The Hoboken Guy

The Back’s Mac & Chez is to Die For

Posted on 25. Oct, 2009 in Dining

It’s known for its bright cheesy shades of yellowish-orange and its classic elbows of macaroni. And it’s the official #1 comfort food in my book, especially during times when you gotta cure that hangover. Seriously. What isn’t more comforting than a big bowl of pasta and loads of melted cheese? Yes, I’m talking about that good, old fashioned mac and cheese. And so far, when it comes to finding the best place to enjoy this classic American dish, no place in Hoboken has come close to Backyard’s Bistro Mac & Chez. Simply stated – it is to DIE for.

HOBOKEN GUY’S BREAKDOWN

Restaurant: Backyard’s Bistro
Name of Dish: The Bac’s Mac and Chez
Description: Classic dish with a secret cheese sauce, bacon bits and chopped scallions
Price: $5.50

Let’s face it. Anyone can make Mac and Cheese, right? It’s the reason why there’s a million-and-one versions of this classic dish. And the truth is, there is no universal recipe for the best Mac and Cheese. But there are key aspects to satisify the taste buds of every mac and cheese lover. Backyard’s Bistro took each of these key aspects and took it to another dimension. This dish makes the Mac and Cheese gods ecstatic. And it takes me and my belly into carbohydrate heaven!

BALANCE

You take one scoop of this mac and cheese, and you can visibly see the balance of pasta and cheese sauce. The consistency between the two ingredients was exquisitely perfect, avoiding the common issues of “swimming macaroni” or the “sauce-absorbed pasta”. Each time you fork another serving, you get that wonderful gooey drip of melted cheeses that will cause excessive drooling.

THE CHEESES

Backyard’s Bistro has created a cheese sauce for this dish that is absolutely delicious that I wish they made a bubblegum flavor out of it. Although I cannot share their entire secret concoction, all I can say is that they’ve mastered a combination of different cheeses with complimentary qualities more interesting than using an individual cheese. The cheddar cheese dominates, but the combination of the blue cheese and a variety of other special cheeses adds that unique tang most people are looking for, but can’t pick out right away.

QUALITY OF FLAVORS

The bacon bits and scallion enhances the flavors of the cheeses, adding that much-needed meaty and oniony taste to the dish. The layer of crusty goodness at the top of the dish adds some nice texture when you take your first initial bits.

This dish was so amazing that I had to bring it to a barbecue this past summer. It was finished in 20 minutes and although I could have lied and said I made it myself, I gave all the credit to the wonderful restaurant on Jefferson Street.

I loved the Mac and Cheese so much that I topped my burger with it. I highly recommend this –it makes that beef patty go nuts!

VITALS

Restaurant: Backyards Bistro
Location:732 Jefferson Street (corner of 8th Street) View Map >>
Hours: Monday through Friday 11:00 am to 9:30pm, Saturday 10:00am to 9:30pm, Sunday Brunch, 10:00am to 3:00pm (Delivery available Monday through Saturday 11:00am to 9:00pm)
Contact: 201.222.2660
Website: backyardsbistro.com
Liquor Status: BYOB

Also try: The Vermonster – check out my review here.

THE HOBOKEN GUY SIDEKICKS

I’d like to thank David, the owner and manager of Backyards Bistro for his hospitality and great customer service. David’s one of the most friendliest restaurant managers I’ve met in Hoboken thus far. From this day forward, you’re officially a Hoboken Guy sidekick my friend! And congrats on your restaurant recently being Zagat rated! Well-deserved.

Want to be dubbed a Hoboken Guy Sidekick?
It’s simple. Tell me where I can find the best mac and cheese in town by emailing me at tell@thehobokenguy.com or by commenting below. If your recommendation is worthy as “the best”, you will be given credit in my review article and dubbed a Hoboken Guy Sidekick.

Tags: back's mac and chez, Backyard's Bistro, Dining, mac and cheese, macaroni and cheese