Laissez les bon temps rouler! Let the good times roll!
Fat Tuesday (Feb. 25 this year) marks the biggest celebration of the Mardi Gras season — and as the name suggests, it’s a day of indulgence.
Po-boys, crawfish, fried oysters, hurricanes, king cake and all things New Orleans should be on your menu Tuesday.
Celebrate the day at one of these Memphis bars that serve authentic New Orleans fare.
The Second Line
2144 Monroe Ave.; (901) 590-2829; secondlinememphis.com
The Second Line is chef Kelly English’s nod to his hometown of New Orleans.
“This is the bar I grew up in ... it is New Orleans, we grow up in bars,” he said when he opened his popular eatery. “This is my reference point for good food and good times.”
The restaurant will open early on Fat Tuesday, serving lunch starting at 11 a.m. The party will continue until closing that night.
Dishes like Andouille + Crawfish + Pimento Cheese Fries and Second Line's aptly named Irrationally Good BBQ Shrimp are great ways to kick off the party.
All the classic po-boys, along with a few not-to-miss originals, are on the menu. I may be following Andrew Zimmern’s lead and ordering the over-the-top signature po-boy: roast beef with gravy, Swiss cheese and fried gulf oysters.
If not in the mood for a sandwich, Shrimp Creole will be a special menu item for the day.
The Bayou Bar & Grill
2094 Madison Ave.; (901) 278-8626; bayoubarmemphis.com
For more than 30 years, The Bayou has been a gathering spot in Overton Square, known for its friendly bar and Cajun fare.
On Fat Tuesday, hurricanes will flow as will the New Orleans-inspired food.
Muffulettas, po-boys, gumbo, oysters, etouffee, and red beans and rice are just a handful of the dishes on the menu.
Owner Bill Baker recommends the jambalaya. “It’s just really good,” he said. Loaded with shrimp, crawfish, chicken, ham, sausage, red beans and even alligator, it’s a one-of-a-kind version not to be missed.
And speaking of gator, The Bayou serves this Cajun “delicacy” on its Alligator Chili Fries and Alligator Nachos.
The Bayou opens at 11 a.m. for lunch daily and stays open until midnight.
The Bluff
535 S. Highland St.; (901) 454-7771; thebluffmemphis.com
You might be surprised to learn that this University of Memphis sports bar and music venue serves some of the best New Orleans fare in Memphis.
Po-boys, red beans and rice, shrimp etouffee and gumbo are among the options on the menu.
I like to start with the crispy fried boudin balls served with a remoulade dipping sauce.
For your po-boy, choose from New Orleans favorites of fried shrimp, fried oyster and crawfish. Each is served on French bread from famed New Orleans bakery Leidenheimer Baking Co.
On Fat Tuesday, the fun begins at 4 p.m.
The Bluff will be serve $5 hurricanes, $5 king cake slices, and jambalaya will be the special dish of the day.