Macadoo’s Nod To Simpler Times
By The Foodies./ foodie@longislandernews.com

Northport’s Macadoo’s Grill takes the trappings of a simpler time – when burgers and milk shakes were king at the roadside diner – and puts its own, inventive spin on it while maintaining the original magic.

The brainchild of Northport native Nicole “Nappy” Offermann, Macadoo’s opened last July. She has also owned Batata Café next door for the last seven years; her father, Nick, runs Barrister’s Coffee and Tea in the back of Batata Café.

Nicole’s goal with Macadoo’s was to create a menu of comfort foods with an extensive burger list – everything you’d think of at a summertime barbecue – coupled with fun appetizers unique to the area.

“I don’t think there’s a place like this, and Northport really needed it,” she said.
Nicole started us off with hearty chili ($4.95 cup, $6.95 bowl for beef or turkey; $1 less for three-bean vegan). Topped with a dollop of sour cream, chopped onions and cheese, it has a nice kick to it and sets the mood well. Fans of fried pickle spears ($5.95) will be pleased with breaded, salty dill spears and homemade honey mustard.

Classic Buffalo wings ($6.95 for eight, $9.95 for 12 and $14.95 for 20) are baked, then fried lightly, to keep the chicken tender and juicy. The lip-smacking, finger-licking buffalo sauce has plenty of heat without being overpowering. For New Orleans flair, check out the peppery gumbo ($5.95 cup; $7.95 bowl), loaded with Andouille Sausage and shrimp.

Next up was tender, lean brisket, topped with superb homemade, sweet and tangy barbecue sauce. Brisket is one of several items available as a platter ($13.95 with one side/$15.95 with two) or on a roll ($7.95.) Juicy, savory pulled pork ($5.95 on a roll; $11.95/$13.95 as platters) is another winner – try it on a roll with homemade coleslaw. If you dig the barbecue sauce as much as we did, pick up 16 oz. for $3.95.
Baked beans ($3.95 family style) and macaroni and cheese ($4.95) are two of 13 available sides. Now we love the sweet beans as much as anybody else, but Macadoo’s four-cheese, melt-in-your-mouth mac ‘n’ cheese stole the spotlight – a perfect dish to serve family-style, find a spoon, dive in and conveniently “forget” to share. Mac and cheese fans must pencil in a trip to Northport as soon as they can.

In addition to the extensive burger list, we’re looking to check out their half-dozen salads, the Northport-Style Cheese Steak with peppers, onions and cheese ($6.95) and the chicken-fried steak ($5.95 on a roll, $11.95 with one side/$13.95 with two) on a return visit. Regardless of what you order, the most important thing to remember to bring is a hearty appetite.