Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday, includes the practice of the last night of eating rich foods before fasting for Lent.
Louisiana has no shortage of flavor in its culture and culinary world, so Mardi Gras there is a grand time.
While Tucson doesn’t have Bourbon Street, a handful of chefs are cooking up a mighty fine”N’Awlins” inspired feast.
Club Congress at the Hotel Congress will feature Mardi Gras – Carnival! 5 p.m. to close on February 28 with no cover fee.
The event features a hybridization of Mardi Gras and Brazilian Carnival traditions with entertainment including the Carnivaleros, Axé Capoeira Tucson, DJ Buttafly, face painters, ten-foot puppets, samba dancers and more.
Food includes shrimp po boys, gumbo, and jambalaya, while drinks include themed cocktails Voodoo Ranger IPA, and assorted Abita brews.
Lastly, the event will feature the largest King Cake in Arizona and beads for everyone.
For more information, visit hotelcongress.com.
For morning Mardi Gras, visit Ghini’s. They’ll serve a New Orleans-inspired dish every day February 28 through March 3.
For more information, visit ghiniscafe.com.
Kingfisher is hosting its 23rd annual Fat Tuesday celebration 5 – 11 p.m. on February 28.
Live entertainment will feature the Old Pueblo Jazz Band at 5:30 p.m., followed by Dr Mojo and the Zydeco Cannibals from 8:30 p.m. – midnight.
The menu will feature a la carte offerings such as gumbo, red beans and rice, and jambalaya. Traditional cocktails such as hurricanes and Sazeracs will be available alongside Louisiana beers such as Dixie Lager and Abita Turbodog.
Guests will win a Kingfisher t-shirt if they “find the baby” in their King Cake.
Call (520) 323-7739 to make reservations. For more information, visit kingfishertucson.com.
Chef Travis Peters will smoke a whole alligator, host the annual Crawfish Boil, and offer classic Cajun food specials starting at 3 p.m. on February 28.
The event will feature an Abita Brewery Tap Takeover and Hurricane specials.
The $10 cover charge gives access to the live entertainment inside and outside the event until midnight with musical genres including Cajun-zydeco, Americana, blues, rock, and “funk-n-soul.”
For more information, visit theparishtucson.com.
Reilly is pregaming with the Pre Mardi Gras Abita Brewing Beer Dinner in the Beer Garden at 6 p.m. on Sunday, February 26.
The dinner features five beers, four of which are paired with courses.
Seats are $55 per person. To make reservations, call (520) 882-5550 or visit eventbrite.com.
For more information and to make reservations, call (520) 882-5550 or visit eventbrite.com.
SAZ is partnering with the merchants at St. Philips Plaza to celebrate both Lundi Gras (Monday, February 27) and Mardi Gras (Tuesday, February 28).
Each day, a marching band from one of two local high schools will march and perform around the plaza at about 5 p.m.
Donations will be collected by the participating merchants to help support the band programs.
SAZ will also offer special fare, including a quick serve meal with numerous options, as well as individual freshly baked King Cakes.
Lastly, the Phil Davis Jazz Session will perform on the SAZÂ patio from 6 – 10 p.m. on Tuesday, February 28.
Jackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon...
