Bachelor on the Cheap

Fast Food Mac & Cheese Battle

By Mike Thayer

Mac & Cheese, it's probably on most people's Top 10 list of comfort foods and it's a trending side now with many fast food restaurants, an alternative to the standard offering of fries.  

Today, I'm sampling the mac & cheese versions of the comfort food and cult classic from three restaurants, Arby's, Chick-fil-A and KFC.

Here's my review in alphabetical order, with price, portion size, appeal and of course taste all factored in....

The Line Up, Arby's wants you to stir theirs.... and what, no napkins from the King of Roast Beef?

Arby's White Cheddar Mac & Cheese:  This was the most expensive of the three mac & cheeses sampled today, but it was also the biggest portion.  Sadly, it was the worst of the bunch.  I was looking forward to the White Cheddar twist on the comfort food classic and while that white cheddar flavor was prominent, the noodles were overcooked, gummy and the sauce was too thick and pasty.  Priced at $2.99, the presentation was also a bit sloppy (typical fast food prep), the least appealing based on looks of the three dishes.  This is NOT a repeat buy.  Having to doctor the Arby's Mac & Cheese with a lot of black pepper to make it palatable, I'm giving it 2 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars.  Arby's Tater Cakes ROCK, their mac & cheese?  Not so much....

Chick-fil-A wins visual appeal

Chick-fil-A's Mac & Cheese:  This was the most appealing looking of the three, with that slightly crispy baked edge going for it and who doesn't like that golden brown and delicious edge of cheddar cheese right?  This is a decent mac & cheese, the cheddar flavor burst in the mouth, but it was a bit dry, the noodles slightly overcooked - bit of a let down - the dish looking better than it tasted.  Priced at $2.55 I'm giving it 3 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars.  I'm borderline on the repeat buy with this.  If I'm in the mood, perhaps, but I'll probably opt for the Waffle Fries side next time I'm at Chick-fil-A.

KFC's Mac & Cheese:  This is without question a classic visual of what mac & cheese is supposed to look like and for those of you who live in Valley Center, no, we're NOT talking Kraft mac & cheese.  This was the creamiest mac & cheese and the best balanced in terms of overall flavor, noodle texture and cheesiness.  Priced at $2.39 and of note the smallest portioned side, I'm giving KFC's mac & cheese 3 out of 5 stars, but it's a repeat buy and a perfect compliment to some fried chicken.

Biggest portion goes to Arby's

I'm left wondering if there's a better fast food mac & cheese out there.  With mac & cheese trending, there just has to be.....

And the search continues....