Cajun · Creole · Made fresh daily
Real gumbo.
Dark roux.
No pork. Ever.
The Gumbo Guy LC cooks Louisiana-style gumbo in small batches — a roux stirred to the color of an old penny, the holy trinity, and clean seasoning that respects the pot. Made fresh daily and served hot from our food cart.
Now serving the Detroit, Michigan area
No Pork. No Exceptions.
No pork sausage, no tasso, no bacon fat, no lard — not in the roux, not in the stock, not in the sides. We cook with beef sausage, chicken, turkey, shrimp and crawfish so everybody at the table can eat.
Meet the cook
Meet Brandel
I'm Brandel, The Gumbo Guy and an Army veteran from Houma, Louisiana. In my family, food has always been more than a meal. It is how we gather, celebrate, and make people feel at home.
The Gumbo Guy LC was created to bring that feeling with me wherever I go: the comfort of walking into Grandma's house, where the aroma of love and good eating fills the room and feeds the soul. Every bowl is made with Louisiana roots, care, and a whole lot of heart.
— Brandel, The Gumbo Guy LC
The Pot Today
Everything is made fresh daily and served pork-free. Every entree comes with a slice of French bread. Grilled and fried chicken tenders come with your choice of Red Beans & Rice, Chicken & Sausage Jambalaya or Cajun Fries — or add them to any bowl for $4.
Entrees — served with a slice of French bread
Chicken & Sausage Gumbo
Hero itemOur signature dark roux with pulled chicken and beef sausage over steamed rice.
$10 bowl
Includes a slice of French bread
Chicken, Sausage, Shrimp & Crawfish Gumbo
Fully loadedThe full pot — chicken, beef sausage, shrimp and crawfish in a mahogany roux.
Ask
Includes a slice of French bread
Vegan Gumbo
Plant-basedSame slow-stirred dark roux, all plant-based — vegetables, okra and Creole seasoning over rice. No meat, no pork.
$10 bowl
Includes a slice of French bread
Red Beans & Rice
Slow-simmered red beans, rich and creamy, served over steamed rice. Cooked pork-free.
$10 bowl
Includes a slice of French bread
Chicken & Sausage Jambalaya
Rice cooked right in the pot with chicken, beef sausage and Creole seasoning.
$10 bowl
Includes a slice of French bread
Grilled Chicken Tenders
Seasoned and grilled, served with your choice of Red Beans & Rice, Chicken & Sausage Jambalaya or Cajun Fries. Add to any bowl for $4.
$10
Includes a slice of French bread
Fried Chicken Tenders
Hand-breaded and fried golden with house dipping sauce, served with your choice of Red Beans & Rice, Chicken & Sausage Jambalaya or Cajun Fries. Add to any bowl for $4.
$10
Includes a slice of French bread
Hot Dogs — With or Without Chili
All-beef dogs, plain or loaded with house chili, mustard and diced onion.
$5 plain · $6 with chili
Includes a slice of French bread
Add grilled or fried chicken tenders to any bowl for $4.
Sides
Cajun Fries
Crispy fries dusted in our Cajun spice blend.
$4
Cup of Gumbo
A cup of either gumbo — the perfect side portion.
$7
Cup of Red Beans & Rice
A cup of creamy red beans over steamed rice.
$5
Sweet Finish
Dessert of the Day
Ask what's in the case — it changes daily and it goes fast.
Ask
Straight From The Kitchen
A quick look at cooking day. Tap play — no sound starts on its own.
The Gumbo Guy LC
Flour. Oil.
Time. Heart.
Louisiana roots · Pork-free kitchen · Serving the Detroit, Michigan area
It Starts With The Roux
Flour and oil, one pot, one spoon, and the patience to take it past peanut butter and all the way to mahogany. That's where the flavor lives — not in shortcuts, not in a jar. Everything after that is fresh trinity, hand-cut vegetables and stock we build ourselves.
- Small-batch and made fresh daily — never held overnight.
- Beef sausage, chicken, turkey, shrimp and crawfish only.
- Pork-free kitchen, start to finish.
Finding us
Find The Cart
Online ordering is coming soon. Locations vary — our food cart moves around the Detroit, Michigan area, so our location changes from day to day. Check our latest location update or contact Brandel directly to confirm where we'll be and what's in the pot.
The Gumbo Guy LC food cart — look for the banner at your next stop.
1. Check where we are
The cart moves around metro Detroit. Contact us for the latest location before you head out.
2. Pick your gumbo
Bowls, quarts or a full pan. Family pans feed 8–10 and need 48 hours notice.
3. Request us on-site
Hosting an event, workplace lunch or gathering? Ask us to bring the cart to you — we'll confirm availability directly.
Request the food cart on-site
We bring the cart out to events, workplaces and private gatherings across the Detroit area. Tell us your date, location and headcount, and we'll confirm availability directly with you.
Questions, Answered
- Do you serve pork?
- No. The Gumbo Guy LC does not serve pork — not in the gumbo, not in the beans, not in the sides. We cook with beef sausage, chicken, turkey, shrimp and crawfish so everybody at the table can eat.
- What gumbo options do you offer?
- Three: Chicken & Sausage Gumbo, Chicken, Sausage, Shrimp & Crawfish Gumbo, or our all plant-based Vegan Gumbo. Every one starts from the same slow-stirred dark roux.
- Can I request preferences or changes?
- Yes — tell us what you need when you reach out, like extra rice, mild seasoning or chili on the side. We'll do our best to accommodate when we can. Please tell us about allergies or dietary needs before ordering so we can talk it through with you first.
- How is the gumbo prepared?
- Every pot is made fresh the Louisiana way: a roux stirred slow and dark, fresh trinity, stock we build ourselves, and quality ingredients seasoned by hand. Small batches, real time on the stove, and a whole lot of heart.
Get Your Gumbo
Online ordering is coming soon. For now, reach out directly to find the cart, ask about the day's pots, or request us on-site for your event.
Locations vary — serving the Detroit, Michigan area. The cart moves, so confirm the location with us before you head out.
Coming soon
Online ordering coming soon
We're setting up online ordering. Until it's live, call or email Brandel to check where the cart is parked, what's in the pot, or to request the cart on-site.
Email BrandelCatering
Let Us Cater Your Next Gathering
Beyond the everyday menu, Brandel caters events with a broader selection of soul food and Louisiana classics — still cooked in a 100% pork-free kitchen. We also bring the food cart on-site for events, workplaces and gatherings. Holiday catering is available as well. Send a request and we'll confirm availability directly with you.
Request catering or the food cart
Tell us about your event — including holiday gatherings — and we'll confirm availability directly with you.