Dining Pick of the Week: Mac Shack

Mac Shack

8975 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 140, 702-243-1722; 8680 W. Warm Springs Road, Suite 100, 702-463-2433

Sometimes you want an Italian meal experience without all the white tableclothes and candlesticks. At Mac Shack Pasta Kitchen, that finery has been jettisoned in favor of a focus on comfort food. The menu is divided into three main categories: Pastas, Mac & Cheese and Salads. House pastas range from the classic spaghetti and meatballs to the Crazy Alfredo (fettucini, chicken, Italian sausage, shrimp, roasted red peppers, sundried tomatoes, mushrooms, jalapenos and Alfredo sauce). The Bottle Service ($9.25) is penne with sirloin beef, mushrooms and vodka sauce. You can also create your own pasta dish by selecting a pasta, a sauce, vegetables and a protein. The Mac & Cheese menu is a cheese lover’s dream: Pepper Jack, Philly Cheesesteak Mac, Truffle Baked Mac and Buffalo Chicken Mac are some of the choices. The basic cheddar mac is $7.75 and features Wisconsin cheddar and mozzarella cheese. The Grilled Mac & Cheese ($5.25) is for those who can’t decide between pasta and a sandwich. There are also soups, sides (the cauliflower gratin is $3.95 and comes baked with seasoned breadcrumbs and Parmesan and mozzarella cheese), meatballs and garlic breadsticks. If you’re looking for lighter fare, salads include the Green Machine ($5.95) with an organic blend of greens, carrots, cucumber, broccoli, heirloom tomatoes and watercress vinaigrette and Antipasto Salad ($9.95) with ham and salami. Entree prices average about $10. There are lunch specials and a children’s menu, and seating inside both the original Warm Springs Road location and the new Summerlin-area location is family friendly. Wine Down Wednesdays feature $4 glasses of wine and half off bottles. Mac Shack is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. For more information, including catering options, visit macshacklv.com.