3 of the best mac and cheese dishes in Dayton

When the winter air drifts in and our taste buds and tummies start craving comfort food, nothing quite satisfies like a delectable dish of mac and cheese. It's that perfect combination of the two best groups in the food pyramid: carbs and dairy.

I asked friends where they've had the best mac and cheese in Dayton. A few restaurants kept getting repeated, so those were the ones I scoped out––and feasted upon––for myself. Here are the three that made my final cut:

Corner Kitchen 
Oregon District
613 East Fifth Street, Dayton
937-719-0999

Fusilli pasta with fontina, gruyere, parmesan, and Ludlow cheese. Natalie Skilliter, Corner Kitchen's GM, said it's the béchamel cheese that gives the dish its extra creaminess and sets it apart. And while we're at it, everything else is pretty fantastic too––ambience, cocktails, service. (Price: $7/$14)


Lock 27

Centerville
1035 S Main St., Dayton
937-433-2739

Baked cavatappi, smoked gouda, & cheddar with BBQ breadcrumbs. For some extra protein, I added the herb-roasted chicken, but you could add bacon and bleu cheese or shrimp. I also enjoyed my Napoleon Armeé, a Berliner Weiss. If you like beer, be sure to try a pint of one their craft brews. (Price: $9)


Harrison's

Tipp City
106 E Main St., Tipp City
937-667-5200

Traditional, down-home mac and cheese made with penne pasta and cheddar cheese. For a variation of the classic, Harrison's has a dish called City Mac and Cheese with spinach, chopped tomatoes, onion, and red pepper––with options to add sausage or chicken. (Price: $3.99/$13.99)

Whether you want to go vegetarian or omnivore, there are a lot of great options. Where's your favorite place in Dayton for mac and cheese?


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