Celebrating Mardi Gras InTheBurg
Mardi Gras, French for "Fat Tuesday," is a traditional New Orleans' celebration of the culmination of Carnival season, on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and Lent. Outside of New Orleans and opulent parades, Mardi Gras indulgences can still be found in Spartanburg!
Plan your Mardi Gras indulgences early, so you don't miss out! InTheBurg did the work for you. Here's all the local details on beignets and chicory coffee, Cajun and Creole cuisine, and where to find those famed purple, green, and gold swirled confections.
Start your day, Café Du Monde-style, with hand-fried beignets and chicory coffee at Little River Coffee Bar, (188A West Main St.) Each year, Little River's kitchen crew teams up with Nola-native Liz Blanchard (of the former Cakehead Bakeshop) to prep, fry, and powder hundreds of these pillowy squares of dough.
Pair your hot beignets with a cup of Little River Roasting's chicory coffee blend or a Cafe au Lait, (drip coffee and steamed milk.) Chicory is a root, used historically to "cut" coffee grounds and stretch them longer during coffee shortages. The coffee-chicory blend has a unique woodsy and nutty flavor.
Outside of parade floats and beaded necklaces, King Cakes are one of the most iconic symbols of Mardi Gras! Traditionally, King Cakes are made of cinnamon-flavored dough, covered in sweet gold, green, and purple icing or sugar. Inside, a baby figurine is hidden, with a prize for whoever unwittingly receives that slice.
King Cakes are in demand throughout Carnival season outside Louisiana, so many bakeries accept preorders only.
Mama Sue's Homemade Help (401 East Kennedy St, (864)497-8388) and Spartan Bakery (210 Westgate Mall Dr, (864)587-9244) are both baking King Cakes this year, by phone pre-order
After a day full of sweet indulgences, you cannot forget a traditional Cajun and Creole dinner.
Southside Smokehouse (726 South Howard Ave, Landrum) is famous for their Louisiana comfort food and North Carolina-style barbecue. Classics include Shrimp Creole, Fried Catfish, Grilled Andouille Sausage, and Chicken & Sausage Jambalaya.
Or, get creative at home this Carnival season, with a themed Mardi Gras cocktail(get the recipe here) and miniature King Cake Cupcakes(get the recipe here.) Choose your cupcake fillings-- of cinnamon, strawberry, or pecan praline cream cheese-- and pour a licorice-flavored Ojen Frappé to pair with them.
"Laissez les bons temps rouler," or, "Let the good times roll!"
Cover beignet photo by GoUpstate, of Little River Coffee Bar's beignets in 2020.