If there’s one thing we know really well, it’s cheese. We’re not known as America’s Dairyland for nothing. Large and small factories across the state churn out the very best cheese in the world and you are going to want to take advantage. Whether you’re heading straight to the source and buying for a store right at the factory or stopping at a roadside spot to stock up, these small Wisconsin cheese shops are big on options, in not on frills. Here, in no particular order, are 12 small, hole in the wall cheese shops you’ll want to stop by whenever you’re near:
- Arena Cheese - Arena
Facebook/ArenaCheese We stop here on our way to head out camping and stock up on snacks. It’s a small little store with a window into the production area, but you don’t need frills, just delicious, wonderful cheese. Located at 300 US Highway 14, Arena, WI 53503.
- Maple Leaf Cheese Store - Juda
Facebook/MapleLeafCheeseStore Green County is really where all the good cheese is, so you know this store just east of Monroe is chock full of amazing locally made choices. Located at W2616 State Road 11 and 81, Juda, WI 53550.
- Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery - Ellsworth
Facebook/EllsworthCreameryCooperative Whenever we write about curds, tons of people in the comments mention mention Ellsworth. Head to the co-op and try everything they have to offer. Located at 232 N Wallace St, Ellsworth, WI 54011.
- Cedar Grove Cheese - Plain
Facebook/CedarGroveCheese Folks familiar with Milwaukee’s Clock Shadow Creamery should make plans to find their way here - it’s owned by the same folks. Plain is definitely a small town, but you won’t regret stopping off here. Located at E5904 Mill Rd, Plain, WI 53577.
- Cedar Valley Cheese Store - Belgium
Facebook/CedarValleyCheeseStore This store is really big - it just keeps extending back. There’s a wall full of fridges chock full of cheese. The bunker with smaller bits wrapped up and made for going into a gift box makes this a great place to stop. Located at W3115 Jay Rd, Belgium, WI 53004.
- Union Star Cheese - Fremont
Facebook/unionstarcheese Out west of Appleton, this spot is known for its curds and string cheese, so make sure to bring a cooler and stock up. Located at 7742 County Rd II, Fremont, WI 54940.
- Weyauwega Star Dairy - Weyauwega
Facebook/WeyauwegaStarDairy You’ve probably met them on Capital Square at the Dane County Farmer’s Market but you can also go right to the factory. Located at 109 N. Mill Street, Weyauwega, WI 54983.
- Edelweiss Cheese - New Glarus
Facebook/EdelweissCheese Please note, Edelweiss Cheese has permanently closed. This spot is a bit too fancy to be considered hole in the wall, but it is definitely a bit off the beaten path. There are imported foods, stellar chocolate and all kinds of cheese to be found. It’s one of my last stops before I leave town! Located at 529 1st St, New Glarus, WI 53574.
- Widmer’s Cheese Cellars - Theresa
TripAdvisor/BernardoF These folks make the very best cheddars, aged and otherwise, so it makes sense to go right to the source. Located at 214 W Henni St, Theresa, WI 53091.
- Gile Cheese - Cuba City
Facebook/GileCheese So far in the southwest corner it’s almost in Iowa, this spot is one of the best in all of the state. Located at 116 N Main St, Cuba City, WI 53807.
- Meister Cheese - Muscoda
MeisterCheese Nestled right along the Wisconsin River, Muscoda is in farm country and it’s an awesome little spot to stock up on some great Wisconsin cheese. Located at 1050 E Industrial Dr, Muscoda, WI 53573.
- Humbird Cheese Mart - Tomah
TripAdvisor/MNroadtrippers66 True story - last year I stopped here and spent about 10 minutes deciding just how aged I wanted the cheddar that I was going to buy for a road trip snack. I’ve probably never been more Wisconsin then I was in that moment. This spot is right off the freeway and across the parking lot from a gas station. It’s perfect. Located at 2010 Eaton Ave, Tomah, WI 54660.
Where are your favorite spots to stock on on our favorite local product? Let us know in the comments!
Facebook/ArenaCheese
We stop here on our way to head out camping and stock up on snacks. It’s a small little store with a window into the production area, but you don’t need frills, just delicious, wonderful cheese. Located at 300 US Highway 14, Arena, WI 53503.
Facebook/MapleLeafCheeseStore
Green County is really where all the good cheese is, so you know this store just east of Monroe is chock full of amazing locally made choices. Located at W2616 State Road 11 and 81, Juda, WI 53550.
Facebook/EllsworthCreameryCooperative
Whenever we write about curds, tons of people in the comments mention mention Ellsworth. Head to the co-op and try everything they have to offer. Located at 232 N Wallace St, Ellsworth, WI 54011.
Facebook/CedarGroveCheese
Folks familiar with Milwaukee’s Clock Shadow Creamery should make plans to find their way here - it’s owned by the same folks. Plain is definitely a small town, but you won’t regret stopping off here. Located at E5904 Mill Rd, Plain, WI 53577.
Facebook/CedarValleyCheeseStore
This store is really big - it just keeps extending back. There’s a wall full of fridges chock full of cheese. The bunker with smaller bits wrapped up and made for going into a gift box makes this a great place to stop. Located at W3115 Jay Rd, Belgium, WI 53004.
Facebook/unionstarcheese
Out west of Appleton, this spot is known for its curds and string cheese, so make sure to bring a cooler and stock up. Located at 7742 County Rd II, Fremont, WI 54940.
Facebook/WeyauwegaStarDairy
You’ve probably met them on Capital Square at the Dane County Farmer’s Market but you can also go right to the factory. Located at 109 N. Mill Street, Weyauwega, WI 54983.
Facebook/EdelweissCheese
Please note, Edelweiss Cheese has permanently closed. This spot is a bit too fancy to be considered hole in the wall, but it is definitely a bit off the beaten path. There are imported foods, stellar chocolate and all kinds of cheese to be found. It’s one of my last stops before I leave town! Located at 529 1st St, New Glarus, WI 53574.
TripAdvisor/BernardoF
These folks make the very best cheddars, aged and otherwise, so it makes sense to go right to the source. Located at 214 W Henni St, Theresa, WI 53091.
Facebook/GileCheese
So far in the southwest corner it’s almost in Iowa, this spot is one of the best in all of the state. Located at 116 N Main St, Cuba City, WI 53807.
MeisterCheese
Nestled right along the Wisconsin River, Muscoda is in farm country and it’s an awesome little spot to stock up on some great Wisconsin cheese. Located at 1050 E Industrial Dr, Muscoda, WI 53573.
TripAdvisor/MNroadtrippers66
True story - last year I stopped here and spent about 10 minutes deciding just how aged I wanted the cheddar that I was going to buy for a road trip snack. I’ve probably never been more Wisconsin then I was in that moment. This spot is right off the freeway and across the parking lot from a gas station. It’s perfect. Located at 2010 Eaton Ave, Tomah, WI 54660.
Looking for more delicious Wisconsin cheese? Check out The Great Wisconsin Cheese Trail Is Everything You’ve Ever Dreamed Of And More.
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