On a mobile device? Try our mobile site, optimized for faster browsing.
Category: Cheese Shops [Edit]
Neighborhood: Noe Valleycutest little shop ever!
the owner who also works in his store is very helpful and guided me to choosing a cheese that would go perfect with the wine i had received as a birthday present.
Also appreciated that he suggested a cheddar that was inexpensive yet good instead of trying to push the expensive product!
amazing!! i heart cheese
Based on my last review of this place, you can tell I'm still a fan of cheese.
So last night, I had tickets to go see Depeche Mode in concert at Shoreline. Unfortunately, the universe said no. You don't deserve to see DM live. WTF am I supposed to do? The night before I was drowning my sorrows over beer and in yelp talk, which probably, more likely didn't make no sense at all. Sorry Drunk Talk thread:(
Back to cheese: I had sent my friend that an email asking what type of cheese does she like. And I won't take," I don't care what you pick, just pick something."
Minutes later, I got a very confusing text replying, "Its hot. Maybe white if we can keep it chilled? I do not like oaky. Buttery or sweet is ok. I like most reds." Whoa!?! I don't think she knows what I was referring to, oh well? It's ok, I sometimes speed read. ;)
Something sweet and butter, I ask the cheese man. First sample, "this taste too much like butter, you got something sweet?" Second sample," ok, this is good, (taking another bit) I'm starting to taste it ( like Ratatouille does) yes!, this is it! Let me have a quarter pound!
My tip for cheese, be sure "never to order more than one sitting, it doesn't taste the same"
Stan's pick - Taleggio(cow, Italy)
You got any CHEESE? ( Steve urkel's voice)
That's me, the cheese lover. I came here looking for the…
Read more »
So here's the thing. I heart this place so much that I don't care the box of rough cut demerara sugar cubes cost seven dollars or that thirty dollars of cheese lasts two meals. They stock everything I want and even more that I didn't know I wanted. They sell different kinds of raclette grills and all the goodies to go with it. (I tried in vain to find a restaurant that serves raclette the way they do in Switzerland where you make it yourself). I'm happier to come to 24th street and get everything to make it at home.
So, I really love cheese and love going to cheese shops to discover new kinds. 24th Street has a large selection. No complaints about the cheese or the selection but I have to say the person who helped me really sucked.
I wanted to try some cheese before I made a purchase and I had questions about pairing...... BUT the gentleman who "helped" me was rude and seemed incredibly put out that I would ask to sample some cheese. Excuuuse me for wanting to make sure I like something before dropping my paper. It is not like I asked to try every cheese on the list - I asked to sample three cheeses... three...
I was shocked about how rude he was. I really wanted to mess with him and try more cheese then just walk out because he was so rude but I really needed to make a purchase for a dinner party I was having.
I will give this shop another try because hopefully the guy was just having a crap day.
I love cheese.
I was once a vegan, and while my body felt better, my soul was in the toilet. I need cheese to be a fully realized human being.
This place is one of my very favorite places in San Francisco. I found pimente d'espelette here. Not a super easy find. They have so many kinds of cheese, and are very helpful and knowledgeable.
What I love best about this store, however, is how it feels. It's small and a little dark. It has wood floors. The shelves are small. There is sausage hanging from everywhere. There is too much good stuff to see all at once. It smells like cheese. It's terrifically exciting to be in there, and it makes me feel like a kid again.
They have a decent selection of cheeses and even some yummy local chocolates. The smell from outside always grosses me out, but hey, it's a cheese shop right? Not my absolute fav of other SF options but when I have gone the service has been fine. It's a little pricey but it is in the hood so we go periodically.
I always come in here looking for delicious cheese, and leave really excited about my purchases. But then I get home, open them up and starting eating only to be very disappointed.
I bought tete de monde here a few months ago and i was waaaaaay past it's prime, to the point of 100% ammonia.
Now when I need cheese I head elsewhere, Cheese Plus and Say Cheese and much better options, because when you are paying that much for cheese, you want it to be quality.
Within seconds of walking into this store I almost pulled a Mary Tyler Moore spin, hands outstretched, face to the sky. But I refrained. Thank God because the short and expressionless staffer sporting a corn cob behind the counter may have fainted from an outburst of joy close by.
Seriously, I used to fantasize about a place like this. As I quickly texted a friend back in L.A. - "I have found my Victors and Silverlake Cheese Store all wrapped up on one, little, pretentious and beautiful shack in Noe Valley. My San Francisco. Oh, how I love this effin' city." Screw L.A.
So, back to my fantasy. And this is slightly resembles my stops into the Farmers Market next to the ugly CBS studios in Los Angeles: On the front counter, they have individual servings of salami, a creamy swiss cheese - some other things, anyway, they have Italian Soda's for 1.5. Yes, seriously. The olive selection is stored a little better than what's at Whole Foods. Lots of biscuits, specialty sauces, oils, truffles, caviar and the wine selection looks impressive but I can't pronounce half of the shelved selection. So I just noted the Volume. (Yep, if I don't really know what I'm drinking I'm at least making sure there's a buzz guaranteed.)
Oh, they share here. Samples - bring it on.
Duck Foie Gras. $100/lb.
$6.20 later, I'm sitting in Dolores Park with my salami, sweet baguette, buttery and tart cheese, olives, Italian Peach Tea and a small chocolate square with peanut butter. And a handful of plums.
Um... Hi, my name is Jen and I am a cheese addict. I need it all the time. I need it on my burgers. Extra on my pizza. Between two pieces of toasted 12 grain bread. In my grits. On my tacos. In my rice. Sometimes, I even eat it all by itself!
Ok, so the all of the staff here isn't as nice as I would like. I got the stink eye from some of the women employees. But the older asian dude that helped me was super nice and he knew his cheeses. I absolutely love this place. LOVE IT!
Walked in only wanting to check this place out. 15 min later, walked out with imported prosciutto, spicy salami, bresaola, manchego and my absolute favorite new discovery, Prima donna aged gouda!!!!!! OMG... SO....DAMN.... GOOD...
Took all that home. Popped a bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape, bread, great dipping oil and pigged out.
really cute store with lots of great foods, but I think I would have like it a lot more if the cheese I bought wasn't half covered in pink mold. It tasted great when I tried it at the store, but when I got home, ready to indulge, I felt like I was being poisoned by the asian mafia.
It sucks that one of the only stores that sells licorice all-sorts in bulk is out to get me!
This shop serves a certain crowd very well. The selection is large enough to give you plenty of choices while refined enough so that the proprietor knows every cheese he sells and only carries what he knows to be delicious. I'm with Amy L., I like my cheese person to be both knowledgeable and opinionated, and this dude knows his stuff and calls it like he sees it.
If you walk in and at least have a clue about any cheese, you can ask the asian dude who runs the place if he has that cheese, something similiar, younger, older/drier than the one you know, and he will be more than willing to give you a sample. He's not like one of the hippies at Cheese Board who will hand you sample after sample all day long with a smile, the man's running his own place, but if you show intent to purchase, he'll happily guide you to a cheese (or cheeses) that suit(s) your pallet and give you tastes along the way.
My favorites are St. Agur and 2 1/2 year aged prima donna.
If you're willing to pay more for the best cheese available, right in Noe, this is the place to shop.
I wouldn't go so far as to call the employees here "bitches" as some other Yelpers have done...but I also wouldn't argue with you if you did. They definitely didn't appreciate it when I told them that Hillary Clinton is to female presidential nominees what Clarence Thomas was to black supreme court judges, despite the fact that it's true. They also had no comeback when I pointed out that she was a war monger, and that war mongers are unwelcome in Noe Valley.
Politics and bitchy service aside, these guys sell some fine-ass cheese. I'm especially impressed with their gouda selection which often includes cumin, pesto (it's green!) and various goat and sheep goudas.
My fiancee and I also love going to this place if for no other reason than it's simply one of the best places in the city to play "Gay, Straight or Taken?" for both males and females. The female side is especially challenging. The last time we were in there we saw a woman who I would've absolutely guaranteed you was lesbian, Jewish and from New England, something I consider myself good at spotting since I also happen to be Jewish and from New England, and because I have a lesbian sister...who is also Jewish and who still lives in New England. Anyway, it appeared that she was purposely taking a long time to decide on which of the many cheeses to buy because she seemed to be enjoying flirting with the cute young probably-lesbian cheese store girl. Well imagine our surprise when she made some comment about her husband who was waiting outside.
So anyway we were wrong about her/them, but I guarantee you that they do drive either a Prius or a beat-up old Volvo station wagon. Maybe a Subaru.
This shop has just about everything to do with cheese. Excellent selection, their long list of available cheese is very impressive. The have lots of noodles, jams, wines, and cheese accessories in a cozy environment.
Sadly, I went in for advice on something to something I was cooking and although the salesman was attentive, he wasn't forth-coming with information about cheese. This spot seems more catered to the cheese savvy versus the foodie in training.
I. love. this. place.
This is my personal little heaven, right there on 24th Street.
The woman who helped us was super friendly and good with her suggestions. We left with two cheeses: creamy gouda flecked with black truffles, and a semi-hard sheep's milk. Both were delicious.
If I lived in SF, I can envision myself shopping here regularly; for dinner parties, for hostess gifts, for myself.
They also have a nice selection of olive oils, vinegars, munchies like pickles and olives, and other such accouterments.
You had me at Humbolt Fog.
Cheese Co...you complete me.
(btw..is there ANYTHING better than goat cheese? seriously?)
Friendly Maria at the 24th Street Cheese Co. was my ringside trainer the day I knocked Thomas Keller out (TKO).*
We'd had a fantastic cheese + honey + apple course at Ad Hoc earlier this year (see Suzanne B.'s review) and hoped to match it. She helped us surpass it.
We went in to procure a selection of cheeses to go with the secret ingredient at an "Iron Chef" party: HONEY. The aromas punch you in the face when you enter. I usually go back out and repeat whenever my senses normalize it. I'm a glutton for sparring the senses.
She guided us through an array of selections to compliment the honey, apples and pears, leaning toward goat/sheep varieties after finding out Kiki was allergic to cow's milk.
We left with 3 AY-MAY-ZING cheeses: a light and delicate Bethmale (goat); a middleweight Sardo Fiore (sheep); the triple cream heavyweight St. Agur (moo). All three matched wonderfully with the fruit and the coup de gras on site: White Truffle Honey.
Hey! No fair, kicking him when he's down!
*...as best cheese dish I ever had. He won't remember, so don't ask him. That's just mean.
Let's see. I love what's being sold at this place. The cheesy smells sooooooooooo good and you can find little gourmet food products.
BUT.... Service sucks!! I've had one lackluster but helpful advice from ONE GIRL. Everyone else I've met there have a gloomy, cold, snobbish, sad attitude. They all hate their job. These poor unfortunate, skinny, noe valley woman in their 20s and 30s who are all so white that they probably knew they should have been better off than working at a dead end job
But what happened to good old American optimism? wait or does all the people who got bad service happen to be people or even women or color? I am just suspecting since a lot people seemed to have gotten good service but then some are just kicked in the face!!
anyway, cold glances, slamming of things to show unwillingness to serve, lack of cooperation, snobbish responses to inquiry, basically outright display of hatred for having to work with people.
I am soooo sorry you have to work there. Get a different job!!
Peeyoo!!! There is some funkdafied stankiness goin' on in here!! Hoowee that's NASTY!!
Where can I get some of that?!?!?
Smelly ass cheese...so good.
The nicest folks, too!
Friends, I need to talk to you about Haloumi. Haloumi is this freaking delicious cheese that I discovered while traveling in Cyprus about 13 years ago.
In Cyprus people eat this stuff for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And I can see why. I myself tried it for the first time sitting in the back of a car on the way to a bar in Nicosia. It was served in a homemade pita with fresh tomatoes. Much to my surprise the cheese was grilled. LIKE A FREAKING STEAK! I was in heaven. Sadly, we arrived at the bar too soon and I was only able to eat half of my luscious pita. I had to leave the other half in the back of the car to be savored later.
So distracted was I that I had half a Haloumi pita waiting for me that I could pay absolutely no attention to the amazingly hot Versace modelesque Cypriot boys that kept hitting on me. So of course, that really got them going. But I could not be deterred.
I haven't been able to wean myself off it since.
Now the chewy, salty, creamy goodness that is Haloumi is not for everyone. Some people I know actually think it's gross. But I don't talk to those people anymore. They're obviously clueless.
The 24th Street Cheese Company has Haloumi. Do yourself a favor... check it out.
Very, very expensive. With a bad attitude.
There are many better places to get your cheese (Rainbow, Cheese Boutique in Glen Park, Cheeseboard in Berkeley).
My favorite store on 24th street. Actually, scratch that. It's not a store.
It's a shop.
'Cheese store' is so mundane. 'cheese company' sounds like something out of a Wallace and Gromit episode, whereas 'cheese shop' is simply splendid. And not just for those who delight in all manifestations of the Terpsichorean muse. 'Cheese shop' conjures up images of a family grocer in an English country village in the 1960s. In fact, every time I walk into the shop I'm reminded not of Monty Python but of an old column by Keith Waterhouse about buying Wensleydale from a crotchety old grocer in Margate.
The 24th Street Cheese Shop, as I shall refer to it from now on, actually sells many other delicacies besides fermented curds, including some very nice olives and cured meats. But really, it's all about the cheese.
As you walk in, the first thing that hits you is the smell. Naturally, the whole place reeks of cheese. If this is a problem then you have no business being in a cheese shop. Go to the Cala Foods across the street and buy a big block of Velveeta instead.
Once inside, take a peek at the big chalk board above the counter, which lists dozens of cheeses of all nationalities and varieties. Python fans will search in vain for Venezuelan Beaver Cheese, but the staggering variety more than compensates. As a creature of habit, I tend to go for what I like: crumbly Gouda, sharp Stilton, crisp Cheddar, all absolutely delicious.
I've shopped there many times and not once have I had anything but friendly, effective service. They listen to what you want, make sensible suggestions and let you sample the tasty, tasty merchandise. The 24th Street Cheese Shop is a shining example of where local independent stores beat out big box retailers: selection, quality and service.
Yes, it's not cheap. But not all cheese is created equal. You're paying twice as much for something worth ten times as much. It's a bargain, really.
Excellent cheese and knowledgeable staff. One thing you should know about the staff is that they are a piercing reflection of the customer's soul. Snotty or uptight customers will receive the snotty service they deserve; being located in Noe Valley, where self-entitled technocratic yuppie elitism is endemic, it's easy to blame the help.
Know this: if your heart is true and your mission righteous, Maria and Susan will appear as Renaissance angels robed in light, smelling strongly of mortadella.
I came here because I missed the grilled cheese sandwich competition. Actually because the competition sold out of wrist bands. Anyways, i was in the mood for a grilled cheese sandwich and so I asked the lady here, "what's a good cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich?" Anyways, I made the purchase and made a grilled cheese at home. It was okay. SO yeah, my rating is A-OK.
I love stinky, gooey, and gross smelling cheeses!
I tend to rate food based on what parts of my body I would rub it on, and gross cheese would be on the naked holiest of the holey places!
The Cheese Company is great. They let you try stuff and can suggest different things to accompany whatever event you have. Also, cheese at cheese shops is usually much less expensive than in the store.
I actually went here, bought 5 cheeses and that's what I had for dinner with a bottle of wine! I could also hear my heart clogging as I ate, but hey....we all make sacrifices!
My neighborhood is just becoming more appealing to me! Shh don't tell anyone but Noe Valley rules we have everything you could want. I could never leave the confines of 24th Street between Douglas and Dolores. We have it all!
There have been many early mornings I have walked past this little gem of a cheese shop. Unfortunately some of those times were with a completely nasty hangover and the smell of cheese blowing out of this place nearly made me heave my now consumed bottle of mandarin.
Having to put a cheese course together for a party I decided to keep it local. Who needs to hit Cow Girl when you have your own little cheese shop in Noe. Sans hangover I managed to get into the swinging door of this shop (it sounds like a creaking door from an old general store...love it!). The ladies behind the counter were ready to help me create the best cheese course ever.
This place is oozing with cheeses of all kinds. Not only cheese but wine, pates, cured meats, vinegars, oils, nuts, dried fruits, fresh pasta, truffles, everything you would want in a nice gift basket. In fact I will be going here to put a few together this Christmas.
I can't tell you how amazing this place is and scary now that I have fallen in love with it. I see a very expensive habit forming and a spare tire coming into my life..no worries Noe Valley has a gym too...24 Fit Lite!
Ahh I love my Noe Valley and especially love 24th Street Cheese Company.
Oops gotta go it's nearly time for me and my coworkers to do a sampling of the goodness I purchased last night.
The 24th Street Cheese Shop is one of the reasons I love Noe Valley. This is the only place I buy cheese, partly because it's important to patronize local shops but mostly because why would I go anywhere else when the best is right here? Whether you know exactly what you want, or you are seeking advice or want to try something new, they never steer you wrong. Many of my now-favorite cheeses have turned out to be suggestions from the knowledgeable staff. The owner, Charles, is usually there, and boy does he know his cheese. And what variety! The first time I went in there, I asked if they had feta, and he asked, Greek, French, or Bulgarian? .... then proceeded to explain the differences among them.
If you're in a hurry and don't have time to make hors d'oeuvres for a dinner party, this is your one-stop shop. In addition to just about any kind of cheese you can imagine, you can round out a platter with high-quality smoked salmon, a mound of thinly sliced Molinari salami, a choice of excellent cured olives, sun-dried tomatoes, jars of spicy crunchy green beans and asparagus, vegetable and meat pates, Acme breads, specialty crackers -- you name it. No it does not come cheap, but for the quality, selection and value they deliver, their prices are right in line with any other fine cheese shop. Say cheese!
And if you're in the market for a fondue pot, they have just the one for you. Wine? Good Italian pasta? Upscale delicacies? Prosciutto ends for cooking? They've got you covered. Try it. You won't be disappointed.
There are several businesses in Noe that make the neighborhood--24th St. Cheese Company is one of them (others being the French Tulip, Holey Bagel, and Plumpjack).
The staff is pretty awesome. You may have to prove yourself by ordering something off the beaten path before they respect you. But respect must be earned; the customer is not always right!
Get some salami while you're there.
I don't do subtlety in life and I definitely don't do subtlety in cheese. I walk in here and ask for the cheeses that are the stinkiest, strongest, ruin-your-palate-for-the-next-two-days BEST and these folks never let me down. And when I need to find more accommodating cheeses for guests/friends, they can cover that too. Had some younger siblings (10 and 15) coming over for Thanksgiving and whoever was working the counter was tremendously helpful with finding some cheeses that were a little more age appropriate but still great (but damn, when I have kids I'm raising 'em on moldy-ass, stinky cheese).
If this place and Lucca had babies . . . I would go broke in a hurry.
I don't know what happened to the other folks that had a bad time here. I always get great service, fair prices and taste plenty of cheese.
I had a big party where I was in charge of the cheese and the woman there just asked me; "How many people?" when I said "About 80" she just smiled and said "this will be fun."
I think I tasted about 11 cheeeses fefore deciding on the 4 I wanted. It was fun. Everytime I go here I fall in love with the place.
Staff was less than gregarious, but she nailed it when I inquired about 2 cheeses from Gary Danko's with very minimal descriptions like
A. Soft cheese in a wood container that is the best cheese in the world (Epoisse)
and
B. Blue cheese so good it tastes like Blue ice cream. (Saint-Agur)
Gotta love it!
I feel like a blasphemer, giving this place less than 4 stars.
But we felt rushed. I wanted to try a triple cream. The guy let me try one...just one. He made no move to offer me a taste of another for comparison's sake. & same with Mario: one taste of gouda.
But the cheese was truly delicious.
Minus a star for feeling like they wanted us to hurry up & get out. Minus another star for it being CRAZY CHRISTMAS CRANKY BUSY in Noe Valley today.
Thank you.
Walked in Saturday morning, greeted by rustic, woody New Hampshire inn-style decor, loudish Cat Power or similar gentle folk rock music and omg, the most wonderfully powerful aroma of cheese permeating the air.
Each and every staff member was decked out in trendy, hipster knitwear to complete the surreal picture. The shelves are stocked with cheese accoutrements, including a great selection of pickled goods, dried fruits and sausages, melting, cutting and serving tools, AND loads of crackers.
The staff was friendly and helpful. They have a phenomenal selection of cheeses and a chalkboard above the counter with prices. As in most respectable cheese shops, you can taste any cheese you like.
... like a relaxing camping trip, this place stayed in my clothes and on my mind...
I've been going to this store for several years now and I will keep going. They definitely do have great cheeses, and a great selection that goes beyond cheese and include wine, delicatessen, and more.
On the negative side, it is extremely pricey and the staff, including the owner, can be snooty.
I went here based on a recommendation from Chowhound. I really loved it.
The self-serve area of the store is stocked with all kinds of gourmet staples, from fine chocolates and capers to mustards, oils, truffles, caramels, chestnut purees, and other fine comestibles.
The cheese is all kept behind the counter and you order by asking for what you want and specifying amounts. All cheeses are listed alphabetically on the large blackboard behind the counter and are also divided in categories such as "Cheddar" (they have over 15 varieties,) "Goat," "Sheep's Milk," etc. If you don't know what you want, they will make recommendations for you. You could say "I'd like to try 3 or 4 Spanish cheeses for a tapas plate" or "I'd like to sample some English cheeses" or "I'd like 4 or 5 good cheeses for dessert" and they will make some recommendations.
They also have chacuteries, pates, fresh bread, olives, cornichons, and other items for a good tapas/appetizer plate. Try the Molinari finocchiona salame thinly sliced - yum.
Staff is friendly, and I give them bonus points because I'm deaf and speak with a speech impediment; they had a hard time understanding my pronunciation of "halloumi" and "manchego," and very helpfully gave me a pen and paper to write down on.
Samplings are allowed; when I asked for manchego, they said there were two choices, and let me sample thin slices of each.
All in all, quite a pleasant experience and I will be returning.
For those of you driving, there is a small pay parking lot next door that costs $1 per hour.
They also sell cheese cooking accessories such as fondue pots and raclette pans.
Update: I arrived last night 15 minutes before they closed. They'd cleaned up and put away everything and were getting ready to close down, but they still served me with a smile.
By far the best cheese shop in the Bay Area.
Incredible choices and a staff that is always willing to offer suggestions.
This is not a place to go to get sliced swiss, but if you are looking for amazing artesian cheeses and great finds from abroad.
They also have a nice selection of interesting and well priced wines.
The shop is cozy and the smell of rich cheeses permeate every inch of the place. If you love great cheese this is the right place to go.
I fainted when I walked through the screen door.
It was heaven, it was hell, it was cheesy and the smell...was enough to knock me to my feet.
$24 for the Tartufo.
I continue to believe I can afford the truffle and champagne lifestyle. I drink bottles of bubbly like water and I douse my salads with truffle oil.
And while the cheese of my dreams remains just out of my grasp for now, at least i know where to find it.
Lactose Intolerant Rebekah enjoys this place.
Why? Because of the many varieties of fun fun fun cheeses. They're goat cheese selection is amazing. The Bechemel is divine & I haven't been able to find it else where with that level of smoothness, fineness & subtlety of both texture & flavor.
The whole shoppe reminds me of a something you would see in Europe or any other wonderful place which isn't overrun by giant corporations.
So who cares if I pay for it in the end?
The employees are bitches here, but hey I would be a bitch too if I worked in a cheese store in Noe Valley.
The service here is great and they have a huge selection of cheeses. I have stopped in on multiple occasions asking what cheese would go best with a particular situation- for example" if i am making a salad with grapes and a balsamic dressing what cheese would you recommend? Oh goat cheese?- which by the way turned out to be a big hit even though it is a litle hard to cut and add to salad.The lovely ladies here always give me a great answer sometimes a taste and cut my cheese fresh there.
If you are going to get cheese come here:-)
I love this place. We go here every weekend because our Saturday or Sunday meal plans almost always involve a high quality cheese. I sort of see what other reviewers mean by the staff being snotty, but not really. They could be a little nicer, but they're still quite helpful. And every cheese I've had from here has been delicious. The fact that it's only 3 blocks from my apt. is also a plus. They have some other yummy stuff besides cheese, too. We got some dried cherries to put in cherry walnut brownies once, and they were excellent.
Neighborhood: Cole Valley
Category: Cheese Shops
San Francisco, CA
Category: Cheese Shops
Neighborhood: Glen Park
Category: Cheese Shops
Neighborhood: Nob Hill
Category: Cheese Shops
Neighborhood: Inner Sunset
Category: Cheese Shops
My local dry cleaner, watering hole, deli, cafe,…
If you're going to visit Noe, consider these…
Want to live in the city but still have a place to…
Here's where to go for exceptional customer…
Loading...
