New Orleans may be about ten hours south down I-55, but you don’t have to travel that far for a taste of the Big Easy. Here, in its sister city to the north, St. Louis is awash in outstanding gumbo offerings that will give you a taste of Cajun and Creole tradition without having to head down south — the perfect toast to Mardi Gras.
Nowhere in St. Louis embodies the festive, music-inflected atmosphere of New Orleans better than the iconic Broadway Oyster Bar. The scene is incredibly energetic, and yet it doesn’t take away from the equally vibrant food, including the mouthwatering andouille, chickens and seafood gumbo. 736 South Broadway.
Though it’s located in Valley Park, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d stepped into a wormhole that transported you to the Louisiana back country thanks to its authentic Cajun and Creole market vibes. The seafood gumbo is as traditional as it gets, served over rice. 324 St. Louis, Valley Park.…