One of America’s most beloved chain restaurants, Chick-fil-A, added Mac & Cheese to their menu nationwide as of August 12. A large portion of Chick-fil-A enthusiasts went crazy on social media and eagerly made their way to the nearest Chick-fil-A. The feedback included a variance of reviews— those who claimed that the meal left their bellies with further cravings and those who viewed it as a waste of $3. 

“As a vegetarian, I’m limited to what I can eat at restaurants. When I heard that Chick-fil-A was coming out with Mac & Cheese, I was glad to have another option rather than my usual order of fries and kale salad,” NC senior Yuritzy Farias said. 

Considering their menu consists mostly of meat-based meals, the new side item brought in vegetarians who tend to stay away from traditionally meat-focused restaurants. Prior to the Mac & Cheese’s introduction, the only menu items available for vegetarians at Chick-Fil-A included a Grilled Cool Wrap without meat, any meatless salads, and sides like fries, fruit cups, and the Superfood side consisting of kale, nuts and dried fruit. 

After reading about the controversial opinions on the side item all over social media, I decided to try the Mac & Cheese for myself and see where the hype came from. I analyzed the Mac & Cheese based on three essential aspects: cheesiness, cost, and healthiness on a scale from one to ten.

Cheesiness: 9/10

Chick-fil-A describes their classic recipe as including a “special blend of cheeses including cheddar, Parmesan and Romano.” As I took my first bite, the taste of cheddar cheese hit the roof of my mouth and dissolved quickly. The blend of cheeses brought a variety of flavors that left my tastebuds happily dancing. The top layer of crispy, baked cheese provides a slight crunch to the Mac & Cheese, leaving any cheese-lover satisfied.

Cost: 8/10

The Mac & Cheese comes in two sizes: small and medium. The prices range from $2.35 for the small bowl to $3.09 for the medium bowl. Compared to other fast-food’s macaroni and cheese, the price seems reasonable to a variety of customers. The portion difference for the small compared to the medium varies only slightly, so for your money’s worth, size up to the medium and snag that bargain.

Healthiness: 5/10

For those interested in the nutrition information of the meal, a small bowl of Mac & Cheese contains roughly 260 calories and 11 grams of protein, while a medium stacks up to 440 calories and 19 grams of protein. The amount of protein consumed definitely outweighs the amount of calories consumed. Physically speaking, consuming this might leave one’s body feeling regretful; stick with the side of kale salad and fruit cup. However, emotionally speaking, this side item will warm the heart by curing any gloomy day. 

Chick-fil-A’s Mac & Cheese left both my taste buds and wallet satisfied, with a cheesy sensation to satisfy any savory craving. Whether one orders a salad or a classic chicken sandwich, the Mac & Cheese can be paired with any meal, leaving both vegetarians and meat-eaters satisfied. The amount of calories that this side meal contains may not even matter once Chick-Fil-A enthusiasts dive into that first bite of flavor. Unlike other fast-food’s macaroni and cheese, Chick-fil-A just provided their customers with an affordable side item that will leave them coming back for more. 

Overall rating: 7/10