Tina Knowles’ gumbo pop-up, Mama Tina’s Gumbo, reopened at the Houston Rodeo after the health department temporarily shut it down. The Houston Health Department pulled the plug on the food stand for undisclosed reasons, but Tina mom has hopped right back into the saddle once things were up and running again.
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Tina Knowles Gets Back To Serving Gumbo After Health Check
Even with the brief pause, Tina Knowles is still serving her gumbo at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo through March 22. Officials stepped in and temporarily shut down her booth following a complaint investigation, according to PEOPLE. But in a statement shared by KTRK-TV on Wednesday, March 18, officials confirmed the vendor passed the inspection.
“The vendor was cooperative with the department’s recommendations and passed a subsequent inspection. It was authorized to reopen on Tuesday, March 17, 2026,” the statement explained.
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Despite the hiccup, Mama Tina’s Gumbo kept the lines full of smiling customers, fans, and familiar faces like Letoya Luckett and Bun B. Tina even shared videos of them pulling up on Instagram and giving her gumbo their stamp of approval. The 72-year-old businesswoman first announced her Houston Rodeo debut in late February. Attendees have been able to grab a cup for $25 with seafood, beef sausage, chicken, shrimp, and blue crab and a chicken-and-sausage only option for $23, per USA Today.
The Roommates Hold Tina Down After Brief Shutdown
Once news about Tina’s gumbo shutdown hit The Shade Room, the comment section was flooded with reactions. Folks stood ten toes behind Mama Tina, saying they though the shutdown was shady. Meanwhile, others shared that they tried a cup and it was delicious.
Instagram user @visha1of1 wrote, “If her name wasn’t on it, this wouldn’t even be happening! It be your own people.”
Instagram user @hyperhit_zeno wrote, “Ya own ppl will tear ya down I swear. She gonna be alright. Let’s go Ms. Tina!!!”
While Instagram user @kalibabbyywontbeherelong wrote, “Sound like some hating 💩 honestly.”
Then Instagram user @forthelifeofjazzy wrote, “At this point, I feel like she’s being picked on.”
Another Instagram user @sprite713 wrote, “They can’t find nothin to hate on with Beyoncé so they gonna hate on her momma.”
Instagram user @_bkrystal wrote, “She just was doing something she wanted to do as a hobby. She wasn’t making a career out of it. It was like a lemonade stand to her. Y’all take everything so serious.”
While another Instagram user @thelovelylynette_ wrote, “I had it today, it was good! Most People really just hatin because the negative reviews are goin viral.”
Finally, Instagram user @el_lotto_dst wrote, “It’s open it’s going great gumbo is very good don’t listen to haters 🔥”
Tina Shares Why Her Gumbo Hits As TikTok Drops Their Reviews
Before Tina’s stand shut down, folks wasted no time doing a taste test and sharing their reactions. When one TikTok user by the name of @trendsetjetset posted her review the comment section filled with mixed reviews.
TikTok user @Madd.MaXx wrote, “idc what u say i know it was baddddd.”
TikTok user @Nicole_witDabigBooty wrote, “Gumbo isn’t thick.”
Then TikTok user @Sapphire Siren wrote, “It was good! I had $10 gumbo had NO MEAT ON MY PAGE 😭”
Another TikTok user @Greg wrote, “🤔🤔🤔 $30 for a cup of soup.”
TikTok user @pippradastar wrote, “You have your traditional gumbo and your gumbo file and that’s momma Tina’s.”
Lastly, TikTok user @Distinct Styles wrote, “Looks yummy!!”
@trendsetjetset Mama Tina’s Gumbo Review I honestly thought it was very fresh, and flavorful. My only hiccup is that it was soup like and not thick in texture like I know gumbo to be. But all in all a solid 8.5. And know it did not make me sick like some other reviews claim. #mamatina #gumbo #foodreview #houstonrodeo #beyonce ♬ SWEET ★ HONEY ★ BUCKIIN’ – Beyoncé & Shaboozey
Despite the comments, Tina linked up with TikTok creator @hey_vagney for an exclusive interview and urged Rodeo attendees to try her gumbo, saying it packs serious Southern flavor. “You need to try it, because its delicious. It comes from an origin of Louisiana and we mixed a little Texas in with it,” Tina said.
She also said people kept begging her to make it, so she was happy to offer it at an affordable price. Tina even admitted Beyoncé loves the soup and stays eating it.
@hey_vagneyI just interviewed Mama Tina!Yes, Beyoncé’s mother! What a way to kick off the rodeo in Houston! Y’all, the gumbo is good too!♬ original sound – heyvagney
