J. Gumbo's gone bad?

I hate to complain about a $5 meal, but I know what it used to be, and it's sad to see its decline. Tonight, I went to the J. Gumbo's in the Highlands for my usual, Drunken Chicken. It was terrible. It used to be a thick stew with big chunks of chicken. Well, it is no longer. At least not tonight. There was little to no chicken, and mostly a watery gravy. The flavors were similar, but it was no where close to being what it was. It was if they took the recipe and added 3 parts water. It may have been the first time I have ever finished this dish -- and I was still hungry. I'm disappointed. Maybe they need better quality control.

I hope that they have not gone bad. According to Business First, they are opening on April 23rd on 4th Street Live. And I work just down the street and I can't wait. New lunch spot!

http://louisville.bizjournals.com/louisville/stories/2007/04/16/daily11.html?jst=b_ln_hl

I have heard from several people that the Highlands location is not very good, but the one in J-town continues to offer excellent food and service. Since getting their liquor license, I expect they will be getting even busier.

I hate to complain about a $5 meal, but I know what it used to be, and it's sad to see its decline. Tonight, I went to the J. Gumbo's in the Highlands for my usual, Drunken Chicken. It was terrible. It used to be a thick stew with big chunks of chicken. Well, it is no longer. At least not tonight. There was little to no chicken, and mostly a watery gravy. The flavors were similar, but it was no where close to being what it was. It was if they took the recipe and added 3 parts water. It may have been the first time I have ever finished this dish -- and I was still hungry. I'm disappointed. Maybe they need better quality control.

I never knew the appeal of the place. It's 5 bucks but its cafeteria food to me. Bland and boring most of the time for me.

I think certain dishes are bland, like the Bourbon Street chicken. But, the Drunken Chicken was to die for. However, Drunken Chicken watered down sucks.

Went to the highlands location 4/22 and ordered the gumbo and chicken etouffee that I have had three other times there. They used to ladle in the gumbo and then spoon in an island of rice in the center. This time I got a uniform mixture of gumbo and rice which took up about an inch and a half of the take out bowl. Both my wife and I had no problem finishing our orders, which had never been the case before. Also, when I asked the counter help about the bumblebee stew, she pointed to the description on the grease board. Previously a question like that would have produced a friendly free sample.

Part of what I liked about the original Frankfort Avenue location is that the employees seemed to be having a good time serving up large portions of good food. This certainly seems to have disappeared from the Highlands store. Is this chain going the way of Bearno's, where there are 'good' stores and 'bad' stores?

Is this chain going the way of Bearno's, where there are 'good' stores and 'bad' stores?

I haven't tried the new J Gumbo's locations yet, so I can't weigh in on this discussion (btw, is the Frankfort Ave location still good as ever?), but I do have a side-topic question:

Which Bearno's are the "good" ones and which are the "bad"? I've only ever eaten at the Bardstown Rd one, but have often thought of ordering from the By the Bridge one. Any reason I shouldn't?

We generally go to the U of L Bearnos, but sometimes eat at the Bridge one. No problems I can think of.

We generally go to the U of L Bearnos, but sometimes eat at the Bridge one. No problems I can think of.

Out on Westport Road they are still delivering a great pie. I had Gumbo's just the other day in J-Town and it was as good as ever. I hope the franchisees aren't watering down the frozen stuff to stretch the profit margin.

We were at the Highlands location shortly after they opened - so soon after, the owner (whose name escapes me at the moment) was still putting tables together. I don't think it is a franchise. The food that night was excellent. One of the problems with multiple locations is the owner can't be everywhere at once and is dependent on employees to project (and protect) his image. I have read that the food is being prepared at a central location for all the new stores. Perhaps they are having quality issues at the source (getting used to massive quantities) or in the prep at the new places.

I hope that they have not gone bad. According to Business First, they are opening on April 23rd on 4th Street Live. And I work just down the street and I can't wait. New lunch spot!

http://louisville.bizjournals.com/louisville/stories/2007/04/16/daily11.html?jst=b_ln_hl

I work just down the street as well. I'm at 5th and Main. One thing that's odd is that the article didn't mention the J-Town location. The excerpt follows:

The other J. Gumbo's restaurants are located in Clifton, the Highlands and on Lyndon Lane.

There is also a Bearno's in Floyds Knobs - Hwy 150 across from Highlander Point. If you like an unhealthy dose of cigarette smoke w/ your meal then this is the place for you. Went there once with my son. We won't be back. Food was mediocre and I felt like we smoked a pack while we were there. We had to change clothes when we got home since my husband is extremely allergic to cigarette smoke. If you miss the smokes in Louisville, head to Floyds Knobs.

There is also a Bearno's in Floyds Knobs - Hwy 150 across from Highlander Point. If you like an unhealthy dose of cigarette smoke w/ your meal then this is the place for you. Went there once with my son. We won't be back. Food was mediocre and I felt like we smoked a pack while we were there. We had to change clothes when we got home since my husband is extremely allergic to cigarette smoke. If you miss the smokes in Louisville, head to Floyds Knobs.

Aside from bars and outdoors I find very few places anyone is allowed to smoke anymore. After July 1st, it's gonna get even stricter. I think the only 2 places in Louisville you'll be able to smoke are Churchill Downs and B&W. Maybe across the river y'all don't have this going on.

I'm not aware of any restaurant in either Kentucky or Indiana that doesn't allow smoking outside and before that comment gets anyones righteous indignation cranked up I am also addicted to tobacco. The only difference is I only hurt myself by dipping snuff over 27 years. I still answer that polite question of "Do you mind if I smoke?" with "Not if you don't mind me spitting in your hair". Fair is fair so lets keep the playing field even. No one has accepted the trade off, yet.

Were I in Floyd's Knobs, I'd certainly rather eat pizza at Arni's than Bearno's. Just sayin'.