If you’re looking to let loose and celebrate Mardi Gras or indulge in some delicious Paczki treats on Tuesday February 21st, you’re in luck, as we’ve rounded up the best places to join in on the festivities and enjoy these cultural traditions in style.
Carnivale
At Carnivale, they celebrate both the New Orleans Mardi Gras and the Brazilian Carnaval traditions, on Tuesday Feb 21st and Wednesday Febrruary 22nd. And the festivities continue on Thursday as well, with Copa Carnivale, an exclusive 1950s-style cabaret show, inspired by the original Copacabana Club in New York City. Tickets are $50 per person and includes show tickets only. Food and beverage will be available for purchase.
Chicago Firehouse
The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant is celebrating Mardi Gras with an evening of Louisiana-style eats and beats. Guests may indulge in a special Fat Tuesday menu that brings to life all the flavor and fun of New Orleans while enjoying live music from High-Hat Second Line, a New Orleans brass and jazz band with a Chicago twist. The overall experience is available at $55 including tax and service fee, which covers the buffet, live music, and mardi gras beads.
Crab King Cajun Boil & Bar
Crab King Boil & Bar offers traditional cajun cuisine in the heart of East Lakeview. Try one of their many seafood boils or traditional favorites like fried catfish and don’t forget to end your meal with delicious, freshly baked beignets. They offer a variety of seasonings and spices, so you are sure to get the spice that you crave. Located in Oak Lawn, Crab King is open seven days a week from 12-10 pm.
Houndstooth Saloon
Celebrate Fat Tuesday in Wrigleyville at Houndstooth Saloon’s Mardi Gras pop up bar, the French Korner. The French Korner is filled with Mardi Gras decor and brings the fun of Bourbon Street to Chicago. Bring your beads and prepare to party the night away starting at 6 pm Tuesday, February 21. Houndstooth brings New Orlean’s to you with live music, dancing, and authentic southern cuisine.
Jokers Cajun Kitchen
30 years ago, in a kitchen of a family-owned restaurant, an idea was born. Joker’s dishes represent years of studying and perfecting Cajun, Creole, and Low Country style cuisine. Come in and indulge in gumbo, etouffee, jambalaya, po’boy sandwiches or muffulettas. Make sure to order a fitting drink as well: hurricanes, voodoo punch or a NoLa Abita beer. Located in the French Market in the West Loop.
Lowcountry
This Fat Tuesday, bring your beads and boas and head over to Chicago’s East Lakeview neighborhood for a traditional New Orleans style seafood boil. Celebrate Mardi Gras the right way with authentic southern cuisine. Grab a bib, roll your sleeves up, and get ready to immerse your tastebuds! Lowcountry has classic seafood boil bags with 4 temperatures to choose from. Don’t forget to save room for dessert. You can’t go wrong with their deep fried Oreo’s!
Roser’s Bakery
This bakery is known to sell out quickly. With flavors such as PB&J and iced lemon and 15 other flavors on their Paczki’s, it’s easy to understand why. Make sure to preorder your Paczki’s before Fat Tuesday.
Stan’s Donuts
Paczki season is here and Stan’s Donuts & Coffee wants to start the celebration early this year! Starting February 8 through February 21, Stan’s will be introducing four paczki flavors to their donut cases all across Chicagoland: Cherry, Chocolate Cream, Pastry Cream and Cannoli. Pre-order yours in-store or online to make sure you don’t miss them!
Virtue Restaurant
This Southern restaurant is dedicated to showing hospitality and kindness when one steps into this hidden gem. Located in Hyde Park, Virtue is committed to daily Fat Tuesday specials. Classic dishes such as blackened catfish, andouille jambalaya, to name a few. Stop by and enjoy some New Orleans food to celebrate Fat Tuesday. Do not forget to save room for dessert.