Roni’s Mac Bar: A Review of Mac and Cheese

Article By: Shalina Sabih, Staff Writer | BCS Chronicle

What You Need To Know:

• Roni's Mac Bar, originally from Waco, Texas, has expanded to the Northgate District and is predicted to open 17 stores by the end of 2024.

• The restaurant offers a variety of mac and cheese and grilled cheese options with customizable ingredients and toppings, catering to both comfort food lovers and health-conscious consumers.

• The vibrant and eclectic dining space features bright, colorful decor and provides a unique dining experience with options to order through kiosks.

• Roni's Mac Bar also offers catering services, delivery partnerships, and donates excess food to local charities, emphasizing community engagement and reducing waste.

The Mac and Cheese Bar

Originally, Roni’s Mac Bar could only be found in Waco, Texas. That is, until owner Kristen Curbo became the 1st franchise owner in the country. Roni’s is predicted to open 17 stores by the end of 2024. They soft-launched their business and beat Waco’s sales by welcoming 136 people in life. The first hundred people got to spin the wheel for prizes such as free mac and cheese for a year. 

Her daughter worked at the original Roni’s as a Mac expert (a term they use for the Mac and cheese cooks) and from there they opened shop on April 13, 2024. Curbo graduated from A&M in 1995 and both her sons attend the university. While she lived in Waco she said that it went back to her and her boys in college. She wanted to open a business you could walk to from campus and enjoy mac and cheese  She took over the lease in a space which originally housed a sandwich shop.

Located in the popular Northgate District, the restaurant receives more foot traffic due to its location. While parking can occasionally be a hassle in this area, there are ample available parking spots located in the Aspire building for Roni’s patrons. Roni’s Mac Bar, nestled conveniently beneath Aspire, is a vibrant and eclectic space that creatively repurposes four large cable reels as outdoor tables, each adorned with a splash of bright color, offering a cheerful and unconventional dining experience. The indoor area boasts an inviting atmosphere with a mix of tables and booths, each uniquely designed to enhance the dining ambiance. There are four Kiosks to order mac and cheese or grilled cheese sandwiches. Inside, the tables are paired with distinctive bright yellow chairs, each featuring a playful circular design on the backrests. The space is further animated by the colorful and quirky display of shirts available for purchase, which showcase the restaurant’s colorful and quirky personality. “Today was my first time being here and I live right next door and wanted to try it out because I do like mac and cheese,” said Dani De Las Casas. 

Aggie-owned, this business offers a variety of options from simple soul food staples to customizable grilled cheese options including such flavors as cheddar, alfredo, and pepper jack. The meat is $1.99 extra and they always have fresh veggies in rotation such as tomatoes, pineapples, bell peppers, jalapenos, mushrooms, and corn. The meal wraps up with topping options including buffalo, ranch, garlic parmesan, and other flavorful favorites. “There are so many different options and varieties and it's not just plain mac and cheese,” said manager Sarah Moreno. “I don't get sick of the food (and) I have to stop myself from eating it.”

For the health-conscious consumer, they have a grid on their app that breaks down each of the ingredients and describes their nutritional properties., Their supplier is PFG and they provide ingredients to all of the franchise’s restaurants““One of the things I learned about franchising is that you want to be consistent,” said Curbo. “We want people to come in that have been to other Roni’s and be happy that it's the same style of food.”

In addition to their regular in-restaurant offerings, Roni’s offers catering services for parties, graduations, tailgates, office parties and just about any large gathering. They also have partnerships with companies such as Doordash for delivery and they offer free delivery when you use the code SLAY on their app. Curbo mentioned how they over-prep sometimes and instead of throwing it out they put it in party trays and give this excess away to local charities such as Twin City Missions and Still Creek Ranch. “I feel like this teaches my employees something and we don’t waste the food at the end of the day and I’m teaching a lesson to give back,” said Curbo. “Maybe we overprepped, but we did a good thing today.”

The Review

Before I begin, I should state that I am in no way a food blogger or culinary expert of any sort, but I have had enough variations of food in my life to know how to judge the taste of a dish. My controversial opinion is that, like the popular Pakistani dish, biryani, all mac and cheese tastes the same. I do not care if “your mom makes the best mac” or if there is a particular recipe with the best mac and cheese. However, an exception is my co-worker Christina Hluchan’s mac and cheese, which is so flavorful and gooey that I expect her to provide it at my wedding. 

In my recent visit to Roni’s Mac and Cheese, I sampled a build-your-own mac bowl. The aroma of the mac and cheese was absolutely tantalizing, filling the air with a rich, comforting scent that promised a satisfying meal. Each breath was infused with the mouthwatering fragrance of melted cheese and savory spices, setting the stage for a delightful dining experience. The staff were not only friendly and welcoming, but also went out of their way to ensure that every guest felt at home. They were attentive and knowledgeable, offering helpful recommendations and patiently guiding customers through the menu options. 

I ordered mac and cheese with Pepper Jack. The bowl was colored with a deep white cheese sauce, and the inclusion of pepper jack cheese added a delightful sharpness. The pasta was cooked to an ideal al dente texture, providing a satisfying bite. Although the mac and cheese wasn't as gooey as I might have preferred, this was more a matter of personal taste. For a better cheese pull and richer experience, I recommend opting for a blend of multiple cheeses when you place your order.

The addition of jalapeños gave the dish a pleasant kick, while the vegetables were all freshly diced into neat squares. However, I found the broccoli pieces a bit too large for my liking and would have preferred them to be cut smaller to better integrate with the dish. On the side, the cheesy garlic bread was a standout. The center was wonderfully soft, while the crust boasted the perfect amount of crunch. A final tip: be sure to give your bowl a good mix before diving in to ensure all the flavors and textures are well-combined.

Overall, the experience was fun and the service staff was highly knowledgeable. With multiple possible ways to make bowls and sandwiches, I would definitely recommend this restaurant to those looking for a unique and interactive dining experience. 

Screen located above cash register with the menu items and their prices. Photo by Shalina Sabih.