What: The Buffalo blue mac and cheese

Where: I Heart Mac and Cheese, 190 S. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs

How much: $10.95

Contact: 760-531-7900; iheartmacandcheese.com

Why: It actually tastes like Buffalo wings.

The anticipated arrival of I Heart Mac and Cheese in Palm Springs created an understandable buzz. I mean … a whole restaurant dedicated to mac and cheese? Amazing!

In actuality, I Heart Mac and Cheese offers far more than macaroni and cheese. For those trying to avoid carbs, all of the “bowls” are available with broccoli, cauliflower or quinoa, in addition to macaroni. The menu also includes a lot of grilled cheese sandwiches (with tomato soup!), “tacoronis” and various other items?

So … does I Heart Mac and Cheese live up to the buzz?

The Buffalo blue mac and cheese certainly does. Of all the items we sampled on our recent visit, it was the one we kept taking bites of, even after we were full. Chicken, blue cheese and, of course, Buffalo sauce were mixed with the pasta along with bits of celery and carrots. Seeing as all these ingredients, save macaroni, are what one would find on a typical plate of Buffalo wings, it’s no surprise the dish had a Buffalo-wing vibe—but, man, was it good.

Otherwise, I must confess to mixed feelings about I Heart Mac and Cheese—largely because every bowl and serving utensil is made of plastic, and goes right in the trash when each diner is finished. Nowhere in the restaurant or on I Heart Mac and Cheese’s website is this addressed, at least that I could find. (The company that makes the bowls has a vague reference to the packaging being “sustainable” on its website.) If all this plastic is being legitimately recycled, I Heart Mac and Cheese should tout that—and if it’s not … well, yikes.

I’ll return for the Buffalo blue mac and cheese—but I’d feel a lot better about doing so if the company addressed its packaging.

The Indy Endorsement: The Buffalo Blue Mac and Cheese at I Heart Mac and Cheese is a story from Coachella Valley Independent, the Coachella Valley’s alternative news source.