Soul Food in the Bayview
Gumbo Social is a soul food restaurant at 5176 3rd St in San Francisco's Bayview neighborhood. Chef Dontaye Ball — known as "Mr. Gumbo" — brings together traditional African stews, classic French Escoffier training, and deep family roots to create gumbo and Southern classics that taste like they came straight from his grandma's kitchen.
What started as a weekly Farmers Market booth has grown into a full brick-and-mortar restaurant, a catering operation, and one of the most visible Black-owned businesses in the neighborhood. The menu features multiple styles of gumbo, po'boys, red beans and rice, California greens, and more — all made with care and served with community in mind.
To Chef Dontaye, gumbo equals jazz — a lot of different players contribute, but no two solos are the same. He firmly believes that the pot should taste as the cook is feeling at that moment. And right now, he's feeling better than ever.
