Restaurants in Gretna, LA

I am a huge fan of New Orleans food. Like other posters, I rely on my wife for good gumbo when not in New Orleans. Has anyone been to Maple Tree Inn in Blue Island lately? Been a very long time for me, so not sure how it holds up today. Here is link to yelp http://www.yelp.com/biz/maple-tree-inn-blue-island. Any other New Orleans style restaurants on the south side? I live in Evanston and enjoy Dixie Kitchen, but does not seem worth the drive from Hyde Park.

Heaven on Seven is the best I've had in the city. They have a few locations, though Im not sure if they have one in Hyde Park.

The Southern in Wicker Park has it on the menu. The shrimp and grits there are good but I haven't had the gumbo. Heaven on Seven is probably your best bet. One thing that makes gumbo better though would be to order it to go. Put it in the freezer for a week and let it thaw and then eat it. This should allow for the ingredients to soak in and make it more flavorful. Good luck!

I haven't had the gumbo, but [Big Jones]( http://bigjoneschicago.com/dinner.html) in Andersonville has it on the menu.

It's not really very authentic, but I enjoy the gumbo at Fat Willy's. It's very red and jambalaya-y.

Heaven on Seven is my first choice for Gumbo in Chicago

Surprised nobody has mentioned it...I put the best gumbo/cajun food at Analogue in Logan Square. http://www.analoguechicago.com/

I used to recommend Heaven on Seven until I actually visited NOLA.

As a Louisiana native...I can honestly say there is nowhere in Chicago that you will find satisfactory Gumbo. I've tried all the recommended places and everyone always says Heaven on Seven is the best....I actually sent it back when I tasted it...something that I almost never do at an establishment. The only place that I can say that was even remotely close was Pappadeaux's (the chain restaurant)...and even that was ehhhh. Whenever I'm craving Gumbo....I call my Mom to whip up a pot or I'll make it myself, but I usually have some of the ingredients shipped up from La. Sorry if I sound like a "hater", but if you grew up on "real Gumbo"...nothing else will satisfy a Gumbo snob like myself LOL. I may be able to hook you up with a recipe if you like, but it's hard to find some of the right ingredients around here. Pm me if interested. Edit: On a side note...Dixie Kitchen (I think the one in Hyde Park is closed now) does make a damn good Oyster Po'Boy! I think there's a location further south.

I have to agree with SpoiledPudding, despite that I'm a native Chicagoan. Heaven on Seven is decent, but not authentic in my book when I tried the real thing. More touristy. Dixie Kitchen & Bait Shop out in Evanston was interesting. I'd suggest giving it a try. I think the best gumbo is the one you make yourself. Here's my recipe: http://www.culinariablog.com/recipes/2014/02/20/cajun-gumbo-with-chicken-and-sausage

A couple of places worth trying, if you haven't already done so, [Chuck's Southern Comforts Cafe and Voodoo Lounge](http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/chuck_s_southern_comforts_cafe_voodoo_lounge/Location?oid=1023264) [Maple Tree Inn](http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/maple_tree_inn/Location?oid=1023937) And, if you can make the 90 minute drive, then it has to be [Cajun Connection](http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p=217381#p217381)

I actually would recommend trying the gumbo at Kingston Mines. I'm no snob but I thought it was very good there. The bonus is that you get to watch some good blues while you eat.

While it's a trek, I enjoyed the seafood gumbo at [Bob Chinn's](http://www.bobchinns.com/) way out in Wheeling.

If you are looking for any cajun or creole recipes, [this is the place to go](http://www.jfolse.com/newfindrecipe.htm). I've made a few and they have always come out fantastic. I've made [this one](http://www.jfolse.com/recipes/soups/chicken10.htm) with some of my homemade andouille and it was awesome.

I love Heaven On Seven, definitely go to the Wabash location. My boss knows the owners, took us there for lunch once, damn good food.

From my foodie friend: Dong Phuong is always a must but the bakery is better than the restaurant. Ba Mien has a menu that features food from different regions of Vietnam. Nine Roses for family style dinners and Vietnamese BBQ. Tan Dinh is also good. The first 2 restaurants are in New Orleans east. The last 2 are in the westbank.

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Vernon Moon owes the tire recapping place now.

Cafe Granada on Carrollton, that's if you like Latin Tapas