T.MAC Cary- Burgers, Beer & Family Friendly

I'm an All-American girl, and I love a good sports bar that can serve delicious burgers, Buffalo wings and nachos plus offer a family-friendly atmosphere. I found everything on my list at the new T.MAC restaurant in Cary at Waverly Place. T.MAC is short for Taco Mac. In 1979, a couple of guys from Buffalo, NY were looking to bring Buffalo wings to the South. With limited cash, they set up shop in a taco shack in Atlanta, and became Taco Mac. When funds became available, they had a choice to renovate the kitchen or change the sign, they opted for the kitchen, and the name stuck. It has since been shortened to T.MAC, but it's a nice reminder from where they started.

Last Friday, my 3-year-old son and I went to the preview lunch at the new T.MAC restaurant in Cary. I was impressed how the staff went out of their way to accommodate my son even though it was an adult function. One of the waittresses, Elisa brought Liam a kids menu with crayons. She sat down with him at the long booth that can comfortably sit a large family or the team, and played tic-tac-toe with him. Liam was served a kid's cup (plastic cup with lid and a straw) filled with strawberry lemonade. The restaurant uses the Coca-Cola Freestyle that offers 100 plus drink choices and they also have milk and chocolate milk for the kiddos. Their kid's menu is filled with kid favorites with a healthy twist- naturally raised 100% boneless chicken breast nuggets, natural, hormone-free grilled burgers, sliced apples and vegetable sides. All kid meals are $4.95 and include a beverage, a side, and an Oreo cookie.

Parents and beer enthusiasts will appreciate the 100 beers on tap, and 40 of the beers are brewed in NC plus 100 bottled varieties. If you prefer wine over beer, then you will enjoy the wine, cocktail offerings, and the Irish Mule varieties, served in a copper mug.

The menu offers a mix of appetizers, burgers, wings, salads, and Tex-Mex selections with an emphasis on fresh ingredients, natural and hormone-free meat. Choose between beef or turkey burgers and fried or roasted wings. The roasted wings have nearly half the calories of the fried wings and are equally delicious. Their sauces and dips are made in house. My favorites included the guacamole paired with tortilla chips and blue cheese dressing with the Buffalo wings. The wings were excellent, and this is coming from a girl that was born in Buffalo (born in Buffalo yet raised in the Carolinas). Liam devoured the Buffalo Hummus with pita bread, another great-tasting healthy appetizer.

Large flat screens canvas the restaurant. No matter where you are sitting you can enjoy watching the game. Liam loved the circular booth. At other restaurants, the circle booth appears to be fun, but it can be difficult to get in and out. T.MAC has literally put a new spin on this booth. It turns. It's like a life-sized Lazy Susan that your body fits into, and of course little man loved sitting here. If the T.V.'s, spinning booths, and coloring doesn't keep your kids occupied then send them to the small arcade room. Liam and I won a small Winnie the Pooh stuffed animal with the claw game. It was actually my first time winning at the claw game.

Whether you're looking to watch the game with guys, have a fun date-night or take the family out for dinner, you'll enjoy the food, drinks and atmosphere that T.MAC offers. T.MAC is open daily from 11:00 a.m. - Midnight.  Visit T.MAC Waverly to get directions or more information.