Mac & cheese at Beecher’s is the dish people plan around
In Midway’s post-security Central Market (accessible from all concourses in Main), Beecher’s Handmade Cheese runs about $$ with mac and grilled cheese in the $10–$15 range. This isn’t a grab-a-bite-and-forget-it spot; people actually talk about the mac here as “worth the stop” in an airport where most food feels purely functional.
The headline order is the “World’s Best” mac & cheese, usually around $10–$14, with options to add bacon or chicken for a surcharge. It’s rich, salty, and dense enough that a regular size can work as a full meal if your layover isn’t long. Grilled cheese sandwiches run roughly $12–$15; pair one with a side mac if you want more food than a single bowl gives you.
Reviews consistently mention a 4-star experience overall but with caveats: portions feel small for the price, and during busy midday waves the mac can slide toward lukewarm if it’s been sitting in the pan. Lines in Central Market around the lunch rush (11 a.m.–1 p.m.) slow things down, and the counter sometimes looks a bit overwhelmed handling both orders and pickups.
Regulars play it smarter. If the mac tray on the line looks crusted or low, they ask for a fresh scoop from the back and usually get it without drama. Two people often split a large mac and one grilled cheese to stretch value instead of buying two full entrees at airport pricing. Folks who pass through MDW often say they aim for mid-morning or after 2 p.m. to dodge the worst wait and get hotter food.
Tip: Walk to Central Market with 15–20 minutes to spare before boarding, order the “World’s Best” mac with bacon, and check the pan before you pay so you can request a fresh batch if needed.