Gumbo Social, a locally-owned Southern-inspired eatery, has found a permanent location in Bayview. As first reported by SF Eater, the fast-casual restaurant will settle at 5176 3rd Street, a space that was previously home to Frisco Fried. Establishments in the vicinity include All Nite Pizza, Butchertown Coffee, and Yvonne’s Sweet Treats.
Gumbo Social is known in the Bay Area for appearances at the Sunset, Foodwise, and SoMa West farmers’ markets. Owner Dontaye Ball shares with What Now San Francisco that the business will continue to attend these farmers’ markets and refers to them as spaces where he has “built great relationships.”
The menu will consist of po’boys, customizable gumbos, and vegan, smoked turkey, or traditional sausage bowls. Desserts will be provided by Yes Pudding, a concept by Quanisha Johnson, and vegan options will also be available.
Ball shares that the idea behind Gumbo Social’s customizable gumbo bowls began with his friend’s seafood allergy. As a response, he began experimenting with his gumbo recipe and substituted a chicken and sausage base for the seafood base. The chicken and sausage base is now the restaurant’s traditional roux, and customers can choose add-ons like shrimp, scallops, lobster, crab, and pork belly.
The restaurant’s dining room will offer about 40 seats. Additionally, Ball intends to offer delivery options for those who would like to enjoy the food in the comfort of their own home through third-party providers.
Ball aims to hold a soft opening for Gumbo Social in early February 2023, ideally before Mardi Gras.
