Noodles Mac n’ Cheese

Noodles and Compa— pardon me — the newly renamed Noodles is a go-to for me. It’s to a point where I get a look from the staff that reads, “Weren’t you here yesterday?” Noodles is straight shot down 75th Street from my house and it always satisfies my undiagnosed mac and cheese addiction. I’ve been eyeing the three newly added mac and cheeses — Bacon Mac, Buffalo Chicken Mac and BBQ Pork Mac — for some time now, and I finally decided to take the plunge into the unknown world of having more than two food groups in one meal. Also featured for good measure is the original mac and cheese, the Wisconsin Mac.

Wisconsin Mac

5 stars

Mmmmm. A classic. THE classic. The thought of feasting on elbow-shaped noodles and a combination of jack and cheddar cheeses makes my mouth water during 3rd hour English when I’m planning what I want for lunch instead of planning for the essay I have to write (sorry, Mr. Gibbs). Noodles Wisconsin Mac is perfect on its own, but it also provides an amazing base for the following three mac and cheeses.

Bacon Jalapeno Mac

4 stars

If you know me, you know I’ve never really been one for spice. Sure, I’ll eat the occasional pepperoni or two, but that’s the hottest it’ll get for me. When I realized I was going to have to eat jalapenos to truly do this review justice, my heart did a backflip. Luckily for me, the aroma-filled bacon bits masked the spicy taste of the crispy jalapenos. The toppings amped up the classic taste of the Wisconsin Mac. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t make myself close my eyes before I took a bite so I didn’t freak out about the jalapenos, but the exemplary mix of spice and creamy cheese sauce pleased even my third-grade level tastebuds.

Buffalo Chicken Mac

3 stars

I channeled my inner Midwestern girl as I clicked the Buffalo Chicken Mac option on the Noodles app, ready for whatever sat waiting for me at the pick-up counter. Back in the comfort of my unmade bed, the parmesan crusted chicken was tender and almost melted in my mouth, while the green onions balanced out the peppery buffalo sauce. The fragrance that erupted when I took the bowl out of the take-out bag smelled like a home-cooked meal. While this dish was a little too flavorful and out of the box for my everyday lunch, it was exciting branching out of my comfort zone with vegetables in my mac and cheese.

BBQ Pork Mac

5 stars

I love barbeque. I love mac and cheese. Why wouldn’t I spontaneously want to switch out my regular Wisconsin Mac order to try the BBQ Pork Mac? The tender, slow-braised pork and the tangy barbeque sauce complement each other in all the right ways. The mix of the jack and cheddar cheeses in the base mac and cheese completes the texture, creating a pristine bite in every forkful, or spoonfull, depending what kind of person you are. Let me tell you, I have no regrets indulging in what I like to call “adult” mac and cheese.