Americans did not create macaroni and cheese. That comfort food classic actually traces its roots to Northern Europe and Thomas Jefferson famously brought the recipe back with him from a trip to France.
Jefferson served the dish at a state dinner in 1802, but it wasn't until 1937, during the Great Depression, that Kraft (now Kraft Heinz (KHC)) came out with its famed boxed version of the product that has established itself as an American comfort food classic.
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Despite the ubiquity of macaroni and cheese on American menus (and the fact that it's something fast-food burger chains have never made a success). That may be because kids simply want the Kraft version (and parents don't want to pay a restaurant markup for that) while parents are more likely to get there's from fast-casual eateries like Panera Bread or Noodles & Co. (NDLS).
Still, it's a little odd that something as intensely American as low-cost macaroni and cheese made with processed cheese has never been a bit hit at chains as uniquely American as McDonald's (MCD), Wendy's (WEN), and Burger King.
Now, Restaurant Brands International's (QSR) Burger King has a new mac and cheese offering, but it's not entirely what you would expect and it's not being offered in the United States.
Image source: Chen Jianli/Xinhua via Getty
Mac & Cheese Has Some Fast-Food History
Macaroni and cheese has made some appearances on U.S. fast-food menus. McDonald's tried offering it in 2015 as part of its Happy Meals kids' meals and as a standalone side dish. That effort never made it past a brief tryout and the famed pasta dish has never been a regular menu item for the chain.
Kraft did, however, have a promotional campaign last year where it lobbied McDonald's to add its famous macaroni and cheese to McDonald's iconic Big Mac sandwich.
"For years, we've seen our fans add Kraft Mac & Cheese to their burgers from the comfort of their homes," said Kraft Associate Brand Manager Christina Brown, in a statement shared with Thrillist. "But why can’t we make it easier for comfort-craving enthusiasts? We believe that the time for change is now, and we are hopeful that America's most iconic burger, the Big Mac, will start to add the most important mac of all."
Wendy's also rolled out its "Mac 'n' Cheese" in 2012, but it was not enough of a success to become a regular menu item or even a recurring limited-time offer. Burger King, of course, did have some success with its Mac 'n Cheetos, a deep-fried ball of macaroni and cheese dusted with Cheetos' signature "dust" in 2016.
Burger King Adds a Mac & Cheese Burger In Lithuania
Now Burger King is launching a new line of sandwiches at its locations in Lithuania that use a fried macaroni and cheese patty as a topping. That's a decadent idea that seems very American even though it's not being sold in the company's home country. The crispy-fried, macaroni & cheese patty is being offered in Lithuania as part of a special Macaroni & Cheese Lover menu, Brand Eating reported:
- Mac & Cheese Burger: A crispy-fried mac & cheese patty, grilled beef patty, grilled onion, lettuce, chili cheese sauce, and ketchup, served on a corn-dusted bun.
- Mac & Cheese Chicken Sandwich: A crispy-fried mac & cheese patty, crispy-fried chicken filet, grilled onion, lettuce, chili cheese sauce, and ketchup, served on a corn-dusted bun.
- Mac & Cheese Veggie Burger: A crispy-fried mac & cheese patty, grilled veggie patty, grilled onion, lettuce, chili cheese sauce, and ketchup, served on a corn-dusted bun.
Burger King has not shared any plans to bring the Macaroni and & Cheese Lover menu to any other markets.
