J Gumbo's "New" Locations

I'm a fan of the original location on Frankfort. It's casual, the food is good, and you can get out of there without spending a lot of money.

I was really excited when the Lyndon location opened. It's a bit easier for us to get to from our house just of Brownsboro.

When we went, though, we were less than impressed. I had what was supposed to be a chicken dish, but there were perhaps three bites of chicken in the whole dish. What I got was rice with a flavorful sauce. The same was true of my husband's dish. He had maybe two slices of sausage and one bite of chicken. We were there an hour before closing, but if they were running out of food, I think they should have said that the dishes were finished rather than serving almost nothing but rice and sauce. We'll give this location another shot since it might have been an off night, but as of now, I'm not impressed.

[Robin Garr]

I'm a fan of the original location on Frankfort. It's casual, the food is good, and you can get out of there without spending a lot of money.

While generalizations are always unfortunate, there's been a consistent pattern of the newer J Gumbo's (formerly Gumbo A Go-Go) not being quite up to the original. As I understand it, the food is all made on Frankfort Avenue, served there fresh, but trucked out to the satellites in serving portions to be reheated and served. Also, for what it's worth, it appears that the owners are working at Frankfort Avenue, while the others are run by franchisees.

Not major differences - many reports, especially from the Jeffersontown shop, have been very good. But it's interesting that when we hear complaints about J. Gumbo's, it's almost invariably from the branches, not the "home office."

Was at The Summit today and saw a sign for J.Gumbo's 'opening this fall" next to Starbucks.

As I understand it, the food is all made on Frankfort Avenue, served there fresh, but trucked out to the satellites in serving portions to be reheated and served.

I ate at the J. Gumbo's on 4SL a while back. I looked behind the counter to find an employee throwing frozen bags of food into a hot water bath and pulling thawed bags out. The thawed bags were thrown in a plastic tub on the floor on their way to the steam table.

The food was OK, and I don't think it was unsanitary, but the sight of that was unappetizing. I don't think I'll eat there anytime soon, especially with all the other good lunch spots downtown.

Ate for the first time there last week and it was pretty decent. I had the drunken chicken and it was a good sized portion for $6. Overall will probably go back and try the voodoo chicken.

Having just moved to Jeffersontown, I frequent Gumbo a GoGo alot.(Cheap, tasty eats close to the house) I asked a person behind the counter "Why they haven't changed the name yet?" and was told that they got in on the ground floor and aren't part of the"franchising thing". For me(I'm pretty biased when it comes to this sort of thing) it's just as good as the one one Frankfort Ave. But I haven't been to any of the other locations yet.

There are pricing differences as well. At the Papa John's Stadium/Churchill Downs location and at the location on wide wide Dixie, the prices came to six bucks a bowl and seven for a combo. Both still gave better servings than the Highlands. Went back to Frankfort home just to be sure, and five bucks still got a full bowl, and filled with meat.

I know everyone has to make a buck, but I wish the 'owners' at Frankfort would either deal with this uneven franchise or just change their name back to Gumbo-a-go-go.

As for the unappetizing bags being slung around, I personally prefer the visible food prep areas. Seeing a bag of food sliced open and dumped may not be grand presentation, but seeing what the person has been doing before and during the process speaks loads about sanitary conditions.

As I understand it, the food is all made on Frankfort Avenue, served there fresh, but trucked out to the satellites in serving portions to be reheated and served.

I ate at the J. Gumbo's on 4SL a while back. I looked behind the counter to find an employee throwing frozen bags of food into a hot water bath and pulling thawed bags out. The thawed bags were thrown in a plastic tub on the floor on their way to the steam table.

The food was OK, and I don't think it was unsanitary, but the sight of that was unappetizing. I don't think I'll eat there anytime soon, especially with all the other good lunch spots downtown.

A lot of good multi-unit local eateries have what are are called commissaries that enable consistency and ensures quality...J.Gumbo's is no different.

A lot of good multi-unit local eateries have what are are called commissaries that enable consistency and ensures quality...J.Gumbo's is no different.

Fair enough... But the sight of it didn't make me want to eat there. I suppose I could choose to ignore that fact if the food was outstanding, but it wasn't.

[Robin Garr]

A lot of good multi-unit local eateries have what are are called commissaries that enable consistency and ensures quality...J.Gumbo's is no different.

Fair enough... But the sight of it didn't make me want to eat there. I suppose I could choose to ignore that fact if the food was outstanding, but it wasn't.

In theory the commissary concept should allow a good kitchen to spread itself around, but I'm skeptical about any given implementation until proven otherwise. This is the system Panera uses to declare that its bread is "baked fresh on premises," but shipping in cold dough from St. Louis doesn't give you Blue Dog. The problem is that anything done to enhance efficiency creates a temptation to cut costs. And as noted elsewhere in this thread, most of the satellite J. Gumbo's just aren't earning the same kind of consumer acclaim as the Frankfort Avenue mothership wins.

I've been going to the Frankfort Avenue original location since it opened. Tried the Central Avenue (near UofL) earlier this week. The food and presentation were excellent. Drunken Chicken was chock-full of meat! Thick, hearty, spicy....ummmm! (make Homer Simpson sound)

I have only been to this new outpost...but I'd have to say the food is just as good as the original Gumbo A Go Go. And people with UofL ID get a dollar off!

Well, we got take-out from J Gumbo's this past Sunday, and I debated on posting something, but now I can just add to this one.

First, we looooved Gumbo A-Go-Go at it's start, especially the Drunken Chicken. I know that I don't know true gumbo, or a lot of NO style cooking, but the flavors were great, and the value couldn't be beat. But I was disappointed in our meals Sunday. We ordered Drunken Chkn, Voodoo Chkn, Gumbo, and Red Beans and Rice. I will say that there was plenty of meat, even in the RB&R. But everything but the Gumbo was too salty, and the Drunken Chkn seemed way off to me. Not 'off' as in something was bad, but the flavor balance that always brings me back to that dish just so wasn't there. The portions were smaller, and the price higher, but I still found it a good value as we had plenty of leftovers. But when I went to the fridge to grab a bite here and there of the leftovers as I usually do, the Drunken Chicken was my least favorite box to open and nibble. I hope it is just some logistics they have to work out, because I want them to succeed, but I felt like I lost an old favorite.

Kim H

Out of curiosity, which store did you get that from?

I have had the Drunken chicken as well at the Central station location and it is very good. I think J Gumbo's like any other chain may run into some problems, but this is a quick service restaurant. The price is reasonable, the food quality is above average and you do eat out of real bowl not foam or paper. I have seen some inconsistency, they don't always have a special, desserts are hand written in marker and taped over the menu board, lemons are not iced down and the cups are foam which is an issue for me. Overall it is good. Compared to Joe's OK bayou it is great. The rice is fluffy the entree's are moist and filled with ingredients and you don't have to add additional seasonings to appreciate the dish. Joe's OK Bayou shares the same commissary program with results that are less pleasing. I would agree that they could keep the bags behind closed doors, but Applebee's, Fazoli's, Joe's OK Bayou, Tumbleweed, Bristol and others use food prepared in a commissary to serve their guests consistent food in multiple locations.

Kim H

Out of curiosity, which store did you get that from?

I'm sorry, I thought I mentioned that we went to the original on Frankfort. Believe me, we'll be back, and are hoping they're just working out some kinks. We sure love their Drunken Chicken, among other dishes, just found it disappointing last week.