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Mix 'n' Mac Gets Middletown Baked

MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. -- For six years, Middletown residents have been getting their comfort food fix at Mix 'n' Mac.

Jason Whipland, owner of Mix 'n' Mac

Jason Whipland, owner of Mix 'n' Mac

Photo Credit: Sam Barron
The menu board at Mix 'n' Mac

The menu board at Mix 'n' Mac

Photo Credit: Sam Barron

The restaurant, at 280 Route 211 East, features endless mac and cheese combinations from chipotle BBQ chicken to lasagna fiery steak. The restaurant's slogan is Mix It Up. Get Baked.

Mix 'n' Mac is the brainchild of Jason and Michele Whipland, a husband and wife duo fulfilling their lifelong dream of owning a restaurant.

"I have been in this business my whole life," Jason Whipland said. "My grandfather and great-grandfather owned restaurants and diners. It's definitely been an adventure."

While Michelle was on maternity leave with their first child, she decided she didn't want to go back to the corporate life. At 3 a.m., the two stared at each other and decided to sketch out a restaurant. 

"We knew about an opportunity here, there was a deli struggling," Jason said. "We dropped our 401K plans and cleared this whole place out. We worked so hard. It was all done with blood, sweat, and tears."

Opening Mix 'n' Mac proved to be a challenge. The restaurant was flooded by both Hurricane Irene and Hurricane Sandy. Within the first six months of opening, both Jason and Michelle lost their fathers.

"We believe their spirits are here," Jason said. "This place was our sanity. When we were here, it was a place to forget about it."

Mix 'n' Mac has developed a devoted following. People come from Rockland, Pennsylvania, and Albany to enjoy their numerous flavors. One man drops by from Quebec makes 14 orders and brings it back. 

Jason said he loves the lasagna, mac and cheese and the just added chicken and waffle mac and cheese. 

"If you think about it, we'll put it in a mac and cheese," Jason said. "Everything tastes good in its own way. "

For more information on Mix 'n' Mac, visit http://mixnmac.com.

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