‘Best mac they ever had’: Macaroni & cheese eatery expands to new spot in Kansas City

Steven Austin thought macaroni and cheese “deserved a seat at the entree table.” So he opened a Parlor food hall kitchen in 2021 to gauge interest. It was so successful he has now opened KC Mac N’ Co., an artisan macaroni and cheese limited-service restaurant in a downtown building.

“We often get told it’s the best mac they ever had. But our whole goal is to make it an entree instead of a side item,” Austin said. “We use cavatappi pasta and a six-cheese bechamel sauce.”

It took a 1,389-square-foot space on the first level of Eleven Eleven Main at 1111 Main St., Suite 155.

For the food hall location, Austin had partnered with chef Dwight Tiller. Austin said Tiller left the company in late 2022 and he closed in Parlor in early April to transition to the new location.

Menu items include its Signature Honey Serrano Mac (marinated, twice-fried chicken tenders with a honey serrano pepper glaze), and the Buff Baby Mac (marinated and twice-fried chicken tenders, topped with its Bussin’ Buffalo sauce).

Other macaroni and cheese dishes include barbecue brisket, and waffles made out of macaroni and cheese. It also has potato wedges and mac fritters.

“We are hoping this one goes well and we are planning on opening more in the KC metro area,” Austin said.

This story was originally published May 24, 2023 at 10:45 AM.