Because Tom's Home Cookin's rendition of macaroni and cheese reminds us of those simpler times, we named it the Best Mac and Cheese in the city in this year's Best of Denver.
Our tastes have grown up, but it's still the simpler versions of cheesy pasta that really win us over. Here are four more favorites:
Interstate Kitchen & Bar The Interstate version of mac is fairly straightforward, and it's also ideal: elbow macaroni in a little clay pot, sharp and stringy with English cheddar, mozzarella and house-made béchamel, and dusted with scorched breadcrumbs. Scallions pepper the top, and the bites that include the fresh nip of those onions are the most satisfying of all. And if you like extras in your dish, the kitchen will happily add bacon, mushrooms or any vegetable it has on hand.
Rackhouse Pub The secret to the mac and cheese at Rackhouse Pub is beer -- specifically, Railyard Ale. That amber gets poured into the blend of five-cheese roux before the concoction gets topped with breadcrumbs and baked. Beer and cheese are a match made in heaven, and here, the ale adds depth to the crispy, stretchy mess of pasta on the plate. Hops and Pie Hops and Pie might be a beer-and-pizza joint, but we often forgo the pie entirely for the IPA mac & cheese. Peas and smoky ham stud the elbow macaroni in a cheddar roux. Breadcrumbs add crunch, and the hops of the beer give the finished product a little bite.
The Copper Pot We like the macaroni and cheese at the Copper Pot for the same reason we like the stuff at Tom's: It's a nostalgic throwback to our childhood. But the version at this restaurant isn't served cafeteria style: Instead, the mess of elbow macaroni, gooey with a blend of cheeses and topped with a toasted crust of breadcrumbs, comes heaped in individual skillets.
Know of other great dishes of mac and cheese? Tell us about them in the comments.
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- Top five martinis in Denver -- good, better, Best!
- Denver's five best dive bars
- Denver's five best dinners under $10
- Denver's five best first-date restaurants
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