Gumbo Bar
2107 Post Office Street
Galveston, TX 77550
(409) 744-8626
Galveston Restaurant Group
Gumbo Bar Seafood Gumbo
October 19, 2012
Gumbo Bar is part of the Galveston Restaurant Group, a locally owned and operated restaurant group that was started in the Galveston Entertainment District in 1997 when they opened their first restaurant, Saltwater Grill. They’ve since expanded to a total of 7 facilites, 3 in the Galveston Entertainment District adjacent to each other as well as others on Seawall Boulevard, League City, etc..
After a lightly taxing, 5 hour drive we decided to pop into Little Daddy’s Gumbo Bar for quick lunch with a little libation. We visited the location on Post Office street in the downtown entertainment district of Galveston, Texas. Seating is available both outdoors and indoors. Outdoors seating was at a premium on such a lovely October afternoon but we were luckily able to secure the last available table.
Little Daddy’s Gumbo Bar focuses on coastal cuisine, primarily “Big Easy” staples such as Gumbo, Po-Boys and various shellfish preparations. We decided to start our meal with an order of their side dish Fried Pickles ($4.99) as an appetizer. The battered and fried crispy and salty pickles were a great way to start our meal washed down by an ice cold beer. The flavor was very good and the portion size was ample enough for at least two people to share, most likely more. This side dish is recommended. Our entree selections for lunch were the Seafood Gumbo ($9.99 for the “Lil Daddy”, $13.99 for the “Big Daddy”). This “Famous Made to Order in our Award Winning Steam Kettles!” failed to impress. Perhaps I don’t have enough experience with gumbo (I’ve been eating it since I was a child being raised in this area) but I found the broth to be lacking in flavor, the rice lacking in volume and the seafood just about completely missing. In short both I and my dining partner were served an under-seasoned bowl of hot water that kept us reaching for the Gumbo File and Louisiana Hot Sauce bottles on our table. Portion size was ample but next time I’ll simply pass on this dish and head straight for something else like the Po-Boys.
The restaurant has a decent selection of beers available for purchase. There are various specials on beer selections throughout the days of the week. You can also purchase beer by the six pack for take out which is a little rare in Texas. Call ahead about BYOB. I do not believe it is normally allowed but do verify yourself.
Service was very good. Our hostess quickly greeted us upon arrival and our affable waitress took our drink orders very shortly thereafter. Service was at a slightly brisk but always attentive pace throughout the meal.
The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Sunday through Thursday from 11AM until 10PM; Friday and Saturday staying open an extra hour until 11PM. Parking is metered street parking unless you want to walk several blocks for free street parking. Parking is typically at a premium in the entertainment district in the evenings, especially weekends so plan ahead. Attire is casual; nice shorts and t-shirt get the job done. Wear a button down shirt to impress. Major credit cards are accepted.
Little Daddy’s Gumbo Bar: hit and miss in my book. I might stop back in to take the Po-Boy for a test drive but will skip the gumbo next time.
