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    Hilmar

    4.1 (160 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 6:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Hilmar Photos

    HILMAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Classy
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Hilmar

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    Reviews With Photos

    Taking the tour / ice cream making experience that was lead by Natalia 8/12/2025
    Ben A.

    What a fun experience. I brought my 3 kids here for a homeschool field trip yesterday. We did the ice cream making & tour experience that was $4 per person. We started out by watching an informative video about how they make cheese at Hilmar Farms. We then went upstairs to the educational area where we learned a lot about the dairy process and cheese making in general. It was very interactive with cool stations along the way and a bunch of photo opportunities for the kids. Natalia was really informative and tried to make things fun for the kids and keep them engaged. After a brief explanation about each of the stations, we could go to upstairs. She brought us all into the classroom area where each of us were given a stainless steel canister and instructions on how to shake this canister to make our own vanilla ice cream. Natalia did a good job of incorporating different shaking techniques and songs to make things fun for the kids. The ice cream was actually pretty good and we've made homemade ice cream before ourselves. After we got done eating our ice cream, we toured the upstairs area a bit more where we were able to take a bunch of pictures and wave to the factory workers that we could view from above where they were making 700lb blocks of cheese. My kids thought it was awesome that the factory workers down below kept waving up to my kids. At the end of our tour we ended up going downstairs and getting a bunch of samples of cheese which were really good. My kids really liked the squeaker cheese. Then we went outside and toured their grounds where they have a huge mural for a photo opportunity and a waterfall and stream area you can walk around. We were here for about an hour and 45 minutes total. We were pretty bummed that we weren't able to do the cheese making experience, which we would love to do (maybe next time.) All in all, it was a fun, informative trip that my kids loved.

    Slice of cheese pie, $4.30 after tax
    Vic C.

    Hilmar Cheese Company Visitor Center is a good stop to consider, especially if you like cheese (there are 3 cheeses you can sample in the cafeteria). My husband and I made a stop here this past Thursday afternoon, on our drive back down towards Los Angeles. We came by around 12:45 pm and were able to find parking right in front of the visitor center. We took the self tour and read all the boards, which lead upstairs. Downstairs you can find the cafeteria, where we ended up having lunch. We ordered: Fish & Chips Daily Special, $12.99 prior to tax- My husband decided to order this meal, which came with 2 pieces of fish and a side of fries and tartar sauce. I did not have any of his fish but my husband thought it was just average. The fries were okay, but were not hot. Light & Tasty Meal, $7.49 prior to tax- This meal comes with a salad and a soup of your choice. I ended up choosing cheese chowder. Originally I had ordered a chef salad and decided to also get a soup. The employee taking our order had asked if I would like to have the light and tasty meal since it has both so I decided on ordering that instead. The portion for this meal was the perfect size for me. I liked that the salad was about half of the plate but the salad could have been better with more of the dark green leafys and less of the cheap iceberg lettuce. The cheese chowder was served nice and hot. It is definitely a very nice flavor and because it is a little on the rich side, the portion size was just perfect for me. I also liked the 3 slices of bread that it was served along side with too. Slice of Cheese Pie, $4.30 after tax- We took this this go and didn't eat this until a five hours later (we had a cooler with us so it was kept cold). The cheese pie was creamy, although the slice was pretty small. My husband and I both liked it. --------------------------- (Total= $26.37, after tax) Wait time for our food was probably about 15 minutes after ordering. We ended up sitting outside in the covered patio, although there is also plenty of indoor seating as well. This was a nice visit to have and would recommend this place to anyone. Even if you don't like cheese that much, you can learn about the process to make cheese and try their in house ice cream.

    Mural to far right of the entrance.
    Eilonwy W.

    If you want to buy cheese, or even stop for lunch, you don't have to buy the tour. The visitor center acts as a large gift shop, with cheese, wine, cheesecake, sandwiches, Dreyer's ice cream, a good selection of chi-chi jellies, and cow art. The sharp cheddar is the best in the Central Valley. Respect the heat warning when pepper jack is one of the sample cheeses. At the start of my sample piece, I thought "eh, it's not that hot." By the last of it, my mouth was on fire. Do get ice cream to get over that experience: they will let adults buy a child-size serving that's the equivalent of a single scoop at most places. Pleasant rustic ambience, nice staff, great selection of cheese.

    Come here for cheese sandwiches. And buy Cheese to go! Nice small museum upstairs and at end see them making cheese
    Priscilla L.

    Wow! Surprised I didn't write a review for this little cheese factory in the little town of Hilmar,CA since I been here twice! First two times I came on a custom tour bus and this was one of the stops. If you don't live out here, you would not know about this palace. It is near Turlock and Modesto, CA. This is a nice place because before the pandemic 2019, they would offer a self guided tour on the two floors of the visitor center. We also had a guide that came onto our tiny tour bus to drive around to the back where trucks fill up with milk and then drive off into the sunset. It was nice to learn how a cheese factory works from the cow and processing milk to make cheese! Boy do I love cheese! Give me cheese, and I be your buddy for life! Ha! Ha! Ha! Just call me by my nickname, "Mousey". I think this is one of The few working cheese factories that are open to the public. They have a small cafe in the back and the grill cheese is excellent for lunch and their slice of cheese cake is great! Order anything with cheese and it's great! There are other things to window shop like candy, jams and other food items and non-food items to browse. Nice little, peaceful place. Outside the main entrance if you walk to the side there's a mini park with a waterfalll is nice to walk around. Last year someone got me a whole cheesecake! Not bad. The homemade crust is unique and I can't tell what it is, but still okay. It's always nice to support local businesses when I can and if I am in this area.

    Cheese Chowder
    Katie B.

    Holy cow! Based on the cheese chowder and brown cow milkshake alone, this place gets 5 stars! I was here for a 2nd grade field trip. It was a lovely experience.

    Hilmar eating learning an ice cream was a very close second to being with a puppy
    Frank A.

    Amazing food in the restaurant Crystal clean facility beautifully laid out kids learn and enjoy about cheese and all the different factors of cheese and especially savor and remember the moments like my granddaughter from two years ago making and enjoying ice cream. I don't know how anybody can't rate this a five star compared to any other restaurant or manufacturing plant in the area. The variety of food to purchase is vast employees are all friendly and helpful and my granddaughter and I had another memorable moment in our travel exploration. I highly recommend it just for a stop in your many travels but especially for your children to learn how and where things are made rather than you get it at the grocery store.

    California Classic (half)

    The food was good! My sandwich combo came with a drink, cheese chowder, and a single cheese squeaker. I wasn't sure if I would like the cheese chowder, but I really enjoyed the flavor. Service was pleasant and quick. A nice local place to check out.

    Dining area
    Gail W.

    I think HCC is a nice place BUT I do feel they may not be "in-touch" with Customer Appreciation. Our daughter visited from Manteca and was adamant about getting some Cheese from Hilmar Cheese Company. She spent at least $100. We spent $25. I ask the person helping us if there was some sort discount and she said No. I am thinking isn't there a cheese company on Hwy 120? There was about 4 other customers present so clearly HCC could use some more customers and a 10% or 20% discount would possibly encourage the buyer to spent more and definitely will share the message multiple time. Give a little Hilmar Cheese Company, seriously there is an expiration date on and opportunities.

    Gift shop
    Jessica M.

    We came here for a group tour. The tour guide was nice and friendly and all of the kids and adults loved the ice cream making. They have lots of cheese samples and a cute gift shop. The gift shop is very expensive. The cheese is priced well. I love the variety. The food here is made to order and really good. There was also some delicious caramel chocolate chip cookies. Overall this place was really pretty and we will be back.

    Not thick cut bacon... thin ham instead.
    Emily W.

    Pretty disappointed with my sandwich. Menu says thick cut of bacon and I received thin ham. I asked cashier about the issue and she told me "that's what you get." I hope they at least correct the menu because I would have ordered something else..

    Rude cashier. Poor customer skills. Company should do a better job at choosing friendly associates.

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    5 years ago

    Chocolate chip is my absolute favorite!!! Such a clean and welcoming place. I'd go here as a kid all the time

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    6 years ago

    The food is really good.. nice clean deli and tons of great cheese options.. very pricey though

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    Hilmar Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Hilmar

    Is this place dog friendly?

    We have a park with picnic area and pets are welcome. Only service animals inside the visitor center. Thank you and hope to see you soon.

    View All 2 Questions

    Review Highlights - Hilmar

    My favorites are the cheese chowder (of course, made with Hilmar cheese) and any of the sandwiches.

    Mentioned in 9 reviews

    Read more highlights

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