I recommend that you try buying whole beans and grinding them fresh as you need them. You can get all kinds of whole beans in various flavors at most markets and even mix up your own personal flavors (mix Chocolate Velvet with some French Vanilla) or mix a bit a Decaf in with some French Roast (if it makes you feel like you're doing something good for yourself). I also like French Market brand to make a fairly decent caf? au lait (mix a good strong brew with hot milk).
As for steaks, my favorite is a thick, melt-in-your-mouth-ribeye--what I do is everytime I hit the markets I eyeball the ribeyes (and rib roasts) on display. On a good day, I'll come across a thick-cut nicely marbled series of steaks (or a kick arse rib roast) and buy a few, vacuum seal them, and put them in the freezer...ditto for the times I'm visiting fish markets looking for some decent salmon. I always prefer having fresh steak or salmon, but having a decent steak or fish you can just defrost when needed is a good second-best.
I don't do Gumbo--although it's miles and miles away (albeit closer than New Orleans) my favorite is found in Pensacola at Jerry's Cajun Cafe; I have a bowl and get a carton to go when I'm out that way visiting old friends. Also, Joe Patti's Fish Market in Pensacola is an EXCELLENT source for fresh fish and shrimp. (Take a cooler--they'll supply the ice.)
