5 places to get mac ’n’ cheese right now

Southern transplant from Dallas that opened in October.

My idea of comfort was Pimento & Pig Mac N’ Cheese ($7), a rowdy pile of pasta shells coated in thick cream sharing a bowl with fat pieces of roasted pork and sharp little bites of pimento, finished with crispy breadcrumbs.

The Jerk Shack

Even as it processes the fame of being named one of GQ magazine’s best new restaurants in the country, The Jerk Shack still finds time to make its mac and cheese to order, built in a pan like a trained chef, which is what co-owner Lattoia Massey, aka Nicola

Blaque, happens to be.

The Jamaican walk-up stand’s Jerk Wings N Mac ($14) is one of the city’s best dishes, with a trio of jerk-spiced fried chicken wings lighting a fire beside the mellow tones of firm elbow macaroni in a rich bechamel-style sauce with cheese broiled over the top. The mac’s also available as a side for $6. takeout/delivery only, Facebook: @thejerkshacksatx

Mrs. Kitchen

There’s a place for haute mac and cheese with neat handmade pasta and bechamel. This ain’t it.

At Mrs. Kitchen, every side order is its own little baked-down casserole of noodles long since melted together and rippled with

Smoke Shack

At just $5 for a paper boat of mac and cheese with a pile of chopped brisket, Smoke Shack Mac from the Broadway barbecue restaurant Smoke Shack is one of the best deals around. The brisket’s good to begin with, a peppery, balance blend of fat and lean in spicy barbecue sauce. But the mac works hard, too, with curls of cavatappi pasta in bright yellow sauce that’s Krafty in all the right ways. msutter@express-news.net | Twitter: @fedmanwalking | Instagram: @fedmanwalking

Macaroni and cheese is a solid side option on its own or with a fried chicken plate with mashed potatoes and greens at the soul food restaurant Mrs. Kitchen.

Chicharoni Macaroni at the barbecue restaurant 2M Smokehouse is topped with chicharrones.

Pimento & Pig Mac N’ Cheese incorporates bites of pork, pimentos and breadcrumbs at Ida Claire.