Shrimp Creole Review: Mardi Gras Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
During pass member appreciation weekend, we checked at Mardi Gras at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay for Shrimp Creole with Rice.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Mardi Gras runs until March 2. This event features a parade, bands, and festive food. In an earlier review, we examined the Crawfish Etouffee at this event. For our most recent visit, we decided to try the Shrimp Creole with Rice again.
Shrimp Creole with Rice
Since this event started on January 11, we have tried the shrimp creole with rice four other times. Theme park festival food will vary in quality from week to week and sometimes from hour to hour. As a result, it is essential to do follow-up reviews when possible. The opening-day reviews continue to be very helpful. Still, an item might change as the event goes on.
Mardi Gras Review on February 22, 2025
Busch Gardens annual pass members received a reward of a complimentary Mardi Gras sample. On this day, we decided to use ours. Since the Busch Gardens Mardi Gras event only has eight food items, we ordered the Shrimp Creole with Rice again.
Over the past few weeks, we have noticed several changes in the presentation of this Mardi Gras food item and others. This pattern continued with this visit. We cannot explain this, but it is something to watch for when you visit Busch Gardens for a festival.
So, what did we think of it this time? The menu description for the Shrimp Creole reads, “Shrimp simmered in butter with garlic, holy trinity (onions, red bell peppers, celery), Worcestershire sauce, tomatoes, tabasco.” In previous visits, we found the Shrimp Creole with Rice to be the best Mardi Gras food item. During this visit, we did not enjoy the dish as much. However, it was still good.
On the positive side, the portion size of shrimp for a festival food item costing around ten dollars (with a sampler lanyard, it is $8 or less) was very good. The creole offered a touch of Cajun kick. Overall, the cost-benefit analysis of this Mardi Gras food item still makes it good.
Nevertheless, on the less positive side, the rice still struggles to be above average. The shrimp quality was lower this time, in our opinion. The “holy trinity” lacked the flavor of our previous visits.
Solid Mardi Gras Item
Despite that, this makes a solid Mardi Gras menu item. It would be a good choice if you visited Busch Gardens while this event was still occurring. We expect some version of this item to return next year for Mardi Gras. We have not seen an item similar to it on the Food & Wine menu list with that event starting March 7.
Once again, theme park festival food varies in preparation quality during the event. This shows why we try to write opening-day reviews with a perspective about how well an item will continue to be prepared.
Please visit its official website for more information about Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. For more theme park-related news, please visit MSM News. As always, eat like you mean it!
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