TIO LUCHO’S BRINGS TWO COASTS TOGETHER FOR DOS COSTAS CARNIVAL ON FAT TUESDAY
Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 1/23/26
Blending Gulf Coast Spirit and Northern Peruvian Flavor for a High-Energy Evening Driven by Food, Music, and Cocktails
Free to Attend on February 17, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
On Tuesday, February 17, Tio Lucho’s turns up the energy with Dos Costas Carnival, a lively evening inspired by the shared rhythm, flavor, and joy of coastal traditions from New Orleans and Northern Peru. From 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., the restaurant comes alive with oysters, festive cocktails, live music, and a menu by Chef and Owner Arnaldo Castillo that treats coastal cooking as the main event.
Rooted in the idea that Carnival thrives wherever working ports meet the sea, Dos Costas Carnival brings together two cultures that know how to cook, gather, and throw a proper party. Cajun soul and Peruvian technique collide through seafood-driven dishes, slow-roasted meats, and expressive flavors designed for sharing. Led by Castillo alongside Chef de Cuisine Manny Sosa, whose two decades of cooking under a Louisiana chef bring deep Cajun credibility to the table, the menu leans fully into Carnival. Expect crawfish empanadas, a jambalaya-inspired arroz con mariscos layered with andouille, gumbo built on Peruvian sofrito, BBQ shrimp, maque choux, and red beans and rice, capped by a show-stopping porchetta—whole hog belly roasted until crisp and carved tableside in true parade fashion. Dessert keeps the indulgence going with king cake picarones served alongside banana foster ice cream. Time-honored Carnival cocktails carry the night, from daiquiris and sazeracs to sidecars and French 75s, flowing from start to finish.
Live music sets the pace as the night builds, starting with Afro-Peruvian rhythms like festejo and cumbia before evolving into brass-heavy New Orleans funk and second-line sounds. Guests can expect a lively, fluid atmosphere accented by Carnival-inspired décor, colorful masks, and beads passed throughout the room. Free to attend, guests are encouraged to drop in, grab a drink, sample the menu, and stay as long as the music and mood allow.
Tio Lucho’s is located in Poncey-Highlands at 675 N. Highland Ave. NE #6000, Atlanta, GA 30306. For more information, visit www.tioluchos.com. Stay connected on Facebook at www.facebook.com/tioluchosatl and Instagram at @tioluchos.
