Fans of mac ‘n’ cheese are in for a treat with the September 23 opening of mac-O-licious in Valley Village. If that name sounds familiar, you may have seen the food truck rolling around or at local farmers markets. Or perhaps you saw owner/chef Kelly Chapman last month on CNBC Prime's Restaurant Startup.

Kelly says she has been cooking her favorite dish for 20 years, beginning in her hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, where she spent endless hours learning family recipes, however it's always been a dream of hers to open a “premiere macaroni restaurant.” Leaving behind a highly successful executive and philanthropic career with such brands as Microsoft, Eaton Corporation and AT&T, she took to the streets of Los Angeles a couple years ago and has been serving her cheesy goodness with a song—she can often be found singing as she works. Yes, she’s an award-winning musician as well.

mac-O-licious is located in a strip mall at Laurel Canyon and Magnolia. “When I saw the space for lease, my heart just stopped because I had been looking for a year and I knew it was right,” says Kelly.

It’s a tiny place with a handful of tables and banquettes designed with modern, sunny, Southern flair and a bit of kitsch—mac ‘n’ cheese/checkerboard fabric-topped tables, pillows and light fixtures; faux grass attached to the counter; and a chalkboard that lists the menu.

Kelly serves 12 types of mac ‘n’ cheese, including: Southern Original Baked, Frous Frous (with blue crab), Maine Mac (over lobster pieces), Five Cheese, Just Baking Mac (bacon), American Mac (asparagus and bacon) and Garden Mac (veggies). There’s also gluten-free, but the wait is 20 minutes. If you can’t decide, get a flight of three. Very unique are the Fried MacPops with crab and bacon in a creamy garlic sauce or just cheese in a marinara sauce. All dishes are served with homemade cornbread.

Since Kelly has worked the farmers markets, she struck up relationships with other brands that resulted in a partnership for non-cheesy items on her menu. Salads, soups, meats (grilled and BBQ chicken, sausage and roast beef) are prepared by outside vendors. Not to miss are the mini-bundt cakes (below), dubbed BCTW for “the best cakes in the world.” There’s also a “mac market” featuring sauces and condiments from her farmers market friends. A kids menu is also available, as are a selection of interesting drinks, including cranberry cucumber, raspberry lime, sweet tea and a green drink on Tuesdays.

Brunch is offered on Saturday and Sunday with sausage, egg and bacon combos, as well as brioche French toast, peach cobbler, biscuits, sweet potato pie and more. Catering is available too. Just a little bit of southern comfort and hospitality—and if you’re lucky, you’ll get a song to go with it.

mac-O-licious, 5217 Laurel Cyn. Blvd., Valley Village, 818-814-6220