Every week, I document another dish that impressed and satiated me during my food adventures around New York City
Every week in New York, there are a slew of great local restaurants that are forced to close due to rising rents, changes in the food world, etc. With all these unfortunate changes, it’s sometimes a relief to stop and think about the ones that are succeeding and growing.
The Gumbo Bros. started a few years back as an idea between two friends who went to school in New Orleans and started a modest stand at the pop-up markets around the city. I met them at the Vendy Awards and was very excited to see them committed to bringing authentic Cajun food to the city. Many of the businesses at those markets seem to come and go, but the Gumbo Bros. actually got to open their own restaurant on busy Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn.
This permanent space isn’t terribly bigger than their market stall but there are seats and beer and a larger menu.
When I found the time to stop by, I wanted to try more of their namesake – I’ll have to get the po’ boys another time. I remember their gumbos being good at the Vendy Awards but not quite this good.
If you’ve never dabbled in gumbo, this is the place to start (outside of NOLA of course). There’s a meat option (with chicken and sausage), a vegetarian one (greens and herbs), and a seafood one.
When it comes to Cajun food, I really love shellfish so Nanny’s seafood recipe was calling my name. And I was not disappointed. The dark roux gave the gumbo a very complex deep flavor with a hit of both spice and mellowing sweetness from the large chunks of blue crab and shrimp. The drowning ball of rice picked up every last ounce of flavor from the stew.
While these guys are still growing, it’s great to see them upgrade from a market booth to a full-on restaurant. Next step is to conquer the world – one gumbo at a time. Price: $7/$14
| THE GUMBO BROS. |
| 224 Atlantic Avenue (between Court Street and Boerum Place), Cobble Hill, Brooklyn (917) 909-1471 |
| thegumbobros.com |
