Around the World from Home: Celebrating Mardi Gras & Creole Culture in Texas

Bonswa Butterflies! It’s that time of year again, celebrating Mardi Gras and the Creole/Cajun Culture is something I look forward to every year. The festivals, the food, the unique music and the atmosphere in general is why so many people are intrigued by the Creole/Cajun Culture. In the Big Easy (New Orleans, LA) Mardi Gras celebrations usually began in January and end in February or the first week in March depending on what date Shrove Tuesday falls on. Shrove Tuesday, also know as Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. Fat Tuesday is the biggest day for Mardi Gras celebrations because it’s the last day of the season. In case you were wondering, Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent which is the forty days before Easter Sunday (not including Sundays and St. Patrick’s Day) reserved for fasting, abstinence, prayer, and repentance.

Though we’ve been in Texas for many years now, my mom is originally from the Creole State (Louisiana) and it’s quite a honor to inherit such great heritage. The Creole/Cajun Culture of Louisiana has a big influence on many parts of the world including Texas. Some of my favorite people and things from or inspired by Louisiana are...my mom (she can make a gumbo like no other), musician Louis Armstrong (he was amazingly talented), author Anne Rice (a few of her books are movies now), the Princess & The Frog movie (I loved everything about it), the Louisiana Rub wings at Wingstop (yum), and Louisiana Hot Sauce (lol I put it on almost everything). What are some of your favorite Louisiana things?

Anyway, below are a few of my favorite local (Houston, Texas area) creole events and places to enjoy Cajun cuisine and desserts.

Creole/Cajun Restaurants @ Houston

Boudreaux Cajun Kitchen - My favorites... the Jambalaya Pasta and the Boudin Balls. 

Razzoo’s Cajun Cafe - My favorites... the Gator Punch, Red Beans & Rice and Fried Alligator Tail.
Burt’s Meat Market & Cajun Foods - My favorites... a mixed boudin (mild/spicy) and stuffed chops

Bourbon St. Daiquiris - My favorites...Voodoo Shrimp Salad, Who Dat Wings & Waffles, and the Zulu, Suicide and Booty Call Daiquiris

Festivals & Events

Houston Creole Heritage Festival & Mardi Gras Parade http://www.mardigrashou.com/

Galveston Island Mardi Gras http://www.mardigrasgalveston.com/tickets/

Houston Mardi Gras Pub Crawl more information
Kingwood Mardi Gras Festival & Parade more information
Houston Zydeco Festival http://www.houstonzydecofest.com/

Creole/Cajun Desserts @ Houston

King Cake - Three Brothers Bakery

Beignets - Crescent City Beignets
Pralines - Eat My Pralines