We went here twice during our week long stay. The first time we met Johnny, who was friendly, knowledgeable, and easy to talk with. The selection of cheeses was good especially the cheese dips that Johnny explained was what they are most known for. There were many other very unique and awesome things in the shop other than cheese and food products such as tea selections, unique serving dishes and other housewares and decor. We didn't buy cheese the first day because this is one of our first stops in the village shoppes and had intended on going back before we left for the day but didn't make it in time before close. We did ensure we made it back before our trip was over for the week and took some of the fantastic cheese home. Upon our return, we met one of Johnny's sons who was just as great at customer service as his dad. From my understanding researching the shop's history, after meeting Johnny and his son, and then seeing reviews, we learned in our search that it was previously owned by two other men, and they were the "rude" people that other reviewers encountered and that Johnny and family have been trying to provide exceptional customer service and a friendly environment since. Ignore the naysayers and give it a try for yourself- you won't regret it! read more

We sampled but didn't make any purchases. The flavored (esp pistachio) cream cheeses looked yummy, but not at$9/tub. Nice staff. read more

An absolute amazing experience, we just went back for the second time. The cheese is out of this world! The customer service is also top tier!! read more

Love the horseradish cheddar and bacon horseradish. Pretty much any cheese is great here. Anytime I'm in the area we make a stop!

The conversations the variety of cheeses, the knowledge of the cheese. And the suggestions on the pairing of the cheese, quaint, rustic, love it. read more

I've gone 26 years without downloading this god forsaken app, but I did it just to leave this review. I got lucky during Oktoberfest weekend and won a free cheese spread from said establishment; so I picked the sharp cheddar spread. This spread is probably in the top 10 best things I've ever tasted in my life. Will be back again for more cheese ! read more

For a store about cheese, I did expect more cheese, to be honest. But what I found was delicious. Or at least, more cheese available for grab and go instead of a deli counter. There is a cooler case of spreadable cheese and it's fantastic. The Cajun lobster and provolone Chianti were both fantastic. Yes, they are more expensive than a super market. But they're also better tasting (IMHO). read more

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The only shop we weren't greeted at as we walked in. For a cheese shop, there was very little cheese to be had. Everything in the case looked pre-packaged too - nothing special, unique, or even attractive. Also, this shop has a WIERD smell. I get a cheese shop having a little funk, but this was an unclean, rotting, funky smell. Yuck! read more

Magnifico's Say Cheese - the entrance to the restaurant - Cheese Shops Near Me - Galloway, New Jersey

WOW WOW WOW! John was sooooooo helpful! We tried the sharp cheddar spread which was INCREDIBLE- especially with crackers. The dill cheddar cheese was also amazing... we paired this with pickled eggs from Smithville pickles! John was so much fun! They also had awesome plates & other great things for entertaining. read more

As a cheese connoisseur this shop has EVERYTHING and more you would ever need! The dill cheese is a MUST try - plus the owner John is an absolute Doll that makes the entire experience incredible! 10/10!! read more

I have a sincere love for Elderberry Jam and Jelly and for this particular flavor----it's hit and miss on the companies that produce it, so when ventured into Magnifico's and found they carried it, OH YA!! You bet your sweet bippy I bought a jar and at $6.95, sure it sounds expensive but you have to weigh how much you want something and the only other place I found that carried Elderberry jam that was as good as a particular "name brand" we are all familiar with---- is Vermont Country Store. Magnifico's is closer and the variety of jams, jellies and hot sauce is worth the drive and I was pleasantly surprised to see they carried key lime candy drops which are also part of my sweet tooth, gotta have list. Neither my Hubby or I experienced any issue with anyone that worked there like some of the reviews here, in fact there was an older gentleman behind the counter that was polite and helpful in pointing out items located in the back area of the store that I had missed. They had some tasty cheese dips to sample with those little pretzel sticks to use, just as I was just reaching for ONE (1) pretzel stick, as is customary to allow others to sample, much to my chagrin a wanna be "Tour de Cyclist" used the old "boarding house reach" in front of me and casually said (as if it was okay and excused his rude behavior and grubby finger-less bike gloved hands) "He just wanted the pretzel sticks not the cheese dip!!" I raised my eyebrows-- Oh really ???? ANND he proceeded to all but clear that little pretzel cup SMH!!!! Anyway.... I'll save the cheese dip sampling for another time, that Elderberry jam is so good, I should have bought two jars! I'll be back. read more

Lovely shop in Smithville for an assortment of cheeses, oils, salsas, spreads, marinades, and jams. The owner was a very nice guy too. Highly recommend trying the crab dip. Due to COVID there were no tastings at this time. As always, we will be back. read more

Magnifico's Say Cheese - a man walking in front of a store - Cheese Shops Near Me - Galloway, New Jersey

We absolutely love this place. They have a delicious port wine cheese, horseradish cheese, and lots of others. The shop is very cute and the merchandise is displayed beautifully. There are many unique and unusual items and it's fun to browse through the store. The owner is a great guy and fun to chat with. His staff is great too. We always make it a must to visit this shop every time we come to Smithville. read more

Terrible Customer Service! I visited the shop with a friend for the first time and we definitely never going back! The owner, Michael Magnifico is an ass! I wrote a review on the shops Facebook page saying that the sales associate was unkind. Michael Magnifico decided to respond back to my post with: "sorry cannot please everyone!! the customer is not always right!!" Are you serious? His response only validated my point on unkind sales associate. Obviously this Michael Magnifico does not care about his business and does not value your business if he's willing to treat customers that way. I'd highly suggest not visiting his shop if you go to Smithville. There is another shop a few stores down called Cook's Corner that sells almost the exact same stuff with much better customer service!! read more

Magnifico's Say Cheese - His amazing customer service! Highly suggest not visiting this place!! - Cheese Shops Near Me - Galloway, New Jersey

If I could leave 0 stars I would. I walked in with my girlfriend and proceeded to look at products in the back of the store. The only person working there asked if we needed help. When I politely declined, he told us that he remembered us from last week and insisted that we gave him problems. We have never been there before and informed him of that, he told us to leave the store. I honestly thought it was some candid camera show until he followed us out and told the other shop owners nearby not to let us in their stores. Don't go here, definite waste of time. I actually found the hot sauce I was looking to buy there, at Cooks Corner on the other side of the shops. I originally posted this review to their Facebook page. Within minutes, the same gentleman who wrongfully accused me of "giving him trouble" replied with -- "George you r nothing but a crook! Stay away from my shop You f@#$% bum You got us last week f0r $38 bucks! You come in again I call the police!!!" Great customer service if you ask me. read more

Why are these guys still in this business? Everything is WAY over priced! Save your money and just find another cheese store. Its very apparent they are miserable there. I've caught them elbowing each other and making fun of their customers too..also yelling at people NOT to take pics! REALLY? IS THERE SOMETHING TOP SECRET THERE??? we all know your MISERABLE! JUST sell the place! read more

Maybe they got a new counter guy, maybe I caught the cheese man on a good day, but he was lovely! It's so weird, since I even heard rumblings from other Smithville shop owners that this guy is a dick, but he couldn't have been nicer. There were equal parts hand made cheese blend things as well as packaged goods. One of the blends was a cheesy crabby concoction that we really enjoyed, and he graciously set aside for us while we shopped. There is also a deli counter looking area with cut to order cheese. I sampled a pepper cheese that was delightful. The packaged stuff is way overpriced, and I would stay away altogether. $4 for a little bag of fancy pretzel sticks to dip in your cheese? No thanks. Cheesy crabby spreadable goodness? Yes please! read more

DO NOT GO!!!!! Miserable staff I stopped in the store with my daughters, as I was picking out items to bring home, the owner called my daughter over to the counter, and started to berate her for checking her work emails in her cell phone. She was not speaking on the phone nor did the phone ring. Saying how rude it was!! Both my daughters walked out of the store, the owner saw my basket of items and and asked me if I thought he was being and A***H*** and I said YES,!!!! Then he stared to berate me in front of the other customers, I politely left my basket on the counter and he asked me what to to with it and I politely said you know what to do with it. Now my daughter is a hospice nurse and is on call to check her mail or text messages As I left the store 6 other customers followed and they all told him that he was an A** as well! Stay out of the store!!! read more

Magnifico's Say Cheese in Smithville is my favorite shop. I never go to Smithville without a stop here. There are always samples out of some of there great cheeses as well as dips and sauces. Remember, however they are samples, not lunch....which is a sample of Mike Magnifico's sense of humor. We always have a great time visiting this shop and always,walk away with a purchase and a smile. Don't miss this shop next time you are in Smithville for some fun conversation as well as some great pickings! read more

Just returned from a truly aggravating visit to this poor excuse for a business. Purchased 2 of an item we are familiar with and noted to grouchy man behind the counter that the price was very high. He said, "The prices have gone up everywhere." Later we went into the much friendlier Cooks Corner and found the exact same items for 66% percent less. Returned to not so Magnifico's and asked to return the items for a refund. In his condescending, arrogant attitude he refused to exchange the items for a refund. I explained the obvious price gouging and he just said in effect too bad. He told me to leave his store. I refused. I wanted to give him a taste of his own medicine. From reading the other reviews, this guy belongs in the hall of fame for most miserable obnoxious jerk store owner. STAY WAY! YOU'LL NOT ONLY SAVE MONEY BUT YOU'LL AVOID A TRULY UNPLEASANT INDIVIDUAL. read more

The guy behind the counter who I think is the owner (old and crochety) has to be one of the worst businessmen I've ever had the displeasure of meeting. I saw a tub of spicy nuts that I thought was interesting because it had my name on it. Before picking it up to purchase (and I absolutely was going to buy it) I took my phone out to snap a picture of it and this guy lifts his head up from whatever he was reading to tell me that I can't snap any photos in his store. He didn't ask if I needed help. He didn't ask if I had any questions. No. He wanted to make sure that I didn't take a photograph in his store. "I have signs up," he barked. Well, Mr. Idiot Shop Owner, when someone posts a picture of something they found interesting AND tags the location AND shares it with his 1500 Twitter followers and 500 Facebook friends, that my simple-minded friend, is called free advertising. One would think for a store in the middle of freaking NOWHERE-TOWN, NJ, they'd be much nicer and especially amenable to doing whatever it takes to please a customer. But, no. This man wants to stick to a pointless policy and insult potential customers at the same time. Dude, you sell cheese and other stuff you you re-sell. You sell nothing proprietary and put nothing at risk by a camera-wielding patron. read more

I asked for brie. Instead of getting it out of the display, they handed me some that was prepackaged. I got home and it was moldy, had brown liquid on the bottom, smelled terrible and was discolored all the way through. I called and they offered an exchange, but I live an hour and a half away. They are friendly and have a great selection. Hopefully this was just an oversight. read more

I've been there multiple times, I thought maybe the man (I'm assuming owner) was just in a bad mood, but I will never go back. Every single time I'm there he is extremely rude to me! Not to mention, the cheese isn't worth what we pay, I'm open to any suggestions to other cheese shops! read more

The guy who works here is an asshole but I still occasionally stop in due to lack of cheese shops, not a great selection I found some better varieties at Smittys surprisingly , still looking for a local cheese shop read more

Maybe these guys are heeding the advice of their customers! I just visited Smithville, NJ, and had a very enjoyable time meeting Bob, one of the owners, who was a fellow New Yorker. We enjoyed a pleasant conversation, suggested recipes and plenty of good tastings. As we didn't have a fridge, he was kind enough to hold our purchases overnight! An overall pleasant experience, an the cheeses were awesome! Give these guys a break New Yorkers are just a bit edgier lol read more

Terrible product and terrible costumer service along with that! Cannot get any worst then that! Will NOT recommend to anyone!

These guys are really rude,all the time. I'm local & visit Smithville every few months & always stop in the Cheese store to buy dips & cheesespreads. They are very quick with you & yesterday when I stopped in I was standing in line with two $9.99 dips & when it was my turn to pay, he said is this all your getting? Really? $20.00 isnt enough?? I guess they think we should all buy the outrageous priced cheeses?? If you ask a question, they act like they cant be bothered. Get the sticks outta your asses and after the reviews I've seen, be glad some people are coming into your store! I'm done going there. A freind told me to buy my dips & cheesespreads from COOKS CORNER in Smithville instead. They are slighlty cheaper & the staff is much friendlier,Plus they have fabulous flavored coffee to drink & to purchase and they will grind it for you right there. A smile & a good attitude go along way Magnifico, you should try it & your business may double. read more

Wish I could give them zero stars for being so rude! Seeing the other comments here, I am not surprised. Here is what happened to me. I went in to buy a tub of sun dried tomato cream cheese which costs $6. I was chatting with the guy as I was about to check out and he was nice at first. But as soon as he saw me pull out my debit card--debit card here, we aren't even talking credit--he changed his tune. He informed me with a very rude tone that there was a $10 minimum on charges. I said, oh, I only have about $3 because I don't carry cash. He snapped the tub away from me and said "cash and carry. It isn't worth it for me to do a small sale on credit. I lose money" or something like that. Now, I have seen several places post signs for a $5 limit, but I have never, ever seen a $10 limit before this. Even then, most of the time they have a very conspicuous sign up which offers to let you use your debit or credit card if they can charge you what they pay for the transaction--a quarter, 50 cents, a dollar, whatever. I was so taken aback by his behavior that I left the store saying over my back something like, "well, you'll lose sales this way." I heard him yell something about my buying a bottle of water or two to get to the $10 limit. I'm sorry. I refuse to be bullied into spending $10 when all I really wanted was a $6 cheese tub. I would have gladly paid a small upcharge of no more than $1 (that is, before he was so rude to me) but I will not buy things I don't want all so I can add $4 to my bill. It is the principle of the matter. Ok, so most people will not run into this problem. I imagine most people will have over $10 worth of stuff to buy. But it was his tone and attitude which was the real problem. That makes me want to warn people not to shop there, and I see I am not alone in having felt offended while trying to shop at this place. Also, someone needs to tell him to get his head out of his you know where and change banks or whatever entity it is that processes his credit/debit transactions. He should not have to insist on a $10 limit when everyone else with a limit sets it at $5. Sounds like he is being overcharged, unless he really could make money on a $5 sale but just turns his nose up at it. Wake up! This is 2012. Nobody carries cash much anymore. I haven't carried cash over $2-3 for so many years now that I can't remember the last time I kept cash in my wallet. The $2-3 stays there in case I need to buy a coke or water bottle, not in case I run into a snobbish store owner who only accepts cash for cheese. Oh well. He is in for a rude awakening soon. Atlantic City and surrounding areas are in trouble after the hurricane and it is only going to get worse. He may get tourists in his shop buying things in the summer months, but he will turn off the locals with his attitude. read more

I was there last Sunday and witnessed the old mustached guy with blonde dye job arguing with a customer. I spotted a cheese spread I thought looked interesting and figured I would pick up later when I left Smithville. When I went back to the store they were sold out, the heavier guy informed me that spread i wanted would be there on Tuesday. I went there on Wednesday, by bicycle, five and a-half miles in the heat. When i got there, the old blonde guy tells me they don't have it. I told the guy how i just took my bike over from Absecon to pick it up. he then starts yelling at me "Whadda you want me to do, the tubs didn't come." I am then thinking this guy is the worst employee anyone could have. If you are familiar with any kind of spread, they are in these really cheap plastic containers. I asked if there was anything else he could put it in and he snapped "whadda you want me to put it in a plastic bag? I replied "yes". He stated he wouldn't. When I got back home I was telling a family member and they then told me their bad experience with the same guy. Now I figure a couple of things here, one, the place is some kind of front and they don't care about the business, two, they are minimum wage workers and hate their employer's and their paper routes pay more or three, that most of their business is from tourist, not return customers (except for me now) so they could care less. I found that Cook's Corner, towards the front of Smithville, carries the same cheese spreads and coffees too. And the employees there are really nice. read more

These guys are rude & will rip you off! I honestly don't know how they stay in business. They have taste-testers with a sign that states something like, "try some, but remember this is not lunch!" Despite the ridiculous sign, I did like the cheese I tested & asked to purchase a half pound. The man apparently pretended to weigh the cheese because after I had paid, I looked in the bag and there was a pre-packaged 7.6 ounce of cheese. Besides the fact that it was not cut fresh, I was most disturbed that I was charged for half a pound, but only given 7.6 ounces! He knew he was being a fraud because he pretended to weigh the cheese...it was shrink wrapped by the manufacturer with the weight printed on it. They even charged me tax! There isn't supposed to be tax on food? Of course he didn't offer me a reciept, because then there would be a record of his fraud. I was not surprised to read the other 3 negative reviews. I will never go back either. read more