The 6 best places to get macaroni and cheese in Birmingham

This story appears in Birmingham magazine's April 2016 Issue. Subscribe today!

1. John's City Diner
John's is a Birmingham institution famous for its mac and cheese. There are three versions of the Not Your Mama's Macaroni and Cheese to choose from: the Original (cavatappi pasta with imported cheeses and prosciutto), the Three Little Pigs (with prosciutto, Fudge Farms bacon and pulled pork, and crispy fried onions), and the Treehugger (a vegetarian option with organic spinach, roasted red peppers, and feta). Don't ask us to pick our favorite because we love them all!
112 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N. | 205.322.6014

2. Jim 'N Nicks
You might have had Jim 'N Nicks mac and cheese as a side, but have you ever had the Loaded Mac? It's a popular item on the lunch menu: delicious baked mac topped with BBQ pork. It's two of the best things Jim 'N Nicks has to offer rolled into one dish. Sign us up!
Multiple Locations

3. 5 Point Public House & Oyster Bar
This pub and oyster bar offers a Daily Mac and Cheese. You won't know what the special is until you get there, but options have included buffalo mac and cheese, bacon, or shrimp. Each one starts with a base of orecchiette, smoked gouda, and white cheddar, and then other meats, cheeses, or sauces are added for the special.
1210 20th St. S. | 205.918.0726

4. Bottega Cafe
When we say Bottega Cafe's mac and cheese is lifechanging, we mean it. The Cafe Mac & Cheese comes out in a stoneware dish, steaming hot with a crispy cheese crust from just being broiled. The rich sauce consists of white cheddar, yellow cheddar, parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses. It's sharp and creamy and coats the penne noodles perfectly. You can also add fennel sausage or pancetta.
2240 Highland Ave. S. | 205.939.1000

5. Melt
You love grilled cheese and you love mac and cheese, but have you ever thought to put them together? Melt in Avondale has! The Mac Melt, a carb-a-licious delight, puts super creamy mac and cheese on buttered, griddled Texas toast, with a little extra cheese thrown in for good measure. Shallots in the mac and cheese--made in a skillet on the stove--give it an extra level of flavor.  
4105 4th Ave. S. | 205.917.5000

Taco Mama - photo by Harry Long/81 Shop

6. Taco Mama
A taco place with mac and cheese? Yep, you read that right. We love Taco Mama for tacos and margaritas, but the (unexpected) Mexican Mac and Cheese caught our attention. Based on owner Will Haver's sister's recipe, it's a blend of penne pasta, sharp cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and queso fresco. Get a side of it with your tacos next time--you'll be hooked.
63 Church St., Mountain Brook | 205.414.9314
1014 Oxmoor Road, Homewood | 205.414.0441