CLEVELAND, Oh - Whether it was that addictive concoction from the blue and yellow box you cooked up in your dorm room, or that crusty casserole of deliciousness grandma pulled out of her oven when you visited as a child, macaroni and cheese has always had the power to make even the worst day a little bit better.
And let’s face it, there are those days when we all need a big bowl of the ultimate comfort food.
We all know that the best tasting mac ‘n’ cheese comes from your home kitchen, but these days busy schedules just don’t accommodate the time it takes to make it from scratch. And during these dog days of summer, who wants to heat up the kitchen?
When that craving hits, and you are in a pinch, many fast food outlets have taken up the challenge of providing crave-worthy pasta and cheese. The Best Of Cleveland team took up the challenge of finding which fast food emporium served up the creamiest, cheesiest mac ‘n’ cheese dish.
We visited eight different fast-food chains around town and found 10 varieties of mac ‘n’ cheese. In their quest to find the most satisfying, they tried them all, then ranked them worst to best to give you a guidebook to the best Fast Food Mac ‘n Cheese in Northeast Ohio.
No. 10
Mr. Chicken: Regular
Calories: N/A
Price: Small $2.45 Large $4.99
Menu Description: N/A
Our Thoughts: When you head to a Southern fried chicken outlet, you expect more from the traditional sides one would be served alongside the fried star of the meal; But Mr. Chicken’s Mac ‘n Cheese was a huge disappointment. To be blunt, neither one of us could even get through one bite. The noodles were severely overcooked and watery, while the cheese sauce was gritty and tasted like the cheddar had been left to age just a few years too long.
No. 9
KFC: Regular
Calories: Individual 140 Large 540
Price: Individual $2.99 Large $4.69
Menu Description: Elbow macaroni covered in a rich, creamy cheddar cheese sauce.
Our Thoughts: Nothing rich and creamy about this one. We weren’t even sure the mac ‘n’ cheese we were served had even been made on the same day we visited, and we arrived shortly at lunchtime. The noodles were tough to chew; and the “cheese” sauce was congealed on one side of the bowl and had little-to-no cheesy flavor despite its creamy appearance.
No. 8
Panera: Broccoli Cheddar
Calories: Small 370 Large 740
Price: Small $6.99 Large $10.69
Menu Description: Shell pasta in a blend of creamy cheese sauce and tangy white cheddar, simmered with seasoned broccoli and carrots.
Our Thoughts: If you are trying to sneak some more veggies into the kids’ diet, mac ‘n’cheese could be the perfect vehicle to do so. But don’t count on them not noticing the veggies in Panera’s Broccoli Cheddar. The veggies are brightly colored and not cooked to mush. They tasted fresh, but the pieces are tiny and left us wondering why even bother. While the noodles were well-cooked and firm, the cheese sauce was a bit on the runny side and left a decidedly artificial chalky aftertaste.
No. 7
Chick-Fil-A: Regular
Calories: Small 270 Medium 450
Price: Small $3.09 Medium $3.95
Menu Description: A classic macaroni and cheese recipe featuring a special blend of cheeses including Parmesan, Cheddar, and Romano. Baked in restaurant to form a crispy top layer of baked cheese.
Our Thoughts: The promise of “baked in restaurant” was evident in the bowl of mac ’n’ cheese we were served since there were some of those crunchy in-the corner pieces mixed into the bowl. For some mac ‘n’ cheese lovers they can be the perfect addition, for others, it can be off-putting. You’ll have to decide how you feel about them, just know that having them as part of your dish is a possibility. Sadly, not all of the cheese was melted, thus, not as creamy as we had hoped and the noodles were a bit on the mushy side.
No. 6
Slim Chickens: Regular
Calories: Regular 440 Large 1,330
Price: Regular $2.99 Large $5.49
Menu Description: At Slim’s, mac & cheese isn’t JUST kid’s stuff. This classic Southern side is a grown-up portion to complete any meal with creamy, cheesy.
Our Thoughts: Finally --- a fast-food outlet that served up a hearty noodle cooked al dente. We could detect two different kinds of cheese in the dish -- and there was plenty of that hot cheesy goodness to enjoy. The kids will definitely enjoy this one, but then, so will the adults.
No. 5
Panera: Regular
Calories: Small 460 Large 920
Price: Regular $6.99 Large $10.69
Menu Description: Tender shell pasta in a blend of rich cheeses including our tangy aged white cheddar cheese sauce.
Our Thoughts: Interestingly enough, two macs from the same restaurant tasted decidedly different. This mac ‘n’ cheese offering from Panera was sans the veggies but gave us a much cheesier experience. The sauce was thicker -- you’ll have to stir this one before indulging -- and while it didn’t have a sharp cheddar flavor, it ranked right up there with its satisfying taste.
No. 4
Dave’s Hot Chicken: Regular
Calories: 290
Price: $3.49
Menu Description: N/A
Our Thoughts: The chicken here is spicy and they don’t skimp on adding a healthy dose of peppery goodness to the mac ‘n’ cheese as well -- which is a good thing. The visible spice ramps up the flavor of the firm noodles and the creamy, smooth cheese sauce. Is it your mom’s mac ‘n’ cheese? No. But it is a satisfying alternative.
No. 3
Arby’s: White Cheddar
Calories: 475
Price: $3.29
Menu Description: Smooth and creamy white cheddar Mac ‘n’ Cheese made with elbow macaroni.
Our Thoughts: This is another dish that benefits from a healthy stir before diving in. The sauce is thick and bursting with white cheddar goodness. The pasta was not over-cooked and stood up nicely to the cheese sauce. All-in-all, an above-average mac ‘n’ cheese.
No. 2
Popeye’s: Homestyle
Calories: Regular 345 Large 1,035
Price: Regular $4.09 Large $7.09
Menu Description: Mac & Cheese made with real butter and cream and topped with shredded cheddar cheese to create a golden brown crust when baked in the oven.
Our Thoughts: Looking for a “true homemade flavor” and texture, this may become your favorite fast food mac. Gooey for sure, so give it a healthy stir before diving in. The sauce is thick and cheddar-y. The noodles are firm enough to stand up to all that cheese. This is the dish you would expect to get at a Southern cook-out or church dinner, or “what grandma used to make.”
No. 1
Arby’s: Loaded
Calories: N/A
Price: $5.39
Menu Description: N/A
Our Thoughts: OK -- let’s be honest...who doesn’t love anything with bacon added? Bacon in mac ‘n’ cheese was not something either of us grew up on, but the thick-cut smokiness of the bacon ramped up the flavor to the point that this dish is something that will keep you coming back for more. While you might not expect a crispy and juicy chicken from an outlet known for its roast beef, the bird won’t disappoint either. This satisfying dish is more than a side. Order two and make it your meal.
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