With the day of love behind us and about a month left until Spring Break, we’re in the clear to keep our clothes on for a while. Bundling up under that hella big sweatshirt as you feast on all you can eat Cajun buffets makes the upcoming Mardi Gras celebrations sound even more lovely. You won’t be short on local spots to grab New Orleans-inspired dishes this week as restaurants all over town are keen on serving up some bold Creole flavor.
In the Winter Wonderland that is the Midwest, finding authentically delicious food of the South can be quite the struggle. Lucky for us Madisonians, we’ve got a few establishments that nail it in terms of Cajun specialties. Year-round we can count on New Orleans Take-Out, The Bayou or Liliana’s and Louisianne’s Etc. to satisfy our cravings for gumbo, jambalaya and all the red beans and rice. To add to that happiness, a few local businesses are kicking it up and joining the scene this week with Fat Tuesday celebrations to make you forget we’re surrounded by snow and negative wind chills.
Essen Haus & Come Back In
While known to many as the wacky German bar where everyone’s wearing lederhosen and listening to polka music, Essen Haus is partying it up this Tuesday with a special Creole menu of jerk chicken, jambalaya, seafood gumbo and of course, po’ boys. And now the all you can eat Cajun buffet is complete with loads of drink specials to sip. With happy hour running all through the night and live music to boot, Essen Haus is sure to get you dancing on everyone’s favorite (Fat) Tuesday.
The Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co.
This local favorite is partaking in the Mardi Gras festivities with loads of New Orleans-style food, live music and their signature brews. Don’t be shy on your love for Creole culture; don your gold, purple and green attire and embrace those beads. The enthusiasm will certainly be flowing through The Great Dane Tuesday night as the staff will be just as sparkly in Mardi Gras garb.
Echo Tap & Grill
Venture a few beats off Capitol Square to this local dive bar and prepare for a healthy dose of Mardi Gras mayhem. Echo Tap knows the drill when it comes to Fat Tuesday festivities. Their mighty delicious menu for the night has been laid out and is filled with all the traditional Creole specialties on the market. One look and you’ll be skeptical how a dive bar learned such chops. Crab cakes, crawfish etouffee and fried oyster po’ boys are just a few on the list of goodness. So dress in your Mardi Gras finest and wear your fat pants to this one because it’s sure to be a party.
The Brink Lounge
Cajun food not your jam? You can still kick it Mardi Gras-style with some jazzy tunes at the Brink Tuesday night. They’ve got The Cajun Strangers and the Prairie Bayou Cajun Band opening for French slack key group Mal-O-Dua. The French-themed lineup starts at 7 p.m. and they’re set to keep swinging till 10 p.m. The three French-language dance bands will have you waltzing and stomping to the gypsy sound of old French music. With only a handful of English lyrics, the night is sure to be one of full immersion in native French culture and Mardi Gras spirit. The Brink will be serving themed food and beverages for the celebration. And with all the dancing set in store, you’ll have earned yourself an extra slice of that king cake.
