Valentine’s day! Well, the day after, to avoid the crowded insanity that is Valentine’s Day…..

When: Wednesday, February 15th, 2017 – 6:00pm (my significant other and I)

At a glance: New Orleans/Louisiana style food in downtown Saskatoon (Idylwyld), laid back, open concept, older cinder-block building, it’s been featured on the show Prairie Diner (CityTV)

Menu: so many great and tasty sounding options – typical of Louisianan style food – po’ boy sandwiches, jambalaya, muffaleta sandwich, deep fried alligator bites (in photo), catfish tacos, etc.

What I ate: we shared deep fried alligator bites with a mustard mayo dip – the alligator was somewhat tasty but not mind blowing, the coating was kind of blah, smoky BBQ pulled pork sandwich – well-cooked pork but had to ask for extra hot sauce as it didn’t have a lot of flavor, a lot of dense bread which was good but very filling, sandwich came with a spinach salad and candied walnuts (not very southern but I asked for a spicy dressing so they made me a hot mango chili oil dressing with feta – this was so hot and yum!) – the meal was good overall but I wouldn’t order it again.

What he ate: jambalaya with 2 large shrimp on top and a Cajun spiced chicken breast at the bottom, fairly spicy, so delicious, so much flavor – I would recommend this and would order it next time I go! The sausage and heat made this dish for me.

Drinks: me – beer – pint of Prairie Sun Crazy Farm, significant other – bottle of Heineken

Honorable mention: so many spicy options which I love!, great service – they appear to be family owned and committed to making the food and experience great

Not so great but who really cares: the building is a bit dumpy looking and it’s in a scummier area of town but it’s clean

For more information about the restaurant, see: http://www.mardi-gras-grill.com/

Happy bites!