You Have to Try the One Dish That Made This Buzzy Louisiana Spot Legendary

Gumbo is a well-known staple of Louisiana cuisine, and Chef Ron's Gumbo Stop in Metairie has some of the best in the state.

If you love Louisiana cuisine, then you very likely are a big fan of gumbo. This dish is a Louisiana staple, and there are dozens, if not hundreds, of different Louisiana restaurants serving up bowls of it every single day. Gumbo quality can vary, though; it's all good, for sure - but some of it is great.

Anyone looking for a truly great bowl of gumbo in Louisiana right now should make a quick trip directly to Chef Ron's Gumbo Stop in Metairie. This restaurant is owned and operated by Chef Ron Iafrate himself, and not only does he oversee all the planning, ordering, and cooking, but he is on-site almost all of the time to meet and greet his customers, too. This place is so special.

Read on to learn more about Chef Ron, his gumbo, and Chef Ron's Gumbo Stop. By the time you're done reading this piece, you'll be getting ready to grab your car keys to head over there for a bowl or two of gumbo of your very own.

Look at this bowl of gumbo! It's beautiful to look at, and it's even better to taste and enjoy. Chef Ron's Gumbo Stop is a delight. Chef Ron and his staff offer up nine different types of gumbo on their menu, and you're going to want to try them all!

Of course, you might start with Chef Ron's Classic Seafood Gumbo. It's won awards and is packed with crawfish, shrimp, crabmeat, okra, and tomatoes. If that already sounds like a lot, or if seafood isn't your thing, you might just try the Chicken and Sausage Gumbo instead - it's fantastic in its simplicity.

If you want to take it up a notch, though, you might try Chef Ron's Mumbo Gumbo; it's a filé gumbo that includes chicken, shrimp, crabmeat, crawfish, sausage, okra, and tomato! The rest of Chef Ron's gumbo offerings are all variations on the Mumbo Gumbo, and every one of them is incredible. You might like Gumbo Monceaux, which is Mumbo Gumbo with a poached egg and topped with potato salad. Many people love Yumbo Mumbo Gumbo - it's Mumbo Gumbo with golden fried shrimp on top. Stuffed Gumbo is Mumbo Gumbo with fried catfish; Freckled Gumbo is Mumbo Gumbo with fried oysters.

If you're really hungry or are trying to feed a group, you might choose Chef Ron's Mega Gumbo! It's 20 ounces of Mumbo Gumbo topped with fried catfish, oysters, and shrimp. Or, perhaps your best choice is Ultimate Gumbo. This offering also only comes in a 20-ounce size, and is Mumbo Gumbo with just fried catfish and oysters added for people who don't love shrimp.

All of these gumbos are amazing - and you should try each and every one of them. You'll love them all.

Chef Ron got his start as a chef as a youngster by helping his Italian mother in the kitchen. He grew up to work in restaurants all over the northeast and became a professional chef who has earned countless certifications and accolades. He was even named the American Culinary Association's 2010 Chef of the Year by his peers! Finally, in 2012, he opened his very own restaurant - Chef Ron's Gumbo Stop - and the rest is history.

Of course, Chef Ron's Gumbo Stop serves more than just gumbo. Customers can enjoy a wide variety of Louisiana dishes when they stop in, including jambalaya, southern fried chicken, shrimp creole, crawfish etouffee, and red beans and rice with smoked sausage. Chef Ron's menu also includes a number of salads, some excellent appetizers, and specials that change with the seasons.

And, if you'd like to bring your kiddos along but are worried about what they might find to eat at Chef Ron's, you have no need to worry - Chef Ron's "Krazy Korner" kids' menu contains things all kids love, like grilled chese, spaghetti and meatballs, and chicken tenders, just in case unusual words like gumbo and jambalaya sound too adventurous for them.

Chef Ron's Gumbo Stop does gumbo very, very well, and this is a place that you should go out of your way to visit anytime you are in southern Louisiana. Chef Ron and his staff are waiting for you and can't wait to pour you a bowl, and look forward to watching you devour it with great gusto. Head on down to Chef Ron's Gumbo Stop as soon as you can, and tell Chef Ron that OnlyInYourState.com sent you! He will welcome you with open arms - and some of the best gumbo you've ever had in your life. Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Feeling inspired? Try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.

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