Mac & Cheese | Price, Calories & Full Details

The Mac & Cheese at Dave’s Hot Chicken is the side that surprises most customers once they look at the nutrition numbers. At $4.59 and only 290 calories, it is lower in calories than both the regular Fries (440 cal) and the Cheese Fries (460 cal), even though it is a cheese-forward pasta dish coated in a warm, creamy sauce. The 14g of protein it delivers is also the highest of any non-chicken side on the Dave’s menu, which makes it useful for customers who want a lighter main course but still want the side to add some real nutritional substance to the meal.

There is also a functional reason why Mac and Cheese works particularly well at a hot chicken restaurant. Dairy fat binds to capsaicin molecules more effectively than starch or water does. In simple terms, eating a creamy, cheese-based side between bites of spiced chicken actually helps slow the heat build more than plain fries can. This is not just a flavor preference.

The fat in dairy physically attaches to capsaicin and carries it away from the heat receptors in your mouth more efficiently than anything else on the Dave’s sides menu. Whether you are pairing it with a 1 Slider with Fries, a 2 Sliders with Fries, or even a Single Tender ordered on its own, the Mac and Cheese is the side that does the most work at a spicy chicken restaurant. To compare all available sides, see all Dave’s sides.

Mac & Cheese Price

The Mac and Cheese is priced at $4.59 at most Dave’s Hot Chicken locations. It sits $0.60 above Fries and Kale Slaw (both $3.99) and $1.20 below the Cheese Fries ($5.79). Prices may vary slightly by market, so confirming with your local restaurant is always a good idea. You can find your nearest Dave’s Hot Chicken on the Dave’s locations and hours page.

Mac & Cheese Calories & Nutrition

At 290 calories, the Mac and Cheese is the second-lowest calorie substantive side on the Dave’s menu, sitting just above the Kale Slaw at 270 calories. The 8g of saturated fat is higher than other sides in proportion to the overall calorie count, driven by the cheese sauce base. The 14g of protein is the standout figure here since no other non-chicken side at Dave’s comes close to delivering that amount. For the complete macro breakdown including all sides and meals, check the Mac and Cheese nutrition facts page.

Calorie Comparison by Spice Level

Mac and Cheese does not have a spice level selection. The calories stay at 290 per serving regardless of what heat level you choose on your main order. The cheese sauce formulation is fixed and does not change based on your chicken order.

Allergen Information

The Mac and Cheese contains dairy as its primary ingredient. The cheese sauce foundation makes this item completely unsuitable for anyone with a dairy allergy or lactose intolerance. Wheat and gluten are present in the elbow macaroni pasta. The 40mg of cholesterol in the verified nutrition data suggests eggs may also be present in the pasta formulation depending on the supplier used at your location. Soy may be present depending on sauce ingredients.

Dave’s Hot Chicken shared kitchen environments mean cross-contamination with sesame, tree nuts, peanuts, fish, shellfish, and other allergens is possible even for items that do not directly contain them. For a full breakdown by item, visit the Mac and Cheese allergen info page.

Ingredient List

Pasta:

• Elbow macaroni (enriched wheat flour, water — egg may be present depending on pasta supplier at your location)

Cheese Sauce:

• Cheddar cheese (pasteurized)
• Water
• Skim milk
• Sodium phosphate (emulsifier)
• Salt
• Paprika (for color)
• Natural flavors
• Starch thickener (may contain wheat depending on supplier)

The cheese sauce used in the Mac and Cheese is the same formulation found in the Side of Cheese Sauce and Cheese Fries at all Dave’s Hot Chicken locations. The only difference is that here it is combined with pasta and served in a cup format. Ingredient lists may vary slightly by location and supplier.

What Makes Mac & Cheese Worth Ordering

The Mac and Cheese earns its spot on the Dave’s Hot Chicken menu through a combination of nutrition efficiency and practical function. At $4.59 for 290 calories and 14g of protein, it delivers the best protein-to-calorie ratio of any non-chicken side on the menu. The dairy in the cheese sauce also works as an active capsaicin buffer, helping customers who are eating at higher heat levels get more relief between bites than starchy sides can provide.

It is a smart pairing for any of the spicier combos on the menu. If you are eating a 2 Tenders with Fries at Hot or Extra Hot, adding Mac and Cheese to the order gives you a dairy-based break between tender bites that Dave’s Fries alone cannot provide. The same logic applies when you are ordering a 1 Tender & 1 Slider with Fries and want a proper third component to round out the meal. Even with a lighter order like a Single Slider or a Single Tender at Medium or above, the Mac and Cheese adds both nutritional substance and heat relief at the most affordable non-fries price point on the sides menu.

Price Comparison with Other Sides