The term Mardi Gras literally means “Fat Tuesday”, which refers to how that is the last day to celebrate the joys of great food before the start of the Lenten season. After all, the next day is Ash Wednesday, and supposedly you should be fasting during Lent.
But for many of us, the spirit of Mardi Gras can be enjoyed on just about any day. If you and your family and friends are simply struck by the urge to eat and be happy, then a great restaurant with lots of New Orleans-style dishes should do the trick. And there are plenty of such restaurants in and around the Long Island area.
Take some time out from the beaches of Long Island and visit the following restaurants:
Voodoo Crab
This is actually a chain restaurant with several locations in the area, but the Rockville Centre location is particularly good. You can find terrific seafood here, with lots of boiled seafood that will just give you a nice taste of New Orleans Mardi Gras. And there’s a great raw bar as well for slurping the juicy clams.
Pick any (or several) of the meat entrees, and don’t forget the pasta and rice. This place is just great for celebrating being with friends and loved ones.
The One Juicy Cajun Seafood
If you’re only visiting Long Island, get yourself to the Massapequa Park station of the Long Island Rail Road. The One Juicy Cajun Seafood is just right near, and you can then savor lots of Mardi Gras celebratory dishes.
Get started with your own boil combining your favorite seafoods and seasonings. Don’t forget the basket with lots of delicious appetizers and sides.
The Monster Crab Cajun Seafood
This is a terrific place to hang out in if you’re particular about the authenticity of the Cajun dishes. Start the evening right with one of the signature martinis and cocktails, but at least you don’t have to worry about drinking on an empty stomach.
There are seafood boils for you to try, along with the delicacies from the raw bar. Try out the seafood baskets, and don’t forget to sample the po’boy sandwiches.
The Cajun Bucket
The location in West Hempstead is always a good place to start, though you might also find the locations in Carle Place and Oceanside. The wide range of Cajun cuisine here is just terrific, so you’re absolutely covered when it comes to your Mardi Gras dinner (or even lunch).
Po’boy Brewery
Basically, this is a brewery with a food truck that serves traditional Cajun cuisine. The celebration here for the actual Mardi Gras is quite popular, so get your tickets in advance. Lots of celebrants wear a Mardi Gras outfit or mask to the place, and then enjoy a fine beer along with some great jazz music.
But even when it’s not really Mardi Gras, the place is great. There are lots of terrific beer and ciders to pick from. If you can handle your alcohol, try the Last Strong Standing Belgian Strong Golden Ale or the Foggy Mentality IPA. Get yourself a Blackened Cajun Style pizza, and just relax.
Mara’s Southern Kitchen
The name alone should inform you about the focus on Southern cuisine. During the actual Mardi Gras celebration, they offer lots of delicious cocktail specials and even free beads. And if that’s not enough, Mara’s even fly in fresh shrimp, crabs, crawfish, and oysters from the Louisiana Gulf.
Check out the delightful menu, and you might be overwhelmed with the range of options. Try the gator bites (that come from actual Louisiana gators) and the blackened redfish.
Don’t forget to order the catfish New Orleans. They start with the catfish filet glazed with crawfish etouffee, before sautéing the fish.
Louisiana Joe’s Sandwich Shop
This is a casual eatery where you’ll definitely get your fill of New Orleans cuisine. The place is great for some monstrous breakfasts and lunches, with open hours from 8 am to 3 pm.
For breakfast, you can’t go wrong with the French Quarter sandwich, featuring 3 scrambled eggs, ham, spinach, and Swiss cheese in a wrap. There’s also the Fat Tuesday Omelet with bacon, cheese, andouille, chorizo and bayou sauce, home fries and buttered toast.
Or you can go with just the Jambalaya eggs, with 3 soft scrambled eggs topped with jambalaya sauce, and then served with buttered toast and home fries. The NOLA Scramble is also a good bet, with your breakfast sausage accompanied by peppers, onions, scallions, and cheese, plus home fries with buttered toast.
What about lunch? The Po-Boys section alone has 11 entries, and they’re all dressed in mayo, tomato, lettuce, pickles, and sauce. Try the shrimp with remoulade sauce, and the fried catfish with bayou sauce.
Add the New Orleans Favorites section with lots of classics, and it’s going to be a blast.
Popeyes
If you’re not really the adventurous type, you can always pop in at Popeyes. The chicken here is a great example of Louisiana flavor, and you can try it with Cajun rice, and mashed potatoes with Cajun gravy (click here for more).
