Gumbo's - Round Rock

Gumbo's - Round Rock

Written by Jim Dawson Tuesday, 07 March 2006

Louisiana style fine dining in historical location

Gumbo’s is housed in one of the oldest buildings in Round Rock. Built in 1848 as a stage depot on the crest of a hill overlooking Brushy Creek, it has evolved into one of the best fine dining restaurants in the area.

The original Gumbo’s was opened by husband and wife team, Michael and Yoli Amr in May 1994 on Bratton Lane. It became popular with its simple menu serving excellent, moderately priced Cajun cuisine. Current Chef David Gore came on board in 1995.

The restaurant moved to its present location in 1998, only this time as a fine dining establishment. Shuler and Denise Page purchased Gumbo’s in November 2005, keeping Gore to ensure the same recipes and retaining the great service that has made this a successful restaurant.

The intimate dining area of 20 tables and the glassed-in kitchen meld together so diners can watch and, more importantly, smell the many aromas as Gore and staff perform their magic.

For dinner appetizers, we sampled the Oysters Rockefeller. ($11.95) This classic of oysters in spinach, Pernod, topped with fried oysters and grated parmesan is a lovely mix of flavors and textures.

Of course, there’s the Gumbo. Their signature dish is thick and rich with your chosen variety, be it Crawfish, Chicken & Jalapeno Sausage or my favorite, Seafood. ($5.50) These can also be ordered by the bowl for an entree. ($10.50)

The Almond Goat Cheese Salad tossed in bacon dressing and garnished with cinnamon brandy apples ($5.95) will cleanse your palate while the aromas wafting from the kitchen foretell of the true culinary experiences to come.

I rarely order beef in a restaurant, reserving this meal for my own backyard expertise, but this is one place where I make an exception. Gumbo’s serves tenderloin six different ways. To create the Tenderloin St.George ($31.95), Chef Gore starts with Black Angus beef, blackened with Cajun herbs and spices, tops this with sautéed crabmeat, scallions and a béarnaise sauce, and serves it over a red wine pepper sauce creating a magnificent combination of flavors.

The St.George can also be prepared with the fish of the day. ($17.95) Combining all these toppings with a fish fillet offers a lighter entree.

Another popular Gumbo’s entree is the Almond-Crusted Chicken. It is pan-sauteed, served over chicken jus and topped with sautéed crabmeat. ($16.95)

All entrees are served with dirty or white rice, chef’s potatoes or the vegetable of the day.

Gumbo’s has a very respectable wine list to compliment any dinner choice.

Lunch is served weekdays featuring many of the dinner items plus Big Easy Salads and great Poboy sandwiches.

The Story Behind the Building

In 1848 John and Susie Harris built the stage depot that is now the home of Gumbo’s Restaurant. The inn served the stagecoaches that carried mail and passengers to and from Brownsville and Salado.

The inn was reportedly visited by such notable characters as John Wesley Hardin, fastest gun in the West; Sam Bass, whose last bank robbery was in Round Rock; and Soapy Smith, the most notorious “confidence” man of the day.

Gumbo's, 901 Round Rock Ave., Round Rock, TX 78681

512-671-7925