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- I tried mac and cheese from 6 fast-food chains, and the winner blew away the competition
I tried mac and cheese from 6 fast-food chains, and the winner blew away the competition
Popeyes has truly won my heart with its fried chicken. But I wasn't sure if its mac and cheese would win me over too.
![I tried mac and cheese from 6 fast-food chains, and the winner blew away the competition](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticbiassets.in%2Fthumb%2Fmsid-70693062%2Cwidth-700%2Cheight-525%2Cimgsize-54765%2Fpopeyes-has-truly-won-my-heart-with-its-fried-chicken-but-i-wasnt-sure-if-its-mac-and-cheese-would-win-me-over-too-.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
I was concerned by how quickly my mac came out. It was as if the cashier had whipped it out of a storage rack.
![I was concerned by how quickly my mac came out. It was as if the cashier had whipped it out of a storage rack.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70693061,width-700,height-525,imgsize-45239/i-was-concerned-by-how-quickly-my-mac-came-out-it-was-as-if-the-cashier-had-whipped-it-out-of-a-storage-rack-.jpg)
It tasted like pre-packaged cafeteria food. There was a layer of film on top, and the pasta itself was mushy yet brittle.
![It tasted like pre-packaged cafeteria food. There was a layer of film on top, and the pasta itself was mushy yet brittle.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70693060,width-700,height-525,imgsize-51488/it-tasted-like-pre-packaged-cafeteria-food-there-was-a-layer-of-film-on-top-and-the-pasta-itself-was-mushy-yet-brittle-.jpg)
The sauce was decently cheesy, but also kind of watery. It was mostly just bland.
![The sauce was decently cheesy, but also kind of watery. It was mostly just bland.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70693059,width-700,height-525,imgsize-29709/the-sauce-was-decently-cheesy-but-also-kind-of-watery-it-was-mostly-just-bland-.jpg)
I was disappointed by Popeyes' mac. Only the chicken will keep me coming back.
![I was disappointed by Popeyes](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70693058,width-700,height-525,imgsize-59514/i-was-disappointed-by-popeyes-mac-only-the-chicken-will-keep-me-coming-back-.jpg)
Boston Market was the only chain that sold mac and cheese with rotini noodles instead of the more traditional elbow macaroni.
![Boston Market was the only chain that sold mac and cheese with rotini noodles instead of the more traditional elbow macaroni.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70693057,width-700,height-525,imgsize-82888/boston-market-was-the-only-chain-that-sold-mac-and-cheese-with-rotini-noodles-instead-of-the-more-traditional-elbow-macaroni-.jpg)
It was slightly cheesier and creamier than Popeyes' mac. Mostly, it tasted like Kraft straight from the box.
![It was slightly cheesier and creamier than Popeyes](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70693056,width-700,height-525,imgsize-56451/it-was-slightly-cheesier-and-creamier-than-popeyes-mac-mostly-it-tasted-like-kraft-straight-from-the-box-.jpg)
The pasta was hotter and fresher, though, and the rotini worked surprisingly well. Their extra surface area and curly shape allowed for more sauce to soak in.
![The pasta was hotter and fresher, though, and the rotini worked surprisingly well. Their extra surface area and curly shape allowed for more sauce to soak in.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70693054,width-700,height-525,imgsize-50434/the-pasta-was-hotter-and-fresher-though-and-the-rotini-worked-surprisingly-well-their-extra-surface-area-and-curly-shape-allowed-for-more-sauce-to-soak-in-.jpg)
However, the texture was mostly just that of mush.
![However, the texture was mostly just that of mush.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70693052,width-700,height-525,imgsize-29594/however-the-texture-was-mostly-just-that-of-mush-.jpg)
I enjoyed Boston Market's mac slightly more than I did Popeyes', but I wouldn't go out of my way to get it when I can just make an equivalent mac at home.
![I enjoyed Boston Market](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70693050,width-700,height-525,imgsize-64853/i-enjoyed-boston-markets-mac-slightly-more-than-i-did-popeyes-but-i-wouldnt-go-out-of-my-way-to-get-it-when-i-can-just-make-an-equivalent-mac-at-home-.jpg)
Panera hovers in the odd purgatory between fancy and fast.
![Panera hovers in the odd purgatory between fancy and fast.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70693048,width-700,height-525,imgsize-48654/panera-hovers-in-the-odd-purgatory-between-fancy-and-fast-.jpg)
Its mac and cheese was no exception. The wider, shell-like macaroni and white cheese sauce were like a cafeteria version of Annie's white cheddar shells.
![Its mac and cheese was no exception. The wider, shell-like macaroni and white cheese sauce were like a cafeteria version of Annie](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70693046,width-700,height-525,imgsize-41499/its-mac-and-cheese-was-no-exception-the-wider-shell-like-macaroni-and-white-cheese-sauce-were-like-a-cafeteria-version-of-annies-white-cheddar-shells-.jpg)
But the mixture was more salty than cheesy. The pasta was predictably mushy.
![But the mixture was more salty than cheesy. The pasta was predictably mushy.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70693045,width-700,height-525,imgsize-45332/but-the-mixture-was-more-salty-than-cheesy-the-pasta-was-predictably-mushy-.jpg)
The sauce was watery rather than cheesy and tasted mostly of milk and salt.
![The sauce was watery rather than cheesy and tasted mostly of milk and salt.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70693043,width-700,height-525,imgsize-29923/the-sauce-was-watery-rather-than-cheesy-and-tasted-mostly-of-milk-and-salt-.jpg)
I'd take a box of Kraft over Panera's plain mac and cheese any day. However, Panera does have several loaded mac options which might taste better.
![I](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70693042,width-700,height-525,imgsize-45043/id-take-a-box-of-kraft-over-paneras-plain-mac-and-cheese-any-day-however-panera-does-have-several-loaded-mac-options-which-might-taste-better-.jpg)
Unlike Panera, KFC has no business pretending to be healthy or fancy — so it doesn't.
![Unlike Panera, KFC has no business pretending to be healthy or fancy — so it doesn](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70693041,width-700,height-525,imgsize-26272/unlike-panera-kfc-has-no-business-pretending-to-be-healthy-or-fancy-so-it-doesnt-.jpg)
And honestly, that's a good thing. KFC fully embraces its role as a purveyor of bad-for-you food that tastes good.
![And honestly, that](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70693040,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1476781/and-honestly-thats-a-good-thing-kfc-fully-embraces-its-role-as-a-purveyor-of-bad-for-you-food-that-tastes-good-.jpg)
Its mac and cheese tastes artificial and plasticky. It also tastes pretty good.
![Its mac and cheese tastes artificial and plasticky. It also tastes pretty good.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70693039,width-700,height-525,imgsize-37048/its-mac-and-cheese-tastes-artificial-and-plasticky-it-also-tastes-pretty-good-.jpg)
The sauce was cheesier, denser, and slightly sweet. The pasta was mushy and very floury.
![The sauce was cheesier, denser, and slightly sweet. The pasta was mushy and very floury.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70693038,width-700,height-525,imgsize-29376/the-sauce-was-cheesier-denser-and-slightly-sweet-the-pasta-was-mushy-and-very-floury-.jpg)
But I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it overall. Out of the four tasted I'd tasted so far, it was the most satisfying.
![But I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it overall. Out of the four tasted I](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70693037,width-700,height-525,imgsize-32234/but-i-was-surprised-by-how-much-i-enjoyed-it-overall-out-of-the-four-tasted-id-tasted-so-far-it-was-the-most-satisfying-.jpg)
Subway doesn't really sell anything that traditionally goes with a side of mac. But why not eat mac and cheese with your sub sandwich?
![Subway doesn](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70693036,width-700,height-525,imgsize-43597/subway-doesnt-really-sell-anything-that-traditionally-goes-with-a-side-of-mac-but-why-not-eat-mac-and-cheese-with-your-sub-sandwich.jpg)
Subway's mac was very hot and very creamy.
![Subway](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70693035,width-700,height-525,imgsize-41289/subways-mac-was-very-hot-and-very-creamy-.jpg)
The pasta was on the thicker side. The sauce, although very creamy, was slightly less salty and cheesy than I would have liked.
![The pasta was on the thicker side. The sauce, although very creamy, was slightly less salty and cheesy than I would have liked.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70693034,width-700,height-525,imgsize-36909/the-pasta-was-on-the-thicker-side-the-sauce-although-very-creamy-was-slightly-less-salty-and-cheesy-than-i-would-have-liked-.jpg)
The main taste that lingered after each bite was that of milk.
![The main taste that lingered after each bite was that of milk.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70693033,width-700,height-525,imgsize-24432/the-main-taste-that-lingered-after-each-bite-was-that-of-milk-.jpg)
Subway's mac is actually quite satisfying, even if it isn't especially flavorful. It tastes like dairy, if not like cheese.
![Subway](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70693032,width-700,height-525,imgsize-42856/subways-mac-is-actually-quite-satisfying-even-if-it-isnt-especially-flavorful-it-tastes-like-dairy-if-not-like-cheese-.jpg)
A new item on the menu, Chick-fil-A's mac and cheese was sold out the first time I tried to buy it.
![A new item on the menu, Chick-fil-A](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70693031,width-700,height-525,imgsize-61563/a-new-item-on-the-menu-chick-fil-as-mac-and-cheese-was-sold-out-the-first-time-i-tried-to-buy-it-.jpg)
I returned early the next day and managed to snag a cup. As soon as I took off the cap, I knew I had something special.
![I returned early the next day and managed to snag a cup. As soon as I took off the cap, I knew I had something special.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70693029,width-700,height-525,imgsize-46212/i-returned-early-the-next-day-and-managed-to-snag-a-cup-as-soon-as-i-took-off-the-cap-i-knew-i-had-something-special-.jpg)
I've never been particularly impressed by the Chick-fil-A items I've had in the past, but this mac and cheese was a different story.
![I](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70693028,width-700,height-525,imgsize-46300/ive-never-been-particularly-impressed-by-the-chick-fil-a-items-ive-had-in-the-past-but-this-mac-and-cheese-was-a-different-story-.jpg)
It was tangy and rich with the taste of real cheese and heavy cream.
![It was tangy and rich with the taste of real cheese and heavy cream.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70693027,width-700,height-525,imgsize-19832/it-was-tangy-and-rich-with-the-taste-of-real-cheese-and-heavy-cream-.jpg)
The texture was also great, with the mac being less mushy than most and the baked cheese adding extra variety to each bite.
![The texture was also great, with the mac being less mushy than most and the baked cheese adding extra variety to each bite.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70693026,width-700,height-525,imgsize-52655/the-texture-was-also-great-with-the-mac-being-less-mushy-than-most-and-the-baked-cheese-adding-extra-variety-to-each-bite-.jpg)
Out of all the macs and cheese I tried, Chick-fil-A had the best bowl by far. Subway, which was second-best, didn't even come close. Chick-fil-A's mac tasted homemade, like it'd been made from scratch and pulled fresh from a grandma's oven. (Not my grandma — she's also lactose intolerant.)
![Out of all the macs and cheese I tried, Chick-fil-A had the best bowl by far. Subway, which was second-best, didn](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70693025,width-700,height-525,imgsize-48430/out-of-all-the-macs-and-cheese-i-tried-chick-fil-a-had-the-best-bowl-by-far-subway-which-was-second-best-didnt-even-come-close-chick-fil-as-mac-tasted-homemade-like-itd-been-made-from-scratch-and-pulled-fresh-from-a-grandmas-oven-not-my-grandma-shes-also-lactose-intolerant-.jpg)
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