2 weeks Ago
Even though part of its name sounds like a manufacturing site, Mactory Gourmet Mac N Cheese is artisanal in its preparation of what is best described as comfort food. True to its name, Mactory creates an array of toppings — from seafood to steak, from chili to veggies — for its above-average macaroni and cheese. We ordered online with a selected pickup time.
We were surprised when we arrived at the number of others waiting for takeout. Although we did have to wait for our order, it was reassuring to know it hadn’t been sitting around under a heat lamp. Food was packaged in aluminum containers with a plastic container of extra sauce that leaked on the way home.
This didn’t affect the entrees. We sampled three renditions along with fries to get an idea of how well the options worked with creamy corkscrew macaroni. The basic but aptly named Magnificent was my favorite among the Pig Out, Chili Mac ($12 each and steakhouse fries ($10).
Yes, this was a carb-driven meal! For the Magnificent, each piece of pasta was coated with silky, cheesy sauce. The online menu states that every cheese the eatery has on hand is used, which makes sense given the richness of the dish. Cheeses identified in the other variations included a three-cheddar blend of white, mild and sharp; mozzarella; pepper jack; and Havarti.
The caramelized breadcrumb topping added texture and color. Barbecue sauce covered diced ham, bacon and sausage for the also aptly named Pig Out. The mix sat in a ring atop the macaroni, giving the impression of a thick pasta pie.
The combination of meats with the cheeses and macaroni could have been even better if everything had been jumbled together, which is what we did. It wasn’t as pretty, but it meant the combined flavors were enjoyed in each bite. Mactory’s version of chili mac is reminiscent of a childhood family favorite.
House-made chili with ground beef and pinto beans when married with mac and cheese is simply a good pairing. It’s a minor issue, but is the same as above: It wasn’t all mixed together. For variety we ordered the steakhouse fries.
Thinly sliced marinated beef, crispy onions and melted pepper jack cheese smothered french fries. There’s an option to add aioli, steak sauce or both. And, of course, more cheese sauce, although we lost a lot of ours to spillage in the carryout bag.
Still, this was a different spin on meat and potatoes that worked as a meal in itself, but could also be a great snack. Three serving sizes are available, and the smalls we ordered were plenty for four, with leftovers. Mactory offers a “Build Your Own” option to pick a size, sauce, meat and veggies.
As mentioned, ours was a carryout order, but it was fun to see the restaurant, which is colorfully decorated with graffitilike artwork adorning the walls. With music in the background it makes for a lively spot. There were a few dine-in customers, although the majority of people who came in were there for takeout.
.
