BY ANNETTE SISCO | Staff writer Hello and welcome to the Mardi Gras edition of the Where NOLA Eats newsletter! Grab a mini-muffuletta and a beer and let's talk about...the foods that really get us through Mardi Gras. Meet the "Culinary Queens" who launched a new parade on the West Bank this year. Some bars and restaurants Uptown feel stranded after parade routes are shortened, and we round up 10 must-trys in our last call for king cakes. By the way, doughnut shops have their own take on the cake. Check out our recipes for short ribs and potato salad for a parade party crowd. And there's more! Let's dig in... 1. Do Bloody Marys count? Fried chicken? Check. Sandwich platters? Um, yes please. Fine dining is great, but for parades and parties, the menu is fast, filling and familiar. Ian McNulty rounds up what keeps us going during Mardi Gras. And yes, of course, Bloody Marys count. Please. 2. "Sisterhood is real!" Chef hats and spatulas were the throws at this brand-new Carnival parade in Marrero, but the Culinary Queens of New Orleans is much more. It's a business group that's helping members grow and network. Learn more about how the queens were crowned. 3. Wait! There's more. If you haven't tried these 10 king cakes, Ian McNulty thinks you're missing out. Some bars and restaurants Uptown feel like they're losing Mardi Gras all over again after parade routes shortened in response to police staffing woes left them stranded. Doughnut shops in New Orleans are merging the appeal of king cakes and doughnuts for their own take. And we're prepping a list of local crawfish boils and fish fries for Lent. Send us yours here. 4. Broke and hungry... "Cheapest place for raw oysters. Don't care anything about the atmosphere or service," was the blunt declaration on the Where NOLA Eats Facebook page. Despite the unvarnished tone, members have plenty of suggestions. Chime in here. 5. Short ribs, long parades Our food writer Judy Walker is on vacation this week, and that gave me the opportunity to dig back into our archives for her Mardi Gras party food recipes. Check out these recipes for short ribs and pasta, pork chop sandwiches and Mama's potato salad. That's it for the food newsletter, but in New Orleans the food news never stops. For more, visit us at NOLA.com. Thanks for reading, and have a safe and happy Mardi Gras! --A.S. P.S. Want to support our award-winning journalism? Check out this great deal. Just $1 for six months — for local journalism that matters! Subscribe here today. | 