A Little Party Never Hurts…Local Restaurants that Honor Mardi Gras Every Day

What began as a medieval tradition that spanned throughout Europe for a few hundred years before reaching America, Mardi Gras in the United States got its roots fairly unceremoniously when a French explorer and his crew arrived 60 miles south of New Orleans the day before the holiday and named their tiny settlement Pointe du Mardi Gras. Though, there is some debate on who really holds the title of the first Mardi Gras coming from some history buffs out of Mobile, Alabama.

Despite the debate on who hosted the first official Mardi Gras in America, one thing is for sure – the annual party in New Orleans always delivers. If you aren’t able to make it to NOLA for the celebration at least once, you can still enjoy the flavors and fun of the holiday right here at home in Oklahoma City.

One of the best places to satisfy your spice craving is Bourbon Street Cafe in Bricktown. From authentic chicken and andouille sausage gumbo to crawfish etouffee, this place will put your taste buds smack into the Mardi Gras mood. A few other local metro restaurants deliver on the spice too, including The Big Easy New Orleans Cafe in Yukon and Cajun Corner in Uptown.

Of course, any good Southerner knows that dessert is the most important part of any meal and, when you celebrate Mardi Gras, it’s an absolute must. If Mardi Gras were a dessert, it would be a King Cake. A delicious blend of coffee cake and cinnamon roll topped with Mardi Gras’ vibrant colors of yellow, green, and purple icing, this sweet cake is the perfect follow-up to your spicy meal. You might even get lucky and be the person who bites into the small plastic or porcelain baby figurine stuffed in your slice of cake – a sign of luck and prosperity to come.

Locally-owned Ingrid’s Kitchen is still offering pre-ordered King Cakes in three different sizes. The best part? You can pick from a smorgasbord of fruit filling to make your cake even more delicious.

At its heart, Mardi Gras is all about celebration and kicking off the onset of spring (and the Lenten season) as well as seeking hope for the next chapter of the year. Maybe now is the perfect time to start a new tradition by adding a celebration of Mardi Gras to your calendar. A little party never hurts either.