Nothing warms the heart quite like a bowl of macaroni and cheese. Now, imagine having 15 in one sitting.
That’s the idea at Mac 'n' Cheese Throwdown, benefitting Working Animals Giving Service for Kids ( W.A.G.S. 4 Kids). On March 1 at The Madison in Cleveland, a group of restaurants, food trucks and bars across Northeast Ohio — with cuisine styles ranging from European, Asian and Latin American — vied for the title of champion.
Following my guest judge appearance at the 2024 Taste in Little Italy Meatball Crawl, I warmed up my tastebuds once again for the good of journalism.
No specific ranking system was in place — just true gut reactions.
13. Twisted Taino: QuesoFun Mac ‘n’ Cheese
This Latin American spin on macaroni and cheese had queso, both mixed in the noodles and shredded on top, in addition to cilantro, onions and a crumbled beef or chorizo of sorts. I discovered the raw onions and cilantro weren’t an ideal pairing for macaroni and cheese, and the queso didn’t provide a very deep flavor. The meat, however, was the star of the show, generously seasoned with a good zest. 5633 Pearl Road, Parma, 216-939-5444, twistedtaino.com
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12. Sol: Cookout Mac ‘n’ Cheese
The “cookout” element was slightly simplified, garnished with only shredded meat and a potato chip. I regret not having any sauce with mine, as it would have added a bit more heat and sweetness. The potato chip was nice for crunch — and it was a fun alternative to a fork. 38257 Glenn Ave., Willoughby, 440-918-1596, solwilloughby.com
11. Ninja City: Kimchi Mac ‘n’ Cheese
This was a new experience for me, as someone who had never tried kimchi. It had a great bite, punctuated by crunch and acidity. It somehow made the mac feel less savory, though, which was interesting for a dish known for its decadency. 6706 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, 216-862-7200; 3411 Tuttle Road, Shaker Heights, 216-998-5350, ninjacity.com
10. Pink Piggy BBQ: White Cheddar Brisket Mac ‘n’ Cheese
This bowl had a wonderful cheese flavor, but the brisket overtook my tastebuds with smoky flavor. While the smokiness was a bit much for my liking, I saw it as an indication of well-cooked, well-seasoned meat. 234-200-8867, pinkpiggybbq.com
9. Hatfield’s Goode Grub: Shroomy Swiss Mac ‘n’ Cheese
The Swiss cheese was thick, generously coating each Cavatappi noodle, and despite the dish’s name, there were no actual mushrooms in my bowl. While only a trace of umami lingered, it was enough in my book to keep the flavor profile unique. 16700 Lorain Ave., Cleveland, 216-417-1056, hatfieldsgoodegrub.com
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8. The South Side: Brisket Gouda Mac
An orecchiette noodle made this mac stand out, encasing cheese like a shell, while providing a chewy texture. A mustard seed topping gave a notable presentation and fresher taste. The thinly shredded brisket was subtle, contrasted by milky, sharp gouda cheese. 2207 W. 11th St., Cleveland, 216-937-2288, southsidecleveland.com
7. OddFellows: Oddly Cheddar Mac + Caramelized Onion Mac ‘n’ Cheese
The cheddar macaroni and cheese simply satisfied my needs. The caramelized onion option was lined with short rib for extra decadence and golden goodness. However, there was a bit of onion flavor still to be desired. 16 N. Main St., Chagrin Falls, 440-600-7770, 2oddfellows.com
6. Chagrin Tavern: Porky’s Mac ‘n’ Cheese
As a repeat winner of the event, this bar didn’t come to play around. Piled high with pork and a dollop of a sweet sauce, the cheese and meat flavors complemented each other nicely. Pork without barbecue or hot sauce was different for me, but it still maintained a great flavor without drowning in dressings. 196 E. Island Drive, Eastlake, 440-540-4199, chagrintavernontheriver.com
5. Ridgewood Kitchen & Spirits: Chili Mac ‘n’ Cheese
Texture and depth of flavor were a friend of this bowl. Scallions and chili crisp added a much-needed kick — and a subtle sweetness — and the cheese was sure not to take away from that with a very neutral, creamy flavor. 9853 Johnnycake Ridge Road, Suite 8, Concord Township, 440-350-7015, ridgewood84.com
4. Hi and Dry: Mac ‘n’ Cheese Paprikash
Coming from a Hungarian family, this was an exciting bite for me. Extremely creamy cheese and a mild paprikash sauce weren’t harsh on the tastebuds. The flavors were broken up by shredded chicken and chewy spaetzle-inspired noodles. This was a fun, contemporary twist on a classic cuisine — my grandparents’ grandparents would approve. 2221 Professor Ave., Cleveland, 216-566-9463, hianddrycleveland.com
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3. The Rowley Inn: Four-Cheese Mac + Smokehouse Mac ‘n’ Cheese
Contrasting a basic four-cheese macaroni for vegetarian folks was a meaty option full of everything you’d least expect to put in macaroni and cheese. Well-seasoned cheese met the likes of bacon and kielbasa sausage, whose competing textures and natural smokiness came together beautifully. Though I attempted to ration myself throughout the contest, this was one bowl I couldn’t resist finishing. 1104 Rowley Ave., Cleveland, 216-795-5345, therowleyinn.com
2. City Barbeque: Triple Que Mac ‘n’ Cheese
This chain barbecue joint came in hot with a reliable flavor profile that’s reputable in the local scene. Sweet and tangy barbecue sauce drenched pulled pork and a rich cheese sauce for a taste that takes you straight to a backyard cookout. A fried onion topping added extra flavor and a much-needed crunch. Various Locations, citybbq.com
1. Wild Eagle Saloon: Smoking Bowls Spicy Mac + Smoked Pork Belly Mac ‘n’ Cheese Balls
My personal “best in show” was a delightfully hot bowl of well-seasoned, cheesy goodness. The shell noodles added a thickness to the texture, and the spice unexpectedly appeared at the backend, just tolerable enough to keep you going back for more. A beloved breadcrumb topping was elevated in the accompanying macaroni and cheese ball, coating the same dish for a fried finger food. As someone that struggles with spicy food, these were a pleasant surprise. Various Locations, wildeagle.com
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