A quick lesson relevant to this week’s events: Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday" and is the celebratory Carnival that leads up to the beginning of Lent, the season of fasting and repentance. Mardi Gras officially falls on Tuesday, which means it’s high time to let the good times roll. (King cake not your thing? Here are some sweet alternatives.) Regroup the rest of the week with soul food, margaritas, and a dinner for lovers.

Tuesday, February 21

Fat Tuesday Mardi Craw at The Rustic
Take the day off. The Dallas live music venue will host a crawfish boil on the patio all day long complete with live music, Bacardi rum drink specials, Cajun cuisine, and Lone Star beer buckets. The party will run from 11 am-11 pm.

Mardi Gras at Fish City Grill
Let the good times roll at this festive seafood chain, which will host live music for Mardi Gras at all of its DFW locations. Crawfish will be on the menu for $9.99 per pound, and other New Orleans specialties will include the classic hurricane, gumbo, and plenty of beads to go ‘round.

Fat Tuesday at Quarter Bar
The McKinney Avenue bar and restaurant inspired by the French Quarter will host a Fat Tuesday party to let the good times roll. Patrons can enjoy $6 frozen hurricanes, $4 Abita bottled beers, gumbo, crawfish etouffee, po’ boys, Cajun fries, and more on the rooftop deck overlooking downtown. Stay late for DJ music starting at 9 pm. The party starts early at 3 pm.

Fat Tuesday Crawfish Boil at J. Gillian’s
An Arlington establishment iconic for its St. Patrick’s Day celebration every year is testing the waters with an inaugural Mardi Gras party. J. Gillian’s will host a cornhole tournament that coincides with Fat Tuesday. Go for free crawfish, live music, drink specials, and giveaways. The party is sponsored by Shiner Bock and begins at 5 pm.

Mardi Gras at Jaxon Beer Garden
In typical Fat Tuesday fashion, this celebration features a crawfish boil, drink specials, and live music. But stay late for something not so typical: a king cake eating competition. Reservations are recommended. The party will run from 6-10 pm.

Fat Tuesday Cocktail Dinner at Urban Rio
The Plano cantina and grill will host a Mardi Gras-themed dinner offering four courses paired with cocktails. While the menu is yet to be revealed, a recent special of crawfish tamales might just reappear for the event. The $70 price includes tax and gratuity. Dinner starts at 6:30 pm.

Crazy for Crepes and Wine at Landon Winery
Both sweet and savory crepes will be paired with Texas wines during this tasting in at Landon Winery McKinney. Crepes will be prepared hot to order by Crepes on the Go. Limited tickets are available for $45, and the pairing will run from 6:30-8 pm.

Wednesday, February 22

National Margarita Day at Texas Live
Here’s a National Margarita Day bar crawl worth taking the day off. Visit the Arlington entertainment complex for $5 margarita specials all day long. Plan ahead for the following stops with these specialty drinks: jalapeno margarita at the Texas Live arena, frozen strawberry and classic rocks at Rangers Republic, pomegranate margarita at Troy’s, and watermelon margarita at Lockhart Smokehouse. The $5 specials will start at 11 am.

Saturday, February 25

Taste of Soul Food Cook-Off
Head to the MLK Jr. Community Center for a soul food cook-off. Local chefs will compete for a cash prize by showcasing their best soul food for guests to sample. Admission is only $2 for adults and $1 for seniors. Children get in free. The cook-off will run from 11 am-3 pm.

Monday, February 27

Aphrodisiac Wine Dinner at Urban Seafood
Why should the romance end on Valentine’s Day? Make plans for this four-course “aphrodisiac” dinner paired with four wines at Urban Seafood in Plano. Dinner is $95 per person and includes tax and gratuity. Start time is 6:30 pm.