Perhaps you’re like me. You remember going to Red Bean’s Bayou Grill back in the day. Since they closed, people have been craving their Cajun dishes.
Well for the past five years, the owner has been throwing a once a year event: the Red Bean’s Bayou Grill Memorial Fat Tuesday celebration.
It’s hosted by Blue Moon Caterers and Red Bean’s Bayou Grill. Every year, they have drawn big crowds which seem to get bigger every year. After all, people love nostalgia and this is diners once a year shot at some of their favorite Red Bean’s dishes. Many things like their jambalaya, pasta dishes, pork loin Thibideaux are available. Of course crawfish, crab legs, shrimp and all the Fat Tuesday favorites are available.
The event is held at the Villa Luna venue at 8406 W. Central. This year the event ran from 4pm to 9pm. Tickets were $28 for adults and $12 for kids ages 4-12. They didn’t take reservations so there were long lines extending out into the parking lot. People waited anywhere from 20-40 minutes at times.
Since I’ve never been, I decided to get the family packed up and brave the lines. Fortunately the snow stopped and then we were in the building after 15 minutes. Once in, it took another 15 minutes to get a table.
The $28 included a buffet with many of the dishes seen below on the line:
I tried pretty much everything and loved anything that had crawfish or shrimp in it. I’m such a sucker for that stuff and made sure to get my money’s worth. I’m that guy who tried to eat his weight in food (and of course failed).
There was a gentleman walking around with a cart selling oyster shots for $4 a piece. I wanted to experience it all so of course bought one. It was spicier than I thought it’d be. Would I do one again? Definitely, vodka, crawfish, hot sauce and more isn’t something you can find everyday so I had to partake while I could.
Like any buffet, there were some dishes I enjoyed weigh more than others. The servers walking around did an amazing job of taking care of everybody given how crazy it was inside.
I’m all about different experiences and am glad I could say I finally attended this event. Would I go again next year? I can’t say for sure though because there are other Fat Tuesday events I may have to try instead. You know…. change things up.
Happy Dining,
Eddy
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