Uncle Darrow’s Venice, California

I have known Zack for about five years and for that entire time he has insisted I try Uncle Darrow’s gumbo in Venice. For almost three of those five years neither of us lived in Los Angeles. A couple of weeks ago I finally got the chance to try this gumbo with Zack and Sophie. 

Uncle Darrow’s is located in a stuccoed strip mall in Venice. I have grown to appreciate the beauty that is strip malls since moving to Los Angeles, but this one is not particularly inspiring.

The owner, Norwood, is particularly inspiring. He greets everyone that walks into the restaurant with a vice grip handshake and locked in eye contact. His mid meal check in is more about getting to know you than it is to check on the food. This restaurant thrives in a bad location because Norwood and his food manage to make it feel like home.

I got the Fille Gumbo Ya Ya, which is jambalaya, shrimp, sausage, and crab. It’s cracking. On a hot August day the Fille Gumbo might not be the first food I reach for, but heading into the colder portion of the year this place is going to get some serious rainy day burn.

The oyster po’boy is good, but not on the same level as Little Dom’s. If you go to Uncle Darrow’s stick to the gumbo and you will be extremely pleased.