Ever since I was in elementary school, one of my favorite meals was mac and cheese. I used to ask my mom to make it every day, and even now that I’m in college, I would still eat it every day if I could. When I mentioned this to my good friend and Augustana College’s HerCampus Senior Editor Janey Locander, she immediately recommended that I try Cheesy Cow in Bettendorf. As soon as she mentioned that it was a restaurant entirely devoted to mac and cheese, I found myself speeding down I-80 the next day in order to get a taste of cheese heaven. Ever since I tried my first bowl, I haven’t stopped going back, and I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a comforting and delicious meal. However, Cheesy Cow has eighteen different types of mac and cheeses on their menu, which can be super overwhelming to people trying the restaurant for the first time. So, in order to make your decision-making a little easier, here are my top three favorite mac and cheeses from Cheesy Cow.
- Walking Taco Mac
This was my most recent order from Cheesy Cow, and even though I’ve only had it once, it’s one of my favorites. I love how this is loaded with extra toppings, from sweet and spicy taco sauce to savory and well seasoned ground beef to even some of the best sour cream I ever had. If that wasn’t enough, they sprinkle fresh tomatoes and onions on top. And if THAT wasn’t enough, they’ll give you a bag of Doritos to crush and sprinkle into the bowl, which I didn’t do because I’m not the biggest Doritos person, but I know a lot of my friends love the inclusion. Of course, the noodles are perfectly cooked and the rich cheddar cheese sauce is fantastic. If you’re looking for a meal that will keep you full for the entire day, the Walking Taco Mac has got your back. I prefer to eat it at different times of the day because it’s a little much to eat in one sitting, but I will always lick the bowl clean, no matter how long it takes me.
- Chili Mac
Another one of my favorite foods is chili, so as soon as I realized that Cheesy Cow literally adds a scoop of chili on top of their mac and cheese, I ran to get it. The chili has a savory tomato flavor with a slight kick to it and it is packed with soft beans and flavorful ground beef, which balances out the richness of the mac and cheese. Fresh onions are added on top to cut through the fat and the sour cream adds an extra layer of creaminess that I didn’t know I needed. Chili and cheese already go great together, so adding it to mac and cheese takes both of these dishes to a whole other level. As soon as I started eating this dish, I couldn’t stop, and as soon as you try it, you’ll be able to see why.
- Original Mac
I tried Cheesy Cow for the fun twists on mac and cheese, but I keep coming back for their Original Mac. What can I say, there’s nothing better than the original! The cheddar cheese sauce is creamy, rich, and slightly tangy, and they add even freshly grated cheese on top, even though the noodles are already drenched in the sauce. Even though there is a ton of cheese, it’s never too much. Also, if you’re craving a spicy kick, you can get pepper jack sauce instead, although I prefer the cheddar version. The reason why I love this bowl so much is because it’s so comforting and exactly what mac and cheese is supposed to be. Whenever I’m having a bad day, this bowl always cheers me up. It reminds me that even though variants of it are super fun, the original recipe will always be the best.
These are my top three mac and cheeses from Cheesy Cow. Now that you have read this article, what are you waiting for? Go get yourself a bowl today!