A Houston man claims he suffered food poisoning after eating a cup of Mama Tina Knowles’ seafood gumbo at the Houston Rodeo over the weekend.
In a livestream video, the man said the gumbo was “salty” before clearing his throat. He then said the gumbo was “pretty good.”
The man later said he “threw up” all of Mama Tina’s gumbo. “Y’all see I’m sweating. I just threw up all that throw up.”
The video showed the man’s stomach contents on the ground. But viewers pointed out the mess didn’t look like Mama Tina’s gumbo.
Mama Tina brought her famous gumbo to the Houston Rodeo which ends on March 22. Tina said it takes 16-18 hours to cook her gumbo which she sells for $25-$30 a cup.
Terrence Ford, marketing manager for the Democratic Governors Association, rushed to Mama Tina’s defense on X.com.
Terrence demanded to know where are the other people who got food poisoning after eating Mama Tina’s gumbo.
Where are the other testimonials of food poisoning? You say "multiple" but only show one. Anything could have happened to that man. Where is the contingent of multiples to better back this up? This feels like slander to me.
— Terrence Ford ??? (@EZBreezyT) March 11, 2026
Some fans traveled from California and Georgia to taste Mama Tina’s gumbo. The reviews have been mixed. One woman from New Orleans said the gumbo tastes like beef stew. “This is not gumbo at all. I hate to say that, but it’s not. Not New Orleans style, at least. Sorry, Mama Tina.”
Woman from New Orleans gives her honest opinion of Mama Tina’s gumbo. pic.twitter.com/WjfULcuzoP
— Boochie is the Name (@stoppfeenin) March 10, 2026
Like I said the gumbo look and more than likely tastes like salty dirty dish water and it's also leaving ppl sick as a dog ????? pic.twitter.com/wzpUW2SMZb
— J ? Y? (@_EscapeWithMe) March 10, 2026
Please stop! No it’s not. Are you from the south?? I am! Gumbo never looks like what Tina selling and making people sick. COPE ??? pic.twitter.com/XMD3dChJbt
— realityishere (@realityiskey91) March 11, 2026
