I’m always on a quest to find the best mac and cheese in the U.S.. And am excited to share that I found a top contender close to home base for the best macaroni and cheese at Chester’s Kitchen & Bar in Rochester, Minn. It’s worth the 90-minute road trip from the Twin Cities for a fabulous foodie experience.
While offering to host us for dinner in exchange for sharing my experience at Chester’s Kitchen & Bar, all my opinions in this post are my own. I don’t hand out platitudes for just any mac and cheese. Chester’s Kitchen & Bar’s Lobster Mac “N” Cheese earned its place on my Quest for the Best Mac and Cheese in the U.S. list.
Please note that we were guests of Chester’s Kitchen & Bar in Rochester, Minn. in the fall of 2019; check their website for their latest updates regarding hours, restrictions and social-distancing guidelines.
This post contains recommended links to products and services. While you will not accrue any additional costs to support my blog, I may receive compensation if you purchase these products and services. Special thanks to Chester’s Kitchen & Bar for sponsoring our visit in exchange for an honest review of our experience.
Lobster mac and cheese – it’s what’s for dinner
Whenever I see lobster mac and cheese on a menu, it’s pretty much a given I’m going to order it. Just ask my husband. Or my friends.
I had heard that Chester’s Lobster Mac “N” Cheese” was pretty good. I was not disappointed. In fact, their mac and cheese was beyond good and made it into my top five. This flavorful pasta dish features Maine lobster claw meat, aged cheddar, cream, caramelized shallots, a light bread crust and grilled ciabatta.
My only regret is that we were not staying longer in Rochester so that I could try some other dishes on Chester’s Kitchen & Bar menu. (My friends are laughing right now because they know I would still order the mac and cheese).
Food envy – it’s a thing – but I’ll still order the mac and cheese
However, I do have a food envy problem when it comes to ordering. Food envy. It’s really a thing. So it was a good strategy that my mission at Chester’s Kitchen & Bar was for the sole purpose of enjoying some fabulous lobster mac and cheese.
Even when mac and cheese is on the menu, I typically see at least two other meal options that I’d like to try. And then I get a little panicky when it’s my turn to order. As I watch servers bring other guests their food, I say, “Oh, that looks good. I should have ordered that.”
But that thought did not cross my mind this time. I definitely chose the right meal for me. I was very pleased with Chester’s Kitchen & Bar’s Lobster Mac “N” Cheese. And I would drive the 68 miles to Rochester again just to have their mac and cheese for dinner…or lunch…wonder if they serve it for breakfast?
Lobster mac and cheese leftovers
Our meals at Chester’s Kitchen & Bar also came with some warm bread and yummy butter. I’m all about the carbs – bread and pasta and I’m happy. And it was a generous portion. In fact, they boxed up about half of it for me (no Styrofoam…yay! So they get extra points). We had a refrigerator back in our room so was able to enjoy my mac and cheese the following day. My mac and cheese leftovers tasted just as delicious warmed up.
What to eat at Chester’s Kitchen & Bar.: Mediterranean angel hair with salmon
While I did not have a full-fledged food-envy episode at Chester’s Kitchen & Bar, I was admiring my husband Steve’s pasta dish from across the table: Mediterranean angel hair with salmon. Salmon is an additional add-on as is pulled chicken and grilled shrimp.
It too was very good (yes, I had a bite…possibly two). Chester’s Kitchen & Bar’s Mediterranean angel hair comes with roasted red peppers, garlic spinach, Kalamata olives, roasted tomatoes, shallots, oregano, olive oil, white wine, feta and grilled ciabatta bread.
Anyone else hungry now? It looks like a nice day for a road trip.
Where is Chester’s Kitchen & Bar in Rochester, Minnesota located?
We were staying at the Hilton Rochester Mayo Clinic Area hotel in Rochester, Minn., which just happened to be across the street from Chester’s Kitchen & Bar. (You can read about my red-carpet experience on That Traveling Chick’s website.)
Located in Rochester’s Shops at University Square at 111 South Broadway on the first floor, this upscale American fare venue is open for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. Chester’s Kitchen & Bar also has a happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m. daily as well as a late-night happy hour 9 a.m. to midnight (1 a.m. on weekends). Again, please check Chester’s Kitchen & Bar’s website for the latest updates.
Everything about our visit at Chester’s Kitchen & Bar in Rochester, Minn. was perfect. I can see why it’s been voted as the best restaurant for several years. We arrived a few minutes early and were seated right away (recommend you make a reservation as Chester’s Kitchen & Bar does get busy). Our server was attentive and friendly, and our food was brought out promptly.
*Note: Please check Chester’s Kitchen and Bar website for the latest hours, seating arrangements and any restrictions due to the pandemic.
The space at Chester’s Kitchen & Bar was very open, yet cozy and intimate. We were seated in a booth with high backs and a boulevard of plants separating us from patrons sitting on the other side. I love restaurants with open kitchens – that type of transparency gives off good energy.
While my husband and I happened to both order pasta, Chester’s Kitchen & Bar offers a wide variety of meal options. A few of the shared appetizers caught my eye: beef and amablue cheese fondue, cornbread skillet, and bacon mac and cheese balls. Seriously…is anyone up for a road trip to Rochester right now?
Chester’s Kitchen & Bar menu also offers flatbreads and starter salads. They even have one called, “I just want a small salad.” Every restaurant should have this on their menu.
Other dinner entrees at Chester’s Kitchen & Bar in Rochester, Minn. include healthy bowls of brown rice or quinoa, entrée salads (these are not just a small salad), soups, steaks, burgers (oh, there’s a cheesy mac and cheese burger as well as plant-based and turkey burgers), chicken, seafood, ribs, meatloaf and more.
Check the Chester’s Kitchen & Bar website for any specialized menus for brunch ($12 bottomless mimosas) and lunch, kids, gluten-free, desserts, happy hour as well as a cocktail bar menu.
How did I miss that you can order a flight of desserts at Chester’s Kitchen & Bar? If you have a dessert-envy problem, this is perfect: half-portions of banana cream pie, chocolate cake and bread pudding served with praline sauce and fresh whipped cream. Check Chester’s Kitchen & Bar for their latest menu options.
Chester’s Kitchen & Bar indoor and patio dining options
Chester’s Kitchen & Bar offers tables and booths in the main section as well as a semi-private dining area to one side along with bar seating and patio seating. The restaurant is adhering to all the recommended social-distancing guidelines such as maintaining a six-foot distance, wearing face masks, requiring reservations, and more.
Before the pandemic, you could also reserve a private dining room that seats up to 44 guests – perfect for business meetings, rehearsal dinners, birthday parties, etc. Hopefully, that day will come again soon.
Thanks again to Chester’s Kitchen & Bar in Rochester, Minn. for hosting us. We will return for more lobster mac and cheese! In fact, if the weather cooperates, I’m seeing a road trip down on Valentine’s Day for some take-out lobster mac and cheese from Chester’s Kitchen & Bar.
Chester’s Kitchen and Bar’s Lobster Mac “N” Cheese is now on my Best Mac and Cheese in the U.S. list. Check it out for other fabulous mac and cheeses across the U.S. Do you have a favorite? Please comment below so I can add it to my list.
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YUM! This looks like a great restaurant to try out! Wish it was closer I want some Mac n Cheese!
I want some mac and cheese now also!
I could certainly get behind the angel hair pasta and salmon. This looks like a great restaurant to try when we are in the area.
The angel hair and salmon was pretty fabulous also.
I had no idea food envy was a thing! lol We always order with the intention of sharing. I have gotten so used to it … 25 years now … I could not imagine doing it any other way! This place looks amazing!
Now that’s what I call a lasting partnership!
Looks like a place to visit
Great place!
I am not always a mac n cheese fan, but if lobster is in it, I’m in! This looks great, if ever in the area I’ll have to visit Chester’s.
I hope you get the opportunity to try it.
I should not have read this while I was hungry lol looks so good
Ha! It’s making me hungry as I think about it.
Definitely read this at the wrong time…I haven’t eaten yet and now I want Mac and Cheese! Hahaha
Sorry! I want some now also!
The macaroni and cheese looks amazing! It is an Achilles heel of mine. I will check this out when I am in Minnesota next.
I hope you do…you will not be disappointed!
Lobster mac and cheese? YES! I would love to give this a try.
Lobster mac and cheese is my fave!
That looks like a great place to eat! Love the open kitchen!
It was a great place!
Looks so good and such a cute place. Thanks 🙂
Thank you!
I am a sucker for Mac and Cheese, and this one sounds divine! I also love your list of top mac and cheeses. I may steal that idea for my blog, but with donuts instead! Now I’m starving.
Ha! I get hungry every time I read the post. I would love to see more on your quest for the best donuts in the U.S.
Mac n cheese?! Yes please! Man, that lobster mac n cheese looks DELICIOUS!
It was delicious!
Both meals look amazing! I’ll never turn down Mac and cheese 🙂
Same! As a kid, I ate it every night. Every night.
That lobster mac and cheese looks so good! I may have to travel there just to try it. Ha! That’s a pretty long drive for me, but if I’m in the area, I will check out Chester’s.
It was fabulous…a bit of a drive for me but nowhere as far as you.
Looks really tasty! I also love to find places with perfect Mac and cheese!
I’m pretty selective when it comes to mac and cheese – and this place is definitely awesome!
I can see why this was voted Rochester’s favorite restaurant. Looks like the mac n cheese was amazing as well as the other food choices.
Fabulous eats!
Another great review. Have you tried a mac and cheese pizza? I tried it last spring and it was delicious!
I have tried a mac and cheese pizza…and a mac and cheese burger…tasty!
The food looks so yummy! That Mac and Cheese!!
Very yummy!
I am looking forward to trying Chester’s Lobster Mac “N” Cheese.” Yum!!!!
Soooo good!
Oh my goodness, the food looks amazing! I love that they have vegetarian burgers as well. It’s hard to find!
Sooooo good!
Hubby says his favorite lobster mac & cheese is at Charley’s down here in Orlando.
Must try! Adding it to my list!
Great pics. Never been to Rochester but I am a lover of Mac & cheese. In my experience it’s hard to find that perfect balance with lobster mac. They are usually a little to salty for my taste. Call me old fashion I suppose
Lobster mac and chesse! This looks soo good!
It was!
Did they have vegetarian version of mac and cheese as well? My kids want mac and cheese for all meals….the pic looked so tempting 🙂
I’m just like your kids…I want mac and cheese at all my meals also! The kids’ menu has just plain mac and cheese…and I’m sure you could order it without the lobster.