Macubana

4.2 ( 272 reviews )

Checking... 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM See Hours

116 Welch Ave, Ames, IA 50014, United States

+1 515-337-1007

Macubana, located in the heart of Ames, IA, offers a delightful twist on the classic comfort food experience. Renowned for its creative grilled cheese and mac bowl selections, this inviting eatery has quickly become a local favorite, particularly among college students. The Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich, loaded with an indulgent mix of cheeses and topped with crispy bacon, has garnered rave reviews for its satisfying flavor and generous portion size. Similarly, the Carbonara Dream Bowl, with its rich Alfredo sauce and crispy bacon, is a dish that bacon lovers simply cannot resist. Patrons frequently highlight the warm, friendly atmosphere and attentive service, making each visit enjoyable. Customers like Betsy Harding sing praises about the quality of dishes, while Joe Roberts notes that the diverse drink menu, including fun Long Island iced tea variations, adds to the overall experience. While occasional service lapses have been noted, the food shines consistently. Christina McCleary’s feedback indicates that portions are hearty and well-prepared, making Macubana a satisfying choice for a late lunch or dinner. With its inventive menu and cozy ambiance, Macubana stands as a beacon of deliciousness in campus town, promising a culinary experience that resonates with comfort and creativity.

Accessibility
- Has wheelchair-accessible car park
- Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Has wheelchair-accessible seating
- Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
- Has no-contact delivery
- Offers delivery
- Offers takeaway
- Serves dine-in
Highlights
- Has fast service
- Has great beer selection
- Serves great cocktails
Popular for
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for dinner
- Good for solo dining
Offerings
- Serves alcohol
- Serves beer
- Serves cocktails
- Serves coffee
- Serves comfort food
- Serves happy-hour drinks
- Serves happy-hour food
- Serves late-night food
- Quick bite
- Serves small plates
- Serves spirits
- Serves vegan dishes
- Serves vegetarian dishes
- Serves wine
Dining options
- Serves brunch
- Serves lunch
- Serves dinner
- Has catering
- Has counter service
- Has seating
Amenities
- Has bar on site
- Has toilet
- Has Wi-Fi
- Free Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cosy
- Trendy
Crowd
- Good for groups
- Popular with tourists
- Popular with university students
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Accepts credit cards
- Accepts debit cards
- Accepts NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs available
Parking
- Paid parking lot
- Paid street parking

Joe Roberts

May 29,2025

A really good idea for a restaurant! A whole bunch of really good dishes that would slap on a drunk night out. I had the tomato, basil, and mozzarella dish. It was basically pasta. My partner had the barbecue brisket Mac and cheese, which was to die for! They also had a ton of different long Island ice tea flavors that were great! I had the Tokyo tea, which was awesome! My partner had the Nerds tea, and that was really sweet. It's not my flavor, but it's still good. Good prices and a good atmosphere! Right in campus town, so it's a perfect location for college students.

Betsy Harding

May 20,2025

So amazing! A total cheesy, carby, delicious meal. The service was quick. Everyone was friendly. The food was hot and delicious. My daughter got the grilled cheese. She was very impressed by the quality of the sandwich. She used the sauce that comes with it as a dip and couldn't stop talking about how delicious it was. She made everyone at the table take a taste.

Mike Smalley

Mar 1,2025

My wife and I stopped in and had a great meal. Great concept and variety regarding mac and cheese. The staff was very helpful and nice.

Bobby Chase

Feb 25,2025

Very good food. Jillian was very welcoming. She started small talk while I waited for my food and offered water. I ordered then monster grilled cheese and steak empanada. Both really good. Amazing creamy Mac & cheese perfect toasted bread. The only thing I would recommend is cutting the steak a little more so when u take one bight it doesn't pullout everything on the inside

Christina McCleary

Feb 18,2025

Stopped with my husband for a late lunch before the UNI vs ISU game. Yum all around. The Hulk Mac and Cheese was super cheesy and the pesto was delicious. The jalapenos on top were the perfect bite and the bread was great for wiping up the extra cheese sauce. We also got the chicken strips. I wasn’t expecting much but they were actually really good and the fries were a good mix of soft potato was a little crisp skin. We cleaned our plates and it was enough food to fill two people comfortably and not feel stuffed. Only let down was we didn’t get water refills and didn’t see our server except to order. It wasn’t crazy busy, but he seemed to be working most of the floor, so I’m just chalking it up to the staff shortage that’s happening everywhere.

Tippett Productions

Feb 17,2025

What an experience. Was given a dirty napkin. Found random fries in our Mac. No silverware. Food came out all at different times. And service was iffy. But good effort from our waiter. Good food.

Michelle Sorenson

Feb 13,2025

This place may have a new name since the last time we visited but we had an equally enjoyable experience for breakfast this morning. Creative menu, excellent, freshly cooked food and good coffee. The menu for lunch and dinner appeals to my ISU student too and she will likely be ordering carryout from here in the future. Server was absolutely delightful. Such a shame we were the only people in there at 10am on a Sunday morning. Give this place a try...you won't regret it!

Daniel Li

Feb 12,2025

Delicious. The Belgian Fries or poutine are some of the best fries I've had, and they are really, really, generous with the cheese amounts. Same with the mac bowls - just so much cheese... and it's all good. Make sure to go between 3 and 6 PM, they have some great deals (Mac Bowl from 12 to 8 dollars, etc) Also be careful, I burned my tongue on the first bite. The food is served HOT.

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