If you haven't tossed out your boxes of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese that were just recalled, do that first. Then, head to one of these spots around Chicago for some (actually good) mac and cheese.
Honey Butter Fried Chicken: The fried chicken is great, and so is the side of pimento mac and cheese, rotini coated with creamy, peppery sauce.
Harmony Grill: The restaurant attached to Schuba's has customizable mac and cheese, which you can doctor up with buffalo chicken, spinach, pulled pork, chili or many other meats and veggies.
DryHop Brewers: The skillet mac and cheese is made with smoked cheddar, a sunny-side up egg and toasted breadcrumbs. While it's vegetarian, you can fix that by adding smoked bacon.
Hopleaf: Whether you get the duck reuben or the mussels, add a side of the mac and cheese—it's made with stilton, a funky blue cheese.
Dimo's Pizza: Maybe save this one till after you've had a couple drinks, but the mac and cheese–topped pizza is a carb-lover's dream. There are locations in both Wrigleyville and Wicker Park.
Little Bad Wolf: The creamy mac and cheese at this new Andersonville spot is filled with bacon, scallions and breadcrumbs. It's available as a meal or a side with the solid burger.
Smoque BBQ: When it comes to sides at the barbecue restaurant, the mac and cheese is the best—it's creamy and capped with a simple breadcrumb crust.
Upton's Breakroom: The seitan factory has a fried bacon mac in its tiny restaurant, and it's heavy on chunks of fried bacon seitan.