Celebrate Mardi Gras during events at these North Jersey restaurants
Get ready to choke on the plastic baby in the king cake: Mardi Gras is on its way.
Occurring 47 days before Easter each year, Fat Tuesday is Tuesday, Feb. 13, which means its time to pull out your purple, green and gold beads and pretend like you're from Louisiana. Though we don't live in the South (*cue Jersey argument that that's a good thing*), the local delis are stacking the muffaletta sandwiches high, nightclubs are prepping their jazzy playlists and the alligators — never mind.
We don't have those.
Except on a bun at Destination Dogs.
Long story short, there are a lot of reasons to celebrate New Orleans' great carnival of decadence. And, if you're interested in doing so? Read on.
Fat Tuesday: The carnival is not just in New Orleans — there are other places that throw big parties too
Here's a list of North Jersey restaurants hosting Mardi Gras events (or serving Mardi Gras food) this year.
North Jersey restaurants hosting Mardi Gras events in 2024
Bottagra Restaurant, Hawthorne: On Sunday, Feb. 25, Bottagra will host a Mardi Gras-themed brunch from 1 to 8 p.m. Guest DJs will attend, "surprises" are promised and guests are encouraged to "dress to impress." Tickets can be purchased at bottagrabrunch.com. 80 Wagaraw Road; 973-423-4433.
The Shannon Rose Pub, Clifton & Ramsey: To celebrate Fat Tuesday, The Shannon Rose will be offering a special menu of Po' Boy sandwiches and New Orleans-inspired cocktails from 6 to 9 p.m. on the evening of the 13th. Live jazz music and "fun giveaways" will accompany the food. Multiple locations; theshannonrose.com/event/mardi-gras.
Dutch's Sandwich Shop, Montclair: For your muffaletta fix, visit this Essex County deli. Featuring various Italian meats, cheese and a spicy olive spread, the savory sandwich is a lunchtime staple in New Orleans. 16 Church St.; 973-939-5037, dutchsmontclair.com.
Sook Pastry, Ridgewood: Through Feb. 13, this artisan bakery is serving a gorgeous Gallete des Rois (the French version of a King Cake that features almond filling in a puff pastry shell). The cake — like all King Cakes — has a lucky charm hidden inside of it. Eat the slice that contains it, and you'll receive prosperity in the coming year. 24 S Broad St.; 201-493-2500, sookpastry.com.
La Bon Bake Shoppes, Woodbridge: Opposite of the aforementioned, La Bon is serving Louisiana-style King Cake. A bready, sweet ring smothered in frosting and Mardi Gras-colored sprinkles, this is the version of the dessert (with the plastic baby) most Americans are used to. 356 Amboy Ave; 732-636-0121, labon.com.
Cloverleaf Tavern, Caldwell: A special Mardi Gras menu will be offered at the tavern Feb. 5 through 13. Fried Catfish, Gumbo, Mufaletta Sliders and more are on the line-up. 395 Bloomfield Ave.; 973-226-9812, cloverleaftavern.com.
Cap't Loui, Montclair & Fort Lee: This Cajun seafood restaurant serves Louisiana-inspired food all year. Indulge in Crawfish, Po' Boys, Beignets and more to satisfy your Mardi Gras cravings. Various locations; captloui.com.
Little Daisy Bake Shop, Montclair: Mardi Gras-themed cookies and cupcakes will be served at this local bakery to celebrate Fat Tuesday. 622 Valley Rd.; 973-707-2157, thelittledaisybakeshop.com.
Kara VanDooijeweert is a food writer for NorthJersey.com and The Record. If you can't find her in Jersey's best restaurants, she's probably off running a race course in the mountains. Catch her on Instagram: @karanicolev & @northjerseyeats, and sign up for her North Jersey Eats newsletter.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Celebrate Mardi Gras at these North Jersey restaurants
