands out. The service was great, and the atmosphere was lively and welcoming. It's easy to see why this restaurant has built such a strong reputation. The reason I'm giving 4 stars instead of 5 comes down to accessibility. As a person with a disability, parking can make or break a dining experience. Unfortunately, there was no handicap parking available, and there were no nearby parking spots open when I arrived. I ultimately had to park in a hotel lot about a block away, which cost $25 for just two hours. Not only was the cost frustrating, but the additional distance was challenging given my mobility needs. The food was phenomenal and absolutely worth trying, but I do hope accessibility becomes part of the conversation for future guests. For those without mobility concerns, this may not be an issue, but for disabled patrons, it's something important to consider before visiting.

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    Chicken Bayou Dip ($16)
    Chicken Bayou Dip ($16)
    Speakeasy seating

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    Selena's at Willow Lake Tavern

    Selena's at Willow Lake Tavern

    4.1
    (585 reviews)
    9.4 mi
    $$

    I'm so glad we found this place yesterday. We arrived early in Louisville for a networking event…read moreand wanted to hang out somewhere with a nice outside area. We definitely found the right place. The patio area with the Koi pond and waterfall was perfect. My wife and I had the Fried Green Tomatoes and Selena's Crab Caps. Their menu looks amazing as did the specials of the day. We didn't have time to eat a full meal, but did enjoy our time outside. Our server was great and one of the owners did come by to check on us also. I would definitely come back to try more of their food.

    We had originally gone because we saw the $2 bellini and mimosa special advertised, but when we got…read morethere they were actually $5. I'm not sure if the $2 version was a smaller size or only offered at certain times, but honestly... the drinks were still worth it. The flavor was amazing, and unlike a lot of brunch drinks that taste watered down, these were actually strong. Two glasses definitely had me feeling tipsy, so I can't complain too much there. The main reason I took off a star was the parking situation and accessibility concerns. The handicap parking is positioned perpendicular to the main road, which honestly feels unsafe when backing out. If someone already has mobility or visibility limitations, backing directly into a busy road can be stressful and dangerous. The rest of the parking area is also gravel, which can be difficult to navigate with mobility aids, wheelchairs, walkers, or even just for someone unsteady on their feet. It's one of those situations where it's great that handicap parking exists close to the entrance, but the actual setup still creates challenges. Outside of that, the drinks themselves were genuinely really good, the atmosphere was fun, and I'd probably still come back for another brunch date.

    Photos
    Atmosphere
    Atmosphere
    Selena's at Willow Lake Tavern
    $5 mimosa

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    $5 mimosa
    Doc Crow's Southern Smokehouse and Raw Bar

    Doc Crow's Southern Smokehouse and Raw Bar

    3.9
    (2.5k reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    Stopped at Doc Crow's since it seems to be a popular spot. Upon walking in, it doesn't seem big but…read morethere's an additional space after the first section. The restaurant includes a long row of bar seating that extends to the other end of the restaurant, so there was no problem for me to find a seat on a busy day. I ordered the Mac n cheese and braised greens, and the Mac n cheese was really good and creamy. The braised greens were just okay, it wasn't the best greens I've had and it could use extra flavor. I don't know if this is a thing they do at Doc Crow's, but in my opinion the bartender excessively kept asking me what I wanted even while I was still looking at the menu. This definitely frustrated me since it was clear that I wasn't ready yet. I think she should have done a better job reading my cues to figure out when I am ready to order.

    We were due for an underwhelming experience, and I'm at least partially to blame for not having a…read moredinner spot lined up beforehand. My top-tier chum who literally went to the school of hospitality and I spent most of the afternoon on a bourbon tour and a post-tour distillery so...food was needed. And quickly. In our mild defense, we didn't really know how the day was going to go or when we were actually going to have dinner, which made it a little tougher to pre-plan, but no research went into this at all and we paid for it. We wrapped up our bourbon adventures at the Angel's Envy distillery probably five or six blocks from here. Instead of being grownups and doing at least a quick/impromptu recon for spots, we literally just walked outside and down W Main St until we hit something. And we hit this, which was right on the edge of the main tourist area, pretty much Louisville's equivalent of the Times Square/MSG area. And as someone who works and used to live in NYC, you'd have to do a lot of convincing to get me to eat in that particular area - it's overpriced and the food/service just tends to not be very good, which makes you wonder what the appeal is for tourists beyond the convenience. But regardless, it's always struck me as an odd way for a tourism spot to put its best foot forward (or not). Doc Crow's is enormous, and when we were brought further into the restaurant to our table, I think we literally walked through three or four large rooms and navigated through multiple passageways. If you told me this place took up an entire city block or close to it, I'd believe you. Beyond the size/scope, there's nothing really distinctive that separates it from the myriad of other restaurants you'd expect to see catering to out-of-towners. It was the Friday evening of Memorial Day Weekend, so a place that I suspect is usually pretty busy was even busier and louder than that. Maybe not the greatest recipe after a bourbon tour, but who can say. On the app front, we got the Crispy Salmon Bites, which were fine. Not an item I typically see on a menu, even one with more of a seafood bent. I thought the cornmeal/panko breading was the right call; I'm a big catfish aficionado, so I'm of the opinion that cornmeal is underutilized, at least in the Northeast where I come from. Otherwise, nothing really mind-blowing there; probably would have made sense for it to be a different type of fish given the prep (I think salmon is best raw in a sushi roll or grilled), but it could have been worse. I don't think a ton of thought went into this on my end, but I went with the full rack BBQ ribs, along with a side of mac n' cheese. Again, okay, though not as flavorful as I would have hoped and I thought the ribs were on the dry side. Not their fault, but I always regret getting the full rack in hindsight because ribs have a deceptively significant amount of meat on the bones and a half rack is a very decent portion by itself; I am a work in progress just like everyone else. The mac n' cheese was also pretty dry, which I think you can see pretty obviously in the accompanying picture. Tasted and felt reheated at least once or twice. The service was pretty efficient given how busy it was, but our waiter was just on robotic autopilot. Not remotely personable and everything I said to him was responded to with, "For sure, for sure." Maybe he was having a rough night to start the holiday weekend, but it felt like he was just going through the motions and just checking off some boxes there. I went into this already predisposed to not like the generic tourist trap places, so grain of salt. But my recommendation if you have the time/bandwidth (now that I'm a cagey Louisville vet) is to bypass this area if you can and find something tastier and more interesting in the Highlands neighborhood. That's where the real ones are.

    Photos
    Beautiful Bar area
    Beautiful Bar area
    Heap N Chips
    Heap N Chips
    On a vibey street

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    On a vibey street

    J Gumbo's - Highlands - cajun - Updated July 2026

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