Is the Shrimp Po’ Boy at Busch Gardens Mardi Gras worth your lanyard credits? Find out in our review of the 2026 theme park festival item.
If you’ve ever wandered through Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and thought, “This roller coaster is great, but I wish I had a sandwich that felt like a polite handshake from Louisiana,” then Cabin 4 is calling your name.
As part of the annual Busch Gardens Mardi Gras festivities, Cabin 4 – Maison du Mardi is serving up a classic Po’ Boy. We had concerns going into the event based on this food and beverage location. It has not traditionally been used for warm food before.
On paper, the Po’ Boy at Busch Gardens Mardi Gras sounded like a powerhouse: fried shrimp, lettuce, tomato, and remoulade sauce. In reality? It’s the “C-student” of the festival circuit. It showed up, it did the homework, but it’s definitely not giving the valedictorian speech. Also, it comes with an $11.99 price tag unless using a Mardi Gras sampler lanyard for a small portion size.
The Taste Test
The menu description reads: “Classic New Orleans sandwich, fried shrimp or andouille sausage, lettuce, tomato, and remoulade sauce.” Guests can choose between sausage and shrimp. We lacked confidence in the shrimp option. The sausage was a good size for this little sandwich. However, the “Po'” in this Po’ Boy felt a little too literal. While the remoulade sauce tried its hardest to provide some zing and personality, the lettuce and tomato mainly were just there for moral support.
It’s a functional sandwich. If you’re starving after three rounds on Iron Gwazi and need a protein vessel that won’t offend your taste buds, this is it. However, if you’re looking for a flavor explosion that makes you want to start a second-line parade through Stanleyville spontaneously, you might keep walking. It’s average—solid, dependable, and about as spicy as a glass of milk.
The Verdict: 3/5 Beads. It’s a safe bet for picky eaters, but seasoned foodies might find it a bit “Naw-lins” than “New Orleans.”
What is Busch Gardens Mardi Gras?
For those who haven’t experienced it, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Mardi Gras is the park’s way of bringing the “Big Easy” to the Bay Area without the questionable smells of Bourbon Street. Running on weekends through March 1, the event transforms the park into a vibrant carnival.
Included with park admission, the event features:
- The Bead Balcony: Where you can catch beads without having to do anything you’d regret later.
- Live Entertainment: Authentic brass bands and street performers that bring the spirit of New Orleans to life.
- The Food Cabins: Over 25 seasonal items ranging from Gumbo to Crepes, which is where you’ll find our middle-of-the-road Shrimp Po’ Boy friend.
For more theme park dining reviews, visit MSM News every weekday at noon Eastern Time. Additionally, we sometimes post bonus theme park dining reviews. As always, eat like you mean it!
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