By Morgan Owen
It’s hard not to be successful when the main item on your menu is macaroni and cheese. In the heart of Westchester, I Heart Mac and Cheese launched its first Los Angeles location. Opening the new franchise in Westchester was a leap of faith, says Colin Inatsugu, the restaurant’s lead shift supervisor, but everyone loves mac and cheese.
Officially named I Heart Mac and Cheese and More, the restaurant focuses heavily on a customizable build-your-own takeout model. The “more” stands for the other items featured on I Heart Mac and Cheese’s menu, such as grilled cheese and the Tacoroni,” a taco with mac and cheese insides.
Most I Heart Mac and Cheese customers order takeout, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t cultivated a warm and inviting environment for mac and cheese enthusiasts who want to sit down for their meal. For those who dine in, a bright and inviting interior leans on I Heart Mac and Cheese’s signature colors, romantic red and cheesy yellow.
“A highlight of the establishment is definitely the atmosphere,” Inatsugu says. “We’re focused on making sure that the customer feels welcome. Eventually, we’re going to learn (our regulars’) names because we take their name for the order. They want to come back because they feel a connection to all of us.”
Inatsugu says he has already started to identify some regulars in the week since I Heart Mac and Cheese had its grand opening on April 10. He says they’ve chosen their favorite dishes, often the staff and customer staple, the chicken Parmesan mac and cheese bowl. Preset menu items like that help newcomers decide what to eat when they are dubious about the build-your-own style, Inatsugu explains.
Customers can top their mac and cheese with toppings ranging from quinoa and broccoli to more cheese. I Heart Mac and Cheese also caters to those who have dietary restrictions. It has gluten-free pasta, vegan cheese and other plant-based proteins on its topping list.
The first I Heart Mac and Cheese location opened in Florida. It offered more or less the same concept as the Westchester location: customizable, made-to-order macaroni and cheese bowls. Today it is a fast-expanding franchise with dozens of locations across the country.
“I can see us opening more locations in LA. This location has had a good reaction from the community. We have people coming back regularly, and there are a lot of people coming to try us out. There’s enough excitement that I think eventually we can expand farther into LA and further stake our name into the community,” Inatsugu says.
I Heart Mac and Cheese and More
8601 Lincoln Boulevard, Suite 190, Westchester
iheartmacandcheese.com
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