Growing up, I was a picky eater. Goulash? Gross. Scalloped ham and potatoes? No way. Stroganoff? Ewwww. Liver and onions. Who does that?
So every meal (except Wednesdays because that was church night and we always had spaghetti) my go-to was Kraft mac and cheese. The kind in the blue box. And I’m not exaggerating when I say I had it every night.
Every night.
While my taste buds are a little more foodie-ish these days, I must admit sometimes I still take great comfort in hamburger mac and cheese (yes, the blue box kind).
Best mac and cheese restaurants in America
Today I’m all about the gourmet adult mac and cheese. Especially with lobster. Or bacon. Or jalapenos. Or other stuff.
While I make it a habit not to eat at chains while traveling, I do make exceptions as some of my recommendations have a few other locations. I’ve noted below where I’ve enjoyed this classic comfort food.
Note: If no image is available, that means I was probably hungry and capturing the moment was secondary to meet my basic hierarchy of needs.
This post contains recommended links to products and services. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases. While you will not accrue any additional costs to support my blog, I may receive compensation if you purchase these products and services. All images are taken by kmf and available for digital download.
Best lobster mac and cheese: C Level – San Diego, California
C Level’s lobster mac and cheese has remained #1 on my list for many years. And several of my friends agree. I challenge anyone to direct me to a superior macaroni and cheese. I won’t believe you until I try it. C Level serves their dish with a side of local organic greens, candied walnuts and an herb vinaigrette. The generous portion could be split, but I don’t share lobster mac and cheese. Just ask my friend Marlena.
Recreating how it went down: Setting: Convention at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. Me: With a glass of lobster mac and cheese and a glass of shrimp mac and cheese. Marlena: “Can I have a bite?” Me: Long pause with my mouth still full, I point and say, “Ummm…you can get your own right over there.”
Best mac and cheese with hot chicken: The Stillery – Nashville, Tennessee
I may or may not stop at The Stillery more than once or twice every time I visit Nashville – home of the second best mac and cheese locale in the entire U.S. The cavatappi at The Stillery is baked with a house cheese sauce and breadcrumbs. AND Nashville’s famous hot chicken! The chicken is optional for some people (weird), but not me. Soooooo good!
Best lobster mac and cheese: Smack Shack – Minneapolis, Minnesota (and MSP airport)
My third favorite place is closer to home: the best lobster mac and cheese at Smack Shack in Minneapolis. They make it with taleggio cheese, sweet corn and breadcrumbs (I believe they offer two sizes). It is super rich and super dense so come hungry. Especially because you must try their lobster guacamole appetizer.
I also love this place because of its history. This popular establishment started as a food truck serving lobster rolls in a parking lot. While I’ve only ate at the Minneapolis location, they now have a restaurant at the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport. So if you’re flying through MSP, I highly recommend stopping in. (Side note: One of my favorite local pizza places, Black Sheep Coal Fired Pizza, also opened up a dining option at MSP – and they are located right across the street from Smack Shack in the North Loop of Minneapolis).
Best lobster mac and cheese: Founding Farmers – Washington, DC
This is an incomplete review because in addition to their delicious lobster mac and cheese, Founding Farmers also offers seven cheese macaroni with optional chicken tenders as well as ham, apple and peas macaroni and cheese. Think I need a return trip or two to DC.
Best lobster mac n cheese: Chester’s Kitchen & Bar, Rochester, Minnesota
Located only 90 minutes south of the Twin Cities, this lobster mac and cheese at Chester’s Kitchen & Bar in Rochester, Minn. is worth the drive. In fact, I’m tempted to jump in my vehicle right now and go on a road trip. This flavorful pasta dish features Maine lobster claw meat, aged cheddar, cream, caramelized shallots, a light bread crust and grilled ciabatta bread. Check out my full review of our experience at Chester’s Kitchen & Bar who graciously hosted my husband and me.
Best lobster mac and cheese: Turner’s Seafood – Salem, Massachusetts (also Melrose and Gloucester)
My husband, son and I had just finished a three-hour walking tour in Salem, Mass., so were famished when we arrived at Turner’s Seafood. Beyond excited when I saw they offered lobster mac and cheese on the menu, made with penne pasta in a tomato vodka cream sauce, English peas and fresh ricotta. My only regret is that I booked a place without a refrigerator and microwave for leftovers. Still feeling bad I left some on my plate.
Best mac and cheese: Salt + Smoke: St. Louis, Missouri
While Salt + Smoke is known for its BBQ in St. Louis, I was drawn to their award-winning mac and cheese. They have won the St. Louis Mac & Cheese Throwdown more than once. Yeah…it’s pretty amazing…the savory white cheddar cracker mac comes as a side to one of Salt + Smoke’s BBQ platters or sandwiches, but definitely rich enough to enjoy as a meal. Thanks Salt + Smoke for hosting me on my solo trip to St. Louis when I visited the Gateway Arch National Park.
Best lobster mac and cheese: Meat Market – Miami, Florida
Image: Imagine a mouthwatering pic of mac and cheese.
You’ll find the lobster mac and cheese under the Chef’s special sides section at the Meat Market, but it’s large (and rich) enough to eat as a main course. I ordered mine with a side of their crispy Brussel sprouts with bacon and almonds.
Best build your own BYO mac and cheese: BRGR Kitchen + Bar – Kansas City, Missouri
If you’re in the Power & Light District in Kansas City, you can build your own mac and cheese at BRGR Kitchen + Bar. The base includes parmesan, white cheddar and boursin cheese topped with buttered bread crumbs. You can add any of the following for $1 to $2 each: peas, mushrooms, jalapeños, roasted garlic, sautéed onions, blue cheese, grilled chicken, bacon, hamburger. I build mine with jalapeños and bacon, with a side of sweet potato fries and a can of Stella.
Best and least expensive lobster mac and cheese: Bagatelle – Key West, Florida
While my husband and I were happy-hour hopping in Key West last year, I was drawn to Bagatelle because they offered a $5 lobster mac and cheese appetizer.
$5.
For lobster mac and cheese. Great lobster mac and cheese. Do it! You won’t be disappointed.
Best crab mac and cheese: Bourbon Butcher – Farmington, Minnesota
Located only 7.8 miles from my front door, the Bourbon Butcher offers an amazing and the best crab mac and cheese made with penne pasta, fresh lump crab and smoked bacon smothered in a smoked gouda cheese sauce. And they also have a crazy fancy cocktail menu and game room with skee-ball.
Best lobster Mac & Cheese: The Barrymore – Las Vegas, Nevada
This hidden gem off the Las Vegas strip in the Royal Resort, The Barrymore offers its lobster mac and cheese as a side dish.
False.
Made with a truffle and mascarpone-tallegio cream sauce, this tasty lobster mac and cheese is large enough to eat as a main course with a salad and/or Brussel sprouts. I also love the retro ambiance of The Barrymore with vinyl records on the ceiling.
The best spicy mac and cheese: Lucky’s 13 Pub – Minnesota and North Dakota
My hockey mom friends and I meet at Lucky’s 13 Pub in Burnsville, Minnesota once a month (well pre-pandemic). And they can pretty much predict my order: the spicy mac and cheese with Italian sausage, onions, peppers, cheese sauce, and a parmesan crust. But sometimes I get their wings – they’re only $5 on Wednesdays.
Best loaded macaroni and cheese: Twin City Grill – Mall of America, Bloomington, Minnesota
Love the loaded macaroni and cheese at the Twin City Grill; it’s located in the North Garden of the Mall of America on the first floor. Dish comes with tomatoes, applewood smoked bacon and toasted breadcrumbs.
Best lobster and crab mac and cheese: Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse – Golden Nugget, Las Vegas
If you’re on Fremont Street in Vegas, make reservations at Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse located inside the Golden Nugget. And while Vic & Anthony’s offer a great lobster and crab mac and cheese main course, I always order the mac and cheese as a side. That’s because I’m all about Vic & Anthony’s roasted salmon filled with smoked gouda and jumbo lump crab with mashed potatoes and asparagus. Yes, this meal at Vic & Anthony’s in Las Vegas requires a pre- and post-workout. Or two or three.
A few of my favorite mac and cheeses from nationwide chains
When you find a chain is your only option, here are a few of the best mac and cheese dishes at some national restaurants.
- Noodles & Company: Best Wisconsin mac & cheese with parmesan-crusted chicken
- Hard Rock Café: Best twisted mac, chicken and cheese
- House of Blues: Best mac and cheese skillet
- McCormick & Schmick’s: Best truffle mac and cheese
- The Capital Grille: Best lobster mac and cheese
- Applebee’s: Best four cheese mac and cheese with honey pepper chicken tenders
What’s your favorite place for mac and cheese?
My quest to find the best mac and cheese is ongoing. Would love for you to recommend places for me to experience. Please leave the name and location in the comments.
Pin it for later: Best mac and cheese in the U.S.
If you love mac and cheese, please consider sharing this post and pinning it for later. Thank you!
Yum! I was just in Vegas – wish I’d seen this earlier to go check the lobster Mac & Cheese out! Oh well, next time.
So good! Definitely try it next time!
I wish some of these places were near me. Lobster mac and cheese sounds delicious!
That sounds like a challenge – I’ll do some research to find a place near you!
You gotta add sublime ale house to you list. It’s just north of San Diego 🙂
Added! Thank you!
This post is awesome! I love all the different places you have tried. I have never heard of putting chicken, or jalapenos on mac and cheese!
Nashville’s hot chicken on mac and cheese – sooo good! I’m tempted to book a flight there right now. And jalapenos definitely give it a kick!
All of these look so good! I tried Lobster mac and cheese for the first time on a buffet at Disney, and I was hooked! Being on a buffet, it probably wasn’t even as great as some of these. I’ve never ordered it as a main course, but it looks like I need to. Yum!
I’m trying to remember the first time I had lobster mac and cheese, but, honestly can’t recall. If it’s on the menu, it’s very likely I’m ordering it.
I’m a bonafide foodie and I approve this post….lol! Fun info on Mac. I’m super excited several are close to us to try. Next time we’re in San Diego, we’re going to C-Level for sure. Thanks!!!
You most definitely are a bonafide foodie and am honored you approved my post. Haha! San Diego actually has a mac and cheese week that I’ll need to experience one of these years.
Oh man, what is there not to love about mac and cheese, yum!
I can’t think of a single thing not to love (other than the calories).
The Lobster mac and cheese sounds fabulous!
My favorite!
I love a good mac and cheese. My husband makes an awesome one with a solid roux. You have just made me so hungry!
Oh…that sounds so good…I’m hungry now also!
We have the same rule – no chain restaurants while traveling! And Founder Farmers in DC is amazing! I’ve had some amazing mac n cheese but I’m sorry I haven’t kept track as well as you to share here. ☺
It’s a good rule…I have made some exceptions. We were in Venice about eight days into a two-week tour of Italy and Greece and my teenage son wanted to eat at the Hard Rock. I felt almost guilty, but it was a beautiful view of the canal…and was pleasantly surprised to find nearly everyone in our travel group there as well…they were wanting a burger also!
I have such fond memories of mac and cheese when I was a kid. It looks like it’s time to up my game and try some of these delicious sounding adult versions.
Haha! If you do, please let me know of any great places in the Asheville area to try as I know I want to return!
What a great idea! That pizza looks great too 🙂
Thanks…and, yes, my hometown pizza is amazing.
I love some good mac n cheese. I love my Aunt’s homemade mac n cheese 🙂 I think the baked potato choice you posted about looks delicious. You really are a mac n cheese expert! Such a fun article!
Thank you so much! I love a good homemade mac n cheese also!
I have never been a huge Mac n Cheese lover, but my children and husband are. Until I tried two of their favorites places. So when we go to these two places I at least split one or get a side of lobster Mac n Cheese. Cafe 4 downtown Knoxville and House of Blues in Orlando.
House of Blues does have great mac and cheese! I’ll add Cafe 4 to my ongoing quest list.
This must have been the tasty research ever!
Yes, indeed!
I love that you have tried so many mac and cheese. I would like to try the lobster mac and cheese.
Thanks…lobster mac and cheese is my go-to…so good!
I could literally eat Mac and cheese for every meal.
Same!
The mac and cheese with the hot chicken sounds really good. I can’t believe how many different varieties there are out there. Great write up
Thank you so much! The mac and cheese with hot chicken is really good…actually went back a couple of days later for more on my first visit and returned last fall with other friends.
My favorite is a tie between mac & cheese with bacon OR taco meat. Now I’m drooling and craving some mac & cheese!
Great post!
Thank you!
Honest to goodness did not know you could put lobster in Mac! Never would have occurred to me. I’ll definitely have to try it!
Let me know what you think when you do…it’s my favorite!
I am so excited to head to The Distillery in Nashville to try the hot chicken mac n cheese! Thank you for sharing this.
I hope you love it as much as I did! The Stillery has two locations in Nashville – downtown on 2nd Ave and mid-town on Broadway.
I love this post! And your #4 is in my area, at Founding Farmers! I go there a lot, but haven’t tried their mac and cheese. I’ll have to get it next time.
Thank you so much! Let me know how you like Founding Farmers’ mac and cheese…it’s so good!