Continuing my quest to try all the new food booths at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, let’s visit Mac + Eats – a celebration of the ultimate comfort food!
About Mac + Eats
Located near Test Track, this booth offers a variety of macaroni dishes including Traditional Macaroni and Cheese, a truffle variety, a plant-based version, and Cowboy Macaroni and Cheese with smoked pork belly (for the meat lovers). With the Traditional dish priced at only $4.75 (for a pretty sizable portion!), this is one of the more affordable booths at the Festival.
Since I was visiting this booth with my children, we decided to try two dishes to make sure there was enough food for all of us. After a little bit of discussion, I settled on ordering the Truffle Macaroni while my kids wanted the Traditional sample.
Traditional Macaroni and Cheese
The least expensive option on the menu, the Traditional Macaroni and Cheese delivers exactly what it promises – a familiar, comforting bowl of an American favorite. Topped with herbed panko crumbs, both my kids and I enjoyed the flavors of this dish.
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I only want to caution that these samples feature a more “homemade” texture and feel to the macaroni. If you prefer your noodles swimming in an almost liquid cheese sauce, this booth isn’t for you. The cheese is thick and clings to the noodle. There was definitely enough of the sauce to coat each bite, but not enough to feel like there was an overwhelming amount of cheese.
Truffle Macaroni and Cheese
The flavors of the Truffle Mac felt slightly “fancier” than those of the Traditional. They certainly used a different type of cheese, though I’m not sure exactly kind. (I would guess gruyère?) Either way, the flavors of this sample worked well together. My only complaint is that the mushrooms had an unpleasant texture. They were slightly rubbery in a way that made me wonder if they were dehydrated. The texture didn’t completely ruin my enjoyment of the dish, but it was very distracting.
Final Thoughts on Mac + Eats
While I mostly enjoyed my samples from Mac + Eats, I don’t think I would return to the booth. The flavors were enjoyable, the prices were fair, and the portions were filling – but I’m still not sure that it is worth spending the money and calories on such traditional American dishes. There’s literally a whole world of flavors to explore just steps away! However, if you’re a picky eater or craving some comforting carbs – this is a great (and pretty filling) option!
