Review: Gumbo a Go Go
Author: WIBIA | Filed under: Food Reviews, Location: Indianapolis, IN
Gumbo a Go-Go!
1420 West 86th St.
Indianapolis, IN 46260
Open: M-Sa 11-8
317-337-9422
I can only write Gumbo a Go-Go so many times, so from here on out, I am calling it GAGG.
Every reader has a restaurant like this in their city. I never hear any rants/raves and the parking lot is never full. They are under the radar. Ask most people form Indy about cajun food and they will say Yats! and then…ahh…ummm…
After my Yats! post, a reader sent me an e-mail and said give GAGG a try. It is close to work, so I said why not. Chalkboard menu with about twelve options consisting of Vodoo Chicken, Bourbon Chicken, three Etouffee’s, Red Beans and Rice, Jumbalaya, Creole Chicken, and four veggie options. Odd pricing system as it is $6.00 for a regular, $7 for a combo (same size as regular) and $9 for full entree (two choices).
What I Ate: Full Entree, 1/2 Chicken and Sausage Gumbo, 1/2 Crawfish Etouffee. $9.00
First bite was the crawfish etouffee. Good, but I wasn’t wowed. It had very subtle flavors, so I added hot sauce, a little salt and pepper and we were back on track. I didn’t dislike it, but I didn’t love it either. I noticed a Chili Cheese Etouffee on the menu and I might try that next time. However, it is somewhat frustrating to see that on the menu since true cajun cooking uses very little cheese. Definitely a Midwestern adaptation.
I was unimpressed with my first few bites, so I moved on to the Gumbo. Awesome. Really nice flavors and the chicken was plentiful and it just tasted right. Perfect cold weather dish. I quickly understood why they called the restaurant Gumbo a Go-Go instead of Etouffee A Go-Go.
Would I Buy It Again? Yes, easily. The $9.00 portion was a lot of food and I could be happy with $6.00 gumbo all day long. They had a very steady lunch crowd and I got to sneak a few looks at the Voodoo Chicken and other entrees and all of it looked good. The owner was really friendly and pretty funny. With quick service and honest prices, this is a great combination. Also, they were playing early Clapton blues until the next CD came on and it was Ottis Redding. +10 on the music selections.
-wibia
Tags: cajun, etoufee, Food, gumbo, gumbo a go go
I love gumbo. For me, the best indicator of how good a gumbo is going to be is how dark the roux is that forms the base of the broth. The picture makes this one look nice and rich and dark. BTW, If you are ever in Bloomington I suggest Michael’s Uptown Cafe. Best gumbo I have ever had outside of N’Awlins. I have an unrelated question – what are “Threaded Eyebrows”? (see location picture)
That place looks and sounds good, but Gumbo a Go Go? Come on.. Who decided on that name?
I think the name is awesome. I want to eat gumbo now.
This is one of those places I’ve been waiting for someone to review. I pass by it and think….”I wonder if this is any good….”.
Now, it’s on my list to try! Thanks!
my wife is an esthetician so I’ve heard her talk about it…
they dont actually fill in your eyebrows with thread – they instead remove eyebrow hair by snaring it with a loop of thread (and pulling)
it is kind of nasty and not so sanitary – as they often keep the thread in their mouths as they work
anyway – good review!
Good stuff….definitely hoping to try the place, though the last time it came to mind was a Sunday (when they’re closed).
Will certainly check it out.
The pic looks good. Can’t believe I’ve never been there… reasonable prices, good food and music. I’ll have to check it out. I wonder why they don’t have a web site?
Eyebrow threading is an ethnic way of hair removal, no more or less unpleasant or gross than a hair waxing place. If the person who is doing yours is unsanitary you are going to the wrong person.
@John: Ya know, we are almost always on the same page on names, but I actually like the name…
@Mix: Try it for lunch, it is a lot busier then.
@IAmy: If you went there, you would understand why… I looked for it to link it and I wasn’t shocked that I couldn’t find one.
YAYA! A WIN
I hear the Vodoo Chicken is good, but I am loyal to the Burbon Chicken- AMAZING! Also, when he has Carmelized Corn, that is a treat. My BF and I love the owner and I swear the food is better when he dishes it up. I THINK (suspect) the reason for no website is this is just his little retirement venture and he likes to keep it simple… but maybe he would accept some website work for free A Go-Go… I’M GOING TO ASK! Glad you enjoyed!
Ditto what Rick said, thanks for the review. Eyebrow threading is AWESOME and 10x faster, cheaper ($6) and more sanitary than waxing.
Thank you all for all the great stuff you had to say about the shop. We are getting a web page going, just not that great with the P.C.