Oddfellows, the Louisiana-style restaurant and bar, prepares to kick off their annual weeklong celebration of Mardi Gras. This year, the celebration becomes more poignant as they remember Hurricane Katrina. Oddfellows salutes its sister city in shades of purple, gold, and green, as New Orleans continues the traditional carnival festivities.
New Orleans style
Those who haven’t ever experienced Mardi Gras in Louisiana can experience it from Feb.23 through Fat Tuesday. It has become one of the premier seasonal events in Hoboken, giving people a taste of New Orleans right here in Hudson County.
Walking in you might feel that you have been transported to a tavern on Bourbon Street with the festive lights and beads strung on every available surface. Even the overhead bar lights have been transformed with the traditional colors. A colorful float takes center stage in the room. Positioned high above the crowds, costumed staff members will throw beads, masks, and trinkets every night. To add to the ambiance, live jazz bands will perform all week.
The Voodudes, a seven piece Louisiana funk band, will play on Fat Tuesday (Feb. 28). The band has played every year during Mardi Gras since Oddfellows opened 13 years ago.
“It’s the party of the year where everybody is here just to have fun,” said Jerry Maher, one of the owners of Oddfellows.
To help with the bead toss, there will be models on the premises making sure everyone looks festive.
“People love the beads,” said Maher. “Everyone really loves to catch them.”
According to Maher, every year the celebration gets a little bigger, especially on Fat Tuesday when there is a line at the door by 4 p.m.
“All you see are smiling faces,” said Maher. “It seems like people come out in a positive mood.”
Cajun cooking
But Mardi Gras isn’t all bands and beads. There are traditional foods along with the party. They serve Cajun and Creole food that would make any transplanted New Orleans native proud.
The homemade, buttery cornbread served warm out of the oven is a delicious complement to the spicy food. The rich Etouffee, which comes in a chicken or crawfish variety, is a savory stew served over a bed of rice. It is flavored with peppers, onions, and spices and simmered for hours.
One of their signatures dishes is the Jambalaya that comes in a seafood or chicken variety. Jambalaya is a hearty mix of rice and meat that is flavored with Cajun spices. The chicken comes with big chunks of andouille sausage, which give this dish an extra kick.
On Fat Tuesday, there will be a “Jambalaya Shack” in the bar area just serving bowls of Jambalaya and crawfish Etouffee.
Fat Tuesday
On Fat Tuesday patrons are encouraged to come in costume and masks for the grand finale, which includes the crowning of the King and Queen. According to Maher, the identity of the King and Queen is kept secret until Fat Tuesday. The special ceremony, which includes the crown and the unique beads, is kicked off with the parade around the bistro as the band plays, “When the Saints Go Marching In.”
And don’t forget to try their signature drink, a red punch called a “hurricane.” It is the best rum punch this side of the Bayou.
Oddfellows in Hoboken, (80 River St.) and in Jersey City, (111 Montgomery St.) celebrate Mardi Gras with a week long celebration. There will be live music, beads, masks and more at both locations. For more information, please visit: www.oddfellowsrest.com or call: (201) 656-9009 in Hoboken or (201) 433-6999 in JC.