mac-blog

Birthday Party Invite

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 16:47:33 +0100

Hello there Mac and Cheese lovers! A reminder that EVERYONE is invited to our first birthday party tomorrow....we want to celebrate with you! Join us for live music, delicious cheesy goodness, specialty cocktails and have the chance to win macaroni & cheese for a year! Festivities start at 6pm tomorrow night. Hope to see all your smiling faces!

Mac & Cheese Sliders

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 16:42:54 +0100

We just had to share this because it looks too good to be true. Honestly, what will they come up with next? How about Potato Chip Sliders stuffed with Mac & Cheese? You heard me, macaroni and cheese INSIDE a burger. Here how to create this mecca snack food fusion!

Potato Chip Sliders Stuffed with Mac and Cheese

To ensure proper safety standards, place your burgers on a hot grilled turned to low. Cover and cook until brown all the way through.

1 pound high-quality, grass fed ground beef
1 egg
1 cup crushed Ruffles Cheddar and Sour Cream chips
1 teaspoon salt
fresh ground pepper to taste
1 cup Kraft Mac & Cheese, cooked
6 slider buns

In a large bowl,mix together the ground beef and egg. Stir in the chips, salt, and pepper until well mixed. Form into 6 equal-sized balls. Break each of the balls into half. Press one half very thin, creating a large well in the center. Scoop cooked mac & cheese into the center of the burger meat, then flatten and press the second piece of meat over the top of the burger, sealing the edges well around the mac and cheese. Press the burger down slightly to flatten and create a good burger shape.

Cook on a griddle or grill, heated to medium-low heat. Cover and allow to cook until meat is cooked through. Serve on buns with your favorite fixin’s and enjoy!

Source - for the full story!

Colin Donnell Live at Mac! Tonight

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 17:29:31 +0100

Not sure if you have any plans tonight, but we have a fun time ready for you. Come check out Colin Donnell live at Mac!

"Collin Donnell is a musician from Portland Oregon who writes nice songs about girls and stuff. He's also a vegan and rides a bike. Basically your stereotypical northwest liberal elite." Learn more about him on his website and then come check him out tonight!

The Perfect Cheese Board

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 17:35:32 +0100

What better way to start your evening than the Perfect Cheese Board? Oh...and then follow it up with the perfect mac and cheese! The Frisky put together an amazing slide show on what to include and how to display CHEESE!

Start with a cheddar, an aged goat cheese, and a bloomy rind then add to it something sweet and something savory. Check out the tips here and the mouthwatering pictures!

Celebrate Our Birthday Month

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 16:33:13 +0100

A year ago we started this epic macaroni journey as we want to celebrate with you! Two main ways you can help us party!

First - Bring us a birthday card any time during the month of September and you will get half off your macaroni entree! The cards will be on display here in the restaurant, so the more creative the better.

Second - Come to our Birthday Party! Wednesday, September 26 at 6pm. We will have live music, flowing cocktails, plenty of mac for all AND you can enter for a chance to win Macaroni from Mac! for a whole year. You would be crazy not to come party with us!

See you there!

Meet & Greet - Meet Emily!

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 15:53:17 +0100

Emily Everett makes up the E Squared company that owns the restaurant which opened last September. She has been an Oregonian since 1997 and moved here from Alexandria, Virginia a suburb of DC to find that perfect mixture of mountains and beautiful landscape with water. She spent many years in the service industry, but it wasn't until she tried her hat at a “desk job” doing some advertising, HR and consulting work that she realized cube life was not for her. She really missed the social, crazy aspect that comes with working in a restaurant. She had always had her ear to the ground to find the perfect restaurant to purchase, but when she got laid off from her job in November of 2010 she decided it was now or never and got to work creating her macaroni empire.

From the comfy wood benches and booths, to the retro lunchbox wall, to the bright colors, Mac! feels like a fun experience from the moment you walk in the door. I sat down with Emily over a bowl of their four cheese macaroni topped with bread crumbs and got to know her a little better.

How did you come up with the idea of a restaurant devoted entirely to macaroni and cheese?

Easy answer is that I love it. But the answer that is really the reason it came up is because when my husband was trying to “court” me we'll just say, he said he would make me macaroni and cheese for our first date. He had me at macaroni and cheese and it has been our joke ever since. Plus at the time, the economy was not doing to hot, so it was an affordable and comforting option to offer people at the time.

Why do you think people find mac and cheese to be such a go-to comfort food?

I think most people grew up with mac and cheese in their household, so not only is it delicious but I think it bring people back to their childhood or easier times with no responsibilities and all there was, was food and fun.

Of the 17 varieties that you offer what is your favorite?

Truffle Mac (she says with absolutely no hesitation.)

Where do you like to eat when you are not working?

My go to is the wings at Pok Pok. The Cubano and Bunk is killer or I would say Bone Marrow anything at Le Pigeon.

What is your favorite comfort food dish?

I would say breakfast anything. I am a big fan of breakfast for all meals of the day. There are so many good breakfast places in Portland, I don't discriminate!

Who makes your favorite burger in Portland?

Oh good one, there are so many but the last one I had was probably from Foster Burger. Mmmm!

Best late night eats in Portland?

Potato Champion

Guilty pleasure?

Ruby Jewel ice cream – they have this chocolate salted caramel ice cream that is unreal.

Food you won't eat?

Uni sushi- it's a bit too scary. I really want to try it, but just have not built of the courage to.

Most memorable Portland meal?

When Lucieer was still open, I went there for a birthday dinner. Everything from when we walked through the door, to walking back out was just amazing. The food, the service and the ambiance were all incredibly top notch.

Everyone has a go-to person they call for restaurant recommendations. Who's yours?

That's funny you ask, because a lot of my friends actually come to me. Being a restaurant owner I like to keep up with the community. But, when I need a new idea, I have a few people I go to. Dan and Sandi Wilkens who enjoy eating out as much as I do or my friend Adam who works in the liquor industry can always point me to a new undiscovered place.

What is the best recommendation they have given you?

Le Pigeon – without a doubt.

Written by Kristen Baxter

Tobar Fray - Live at Mac! Tomorrow Night!

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 16:37:22 +0100

Are you ready for some live music, cocktails and Mac! and cheese? Come check out Tobar Fray tomorrow night! Starts at 7pm and is free!

He got his start in music playing lead guitar in Arrows for Eros from 2004 to 2008. In 2008 the band split, despite some promising opportunities in the music industry, and Kent started the band The Three of Clubs as the lead vocalist and guitarist. In 2010 he started working on a solo album that should be finished by September 2012. Raised on every style of music from, Boyz 2 Men to Guns n Roses to Sam Cooke. His upbringing very much influenced his musical styling. As an artist Kent has always had one goal in mind: to make good music that everyone can enjoy, not just one niche. Learn more and check out his music here!

12 Hot Dog Toppings; Delicious or Disgusting?

Fri, 17 Aug 2012 18:32:05 +0100

Probably the biggest debates regarding hot dogs is the question of ketchup or mustard. How about chili, kimchi, pickled jalapenos or even macaroni and cheese? You're only limited by your imagination. Maybe not every combination is appealing for everyone, but there are some great ideas out there in the blogosphere. Click here to check out the ones that Kitchen Daily found.

A Mac & Cheese Festival is what Portland needs!

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 18:23:47 +0100

3 hours of non-stop macaroni and cheese sounds like heaven to us! Aspen has got it going on with their Mac & Cheese Festival on September 8th. 20 food providers will offer up to delectable dishes! One company is prepping with 20,000 serving cups and 21,000 serving sporks. The event is free to the public and sounds like a fantastic way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Now if only Aspen were within driving distance! Check out the article here!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Grilled Cheese?

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 16:53:01 +0100

We are big fans of the salty/sweet combination, but this one may be a bit much. We will let you decide! Stef, a blogger from The Cupcake Project has combined two of America's favorite comfort foods -- chocolate chip cookies and grilled cheese -- into one. Her chocolate chip cookie grilled cheese sandwich teeters right on that edge between excellent idea and frightening combination. You can learn more about it here...