Holy Moly Macaroni brings soul food to Birmingham's burgeoning food scene

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Harlem-inspired restaurant Holy Moly Macaroni has opened its first permanent restaurant at Birmingham’s Grand Central this month.

The neon and graffiti-adorned restaurant joins the growing scene of independent operators at the shopping development, which has seen Thai Express and Tasty Plaice both open outlets there this year.

The restaurant serves an extensive list of macaroni and cheese options, including Cajun chicken and sriracha; mushroom and truffle oil with crispy onions; chorizo with prawns; and a vegan alternative made with sweet potato, cashew nuts and almond milk.

The menu also offers a selection of soul food plates, including spicy ‘yardbird’ with rice and beans and buttered greens; chicken and waffles; buttermilk chicken with fries; Cajun chicken salad; baby back ribs; and pecan pie.

The restaurant started out as a pop-up and has also had its pasta appear on Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch TV show.

“It’s been a real journey to help launch Holy Moly Macaroni in Birmingham,” says John Burke at the restaurant.

“In under a year, we have gone from dishing up proper macaroni at Digbeth Dining Club, to opening our very first soul food kitchen in Grand Central. Mac and cheese is real soul food; it helps to bring friends and family together in a unique enjoyable experience, and that’s what Holy Moly Macaroni is all about.”

Holy Moly Macaroni joins an eclectic mix of restaurants at the destination created by the Bullring, Grand Central and Link Street, which already houses Tasty Plaice; Comptoir Libanais; Thai Express; Mission Burrito; YO! Sushi; and Mowgli.