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    J. Gumbo's

    4.0 (58 reviews)
    InexpensiveCajun/Creole
    Closed 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

    J. Gumbo's Photos

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    J. GUMBO'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Quiet
    Dogs allowed
    Good for kids

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    This is in a plaza
    Emi M.

    I had a crawfish étouffée and it was good. There was only one person working then and he was very nice and kind. I would definitely come back to try other dishes!

    two bowls of soup and bread
    Mike S.

    Damn tasty and always quick. Great place for lunch and carry out is always good. Been coming in since they opened (I live right around the corner)

    Bread pudding is a cross between a traditional bread pudding and a tres leches dessert.
    Kevin J.

    This is probably the most flavor per dollar that I have had in a long time. This is probably a 4 Star quality & ambiance but I bumped it upto 5 stars due to the value. There are spicy dishes here so pay attention to the "heat meter" below each dish on the wall and try a dish that fits your style. I tried the voodo chicken because it was the special & I like spicy food. Try something else if a peppery kick isn't your thing. Don't skip the super soft & sweet cornbread. Also try the bread pudding. It's a cross between traditional bread pudding & a tres leches desert.

    This was a 3 option combo bowl with sweet chicken, spicy chicken, and red beans and rice.  I also added sour cream, cheese, and jalapeños.
    Darius J.

    What makes this place awesome is that 1) It's a different kind of adventure 2) The cashier is amazingly helpful and generous with the samples 3) The food is good 4) You can get a bowl of 2-3 food options combined. I got a bowl combined with the red beans and rice, sweet chicken, and spicy chicken.

    Kimberly M.

    We happened upon this place because there was a Groupon offered online. I don't have much experience in Cajan or Creole cooking. This place doesn't look like much from the outside but the food is pretty good. It's a lot of the same, pretty much chicken or crawfish over rice with a variety of sauces. The attendant at the counter was very knowledgable and offered us samples of different dishes. He seemed really invested in our experience and genuinely want us to enjoy our food. He all but insisted on the cornbread and man I'm glad he did it was almost like cake!

    Ben D.

    Great Cajun food in a relaxed atmosphere. Friendly owners that were very accommodating, offered samples, and generous portions. Perfect restaurant in Cincinnati for scratching the Cajun food itch. Casual dining and our son (1yo) ate free.

    I love the unique food you can't get anywhere else nearby. The food is quality and the taste is spot on. I always enjoy the food.
    Brian G.

    I love the unique food you can't get anywhere else nearby. The food is quality and the taste is spot on. I always enjoy the food and never leave with regrets. Thank you J Gumbo's!

    Crawfish etouffee
    Pam M.

    Everyone around here talks about J Gumbos so I had to try it. It's nice to have a Nola type of place to go to besides Pappadeaux. I visited the Blue Ash location. They guy was super helpful by giving us samples to try. I wanted the jambalaya but they ran out so I got the crawfish etouffee. It was good. Next time I will try to catch the jambalaya.

    Craving New Orleans found some gumbo in Cincy area.
    Aaron I.

    Perfect meal for a chilly evening. The gumbo here is well made and super filling! The place even has a bit of a New Orleans feel, kinda like a hole in the wall somewhere off Bourbon Street. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for an affordable meal that is not only tasty but reasonably priced

    Shrimp Etouffee with sour cream.

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    7 years ago

    I've been twice now. Good food, and very friendly service. Customers writing on the walls is a nice touch. No issues!

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    8 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Great lunch spot if your looking for something spicy and delicious. The food here reminds me of when I visit family down in New Orleans.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - J. Gumbo's

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    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.

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    Knotty Pine On the Bayou - Alligator Bites. Yum!

    Knotty Pine On the Bayou

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    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.

    My co-workers highly recommended Knotty Pine so I decided to check it out on a Tuesday for their…read morefish specials. The scene is quaint and gives a rustic New Orleans feel. My servers were warm and welcoming. I opted for the fried catfish with rice and gravy and collard greens. The greens were delicious! The catfish was perfectly cooked, flaky and piping hot, however missing the kick of cajun seasoning I yearned for. In all, I found my meal satisfying and of good value. While there were a couple of services misses, the waitresses made up for it by providing me with a sample of the gator bites. All I can say is, "WHOA!". They were absolutely DELICIOUS and seriously the highlight of my night. The cajun sauce served with them is the flavor I expect from Cajun food. That said, ask for the cajun sauce! On your fish, your rice and anything that warrants sauce. lol Dine local.

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

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    Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen

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    We arrived a few minutes early from our reservation time. We were greeted by the hostess and seated…read morequickly at our table. Our server, Chloe, introduced herself with a smile and provided us with a quick refresher. I knew from her energy that we were going to be in great hands for the evening. (and I was not wrong, lol) Chloe was personable, attentive, friendly, and down to earth. The service she provided us was excellent! I ordered the Swamp Thing for a cocktail. Sweet, fruity, and pretty... that green cocktail did exactly what it needed to do, lol. FIVE STARS! Now, on to the food... The Gator Bites are a MUST. I ordered the hot honey sauce on the side just to play it safe and I am glad I did, because babyyyy, that spice had no boundaries. If you're a lover of spicy things, you'll be good to order as is, lol! I also ordered the Roasted Oysters. Another MUST! The oysters had a parmesan crust with lemon garlic butter drizzled over them... They were gone in minutes! I was on the fence for my entree, but then my girl Chloe clocked that Pasta Mardi Gras and the rest is history. It was creamy, savory, and packed with flavor. I knew my girl wouldn't let me down! Our experience was excellent! I definitely recommend reservations. Pappadeaux wasn't terribly busy when we arrived, but by the time we finished up & headed out, they had a line out the door. If you're in the Cincy area, add to your foodie list! Overall, a great restaurant for a GNO, date night, or any celebration.

    Food and Drink: Pappadeaux's!!! From the jump, I want to say a 10/10 experience. I had the Salmon…read moreAlexander special with crawfish, shrimp, scallops, and dirty rice. For appetizers, we had the roasted oysters and the hot honey gator bites. Everything was phenomenal. The special had a white wine sauce to die for and everything was wonderfully seasoned, I also had my salmon blackened which was chef's kiss. The gator bites were tender like chicken and the oysters were so flavorful! For the drink, I had the Swamp Thing cocktail and I was happily buzzed after finishing it. It was sweet, refreshing and the alcohol wasn't overpowering. Highly recommend Pappadeaux's if you're ever in the Cincinnati area!!! Customer Service: Chloe was our waitress and she was knowledgeable, sociable, funny and caring. She did a wonderful job in giving recommendations and telling us about the specials. She checked on us consistently and was never overbearing. The staff was timely with the appetizers, and the ebb and flow of the crowd seemed under control and all waiters/waitresses were ensuring orders were correct. Thank you Chloe for the top-tier service!! Ambiance: Pappadeaux's is typically upscale causal to business casual, but everyone is free to come as they are! It is family friendly for all ages. The decor gives an intimate open dining vibe. When it gets busy, it's BUSY. But the wait will be worth it! I guarantee there is something for everybody. This place is perfect for any occasion, celebration, graduation, birthday, date night, family dinner, a day trip - whatever your heart desires. The Cincy location is the best!

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    J. Gumbo's - cajun - Updated May 2026

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