14 Creamy, Classic Illinois Mac & Cheese Stops
Illinois knows comfort food, and nothing says cozy like a bowl of creamy, cheesy mac and cheese. From Chicago’s bustling neighborhoods to small-town gems across the state, you’ll find mac and cheese that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance.
Whether you’re craving smoky barbecue-style macaroni or upscale twists on the classic dish, these fourteen spots serve up the gooiest, most satisfying mac and cheese you’ll ever wrap your fork around.
1. Bavette’s Bar & Boeuf – Chicago
Fancy steakhouse vibes meet childhood comfort at this downtown Chicago hotspot where the mac and cheese is one of the menu’s most beloved indulgences.
While it’s technically a side dish, Bavette’s mac and cheese is widely considered a standout order that often steals the spotlight. Bavette’s takes the classic recipe and cranks up the luxury factor with a blend of artisan cheeses that’ll have you scraping the bowl clean.
The creamy sauce coats every elbow perfectly, creating that magical cheese pull we all live for.
Located at 218 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654, this restaurant brings old-school glamour to River North. The dim lighting and vintage decor make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time to a swanky supper club.
Their mac and cheese arrives bubbling hot with a golden-brown top that crackles when you break through it.
Portions here are generous enough to share, but honestly, you won’t want to. The combination of tender pasta and that silky cheese sauce creates pure magic on your palate.
Every forkful delivers that perfect ratio of noodles to sauce that makes mac and cheese lovers weep with joy.
2. Smoque BBQ – Chicago
Barbecue joints know how to do sides right, and Smoque proves it every single day with their legendary mac and cheese. This isn’t your grandma’s recipe—it’s been perfected with a smoky twist that complements their incredible barbecue perfectly.
The cheese blend here strikes that sweet spot between sharp and creamy, making each bite absolutely irresistible.
You’ll find this barbecue paradise at 3800 N Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60641, where the aroma alone will make your mouth water. The mac and cheese comes in a generous portion that pairs beautifully with any of their smoked meats.
Their secret lies in the cooking method that keeps the pasta tender while the sauce stays thick and luscious.
What sets Smoque’s version apart is the perfect texture—never mushy, never dry, always just right. The top layer gets slightly crispy from the oven, adding a delightful contrast to the creamy interior.
This spot has earned its reputation as one of Chicago’s best barbecue destinations, and their mac and cheese plays a starring role in that success.
3. Green Street Smoked Meats – Chicago
West Loop’s answer to comfort food heaven serves up mac and cheese that’ll ruin you for all other versions. Green Street understands that great mac and cheese needs serious cheese game, and boy, do they deliver on that promise.
Their mac and cheese is offered as a side dish when available, featuring a multi-cheese blend that creates layers of flavor you didn’t know were possible in this classic dish.
Head to 112 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60607, and prepare to be amazed by their commitment to quality ingredients. The pasta stays perfectly al dente while swimming in a sauce so rich and creamy it coats your spoon.
They’ve mastered the art of balancing richness with flavor, so you never feel overwhelmed, just completely satisfied.
The presentation here is simple but effective—a heaping portion that looks as good as it tastes. Steam rises from the dish when it arrives at your table, releasing that intoxicating cheese aroma.
Whether you order it as a side alongside smoked meats or enjoy it on its own, you’re in for a treat that’ll have you planning your return visit before you’ve even finished eating.
4. Virtue Restaurant – Chicago
Southern hospitality meets Chicago style at this Hyde Park gem where the mac and cheese tastes like a warm hug from your favorite aunt. Virtue brings authentic soul food traditions to every dish, and their mac and cheese showcases generations of perfected recipes.
The cheese sauce here has that homemade quality that reminds you why this dish became an American classic in the first place.
Located at 1462 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615, Virtue has become a neighborhood treasure for good reason. Their mac and cheese features a beautiful golden crust on top that gives way to creamy, dreamy goodness underneath.
The pasta is cooked to perfection, maintaining just enough firmness to hold up against that luxurious sauce.
What makes Virtue’s version special is the soul they put into every batch—you can taste the love and tradition. The portion size is substantial, giving you plenty to enjoy alongside their other incredible Southern-inspired dishes.
This spot proves that sometimes the old ways are the best ways, especially when it comes to comfort food that feeds both body and spirit.
5. Honey Butter Fried Chicken – Chicago
Fried chicken’s perfect partner gets the royal treatment at this Avondale favorite that’s all about elevated comfort food. Honey Butter serves mac and cheese that strikes the ideal balance between indulgent and approachable, with a cheese sauce that’s been perfected through countless batches.
Mac and cheese offerings here rotate seasonally or appear as specials, often featuring creative variations rather than a single permanent version.
Find this treasure at 3361 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60618, where the casual vibe makes you feel right at home. Their mac and cheese comes in a portion that’s perfect for sharing, though you might want to order your own.
The cheese blend they use creates a flavor profile that’s complex without being overwhelming, letting the pure cheese goodness shine through.
The magic happens in how they achieve that perfectly smooth consistency without any graininess or separation. Each forkful delivers pure comfort with a slightly crispy top layer that adds textural interest.
Paired with their famous fried chicken, this mac and cheese completes a meal that’ll have you loosening your belt and smiling with satisfaction.
6. Soul & Smoke – Chicago
Barbecue meets soul food in the most delicious way possible at this North Center spot that’s redefining comfort cuisine. Soul & Smoke creates mac and cheese that honors both Southern traditions and modern tastes, resulting in something truly special.
Their version packs serious flavor without overwhelming your palate, achieving that perfect harmony between cheese and pasta that separates good from great.
You’ll discover this gem at 3057 N Rockwell St, Chicago, IL 60618, tucked into a cozy neighborhood setting. The mac and cheese here features multiple cheese varieties that melt together into creamy perfection.
They’ve figured out the secret to keeping their sauce velvety smooth while still packing enough flavor to stand up to their bold barbecue offerings.
What really impresses is the consistency—every visit delivers the same high-quality experience you’ve come to expect. The pasta maintains its structure without getting mushy, even after sitting in that luscious sauce.
Whether you’re a mac and cheese purist or someone who likes adventurous twists, this version hits all the right notes and leaves you completely satisfied.
7. The Gage – Chicago
Upscale American fare gets cozy at this Michigan Avenue establishment where mac and cheese has appeared as part of rotating menus and specials. While not always a permanent fixture, The Gage’s mac and cheese showcases the same premium ingredients and careful preparation found throughout the menu.
Their version manages to feel both sophisticated and comforting, perfect for the restaurant’s refined yet welcoming atmosphere.
Positioned at 24 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603, this spot offers stunning views alongside exceptional food. When available, the mac and cheese is typically served hot from the oven with a well-browned top and a rich, silky sauce underneath.
What sets this version apart is the attention to detail in every aspect of preparation and presentation. The pasta is cooked precisely, the cheese blend is carefully calibrated, and the seasoning is spot-on.
It’s comfort food that doesn’t apologize for being indulgent, and honestly, why should it? Sometimes you need mac and cheese that makes you feel fancy while still delivering that soul-satisfying comfort.
8. Smoke Daddy (Hotel Zachary location) – Chicago
Baseball fans and barbecue lovers unite at this Wrigleyville location where the mac and cheese hits a home run every single time. Smoke Daddy brings their A-game with a recipe that’s been crowd-tested and perfected over years of serving hungry Chicagoans.
The cheese sauce is rich and creamy, with flavors that pair naturally with barbecue, rather than leaning heavily on smokiness.
Located at 3636 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60613, right in the heart of Wrigleyville’s action. Their mac and cheese comes in portions generous enough to fuel you through nine innings and beyond.
The texture hits that sweet spot where the pasta still has some bite while the sauce achieves maximum creaminess.
Game day or any day, this mac and cheese delivers consistent quality that keeps people coming back. The cheese blend creates a flavor that’s familiar yet interesting, with enough depth to keep things exciting.
Whether you’re grabbing it before heading to the ballpark or making it your main meal, you’re getting comfort food that understands its assignment perfectly.
9. Chicago q – Chicago
Barbecue royalty resides at this Gold Coast establishment where sides get just as much love as the main attractions. Chicago q takes mac and cheese seriously, crafting a version that’s worthy of the restaurant’s stellar reputation.
Their cheese sauce achieves that difficult balance between rich and refined, never crossing into heavy territory while still delivering maximum flavor.
Visit them at 1160 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60610, where upscale barbecue meets elegant dining. The mac and cheese here features pasta that’s been cooked with precision and a sauce that’s been perfected through countless batches.
They understand that great sides can elevate an entire meal, and this mac and cheese absolutely delivers on that promise.
The presentation is beautiful without being fussy, letting the food speak for itself with confidence. Each serving arrives at the perfect temperature, with the cheese still gooey and the top layer achieving that ideal golden-brown finish.
This is mac and cheese that respects tradition while embracing quality ingredients and expert technique to create something memorable.
10. Wilde Bar & Restaurant – Chicago
Irish hospitality meets American comfort food at this Lakeview spot where the mac and cheese surprises everyone who tries it. Wilde brings unexpected excellence to this classic dish, proving that you don’t need to be a Southern joint to nail comfort food.
Their mac and cheese is typically made with bacon, adding a savory depth to the creamy cheese sauce, though modifications may be available upon request.
Located at 3130 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657, in the heart of Lakeview’s dining scene. The mac and cheese here arrives piping hot with a beautifully bronzed top that crackles satisfyingly under your fork.
The pasta underneath stays tender and perfectly coated in that luxurious cheese sauce that makes every bite feel like a celebration.
What makes Wilde’s version special is how it complements their diverse menu while standing strong on its own merits. The portion size is perfect for sharing among friends or keeping all to yourself—no judgment either way.
This spot proves that great mac and cheese transcends any single culinary tradition, becoming something universally beloved when made with care and quality ingredients.
11. Joey G’s Mac & Cheese – Chicago
Sometimes a restaurant’s name tells you everything you need to know, and Joey G’s is all about that mac and cheese life. Officially branded as Joey G’s Mac n Cheese, this Ukrainian Village spot specializes in America’s favorite comfort food, offering creative variations alongside classic versions that honor tradition.
Their original recipe showcases what happens when you focus entirely on perfecting one beloved dish—pure cheesy excellence in every bowl.
Find them at 959 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, ready to serve up mac and cheese dreams. The base recipe features perfectly cooked pasta swimming in a cheese sauce that’s been fine-tuned to creamy perfection.
They’ve mastered the fundamentals before branching into creative territory, ensuring even their classic version stands out from the crowd.
The dedication to mac and cheese shows in every detail, from pasta selection to cheese ratios to cooking techniques. Each order arrives at optimal temperature with the sauce maintaining its smooth consistency throughout your meal.
When a place puts its name on the line for one specific dish, you know they’re bringing their absolute best game every single day.
12. I Heart Mac & Cheese – Schaumburg
Suburban mac and cheese lovers rejoice at this Woodfield Mall location that’s all about customizable comfort food. I Heart Mac & Cheese lets you build your perfect bowl, starting with their creamy base and adding whatever toppings make your heart sing.
Their classic version serves as the perfect canvas—smooth, cheesy, and satisfying before you even consider additions.
Located inside Woodfield Mall at 5 Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, IL 60173, this fast-casual spot caters to shoppers looking for a quick but comforting meal. The mac and cheese here features a sauce that stays consistently creamy from first bite to last.
They’ve figured out how to maintain quality even in a fast-casual format, proving that convenience doesn’t have to mean compromising on taste or texture.
The portion sizes are generous, and the pasta is always cooked just right—never too soft, never too firm. Whether you keep it simple or load it up with extras, the foundation remains that glorious cheese sauce that makes mac and cheese such a beloved comfort food.
This spot brings joy to mall shoppers and mac and cheese enthusiasts alike with every bowl they serve.
13. DESTIHL Restaurant – Normal
Central Illinois dining gets elevated at this Normal establishment where the mac and cheese surprises visitors with its sophistication and flavor. DESTIHL Restaurant & Brew Works brings craft-level attention to every menu item, and their mac and cheese benefits from that same careful approach.
The result is a dish that feels both familiar and special, with cheese flavors that develop beautifully on your palate.
You’ll find this gem at 318 S Towanda Ave, Normal, IL 61761, serving the college town with style. Mac and cheese offerings here often rotate, including specialty versions rather than a single permanent style, while maintaining a strong comfort-food foundation.
The pasta maintains perfect texture while the sauce achieves that dreamy consistency that makes you slow down and savor each forkful.
What impresses most is how this dish holds its own alongside DESTIHL’s more adventurous menu offerings. The portion is satisfying without being overwhelming, letting you enjoy it as part of a larger meal.
This spot proves that outstanding mac and cheese isn’t limited to big cities—sometimes the best comfort food comes from unexpected places that truly care about quality.
14. 17th Street Barbecue – Murphysboro
Southern Illinois barbecue legend status extends to the sides at this award-winning spot that’s been perfecting comfort food for decades. 17th Street Barbecue knows that great sides can make or break a barbecue meal, and their mac and cheese absolutely makes it. The cheese sauce here has that homestyle quality that tastes like someone’s been guarding the recipe for generations—rich, creamy, and utterly addictive.
Located at 32 N 17th St, Murphysboro, IL 62966, this destination is worth the drive from anywhere in the state. Their mac and cheese features a blend of cheeses that creates comfort food magic, pairing perfectly with their legendary smoked meats.
The pasta stays tender while the sauce maintains its creamy consistency, even when sitting alongside hot barbecue on your plate.
Competition-level barbecue demands competition-level sides, and this mac and cheese delivers championship quality in every serving. The portion is generous, the flavor is spot-on, and the texture hits that perfect comfort food sweet spot.
When a barbecue restaurant earns national recognition, you can bet their mac and cheese played a supporting role in that success story.