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Experience Ruston Blog

Local Mardi Gras Food and Flavors

January 26, 2023Written by: Tori Davis

Laissez le bon temps rouler! It’s Mardi Gras season in Louisiana - which means all your favorite themed dishes and delectable bites are back in Ruston & Lincoln Parish. Celebrate this Carnival season by exploring local takes on the flavors of Mardi Gras and classic Louisiana cuisine. 

Mardi Gras Staple: King Cakes

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Homemade King Cake | Photo Courtesy of Grown and Grazed

You can't get more classic Mardi Gras than the sweet cinnamony taste of King Cake. This classic Carnival dessert can be found in a few different varieties at these Ruston eateries:

Ponchatoulas - Joe Gambino’s Bakery King Cakes
Log Cabin - Gambino’s King Cakes
PJ’s Coffee - Caluda’s King Cakes
Uptown Downtown - Tubbs Hardware & Cajun Gifts King Cakes
Grown and Grazed - Homemade King Cake (whole or slice)

Mardi-Gras Inspired

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Cheesecake Stuffed Beignets | Photo Courtesy of Beau Vines

Local restaurants are notorious for creating dishes influenced by the tastes of a king cake - sans baby. Try some of these local inspirations and tell us what you think! 

Social Bites - King Cake Bars (available in Uptown Downtown)
Rotolo’s - King Cake Calzone
Beau Vines - Cheesecake Stuffed Beignets
Uptown Downtown - King Cake Cannolis, King Cake Cupcakes
Common Goods - Mardi Gras Donut (starting Feb. 1)
Peach City Rolled Ice Cream - King Cake Rolled Ice Cream & King Cake Cookies by Sweets by Sarah

Festive Drinks

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King Cake Martini | Photo Courtesy of Trio's of Ruston

What better way to consume all the flavors of Mardi Gras than in liquid form? Check out the festive drinks available throughout town! 

The Depot - King Cake Latte
Log Cabin - King Cake Daiquiris
PJ’s Coffee - King Cake Velvet Ice, King Cake Latte, King Cake Cold Brew w/ Sweet Cold Foam
Smoothie King - King Cake Gladiator Smoothie, King Cake Yogurt D-Lite Smoothie
Trio’s - The King Cake Martini
Common Goods - King Cake Cold Brew

Savory Dishes

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Muffaletta | Photo Courtesy of Staple Sandwich Co.

Not all recipes have to have cinnamon and extra sugar to be considered a Mardi Gras treat! Some of these classic Louisiana dishes are available all year round! 

Beau Vines - Blackened Alligator, Louisiana Gumbo, Shrimp & Grits (brunch menu)
Ponchatoulas - Filé or Seafood Gumbo, Jambalaya, Muffaletta, Red Beans & Rice
Staple Sandwich Co. - Staple Muffaletta served on homemade focaccia bread
Uptown Downtown - Uptown Muffalettas 
Sundown Tavern - Radiator Sandwich: a meat pie po'boy served dressed on Gambino's French bread, with cheese & brown gravy
Trio's - Crab Cakes

 





About the Author

Tori Davis Image
Tori Davis

Tori is a Shreveport native who planted roots in the piney hills of Lincoln Parish in 2017. She has a passion for destination development and marketing and aims to spend every bit of her free time making memories with her husband and two daughters. As Director of Marketing and Communications, Tori supports the President/CEO of Experience Ruston in implementing new marketing plans and content strategies to help promote Ruston/Lincoln Parish as a premier tourist destination. 
 
 

Tags: Eat Local

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