The InstigatorLooking for a food challenge? Belly up to the bar at Kraftworks Taphouse and prepare for something spicy. The local tavern’s Send it Back! Mac is a mouthwatering presentation that once consumed may have you questioning your life choices.
The brainchild of co-owner Karl Knudson and kitchen manager Darian Martin, Send it Back! Mac is a tongue-in-cheek reference to the fact that you CAN’T send it back. Even bar co-owner Liam Riddell will warn you — “I had two bites and that was enough for me.”
Touted as a dish “For the true spicy food lover” it features the bar’s original mac ‘n cheese tossed in hot sauce—”mouth-melting hot sauce” to be precise—and topped with panko breadcrumbs, bacon, red onions, cherry tomatoes, cilantro, more jalapenos and “another drizzle of that brain-burning hot sauce.”
“The jalapenos are nothing—they are like candy—it’s the sauce,” said Brian Hart. “It’s probably the hottest thing I’ve had in Salem.” Brian (as your author and editor will attest) is a spicy food connoisseur. “I ask for everything ‘as hot as you can make it’ and it’s never hot. This was hot.”
Of course, when we asked Brian if he would do it again. He was quick to reply: “Yeah, it was delicious.”
Bonus Content — We talked to more than a couple of people who have tried (some who conquered) the Send it Back! Mac, the overwhelming response was positive – these are spice-lovin’ people – but there was definitely a hesitation to share all their feelings. For those who consume spicy foods often, you may be familiar with what we talk about. One eater said it was rough on his “morning constitutional” so you have been forewarned! (Let us know if you try it! We’d love to hear your thoughts…)
This story originally ran in Press Play Salem issue 17 (Summer 2023)
