Mac & Cheese:
A Love Story That’s Baked Into History
"I don't do much cooking, but one of my favorite dishes to eat is my wife's macaroni and cheese."
- Ice Cube
Bless this highly nutritious microwavable macaroni and cheese dinner and the people who sold it on sale. Amen.
- Kevin McAllister
One of Beethoven's favorite dishes was macaroni and cheese. The girl I marry must be able to make good macaroni and cheese..." "How did Beethoven feel about cold cereal?"
Let’s be honest — mac and cheese isn’t just food. It’s a whole mood. A lifestyle. A comfort blanket in a bowl. And here at The Backyard Seabrook, it’s kind of our love language. But before we started stuffing our menu with creations like Elote Mac, Vietnamese Mac, and NOLA Mac, we figured we’d pay homage to the ooey-gooey classic that started it all. So where did mac and cheese come from? ​
From Royal Kitchens to College Dorms
Believe it or not, mac and cheese dates back centuries — like, powdered-wig-wearing, quill-pen-writing old. Historians trace early versions of the dish to 13th-century Italy, where pasta and cheese casseroles were baked for royalty. (We like to think of it as the original “baked mac.”)
Later, in France, fancy folks were serving up creamy pasta dishes with béchamel sauce. And guess who brought it across the pond? Thank You, Thomas Jefferson!
Yep — the same guy on the nickel.
After visiting France, Thomas Jefferson fell in love with pasta and cheese and is widely credited with introducing mac and cheese to America in the early 1800s. He even had a pasta machine imported to Virginia so he could serve it at state dinners. Power move.
The Great American Glow-Up
Fast forward to the 1930s, when boxed mac and cheese hit grocery store shelves during the Great Depression. It was cheap, filling, and easy — and just like that, a classic was born. From then on, mac and cheese became a staple in lunchboxes, BBQ joints, soul food kitchens, and college dorms across the country.
So Why Do We Love It So Much?
Mac and cheese is the great equalizer. Kids love it. Adults crave it. Grandma serves it on Sundays. It’s creamy, cheesy, carb-loaded perfection — and it’s endlessly remixable.
At The Backyard, we take that legacy and kick it up a notch (or five). Our menu is packed with macs that nod to flavors from around the world — because we believe comfort food should reflect the beautiful mix of cultures that make up the Houston area.
Ready to taste history with a twist? Check out our menu, pull up a picnic table, and dig into a bowl of mac magic. Trust us — your taste buds will thank you.