Local spots to celebrate National Mac ‘n’ Cheese Day

Look, nobody asked for National Avocado Toast Day or National Kale Week, but this? This is the food holiday the people deserve. Today, July 14, is National Mac and Cheese Day, and honestly, it’s the most legitimate reason you’ll ever have to eat comfort food on a Tuesday.

The history

Before you crack open that bright blue box or fire up your cast iron skillet, let’s give this dish its proper respect. The concept of pasta with cheese dates all the way back to 14th-century Italy. And it really did find its way to America in style — macaroni and cheese gained prominence in the United States after Thomas Jefferson served it at a state dinner in 1802 following his discovery of the dish in France. Thomas Jefferson literally brought mac and cheese to the White House. The man had his priorities straight.

The modern boxed version we all know and love? Kraft Foods first introduced their boxed macaroni and cheese in 1937, and due to the ongoing economic depression, the company was able to sell as much as 8 million boxes a year at 19 cents a box. Cheap, easy and delicious — a winning formula that hasn’t changed much since.

America is obsessed

A new survey from Main St. Bistro proves what we’ve all known deep down: people will give up a lot before they give up their mac and cheese. According to the survey, a whopping 56 percent of people would sooner give up coffee or social media than surrender their macaroni and cheese. Let that sink in. People are choosing noodles over caffeine and TikTok. No judgment here — honestly, that’s probably the most rational decision on the list.

Other highlights from the survey include:

• 54 percent of people eat mac and cheese at least once a week
• 32 percent consider it their top comfort side dish
• Snoop Dogg was voted the celebrity people would most like to eat mac and cheese with — because of course he was. Guy Fieri, Martha Stewart and Jimmy Fallon also made the list.

And it’s not just the survey data backing this up. Mac and cheese remains incredibly popular, with surveys consistently showing it as one of America’s top comfort foods, with approximately 60 percent of Americans considering it their favorite comfort food, consumed by millions weekly.

The Swiss army knife of food

One of the best things about mac and cheese? It plays by nobody’s rules. Made with macaroni noodles, cream or milk and the golden goodness of cheese, mac and cheese shines as a side dish while also easily standing on its own as a main course. From classic mac and cheese made with cheddar or American cheeses to a spicy “cowboy mac” loaded with bacon and jalapeños, there is a combination for everyone.

Feeling fancy? Popular variations include smoked gouda mac, lobster mac and cheese, truffle mac and spicy jalapeño versions. Feeling like a kid again? There’s no shame in the box game — zero. Grocery aisles stock dozens of boxed versions while chefs elsewhere plate truffle-dusted, lobster-topped renditions priced like a night out, proof that a dish built for convenience can stretch toward luxury without losing what made it comforting.

Want to take it to the next level at home? Level up your texture game by topping your baked mac with crushed potato chips, crispy fried onions, crumbled bacon or a drizzle of hot honey right before serving. Or swap out that basic cheddar — experiment with unique flavor profiles beyond the classic cheddar and try incorporating smoked gouda, gruyère, fontina or even a kick of pepper jack to completely transform the dish.

Local spots to celebrate

Because if there’s one thing Colorado does right besides mountains and sunshine, it’s comfort food with personality. Here are two local spots that deserve a road trip — or at the very least, a spot on your must-visit list.

Mac Nation Cafe — Indian Hills, CO

Located just off Highway 285 in Indian Hills, Mac Nation Cafe is where elevated comfort food meets mountain-town charm in one of the smallest, most unexpected culinary pockets of the foothills. They’ve been serving both quality interpretations of classic mac and cheese and daring new ventures of uncharted mac and cheese combinations since opening in 2015 — and the awards to back it up are no joke. It consistently wins top-rated restaurant awards like the People’s Choice of the Denver Mac & Cheese Fest and the Taste of Evergreen.

The menu features over 50 varieties of mac and cheese inspired by different states, including popular BBQ and green chile options. The cafe features state-themed dishes inspired by each state’s known cuisine. Can’t decide? The Mac N Cheese Flight presents an exciting tasting experience featuring regional specialties like the Chicago Pizza, St. Thomas and Colorado assortments, allowing guests to savor diverse flavors in one meal. Basically, it’s a delicious road trip through America without ever leaving your table.

Mac Nation Cafe is best folded into your foothills itinerary as your indulgent lunch stop or cozy dinner after exploring the surrounding hills — plan to visit while driving along Highway 285, before or after hiking nearby trails or heading toward Red Rocks and Morrison. It’s the kind of place you stumble onto and immediately start texting friends about.

Mac & Cheezary — Wheat Ridge, CO

The same owners responsible for authentic Polish food in North Denver are the masterminds behind Mac & Cheezary. While the new Pierogi Factory spot is only a block away, owners couldn’t part with their former location, so they invented a brand-new restaurant focusing on gourmet macaroni dishes. Bold move. Delicious outcome.

It’s a fast-casual style restaurant that serves signature baked macaroni bowls in less than 10 minutes, utilizing a conveyor oven to complete each made-to-order bowl. This place isn’t just about speed, though — they’ve got the hardware to prove their mac is legit. They’re famous for the Colorado Favorite, which won the 2019 Mac & Cheese Festival in Denver and includes slow-roasted pulled pork, pickled jalapeños, pepper jack cheese and green chilis.

Not a meat eater? No problem. While most of the menu is smothered in pepper jack, cheddar and mozzarella, Mac & Cheezary also boasts the Mac Vegan, with a cashew-based “cheese” locally sourced from the Honest Stand in Louisville, and noodles jam-packed with mushrooms, broccoli, red pepper and diced red onions. They’ve also got Buffalo Chicken and Mac Pizza options that’ll make you question every lunch decision you’ve made up until now.

Mac & Cheezary is located at 3895 Wadsworth Blvd., Wheat Ridge, and is open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Score some deals

The food holiday spirit is strong out there, and restaurants are showing up for it. Noodles & Company Rewards members can get 50% off any mac entree with an entree purchase today. Watch for select Chick-fil-A locations to offer a free Mac & Cheese to rewards members when you place an in-app order. Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is giving Big Yellow Cup members a free Mac & Cheese on July 14. And MyPanera Rewards members can look forward to a discount on a Mac & Cheese entree at Panera Bread.

Worth checking the apps on your phone before you head out today. Just sayin’.

How to celebrate

Snap a photo of your ultimate cheesy comfort food and share it on social media using the hashtag #NationalMacAndCheeseDay. Host a cook-off with friends, try a new recipe, or just eat an embarrassing amount of it while watching TV. All valid. All encouraged.

National Mac and Cheese Day is more than just a food holiday — it’s the perfect excuse to indulge in your favorite recipe, share a cheesy meal with friends and appreciate the simple, gooey joy of pasta and melted cheese.

Now put down your phone — unless you’re ordering delivery — and go make yourself a bowl. You’ve more than earned it.