By DAVID ERSOFF, Journal Contributor

I have been going to Gumbo to Geaux, 4100 Barksdale Blvd, Suite 112, Bossier City, since I moved to South Bossier in 2008. Having a good Cajun restaurant close by is a luxury. Despite its name, Gumbo to Geaux does have a dining room.

My normal day to visit is on Wednesday, as one of their daily specials that day is Chicken and Dumplings with a little Cajun flair. I usually pull up to their drive-through window and take it with me. The portion size is so big that I get an extra lunch out of my trip. I don’t want to say it’s the best Chicken and Dumplings I’ve ever had, but I would put it up against anyone’s.

This week I made myself go on a different day as to not be tempted to get what I already know is great. I still took it to “geaux.” I ordered seafood gumbo — you have to order the item that’s in the name, right? It wasn’t the only thing I ordered, however.

The gumbo features a darker roux, which is my personal preference, but I know people can be particular about the color of their roux. There was plenty of seafood and rice in the bowl.

I’m warning everyone the gumbo has a kick, like a clear-your-sinuses kick. It’s not overpowering, but it’s there. I’m glad I waited for lunch the next day to have it.

For my meal I had the fried catfish and shrimp combo, which came with Cajun fries and cole slaw. I don’t like cabbage, so that went uneaten. The catfish and shrimp were cooked to perfection with a nice crunch of the coating, yet juicy inside. The platter did not have the kick the gumbo did — at first, anyway. As I ate, each bite added another degree of heat that reminded me I was eating Cajun food.

I had to get their homemade bread pudding, and boy I am glad I did. It was so good and the perfect cleanse for my palate, just like a good dessert should.

Gumbo to Geaux runs daily specials Monday through Friday. They are available while they last, and I have lost out a few times on my Chicken and Dumplings.

I have tried the beef tips and the chicken fried steak, the two items that are Thursday’s specials. I would get them again. The one that intrigues me is Friday’s special; Catfish Queso. I look at that every time I am in there, but it’s just never Friday! One day I will remember on a Friday and I’ll try it, because it sounds great.

As most Cajun restaurants do, Gumbo to Geaux has hot boiled crawfish in season.

Contact David at dersoff@bellsouth.net