Austin B.
Yelp
tl;dr the brick-and-mortar location of a popular food truck, pumping out a sophisticated take on a childhood classic
Mac & Cheese: an American staple that even the pickiest of children grew up loving. It's the dish that you crave out of nowhere, and that can immediately transport you back to your childhood. And Mac Mart capitalizes on the nostalgia, serving up the adult version of this family favorite, operating under the slogan "Not Your Mama's Mac." So it's no surprise that the original food truck was popular enough to launch a physical location.
The pink neon sign and bright interior beckon you in, and the aromas of cheese and bacon keep you hooked once inside. A sleek white bar with clear, plastic stools lies along the front window, while a few banana-yellow tables and chairs are situated outside. A digital menu on the left wall displays all of the mac and cheese options that your heart could desire. The friendly staff members make affable small-talk while helping to answer any questions. Choose to eat-in or carry-out in one of Mac Mart's handy, microwave-safe Tupperware. In a matter of seconds, the employee behind the bar will scoop you a hearty serving of mac and cheese (I weighed it, and it's nearly a pound!), and you'll be on your way.
In the past, I have enjoyed the Heart Attack Mac and the In the Buff. Both the bacon and the buffalo chicken provide a robust flavor to complement the mac and cheese base. The cheese itself is gooier and more intricate-tasting than Kraft packets. Moreover, the panko provides an interesting texture and a blast of salt to contrast the soft macaroni. My only critique is that I wish the macaroni had some crunchy edge-bits or a charred top, but, alas, it's produced in large batches.
This last visit, I decided to try take-out, and I ordered the Crabby Mac. By the time I returned home, the ensemble, unfortunately, had become lukewarm, and the panko had lost its characteristic crunch. Although the first bites were exciting, channeling the robust flavors of crab and Old Bay along with the mac and cheese that I have grown to love, as time wore on the dish began to lose its zing. Definitely opt to sit in and eat it fresh if you can, because otherwise, your meal won't live up to the hype.