ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – A new restaurant opens in Escanaba next week, putting a unique spin on a classic dish.
The newest addition to the 1st Avenue North Mini-Mall is I Heart Mac & Cheese, a franchise based in Boca Raton, Florida.
“We’re a fully customizable macaroni and cheese and grilled cheese concept specializing in chef-inspired recipes,” said Senior Corporate Trainer Austin Gonzalez. “You can choose from a number of our signature offerings or unleash your creativity and build your own bowl, sandwich, or flatbread.”
Liza Plourde, owner of the nearby Drifter’s Family Restaurant, tried I Heart Mac & Cheese on a Florida vacation. She thought it would be a perfect fit for the U.P.
“My family has been in the restaurant industry my whole life,” Plourde said. “I saw that there was an ad to learn more information about the franchise, and here we are a year and a half later! Upper Michigan would be a great location for this kind of food. It’s good comfort food, especially in the winter months, and who doesn’t like mac and cheese?”
This mac and cheese comes practically any way the customer likes. With gluten-free and vegan options, Gonzalez says there’s an entree for everyone.
“Some of the signature offerings are going to be our lobster macaroni and cheese and grilled cheese sandwich, made with real Maine lobster,” he said. “We also have our chicken parm bowl, short rib Philly, and the meat lover’s flatbread. You can be either really indulgent or on the healthier side.”
I Heart Mac & Cheese invites the public to taste those and other dishes at its grand opening on Monday, October 28. The Delta County Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon cutting at 10:30 a.m., followed by a day of celebration beginning at 11 a.m. However, Gonzalez encourages patrons to arrive early.
“The first 25 paying customers in line get free mac and cheese for an entire year,” he said. “If you can’t make it first thing in the morning, not to worry. We’re going to have plenty of fun, raffles, giveaways throughout the entire day.”
I Heart Mac & Cheese will be open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The restaurant also offers DoorDash, a mobile app, and catering services.
Both corporate and local I Heart Mac & Cheese team members say they can’t wait to share this “adult twist on a childhood favorite” with Escanaba.
“It’s something new for the community,” Gonzalez said. “This is the location that we have that’s the farthest north, the first one in the U.P. It’s a unique, inviting dining experience that caters to a wide variety of people.”
“It is so exciting to take on this kind of adventure,” said Plourde. “Taking over my family restaurant was just something I was used to; this is totally out of my element, but so far it’s going really great! The community support is amazing, and everyone’s super excited about it.”
I Heart Mac & Cheese is located at 2419 1st Avenue North. For more information, follow the restaurant’s Facebook page. View the full menu at iheartmacandcheese.com.
