If anyone knows me they're aware of how much I love macaroni and cheese. Anywhere I go, if mac and cheese is on the menu, I'll get it. No questions asked. So I thought I would put together a definitive list of my favorite mac and cheese I've ever had. As a side note, I tried to include only chain restaurants so that you all can try these out for yourselves.
8. KFC
I know KFC is more revered for their fried chicken, but there's no denying that they have decent mac and cheese. The cheese is very creamy and slides down your throat so smoothly. It also goes really well with their mashed potatoes.
7. Mac and Cheese Shop
While this is a Wisconsin-based mac and cheese chain, they do some pretty good cooking. They're a restaurant that serves all different types of mac and cheese. While I've only had their classic (since most of them contain meat and I'm a vegetarian) I'm positive the rest are so delicious, if the classic is anything to go by.
6. Red Robin
I've always been a huge fan of Red Robin's mac and cheese, so I was disappointed to learn that they recently changed their recipe. However, my disappointment didn't last long because their new recipe is so much better. The cheese is less creamy and baked to perfection instead. The bottomless fries you can get it with is also a plus.
5. Panera
While Panera specializes in bread and sandwiches, their mac and cheese is nothing to sneeze at. While a saltier flavor, their mac and cheese go incredibly well with any sandwich. (Personally, I like to get it with a good old fashioned grilled cheese.)
4. Boston Market
Boston Market has been in my top 5 mac and cheeses for so long. It used to be so coveted to me since I used to live 4 hours from the nearest one. Even now, I crave it almost every day. It's some of the creamiest mac and cheese I've ever had and it tastes homemade.
3. Tom + Chee
While this isn't a very well-known chain, and it hasn't spread to a lot of places, this restaurant has some of the most amazing food I've ever tasted. I don't recommend their mac and cheese in the traditional sense (although that's also very good), rather, it's the "grilled mac and chee" that you need to try. Mac and cheese in between two grilled bread slices and your day is made.
2. Noodles and Company
Obviously, since Noodles and Co. specialize in pasta dishes they're going to be high on my list. It's hard to describe what makes their mac and cheese so special. It's just the right amount of creamy with some extra shredded cheese on top to mix in. To me, no one makes a more perfect mac and cheese than Noodles and Co. I could honestly eat every day for the rest of my life.
1. Grandma's
I know my grandma doesn't own a chain restaurant and you can't all try it, but it had to make my list. And I'm here to remind you that no matter how good restaurant mac and cheese is, nothing beats home cooking.
