If you didn’t get your plane ticket to head down to New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras, there are still plenty of ways to bring a little Bourbon Street to Madison for Fat Tuesday on Feb. 17. Here’s what’s going on in town, from places to get some New Orleans cuisine to local bands that are letting the good times roll.
A Taste of New Orleans
The Madison dining scene is a little light on Big Easy favorites lately – the beloved New Orleans Takeout closed in 2017 after 32 years, and last summer Rue Bourre served its last jambalaya.
But there are still lots of places to go in Madison for Mardi Gras fare. North of the Bayou Brewery on Atlas Avenue on the east side (it’s that big pink building off Stoughton Road) has jambalaya, etouffee, and red beans and rice on its menu along with New Orleans-influenced bar food (zydeco nachos anyone?)
Down in Fitchburg, St. Charles Station carries on the tradition of Liliana’s under Chef Dave Heide. In addition to regular menu items like blackened catfish and shrimp and grits, they’ve got a special four-course Fat Tuesday meal that starts with oysters rockefeller and ends with rum praline cheesecake.
In Middleton, Louisianne’s has been a long-time favorite for diners looking for crawfish cheesecake or catfish Louisianne. Expect servers to go all out on Fat Tuesday with costumes, makeup and more.
And if you’re looking for King Cake and paczki, two bakery favorites for Fat Tuesday, reserve them in advance at Bloom Bake Shop, the revived Lane’s Bakery in Middleton, or Clasen’s Bakery in Middleton. Clasen’s will even throw in a few beaded necklaces with your King Cake.
Dance The Night Away
Madison bands like Mama Digdown’s Brass Band have had a strong connection with New Orleans for years. On Saturday at Overture Center’s Kids in the Rotunda, members of Mama Digdown’s and other top Madison musicians will play a free “NOLA Tribute” and lead the kids on a Second Line-style parade. The same combo will play a show for the grown-ups at North Street Cabaret on Fat Tuesday, and King Cake will be served.
On Fat Tuesday itself, Madison’s Cajun Strangers will play a Happy Hour show at Full Mile Beer Company in Sun Prairie. Longtime Madison musician Johnny Chimes, who has had a solo residency at Louisianne’s for decades, will play with a full band at his annual Mardi Gras show. (“Costumes not required, but more fun.”).
Jump Into Carnival
Fat Tuesday marks the last day of Carnival season before Lent begins, and the Black Business Hub is celebrating with Jump In & Jump Up, an event that includes art-making, food vendors, dancing, and a costume contest.
