New York has no shortage of restaurants people tell you that you absolutely have to try. But when friends or family come to visit and we have a little extra time, there is one casual stop I almost always try to include: S’MAC.
I have been going there for more than seven years, and it has become one of those places I genuinely enjoy sharing with other people. It is delicious, affordable, filling, and consistently a great value—especially by New York City standards.
If you are spending a few days in the city and want to try a seriously comforting mac and cheese, S’MAC is absolutely worth adding to your list.
What Is S’MAC?
S’MAC, short for Sarita’s Macaroni & Cheese, is a small East Village restaurant dedicated entirely to mac and cheese.
The space itself is casual and compact, with only a limited number of tables. You place your order using a self-service kiosk, choose the size of your skillet, select one of their signature combinations or build your own, and wait for your mac and cheese to arrive bubbling in a cast-iron pan.
It is not a fancy restaurant, and that is part of its charm. The entire experience is simple, relaxed, and focused on the food.
My Most Important Tip: Order the Smallest Skillet
S’MAC offers several skillet sizes, beginning with the six-inch Nosh.
I almost always order the Nosh, and it is the size I recommend for most first-time visitors.
It may look small when you see it on the menu, but DO NOT underestimate it. 😅 The skillet contains a generous amount of pasta, and with all that cheese, it becomes very rich and filling very quickly.
Unless you are extremely hungry or planning to share, the smallest size is usually enough for one person. I have taken plenty of friends and relatives here over the years, and the Nosh has consistently been the right choice.
The Menu and Flavor Options
The menu includes several signature combinations, including Four Cheese, Napoletana, Parisienne, Buffalo Chicken, Cajun, Mediterranean, and other rotating or specialty options.
You can order one of those combinations and add extra toppings, or build your own mac and cheese from scratch by choosing your cheeses and mix-ins.
If choosing just one flavor feels impossible, they also offer the S’MAC Sampler for $21. It includes samples of eight specialties: All American, Four Cheese, Cheeseburger, La Mancha, Cajun, Napoletana, Alpine, and Parisienne. The sampler is available for dine-in only, comes with regular pasta, and cannot be customized. I’ve never tried it myself, but it looks like such an interesting option—especially for a first visit when you wanna taste a little bit of everything.
There are plenty of toppings available, including bacon, roasted garlic, scallions, olives, mushrooms, broccoli, chicken, tomatoes, spinach, and more. You can also choose whether you want breadcrumbs baked on top.
My Usual S’MAC Order
My favorite order is:
- Nosh Four Cheese
- Slab bacon
- Kalamata olives
- Roasted garlic
- Scallions
- Breadcrumbs on top
This combination has become my regular order for a reason.
The Four Cheese mac is extremely creamy and flavorful, but the bacon, olives, garlic, and scallions help balance all that richness. The salty and savory toppings break up the heaviness of the cheese, making every bite more interesting and keeping the dish from becoming too overwhelming.
And I always add breadcrumbs. They create a slightly crisp top layer that works perfectly with the creamy pasta underneath.
It sounds like a lot of toppings—and honestly, it is—but each one has a purpose. 🤤
If you visit S’MAC and try my exact order, please come back and tell me what you thought! I’d love to know if you enjoyed this combination as much as I do. 🙃
How Much Does S’MAC Cost?
As of August 2026, most Nosh skillets cost approximately $7.45 to $11.20, before additional toppings, tax, and tip. The Nosh Four Cheese starts at $8.95.
Most toppings cost between $0.50 and $2.50 each, depending on the ingredient, so keep that in mind if you like to add several extras like I do.
A customized Nosh similar to my order will generally fall somewhere in the low-to-mid teens, depending on your toppings.
The larger Major Munch skillets generally cost around $12 to $16, while the Mongo size can range from approximately $20 to $28, depending on the recipe.
Even with the added toppings, I still consider S’MAC an excellent value. The portions are filling, the ingredients are flavorful, and the smallest skillet is usually enough for a complete meal.
Menu prices checked in August 2026. The order screenshots above reflect what I paid during my January 2026 visit, so prices may have changed.
Dietary Options
One thing I appreciate about S’MAC is the variety of alternatives available.
Most of their mac and cheese combinations can be prepared with:
- Gluten-free pasta
- Multigrain pasta
- Low-carb pasta
- Vegan and dairy-free ingredients
- A reduced-lactose preparation
The reduced-lactose option replaces the regular milk-based sauce with their vegan coconut milk base, although it still contains cheese. It is therefore reduced lactose, not completely dairy-free.
Their gluten-free dishes are prepared in the same restaurant as the regular pasta, so anyone with a serious allergy or medical condition should review the restaurant’s current preparation information before ordering.
You Can Also Take It Home
S’MAC also offers frozen mac and cheese kits and take-and-bake options.
This means you can bring one home and bake it later when you want an easy comfort-food dinner. It is a convenient option if you love the restaurant but cannot eat there right away—or if you simply want to keep one ready at home.
What to Know Before Visiting
Because the restaurant is small and has relatively few tables, it may feel crowded during busy hours. If you are visiting with a large group, be prepared to wait for seating or consider going outside the busiest lunch and dinner times.
The skillets also arrive VERY hot, so give your food a minute before taking that first bite—you don’t wanna burn your tongue and miss out on all that cheesy deliciousness! 🤣
And once again: start with the Nosh. You can always order more, but the combination of pasta and melted cheese is much heavier than it initially looks.
Is S’MAC Worth Visiting?
Absolutely.
This is not simply a restaurant I tried once and decided to recommend. I have been coming here for more than seven years, and I continue bringing friends and family whenever they visit New York.
S’MAC is warm, filling, affordable, and different from the usual restaurants people immediately associate with the city. It is especially good for visitors who have enough time to explore beyond the most obvious tourist stops and want a casual East Village meal that feels genuinely satisfying.
If you love mac and cheese, this should be on your New York City list.
Plan Your Visit
S’MAC — Sarita’s Macaroni & Cheese
197 1st Avenue
New York, NY 10003
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