The J. Gumbo's on Ludlow is AMAZING!!! The only thing better than the food is the service! They were SOOOOO nice, helpful, and friendly! I have a child with special needs and they went above and beyond to help him. I wish I could give them more than five stars! read more

3.5 I've lived near UC and tried the J Gumbo's in Clifton a lot during my UC days. I was happy to see this in UberEATS and ordered a bunch of stuff to re-live those memories. Disclaimer: I ordered via UberEATS. I won't be able to review the service or dining experience. I ordered a White Chili and a Shrimp Etouffee. Now, I've tried real Cajun food and J Gumbo's is not very close. But, it used to be good. Maybe it still is, I guess I ordered the wrong things. White Chili was alright. Wasn't bad, but didn't do much taste-wise. Shrimp Etouffee looked promising. I was happy that they didn't skimp on shrimp and just give like 4 pieces. It was a decent number. Taste-wise, I didn't like it. I could hardly taste any spice. I also got the cornbread. I know it was a $1.25, but I expected more than a small square. Also, I could taste a lil hint of jalapeno in it. Was it just me? It was okay, but not worth it really. The Clifton place used to toast and butter the bread. This one came plain. I guess the price is not very bad with $8 a bowl. Still, I feel like it's not the same. The spice isn't. The taste isn't. As much as I used to like J Gumbo's and it still brings nostalgia, I guess I'll go to Louisiana and get the real thing now. Again, it's not bad. It's decent. But, personally, I've had better food with the same chain earlier. read more

Great food and fabulous service! Simple menu but many many flavor combinations and they provide SAMPLES!! read more

J. Gumbo's - Food selection - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Super freindly and helpful staff, very clean restaurant and the gumbo is excellent! There are SOO many choices and each one is better than the previous. Tried the VooDoo chicken (hot, but great flavor) and one other before settling on the drunken chicken. Delicious meal for a very reasonable price. Stop in! read more

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! read more

J. Gumbo's - This is in a plaza - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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) read more

J. Gumbo's - two bowls of soup and bread - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Trying for broadest appeal across spectrum of expectations may result in rather boring offerings..... Chipotle should buy this franchise for test kitchen purposes.... read more

Another challenging review because they're right down the middle of four and five stars. I've eaten here a number of times and they're consistently good. On my first visit I had the Drunken Chicken and enjoyed it. However I like spicy food so after the owner suggested Voodoo Chicken, well let's just say I've never switched back. My preferred way to have it is with brown rice, shredded cheese, and extra jalapeño slices. You can add sour cream if you need a little extra fire extinguisher (it's not really that hot...). Pro tip - use the super soft piece of bread included with it to push perfect bites into your spoon. read more

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. read more

J. Gumbo's - Bread pudding is a cross between a traditional bread pudding and a tres leches dessert. - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

I really, really like J. Gumbo. This is the second location I have visited. Looks like they are getting ready to re-locate soon. The food never disappoints. Packed full of flavor, everything I have tried is a party for your tongue. Such a nice change of pace from all the usual options. read more

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. read more

J. Gumbo's - 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. - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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! read more

J. Gumbo's - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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. read more

J. Gumbo's - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Excellent Gumbo. I do not know why the keep closing J Gumbo Restaurants. While they did not have any Mudbugs ( crayfish ) they did put a handful of shrimp in my Gumbo. The bowl was huge and the seasoning was perfect. The bread was soft and large also. The Gumbo had a great deal of sausage and chicken in it. read more

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! read more

J. Gumbo's - 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. - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

I always seek out local/regional joints when I travel. This place is a gem. I easily see why it's receiving great reviews on Yelp. My food was delicious. The price was reasonable. The service was fast and super friendly. If I lived nearby, I'd be a regular. (Google Maps took me to the wrong side of the street. Glad that I found it.) read more

The service was friendly. The food was delicious. The restaurant itself wasn't very attractive inside. Friendly service and delicious food is much more important read more

Brought my parents to dinner here and were pleasantly surprised by how tasty it was-- Cajun this far north is usually weak on spice and flavor. Our food was quite good and enjoyable! They have a handy scale to help you decide on the level of spicy you would like and will give you tasters to make sure you like the food before ordering. read more

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. read more

J. Gumbo's - Crawfish etouffee - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Anything with "RICE" I love so when J. Gumbo's recently opened near my office, I couldn't be happier. Another lunch hot spot for me to go. YEY! My favorite of all time is the Bourbon and Drunken chicken. If there's one of your fancy, just ask for samples. They're very hospitable and friendly. read more

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 read more

J. Gumbo's - Craving New Orleans found some gumbo in Cincy area. - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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This was the first time of having J. Gumbo. And for being a fast food type of Cajun/Creole, it was quite good! I ordered the etouffee with a dollup of sour cream on top and corn bread on the side. It was a huge portion. It had a nice amount of shrimp and a really good spice. Plus, on Thursday, it's on special for $5.99. The sour cream gave it extra creaminess. The corn bread was very moist and sweet, not grainy at all. I'd definitely try more of their meals. And the staff was super friendly! read more

J. Gumbo's - Shrimp Etouffee with sour cream. - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

I can't stress enough how delicious this food is - no matter your slice level you will be satisfied. I tend to take the spiciest I can get. - the Voodoo chicken with a ton of 'bang' to it . The Drunken chicken has a little heat to match amazing flavor. The bumblebee stew is sweet but delightful - but when paired with the Voodoo chicken in the Jean Lafitte, the flavor is indescribably delicious. Meet the owner, he will make you feel at home. read more

J. Gumbo's - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

I have ordered from J. Gumbo's before, was extremely pleased. Today's lunch missed the mark. The food was bland, and didn't taste fresh. Instead of having the rice separated from the selected entrees, they delivered two large pans of rice with the entrees on top. As a result, we have about 5x the amount of rice needed, and a deficit of chicken. I called the restaurant to share my concerns, and the manager said there was nothing she could do and would have the owner call me back in a few minutes. That was more than an hour ago. read more

I also pass this J.Gumbo's on my way to other food establishments so I wanted to try it out. This was my first time at a J.Gumbo's and I decided to have the jambalaya with one square of cornbread. The food was just so-so. It is served from those metal containers you'd see at a buffet and tastes as such. The chicken was dry and the rice was noticeably sitting for a while. I will say that the sausage was pretty good though. Best part of my meal was definitely the cornbread, which may be a little pricey at $1 per square but it was hands down one of the best I've had. Workers were friendly and upbeat and the restaurant itself seemed very clean and neat but overall nothing that blew me away.. Other than that cornbread read more

Not a fan of Cajun food but came here with some friends and was pleasantly surprised. Had the bourbon st. Chicken with brown rice and I'd give it a 9.5 out of 10. read more

J. Gumbo's - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Excellent food! The gentleman working was super helpful. He answered all of our questions and gave us several samples to try. Their prices are great for the amount of food you get. I had the jambalaya, it was one of the bests that I have had so far. The chicken wasn't dry and the sausage was cooked perfectly. My fiancée got the bumble stew mixed with red beans and rice and he loves his choice as well. We will definitely visit here again when in the area! read more

J. Gumbo's - Jambalaya! - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

My first time here. This place is fantastic. The food is amazing. The red hot is actually hot. The rice is great, the shrimp are great, the bread is great. The seasoning is beyond description . As amazing as the food is my experience was eclipsed by the staff, Tasha specifically. She greeted us as we entered, asked if this was our first time and explained everything about the menu. Then she started handing us samples based on the amount of spicy we liked. She turned a trip to a takeout restaurant into an fun and exciting experience. Tasha excels at her job and embodies what customer service should be. Great food excellent staff. Eat here. read more

I ordered the red beans and rice, and the drunken chicken. The red beans and rice was bland. The drunken chicken was amazing! The drunken chicken was spicy but a flavorful spice. The corn bread was moist and paired nicely with both dishes. read more

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

Generous portions, decent fast food creole, very warm and hearty however, the bourbon chicken was bit watered down and the crawfish etouffe was on the bit salty. Will go back and try other dishes. Be prepared to wait in line if you're going during lunch hour! read more

I've been here twice, both times craving something warm, southern, and good for the soul. And both times, I've been disappointed. The portion size is great, but the gumbo is very soupy, salty, and bland. The latter may have been my own fault as I picked the mild Bourbon St Chicken bc it was the $10 lunch special. The rice too is a bit over cooked. All in all, it just doesn't appear that fresh or special. I'm sure it's a challenge to cook for so many and prevent it from getting mushy, but maybe they could make smaller batches, pan fry it before serving, or remove some of the liquid. Worth trying but maybe go with the spicier fan favorites. read more

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.

Love the samples! The gumbo was great. Staff was great. Some of the rice didn't seem to be cooked all the way. It felt like eating rocks. read more

If you're looking slightly for cajun/creole, DON'T GO TO THIS PLACE!!! Even in a covid-19 situation, they must be raking it in, because for the $17 we paid for the small amount of food we received, it was very skimpy on anything with flavor... it was basically white rice. My wife got Bourbon Chicken which was dry shredded meat on rice that was very bland. I was SO looking forward to trying the shrimp etouffee. What I got was mostly rice, with what seemed like white biscuit gravy with ceyenne pepper and a few small shrimp.... VERY bland (except for a peppery taste). One iced tea was also included in this order. This was NOTHING like cajun should be!!! We will NOT be returning. The good reviews this place has received must be from employees families!!! I can't imagine a person looking for good creole food giving them high marks. read more

Man this place hit the spot! I went with my little one on a Saturday afternoon to avoid the weekday crowds, and was pleasantly surprised. I like the concept, which is basically a lot of entrees over rice or a sandwich on French bread. The bread was amazing, and the drunken chicken was addictive. Be prepared to dig into their sandwiches with a fork and knife! I can't wait to go back! Solid 4 stars. read more

I walked in they gave me a small taste of the drunken chicken and I was hooked. I live 50 miles away and driving here is not a problem. This restaurant is awesome. Very diverse menu for different taste buds. The Gentlemen (Doug) serving the food was nice, proffesional and knowledgeable about his menu. Thank you read more

J. Gumbo's is great!! Today was my first time trying it, and I went at prime hour. Gave them a call to speed up the process of placing my order, and told them I was 5 minutes away. When I walked in the door I didn't even have to wait! I cashed out and was out the door to my cajun bliss while I sat at my cubicle and ate my food while working. Might I add, the gentleman I spoke to on the phone was such a sweetheart. Nicely correcting me as I butchered how to pronounce my order. I got the Jean Lafitte: a hefty combo of the VooDoo Chicken and the BumbleBee stew atop a pile of white rice, garnished with jalapeños, cheddar cheese, and sour cream. I ate my food so fast I didn't even have time to breathe, that's how delicious it is! I enjoy spicy food, so if you don't stay away from this dish. The employees at J. Gumbo's will accommodate everyone's needs, and even give you a sample if you'd like! J. Gumbo's will be seeing this girl a whole lot more. read more

J. Gumbo's - Jean Lafitte! VooDoo Chicken and Bumble Bee Stew atop a pile of while rice, topped with cheddar cheese, jalapeños, and sour cream. YUMO. - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Had a half bowl of the Étouffée and Gumbo. Not sure if I would call the Gumbo a New Orleans style Gumbo. The Étouffée was the special for today. All I tasted was the pepper. It also seems like they have return customers who get coupons for their next visit where as I who spent more than some of them did not. Being from New Orleans I had hoped that I was going to find a restaurant that would be my go to place when I was homesick I don't think this will be it. read more

RUDE!! I had never been before & they were at the Taste of Blue Ash so I have them a look. The line was consistently long all night so I thought that there must be something to that. My girlfriend & I waited in line for about 15 min & got to the spot to order. She went with the Voodoo Chicken $ I had the Bourbon Street Chicken. We shuffle a few feet down to pay & I tell the woman what we ordered she responded in a very sharp "I don't care WHAT you ordered!!" I was a little taken aback, as any logical person would assume that you would have to tell the cashier what to ring you out for. The woman serving up the food quickly jumped in & said that all the samples were the same price except one. That's no excuse to have been met with this engagement. The food was ok, but with as many other options that are in the Blue Ash area & this level of customer service, I'll never be back--and ensure that I'll tell all my coworkers not to go as well. read more