The Jambalaya Shoppe

One of my favorite things while traveling is hunting for great food. A chef friend told me Gonzales is jambalaya country and if you believe what the water tower says, Gonzales is the jambalaya capital of the world. I’m happy to announce that I have found some delicious jambalaya at The Jambalaya Shoppe.
My research revealed this little gem and I was pretty certain that I was in for a treat as these restaurants are popping up around south Louisiana. We opted for a bucket of chicken and sausage jambalaya and since the weather was nice, we ate at one of the two picnic tables in the parking lot.
I do have to admit that this is the second restaurant in the region I have eaten at over the past couple of days that wasn’t spicy. I love spicy food, and we don’t have many options for fire eating in Shreveport. I’ve always been told I have to go south for sinteringly hot cuisine – maybe this is reserved for New Orleans. Regardless, I happened upon a gem.
The original location is not much more than a shack – typically a good sign when you are searching for deliciousness. That standard holds true in this case. The sausage was delightfully scabbed, and the morsels of chicken were plenty. And the flavor profile? It held a subtle complexity that I will explore again this evening. I was ravenous at lunch and didn’t thoughtfully enjoy this delight, but I’ll savor it tonight.
My only complaint is that it needed heat. Naturally, I added Tabasco, but I would have appreciated more heat. Make that two complaints – we do not have a Jambalaya Shoppe here in Shreveport. I hope my second complaint is properly addressed soon.

The jambalaya was good. It was quick service that’s about all I can say for this place. Having never gone to one of these places before I wasn’t sure where to stand or what to do. One of the other customers was kind enough to direct me in the right direction. Once I got to the window I had some questions and was met with impatience and what seemed to be irritation that I didn’t know that there was choices on the jambalaya and I just needed some clarification. Food delivery was quick and courteous. Not very friendly place. If your willing to deal with that for quick food and good jambalaya then it’s a go. Go for it. Don’t go for the service.

Some of the better jambalaya I’ve ever had. Portion size large feed me for 2 days! When my California friends come into town I will definitely treat them to a stop here. Also, there is no drive up window. You must order at the walk up spot, don’t work service is really quick and the staff is eye candy. Lol

This place is on point! Not only is the value good ($ 6.50 for jambalaya, white beans, potato salad, and a roll), the quality is good. It will tickle your taste buds and leave you satisfied. I also became a big fan of the boudin sausage they serve.
They offer both traditional jambalaya and also what they term «pastalaya» (being from the North, I’m not sure if this is a traditional dish or not). I would recommend the traditional jambalaya – the pasta just wasn’t quite as good in my opinion. I will admit that they tend to be a little stingy on the sausage.
Be sure you get here early, as they only cook a certain amount each day and when it’s gone it’s gone.

I REFUSE to eat here for the simple reason that when I was pregnant, they wouldn’t let me get more than one serving. They will never get my business again.

Some of the BEST jambalaya I’ve ever had. Pork and sausage jambalaya with potato salad and a roll. Got the small portion (only $ 5.50) and it was more than I could eat. Just a little shack but it’s delicious

Not consistent-​I have had some of the best jambalaya here and some of the worst. Plates and buckets of chicken and sausage or pork and sausage are available along with sides and pints and/​or quarts of white beans and potato salad. Pork usually sells out first so if that’s what you are wanting, get there early. And trust me, you don’t want the bottom of the pot jambalaya anyway. They also have chicken and Andouille gumbo which is pretty good.
It is a shame they do not have a place to dine in as the others in Baton Rouge, since Gonzales is the Jambalaya Capital of the world!

Unilocal brought me here. $ 6.50 for a large sausage and chicken dinner. Its great food not very spicy but not bland either. Good amount of food. Worth going to! Drive through only.

Drive up jambalaya shop. You get the food to go or eat in the car. When you are not from Louisiana it is shocking. :). It is what it is. Good food.

Do not depend on The Jambalaya Shoppe to have your food ready as promised. We were having a family event and I ordered the jambalaya approximately a week in advance. Twenty minutes prior to pick up the jambalaya, I received a phone call informing me that they forgot to cook it. WOW-​thankfully other businesses like Kamal’s Kafe puts their customers first. Kamal provided us with food for our event for the 2:00 start time-​AWESOME, thanks Kamal!!!

Just like other Unilocalers I pull up and was like… WTF is this??? Unilocal brought me to this place? What??? This little tiny shack. What? They only sell starches (Beans, Rice and Potatoes and Bread)? Huh?
I was super skeptical but tried it anyway. Had a small portion and overall the jambalaya was awesome. I wish I could’ve got more sausage though.

As I arrived was a little skeptical. It’s a drive up place. With 2 tables outside. Unilocal brought me here, and a couple of local men working for the city told us to come here too. BEST Jambalaya I’ve ever had. You must try.

Always get a bucket when in Gonzales… was great as usual!

Pretty good Jambalaya. I have never got anything else at this location. I find the ones in Baton Rouge to be better and have ordered other items but overall this place is fine.

Awesome! No other word describes the jambalaya. A must if you are in the area.

Always enjoy the food. The daily specials are good also. I like the pastalya.

The jambalaya is always great, but they nearly always run out of the pork and sausage flavor. This is really bad and I know people who do not visit the establishment if they want the pork at night. I’m one, because they have run out. Again the food is great, but they are losing a lot more business than they think. It’s like McDonald’s running out of French Fries. Please cook enough pork and sausage to last until closing. It will make your customers happy and increase your business.