Even though Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday which falls on Feb. 12 in 2013, parades already started rolling through parishes in and around New Orleans Jan. 19.
Those parades in New Orleans take a break Jan. 28-Feb. 5 for Super Bowl XLVII which is Feb. 3. They resume Feb. 6-12.
However, you can take in both the Super Bowl excitement and the Mardi Gras costumes and celebrations because parades continue in the nearby parishes of Chalmette, Covington, Mandeville, Metairie and Slidell.
Or just extend your Big Easy vacation.
Chicago football fans might go to root for the San Francisco 49ers against the Baltimore Ravens because the 49ers’ coach is former Bears quarterback Jim Harbaugh.
Brother John Harbaugh is the Raven’s coach, no kidding. Some pundits are calling the 2013 match-up the "Superbaugh." The game is 5:30 CST at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
From Chicago, New Orleans is a two-day drive of about 927 miles or about a two-hour flight.
For those who would rather stay, watch and eat in Chicago there are plenty of places to cheer with like-minded folk, down pub food or savor New Orleans cuisine.
For Super Bowl fun without the drive check out these places:
Chicago q at 1160 N. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60610, is doing a special BBQ menu of pulled pork or chicken, beef brisket chili, bacon/cheddar hush puppies, wings and pig powder ships to go and serving specials in the bar and upstairs lounge. Visit Chicago q or call 312-642-1160 for to-go orders and more information.
EL’s Kitchen & Bar at 1459 W. Webster Ave., Chicago, IL, is doing a $10 all-you-can-eat fried chicken, $5 beer and cocktail selections for there or a $12 Game Day Pick-Up Package ordered at least 24 hours ahead. For orders or more information visit ELs or call 773-248-5210.
Lottie’s Pub at 1925 W. Cortland, Chicago, IL 60622, will have a half-time field-goal competition, Jameson specials, and free half-time buffet. The pub has 19 TVs upstairs and four TVs downstairs.For more information visit Lottie or call 773-489-0738.
Add to the fun by visiting past popular Super Bowl ads.
For Feb. 12 Mardi Gras celebrations check out the following places:
Carnivale at 702 W. Fulton St., Chicago, IL 60661, will have live music, party beads and masks and such menu specials as shrimp and Andouille (sausage) gumbo, blackened redfish, smoked pork belly and bread pudding with a bourbon/vanilla sauce. Reservations recommended. For more information or reservations call 312-850-5005 or visit Carnivale.
Frontier, 1072 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60642, is doing a $20 Fat Tuesday Louisiana Shrimp Boil at 7 p.m., Feb. 12. Other specials are $5 Hurricanes and $2 char-grilled oysters. Tickets available online at Frontier. For more information call 773-772-4322.
Fresco 21at 5300 N. River Rd., Rosemont, IL 60018, is doing a Fat Tuesday Taste of New Orleans of corn and Andouille sausage gumbo, buttermilk rotisserie chicken and bourbon pecan pie. Plus cocktail specials. For reservations or more information call 847-447-4275 or visit Fresco.
Let the good times roll.
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