South Bend restaurants bring taste of New Orleans to Fat Tuesday celebrations
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- In Michiana, Fat Tuesday often means paczki boxes stacked high on bakery counters. But at a couple of South Bend establishments, Mardi Gras is about more than powdered sugar. It’s about music, family recipes and bringing a taste of New Orleans to northern Indiana.
At Chicory Cafe, Fat Tuesday is one of the most anticipated days of the year.
“It’s one of our favorite days of the year here,” said co-owner Jeff Morauski. “We’re featuring our new Mardi Gras beignets, we have live jazz, and we’re giving away free beads. I love giving out the beads.”
The downtown café, which has been serving Cajun-inspired dishes in South Bend since 2005, is marking the holiday with live music, drink specials and a festive atmosphere meant to channel Bourbon Street.
After weeks of harsh winter weather, Morauski said the celebration is also a chance for the community to get out and gather.
“Celebrate — if anything, celebrate getting out of the house,” he said.
And a hidden New Orleans-style gem, Jay’s Lounge.
The local sports bar known may be known for an atmosphere of cold beers and fried food, but this week they’re serving up family recipes straight from Louisiana.
Chef and manager James Brazo, who is from New Orleans, said he grew up learning to cook Creole and Cajun staples at an early age.
“I’m from New Orleans, so you learn a lot there when you’re cooking gumbo at one year old,” Brazo said.
Throughout the week, Jay’s Lounge has featured Louisiana favorites, wrapping up its celebration with chili cheese crawfish étouffée and a fresh king cake baked by Brazo’s sister — who learned the recipe from their father while he worked in a New Orleans bakery.
“My favorite is the red beans and rice,” Brazo said. “It’s just a big melting pot of flavor — which is what Louisiana is about. It’s a melting pot of culture, everyone kind of bringing something to the table.”
As Fat Tuesday arrives, South Bend residents can find a little piece of New Orleans close to home.