Happy Fat Tuesday! Mardi Gras looked a little different this year, so why not change how you celebrate? Keep the party going all year long by hitting up these local Pittsburgh spots to safely celebrate Mardi Gras and New Orleans culture.
Muddy Waters
Kick it Cajun style by ordering from Muddy Waters Oyster Bar. Located in East Liberty, this local favorite is one of Pittsburgh’s best spots for food straight out of a Louisiana kitchen. Oysters are one of their specialities, as the name implies, and they don’t mess around when it comes to quality. That being said, quality can meet quantity when you pay a visit during Happy hour. If you head to this spot on Tuesday to Friday, $1 happy hour for East Coast oysters runs from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Your wallet and stomach will thank you. Not into Oysters? Find gumbo, hush puppies, jambalaya, seafood, and more on the menu.
Le Mardi Gras
Looking to safely celebrate with a drink? Head to Le Mardi Gras in Shadyside. Located right off Walnut Street, this neighborhood bar has been around for quite some time. In fact, Le Mardi Gras is the oldest cocktail lounge in all of Pittsburgh. You don’t last in business for over half a century for a subar service or menu. This institution is famous for serving up stiff drinks in a cozy, yet fun atmosphere. The bar is famous for serving up stiff drinks with favorable service. You can order New Orleans classics, like Tequila Sunrises or Hurricanes, all year long. In response to COVID-19, you can now rent Le Mardi Gras for events with family or friends.
J. Gumbo’s
Head out to Cranberry Township to pay a visit to J. Gumbo’s. This small restaurant chain was founded in 2005, by Billy Fox, to help share authentic Cajun cuisine with the country. Expanding with demand, you can now pick from a large menu of Cajun creations to try at home.Pick up a Po Boy, a traditional Cajun sandwich stuffed with fried chicken or shellfish, to elevate your work week lunch game. If you’re looking for a dessert that is next-level, some Southern Bread Pudding is the dessert for you. This slow cooked delicacy is sweet, fruity, and spikes anyone’s sugar tooth.
La Gourmandine
The New Orleans food scene has a long history of being intertwined with France and french immigrants. The influence of the french is visible in the street design, architecture, and most prominently – the food. Treat yourself to an authentic French baked good, just like you would find in New Orelans, by ordering from La Gourmandine. Opened in 2010, La Gourmandine was the first authentic French bakery in Pittsburgh. Pick up loafs of bread, dectant tarts, or layered croissants to bring a New Orleans style treat back to your table. Warning: once you try their croissants, you may never be able to settle for a store bought one again.
Check businesses websites before ordering or visiting as COVID-19 regulations may have changed from time of publication.
This content was provided by a local, independent contributor to Made in PGH, a lifestyle blog.