BEAUMONT, Texas — Although Mardi Gras is all about the parades and the beads, the food is also an integral part of the party.
Food trucks are lined up all along Crockett Street, ready to show the community what Cajun cooking is all about.
Vendors from all over Southeast Texas fired up their grills to serve up food like fried alligator, kabobs, funnel cake and even brisket ramen.
It's best to show up to Mardi Gras with an empty stomach.
"I came all the way for Rudy's pork kabobs and I'm bringing them back to Orange, Texas!," said Levander Sweet, one attendee.
Nothing can separate Sweet from his love of Rudy's kabobs.
"I like them all. And I bought them all, as you can see," Sweet said.
Rudy Bermudez is a Beaumont local. He's been operating his business for more than 20 years. He likes to take full advantage of the Mardi Gras festivities.
"We use charcoal. We don't use gas. Tender, juicy, and flavor. That's what they want," Bermudez said.
12News reporter Kyle Orr got the chance to try lots of food out at Mardi Gras. He ranked the foods on a scale from 1-12.
The chicken and pork kabobs were a solid 12/12.
If authentic Cajun cooking is what you're craving, look no further than local vendor Randy Trahan.
"I've been doing Mardi Gras for many, many years. My signature menu item would probably be the gator on a stick. We do it the Cajun way and that's with just a little bit of love.," said Trahan.
The tender and delicious fried gator tail also ranked 12/12.
Old West Smoke Company co-owner Juss Rabalais started the business in 2017. He has a lifetime of experience when it comes to cooking the best brisket.
"I've got a culinary background in a lot of Tex-Mex stuff. I'm gonna have you try the quesa brisket taco," Rabalais said.
Rabalais also has brisket ramen. Both the tacos and ramen got a 12/12 score.
"I'm Cajun, so they say 'laissez bon temps rouler,' Mardi Gras to us is just a celebration of life, religion, food, family," Rabalais told 12News.
There is still plenty of fun to be had, so be sure to make your way out this weekend to take a bite out of Mardi Gras.