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Is there any comfort food more decadent than an ooey, gooey bowl of mac and cheese? We think not.
When you’re in search of the top restaurant in Greater Cincinnati to crush that craving, look no further than this list. Here are the 10 best spots to grab mac and cheese, whether it be as a side or your full entree, as voted by CityBeat readers in the 2024 Best Of Cincinnati issue.
No. 10 Best Mac and Cheese: Pickles & Bones Barbecue and Catering
887 Business 28, Milford
The mac: The mac and cheese is a side item at Pickles & Bones and is crafted with a cheddar and American cheese sauce. Pair it with the delicious beef brisket plate or sandwich and add another side. Photo: facebook.com/picklesandbonesbbqNo. 9 Best Mac and Cheese: Ivory House
2998 Harrison Ave., Westwood
The mac: This mac and cheese is made with high-quality gouda and gruyère and comes with enough to split with the whole table. It works as a great side alongside one of of Ivory House’s signature steaks, like the filet mignon, NY strip or ribeye. Photo: facebook.com/ivoryhousecincyNo. 8 Best Mac and Cheese: MamaBear’s Mac
7790 Service Center Dr, West Chester Township (In Grainworks Brewing Company)
The mac: Try the award-winning Loaded Baked Potato Mac, with cheddar, bacon, sour cream and MamaBear’s secret ingredient and topped with green onions and sour cream. Photo: James Czar / Grainworks Brewing CompanyNo. 6 Best Mac and Cheese: Lucius Q
1131 Broadway St., Pendleton
The mac: Get Lucius Q’s cheesy mac, topped with crispy breadcrumbs, as a side, or opt for it as an entree in the form of the Pig Mac: their mac and cheese topped with pulled pork and Carolina Gold sauce. Photo: facebook.com/luciusqNo. 6 Best Mac and Cheese: Keystone’s Mac Shack
2612 Short Vine St., Corryville
The mac: For something with a spicy kick, opt for the Arcade Fire mac and cheese dish. It comes with fried chicken, crispy bacon, shredded cheddar and sriracha. For something milder and herby, go for the Fleetwood Mac: pesto, diced tomatoes and fresh mozzarella. Photo: facebook.com/@eatmacshackNo. 9: Pig Candy BBQ
5901 Kellogg Ave., California Photo: Facebook.com/eatpigcandyNo. 4 Best Mac and Cheese: Tavern on the Bend
5471 North Bend Road, White Oak
The mac: Pair Tavern on the Bend’s mac and cheese with Cincinnati’s favorite breakfast meat in the Goetta Mac, get fancy with the Lobster Mac or try something different each month with their monthly mac and cheese special. November’s mac special comes with turkey, stuffing, turkey gravy and parmesan. Photo: facebook.com/Tavern On The BendNo. 3 Best Mac and Cheese: Eli’s BBQ
133 W. Elder St., Over-the-Rhine; 3313 Riverside Drive, East End
The mac: Try a side of Eli’s BBQ’s creamy mac and cheese alongside their popular ribs, which come in sets of two ribs up to a full slab of 12 and are dusted with Eli’s signature dry rub. Photo: facebook.com/elisbbqcincyNo. 2 Best Mac and Cheese: Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse
505 Vine St., Downtown
The mac: Cheese lovers will love Jeff Ruby’s mac and cheese: It’s made with six different imported cheeses and is a delicious addition to any of their USDA prime steaks. Photo: facebook.com/JeffRubysSteakhouseNo. 1 Best Mac and Cheese: The Eagle
1342 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine
The mac: The Eagle is famous in Cincinnati for their fried chicken, but the mac and cheese side is no slouch. It’s made with five different cheeses and topped with garlic bread crumbs Photo: Facebook.com/theeaglerestaurant