One of the most popular of casual French Quarter restaurants. Visitors and locals alike line up in the restaurant's narrow, alley-like entryway as they wait to be seated.

Daunting as the line might be on weekends, the wait is worth it--especially at lunch. Like many of the older buildings in the French Quarter, the Gumbo Shop's brick entrance area opens up into a leafy courtyard accented with bright red and orange bougainvillea.

Because of its confined space, this isn't a restaurant to have cozy conversation; diners are practically on top of each other.

The food here isn't groundbreaking, but it's good local cuisine done right.

Hot bread and gumbo are offered, of course, but the menu also includes a great shrimp sandwich (boiled, not fried), jambalaya, crawfish and more...