Ed U.
Yelp
Have you been having a hankering for homemade gumbo? Options are somewhat limited around these parts. There's Angeline's Louisiana Kitchen in Berkeley (review: https://yelp.to/79T5c27Vfz), and of course, there's always Brenda's French Soul (review: https://yelp.to/qkGCI3poMl). My problem is that menu choices are too robust at these popular restaurants that I end up bypassing the gumbo.
But not here. Three kinds of gumbo are front and center at this Bayview spot - Chicken and Sausage, Smoked Turkey, and Vegan (Roasted Mushrooms with Black Eyed Peas). Po Boys, small plates, and a kale salad definitely have second billing. The place was empty in the middle of a workday afternoon, and I didn't see anyone until the owner came out to stir one of the pots of gumbo.
For my virginal visit, I decided to try the $17 bowl of Chicken and Sausage Gumbo which came with two floating mini-scoops of rice (photo: https://yelp.to/ykvaZfwYAY). Flavorful would be an understatement as the dark roux was mixed seamlessly with bits of okra, onion, bell pepper, and celery. Andouille sausage was added to the shredded chicken, and the result was both smoky and spicy.
I added the $12 California Greens, and the generous portion was almost an entree in itself (photo: https://yelp.to/T1fXzdy4cM). It was mixed with okra, beans, chopped onion, and tomatoes, and the homestyle flavor really added to the satisfaction from the gumbo. The young woman who served me was very pleasant, and she reminded me the space was previously occupied by Frisco Fried which I enjoyed years ago (review: https://yelp.to/yYbDU5Cj6I). Definitely returning.
FOOD - 5 stars...true homestyle gumbo, really delicious
AMBIANCE - 4 stars...nice space, pretty sparse
SERVICE - 4 stars...quiet to pleasant during my visit
TOTAL - 5 stars...it's all about the gumbo and the greens
RELATED - Exploring Bayview/Hunters Point? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3AOvRKv