Gumbo (one of the most well-known Cajun/Creole dishes) is synonymous with Southern cooking and can be found all across Beaumont. In its simplest form, gumbo combines seasonings, meat or shellfish, and the “holy trinity” of veggies—onion, celery, and bell pepper—served in a tasty stew over rice.
That said, the real secret is the roux. A French-cuisine-inspired thickener made of flour and fat. The longer the roux cooks, the darker it becomes and the more flavor it retains. Part art, part science, making roux is a labor of love as it requires a lot of patience!
The search for the best gumbo in Beaumont is a passionate debate, with locals fiercely loyal to their favorite spots. Explore the top places serving up this Southern staple and decide for yourself where the “roux is on fire!"
Tia Juanita’s Fish Camp
If opening five shops in five years isn’t enough of an indication of how beloved Tia Juanita’s is in SETX, one bite of their award-winning gumbo will surely seal the deal. A love letter in a bowl to their Mexicajun roots, they make chicken, Zummo sausage, and spicy shrimp gumbo every morning from scratch. They describe their recipe as a blend of Texas and Louisiana styles that “comes in three sizes.”
Floyd’s
Floyd’s takes its gumbo so seriously that it has two separate cooks manning the pots, one for the meat and one for the seafood. Patricia Howard, aka “Mama,” supervises the daily operations, which have been her baby since they opened in 2006. It takes patience and perfectionism to ensure that everything is the right color and texture, but Mama’s team never misses the mark!
The Bayou Café
One of the most beloved local gumbo spots in Beaumont, TX, is the Bayou Café. Using a family recipe handed down for generations, the Bayou Café serves three types of gumbos with two kinds of roux made fresh every morning. Choose from chicken and Zummo sausage, a seafood mix of shrimp and crab, and a “four-meat” gumbo that includes all the above.
The Schooner
Opened in 1947, The Schooner is a Southeast Texas landmark and one of the oldest family-owned seafood and steak houses on the Gulf Coast. Their seafood gumbo recipe has taken 73 years to perfect, and they make roughly 40 gallons of it every morning. They work with local seasoning brand TexJoy to make seasoning blends exclusive to the restaurant, so the flavor is unique and unlike any you’ve tried elsewhere!
Crazy Cajun
Full of spicy andouille sausage and tender chicken chunks, Crazy Cajun’s meat gumbo is an original recipe and top menu selle. A time- and temperature-controlled recipe perfectly balances flavor and heat. While you’re there, don’t miss the crawfish mac and cheese, another crowd-pleaser worth writing home about.
