#58: Gumbo at the Gumbo Shop

Ian Froeb

Gumbo from the Gumbo Shop in Rock Hill

​Is it predictable -- lazy, even -- to single out the gumbo from a restaurant called the Gumbo Shop? After all, there is more to the menu than just gumbo: jambalaya, crawfish étouffée, po' boys, hush puppies. Why not be contrary or at least counter-intuitive?

Because the gumbo at the Gumbo Shop really is that effing awesome.
 
The gumbo isn't stand-your-spoon-upright thick, but it's thick enough that the rice, celery, shrimp and andouille don't swim so much as hang suspended. The base is a roux rich and full-flavored -- but not so dark as to overwhelm the more subtle flavors, especially the shrimp.

Is it spicy? Yes, though the heat builds gradually and never takes your breath away. It's an accent and an exclamation point: This! is why the restaurant is called the Gumbo Shop.

The Gumbo Shop
9501 Manchester Road, Rock Hill
314-918-8747
$4.79 (half order)/$6.99 (whole order)

I'm counting down -- in no particular order -- 100 of my favorite dishes in St. Louis. Some are well-known, others obscure. Some are expensive, others dirt cheap. All of them, I guarantee, are delicious. Please do not hesitate to share your own favorites via the comments thread.

Previously:

#59: The burger at Newstead Tower Public House
#60: Quesadillas tradicionales at Milagro Modern Mexican

#61: "7th Street Sicilian" Po' Boy at Blues City Deli
#62: Tamales at Taqueria la Pasadita
#63: Ćevapi at Bosna Gold
#64: Lemon meringue and pine nut torte at BitterSweet Bakery
#65: Chile Morita con Puerco at Señor Pique
#66: Soda chanh duong (sparkling lemonade) at Lemon Grass
#67: Nachos grande at Nachomama's
#68: Pizza with pepperoni, sausage and mushroom at Pizza-a-Go-Go
#69: Bill's "Burger Meister Burger" at Cardwell's at the Plaza
#70: Sake (salmon) nigiri sushi at Nobu's Japanese Restaurant