This Oregon’s Ultimate Mac and Cheese Joint Lets You Create Comfort Food Perfection

I wandered into MAC’D in Portland one random night, and it completely blew my mind. This isn’t your grandma’s baked casserole or some overpriced fancy version you can barely pronounce.

Here, you get to build your own mac and cheese masterpiece, piling on whatever wild toppings your heart – or stomach – desires. From Flamin’ Hot Cheetos to pulled pork, every bowl feels like a little adventure in comfort food.

Located on SE McLoughlin Boulevard, MAC’D has been turning carb lovers into raving fans since winning second place at the 2018 Portland Macaroni and Cheese Festival. Open until 2:30 a.m. every night, it’s basically a dream come true for late-night cravings.

And that sauce? Real Tillamook cheddar, creamy enough to make you question every other mac and cheese you’ve ever eaten.

One bite, and you’ll understand why this spot has me coming back again and again.

Build Your Own Bowl Like a Mac and Cheese Architect

Walking up to MAC’D feels like stepping into a Choose Your Own Adventure book, except every ending involves you being blissfully full and happy. The whole concept revolves around you calling the shots from start to finish.

You pick your pasta base first, then watch as the crew starts building your masterpiece right in front of your eyes.

The beauty of this system is that no two bowls ever have to be the same, which means I could eat here every day for a month and never get bored.

Some folks keep it simple with just the base sauce and maybe some bacon. Others go absolutely wild and create towering monuments to excess that probably violate several laws of physics.

The staff never judges, they just smile and keep piling on whatever you request. I love that there’s no pressure to order something off a preset menu if you don’t want to.

You’re the boss here, and your mac and cheese dreams are limited only by your imagination and possibly your wallet. This setup makes MAC’D feel more like an interactive experience than just another restaurant visit.

The Legendary Mornay Sauce That Started It All

Every great mac and cheese place lives or dies by its sauce, and MAC’D absolutely nailed theirs. They call it a bastardized Mornay, which is fancy chef speak for taking a classic French cheese sauce and giving it a Portland twist.

The base features Tillamook medium cheddar, which is basically liquid gold from Oregon’s own legendary creamery.

Then they throw in some chili-laden pepper jack to give it just enough kick to keep things interesting without setting your mouth on fire.

The result is this impossibly creamy, perfectly seasoned sauce that coats every piece of pasta like a warm, cheesy hug. It’s rich enough to feel indulgent but not so heavy that you feel like you need a nap halfway through your bowl.

I’ve tried making mac and cheese at home countless times, and I can never quite replicate what MAC’D does with their sauce. There’s some kind of magic happening in that kitchen that transforms simple ingredients into something transcendent.

The sauce alone is worth the trip to SE McLoughlin Boulevard.

Signature Bowls For When Decision Fatigue Hits Hard

Sometimes I walk up to MAC’D with grand plans to create some revolutionary new flavor combination, then my brain just shorts out from too many options. That’s when the signature menu items become my best friends.

The Goddess is probably their most popular preset bowl, and for good reason. It’s loaded with pesto-based flavors that somehow work perfectly with the cheese sauce in ways that shouldn’t make sense but absolutely do.

Buffalo mac brings that classic wing flavor to your pasta bowl, complete with chicken and enough tang to make your taste buds do a happy dance.

The BBQ version goes full smokehouse with pulled pork and sauce that tastes like summer.

These signature bowls were clearly designed by people who know what they’re doing. Each one has a balanced flavor profile that hits all the right notes without overwhelming your palate.

I usually order a signature bowl when I’m introducing friends to MAC’D for the first time, since they represent the best of what this place can do. Once they’ve tried a preset, they’re usually ready to venture into custom territory.

Vegan Mac That Actually Tastes Like Real Comfort Food

Finding good vegan comfort food can feel like searching for a unicorn, but MAC’D managed to crack the code. They offer a dedicated vegan mac option that doesn’t taste like sad compromise food.

I’m not even vegan, but I’ve tried their plant-based version out of curiosity, and I was genuinely impressed. The dairy-free cheese sauce has that same creamy texture and satisfying richness as the regular version.

They use quality ingredients that actually taste like food instead of cardboard, which seems like a low bar but you’d be surprised how many places fail at this.

The vegan option opens up MAC’D to a whole new audience who might otherwise feel left out of the mac and cheese party.

My vegan friends absolutely love having a late-night option where they don’t have to extensively modify menu items or settle for french fries. They can build their own bowl just like everyone else, loading up on vegetables and plant-based proteins.

This inclusive approach to comfort food is exactly what Portland does best, and MAC’D nails it completely.

Late Night Hours That Save Lives and Cure Cravings

Most restaurants in Portland close by ten or eleven at night, leaving late-night food seekers with limited options that usually involve drive-thrus or regret.

MAC’D operates on a completely different schedule that caters to night owls, shift workers, and anyone with weird hours.

They’re open until 2:30 in the morning every single night of the week. Let me repeat that because it’s so important: two thirty in the morning, seven days a week.

This isn’t just a weekend thing. I cannot tell you how many times this place has saved me after a long work shift or when insomnia hits and I need comfort food at midnight.

There’s something magical about eating hot, fresh mac and cheese at one in the morning while sitting at their outdoor picnic tables. The late hours also mean MAC’D has become a gathering spot for all sorts of interesting characters.

You’ll find everyone from restaurant workers getting off their shifts to college students fueling study sessions to people like me who just live life on a different schedule. The atmosphere at night has this fun, slightly chaotic energy that makes every visit feel like a small adventure.

The Award-Winning Pedigree Behind the Pasta

MAC’D didn’t just appear out of nowhere and hope for the best. They came out swinging in 2018 when they entered the Portland Macaroni and Cheese Festival and walked away with second place.

That festival is basically the Super Bowl for mac and cheese in Oregon, with dozens of competitors bringing their absolute best. Landing in second place against that kind of competition immediately put MAC’D on the map.

The recognition from that festival win gave them instant credibility in Portland’s competitive food scene.

People started seeking them out specifically because they knew the mac and cheese had been vetted by actual judges and fellow cheese enthusiasts.

I love that they still display their award with pride, because they should. That early validation helped launch them into becoming the beloved late-night institution they are today.

The fact that they’ve maintained quality and consistency since that 2018 win speaks volumes about their commitment to the craft. Plenty of places rest on their laurels after getting recognition, but MAC’D kept pushing to perfect their recipes and customer experience.

The Casual Vibes Perfect For Any Squad

Some restaurants make you feel like you need to dress up or behave a certain way, but MAC’D is gloriously free of any pretension. The whole setup is casual and welcoming from the moment you walk up to the order window.

Families with kids fit right in here, and I’ve seen plenty of parents who look relieved to find a place where their children can be themselves. The menu is simple enough that even picky eaters can find something they’ll enjoy.

Groups of friends gather at the outdoor picnic tables, laughing and sharing bites of each other’s custom creations.

The communal seating arrangement naturally encourages conversation and creates a social atmosphere that feels more like a backyard barbecue than a typical restaurant experience.

There’s no table service, no dress code, and no judgment about how much cheese you pile onto your bowl. You order at the window, grab your food when your name is called, and eat wherever you can find a spot.

This stripped-down approach actually enhances the experience because it removes all the unnecessary formality that can make dining out stressful. Everyone’s just here for good food and good times.

The SE McLoughlin Boulevard Location and Setup

MAC’D sits at 5145 SE McLoughlin Blvd Ste F, Portland, OR 97202, in a spot that’s easy to find once you know where to look. The setup is beautifully simple with a take-out window where you place your order and pick up your food.

Parking can be a bit tight in their small lot, but street parking is usually available nearby if you need it. I’ve never had to park more than a block away even during busy times.

The outdoor seating area features picnic tables where you can enjoy your meal in the fresh Oregon air. It’s not fancy, but it doesn’t need to be because the food is the real star here.

During nice weather, those tables fill up fast with people chatting and enjoying their bowls. One thing to note is that they don’t have a restroom on site, which some reviews mention as a drawback.

Plan accordingly before you visit, especially if you’re planning to eat there. The window-service model keeps things efficient and moving quickly even when they’re busy.

You’re never waiting around wondering if someone forgot about your order.

Portions So Generous You’ll Have Lunch Tomorrow Too

One thing nobody warns you about before your first MAC’D visit is just how much food you’re about to receive. These aren’t dainty little tasting portions or Instagram-sized servings designed to look cute but leave you hungry.

The bowls here are legitimately huge, packed with pasta and toppings until they’re practically overflowing. I’ve shared a single bowl between two people and still felt completely satisfied afterward.

Most times I order for myself, I end up with leftovers that become the next day’s lunch. This generous approach to portions means you’re actually getting solid value for your money despite the per-topping charges adding up.

You’re not paying restaurant prices for a tiny amount of food that disappears in three bites. The size of the servings also makes MAC’D perfect for feeding groups or bringing food home to share.

I’ve picked up bowls for dinner parties where everyone got to try different flavor combinations. Just be prepared to feel very full after eating here, and maybe skip the appetizer unless you’re absolutely starving.

Come hungry, leave happy, and probably take a container home with you.