?? it's not just for cheeseheads





explore minnesota | on our minds | grate stuff below | wood plate of sliced cheeses, bread, pickles, and walnuts [ [link removed] ]





by stacy brooks

Much like our next-door neighbor, Minnesota is home to a thriving cheese scene full of factory-scale producers and farm-based creameries. There’s a Minnesota cheese for every palate, too, including squeaky fresh curds, crowd-pleasing cheddars, and funky blues.






3 images featuring cheese: cubed cheddar next to bread and salad, a warm grilled cheese monterey jack pull, thick slice of mozzarella on a sandwhich [ [link removed] ]





where to get cheesy

a hand holds a paper boat of cheese curds in front of the giant yellow slide at the Minnesota State Fair [ [link removed] ]

Visitors can also find Minnesota-made cheeses at farmers markets, grocery stores, and specialty shops throughout the state, along with local charcuterie, jams, and other accompaniments for building the perfect board.

 

Deep-fried cheese curds are a *Minnesota State Fair [ [link removed] ]* staple and available at bars and restaurants year-round, but that’s only the start of the cheese dishes on offer. Minnesota’s chefs have a way with dairy; expect gourmet grilled cheeses, creative takes on mac and cheese, and inspired pairings with local wine and beer. 






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enjoy blocks of pepperjack, provolone slices, shredded mozzarella, over a dozen flavors of cheese curds, and snackable marble cheese sticks.
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dipping into local cheese shops

a closeup of Bongards cheese curd shelf. Garlic Jalepeño Curds and Hickory BBQ curds are in focus. [ [link removed] ]

Family farmer-owned Bongards Cooperative has been producing cheese for decades, and customers buy it *straight from the source [ [link removed] ]* in the co-op’s hometown. The store is stocked with the full line of Bongards dairy products, including blocks of pepperjack, provolone slices, shredded mozzarella, over a dozen flavors of cheese curds, and snackable marble cheese sticks. It also offers hot made-to-order cheese sandwiches. Don’t miss a photo opp with Bonnie, the co-op’s 20-foot-tall cow mascot. Another Bongards shop can also be found in *downtown Perham [ [link removed] ]*, which recently went through a bit of a makeover.

 

Burnett Dairy’s *Duluth location [ [link removed] ]* is stocked with an extensive selection of the Wisconsin-based creamery’s products, including truffle gouda, cheddar, cheese spreads, and string cheese. The on-site cafe serves cheese-loaded artisan pizzas and plain, garlic, dill, and deep-fried sriracha cheese curds.

 

*France 44* [ [link removed] ] in Minneapolis is a cut-to-order cheese shop with a superb selection of local and imported cheese, plus pairings like charcuterie, crackers, and preserves. Be sure to swing by the deli for a grilled cheese sandwich served with a shot of tomato soup or an individually sized cheese board. The shop is also a destination for cheese education, with regularly scheduled mozzarella making classes and wine and cheese tastings.

 

With over 150 different cheeses to choose from, *Surdyk’s [ [link removed] ]* in Minneapolis is a must for cheese lovers. Selections include cheeses from Minnesota, and various parts of the U.S. and world. Peruse the selection of freshly baked breads, artisan crackers, jams, chocolate, olives, and charcuterie to build the perfect cheese board. The shop’s deli menu features cheesy breakfast sandwiches and paninis.   






video still from a reel where a person puts together a cheese board. their hand is setting down a row of salami around two blocks of cheese. [ [link removed] ]





*BUILD AN #ONLYINMN CHEESE BOARD* [ [link removed] ]











find fromage-friendly menus

close up of cheese on a pizza with halved roma tomatoes, avocado, and corn. [ [link removed] ]

Wine and cheese are a natural pairing, and *7 Vines Vineyard [ [link removed] ]*’s wine bar in Dellwood features plenty of cheesy dishes. Each menu item has a recommended pairing with one of the vineyard’s wines, which are made from Minnesota-grown cold-hardy grapes. Try fresh burrata cheese with the True North Blanc or a cheesy mushroom flatbread with State of Hockey Red. There are also picture-perfect cheese and charcuterie boards.

 

Whether it’s mozzarella with jerk chicken, brie with apple, or chicken and bacon with pepper jack, the menu at *All Square [ [link removed] ]* in Minneapolis revolves around grilled cheese sandwiches. Go with a classic four cheese and a cup of tomato soup or try a jalapeno-spiked grilled cheese with a pile of cheesy loaded fries. Even better than the cheese-heavy cuisine is the restaurant’s mission; All Square is a non-profit that gives formerly incarcerated folks employment opportunities and the resources they need to succeed.

 

*Forager Brewery* [ [link removed] ]’s taproom in Rochester serves an array of cheese-focused options that pair perfectly with the brewery’s craft beers, which are brewed with locally foraged ingredients and wild hop varieties. Start with the handmade, house-pulled mozzarella. Next, try the Forager Burger, loaded with blue cheese and bacon, or the cast iron mac and cheese topped with panko and flavored with kimchi for an extra umami kick. The menu also features over a dozen specialty pizzas; the Big Cheese features smoked gouda, fresh mozzarella, and Parmesan.






*YOU FETA BRIE-LIEVE THERE’S MORE* [ [link removed] ]











Author Portrait of Stacy Brooks [ [link removed] ]



*Stacy Brooks* is a lifelong Minnesotan and Minneapolis-based freelance journalist who covers the Twin Cities dining scene for local and national publications. She loves walking around Lake Harriet, running through the woods, and hanging out at coffee shops with her knitting and a good book.











cheese celebrations

YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS

?? *Redhead Creamery Curd Fest in Brooten >> [ [link removed] ]*

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?? Cheese Festival in Pine Island >> [ [link removed] ]*

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?? Minnesota State Fair in St. Paul >> [ [link removed] ]*






"from top to bottom: Cheese plate, photo by Karolina Grabowska  |  Cubed cheese plate, photo by B Schneider  |  Grilled cheese, photo by Polina Tankilevitch"  |  ""Surdyk's sandwich, photo by Andrew Zimmern  |  Cheese curds at the Minnesota State Fair in St. Paul, photo by Andrew Parks  |  Cheese curds at Bongards Retail Store in Bongards, photo by Micah Kvidt  |  Video still of cheese board, video by Explore Minnesota  |  Pizza at Forager Brewery in Rochester, photo by Melanie Graves  |  Stacy Brooks author bio portrait""

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""This article has been edited for length and clarity."






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