One of the easiest and quickest carry out lunches around! Love the honey Siracha and drunken chicken. I tried the Mac and cheese recently and it was interesting! I do wish they'd bring back the old garlic bread! read more

I have never dealt with such a rude and nasty human being in the customer service industry. She is constantly smoking and then handling food after. The food is gross. Do not recommend and is a big waste of money read more

Found out this place was near my house and stopped while out and about. Got the crawfish etouffee and red beans and rice. The etouffee was a little bit spicier than I'm used to but it had a good flavor and large shareable portions. Red beans and rice was good but very tomato based. They had someone working by herself and it wasn't even lunch hour yet and she was already getting call/walk ins. I would eat there again when I get a craving for cajun food. read more

I ordered the sausage gumbo because that's what they're known for... There was three tiny slivers of sausage and this big bowl of soup with rice. I'm not impressed which doesn't say much lol I just wish the meal would have been more satisfying. flavor is tasty! Just no protein. read more

J. Gumbo's - Sausage-less. Sausage gumbo - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Went that for lunch today, had an amazing experience, Nikki, the lady who is there was amazing. If I could give more stars I would!

Went there today with my WDRB Be Our Guest certificates. I ordered 4 different bowls. The staff offered samples. I purchased the Bourbon Chicken, Bubble Bee Bowl, VooDoo Chicken and jambalaya. Voodoo Chicken is spicey so take your heart medicine in advance. I mixed some of the bubble bee dish in it but the bumble bee bowl is good by itself. I love the bourbon chicken! It has a sweet taste but add some hot sauce to make it just right. Jambalaya was just okay. I can make better at home in my opinion. But it is a hearty bowl and will fill up your belly. My mother got the drinking chicken and the crawfish cheese dip. She liked both. My mother likes spice too so she had to add hot sauce. Staff has great. Polite, friendly and gave us many suggestions! Offered catering. Punched our rewards cards. Sign up online to get special offers emailed to you. read more

See all

J Gumbo's as the best Cajun food around craving Louisiana spice visit J Gumbo's to curb those cravings. Great food, pleasant attentive employees, and great environment. Keeping things super clean, and all employees wearing masks and gloves. So go ahead go Cajun go to Gumbo's read more

J. Gumbo's - Craving down home Louisiana Cajun food, J Gumbo's is the place. Nice employees, great food, great atmosphere! Going Cajun go to Gumbo's - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Cajun food is traditionally not thought to be vegetarian-friendly. J. Gumbo's apparently has not heard of tradition, and I am so so glad. My husband and I are both life-long vegetarians, and so visited J. Gumbo's somewhat hesitantly. There was no need to worry. We were greeted enthusiastically upon entering, and provided samples of the no less than THREE vegetarian dishes they had prepared that day. Bumblebee Stew: a spicy/sweet stew of corn and black beans. My favorite. White Chili: delicious veggie chili made with white beans, onions, and tomatoes. Also magic. Creole Ratatouille: literally tastes like someone's grandma snuck into the kitchen and spent all night pouring veggies, spices, and love into a kettle. We had a lovely time, both because of the personality of the restaurant and the staff, and of course, the crazy-good food. (also, the bread is pretty fantastic) read more

J. Gumbo's - White bean chili, bumblebee stew, and fresh crusty bread! - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

I love J gumbo Can't get Cajun food like this anywhere around here. Good price, nothing fancy Nice staff read more

Sadly many of the locations have closed over the years, which is a shame bc the food is great and authentic Cajun, started by one of the jockeys at Churchill Downs, LA native Billy Fox. I went with my gf on a recent Wed and the service from Shy was spectacular! Sweets had never been B4 so she didn't know what to get and Shy kept making suggestions and handing out small samples to try. I knew I wanted my old standby the Drunken Chicken {spicy chicken basted in beer with rice, peppers and heat}. Sweets settled on a half and half combo {yes you can do that} of white bean chili and bumblebee stew. Both were delicious and the garlic bread is always great. We didn't realize the hours had changed to where we arrived ten minutes before closing but again Shy treated us so well and let us dine in {better when it's hot}. I used to go to the Lyndon location every Sunday but they closed. I'll have to make it a point to keep coming back and you should too, you won't be disappointed read more

J. Gumbo's - Drunken chicken - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Shrimp etoufee was just bland. Surprisingly no taste but a little spice. Shrimp has even less flavor. The smoked sausage "gumbo" came in a sludge that tasted really bad. Would not recommend. Even the toast was flimsy and greasy. read more

Satisfying, slighty spicy, affordable, and quick! Big portions. The employees are all really nice. They have a fairly large menu plus 3 or 4 vegan options. You cant find that at other Cajun spots. The white chili is my fav...it really hits the spot with its savory goodness. The spinach and mushroom etoufee is my personal runner-up. Great for catering...super affordable and still nice and warm. They did a nice setup with bowls, napkins, labeling items, etc. Its easy to miss this place but definetly worth a try! read more

J. Gumbo's - Vegan options - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Received order white chili That was horrible Looks like Hornell can with rice No flavor Someone there needs look up online recipe for white chili This isn't it. read more

This was my first trip to a J. Gumbos but, it won't be my last! This place had always been on my bucket list of places to try but since I don't live close it's hard to make it happen. Wow! I've been missing out. I cannot speak to the authenticity of creole food but it sure was tasty. I had the Honey Siracha Chicken and my husband had the Red Beans and Rice. Both were excellent! read more

J. Gumbo's - Honey Siracha Chicken. It's that good! - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

A very cool style choice for the interior of this recently remodeled J Gumbo's. A contemporary and industrial design. A row of chandeliers adds a touch of chic. The old signs on the wall add a touch of nostalgia. Also you can't go wrong with dixieland jazz playing over the speakers. My meal was $9 all together, the drunken chicken and drink. It also came with a side of delicious toast. The chicken was over rice, a good amount of carbs and protein. The spices were just right not too weak and not too strong. It left a nice gentle heat in the back of my throat and also cleared my nose. Overall, I have nothing bad to say about this place. I enjoyed the food here very much and I will be back again. read more

J. Gumbo's - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

See all

I ordered from J. Gumbo's at least once a month during lockdown. The food was always filling, quick, and cheap. I figured that it was finally time to visit in person. The menu is on the wall when you walk in but the font feels slightly too small and there are smaller versions to look at unless you look up the menu on your phone. There was only one person working during my visit so it took a bit longer than I may have liked but they man was doing his best and working as fast as possible. To make up for this the employee gave me a free drink The food was delicious as usual. I got the voodoo chicken. It was full of flavor. It was spicy but not too spicy, a solid burn. The rice was nice and fluffy. There was more than enough food there and the price was reasonable. read more

The to-go gumbo and red beans and rice I ordered were great! Things that weren't great: 1. The mac and cheese I ordered was missing. 2. The clerk wasn't wearing a mask, despite a sign on the door that said everyone in the restaurant must wear a mask. I was shocked that, almost a year into the pandemic, there are restaurant employees still not wearing masks. Wear a mask. read more

Amazing food and service!!! Hadn't had it in years, did not disappoint! Kids loved it too

What to get: Bubblebee stew, Drunken Chicken Service: Good Atmosphere: Casual Wait: 10 mins Parking: small parking lot The Experience: I was warned that the presentation from here had a lot to be desired, but the call of Cajun food trumps that any day. According to Yelp, I dabbled in the two favorites on the menu."Bubblebee stew," a sweetened, vegetarian entree I heard good things about. "Drunken Chicken" which may be my next comfort food (actually all Cajun food is my comfort food). It's not unbearably spicy, but it does have a slow burn that made my nose start running (not that hard to do since I can't handle spice, but I love the taste of it). This is 2 mins from my house, so this may be a dangerous discovery for me. I'll have to go back to try more things, but these were great! read more

J. Gumbo's - Left: Bubblebee stew Right: Drunken Chicken - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

We stopped in J Gumbo's before a show at the Clifton Center earlier this month. For no good reason, I had pretty low expectations, but the food was great! A had bourbon chicken as nachos instead of with rice and my partner had something vegetarian, also as nachos. We happened upon $1 Abita bottle night (Wednesday) so that was cool! The food/vibe is very similar to Bourbon & Toulouse in Lexington or Yat's in Indianapolis. Very affordable, unfussy cajun food. Definitely ask for samples if you are having trouble deciding what you want. We met the owner and he was super nice. He only recently took over this location and I hope he does well. read more

J. Gumbo's - Drunken chicken nachos. Good but I wish it had been a little warmer so the cheese would've melted more. - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

See all

They're BAAAAAACK! I am pumped to see J. Gumbo's open again. My only criticism upon this business' reopening is........ I miss the baguette bread. They now serve their gumbo with Texas toast. It's good toast, but I LOVED the baguettes. Wednesday night is dollar beer night, otherwise their bottles are $3. I went with water today, but they have many beers from Abita to chose from. All the old favorites are there. I always get drunken chicken, which soaked up the coffee stewing in my empty stomach. My hubby selected voodoo chicken and added shrimp ($2). He thought the shrimp was nothing special, but is a nice protein to add from time to time. I noticed that there is a $5 bowl special after 2 pm, not sure if that's an everyday thing or just for Sundays. If you loved J. Gumbo's in the past, the reopen won't disappoint read more

A bowl split between the Bumblebee Stew and the Bourbon Street Chicken is my ultimate comfort food. The rice fills you up. The Bumblebee Stew is spicy yet sweet -- a combination of tomatoes, corn, black beans and onions that I've tried to make at home without luck. And the Bourbon Street Chicken has a kind of sweet, Asian flavor to it that just brings me to a happy place. I've bought this at some of the other J. Gumbo's locations, and it's just not the same. Maybe that's because this is the original J. Gumbo's location -- I'm not really sure -- but this is the best J. Gumbo's I've had. And every time I get it I wonder why I don't come here more often. This location is a bit of a hole in the wall, but there's definitely a charm in that. Mardis Gras decorations plaster the walls, and you can normally hear Cajun music playing. This location has a nice covered deck area that is great to eat in during the warmer months. You can watch the people and traffic going by on Frankfort Avenue. And when you come here, make sure to get a Big Red pop with your meal. It just completes the meal. read more

J. Gumbo's is a place that I like to grab carryout from, and -- when I do -- I always wonder why I don't swing by more frequently. Located just across Frankfort Ave from Varanese and right next to Nancy's Bagel's, J. Gumbo's is a charming, fun place to grab a bite. As other yelpers have said, the location is nothing special to look at, but that's part of the appeal. I've visited other locations in town, but there is something inviting about the no-frills interior decorating and exposed brick. The staff is always fast and friendly, and also willing to let me hem and haw if I need a second to decide what I want. So far I've tried a number of entrees, and I do have some favorites. The Bumblebee Stew is a must -- sweet with just a little bit of heat, it combines corn, black beans, onions and tomatoes in a sweet and creamy sauce that hits the spot when I want something healthy with good flavor. Drunken chicken is spicy and tender. Last but not least, the Red Beans and Rice combines red beans with spicy sausage in a red sauce, all over rice. As someone who loves spicy food, I think it would be difficult for me not to enjoy almost anything on the menu. Don't miss J. Gumbo's the next time you want a fast and delicious dinner -- seriously, don't miss it when you're driving down Frankfort Ave, because if you blink then you just might! Sidle on up for your new favorite place to grab dinner to-go. read more

The location on Frankfort services breakfast starting at 8am Saturday and Sunday. When you first pull up to the location you might think that the building is closed down, but no...I have always wondered about the appearance of the place and almost think it may be on purpose. It certainly resembles some of the shacks in the swamps of Louisiana I've eaten at back in the day. Inside, you will find a lovely staff and a clean kitchen area. Most the folks working here have been here a long time. While the staff is super nice, a couple are a bit flighty with memory but little things really don't bother me, ie, she asked me twice if I wanted toast...never got toast. The food is what you come for and this place is always hoppin - outside looks won't scare you off once you know what's inside. Today they gad a pancake special: nutella peanut butter. Yes please!! It was topped with bananas and I was delighted to also find bananas on the middle layer as well. Syrup was provided but wasn't needed. I had to get a beignet...you have to. They're fluffy and warm. Dare I say better than the famous Cafe du Mond. I ordered one of the newer offerings of chicken fried steak w eggs. The steak was thin and crispy and eggs were cooked perfectly. I had ordered grits but ended up with potatoes. From past visits I can confirm the grits are tasty. The potatoes were good, cooked with onions, they had a nice flavor without being overpowering. read more

See all

J. Gumbo's is the perfect lunch destination if you are near the Clifton neighborhood. Fast, always fresh, and so so delicious. Hands down the best Cajun food in Louisville. The servings are generous and spice level is *just* right. Lots of free parking in the area too. Pro tip: For a little spice in your life, order a bowl of half voodoo chicken and half crawfish étouffée. read more

I'm really not sure how I've never mentioned anything about this place, considering I eat here two or three times most weeks. First of all, J. Gumbo's are all over the nation, and this was the first one. There's a reason why this chain has popped up in all kinds of states as a result of this location - the food is spectacular! I've tried most things on the menu, and they're all good...but the etouffee is literally impossible to beat, at least in my opinion. There is just a slight bite in the taste of the sauce, but everything is cooked to perfection. The staff (and owners) are always so incredibly friendly, and the building itself is a little dive-y, but very comfortable. One thing you'll find at this location that you won't at any other (including the quality of the food - seriously, it's way better here than any other J. Gumbo's), is their weekend breakfast! Seriously huge portions for so cheap! If you love Cajun food, or just good food, and haven't yet tried J. Gumbo on Frankfort Ave, you need to get to this place - I promise it'll taste as good as anything you pay twice as much for at any fancy restaurant. read more

J. Gumbo's - This is my favorite etouffee, in the world, bar none! - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

My husband and I have been customers here since it opened. Despite the obvious drop in quality over the last year or so, we have continued to get dinner about once a week or so. For years. Whatever they're doing right now, it is wrong. I could not eat my meal tonight. It was delivered to this location (Clifton) in a bag, but they still managed to burn it. And they have also switched to a much cheaper sausage (absolutely gross). I actually hate giving a review like this, but I am sick of the lazy , inedible food they served us for one time too many. I will not bother this restaurant with my patronage or waste my money here ever again. I suggest you heed my sincere warning. Gross. read more

I had breakfast here and it was not memorable in any way. It's fairly inexpensive but I'd much rather spend a little extra and go somewhere better. That being said, they do have chickory coffee which I LOVE. Lunches are a lot better. I like their spicier offerings. Their desserts are good and the service has always been fantastic. read more

Very good and reasonably priced. Have visited many times over the years. Love the combo bowl.

I used to absolutely love J Gumbos. I worked there for several months back in college and fell in love with several of their food items and the atmosphere. I have maintained this relationship over the past decade, frequenting one of the locations every now and then. Over time, the Frankfort avenue location became my go to for great eats culminating in my most recent visit. The staff are always super friendly and can share an interesting story or two. That being said, the portion size has decreased to an unacceptable level and the price has continued to increase. I love so many of their entrees, but they no longer provide enough value to maintain my side of the relationship. This is good bye, probably not forever, because like any difficult breakup, we'll see each other again. read more

Well...food was good but jambalaya had two small pieces of sausage and rice was under done. A little underwhelming. Service was challenged, But I guess due to Biden paying people to not work they seemed short staffed and the order wasn't what we asked for. The guy was nice, but evidently needing some help as what we ordered on the phone wasn't what was provided to us. read more

what i received for lunch was just chili on top of steamed rice. definitely NOT jambalaya. i do NOT recommend if you are searching for true new orleans creole style food. read more

I am writing this review out of Hanger- so beware!!! I have been a fan and lover of J. Gumbo's for almost 10 years. I have been saddened by so many locations shutting down. Last year I went to 4 different Louisville/southern Indiana locations trying to track down some Chicken Red Hot. Today while I was at work, I met the Owner of a J Gumbo franchise in Terra Haute, Indiana, he told me the owners of the franchises main location was the one on Frankfort Ave in Louisville. I was so excited. I was finally gonna get my Chicken Red Hot. I drove across state lines to get me some good ol' Cajun food to be let down once again.I checked the hours online before I left home and it showed the restaurant is open until 8pm! Yes, I was in luck... or so I thought. I finally made it to the building only to find a closed sign on the door even though the hours posted were supposed to be until 7pm (mind you, it's only 5:54pm as I right this) I try calling the store. Maybe I'm just being hopeful to no cars in the parking lot and no lights on inside. Sure enough an answering service picks up and says the store is open Monday's 11-7... SERIOUSLY!?!?! J Gumbo's has let me down time and time again my not being consistent with their hours or even open!! I will never give up my hope again by coming to a J Gumbo's because they are never open!!! read more

Food was very bland and watery. I remember eating here in the past and was much better

I ordered red beans and rice through grub hub and all that went fine! Delivery was early and good! How do you freaking forget the rice with red beans and rice!!! I called and it took half dozen attempts to finally get someone to answer. The system says they close at 9 and because grub hub was closed for delivery after 8 I was going to Uber over to get the rice! The gentleman who was pleasant said he was closing the doors at 8:25, he said holiday hours! Are you for real!!! I'm sorry to rate this experience as a 2 star as the food smells wonderful, customer service was just lacking! read more

I absolutely loved the spicy chicken tacos!! I ordered through a delivery app on my phone so I didn't get the experience of the atmosphere. The order was correct, prompt, and delicious. read more

Got the etoufee for lunch !!!! It was fabulous! Just the right amount of spice. We got extra garlic bread . My husband got drunken chicken which he loved! We will be back! read more

I was craving J Gumbos, so I went on my lunch break. I was so ready to get back to work to eat my lunch, but upon opening my drunken and voodoo chicken, I was immediately disappointed. The container was barely half way full, and there was hardly any chicken in it. As hungry and initially excited I was, I began eating. Second time digging in, I got a huge piece of chicken skin! I understand that is used for flavor, but it should not of made it's way into my meal. I still was hungry after eating, normally I'm stuffed. I am super disappointed and probably won't go back. Long time customer disappointed. 2 stars because the spice and taste was there, but the rest was majorly lacking. read more

J. Gumbo's - Huge chunk of chicken skin - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

We stopped because other reviews raved it was the best Creole outside of New Orleans. Not Flavor was OK, with lots more rice than than shrimp, chicken, or sausage. The guy behind the counter said the food was pre made and just needed to be heated up. That about sums it up. Candidly, I cook better Jambalaya, and I'm Polish. We had the shrimp etoufee and the Jambalaya, hence the rating. read more

I'm from south Mississippi and I have visited NOLA multiple times. This is hands down the best Cajun food I've had since I moved to Louisville! I had the etoufe with crawfish and my husband had the drunken chicken! Mine was everything I hoped it would be! My husband's was very spicy but we love the spice! That's what Cajun food is built on and J. Gumbo's does it right! I will definitely be going back! read more