10 Wisconsin Spots Serving Cheese Curds That’ll Blow Your Mind

Wisconsin and cheese go together like summer and sunshine – it’s simply a perfect match! The state’s signature treat, cheese curds, are fresh nuggets of cheesy goodness that squeak when you bite them. From small family creameries to iconic cheese castles, the Badger State offers countless spots where cheese lovers can find these delicious morsels in their freshest, most authentic form.

1. Renard’s Cheese, Sturgeon Bay

Family-owned since 1961, Renard’s Cheese creates some of Door County’s most celebrated cheese curds. Their curds arrive fresh daily, offering that signature squeak cheese enthusiasts crave.

Visitors rave about the variety – from classic white and yellow cheddar to adventurous flavors like garlic dill and spicy Cajun. The shop’s rustic charm adds to the experience.

Don’t miss their cheese store tour where you can watch master cheesemakers at work through viewing windows, giving you a behind-the-scenes look at Wisconsin’s proud dairy tradition.

2. Cedar Valley Cheese Store, Belgium

Nestled in the small town of Belgium, Cedar Valley Cheese Store stands as a monument to authentic Wisconsin cheesemaking. Their curds practically jump with freshness – made daily and often still warm when customers arrive in the morning.

The modest storefront belies the treasure trove of dairy delights inside. Cheese lovers drive from miles around just for these squeaky morsels.

A fourth-generation family business, Cedar Valley maintains time-honored techniques while offering modern flavors like buffalo, ranch, and garlic herb that keep customers coming back for more.

3. Wisconsin Dairy State Cheese Company, Rudolph

You might miss this unassuming cheese factory in tiny Rudolph if you blink while driving through, but locals know it’s worth hitting the brakes for. Their curds are made the old-fashioned way – hand-crafted in small batches that maximize flavor and that sought-after squeak.

The no-frills shop offers a genuine Wisconsin experience. Watching the cheesemakers work their magic through the viewing window feels like stepping back in time.

Their classic yellow curds have a perfect salt balance and firm texture that cheese aficionados consider the gold standard of what a proper Wisconsin curd should be.

4. Mars Cheese Castle, Kenosha

This roadside attraction lives up to its royal name with a castle-shaped building complete with turrets and a drawbridge! Inside this cheese kingdom, Mars Cheese Castle offers some of southeastern Wisconsin’s finest curds.

A landmark since 1947, this cheese emporium does more than just impress with architecture. Their curds come in creative flavors like horseradish, taco, and bacon that push the boundaries of tradition.

Beyond curds, you’ll find an impressive selection of Wisconsin beers and wines to create the perfect pairing. It’s worth a stop just to say you’ve visited Wisconsin’s most famous cheese destination.

5. Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Ellsworth

Known as the “Cheese Curd Capital of Wisconsin,” Ellsworth takes its curds seriously. The cooperative, founded in 1910, produces over 160,000 pounds of curds weekly – making them Wisconsin’s curd champions by volume.

Their natural curds have achieved legendary status among cheese lovers. The cooperative has perfected a process that maintains that characteristic squeak longer than most competitors.

Flavor innovations like ranch, cajun, and garlic keep things interesting, but purists swear by their original white cheddar variety. Their retail store offers free samples, letting you taste the difference that comes from over a century of cheesemaking expertise.

6. Burnett Dairy Cady Cheese Store, Wilson

Tucked away in Wilson’s rolling countryside, Burnett Dairy’s Cady Cheese Store offers a genuine farm-to-table experience. Their award-winning curds come from milk produced by local family farms, often reaching the store mere hours after production.

The store’s charming red barn exterior welcomes visitors to a world of dairy delights. Inside, friendly staff often explain the cheesemaking process while offering generous samples.

What makes their curds special is the exceptionally rich milk from Wisconsin’s happy cows. The result is a buttery flavor profile and perfect texture that demonstrates why Wisconsin’s reputation for cheese excellence is well-deserved.

7. Scray Cheese, De Pere

Since 1924, this family-operated cheese factory has been creating curds that locals line up for. Scray’s curds are famous for being sold still warm – the ultimate fresh cheese experience that causes cheese enthusiasts to plan their visits around production schedules.

The modest factory store might not look impressive from the outside, but step inside and you’ll understand why Scray has thrived for generations. Their classic curds maintain that perfect squeak for days, not just hours.

Beyond traditional white and yellow varieties, their specialty flavors like dill, jalapeño, and Cajun showcase Wisconsin’s perfect balance of tradition and innovation in cheesemaking.

8. Wisconsin Cheese Mart, Milwaukee

Bringing cheese culture to the city since 1938, Wisconsin Cheese Mart stands as Milwaukee’s premier urban cheese destination. Their impressive selection features curds from multiple Wisconsin creameries, allowing visitors to compare different regional styles side-by-side.

The modern store on Old World Third Street pairs tradition with contemporary flair. Their cheese bar concept lets you enjoy curds with local craft beers – a truly Wisconsin experience.

While they don’t make cheese on-site, their careful curation ensures only the freshest curds make it to their shelves. Their knowledgeable staff can guide you through Wisconsin’s cheese landscape like experienced dairy sommeliers.

9. Ehlenbach’s Cheese Chalet Inc, DeForest

You can’t miss Ehlenbach’s – just look for the 50-foot mouse holding a massive chunk of cheese along Highway 51! This whimsical roadside attraction houses a serious cheese operation that’s been serving travelers since 1968.

Their cheese curds arrive fresh from local factories multiple times weekly. The friendly staff often let customers know exactly which day each batch was made, ensuring you get that perfect squeak.

Beyond the standard varieties, Ehlenbach’s offers seasonal specialties like cranberry curds during fall harvest. The Swiss chalet-styled building houses over 350 cheese varieties, but their consistently excellent curds remain the star attraction.

10. Mullins Cheese Retail Store, Mosinee

As Wisconsin’s largest family-owned cheese factory, Mullins processes over 1.8 million pounds of milk daily, yet maintains small-batch quality in their legendary curds. Their massive operation allows visitors to see industrial-scale cheesemaking while enjoying the fruits of this labor in their welcoming store.

The Mullins family has been perfecting their curd recipe since 1970. Their commitment shows in the consistently excellent texture and flavor that keeps locals coming back.

Famous for their exceptional squeak factor, Mullins curds maintain their characteristic sound longer than most. Their generous sampling policy lets you try before you buy – though few leave without several bags of these addictive cheese morsels.