Deleece ? Macaroni & Cheese For Days

I’ve been to Deleece (3313 N. Clark)  a few times now, and it’s becoming one of my favorite neighborhood places. Maybe it’s because they put baskets of homemade potato chips on the tables for you to munch on while chatting, or perhaps it’s because of the adorable outdoor patio they have open in the summertime.

image courtesy of Istolpman's flickr photostream

(Istolpman’s photostream)

One of the reasons I like it so much is their menu; they have a great variety of American choices, including bacon wrapped filets (perfectly cooked), white fish (very moist and flavorful), fried chicken, and a selection of salads and sandwiches.

Also, they feature three types of macaroni and cheese on their daily menu: cheddar; Gruyere with asparagus and crispy fried shallots; and Asiago with bacon and garlic breadcrumbs.  The restaurant does something that many others do not – it allows you to order mac and cheese as an entree portion or as a side portion – the possibilities are endless! Macaroni and cheese for days! My boyfriend and I have tried several versions of Deleece macaroni and cheese and they are all unbelievably delicious.

My first taste was of the Gruyere with asparagus and crispy fried shallots. Really yummy! The shallots add some crunch, while the asparagus adds some freshness. The Gruyere, which melts lovingly around the noodles, is rich and buttery. This is a winner.

The most recent time we dined at Deleece, my boyfriend ordered the Asiago with bacon and garlic breadcrumbs for his entree. Like you might expect, it was very rich. The combination of the Asiago and bacon was dense, gooey, salty and delicious.  Needless to say, it got two thumbs up! This is a perfectly comforting meal.

They also happened to be featuring lobster mac and cheese with goat cheddar and truffled breadcrumbs – can you guess what I ordered? I expected the dish to be quite rich and heavy (lobster and cheese, c’mon!) but it was surprisingly light and the sauce, while I could taste the cheese, was more of a smooth cream sauce that lightly coated the noodles and chunks of lobster.

The lobster itself was a bit overcooked for my taste, but the large pieces, paired with the creamy goat cheddar sauce and the earthy truffled breadcrumbs was just fantastic. This meal was perfect for a typical cold and wet Chicago evening.

I highly suggest you check out Deleece. It’s a Lakeview Neighborhood Gem and definitely a Best Bet!