The Bartonville Store is no stranger to rich history and tradition. The Store, selected by the Barton family, dates back to 1882, as the beginning of the town. The Store was a convenience store throughout the 1900s, and as time went on, it was used for countless town meetings and events over the years. In 2018, the House family purchased this historic building and has since converted it into a live music restaurant and bar that is still a staple for social gatherings. The owner, Tim, has shared with us the importance of keeping history alive through The Store, as well as let us in on a traditional family recipe.“There are some things that just can’t be reproduced, and both 'The Store' and my grandma Matilda’s Mac & Cheese recipe are worth keeping alive for generations to come,” shares Tim.
Tim and The Store’s chef, George, have worked together to create a fusion of their cultures. George has taken Tim’s family recipe and merged his Colombian background, similarly to how Tim has kept the original integrity of The Store while evolving it into something new. “I want to keep the simplicity of the original dish, but add just a touch of other flavors to intrigue your taste buds. What I came up with is a marriage of two cultures, their traditions and flavors,” says George. Try these recipes out for yourself, then swing by The Store to tell Tim and George how it turned out!
Serving Size: 10-12 people
Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Ingredients:
- Elbow macaroni
- Fresh, sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 eggs
- Milk
- Real butter
- Salt and ground pepper
George’s Additions:
- Corn cake base
- Jalapeno bits
- Pork rinds
Directions:
Boil macaroni until soft, not fully cooked. Rinse macaroni with cold water and place a layer in the bottom of the casserole dish. Layer shredded cheese on top, and repeat the layering process until the macaroni is gone. While layering, add lots of salt and ground pepper throughout. Mix 2 eggs with milk, pour on top, and add butter to the middle. Preheat the oven to 325° and bake uncovered for about 45 minutes (until golden brown).
To incorporate George's spin, place a corn cake base before layering macaroni and cheese. While layering, add in bits of jalapeño throughout the dish. Finally, top off with crushed pork rinds to get that extra bit of crunch and flavor. Now, enjoy!