From Schaumburg to West Town, here are the hottest spots to get in the spirit of Mardi Gras.
Transport yourself to Louisiana with Storyville's scrumptious crawfish boil.
River North’s Storyville blends jazz, a rustic aesthetic and classic Cajun cuisine into a vibrant New Orleans-inspired atmosphere featuring a cocktail bar and a speakeasy-style basement lounge. Fat Tuesday specials by executive chef Louie Yu include king cake slices and an exclusive crawfish boil with crawfish flown fresh from Louisiana and shareable sausage, potatoes and corn. Sip French Quarter cocktails, don your most festive beads and enjoy a live performance by local band Bowanville for the ultimate Mardi Gras celebration. 712 N. Clark St.
Neighborhood fave Bub City is serving up some Mardi Gras fun. Limited-time menu items will be available through March 1, including Cajun gumbo made with gulf shrimp and house-smoked andouille, as well as muffuletta sandwiches stacked with a variety of cured meats, provolone, mozzarella and olive salad on a Sicilian sesame loaf. River North, 435 N. Clark St.; Rosemont, 5441 Park Place
Celebrate in style with Funkhausen's cheeky piggy plate piles.
A tried-and-true West Town hotspot, Funkenhausen brings chef Mark Steuer’s reimagined German cuisine to life. Be sure to come hungry and ready to feast on funky wine varietals and house favorites like signature WunderBar-BQ spare ribs slathered in dry rub, white barbecue and eight-hour smoke. Perfect for sharing with friends, the ever-popular piggy plate piles seasonally selected, housemade charcuterie on a charming pig-shaped platter—a tasteful ending to your Fat Tuesday celebration. 1709 W. Chicago Ave.
Shaw’s Crab House is bringing Mardi Gras to Chicago. Through March 2, Chicagoans can enjoy a specialized menu of crawfish po’boys, Cajun maki rolls, chargrilled oysters and signature New Orleans-inspired cocktails, plus an exclusive crawfish boil and live music from the Kimberly Johnson Band on Fat Tuesday. Celebrate in Schaumburg through March 1 with foodie favorites such as seafood gumbo, shrimp and crawfish etouffee, and so much more. 12 E. Hubbard St.; Schaumburg, 1900 E. Higgins Road
Tokio Pub is throwing an exclusive cocktail bash on Monday, Feb. 28, coupling New Orleans-inspired bites with Suntory Japanese spirits in a four-course menu of tasteful pairings. A sneak peek at the line-up: po’ bao with fried oysters, giardiniera aioli and bahn mi slaw on a bao bun with a sriracha bloody mary on the side, followed by bananas Foster with a fluffy crepe, caramelized bananas, vanilla ice cream and Shinshu Sazerac for dessert. Schaumburg, 1900 E. Higgins Road, Ste. #2
Tasty paczki from Stan's Donuts
Espresso your Mardi Gras spirit with a classic cappuccino or an extra-smooth nitro cold brew paired with a treat from one of Chicago’s most famous donut shops. Though Stan’s Donuts offers timeless favorites from Biscoff pockets to strawberry glazed, the new Fat Tuesday paczki (Polish filled donut) menu is stealing the show. Satisfy your sweet tooth with vanilla, chocolate, cannoli and cherry cream-filled paczkis through March 1. Multiple locations
Wicker Park staple Fatpour is hosting a delectable Mardi Gras brunch on Saturday, March 5. Enjoy hurricanes, mimosas, bloody marys and a live blues performance by artist Keith Scott. Reimagined breakfast dishes include the “N’Awlins” skillet with andouille sausage, bell peppers, caramelized onion, Old Bay sausage gravy and melted white cheddar over Cajun-seasoned breakfast potatoes, topped with two eggs and toast; and traditional dark roux gumbo topped with steamed rice and scallions. 2005 W. Division St.
According to centuries of tradition, pancakes are a Mardi Gras must-have, and no one does it better than Firelake Grill House & Bar. Nestled in the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, this ultramodern farm-to-table eatery offers three delectable variations: classic pancakes with maple syrup; berry pancakes with maple syrup and a selection of fresh strawberries or blueberries; and the house-favorite “The Blu” pancakes with custard, blueberry preserves and powdered sugar. Accompany with a signature Mardi Gras-inspired cocktail, of course. 221 N. Columbus Drive
Photography by: COURTESY OF BRANDS
