Cheese is one of those food items that inspires fanatical devotion in a significant fraction of the human population.
People love fromage in all of its forms, and who can blame us? Whether it’s stinky, soft, aged, smoked, truffled, creamy, or crumbly, one thing is clear: cheese is no ordinary dairy product. Like many of life’s great pleasures, it’s all too easy to spend plenty of time and money enjoying cheese around Austin. No matter if you consider yourself a cheese aficionado or have barely graduated from eating whipped cheese product out of the can, any of these fine establishments will give you a cheesy experience to remember.
Contributed by Kelly McComas
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photo via facebook
3809 W 35th St
1601 W 38th St
Just about everything on the menu at Spread & Co. includes cheese. You're guaranteed a delicious cheese experience between their catered grazing tables filled with a variety of cheeses, charcuterie, fruits, vegetables, dips for large parties to their customizable cheese boards at their restaurant including their cheesemonger's choice of cheese and charcuterie paired with house pickles, mustard, seasonal jam, fruit, Marcona almonds, and crostini. Some of their other cheese offerings include cheese and charcuterie cones for a cheese board on the go, cheese and wine flights, and gooey grilled cheeses.
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photo via facebook
If you've been to the Texas Farmers Market at Mueller or Lakeline, chances are you've seen their goat cheese stand, and hopefully had the chance to try some! Pure Luck Farm out in Dripping Springs has been around since 1988, and today they are still cheesemaking and organic farming. They are known for their delicious and highly respected cheeses, as well as their goats who are cared for with kindness and joy. Their cheeses are great in salads, as dips, on charcuterie boards, and of course equally delicious just by themselves.
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Various Locations
We’ll just get this one out of the way, though if you’ve ever thought seriously about cheese in Austin, you’ve probably heard of Antonelli’s. The shelves at this old-style cheesemonger teem with artisanal treats and cheese accompaniments, from infused honey and fig spread to wine. Don’t worry if you’re a cheese newbie - behind the counter, a friendly Antonelli’s employee is always willing to share samples, pairings, and cheese recommendations to guide you to a selection of primo cheeses you’ll love. If you’re really serious, head to their website and try booking a private tasting or signing up for a cheese class to catapult your knowhow to the next level.
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The source of inspiration for the incredible cheeses made and sold by Joaquin Avellan is his Venezuelan father’s cheese recipe. This shop’s cheese is made with milk from grass-fed cows at Stryk Farms in Schulenberg, which lends it richness and depth. Cheese doesn’t get much more fresh or local than this. Find Joaquin and his cheese selection online or at places around town like Wheatsville, Antonelli's, and more.
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2115 Holly St
If you’ve somehow lived this long without a personal encounter with a burrata, we are honored to do you the service of introducing you to this, the greatest cheese invention in history. For the uninitiated: a burrata is a round pouch of mozzarella cheese stuffed with stracciatella and fresh cream. It’s kind of like a molten lava cake, but made entirely of cheese. At Launderette, you can order one of these heavenly blobs served with hoja santa purée, miso-pistachio crumble, tarragon, bay leaf oil, and some crispy bread for dipping. We guarantee you’ll be thinking about this dish for weeks after you get a taste.
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2025 E 7th St
This wine bar operating out of a converted apartment is one of the most low-key spots in town to enjoy some very nice wine and cheese. The cheese selections at Apt 115 rotate very frequently, but you can always count on an interesting variety of globally-sourced cheese and a super-grammable presentation.
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3110 Guadalupe St
Located right off the drag, Hopfields is a staple for a classy but casual evening of French homestyle cooking. Choose between their fromage board, house-made charcuterie, or the ultimate combination of both - The “Apéritif Dînatoire”. Whatever you choose, their charcuterie makes for a great start to a great evening.
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Where do you get your cheese fix?
