By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host Published Feb 01, 2023 at 1:06 PM

Year after year, Maxie's, 6732 W. Fairview Ave., has been one of Milwaukee's favorite places to celebrate both Lundi Gras and Mardi Gras. In recent years, they’ve even expanded the celebration by hosting a full weekend of New Orleans-inspired dining. This year will be no exception.

Guests are invited to revel in the spirit of carnival season by indulging in a special Mardi Gras menu which will be available Friday and Saturday, Feb. 17 and Feb. 18 and again on Monday Feb. 20 (Lundi Gras) and Feb. 21 (Fat Tuesday). Reservations are highly recommended.

Featuring a mix of New Orleans classics and NOLA-inspired party favorites, the special Mardi Gras menu will showcase crawfish etouffee, duck gumbo, crispy boudin balls and Maxie’s muffaletta along with desserts like beignets and mini king cakes.  But that’s not all. Guests can also expect the addition of some very special new menu items as well. 

“Every year we get excited to put little more heart into switching out the food for Mardi Gras,” notes Maxie’s executive chef Jacob Schick. “We’re always looking to see how we can add some oomph to the party with new and exciting menu items.”

Maxie's muffaletta
Maxie's muffaletta
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Get the party started

On Lundi Gras (Feb. 20), all those delicious eats will be accompanied by the stylin’s of the Extra Crispy Brass Band, which will perform in Maxie’s upstairs dining room from 6 to 9 p.m. 

Meanwhile, on Fat Tuesday (Feb. 21), the party starts in earnest. Maxie’s will open early – at 3 p.m. – serving the full Mardi Gras menu. Guests can also experience a Dixieland jazz performance in Maxie’s upstairs dining room from 4 to 6 p.m. and a performance from the Extra Crispy Brass Band from 6 to 9 p.m.

Reservations for the four-day Mardi Gras celebration are strongly recommended and can be made online or by phone at (414) 292-3969. Walk-ins are also welcome.

Celebrate at home

For those who wish to party at home for Mardi Gras, Maxie’s online catering store will also feature a special Mardi Gras Party Box, featuring jambalaya (regular or vegetarian), crawfish etouffee, Maxie’s Mighty Mighty Gumbo and maque choux salad (feeds four for $90). King cakes will also be available for purchase.  

Orders can be placed online beginning Thursday, Feb. 16 at 10 a.m. with pick-up at Maxie’s on Friday, Feb. 17, Saturday, Feb. 18, Monday, Feb. 20 or Tuesday Feb. 21 between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

King cake
Black Shoe Bakery king cake
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Details to note

Maxie’s Happy Hour, featuring “Buck Off!” drinks and $1 freshly shucked oysters will be available on Friday and Saturday Feb. 17-18 from 4 to 6 p.m.  However, happy hour will not be offered on Feb. 20 (Lundi Gras) or Feb. 21 (Mardi Gras).

Maxie’s will also be foregoing its usual fish fry on Friday, Feb. 17. 

Maxie’s will return to its regular menu on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22, with regular service from 4 to 9 p.m., plus their usual Fish Fry special featuring yeast beer-battered fresh haddock.

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host

Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. 

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.