Iowa is Home to One of the Best Cheese Shops in the Midwest

Just in time for National Cheese Day on June 4th, an Iowa cheese shop has been recognized as one of the best in the Midwest by Midwest Living!

Midwest Living's list of the best cheese shops in the Midwest was curated by Erika Kubick, the author of Cheese Sex Death: A Bible for the Cheese Obsessed. Out of the ten shops listed, one of them is here in the state of Iowa. That's The Cheese Shop of Des Moines!

The Cheese Shop of Des Moines is located at 833 42nd Street and is owned by C.J. and Kari Bienert. The official website says that they proudly offer "over 100 artisan and farmhouse cheeses, craft beer and wine, cured meats, a limited food menu, plus events and workshops in a cozy atmosphere."

In addition to all different cheeses available, the Cheese Shop of Des Moines also offers gift baskets and picnic baskets. The picnic baskets contain "four artisan cheeses selected by our mongers for peak flavor, two kinds of La Quercia cured meats, two packages of crackers, two condiments, artisan chocolate, Marcona almonds, olives, & four 16-oz. cans of beer or a bottle of wine," plus a wood serving board. Both the gift baskets and picnic baskets can be shipped nationwide.

Another cool thing about the Cheese Shop is that they have a Cheese Club! Orders are shipped out the second Monday of each month and have two types of seasonal cheeses (1/2 lb. each), along with food pairing suggestions.

According to Midwest Living, the Cheese Shop of Des Moines has a sister restaurant called Cheese Bar. The menu offers "house-made charcuterie, to-die-for grilled cheeses, and soon-to-be World-Famous Cast-Iron Mac & Cheese." You can also order authentic Swiss fondue and raclette melted over confit potatoes. YUM.

We have some awesome places to get cheese here in Eastern Iowa! Check out Frisian Farms Cheese House in Leighton, Kalona Creamery, Milton Creamery, Brix Cheese Shop & Wine Bar in Iowa City, Dan & Debbie's Creamery in Ely, and Hansen's Dairy in Waterloo and Cedar Falls.