Where to find a last-minute Mardi Gras king cake

The intrigue: The seasonal cinnamon-filled pastry, topped with purple, green and gold sugar, represents the three gifts of the Wise Men. The cake is often eaten the day before Ash Wednesday, the Christian holiday that marks the beginning of the fasting period known as Lent.

• A small plastic baby symbolizing Jesus, hidden inside the cake, represents good luck and prosperity to the person who finds it in their slice.
• That lucky recipient — who is deemed the "king" or "queen" — is then responsible for bringing the king cake to the next party.

Here's where you can get king cakes locally through Tuesday:

Noe Valley Bakery has two locations in West Portal and Noe Valley, where you can purchase their signature ring-shaped cake, made with fresh Danish dough and house-made chocolate almond paste, for $29.

Arizmendi Bakery in the Inner Sunset sells its colorful dessert with candied orange peel and a pecan molasses filling for $28.

Brenda's French Soul Food, a southern staple on Polk, is offering their yearly special for $5.75 a piece: A king cake beignet stuffed with a berry compote and vanilla cream cheese dusted in traditional Mardi Gras colors.

Sandy's on Haight, known for its New Orleans-style muffulettas, is selling their original spin on the cake for $6 a slice.

• The cake features a brioche base with cream cheese, brown butter and cinnamon rolled into it.
• This one-of-a-kind take on a festive classic is only available on a first-come first-serve basis at the shop, with orders capped to two slices per person due to limited availability.

What's next: Celebrate Fat Tuesday in The Fillmore with a free blues concert and New Orleans-style parade. 5-7pm at the Fillmore Center Plaza.