September 16, 2025

123 Speakeasy's Gary's Mac & Cheese

Tastemaker
By Lynda Wheatley | Aug. 31, 2019

123 Speakeasy — Traverse City’s Prohibition-style gem hidden behind the Front Street “tearoom,” Teatottalers — is accessible by password only. But if you want to enter a second state of bliss, whisper this phrase to your server: “Gary’s Mac & Cheese, please.” Part of the speakeasy’s newly expanded menu, chef Gary Bates’ comfort-food creation not only is fun and easy to eat while drinking — think: cavatappi corkscrews drenched but not dripping in cheese — but also taps the tongue with a bit of bite, thanks to a solid pop of black pepper and an ultra-light addition of habanero that works like MSG (without the MSG) to make the savory flavors dance in your mouth. Other menu additions we loved: The fried ravioli with what’s-in-season pesto and roasted tomatoes, Grandpa Hitch’s Hodad Kansas sandwich (a simple meat-cheese-onion-tomato sammie with a stupendous secret sauce), and neat-to-eat boneless wings in jalapeno, an outstanding garlic parm, or BBQ — the latter made with Iron Fish Distillery’s Bourbon Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup. Need any more motivation? You can nab a half-off drink deal at www.whatsuptraversecity.today. Find 123 Speakeasy at 123 Front St. Reservations: (231)753-8841, 123speakeasy.com.

Trending

A Year-Round Pizza Joint in Elberta

When we talk about fresh, house-made, and hand-crafted at a pizzeria, that means fresh dough daily, in-house sauces, hand-gr… Read More >>

Lost & Hound

Americans spend over $100 billion annually on their pets and pet-related products and services. With that kind of investment… Read More >>

TC State Park Construction: September Update

The $8.5 million Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park renovation will become more visible starting this week. Per the … Read More >>

Fall-O-Ween in Gaylord

If you’re already starting to get the Halloween itch—decorations up, costume ready, bags of candy half-consumed&… Read More >>