(Note to self: take reviews from locals with a giant grain of salt.) Pro-Service was amazing & friendly ! Con- dirty hands and not a glove in sight. Pro- Seasoning heavy and on point Con- Because none of the seafood (gumbo or fish) was fresh. I hate doing these kinds of reviews when I get great service, but sadly I can't waste 60 bucks on food I won't be eating again. And kids, this is why mom does NOT buy any food that she can cook herself. read more

2.5 STARS the first time i visited howard gumbo was for a yelp event, and i enjoyed it so much that i had to visit again. since then, i've visited a few times, and the food has been hit or miss. when it's good, it's really good; otherwise it's mediocre. it can be hard to find, especially in the dark, but there's a small flashing open sign on the tent. there's a small parking lot - maybe 3 parking spots. howard gumbo is mostly set up for takeout, but there are also a few tables inside the tent to stand and eat at. service is very friendly; i can tell that it's family-owned. usually the wait isn't long either, but it depends on how many other orders they're working on. - napoleons 2pc cat (3.5/5): i loved the catfish that i tried at the yelp event. the catfish was breaded with cornmeal, which made it less oily, and it stayed crispy longer. i thought the breading was the same as the first time i tried it, but it was a lot saltier. it also came with a packet of tartar sauce at the event, but i didn't receive any the subsequent times i visited. it was actually so salty that i didn't need it anyway - napoleons 2pc red snapper (1/5): this was so overcooked that it was rubbery, chewy, and dry, which made it hard to swallow. the pieces of red snapper were big, but because they were so dry, i had to dip them in gumbo to finish them. the cornmeal breading also started falling off of one piece, but what was left had good flavor. the other piece retained its breading, but it was so salty - 5$ holla seafood gumbo (3.5/5): when i tried this the first time, i thought it was one of the best gumbos i've ever had, even better than the gumbos i've tried in louisiana. the subsequent times i've been, i thought it was even more on the thinner side, so it was more like a really thin soup. i still really enjoyed the savory and smoky flavor, but it was more watered down. they were generous with the amount of sausage, and it came with two shrimp - milo's gumbo fries (2/5): they gave us all of the components separately (a separate container each of white rice, gumbo, and fries), so i felt like $25 was kinda expensive for what we got. it looked like i could've gotten the $5 gumbo and a side of fries and put it together myself, although it did come with a small piece of catfish on top. it was smaller than the catfish napoleons, but it was also less salty. the fries weren't seasoned, so they definitely needed the gumbo. i didn't think the portion was worth it - fries (1.5/5): i thought the fries i had at the yelp event were a bit overcooked, but they were crispy and salted well. the fries i've gotten afterward have been less fried but also really bland. they were still a bit crispy on the outside but got soggy fast. i guess they balanced out the salty fish well, but they weren't as good to eat on their own. they switched between regular fries and crinkle fries each time i went i was a bit disappointed in the food at howard gumbo after having such a great initial experience at the yelp event, but perhaps the quality issues could be attributed to growing pains. i still do think that the $5 gumbo is worth it, but i'm not sure about the rest of the menu. kathy's combo could be a good deal if you want to try a bit of everything, since it comes with the 5$ holla gumbo and catfish. i do hope they work the kinks out and wish them the best! read more

So I first heard about Howard's Gumbo shop from reading reviews from a Yelp Elite event I was not a part of and it sounded pretty awesome I also started seeing a few food influencers went there and started talking about these "$5 Holla" bowls which are basically small bowls of gumbo-so I decided I had to find out once and for all what all the hype was all about. Funny thing when I looked up the address to this place,it's super close to my work and couldn't figure out how I missed them-When I finally pulled up I realized they were a pop up green tent covering a food truck type of restaurant.Thats how I missed em,when u look for them,look for the green tent and your golden. Parking is extremely limited as there are only 3 spots located on the property.i was not lucky enough to grab a spot so I had to park a few blocks away in let's just say not the safest part of town,I was generally nervous about my car the entire time I waited for my food. This place is not a sit down spot at all,much more of a takeout spot-there is a table or 2 but they aren't really there for dining,kinda just there as aesthetics. I ended up getting 2 "$5 Holla" bowls and an order of fried fish and fries-I apologize for not knowing if it was catfish or red snapper-I was a bit out of sorts when I was there because I was thinking of my car,so forgot to ask what type of fish it was. Ordering food here is similar to a food truck experience-walk inside the tent and walk up to the truck-place your order and wait for it to be called-exactly a food truck experience. Let's talk about the food. Fried Fish and Fries-Whichever fish it was between catfish or red snapper-it was amazing-it was deep fried crusted in cornmeal and was so tasty-the fish was flaky yet perfectly balanced with the cornmeal crust-I enjoyed it thoroughly.Fries were meh-pretty plain,not good not bad,just average. $5 Holla Bowl-This was a small bowl of their famous Howard's Gumbo.To say I think back on this meal multiple times a week when I'm working is a huge understatement.It was pure goodness and taste-the shrimp,the sausage,the rice and that broth-bang for bang this might be the best value of taste vs cost in the Sacramento-area-a true treasure of a food item. Howard's Gumbo shop is a really great food destination.They have high quality food and very inexpensive prices-the area isn't the best but the food quality for sure makes it worth the trouble,even if you can't find a parking spot. read more

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All the food was amazing I had the Milo's gumbo fries,the collard greens, the red beans and rice, mac & cheese the catfish and the snapper was all cooked to perfection. They have three different types of cornbread, jalapeño cheddar Cajun and sweet. The staff was quick and courteous. They have misters to keep it cool on a hot day and the music was jamming'. 10 out of 10. I definitely recommend this place to everyone. Meals start at five dollars so anyone could afford it. read more

Howard Gumbo - Jalapeño cheddar cornbread - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Sacramento, California

Been hearing about Howard Gumbo via Instagram for a couple of months.. I was on my way home and in the area and decided to stop and give it a try. I order 2pc catfish & 2pc red snapper meal w/fries, two extra sides for $10 red beans and rice and Mac & cheese, one banana pudding and peach cobbler, Highly disappointed Pro: 1. peach cobbler was the only good item 2. Crinkle French fries were soggy when I got home put in air fryer to reheat for crisp. Cons: 1. both fish was over cooked and hard. 2. Red beans were mediocre and rice was crunchy looks like bean sitting all day. 3. Mac and cheese looked old and sitting all day. I try to support all businesses but will not return to this one. read more

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If you want an expensive gumbo flavor inspired broth to pour over rice, this is what you want. If you want cravable, soup satisfying and filling gumbo, please consider other options. The cornbread texture is gritty but wet (not moist) damp from storage in a plastic container. I bought the gumbo with crab and a piece of cornbread. The two crab legs were measly as well as the 4 very overcooked shrimp. These are not prawns, just bigger than bay shrimp. I wouldn't buy it again. read more

The catfish was good and flavorful. Salty like the ocean if that's what you're into. The gumbo was good but I would occasionally find the crustacean's shells in my food. Unfortunately it looks like they don't peel their shrimps fully. I've gone about 10 times+ this year so if ya know ya know, I'm the local. The fries are pretty decent but can get soggy sometimes. They usually only have one person working so you have to be patient when ordering. There's a waiting area outside but it looks like the place is in the back of someone's backyard. There's about 4ish parking spots there and it doesn't get full all the time. The people there are pretty nice and the price is affordable. You get what ya pay for. Thanks for bringing me back to Nolaaa read more

5 bucks for small small Tupperware of gumbo, 12 bucks for the same portion as the smaller amount of gumbo but in a bigger bowl and more broth. read more

Howard's Gumbo serves up some of the most legit authentic Cajun food that I've experienced outside LA. The catfish is scrumptious as it's shaken in a cornmeal seasoned batter then fried to perfection. And the red beans and rice are on point. Howard's gumbo is made fresh and slow cooked from the moment they open up every day. I've returned to Howard's gumbo at least 2 more times as this little local's only hotspot is the perfect place for me to drive over to order grab and go after a long work week. As a final note, I would like to say thank you very much to Miss Rachel sacto's most noteworthy CM for setting up the YEE drive-through event which introduced Howard's Gumbo into my culinary world. read more

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Always love a good gumbo with a dark roux. And howard's definitely has it. I like my gumbo thick, this isn't thick but it does the job. Andoille sausage has a light kick, shrimp was delicious. I honestly did not care for the crab. I love crab, but I prefer to just eat the foot, not have to work for the crab meat. and I don't think the 3 tiny crab clusters (probably equal to 1 snow crab cluster) make's it worth paying an extra $10. I would have liked more veggies. There was close to no veggies. I am thankful they put the rice on the side. Also. parking is extremely cramped. I walked from the autoshop. All in all. Gumbo is delicious, but it needs more veggies. Worth a shot? yes. read more

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I am not sure about some of the previous negative reviews but my food was good and they gave us extra food without charging. The catfish was so tender and flavorful. I ordered the $12 gumbo and I thought it was very good. I do think the base could have been a little thicker but still really good. The reason I can't give a 5 star because they are a little slow when taking orders. Also this food truck is a house located on a main street just as a heads up. The ambiance is nothing special it's a food truck. I would definitely be back. Also their fries were yummy and tasted homemade! read more

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Stopped by with my dad to try some authentic southern cooking. We were pleasantly surprised by all the deep flavors achieved in each dish. The cook knows what she's doing here. Ordered the 2 piece catfish with fries, gumbo, mac and cheese, cornbread and a peach cobbler. The $5 gumbo comes with shrimp, sausage and rice. It's a great deal. It is what Howard Gumbo is known for and does not disappoint. A little spicy but delicious. Mac and cheese was bomb! Creamy, gooey and super cheesy flavor. I loved it! My dad ordered the peach cobbler and although the portion was smaller than expected he said it was a delicious cobbler. The lady working here was super sweet and thankful for our business. I told her we'd be back. Brought some back for my mom and she loved every bite. She's already planning on sending me back for more gumbo :) read more

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Haven't quite made up my mind about this place. If you're expecting the usual restaurant-style, thick gumbo, you'll be disappointed. It is very minimal, as far as substance is concerned, and is more like a traditional gumbo you'd find made fresh in someone's float house on the bayou. This is not a bad thing, though. The broth is flavorful (greasy but good), the shrimp were tender and the sausage didn't overpower the gumbo with heat. Overall, a decent recipe but I came here thinking it would be a little thicker or at least have a few okra floating around in it. The catfish was very tender, with a great crunchy batter but it did have a little hint of mud, if you know what I mean. I understand how catfish live and eat, so I get it, but there are ways to source, clean, and prepare it so it doesn't have such a bottom-feeder taste. It actually didn't bother me at all, but my friend was not pleased. Overall, I would go back to try other items if I was in the area. read more

So I tried this place cause I was craving Gumbo and it was a definitely a disappointment! I ordered two large Gumbos , I forget the name but it had sausages and shrimp with a two large size's of rice. They were out of Mac and cheese !! It was ok but very water down flavor was like soup out of a can etc. so my experience was ok taste ,maybe ok read more

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Pro tip when your navigation says you are close look for the small neon "OPEN" sign on the fence. We tried the gumbo/catfish combo, 4pc snapper, mac n cheese and peach cobbler. The Gumbo is what Howard's is all about with a rich savory flavor. The catfish was good but the snapper was dry. Mac n cheese and peach cobbler are tasty but small in size for $5 each. Good spot for gumbo and open late night as well. read more

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So. . .let me start by saying their catfish is FIRE!! Ok so, I don't know if it's because I went at night but I had a bit of a hard time finding it. It's not a traditional restaurant so the signage wasn't lit up except for a small "open" neon sign. Also, parking is extremely limited so I initially parked at the gas station a little bit down the street and walked over. The signage for the menu on the chalk board wasn't clear and didn't provide all of what was offered and the menu that's on paper in the window was a bit hard to read. Other than that, the food was extremely good. I wasn't a fan of the Mac & cheese and the fries but that was it. The catfish and red beans are my favorite, the fried okra was bomb, the cornbread was good, the gumbo was flavorful and the peach and berry cobblers were hittin'!! I think that was it. I wanted to try their kool-aid but my meal came with a soda so I said I'll try it when I come back because I'm DEFINITELY going back for the fish and the beans. The customer service was great, both chefs took good care of us and were even open to feedback which I think is amazing!! If I could give any advice, it would be to make sure the menu is readable, maybe even provide a QR code so those of us that are semi-visually impaired can read it. Other than that, I was thoroughly satisfied!! Great job on the food and the hospitality. You have definitely gained a patron. I will be back I recommend others to check them out. read more

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A great little hidden gem in northeast Sacramento. It's a converted food truck on the side of a busy thoroughfare. The one woman working was very patient as we navigated the menu. There is a green tent popup attached to the food truck. A couple of cocktail tables litter the inside of the tent if you need a surface to organize (for your Yelp photos or) your food. Offerings: - Fried Catfish: perfectly fried, great flavorful batter, not oily at all - Fried Snapper: same as above, if slightly drier of a fish - Mac and Cheese: a very small portion for $5 and didn't have the depth of flavor I was expecting. Macaroni noodles and paprika sprinkled on top. - Gumbo: 10/10 delicious. No notes. But I'm still going to wax on about it. Someone really knows how to make gumbo here. The broth is complex and flavorful. We ordered two and one of ours had several pieces of real crab! The sausage is a bit on the spicier side but the dish overall has a mild/medium heat. The are also generous portions of shrimp. - Peach Cobbler: Yum! The perfect end to the meal. The peaches may be canned but I still loved it. - Fries: Very basic. Could use more salt in my opinion. read more

Howard Gumbo - Catfish and fries - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Sacramento, California

Creole girl approved Best gumbo I've tried outside of my family! The roux was perfection, you can tell they know what they're doing here. Flavorfullll like the recipe been passed down 10 generations! lol The fried catfish was IMO perfect! Cornmeal batter was seasoned so well, a little salty but just how I like it. Crispppy on the outside and they still managed to keep the fish moist on the inside. Fries were def overshadowed by everything else, for me. But my hubby and son enjoyed them. Gumbo for $5 is worth the trek!! We live about 25 mins away so definelty ate it right away in the car. Even got another cup of gumbo to take home for later Located at 2120 Marconi Ave - it's really easy to miss! Recommend looking it up on maps before getting there. It's a Food truck w/ green canopy and few standing-only tables. Would love to see this family-owned business open a brick & mortar soon! They are the real deal read more

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Found this place courtesy of Too Good to Go. It's not that easy to find as it is a food truck in the front of a house on busy Marconi. Parking can be challenging as well if there are more than two cars. My order consisted of a bowl of gumbo, a piece of fried catfish and some fries. Was really pleasantly surprised by the flavoring of the gumbo. Had just the right amount of kick to it with shrimp and sausage throughout. Would totally come back for that! The catfish was flaky and flavorful. You do have to wait a bit to get your food however because this is just a one-man show. I hope Howard does well, it's nice to have options out in this area! read more

Howard Gumbo - Menu - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Sacramento, California

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Came on a Saturday around 5 and there was no wait. I walked up, ordered and left within 15 minutes. Parking would have been a disaster if it was busy as they only have a small parking lot. When I ordered the lady was very nice. I ordered the famous $5 gumbo of course (2 orders). It was a decent size and it came with a couple shrimp and plenty sausages. The flavor was on point!!! The shrimp was over cooked, but it didn't even maker cause the flavor was exactly what I wanted!!! Especially for $5!!! I only regret not getting the corn bread... I forgot and I love cornbread! Definitely will be back when I'm in the area! read more

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Amazing and Friendly Service Everything was a 10/10 Fresh and Good Quality Food Affordable Price For Everybody read more

Howard Gumbo - Large Gumbo Bowl Gumbo with Crab / Side of Rice (Feeds Two) - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Sacramento, California

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This food l truck in the neighborhood is a hidden gem! so delicious and they offer family recipe gumbo and fried catfish with fries and much more. Chef was kind, attentive, and patient. I look forward to my next visit with my friends and family! Thank you Howard Gumbo! read more

Howard Gumbo - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Sacramento, California

Tasty gumbo spot. It's different than what I've had before as this one is more like soup with rice in it. But it is spiced very well and has chicken, shrimp, and sausage so I enjoyed it a lot. Their Mac n cheese is pretty good as well, very cheesy. Fries were just okay. This place is a stationary food truck in a small lot. read more

This little hidden food truck was so yummy! I will say getting in and out of there parking lot may be a little hard, but so worth it! Their $5 gumbo is the perfect size for an individual and super tasty! read more

Decided to stop by on Saturday, shortly after they opened. I parked at a closed office building on Darwin to avoid having to pull in and out on Marconi. I tried the fish, fries, gumbo, greens and peach cobbler. The fish is seasoned well and flaky, greens are yummy and the gumbo is very good! Peach Cobbler could have more in the container because it is quite tasty...I will be back to try more! read more

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I went here with my family and we ordered our food to go. It's easy to miss when you are driving so I would suggest going a little slower as you approach the location. Service was friendly and though there is a wait for the food, I was impressed by the speed of service considering there is one person doing it all. I ordered a side of fries, Gia's gumbo with crab, and the strawberry lemonade kool aid. The fries were perfectly crispy and seasoned. The gumbo was delicious and the crab was flavorful. The strawberry lemonade kool aid is very sweet, I would recommend splitting it with a few people, but it was soooo good. This is a must try! read more

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Some of the best gumbo In the 209. Great staff. Owners are very kind people. Plus very affordable. If you're in the area you gotta try it for yourself. read more

Howard Gumbo - Gumbo and Greens. - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Sacramento, California

So I tried the 5 dollar gumbo bowl and at first I tasted it and I thought it was ok, it was hot and fresh, but there is a seasoning in it that doesn't go with gumbo, i can't tell what it is but I don't like that gumbo it's definitely not Louisiana New Orleans gumbo. If you don't know what southern gumbo tastes like you might think it is good, but that one season in it not good. I have not tried anything else because of the gumbo. I cook gumbo enough to know that season/spice shouldn't be in it. I didn't like it and I'm glad I didn't get a bigger bowl. read more

Would have gave this place zero stars if given the option . I ordered a $25 gumbo & was highly disappointed. First off the restaurant had my Uber Eats driver waiting over 30 mins for my food , so it came to me 30 mins later than the time it was supposed to . Just for them to give me a bowl full of gumbo roux , 2 measly crab legs , 2 shrimp , 1 shrimp tail , a handful of sausage and ABSOLUTELY NO CHICKEN . Everything in the description was MISSING . I will never spend my money here or support this lazy STINGY business ever again . I used to sell gumbo bowls & never would I ever had sent this disgraceful mess to someone's house . read more

Howard Gumbo - Mostly sausage - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Sacramento, California

I'm so excited to finally give a positive food review Let's get started..... First i have been seeing place next to the gas station i always go to, ow if you not looking for it you might miss it but when i say It was worth every penny, bite, and the wait by the way which was not long it's a outside food truck with a green cover which is great for rain or shine I Odered 2 of the $5 gumbo bowls Perfect little bit, not to much to get full but just enough to not be hungry no more perfect lunch I don't eat to many people gumbo But the rue was just right perfect amount of rice taste very fresh The customer service was great. She was a very lovely young lady. 10/10 recommend I can't wait to go back and try other items on their menu And on top of all that it was still warm when I got home it took me about 30 minutes with traffic to get home Mrs.K read more

If you want to wait over an hour for your food eat here. We literally waited an hour and 15 mins. After waiting 45 mins we asked the guy packing the food how long it would be and we got straight ignored. They need a better system. The gumbo was ok. It wasn't bad nor great. Catfish was hella salty. We couldn't eat it. The red beans and rice were really good. It wasn't worth all that waiting and rudeness. People were waiting for a long time. The people working there had zero sense of urgency and couldn't care less. They are not very welcoming at all. If you're wondering why I didn't ask for a refund. I tried. There were four people in front of me while I was waiting in line and it took over 15 mins for one couple to get their order together. By the time it was almost my turn they called out my name. The crazy thing. It wasn't even that busy. read more

I had high hopes after reading the positive reviews, but unfortunately, my experience was disappointing. The gumbo lacked the rich flavor I expected and tasted somewhat watered down, the catfish was overcooked and dry, and the fried okra seemed overly greasy rather than crisp and fresh. Overall, the food did not feel consistent with the reputation this place seems to have. Service was also a major issue. It was very slow, and I felt largely ignored for most of my visit. It was difficult to get anyone's attention, and the overall interaction felt unwelcoming. I normally try to give places the benefit of the doubt, but in this case, the experience left me feeling uncomfortable, and at times, I felt the treatment came across as a bit discriminatory. Considering the price and the reviews, I expected a much better experience. I hope improvements are made, but based on this visit, I would not return. read more

I love coming here! The gumbo is GREAT how it is not to watery and the rice soaks it all up so good with a good amount of med/large shrimp and sausage links, chill atmosphere, kind service , always gonna come back read more

Incredibly good gumbo. Got the 5$ bowl, shrimps and sausage and all that in there. I like my gumbo a little thicker but that's probably etouffee. Will definitely be going back and getting a family size read more

I was really looking forward to going to this place because I had heard about it. Unfortunately, I ordered the gumbo got home and it only had sausage and shrimp and it was not the five dollar one. Very disappointed will not be back. read more

Howard Gumbo - The ex of no crab - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Sacramento, California

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Ehhhh it was just alright I tried the 5.00 gumbo what did I expect? Also it had more of a reddish hue rather than a brown that threw me off a little. but I get it it's a commercial establishment you have to make it stretch then the guy said "I threw some hot sauce packets in there for you" like he was giving me free shit..hooking me up anyway the gumbo was ehhh nothing to write home about maybe it was the frozen shrimp and the tasteless hickory farms sausage read more

This was an absolute pleasure the Food was awesome this location is hands down one of the BEST soul food/ Cajun food places in Sacramento. And they give you enough food feed a small army... lol Everything was wonderful.. read more

I came here with high hopes seeing that it was a small, local business with seemingly great reviews. However the conversation started with a "What do you want?" and I was cut off a couple times while trying to communicate and ask questions since it was my first time here, but also, I've never had Gumbo before. I ended getting a gumbo and the catfish with fries, but was disappointed for the very small portions for the catfish and fries (I included a photo). Also, Mind you, I saw the same person that was handling the money, throwing the fries in the fryer with their bare hands. Definitely not the most sanitary, but at least the oil kills the germs (?) Furthermore, moving on to how the food actually was, the fries were thick and mushy (I was never a fan of crinkle cut fries anyways though), and the gumbo almost tasted dirty like the rice wasn't washed, but maybe that's what it's supposed to taste like? I heard it was supposed to be Earthy tasting. It's just difficult to tell based off of the other things I saw. There were a lot of sausages in the gumbo which I did like, but the shrimps were powdery and not cleaned properly (there was a black line on the spine for all of them), the catfish was good, it had great seasoning, and the thickness of the fish was okay, it was a rather small piece though in my opinion. Overall, I was going into this was a positive mindset, but just came out of it extremely disappointed. Not just because of the service and the food, but I was pretty upset about the cost for what I got. Especially because the amount of food in other reviews look like enough to at least cover the bottom of the paper tray! read more

Howard Gumbo - Catfish with fries - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Sacramento, California

I went here due to all of the social media posts about this place. The food good overall but not as fantastic as o expected. The catfish was plentiful and ok. The beans and rice were overcooked and not seasoned well. I will give this place another try but in person. The food came fast though through delivery. read more

The customer service has definitely made improvements. However, I can say the gumbo has always been consistent. It's good!!! I like that you can add crab. A lot of places don't have that option. Overall, Highly recommend! read more

Howard Gumbo - Gumbo with Crab with Rice - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Sacramento, California