# Comforting Macaroni Side Dishes Buddy's bar-b-q Just Added Creamy Mac & Cheese as a New Side Dish By Katherine Pendrill | Published 2024-09-29 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/creamy-mac-cheese References: [prnewswire](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/buddys-bar-b-q-debuts-mac--cheese-on-their-menu-302253500.html)  The beloved East Tennessee BBQ concept, [Buddy's](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blazin-barbq-sauce) [bar-b-q](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fritos-flamin-hot-barbq), recently announced that it will now be offering creamy Mac & Cheese as a new side dish option. Starting Friday, September 13th, guests can now order creamy Mac & Cheese as a Premium Side along with their favorite dishes. Kids can also order a side of Mac & Cheese as part of a Lil' Buddy's meal. As Laura Luallen, Marketing/Community Relations & Project Coordinator for Buddy's bar-b-q, explains, "Mac & Cheese is such a culinary staple of bar-b-q and American comfort. We believe adding it to our menu for such a great deal will offer guests a wider range of flavors and sides to choose from." The new creamy Mac & Cheese joins other side dish options like Slaw, Baked Beans, Green Beans, Potato Salad, and more. Image Credit: Buddy's bar-b-q ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.4/10 - Popularity: 8% | Activity: 6% | Freshness: 29% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Comfort Food Revival:** The inclusion of Mac & Cheese by traditional BBQ joints highlights a resurgence in comfort food as a desirable menu option. - **Family-friendly Dining Options:** Offering kid-specific menu items like the Lil' Buddy's meal with Mac & Cheese reflects a growing trend towards accommodating family dining preferences. - **Premium Side Dishes:** Introducing Mac & Cheese as a Premium Side signifies an elevated approach to traditionally simple side dishes, turning them into more appealing choices. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Restaurant Industry:** The restaurant industry stands to benefit from incorporating beloved comfort foods into menus to attract a wider range of customers. - **Food Service:** Food service providers can capitalize on the growing demand for premium, yet familiar, side dishes that enhance the overall dining experience. - **Family Dining:** The family dining sector is increasingly focusing on creating diverse and appealing meal options that cater to both adults and children. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Brisket-Topped Macaroni Dishes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brisket-mac-cheese.md) - [Family-Sized Macaroni Sides](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mac-cheese-family-side.md) - [Macaroni and Cheese Dishes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pdq-mac-and-cheese.md) - [Cheesy BBQ Chicken Pastas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mac-n-cheese-dishes.md) - [Comforting Side Dish Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crazy-great-sides.md) - [BBQ Chicken-Topped Macaronis](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bbq-chicken-bacon-mac-n-cheese.md) - [Flavor-Packed Macaroni Dishes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wing-snob-mac-and-cheese.md) - [Cheese-Filled QSR Combos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/schlotzskys-mac-and-cheese.md) - [Cheesy Artisan-Style Pastas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/noodles-company-mac-cheese.md)