Tops Bar-B-Q continues to stay on top of its game.
On Monday, October 16th, Tops will launch a new item — “Bar-B-Q Mac & Cheese” — company wide, says Hunter Brown with Tops LLC. “After we introduced mac and cheese, it was a no brainer we get Bar-B-Q Mac & Cheese back on the menu,” Brown says. “It’s an item Tops had about seven or eight years ago.”
But this one will be made with the new mac and cheese Tops launched last June, Brown says. “We’ve taken our new mac and cheese — a healthy portion of our macaroni and cheese — and we upgraded our Bar-B-Q Mac & Cheese with an option of pork, chicken, or brisket. Enhanced with our Memphis sweet sauce. And then we add some of our famous dry rub and blend it all together.”
As Brown said in an earlier interview, their new mac and cheese is made with “fresh whole milk, tender macaroni, and real cheese (no powder stuff here).”
The new item isn’t a side item because of the size of the portions. “It’s certainly a meal,” says Brown, adding that “it’s a really good option for somebody eating on the go because it’s intended for folks to be able to eat it right out of the drive through.”
Another plus: kids love it, he says.
Tops tested Bar-B-Q Mac & Cheese at their newest location, which is in Cordova, Brown says. And it was a hit. “Absolutely phenomenal. The guests love it.”
The restaurant uses its Fire-Braised Chicken, which Tops launched in November, 2022, on the new item. “Fire-Braised Chicken made it to a couple of things since its inception. You can substitute chicken on our famous barbecue nachos. It’s a big hit.”
I tried the Bar-B-Q Mac & Cheese with all three proteins. And they’re great. “Comfort food” was the first thing that came to mind. This definitely is a meal. And I would add Tops banana pudding, which was introduced not long ago, to my order.
Brown says Tops only introduces new they believe in, never just for the sake of doing something new. “We want to really enhance the customer’s experience while highlighting some of the items that have made us successful over 70 years.”
Tops Bar-B-Q now has 17 locations. And, Brown says, “Number 18 is coming soon.” Stay tuned.
