No matter the season, there's just something about comfort foods, and a bowl of steaming macaroni and cheese is the culinary equivalent of a warm puppy.
Maybe it takes you back to that bowl of yellow noodles your mom would set out for you when you really needed it. If Mama can't make it for you now, think outside of the Kraft box and treat yourself to a perfect rendition of this simple pleasure. Our taste buds as well as those of trusted foodies around town helped gather this list of six gourmet, can't-miss mac and cheeses – each worth writing home about.
Credit: Courtesy of Table & Main
Credit: Courtesy of Table & Main
Roswell’s Table & Main tied for third place with Heirloom Market’s interesting take on M&C (see below). Featuring three cheeses and toasted breadcrumbs, gooey goodness is on the menu. And remember, when you’re in Roswell, why not eat Roswellian? Table & Main’s owner Ryan Pernice graduated from Roswell High School and still lives in the city of “Modern spirit. Southern Soul.”
Credit: Courtesy of Michael Lennox of Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall
Credit: Courtesy of Michael Lennox of Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall
Ladybird Grove and Mess Hall
Dubbed a base camp for the urban explorer, this place's camp-like vibes definitely cater to our case of nostalgia. We've sung praises about this Beltline hot spot before, but didn't yet rave about the skillet serving of macaroni made with smoked Gouda, chili flakes and bread crumbs. Lovers of all things cheesy, we recommend pairing with the double stack cheeseburger (American cheese, aioli, house pickles, toasted bun) for true melt-in-your-mouth goodness.
Community Q BBQ's mac and cheese is a winner! Specifically it's a 2016 and 2017 Best of Atlanta winner.
"It's clear that Atlantans are passionate about this three-cheese dish" was the 2016 verdict from our mac and cheese roundup, including lots of runners-up. This mac and cheese is so good it won in another Best in Atlanta category
This Little Five Points staple is famous for its extensive beer list, so it’s no surprise that they infuse the brew in their delicious mac and cheese. The homemade pasta shells are paired with a beer-and-cheddar cheese sauce, adding full-bodied flavor to the classic meal.
Credit: Jang Choe
Credit: Jang Choe
Heirloom Market
You say mac and cheese is a wonderful "vegetable" as we southerners call it, but how different is one restaurant offering from another? Pretty darn different when you add a little "kimchi kick." If you have to stand on the patio to eat, so what? You can always get it to go from this Cobb County favorite.
Einstein's
Located at 12th and Juniper in Atlanta's midtown neighborhood, Einstein's has been perpetually popular with the brunch crowd for years. Hiding under the radar, we'd like to bring your attention to one of their deluxe sides – smoked pimento mac & cheese. More flavorful than your standard bowl, it may be another "side" but it's stealing most of our attention.
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