When you reach a certain age, eating Spongebob-shaped noodles suddenly loses its appeal.
One day you’re totally fine with microwaving mac n’cheese in a flimsy black plastic bowl, the next, you take a good look at the orange, sandy powder that is supposedly cheese, and think “What in Julia Child’s name am I eating?”
It’s a culinary coming of age of sorts, similar to your first heart break. You know there are better options out there, but there are also nights when you don’t want just another lackluster meet up with the trendy kale chip from the vegan cafe down the street.
You are nostalgic in a way that only cheese-covered elbow macaroni can satisfy.
And this is where I’m stepping in. I assert that you can have it all. Restaurant-quality meals, with the same cheesiness you crave—Louisville is “Possibility City” after all.
Just call me your mac n’cheese matchmaker, and let’s take a look at some of the best of the best in Louisville.
Tom+ Chee— Grilled Mac & Cheese
This is basically every 5-year-old’s dream meal. Macaroni n’cheese inside a grilled cheese.
Hint: For extra deliciousness add bacon and tomato to your sandwich.
The Bard’s Town—MacDeath by Goodness
The writer in me rejoices at the genius appropriation of Shakespeare puns every time I open the Bard’s Town menu. MacDeath by Goodness is “an entrée portion of the Bard’s Mac & Cheese…with a twist: sautéed garden veggies blended into make a feast fit for a Scottish prince.”
The Fish House—Three Cheese Macaroni and Cheese
I’ll admit, this one took me by surprise. I went to The Fish House for fish. Go figure.
But with your fish you get a choice of side. Obviously I went for the macaroni and cheese. And I was hooked at the first bite. Shell macaroni covered in three cheeses and a load of black pepper. Absolutely out of this world.
Feast BBQ—Baked Mac n’Cheese
A not-so-mini side portion of baked macaroni and cheese from Feast BBQ in New Albany. The spiral macaroni soaks up the smoky cheddar cheese sauce, finished off with a bread-crumb topping.
Hammerhead’s—Fried Macaroni Balls
Somehow adding “fried” to macaroni and cheese makes it just a little more delicious.
Did we miss any of your favorite restaurants for macaroni and cheese? If you have another cheesy favorite, leave it in the comments, Facebook us, or find us on Twitter!
Photos courtesy of Ashlie Stevens and Tumblr. Feast BBQ photo courtesy of epicuriouslouisville.tumblr.com
