Food and Recipes Pasta Types Macaroni The Best Mac 'n Cheese in Every State By Kaitlyn Yarborough Kaitlyn Yarborough Part of the Southern Living team since 2017, Kaitlyn Yarborough is a Georgia native living in Austin, Texas, who covers a wide variety of topics for both the magazine and website, focusing on culture and lifestyle content, as well as travel in the South. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on October 3, 2017 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Facebook/Mr. Mac’s Macaroni & Cheese In the South, mac 'n cheese is like everyone's favorite aunt. We get excited to see it at the barbecue cookout or holiday lunch, it fits in seamlessly wherever it goes, and it never ceases to give some true Southern flair. Every family has its own recipe, every menu holds it (usually listed under vegetables), and every Southerner knows how to tell if it's the real deal. We like it creamy, cheesy, and a little crispy on top. You have to grate the cheese freshly and use more than you're comfortable admitting. (It's seriously concerning how much cheese it takes to get it just right, but you gotta do what you gotta do.)We decided to figure out where you can find the best, most delicious macaroni and cheese in every state (plus Washington, D.C.), according to Yelp, in case you're ever in a pinch and need that comfort food fix. We took into consideration the ratings, volume, and recency of reviews for each spot, while limiting the competitors to either single location businesses or small regional chains with less than five locations total. And voilà! You've got our curated list of the best mac 'n cheese in Every. Single. State. It's no surprise that many Southern-style barbecue joints made the cut, but some restaurants shined through as dark horses in the race. Warning: you might get hungry while checking out this cheese-laden list of the very best macaroni and cheese in America. 01 of 51 Alabama: Meat Boss Elizabeth E. via Yelp Mobile, Alabama One Yelp reviewer said, "The name says it all and does not disappoint." This barbecue joint has some of the most tender meat in the game that pairs just perfectly with their ultra-creamy mac 'n cheese side. meatboss.com 02 of 51 Alaska: Ginger Kevin L. via Yelp Anchorage, Alaska Who knew you could find the creamiest scallop mac-and-cheese you've ever had in an Alaskan restaurant with an Asian twist? Not us! But the customers just rave about the dish, so it must be true. gingeralaska.com 03 of 51 Arizona: Rusconi's American Kitchen Facebook/Rusconi’s American Kitchen Phoenix, Arizona This upscale restaurant has a menu full of decadent dishes such as braised beef short ribs with red pepper grits and apple cider-glazed pork osso bucco, but a popular standout is the grilled beef medallions with white truffle mac-n-cheese. rusconiskitchen.com 04 of 51 Arkansas: Maddie's Place Nhi S. via Yelp Little Rock, Arkansas This restaurant specializes in comfort food with New Orleans-style flair, and its buttermilk fried chicken with mac-and-cheese and slow-cooked collards are a customer favorite. maddiesplacelr.com 05 of 51 California: AJ's Fish Market Anthony A. via Yelp Lake Elsinore, California This homecookin' joint helps you get some Southern staples on the West Coast. You can't go wrong with the classic fried catfish with their creamy mac 'n cheese, collard greens, and fried okra. 06 of 51 Colorado: Kitchen Table: BBQ & Comfort Food Instagram/@kitchentablebbq Denver, Colorado This Kansas City-style barbecue joint takes comfort food seriously, and one look at the menu makes our stomachs growl. The brisket, pulled pork, and chopped chicken are as good on a sandwich as served on their own. It wouldn't be a West Coast barbecue spot without the very popular kale salad (we won't judge), but the mac-and-cheese is just delicious. kitchentablebbq.com 07 of 51 Connecticut: Sandra's Next Generation Adam D. via Yelp New Haven, Connecticut This hole-in-the-wall family-style restaurant is owned by an Alabama native, so we're confident she knows what she's doing with some mac 'n cheese. Recipes straight from her mama's kitchen make up the menu, and you can go the easy route and order the "church plate" that comes complete with the meat of your choice and four hearty Southern sides, such as the creamy mac 'n cheese. sandrasnextgeneration.com 08 of 51 Washington, D.C.: Bourbon Steak Amanda B. via Yelp Washington, D.C. You get to start with the duck fat fries no matter what at this upscale D.C. restaurant, which get some major bonus points! Rub elbows with the D.C. crowd over oak-fired filet and mouthwatering Wagyu burgers with a side of mac-and-cheese (served in a mini cast-iron skillet) at this Pennsylvania Avenue spot. bourbonsteakdc.com 09 of 51 Delaware: Grandpa Mac Stephen W. via Yelp Rehoboth Beach, Delaware This one's for true mac-and-cheese enthusiasts. It has an impressive selection of specialty mac-and-cheese dishes, but you can make your own too! Choose from a wide selection of pastas, cheese sauces, meats, veggies, and herbs to make the perfect mac & cheese for you. Added bonus: there are gluten-free and vegan options that make sure no one is left out. The "Eastern Shore" dish is speckled with decadent crab meat, making it an customer favorite. grandpamac.com 10 of 51 Florida: Sweet Dogs Facebook/Sweet Dogs 305 Miami, Florida We love a good hotdog, so we know topping a gourmet dog with creamy mac-and-cheese is just a step towards Heaven. This specialty hot dog restaurant features some truly amazing hot dog creations, but "The Mac" is topped with mac-and-cheese, more Parmesan cheese, and toasted garlic croutons. We'll take two! sweetdogs.net 11 of 51 Georgia: Frog Hollow Tavern Facebook/Frog Hollow Tavern Augusta, Georgia Reviewers rave about the lasagna-style smoked Gouda mac-and-cheese at this laidback tavern. It's traditionally served with a melt-in-your-mouth braised pork shoulder and vinegar-braised collards, but we recommend getting it as a side no matter what! froghollowtavern.com 12 of 51 Hawaii: Leoda's Kitchen & Pie Shop Facebook/Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop Lahaina, Hawaii One customer said of Leoda's, "It's a gem, a diamond, a jewel of the island." This small café on the road to Lahaina is known for amazing sandwiches, delicious homemade pies, savory pot pies, and a great staff. The baked mac-and-cheese is a must-get side. leodas.com 13 of 51 Idaho: BBQ4LIFE Facebook/BBQ4LIFE Boise, Idaho Idaho residents can get their Southern barbecue fix at this spot that started as a food truck. From the BBQ nachos to the meat sampler, with sides like peppery mac & cheese and country beans (with vegan options!), this barbecue joint will leave you full and happy. Consider getting the Bigfoot sandwich if you're really hungry—made up of thick slices of grilled Hawaiian bread filled with pulled pork, mac 'n cheese, and barbecue sauce. bbq4life.net 14 of 51 Illinois: Bavette's Bar & Boeuf Beth H. via Yelp Chicago, Illinois This Windy City restaurant puts a hip spin on a traditional steakhouse with a dimly lit, vintage-style atmosphere and indulgent dishes like short rib stroganoff, a classic ribeye, and truffle mac & cheese. Listen to lively jazz and slide into a red leather banquette for a great dinner experience. bavetteschicago.com 15 of 51 Indiana: The Eagle Giselle C. via Yelp Indianapolis, Indiana Many people head here for the fried chicken, but keep coming back for the amazing sides that go along with it! The homemade spoonbread, five-cheese baked mac 'n cheese, and sweet potato crock are the crowd favorites by far. theeagleotr.com 16 of 51 Iowa: The Cheese Shop Adam L. via Yelp Des Moines, Iowa This quaint little shop is a cheese lover's paradise with delicious cheese plates, grilled cheeses, mac-and-cheeses, and a vast charcuterie selection. The baked mac & cheese is creamy, bubbly, and oh-so-good. thecheeseshopdsm.com 17 of 51 Kansas: Blind Box BBQ Jennifer G. via Yelp Shawnee, Kansas Everything at this barbecue joint looks too good to pick from, but a safe bet lies in the Lil' Juicy sandwich, Burnt Ends platter, and a hearty side of the mac and cheese. blindboxbbq.com 18 of 51 Kentucky: Hammerheads Ashley S. via Yelp Louisville, Kentucky This modern gastropub and smokehouse boasts some tender barbecue, savory sides, and out-there standout dishes such as a venison burger, crispy soft-shell crab sandwich, and—our personal favorite—crispy mac-and-cheese balls. These fried bites of goodness are filled with creamy mac & cheese and topped with a Hollandaise sauce. If you want some more cheesy deliciousness, get the smoked mac & cheese side dish. louisvillehammerheads.com 19 of 51 Louisiana: Cochon Butcher Instagram/@cochonbutchernola New Orleans, Louisiana Cochon Butcher is always a go-to for us—the atmosphere is great, and the food is even better. To cover your bases, order their Muffaletta sandwich with a side of mac-n-cheese and marinated Brussels sprouts. You will not be disappointed! cochonbutcher.com 20 of 51 Maine: Side Street Café Tim C. via Yelp Bar Harbor, Maine You can't get mac & cheese in Maine without expecting it to be speckled with the freshest lobster you can find—everyone else's needs to watch out! sidestreetbarharbor.com 21 of 51 Maryland: Thames Street Oyster House Eva S. via Yelp Baltimore, Maryland This seafood restaurant isn't a dive by any means, but it still serves up the freshest seafood in Baltimore. Consider starting with a selection of raw oysters or the tangy ceviche. The lobster mac-and-cheese is lauded by reviewers, but there's some other steadfast seafood pasta options like the Atlantic bluefish and bouillabaisse to get that creamy pasta fix! thamesstreetoysterhouse.com 22 of 51 Massachusetts: Belmont Vegetarian Restaurant Facebook/Belmont Vegetarian Worcester, Massachusetts It's a pretty big deal if you can find an impressive vegan mac-and-cheese, and this restaurant has done it. Just check the reviews and watch the praise roll in for this vegetarian spot's hearty portion sizes and plates that let you sample a bit of everything! belmontvegetarian.com 23 of 51 Michigan: Union Woodshop Chelsea O. via Yelp Clarkston, Michigan The Union Mac & Cheese is an entity in its own right at this barbecue spot, with plenty of Vermont sharp cheddar, penne rigate, béchamel, Parmesan, and perfectly baked cheesy top crust. (Add some ham if you want!). Get this dish for the table with any assortment of mouth-watering smoked meats. unionwoodshop.com 24 of 51 Minnesota: Revival Facebook/Revival Minneapolis, Minnesota You're going to need the cheesy baked mac & cheese to balance the crispy, juicy, amazing hot chicken at Revival. If you're not in the mood for fried chicken, we hear the burger is to-die-for. Either way, their crowd-pleasing mac & cheese will hit the spot. (Maybe get some hushpuppies too, though.) revivalfriedchicken.com 25 of 51 Missouri: The Shaved Duck Facebook/The Shaved Duck Saint Louis, Missouri This smokehouse boasts too many slow-cooked delicious dishes to choose from, but some standouts are the pulled pork, Tri-Tip sandwich, and chili mac (the traditional mac & cheese topped with chili and topped with white cheddar and green onions). You can get their decadent mac & cheese as a side to any dish too! theshavedduck.com 26 of 51 Mississippi: Bully's Restaurant Hector L. via Yelp Jackson, Mississippi This soul food restaurant is about as Southern and as famous as it gets in Mississippi. Served on old-school lunch trays, these home-cooked meals cover all of your bases from beef tips over rice to fried smothered pork chops. Pick from a wide selection of Southern sides, like their mac 'n cheese that tastes just like your grandmother's. 27 of 51 Montana: DeSoto Grill Darlene W. via Yelp Kalispell, Montana There's a whole section on their menu for "DeSoto Macs." Choose form traditional, jalapeno, smoky bacon, and spicy hot link, but the smoky bacon mac is very popular with reviewers. Pair it with any of the smoked platters, and throw in an order of Frito pie for us! desotogrill.com 28 of 51 Nebraska: Plank Seafood Provisions Facebook/Plank Seafood Provisions Omaha, Nebraska One reviewer said, "I might consider visiting Omaha again just because of this restaurant." This seafood restaurant stands out with its beignet-style hushpuppies with jalapeno jam, the very popular blackened grouper with dirty rice, and—of course—its hearty baked mac & cheese. Sub it in with any dish (we heard the staff is more than accommodating!). plankseafood.com 29 of 51 Nevada: Fox Smokehouse Bbq Nitin B. via Yelp Boulder City, Nevada This joint is simple, but delicious. The meat is tender and melts in your mouth, the mac & cheese is ultra creamy, and the Tri-Tip sandwich is apparently a must-order. It's presented in a no-fuss way that makes it seem all the more authentic. foxsmokehousebbq.com 30 of 51 New Hampshire: Mr. Mac's Macaroni & Cheese Facebook/Mr. Mac’s Macaroni & Cheese Manchester, New Hampshire You read that right; this place is dedicated to mac & cheese. Each mac-and-cheese dish is made to order and completely customizable, even if choosing one of their 20 specialty mac & cheeses. The Lobstah, the Jalapeno Popper Mac, and the Carbonara are some customer favorites. mr-macs.com 31 of 51 New Jersey: Tops Diner Facebook/Tops Diner East Newark, New Jersey Like any old-fashioned diner, Tops Diner features a menu full of expected and unexpected items all mixed together, including their popular lobster mac & cheese and Disco Fries. thetopsdiner.com 32 of 51 New Mexico: Nexus Brewery Alecia S. via Yelp Albuquerque, New Mexico Go for the brews, stay longer for the food. This brewery offers Southern-style comfort food to soak up their micro-brewed beers. Get some fried pickles, chicken and waffles, and a side of mac & cheese for your group—you'll want to try the rest of the menu next! nexusbrewery.com 33 of 51 New York: Pepe's Place Instagram/@pepes_place New Rochelle, New York This is a multi-cultural soul food restaurant that combines traditional comfort dishes with exotic flavors, such as an Indian BBQ Chicken Platter and NY Fried Chicken with Aged Cheddar Mac & Cheese and Tahitian Vanilla Bean Yams. It might take you a minute to wrap your head around it, but reviewers assure us that it's going to be worth it! thepepesplace.com 34 of 51 North Carolina: Midwood Smokehouse Facebook/Midwood Smokehouse Charlotte, North Carolina Served on old-fashioned charming china, the mouth-watering barbecue plates and home-cooked sides make this joint a must-go in Charlotte. Take your pick of the smoked meats, add on your sides (mac & cheese and baked beans, we say), and chow down. midwoodsmokehouse.com 35 of 51 North Dakota: Würst Bier Hall Jennifer G. via Yelp Fargo, North Dakota This German-style pub gives you all of the best German dishes, such as currywurst, schnitzel, Bavarian pretzels, and Bratwursts. Order the spaetzle mac & cheese with your choice of sausage, and throw in an order of fried cheese curds for extra cheesiness (that you obviously need…). wurstfargo.com 36 of 51 Ohio: The Eagle Joel L. via Yelp Cincinnati, Ohio The homemade spoonbread, five-cheese baked mac 'n cheese, and sweet potato crock are the crowd favorites by far at this food and beer hall known for its fried chicken. theeagleotr.com 37 of 51 Oklahoma: The Loaded Bowl Mary Margaret M. via Yelp Oklahoma City, Oklahoma This all-vegan restaurant makes cheesy pastas so good that people don't realize they're eating vegan mac & cheese! The most popular is the Down Home Bowl, which is filled with mac & cheese, chopped barbecue, and grilled veggies. theloadedbowlokc.com 38 of 51 Oregon: Screen Door Lisa T. via Yelp Portland, Oregon This Creole-style restaurant is known for its weekend brunch and dinner. Hushpuppies, gumbo, po'boys, and fried chicken make perfect pairings with their bubbly, creamy mac 'n cheese side dish. screendoorrestaurant.com 39 of 51 Pennsylvania: Lucky's Last Chance PhillyFoodFoReal F. via Yelp Philadelphia, Pennsylvania At Lucky's, you have to try one of their "Mak & Cheese" dishes, whether it's the Original, Cajun Chicken, Bacon & Tomato, or (the very popular) Buffalo Chicken. The Mak & Cheese used to be a secret menu item, but by popular demand, Lucky's officially added it for everyone to try. The Scorpion Dog and Mak Attack Burger also come with Mak & Cheese piled on top. luckyslastchance.com 40 of 51 Rhode Island: Chomp Kitchen & Drinks Facebook/Chomp Kitchen & Drinks Warren, Rhode Island Chomp Kitchen follows a refined comfort food approach with its many burgers and sandwiches. The Mac & Cheeseburger is one of the menu's most popular choices, topped with a hearty amount of the house mac & cheese and a little red pepper jam to finish it off. chompri.com 41 of 51 South Carolina: Halls Chophouse Christina O. via Yelp Charleston, South Carolina Known for its true Southern hospitality and impeccable service, this family-owned steakhouse offers the best steaks you can get, which tend to go perfectly with their fan-favorite lobster mac-and-cheese and pancetta-roasted Brussels sprouts. hallschophouse.com 42 of 51 South Dakota: Murphy's Pub & Grill Holly W. via Yelp Rapid City, South Dakota You don't walk in here if you're on a diet, that's for sure. This pub & grill gives you indulgent, comfort food perfect for a rainy day (or any day). Fried pickles, Beer Cheese soup, shepherd's pie, and five decadent variations of their four-cheese mac 'n cheese dish (pulled pork, buffalo chicken, sausage and peppers, bacon, and sautéed onion and tomato) all make for a satisfying meal. murphyspubandgrill.com 43 of 51 Tennessee: The Stillery Christian B. via Yelp Nashville, Tennessee All we need to say about this joint is Hot Chicken Mac & Cheese. That's what you have to order, and that's what you're guaranteed to come back for. stillerynashville.com 44 of 51 Texas: Kenny's Wood Fired Grill D Q S. via Yelp Dallas, Texas This restaurant is modeled after a 1940s Chicago-style chophouse and has classic American food with a twist. Many reviewers recommend getting the super tender beef short rib with a side of the Adult Mac 'n Cheese that looks about as creamy as it gets with smoked gouda, ham, and truffle oil. kennyswoodfiredgrill.com 45 of 51 Utah: R&R BBQ Via R&R BBQ Salt Lake City, Utah This barbecue joint is all about the slow cookin'. We could easily make a plate just from the epic sides, such as the fried okra, smoked baked beans, mac & cheese, and hushpuppies—but we'll throw in some pulled pork for good measure. randrbbq.net 46 of 51 Vermont: The Vermont Country Deli Facebook/The Vermont Country Deli Brattleboro, Vermont You order this mac & cheese by the pound at this charming deli, and it gets scooped right from fresh-baked dishes that are coming out hot all day. There are different specialty variations of the mac & cheese, depending when you go, such as tomato-basil, pulled pork, jalapeno, or bacon. Finish your meal with one of their homemade cookies (they're easily as big as your head!). vermontcountrydeli.com 47 of 51 Virginia: Repeal Bourbon and Burgers Facebook/Repeal Bourbons and Burgers Virginia Beach, Virginia This popular burger spot is a go-to for locals and visitors of Virginia Beach alike. The truffle mac 'n cheese is one of the most ordered dishes, as long as it's paired with one of the gourmet burgers! repealvb.com 48 of 51 Washington: Von's 1000 Spirits Instagram/@vons1000spirits Seattle, Washington Von's makes its pasta in-house with sourdough for a truly unique taste, and its Sourdough Mac & Four Cheeses is a must-get while in Seattle! You pretty much can't go wrong with everything else on the downright delicious menu, so make sure to order an assortment to try. vons1000spirits.com 49 of 51 West Virginia: Dem 2 Brothers and A Grill Via Dem 2 Brothers and A Grill Charleston, West Virginia We can't love the name of this restaurant any better. It started with the owner selling mouthwatering barbecue and ribs on the side of the road in Charleston, and now has grown to two restaurants and two food trucks serving that same food. It's a no-nonsense type of cuisine, so order up a plate of ribs with mac 'n cheese and collards to keep it simple and tasty. dem2brosgrill.com 50 of 51 Wisconsin: MACS Macaroni and Cheese Shop Instagram/@macs_restaurant Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin This was a competitive one, thanks to this cheese-centric state and its many impressive options. But this mac & cheese specialty shop topped the list with its crazy mac & cheese creations, such as Loaded Baked Potato Mac, Memphis Mac, Hangover Mac, and Popeye Mac. macandcheeseshop.com 51 of 51 Wyoming: HQ BBQ Matthew R. via Yelp Evansville, Wyoming This spot is located in an old gas station, and (for us down in the South, at least) we know that means it has to be good. The side of mac & cheese comes in its own little glass jar to allow some serious scraping of every last bit. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit