How Mac & Cheese Restaurants are Celebrating National Mac & Cheese Day July 14th

When a restaurant is built around just one dish, then the national holiday celebrating that dish is going to be a big deal. And when that national day is for everyone’s favorite comfort food, macaroni and cheese, then we’ll all want to get in the holiday spirit. We checked in with a few restaurants that have built their business around the almighty noodle and its fearsome sauce, to see how they’re getting their mac on these days, and how they plan to celebrate on July 14.

In Oakland, California, Homeroom restaurant has been at the mac and cheese game for quite a while, celebrating its 10th anniversary on Valentine’s Day this year. “We go big — very big — for Mac and Cheese Day,” says Haiden Tullis, director of operations. “It’s a weeklong party for our favorite food on earth. We have balloons, giveaways contests, and of course tons of mac. We look forward to it every year.”

Tullis says that this year will be bigger than ever, with the introduction of a Choose Your Mac Adventure menu. “Guests can mix and match their favorite macs, sides and desserts for a great value. It’ll be a great way to welcome back guests to our restaurant as we fully re-open.”

Across the country on the east coast, plans are afoot at Mr. Mac’s. “We’re offering a buy-one-get-one-half-off promotion, which we’ve run for the past few years,” says Robert Sideman, general manager of the five-location group, founded in 2010, which operates in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

But it’s not all about dollar-and-cents discounts on the big day, Sideman says. For him, this is a holiday that’s all about the mac love. “If you can’t make it into one of our restaurants on the 14th, I’d recommend you find a way to celebrate with your favorite type of macaroni and cheese. And make sure to enjoy it with those who are special to you, because we believe it’s a food that is best served to those you love.”

Let’s Talk Cheese

Since it’s all about the cheese (at least for us!), we got some insider tips on how these restaurants craft their signature dish. Mr. Mac’s insists on a fresh prep of cheese each day: “We shred cheese every morning, which we believe is vital to our success,” Sideman says. “The quality you get from freshly shredded cheese will always beat out pre-shredded cheese.” In addition to that fresh shred, he’s all about the blend. “We use a variety of cheeses to contribute specific elements such as meltability, creaminess and overall flavor. Cabot’s mild and sharp cheddar are two staples for us. Fresh mozzarella gives you that long cheese ‘pull’ when you dig your fork in, and Pecorino Romano or muenster add bolder cheese flavor.”

Tullis reports that blending is boss at Homeroom, too: “Mixing up cheese is one of our favorite ways to experiment with the flavor of the dish. We love testing out cheeses not traditionally used in mac and cheese, and they’re a hit with our guests. We’ve tried them all, including chèvre, feta, gruyere, cotija, and ricotta. Each cheese brings not only a different flavor but also a different texture to the mac, and it’s endlessly fun to play with.”

Favorite Versions of Mac and Cheese

“Since we’re located in New England, lobster mac and cheese is definitely a staple,” Sideman says. “If you’re in this part of the country, that would be a good go-to order. But I’ve also seen other regional variations, like crab cake mac and cheese in Maryland and brisket mac and cheese in Texas, that might be fun to enjoy.” If you want to stick with the house favorite at Mr. Mac’s, Sideman suggests their most popular offering, the Classic All American. “You can add breadcrumbs or not, and choose add ins like broccoli or bacon. It’s been our No. 1 seller for more than 10 years.”

Homeroom diners love the California-local touch of Gilroy Garlic Mac, their most popular menu item. “It’s made with creamy gouda, salty pecorino and just the right amount of garlic,” Tullis says. “We recommend trying it with breadcrumbs or peas for an extra punch.”

Team Baked or Team Creamy?

At Homeroom, they understand that there are polarizing issues that can divide us, which is why each of the ten dishes on their seasonally rotating menu comes with the option of baked or creamy options. But Mr. Mac’s is firmly on Team Baked. “Baked mac and cheese is the proper way to prepare it,” Sideman insists. “The crispy, cheesy top that accompanies a baked mac and cheese, combined with the creamy interior of noodles and even more cheese, creates what we believe to be the optimal dining experience.”

Mac and Cheese Beverage Pairings

If you’re looking to raise a glass with your Mac and Cheese Day dinner, Homeroom has you covered with pairing suggestions. Here’s advice from  The Mac + Cheese Cookbook: 50 Simple Recipes From Homeroom, America’s Favorite Mac and Cheese Restaurant: “Keep the characteristics of the entire dish in mind — an acidic dish will pair well with an acidic wine, and a sweet beer will taste great with a slightly sweet meal.” If you’re enjoying a sweeter cheese dish like their Vermont White Cheddar Mac, consider Old Rasputin Stout. “The chocolaty sweetness of the stout brings out the subtle sweetness of the cheese, without it being overpowering,” the book says. And if you’re enjoying a spicy version like their Mexican Mac, try a full-bodied red wine like Tempranillo. “The fiery chipotles perfectly tame the smokiness of the wine. Overall, this is a pairing of bold with bold, so you still get to appreciate the variety of flavors in both the wine and mac.”

Whatever you’re drinking, remember that it’s always a good day to eat mac and cheese, especially on July 14. Cheers!