On Saturday, all that success came to fruition with the grand opening of Gumbo Social’s first brick-and-mortar restaurant in theA local band leads the dancing crowd down third street to Gumbo Social to honor its grand opening in San Francisco, Calif. on Saturday, June 3, 2023.A local band leads the dancing crowd down third street to Gumbo Social to honor its grand opening in San Francisco, Calif. on Saturday, June 3, 2023.
“This is more than just a neighborhood for the people of this community. This is a neighborhood for the people of San Francisco,” Breed said. “… I’m happy to see the community support what Dontaye is doing, and I want to ask us to make sure that we are consistent in our support so that he is a success as he puts his heart and soul on the line to ensure that gumbo is available every day.”
Dontaye Ball speaks at the grand opening of his new restaurant, Gumbo Social, in San Francisco on Saturday, June 3, 2023.“I can remember wondering, like, why is everyone hovered around this pot? Why are my uncles fighting over a piece of crab?” he recalled. “… I remember my grandmother making a roux on the stove in a cast iron skillet.”
“We don't mention Louisiana or New Orleans or Cajun in any of our marketing,” he said. “So it's kind of our own style. I think that we focus on using ingredients that are here that are local. So the sausage is from Evergood, you know — they're right down the street.”