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This place is incredible. Came in last minute for a charcuterie board, selection was A+ and they have a MILLION options let them craft the perfect board and have a glass of wine while you wait. I'll definitely be back next time I'm in town. Service was really good and knowledgeable.
Cute lil place. Just join their cheese club so have to see how that goes. The cheese club is quite affordable if you do pick up locally. The service was very nice and had a lot of staff to help. There wasn't much place to stand so it got crowded.
We stopped by to dine in and try different items from their menu. We ordered the Monger board, which was very delicious gave us an opportunity to try a few things. We also ordered the raclette sandwich and a hot cheese, which I was surprised did it come with any crackers or bread. The prices are a little high, but the quality was very good. The staff were patient with us to explain items on the menu. It is not a big menu, but it is a fun experience. We did not purchase any cheese from the case, but it was amusing to see people come through and spend hundreds of dollars on cheese. I don't know if this will become a regular place for us, but fun to try now and then.
Absolutely love this place! The staff is always friendly and very knowledgeable. The food and drink selection is always has something new. We tend to eat out most nights so it's nice to always have something new to try.
Would I like a sample? Ohhhh, I don't know, it's such a difficult decision. What's that you say? A complimentary hunk o' Portland bleu washed in a pear wine mixture? Alright, alright, you don't have to pull my leg. From the adorably friendly "cheese man" behind the counter to the diverse collection of chutneys, jams, and jellies, this place is a little slice of heaven (especially for those of us who at any given time have 5+ different types of cheese in the fridge.) I was on a mission to create a cheese board during my visit, so I enjoyed being able to sample and find a mixture of options ranging from sharp and gritty to smooth and nutty that would please a variety of palates. And, if you're on a search for Iowa-based queso, The Cheese Shop is the place to go (easily spotted 10+ local options). I rounded out my cheese board by purchasing a ridiculously delicious spicy plum chutney (I'm stocking up next time), fig cake loaf and fresh bread from La Mie next door. My next visit is bound to be one of two scenarios: pulling up a stool at the bar to tip back some vino with a generous slab of Iowa cheese in front of me or 2.) attending one of their fondue nights (only $30 for 2 people - not shabby!). **Note: the strip mall this business is located in makes for an ideal afternoon mosy - oil/vinegar/liqueur shop along with fresh breads and pastries from La Mie.
I just walked away from my first visit to The Cheese Shop of Des Moines. Pried myself away, kicking and screaming, actually... The shop is not just filled with delicious collection of cheeses, it was also filled with a great sense of excitement, enthusiasm, and great ideas for using and appreciating the options available. Coupled with some solid knowledge about their goods and a healthy dose of locally produced items... ah, I could have hung out all morning in this foodie haven. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of waiting my turn at the counter (a smidge crowded though it was) and look forward to my next excuse to stop by and see what new and interesting wheel has been rolled in.
Acorn fed pork? Yes, PLEASE! Oh my goodness, you cannot imagine pork that the fat lusciously melts in your mouth like acorn fed pork does until you are eating it. Little slices of heaven is what I prefer to refer to this as. My cousins and I came here for a late lunch. Naturally we had a terrible time choosing what to get because the menu is extensive and everything sounded delicious. We settled on: 1. Burrata Toast - the fan favorite. Crispy french bread with sublime burrata topped with sprinkles of salt and pepper 2. Cheese Plate - 3 different types of cheese with local bread. Delish 3. Quince Paste - this is a must for me with cheese and this version was soft and creamy versus harder slices as I usually see 4. Fig Spread - also a must with cheese 5. Marcona Almonds - another must for me with cheese 6. Country Pate - not a fan favorite. It had an odd metallic flavor that we didn't love 7. Creme brulee cheese - this was a unique soft cheese with a flavor not unlike brie that was topped with vanilla sugar and bruleed. A lovely combo of savory and sweet 8. Lard cooked potato chips - not as earth shattering as I had hoped The other negative was that our waitress took our order and then disappeared. We would have ordered more wine but didn't have anyone come by our table and by the time they did, we were already done with our food. The runners were nice though and explained our dishes well. They also have a fabulous selection of local honeys and I got some delicious candy too. Overall a cute place but they need some work on their customer service.
OMFG! This sweet, sweet little place rocks outstanding Charcuterie and cheese! Des Moines is a happenin' little town and this precious gem certainly helps cement that impression. Killer salads and wonderful Charcuterie - what a find! Tip: Go off the menu and ask for their custom, Chef-selected Charcuterie board - see pic.
10 months ago
Quaint cheese shop in the middle of Des Moines right off of I235. Tiny shop with great selection of craft cheeses. Walk right in and was helped immediately. Good service and efficient. Able to taste test and try all sorts of meat and cheeses. Also a tiny bistro like restaurant to the side of the shop. Visited on Black Friday and it was packed out! Came for the craft cheeses to look for something unique. Walked out with $70 worth of cheese and salami and a loaf of La Mie ciabatta bread sold in this store. Pretty pleased with the whole experience. Would visit again! read more
One of my favorite places! If you're looking for the spot to get hard to get cheeses in Iowa, this is the place. I've been stopping here ever since I was in college. I used to be part of the cheese subscription but I found out there are some cheese to funky for me pretty fast lol. I recently stopped in for the first time in a while and saw they'd expanded their dine in area, where it used to just be a sandwich of the day and a table or two, they now have about 5 tables and a menu with multiple options. I think I can confidently say this is the best sandwich I've had in Des Moines! The service is always great and insightful, and I love the vibe of the shop. Planning on stopping in almost every time I'm back in town now! read more
4 months ago
2 years ago
This place is incredible. Came in last minute for a charcuterie board, selection was A+ and they have a MILLION options let them craft the perfect board and have a glass of wine while you wait. I'll definitely be back next time I'm in town. Service was really good and knowledgeable. read more
Cute lil place. Just join their cheese club so have to see how that goes. The cheese club is quite affordable if you do pick up locally. The service was very nice and had a lot of staff to help. There wasn't much place to stand so it got crowded. read more
1 year ago
3 years ago
We stopped by to dine in and try different items from their menu. We ordered the Monger board, which was very delicious gave us an opportunity to try a few things. We also ordered the raclette sandwich and a hot cheese, which I was surprised did it come with any crackers or bread. The prices are a little high, but the quality was very good. The staff were patient with us to explain items on the menu. It is not a big menu, but it is a fun experience. We did not purchase any cheese from the case, but it was amusing to see people come through and spend hundreds of dollars on cheese. I don't know if this will become a regular place for us, but fun to try now and then. read more
6 years ago
Absolutely love this place! The staff is always friendly and very knowledgeable. The food and drink selection is always has something new. We tend to eat out most nights so it's nice to always have something new to try. read more
2 years ago
13 years ago
Would I like a sample? Ohhhh, I don't know, it's such a difficult decision. What's that you say? A complimentary hunk o' Portland bleu washed in a pear wine mixture? Alright, alright, you don't have to pull my leg. From the adorably friendly "cheese man" behind the counter to the diverse collection of chutneys, jams, and jellies, this place is a little slice of heaven (especially for those of us who at any given time have 5+ different types of cheese in the fridge.) I was on a mission to create a cheese board during my visit, so I enjoyed being able to sample and find a mixture of options ranging from sharp and gritty to smooth and nutty that would please a variety of palates. And, if you're on a search for Iowa-based queso, The Cheese Shop is the place to go (easily spotted 10+ local options). I rounded out my cheese board by purchasing a ridiculously delicious spicy plum chutney (I'm stocking up next time), fig cake loaf and fresh bread from La Mie next door. My next visit is bound to be one of two scenarios: pulling up a stool at the bar to tip back some vino with a generous slab of Iowa cheese in front of me or 2.) attending one of their fondue nights (only $30 for 2 people - not shabby!). **Note: the strip mall this business is located in makes for an ideal afternoon mosy - oil/vinegar/liqueur shop along with fresh breads and pastries from La Mie. read more
I just walked away from my first visit to The Cheese Shop of Des Moines. Pried myself away, kicking and screaming, actually... The shop is not just filled with delicious collection of cheeses, it was also filled with a great sense of excitement, enthusiasm, and great ideas for using and appreciating the options available. Coupled with some solid knowledge about their goods and a healthy dose of locally produced items... ah, I could have hung out all morning in this foodie haven. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of waiting my turn at the counter (a smidge crowded though it was) and look forward to my next excuse to stop by and see what new and interesting wheel has been rolled in. read more
10 years ago
Acorn fed pork? Yes, PLEASE! Oh my goodness, you cannot imagine pork that the fat lusciously melts in your mouth like acorn fed pork does until you are eating it. Little slices of heaven is what I prefer to refer to this as. My cousins and I came here for a late lunch. Naturally we had a terrible time choosing what to get because the menu is extensive and everything sounded delicious. We settled on: 1. Burrata Toast - the fan favorite. Crispy french bread with sublime burrata topped with sprinkles of salt and pepper 2. Cheese Plate - 3 different types of cheese with local bread. Delish 3. Quince Paste - this is a must for me with cheese and this version was soft and creamy versus harder slices as I usually see 4. Fig Spread - also a must with cheese 5. Marcona Almonds - another must for me with cheese 6. Country Pate - not a fan favorite. It had an odd metallic flavor that we didn't love 7. Creme brulee cheese - this was a unique soft cheese with a flavor not unlike brie that was topped with vanilla sugar and bruleed. A lovely combo of savory and sweet 8. Lard cooked potato chips - not as earth shattering as I had hoped The other negative was that our waitress took our order and then disappeared. We would have ordered more wine but didn't have anyone come by our table and by the time they did, we were already done with our food. The runners were nice though and explained our dishes well. They also have a fabulous selection of local honeys and I got some delicious candy too. Overall a cute place but they need some work on their customer service. read more
OMFG! This sweet, sweet little place rocks outstanding Charcuterie and cheese! Des Moines is a happenin' little town and this precious gem certainly helps cement that impression. Killer salads and wonderful Charcuterie - what a find! Tip: Go off the menu and ask for their custom, Chef-selected Charcuterie board - see pic. read more
5 years ago
Where do I even start with this place...when I first heard about this place I just assumed it was a shop where you go buy cheese to take home to eat and cook. I thought, ehh I'm not that big into fancy cheeses so I may pass on checking this place out. It was after checking out Yelp reviews that I found out they serve actual meals and food here along with their full service cheese counter (like a local butcher but for cheese). We walked in and at first it appeared to be just a busy cheese shop with a good number of people waiting to order their cheeses and meats. A kind staff member recognized our confusion immediately and asked if we were here to get an order or to eat lunch, we happily said we were here for lunch and we were seated at a table. The decor is very...cheese shop-like haha, and I've never been in a cheese shop, it was nice and "real". There aren't too many tables so I wouldn't be surprised if they lacked seating some days for lunch or dinner. The staff members are all extremely friendly and knowledgeable about the products they serve. We had a few questions regarding the menu and everything was answered to our satisfaction. For those who are wondering, they have a separate menu for those eating in that is not on the menu board at the counter. Also, for those eating in, anything on the counter board is free game to order for your meal. Same goes for all their drinks and wines. I ordered the standard Toastie, which is a grilled cheese sandwich and I believe the item they are best known for. You can added different meats to it, but I just kept it plain. Obviously I had to get a cup of tomato soup with it because you have to eat grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup or else the fabric of the space time continuum will rip. IT WAS AMAZING! THE TOASTIE AND THE SOUP OHH , NOT GONNA EXAGGERATE, BEST GRILLED CHEESE IVE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE! The texture, flavor, everything was perfect! My wife ordered the special Mac and cheese which was a special that day. It was a bit pricey and the dish itself was complex with complex ingredients. It tasted pretty good and exotic, but for the price I would stick to their simple dishes which I know they will knock out of the park. We also got two drinks, ginger ale and root beer, they were both good and would recommend them. We are counting the days until we make a repeat visit back here! So many things I want to try! You will love the atmosphere and staff as well, I'm glad our town has a place like this! read more
12 years ago
This is my go to place to satisfy my cheese / charcuterie cravings! They have fondue for 2 for $15 or for 4 for $30 on Wednesdays from 2-7. It's a steal (they give you unlimited bread and pickles). Their Mac n cheese is delicious and this site thinks they're the best in Iowa: https://www.google.com/amp/www.purewow.com/food/best-mac-and-cheese-in-America%3Famphtml%3Dtrue. I can confirm it's great however I cannot confirm it's the. Eat in Iowa--as I'm new in the area. :) Their banh mi has a generous amount of pate, so if you love pate like ME--it's a must try! Their service is always extraordinary. read more
6 years ago
11 years ago
Who doesn't like Cheese??? No one. duh. I'm sure lactose intolerant people love cheese too, but we may not love what comes next from them. Price: Look to spend around $10-15 per dish. Probably another $10 for a glass of wine. Parking: Lot in the back & small lot in the front Food: Mac & Cheese - I hate to admit it, but this beauty looked more delicious than it actually was. It actually came out kinda liquidy which is weird for mac and cheese made with real cheese. A little sweet too. And super oily, yes from the cheese, but much added extra oil from the taste of it. Cheese platter + baguette - It's probably just preference, but they cut the cheese Service - slow Overall, I wasn't comfortable in this place because it was super hot and stuffy. The food was ok. I guess it's a cool concept but I would think twice before coming here again. read more
12 years ago
Wow. Wow wow wow. What a great, great little place they've got in Des Moines. Artisan cheeses, incredible cured meats, and a cozy little spot on 42nd St. I had the Pig & Fig sandwich and loved it. Prosciutto, fig spread, crisp lettuce, ciabatta bread...wow. So good. Would love to order from their deli, would love to sample some of the other prosciuttos and meats they had -- definitely going to have to come back when we road trip to Chicago because this place is terrific. read more
14 years ago
Better than Zingerman's. Yeah, I said it. This is the first legitimate excuse I have come up with for coming to Des Moines from Chicago. The service and cheese selection is unparalleled in the Midwest and probably the country. I've only had one chance to sit down and try their weekend menu, but it was fantastic - by the time my group walked out, we'd "had" to order almost every dish on the menu. No reservations, though, and it can get a little crazy later in the day; be prepared to wait to pounce on a table. read more
If you want to: eat something delicious; feel cool; and enjoy the best that Des Moines has to offer- patronize The Cheese Shop. I enjoyed a Toastie ($6) with Pepper Jam ($0.50). It's safe to say I've thought about this sandwich five times since that fateful lunch. It was served warm, buttery and ooey-gooey. The sandwich was so satisfying that I was able to eat half at lunch and the other half at dinner. Let's talk about atmosphere: awesome. I felt cool just sitting in the place. Great clientele, chill vibe, mouth-watering cheese all around us; no wonder people come back again, and again, and again. Prices are decent, our server was attentive. It's obvious The Cheese Shop has found an unexplored niche in Des Moines. Farm-to-table, locally-sourced dairy goodness -- and then some. I'd say this is gourmet fare at its best in the heart of Iowa. read more
This is a go-to place for us for date night and I love it for a girls night out. The staff is incredibly friendly and it's clear they want to share their love and knowledge of their cheeses and cured meats. Normally we do a cheese plate and sometimes an additional item. One recent visit, we were there around lunchtime and ate from the menu. I had the mac and cheese, which was truly amazing, the best I'd ever had. My husband had a panini sandwich that he raved about. Another plus is that they have a wide selection of wines and beers and the mark up tends to be fairly low. The location is small, but that adds to the charm. We've never had to wait too long for a table or a seat at the bar. We've also just stopped in and bought cheeses to enjoy at home. They are always very helpful in selecting cheeses to go with our tastes or the type of event/meal we're having. read more
12 years ago
Having lived in Chicago for 12 years, one of the things that that worried me most about coming back to Iowa was the potentially precipitous drop off in great restaurants. Places that not only have great food, but also a hip, yet inviting atmosphere. After a bit of a rocky start (good food in the suburbs is a bit of a "tough crowd"), we came upon The Cheese Shop and from the second we walked in, we knew this was going to be one of "our places". Don't let the quasi strip mall location fool you, this place is legit. It's small, it's charming, and has exposed brick. What more do you want? Creative beers you won't find anywhere else? Check. Grilled cheese "toasties" that reaffirm your faith in humanity? Check. A staff that is friendly and hip without being hipster? Boom goes the dynamite. The ham and cheese royale toastie was a caloric gift from heaven. The Off Color Apex Predator beer made me want to become an alcoholic. I wanted to put the giant block of prosciutto behind the counter next to my bed, and just feed off of it every night until I'm bedridden. It's not big or fancy, but is definitely 'farmhouse chic'. But once you try those toasties, you won't really care. You could eat those things in a padded cell and they'd taste just as good. read more
Wow...it's been awhile since I have handed out a 5 star but I believe that this place warrants it. I stopped by today to meet a friend for lunch on a cold Iowa day. Summary -Order any kind of toastie you want - I recommend the Royal -Arrive by 1145 if you want to sit at a table on a weekday -Order extra gherkins if you order the Royal -Come back time and again, this place is AMAZING The decor and layout is perfect for what this place is. It's a cheese shop + benefits. Namely simple but perfectly executed dishes that showcase the tremendous cheese that they sell. Glad we came early as all the tables filled up for lunch and all that was left was bar seating by 1145. I looked at their large yet simple menu and settled on a Royal Toastie. You will see in the picture that this is a grilled ham and cheese sandwich covered in bacon crisps lathered in mornay (cheese) sauce, topped with a fried egg and served with pickled gherkins. Think of it as a high class rare bit. This thing was delicious from every angle, each bite was rich, sweet, salty and crunchy. The egg was perfectly cooked and runny and the gherkins gave it a good acidic punch to break up all that rich creaminess. The waitress was awesome and brought be a large serving of gherkins! Now it does end up being a pricey lunch (the Royal is $12) but you can't have this everyday (otherwise you would be in for cardiac arrest). On your cheat day, eat this. It's worth it!! read more
If you're looking for something unique, intimate, high quality food & drink, and away from the chain restaurant jungle of WDM you need to check out the Cheese Shop! Located in the little strip mall of the Shops of Roosevelt, halfway between downtown Des Moines and West Des Moines. Space inside is very limited, but comfortable. High top table seating is available as well as several seats along the counter. I could live off the LaQuercia Prosciutto, but all of their meats are fantastic! If you have the chance to talk to CJ (the owner) grab him and ask for his recommendations. One of my favorite things about visiting this place is the story behind he food. CJ and his staff are extremely knowledgeable about where the food comes from, the regions, the family history, etc. The Cheese Shop is a different dining experience from what most people are used to but once you come here, you'll want to come back! read more
9 years ago
The cheese shop is your go to location for foodies and drink connoisseur. I had the pleasure of partaking in some of their hot toasties and the mac and cheese. Unfortunately these items are moving to their second location called the cheese bar. But fret not good friends , the cheese shop still have a plethora of goodies to offer. Ranging from a vast selection of wines and cheeses ,to specialty beers and cold meats. You owe it to your tastebuds to stop here....Cheers! read more
12 years ago
7 years ago
Love everything about this place. but nothing is better than enjoying a glass of local wine and meeting local people you may have never come across if you hadn't stumbled upon this place read more
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More info about The Cheese Shop
833 42nd St
Ste B
Des Moines, IA 50312
Directions
(515) 528-8181
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http://www.thecheeseshopdsm.com
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7 reviews that are not currently recommended
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10 years ago
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