No innuendo. I'm looking for some cheese.

My sister (and her family) are coming in for Thanksgiving this year and she fashions herself a cheese connoisseur.

I don't really want to spend a ton, but if I spent $100 on a selection of cheeses (in my mind as an appetizer with crackers kind of deal) for a group that will have other snacks to munch on before Thanksgiving dinner, what would you recommend?

cheese snobs waachha got?

You can’t beat fresh. There’s got to be a farm or two in OHio that specializes in some good cheese. Some Amish perhaps?

Otherwise, there’s a plethora of cheese shops to be had...

http://www.henningscheese.com/awards.html

http://samishbay.com

In europe cheese is usually served after the main course.

I like costco’s selection. Certainly Whole Foods would have a decent selection, as would sprouts.

I use these guys, a commercial Cheese Importer in Longmont, Colorado. They do retail, too, and have an excellent selection and reasonable prices (as far as fancy cheeses go).

I'm in Colorado so I just visit the giant Walk-In Cooler myself.

They get things even Whole Foods or Trader Joe's doesn't, which is pretty impressive.

http://www.cheeseimporters.com

I've been shopping there for a decade now.

Grandpas Cheese Barn in Ashland (OH) always has a great selection. The candy shop is next door and if you STILL had time there is always The Fin.

In my experience, companies which carry Locatelli wheels generally have a good selection.

Surprisingly enough, our local Sams Club and Kroger have quite a selection of fancy cheese.

Trader Joe's has a decent selection. This Beecher's is $12/pound at Trader but is usually tagged at almost twice that at cheese boutiques. They've got lots of brands/varieties under $10/pound. A nice Italian Asiago is $8/pound.

Locally, Jungle Jims. In Northwest Ohio, believe it or not, i love to stop at CheeseHaven in Port Clinton. We stop on our way to Kelley's Island and it is a real treat, IMO.

I am not a huge Cheese guy, but I do love some of the cheese available here, including a horseradish cheese.

Bobby Nelson Cheese Shop in Kenosha, WI.

Pinconning Cheese Company in Pinconning, MI.

Cowgirl Creamery is a high end cheese shop in San Fran.

I've ordered from them, sent selections as gifts across the country that arrived in perfect condition and even one day happened to talk to a cheesehead at a farmer's market who actually developed several of their cheeses through the regions were the cows came from on the coast, the type of milk and all that stuff a cheesehead would like.

This is so far beyond Trader Joe's (I shop there often so no slight to them) that a true cheese fiend would really appreciate this place. Expensive but once you taste it you'll understand why.

Cowgirl Creamery

quote:

Originally posted by Flashlightboy:
Cowgirl Creamery is a high end cheese shop in San Fran.

Our favorite cheese company, we get either the Red Hawk or the Mt. Tam cheese. Our local store Central Market carries both here in TX.

Find you some Cougar Gold

Guggisberg Baby swiss is the best. Sugar Creek OH

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:
Bobby Nelson Cheese Shop in Kenosha, WI.

The above for sure.

I was also happy to find some Red Leicester and Double Gloucester at the new Woodmans a couple of weeks ago.

Scardello Artisan Cheese in Dallas is my personal favorite. Great selection.

My local Earth Fare has a nice selection of cheeses. They occasionally have a cheese tasting set up. The guy that manages the beer and wine section here is very helpful with advice on pairing them with your beverage of choice. Of course I am easy. Just give me a hearty cheddar and I am good with whatever is in my glass.

Believe the Cougar Gold mentioned above is from the University of Washington (State of Washington) dairy program. They ship this time of year only.

This is an EXCEPTIONAL Cheddar cheese. If you like really sharp, white brittle cheddar, this is the stuff you want. I have had all kinds of sharp cheddars. This beats them all. It is really really good.

How good is it? Well, I have a sister that lives in Fla. I see her once or twice a year. We get along very well. She visited and liked the cheese - a LOT. She wanted some to take home. When she left she had - none....

quote:

Originally posted by Keenguy211:
Grandpas Cheese Barn in Ashland (OH) always has a great selection. The candy shop is next door and if you STILL had time there is always The Fin.

2nd this recommendation. Big selection. Very good. I71 and route 250. Right at exit.