Mama Tina’s Gumbo at RodeoHouston Temporarily Shut Down by Health Department
Beyoncé’s mother, Tina Knowles, saw her Creole gumbo booth, ‘Mama Tina’s Gumbo,’ temporarily closed at the Houston Livestock Indicate and Rodeo this week. The Houston Health Department (HHD) confirmed the shutdown, which occurred on Monday, March 16, 2026, and the booth was allowed to reopen on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.
What Happened?
The HHD confirmed the temporary closure of Mama Tina’s Gumbo, a popular food stall at RodeoHouston offering a cherished family recipe perfected over decades by Knowles. Whereas the specific reasons for the initial shutdown were not immediately disclosed by the HHD, rodeo officials stated the issue stemmed from “clerical issues.”
RodeoHouston and HHD Statements
According to a statement released by the Houston Rodeo and Livestock Show, all exhibitors are required to comply with the rules and regulations of the Fire Marshal, the City of Houston Health Department, and other relevant governmental entities. The rodeo stated that Mama Tina’s had been cooperative with the HHD and worked to address the identified issues.
“To our knowledge, Mama Tina’s has been cooperative with the City of Houston Health Department and has worked closely with them to address the identified clerical issues. Mama Tina’s has since reopened under the guidance of the Houston Health Department,” the statement read. Click2Houston
Reports of Illness
Social media reports surfaced last week alleging a customer experienced food poisoning after consuming Mama Tina’s gumbo. SandraRose.com A text message circulating online, purportedly from a health department official, indicated the closure was also related to a discrepancy in the food permit application and the discarding of improperly stored food. Still, the HHD has not officially confirmed these details.
Reopening and Compliance
Mama Tina’s Gumbo has since reopened, operating under the guidance of the Houston Health Department. The HHD confirmed the booth’s compliance with necessary regulations before allowing it to resume operations. KPRC2