Treebeards

When you find yourself Downtown for lunch or in the Memorial area, Treebeards is the place for gumbo. This has a hefty roux-to-seafood-and-vegetable ratio, and the deep flavor of shrimp and the "holy trinity" comes through in every spoonful. This Houston institution does gumbo as well as any spot on this list. Get some during your next leisurely midday meal.