Mac’s Diner is a new bar-restaurant that recently opened up in Downtown North Saint Paul. The diner is extremely popular with North Saint Paul locals, but not many people outside of the area have had a chance to try it. The food is absolutely delicious and the portions are great for the price.

Beer Battered Onion Rings

First up are the beer battered onion rings. For $8, you can get a plate full of crispy, deliciously fried onion rings. These onion rings are pretty large and you get a good amount, maybe about 10 rings. They come with the diner’s signature Mac’s sauce, a tangy and savory sauce that slightly resembles the sauce from Raising Cane’s. Mac’s onion rings have the just-right balance of onion, seasonings and batter, especially for those who may want something slightly less oniony. The deep-fried batter gives a great crunch and the seasonings give it a great, savory flavor that pulls through with or without the signature sauce.

Mac N Cheese

For $14, you can get a huge plate’s worth of Mac’s mac and cheese. The Mac N Cheese comes with cavatappi noodles covered in a savory five-blend cheese sauce, topped with diced onions and garlic butter gratin. I personally chose to take the diced onions off, but my pasta was still deliciously seasoned. The five-cheese sauce is a thick, incredibly cheesy sauce with a delicious savory taste that goes great with the garlic butter and cavatappi pasta.

The Mac Daddy

Lastly, for $14 you can get Mac’s signature burger, the Mac Daddy. The Mac Daddy consists of two burger patties, sautéed onions, American cheese, pickles, and Mac’s sauce slathered on the buns. The top bun is branded with an “M” and lightly toasted to perfection. The cheese is super melty, but leaves minimal mess, and the savory patties are complemented by the faint taste of onions. Although many people might feel compelled to take the pickles off, I believe they add a subtle crunch that really ties everything in the burger together. You’re able to request a vegetarian cauliflower patty replacement for an extra $3.

Overall, Mac’s Diner is a mouth-watering experience for anyone in the North St Paul area. From the perfectly fried onion rings and beautifully seasoned mac and cheese to their signature Mac Daddy, I would say that Mac’s Diner definitely places within my top 5 favorite restaurants.