Mac Madness in Macomb County

Nothing hits the spot quite like a warm and gooey bowl of macaroni and cheese, but not all mac & cheese tastes the same and not all recipes can claim the title of the best mac & cheese — at least not anymore. The folks in Macomb County’s Department of Planning and Economic Development office have set out to find the best of the best mac & cheese in the county with their Mac Madness event. During this event, independently owned and operated eateries in Macomb County submit their house-made mac & cheese. Once all the submissions are collected by deadline (noon on Monday, March 22), local families then vote on their favorites. In typical “March Madness” fashion, the first round of voting, which begins on March 29, with the top 16 entrants. All voting information can be found on the Mac Madness webpage. From there, the second round will narrow it down to the top 8, then four and two, until the best mac & cheese is crowned.

The winner will win a $2,500 grand prize from Macomb County, a week of free advertising on a digital billboard donated by 5 Star Outdoor, a Mac Madness plaque and bragging rights for a year. Second, third and fourth place will win $1,000 and $500. 

Mac & Cheese Spots in Macomb County

Need to taste-test before you make decisions on who to vote for during Mac Madness? Here are a few spots in Macomb County that serve delish mac & cheese options. Note: This is not a comprehensive list of entrants to the Mac Madness event or all of the mac & cheese spots in Macomb County. It’s a sample of mac & cheese offerings to get you excited and ready to vote.

Aspen Restaurant

Choose from shrimp lobster mac & cheese or loaded mac & cheese that comes complete with a house Velveeta sauce, bacon, diced tomatoes, broccoli and penne pasta.

Bad Brad’s BBQ

The mac & cheese comes topped with two-year Vermont cheddar and a hint of thyme and black pepper. Locations in Oakland County, too.

Bistro Orleans on 15

Try mac & cheese with a Cajun and Creole twist.

Detroit Fish House, LLC

Choose from a regular or lobster mac & cheese.

Ernie’s Grill

Get some yummy mac & cheese with some Mediterranean flair.

Freddy’s Bar and Grill

• Address: 40000 Garfield Road, Clinton Township
• Phone: 586-416-7777
• Hours: 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-midnight Sunday-Monday

Find unique mac & cheese options including the macaroni and cheese bites and Joey’s Big Mac N’ Cheese — a burger that comes topped with fried mac & cheese.

Gumbos

Try the mac & cheese bites at this New Orleans-inspired spot.

Honeytree Grille

Order their mac & cheese with a wrap, salad, gyro or burger.

Jamboozies Sports Bar & Grill

This spot offers a wide selection of barbecue-style food including a delicious mac & cheese.

Jayell Smoke House

Get their smoked mac & cheese to go along with a brisket or pulled pork sandwich.

Lape Kitchen

Try some mac & cheese with a soul food twist.

Mavrix Restaurant & Bar

Score a larger portion of bacon mac & cheese that comes with mixed pasta, a blend of cheese with bacon and scallions.

On The Bay Customs

This spot offers lobster and shrimp mac & cheese alongside their Bay Mac n Cheese, which comes with a Vermont white cheddar cheesy cream sauce.

Outlaw Smoke BBQ

This spot sports a smoked mac & cheese to go with their menu of ribs and other barbecue items.

Orleans Sports Café

Try the deep-fried mac and cheese bites solo or in the appetizer platter.

Regale Craft Food & Drink

Try a bit of the chef’s weekly mac & cheese with craft eats such as kimchi fried rice, salmon tikka and more.

Seeburger’s Cheeseburgers

Though known for their cheeseburgers, this spot also boasts a deep-fried mac & cheese as a side.

Sherwood Brewing Company

This spot’s classic comforts menu includes a baked mac & cheese. Add chicken, bacon or ham for an extra charge.

Simple Palate Restaurant

This spot’s mac & cheese comes is made of medium-shell noodles tossed in a three-cheese sauce and topped in panko bread crumbs. Add shrimp or lobster for an additional charge.

Sterling’s Bistro

This spot’s bacon mac & cheese comes with smoked gouda, Vermont cheddar and fontina in a panko crust. Add chicken, shrimp or lobster.

Stonewood Smokehouse Bar and BBQ

Get the smokehouse mac + cheese with chicken, pork or brisket.

Twisted Rooster

Offers five styles of mac & cheese, including a classic, twisted, lobster, buffalo and fried. Gluten-free pasta available for an extra $2.

Younger’s Irish Tavern

Choose from the house mac, buffalo chicken mac, the ultimate veggie mac or the cowboy mac.

For more information about Mac Madness visit the Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development at Make Macomb Your Home.