A recipe for Grilled Mac and Cheese Sandwich inspired by our time in Georgetown, Washington, D.C! Leftover Mac and cheese is used as the base for this rich and creamy sandwich.
Georgetown
Georgetown is the oldest neighborhood in Washington, D.C. It was founded in 1751 as a port town in Maryland and became a part of the District of Columbia when it was established in 1791.
The area is home to Georgetown University, historical sites, embassies, a variety of fantastic restaurants and cafes, and plenty of shopping. It is also incredibly dog friendly.
The photos and food stops included in this post are a mixture of 2016-2018 and 2022/2023.
Getting to Georgetown
When not peak travel season, it is usually easy for me to find street parking early on a Sunday morning. There are also a few lots and garages.
There is not a specific metro stop for the neighborhood, but it is a 0.5 mile (800 meter) walk from two different Metro Stations depending on the area in Georgetown you are visiting.
Rosslyn Metro Station in Northern Virginia is the closest to the western side of Georgetown. The walk offers some beautiful views across the Key Bridge, but it definitely gets cold on windy, winter days.
Foggy Bottom Station is closer to the eastern side of Georgetown. Both stations are along the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines.
Another seasonal (March-December) option is taking the water taxi from Old Town Alexandria and the Wharf.
Georgetown Waterfront
Along the Potomac River are Georgetown’s Washington Harbour and Georgetown Waterfront Park.
Washington Harbour has casual and upscale restaurants with waterfront views, seasonal ice skating, and special events.
Completed in 2011, Georgetown Waterfront Park runs along the Potomac from the Key Bridge to 31st Street.
Say Cheese
Say Cheese at 1132 29th Street NW has a delicious variety of grilled cheese and other sandwiches, soup, salads, smoothies, coffee, and sweets.
The shop has indoor and outdoor seating with nearby street and garage parking. It is on the eastern side of Georgetown and a little over a 1/2 mile (805 meter) walk from Foggy Bottom Station.
So far we have loved the Grilled Mac n’ Cheese, Classic Combo (classic grilled cheese with a side of tomato soup), Go Green (Monterey Jack, roasted tomato, and avocado spread), and Palmyra (grilled halloumi cheese with cucumber, tomato, and za’atar olive oil spread).
DAS Ethiopian Cuisine
Chad and I went to DAS Ethiopian Cuisine for a date lunch while the kids were in school. Located at 1201 28th Street NW, this restaurant features a variety of Ethiopian appetizers, salads, lunch, dinner, vegetarian options, desserts, and drinks.
We enjoyed Das Chicken and Beef Combination Sampler (Chicken Doro Wat, Beef Kay Wat, Beef Alicha- my favorite, Tikil Gomen, and Gomen), Shrimp Tibs (sautéed shrimp with onions, bell pepper, red peppers, and garlic sauce), and Tej (Honey wine).
Baked & Wired
Baked and Wired at 1052 Thomas Jefferson Street NW is home to the best cupcakes we tried so far in the DC area. We managed to visit when there were only a handful of people, but often walked by to see the cupcake line wrapped down the street.
They are open daily with a fantastic assortment of cupcakes, brownies, cookies, other baked goods, coffee, tea, specialty drinks, and a few shelves of merchandise perfect for gift ideas.
Along with their incredible cupcakes, I also love the OMG bar (layer of graham cracker, caramel, marshmallow, and bittersweet chocolate).
Same day and advance ordering through their website. If you are just getting coffee, there is a separate line to the right of the shop.
Old Stone House
Built in 1766, Old Stone House at 3051 M Street NW is the oldest structure in Washington, D.C. still on its original foundation. It is now managed by the National Parks Service.
The exterior grounds on the lot are open daily from sunrise to sunset.
The interior is partly closed for rehabilitation, but the ground floor with the America’s National Park Store and kitchen exhibit is open Friday-Monday 11 am-7 pm.
Ladurée
I originally planned on visiting Ladurée while in New York City, but then discovered that we actually have a location in Georgetown.
We enjoyed the variety of macarons, though I never tried the tea service.
Il Canale
We were lured into Il Canale at 1065 31st Street NW with the sample slices offered at the door. They definitely didn’t disappoint.
They are open daily for lunch and dinner with a focus on the cuisines of Sicily and Naples. The menu has a variety of appetizers, panini, pizza, salads, pasta, desserts, and more. The kids enjoyed a Margherita pizza while I had the Carbonara.
Levain Bakery
We first visited Levain Bakery during a NYC trip a few years ago and were excited to learn they opened a location at 3131 M Street NW in 2020.
They are open daily 8 am- 9 pm with a variety of cookies, cakes, muffins, bread, pastries, and coffee. On my latest trip, I got a Small Latte with Oat Milk, Dark Chocolate Chip Cookie, Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookie, Two Chip Chocolate Chip Cookie, and Oatmeal Raisin Cookie.
L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates
L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates at 1319 Wisconsin Avenue NW specializes in handmade chocolates, artisan pastries, and drinks (particularly their Drinking Chocolate).
Additional locations are in Boston, Cambridge, Chicago, New York, and Walpole.
I got the Small Caramel Latte, Bacon Scallion Roll (so so good! croissant roll with bacon and scallion crème fraiche), and a few chocolates for Christmas presents.
Yellow
Yellow is a recently opened Levantine cafe in Georgetown at 1524 Wisconsin Avenue NW. They have expanded their hours to 8-3 Tuesday-Sunday with evening hours coming soon.
The menu is packed with a variety of specialty drinks, sweet and savory pastries, breakfast items, wood-fired pitas, soft serve, and more.
I ordered the Baklava Mocha Latte (with roasted walnut, rose, orange blossom), Palestinian Olive Oil Pistachio Basbousa, Za’atar Ka’ak, Soujek Croissant with Armenian style beef sausage and Kashkaval cheese, Baklava Twice Baked Croissant, Orange Blossom Croissant, and Chocolate 7 Spice Cruffin.
Bitty and Beau’s Coffee
Bitty & Beau’s Coffee DC location at 3207 M Street NW has a variety of hot drinks, cold drinks, colder drinks (frappe), and baked goods.
Named after the founders’ youngest children born with Down syndrome, the coffee shop focuses on employing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The original shop first opened in Wilmington, NC and they will soon have 24 locations across the US and over 400 employees.
We enjoyed the Spiced Brown Sugar Latte, Rainbow Sprinkles Crispy Treat, and Cookies and Cream Cake Pop.
Kafe Leopold
Tucked along a cobblestone street at 3315 Cady’s Alley, Kafe Leopold is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with brunch specials Friday-Monday. Their menu is filled with Austrian and global flavors.
We ordered the Leopoldo’s Brunch Spätzle (Spätzle dumplings with bratwurst, mushrooms, Gruyère cheese, and over easy eggs), Melange (single shot espresso, steamed milk, foam, cocoa powder), and Mediterranean Breakfast (grilled flatbread, merguez sausage, sautéed vegetables, sunny side up eggs, and and homemade za’atar sauce).
Exorcist Steps
Built in 1895, the narrow, steep steps on the corner of 36th Street NW and Prospect Street became known as the Exorcist Steps or Exorcist Stairs after being featured in the 1973 film, The Exorcist.
They are now recognized as a D.C. landmark.
Call Your Mother
Call Your Mother: A Jew-ish Deli opened their flagship shop in Park View in 2018 and now have locations in Georgetown, Capitol Hill, Bethesda, Pike & Rose, West End, and Logan Circle.
They feature bagels “somewhere between a classic NY-style bagel and the sweeter, Montreal-style,” coffee, tea, accompaniments, sandwiches, and sweets.
The Georgetown shop is open daily 7:30-2 with limited street parking.
We especially enjoyed the The Mountain View (Bodega style egg, latke, American and cheddar cheese, and mashed avocado on plain bagel), The Thunderbird (local maple chicken sausage, bodega style eggs, American and cheddar cheeses, and spicy honey on maple salt and pepper bagel), Garlic Herb Cream Cheese, Apple Chai Cream Cheese, Black and White Cookie, and Chocolate Babka Muffin.
Grilled Mac and Cheese Sandwich
The kids loved the Grilled Mac and Cheese Sandwich from Say Cheese so much, we ended up visiting two weekends in a row! Afterwards, they asked for a version at home.
A couple of years ago, I made a Spaghetti Grilled Cheese for our Irvine, California post and used that as the foundation for this Grilled Mac and Cheese Sandwich.
Leftover macaroni and cheese (I used my recipe for Stove Top Macaroni and Cheese, but feel free to go with your favorite) is nestled between two thin slices of mozzarella cheese and sturdy sandwich bread, brushed with seasoned butter, and pan-fried until toasted.
To assemble the Grilled Macaroni and Cheese Sandwich
Brush one slice of bread with seasoned butter and place butter-side down on work surface.
Top the bread with one to two thin slices of mozzarella (depending on the size of your bread and the size of the mozzarella).
Carefully cover with 1/2 cup (115 grams) of the prepared macaroni and cheese.
Cover with another one to two slices of mozzarella and top with the second piece of bread.
Brush the top with more seasoned butter. Repeat with remaining macaroni and cheese and bread to make four sandwiches in all.
Place a skillet over medium-low heat. Gently transfer the assembled sandwich on the hot skillet. Cover and cook, adjusting the heat between medium-low and low as needed, until golden.
Carefully flip, cover again, and cook the sandwich on the other side until the bread is golden and cheese is melted. Repeat with remaining sandwiches.
A Few Tips
I used sourdough sandwich bread to hold the grilled cheese together. You want slices that are sturdy enough to not fall apart with the weight of the noodles, but also not so thick that the center doesn’t heat.
I used one thin pre-sliced mozzarella cheese for each side of the mac and cheese. This helps hold everything together. If your slices are smaller or the bread is larger, increase to two slices per side.
Cover the skillet as you cook the Grilled Mac and Cheese Sandwich to help melt the cheese as the bread toasts. Adjust the heat between medium low and low to keep the bread from burning.
Grilled Mac and Cheese Sandwich Recipe
Grilled Mac and Cheese Sandwich
Ingredients
Garlic Butter Spread:
- 8 tablespoons (113 grams) unsalted butter melted
- 2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Sandwiches:
- 2 cups (460 grams) leftover macaroni and cheese
- 8 slices sturdy sandwich bread
- 8-16 slices mozzarella thin slices
Instructions
To make the garlic butter spread:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the butter, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder to blend.
To assemble the sandwiches:
- Brush one slice of bread with the seasoned butter and place butter-side down on work surface.
- Top the bread with one to two thin slices of mozzarella. Carefully cover with 1/2 cup (115 grams) leftover macaroni and cheese.
- Cover with another one to two slices of mozzarella and top with bread.
- Brush the top with more seasoned butter. Repeat with remaining Mac and cheese and bread to make four sandwiches in all.
- Place a skillet over medium-low heat.
- Gently transfer the assembled sandwich to the hot skillet. Cover and cook, adjusting the heat between medium-low and low as needed, until golden, about 2 minutes per side.
- Carefully flip, cover again, and cook the sandwich on the other side until the bread is golden and cheese is melted. Repeat with remaining sandwiches.
- Serve warm from the skillet.
Sally Clark
Tara you are a woman with so many talents and I love your recipes and making me want to visit the many places you described better than most tour guides. What fun to watch the children grow.
Tara
Thank you so much!!
Stephanie
Finally, Grilled mac and cheese is a thing! I’ve been waiting all my life for this day – I used to beg my mom to make me this when I was a kid and she always told me that it couldn’t be done and the mac and cheese would never stay on the bread. Thank you! Looks delicious!
Beth
I cannot wait to stuff my face with this! I’ve never seen a grilled mac and cheese. It’s awesome!
Tayler
OMG it will be my new favorite! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!
Sonal
This is just drooldrums! I love it! Making it tonight with some tomato bisque.
Kushigalu
Cant wait to try this sandwich recipe. So delicious.