How many dishes could you possibly make with noodles?  At Noodles & Co., the possibilities are endless.

The first thing we noticed at Noodles & Co.  was the atmosphere.  The restaurant’s windows allowed sunlight to fill the restaurant, providing a warm and welcoming environment complemented by the smell of perfectly sautéed noodles.

We were eager to begin our meal, and as we piled into the line to order, we were struck by the wide selection on the menu.

We decided on the Wisconsin mac and cheese.  “Noodles” offered a limited-time special on their mac and cheese options, including Bacon, Mac, and Cheeseburger, Truffle Mac with Baby Portabellas, and Southwestern Chili Mac variations of the dish.

One word describes the Southwestern Chili Mac that we ordered: delicious.

The macaroni and the perfect blend of cheese meshed perfectly with the not too spicy chili, giving the dish a tangy, yet smooth taste.

In addition to the special, we ordered the restaurant’s simple, classic dish: buttered noodles.  The dish is great for people who prefer simple food without the blandness.  A slight hint of Italian seasonings complemented the wavy egg noodles and shredded parmesan cheese.  Simple but scrumptious.

Soup and salads are also available so we ordered a chicken Caesar salad. The lettuce was crisp and refreshing. The croutons, cheese, and a juicy chicken breast blended well with just the right amount of each to mix with the lettuce. The chicken breast was seasoned well and also cooked to perfection. It is one of the best chicken Caesar salads around.

Overall, we loved Noodles & Co. and really could find nothing to complain about.  We recommend this restaurant for a casual outing with family or friends, or if you just have a craving for pasta.

Hilary Weidner and Elizabeth Tauber are A&E Editors and Stephanie Laird is a Sports Editor for “The Patriot” and jcpatriot.com.