Eastern Market Gumbo Mainstay Expanding to Northwest Detroit

Longtime Eastern Market eatery Louisiana Creole Gumbo is expanding to Seven Mile. A rep for the restaurant, which has operated on Gratiot Avenue for more than 40 years, tells Eater the company will launch a new outpost this fall in northwest Detroit at 13505 W. Seven Mile near Schaefer Highway and Motor City Soul Food. The new location is being opened with the help of Motor City Match, a city program that provides grants and planning assistance to small businesses and connects them with real estate. Like the original location, the west side eatery will serve gumbo, jambalaya, red beans and rice, and more Creole and soul food staples.

The restaurant — then called Luzianne Creole Gumbo — was originally founded in October 1970 by Joseph and Margarine Stafford. Joseph learned to cook from his mother while living in Thibodaux, Louisiana, and later brought his recipes to Detroit. In 1982, the restaurant was sold to Joe Spencer. The company did operate a second location inside Michigan Avenue’s transit center, however it shuttered earlier this year. The Seven Mile outpost is expected to open in September.

This isn’t the only restaurant to head to the west side. Detroit Vegan Soul is slated to open a second restaurant in Grandmont-Rosedale and The Avenue of Fashion has also found success attracting new and expanding restaurant developments. Motor City Brewing Company, Slyde, Detroit Sip, Social Sushi, and Bucharest Grill are opening restaurants in the area within the next year.

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