The almost 70-year-old South Street Diner always celebrates Mardi Gras. This year, says owner Solomon Sidell, its Fat Tuesday celebration will be “bigger and better.’’ Eating jambalaya in a diner near South Station may seem random, but there’s a reason behind it: While in his 20s, Lynn native Sidell traveled to the festival in New Orleans eight years in a row. “The atmosphere is intoxicating,’’ he says. “Anything goes and everything goes during Mardi Gras.’’ He wanted to bring the party to Boston. The diner will feature an all-day menu of NOLA favorites, including that jambalaya (all you can eat for $6), boiled fresh crawfish, fried shrimp po’boys, char-broiled alligator sausage with eggs, beignets with chocolate sauce, and king cake (iced cinnamon rolls with the traditional tiny toy baby baked inside). Sip a hurricane cocktail ($6), catch some beads, and sway to the sounds of zydeco. Come costumed or not. As Sidell says, anything goes. South Street Diner, 178 Kneeland St., Boston, 617-350-0028, www.southstreetdiner.com. Fat Tuesday celebration takes place Feb. 9, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.LISA ZWIRN

Lisa Zwirn can be reached at lisa@lisazwirn.com.