Mac and Cheese -- on a PIZZA?

When I was a kid, and my grandfather was trying to get us to eat something alien to us, he used to break down the ingredients and convince us that, because we liked each of them, we would like the resulting dish.

``Ya like corn beef?'' he'd ask in his Boston Irish accent.

``Yeah,'' we'd say.

``Ya like potatas?''

``Yeah.''

``Then you'll like corn beef hash!''

Of course, this logic failed when I'd reply with, ``Well, I like ice cream and pizza too, but I'm not going to eat an ice cream pizza.''

I thought of this as I drove by Rock Island's Pizza and Subs one day and saw the sign advertising ``Mac and Cheese Pizza.''

Macaroni and cheese pizza?

Two great tastes that taste great together, or two great tastes that taste gross together?

Either way, being a fan of strange food combinations, I had to try it.

My wife, kids and I got it.

And we loved it.

Yup, even the kids.

Pizza and Subs' mac and cheese pizza is delicious - a creamy, cheesy, hearty, rich dish. It starts off with the restaurant's signature crust, and, eschewing pizza sauce, heaps on big elbows of macaroni slathered in a rich cheese sauce. Cheddar and mozzarella melt on top of it.

The result is something all of us loved from first bite. The crust complements the mac and cheese perfectly, akin to the taste of bread crumbs along the top of baked mac and cheese.

It is a dish on the rich side though, so you might not be able to polish off as many pieces as you normally would if you were ordering a sausage or pepperoni. But it's definitely something you should try. As my grandfather would say, if you like mac and cheese, and you like pizza, you should love it.

Pizza and Subs is only offering it for a limited time, so get yours fast. Give them a call at 309-788-7400, stop by at 3700 Blackhawk Road, and of course check out their website, www.pizzaandsubsqc.com.