This is mac'n cheese heaven! I thought, how many different ways can you make that delectable gooeyness? Not a Mensa question... if it can be done with pizza of course mac'n cheese would be no different. So why has no one made a business venture out of it until now? This is the only game in town (that I'm aware of), plus the new location that recently opened in Portsmouth, NH.
Mr. Mac's has 21 variations, and daily specials, to give you a head start to carb overload or you can go bonkers (and possibly broke!) creating your own masterpiece from their list of cheeses, meats, veggies, sauces and seasonings... oh my! Someone else can do the permutation math. For a small up-charge based on skillet size, you can get gluten-free macaroni. Doesn't look like dairy-free cheese is available. Portions are substantial with three sizes of cast iron skillets to choose from: small (feeds 1 ravenous adult, or 2 smaller reasonable appetites, we were told it's a pound of pasta!), medium (2-3 tummies) and "The Big Cheese" (3-5, or more!).
The place was ridiculously busy when we drove by on a Saturday evening. We actually left and thought to try something else, but nothing seemed to strike our fancy. So we came back and the crowd had eased. They really move people through quickly even though it's not a big space. Yet you don't feel rushed. A very chipper young lady at the counter welcomed us before we were even through the door. Customer service is already off to a smashing start. We admitted to being newbies, got a big smile and thank you for coming in and a thorough primer on the options. Wish I got her name, she was fabulous!
We both opted for smalls, mine was Lobster (surprise, not) and hubby tried the Cheeseburger Mac with added bacon. They do have beer and wine in big wall coolers, along with bottled soft drinks, waters, iced teas (I enjoyed an Organic Honest Tea green tea with honey) and juices, and of course fountain drinks. We were given a number to take to our table (picked a high top along the wall near some historical pictures of Manchester ) and waited only about 10-15 minutes. The skillets come out on little wooden platters with silicone covers over the handles with a warning that they were very hot. Bit of a let down with the plastic forks. Thankfully they didn't break, makes you eat slowly and take smaller bites. Is that one way of not looking like a glutton? For $14.99 I was actually surprised at the good amount of lobster given. Not huge chunks, but there were a fair number of meaty pieces. Spousal unit, while not a huge mac'n cheese aficionado, enjoyed his dish overall, however he felt there could have been a bit more ground beef.
The place is very family-friendly. And also a good spot for small groups if you pull tables together and of course, date night. You can eat in, or take out, order online. Delivery is available. You can order big trays to feed 8-12 that are "hot and ready" or take it cold and bake yourself. They ask for 2-hour notice when ordering those, but will try to accommodate if it's short notice. And they do catering packages for 20, 40 or 60 people. Pizza parties are such old news! read more