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Categories: Cheese Shops, Bakeries [Edit]
Neighborhoods: North Berkeley, Gourmet GhettoMon. 7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Tue-Fri. 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sat. 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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If i could only survive on 1 food for the rest of my life it would be CHEESE. I love it. I go into withdrawal if I don't eat it. One thing i know is that the cheese board takes their cheese seriously. Oh my, the pizza just melts in your mouth. I don't know how they do it, but there is no sauce to cover up the flavors, so they don't kid around. No room with mistakes with their creations. Never had thin crust pizza that tastes this good. You can tell they really take the time to think about what is going in and only use high quality ingredients. Pizza is fresh and def worth the wait.
The last time I went we got there ~10 min before closing. Ordered only 5 slices, but since it was closing time, they gave us the full pizza. Super friendly staff, good beer, and an explosion of flavors. Can't wait to go back and venture into their other baked goods.
I hear Zachary's is good, but I can't imagine pizza getting much better than this.
Soooooooooooooo I have decided that if I was to die tomorrow and just happened to be reincarnated I would want to come back as the cooler that all the cheese is stored in at the Cheese Board.
OMG... this is the most wonderful chaotic sinful place I have ever been too. I didn't mind the long lines, the waiting, the kids poking in and out, the people pushing and rushing for the fresh baked bread... just to stare and wonder and ponder over all that lovely cheese was orgasmic...
If you like ... no cancel that... if you LOVE cheese this is the place for you.. They are so busy that you know the cheese you are getting is fresh. I can't imagine that they have anything sitting around for more than a few days. The staff is fantastic and what I think I loved most is, not matter how busy they when it is your turn they focus their whole attention on you and take their time to make certain you walk away with a selection of cheese that in my mind is just as good as any lover I have ever had in my life.
My advice is take the experts advice and take the time to sample what they have to offer. Buy what you want... the size and amount you want... then make a quick 180 turn face the bakery goods and have at it.... This is about as good as life gets. Enjoy.
Parking is a "bitch" so make certain you mojo up all you good parking karma for the day and you should be okay.... or just know you might have to walk a few blocks and if you are one with it you will be rewarded once you step though the door.
It smells divine. There's cheese. There's baked goods.
My mouth is watering just remembering it. If you like cheese (and why wouldn't you?) and baked goods (*drooooooooooool*) you will love this place.
For cheese, you'll need to get a ticket with a number on it because it's busy in there. Cheesemongers take their time with customers and with samples.
For pastries (glorious, glorious pastries), grab a bag and a little paper thing to pick up your goods, and have at the shelves. They have sweet and savory, in addition to loaves and baguettes. I had some foccaccia, it was good but not as tender as I like it. Cheese bread? Oh yeah, good stuff. Will make your car pungent in the best way possible. Bialy was tasty as well, what with all the onions and poppy seeds on top. My favorites, though, were the SCONES.
Corn and cherry scone: Like corn bread, but more biscuity with lots of crispy surface area. If you like corn bread you are in for a treat.
Currant scone: ah, the classic. Fantastic basic scone.
Lemon/citrus scone: There is no icing on the scone and there does not need to be. Ah, so good.
After trying each it was hard to stop. These are large, formidable scones. Not to be taken lightly after devouring pizza. They're so good your willpower may face defeat, albeit one that tastes like heaven.
They only serve one type of pizza a day and you have to stand on a line that extends out into the street to get it. The area, in general, is overcrowded with no parking. In fact there are poor souls who actually sit and eat out in the grass median in the middle of the traffic. People it's not worth it. The pizza quality is easily surpassed by most places in New York City. However you needn't go as far as NYC, one need only to go up a few blocks to Jupiter to find better quality with a choice. Whoever heard of putting corn on pizza, yuk. Again you can get a selection at other places so if you don't care for corn or pineapple on pizza you can simple order something else.
Another thing the women with hairy armpits serving the cheese I guess were in vogue in the sixties as some misconception of being European but they are definitely out of it today. Get into the 21st century !!
I want to jump off a diving board made of cheese into one of their delicious pizzas. I shared a pizza, had some wine, and got some good people watching in while sitting on the little patio out front. $20 for a whole pizza, $10 for half.
This place makes THE BEST BREAD I'VE EVER TASTED IN MY LIFE. Oh my FREAKIN god... they have the coolest varieties of baked goods. And it's not that expensive at all!
Despite hearing wonderful things about the pizza at Cheeseboard I just wasn't impressed. Maybe I just don't like sour dough pizzas. I am wondering why I've never seen a non sour dough pizza there. You would think a place this popular could make a regular dough pizza too.
If I still lived in Berkeley, I'd be in so much trouble because I would mostly gladly make the trip every morning to get my fix of fresh baked goods. I'm a fan of cheese, yes, but they also make some of the best bread staples, esp their english muffins and baguette (pieces and all).
Oh!! And CHEESE SCONE CHEESE SCONE CHEESE SCONE. Normally I find scones a little dry and flavorless, but this cheese scone defies them all. And I believe only avail Fridays :)
Now if they only had a mail order service...to Chicago, stat!
After reading some of the reviews for this place (and the pizzeria collective a few doors down), I'm scared to write a review.
If I say I love it ... people will think I'm a pretentious snob or jumping on the bandwagon (as all the 1 star reviews seem to say). If I give it low marks - I risk getting hate mail (from pretentious snobs no less!) and end up alienating all the yuppies and foodies I so strive to be like.
Well ... to be honest, it's why we love Berkeley. Something about opinions and assholes ... oh right ... All the assholes here have opinions ... and they have opinions on your opinions. :)
I picked up a package of dill Havarti which I'm still enjoying. I had to get the bread elsewhere cause I could only find sourdough loaves here (I think I prefer Acme Bread company on San Pablo for my baguettes). The scones looked and smelled delicious though. Not a cheese destination for me cause I'm not too particular ... but I can understand why people love the place.
Everything has been said already, but this place rocks!!!
Twenty-five stars... this place is as good as it gets... the best cheese selection, the best baked goods (although i prefer acme bread), delicious pizza... the best chocolate cookies on the face of the earth... the nicest and most helpful people anywhere! for a treat i will head over there on my lunch break and try a bunch of cheeses... with the help and knowledge of the collective members i always find something new to bring home. it's even fun to stand in their monster lines. i am a true believer!
I love this place because it is like heaven for a cheese lover. It can be really busy, but the people who work there share your passion and are willing to take their time to help you.
Go in, and describe the cheese you are fantasizing about, they will give you samples until you find it, ask them to help you create a cheese tasting, bring in a bottle of wine and ask them to help you pair cheeses with it, tell them you are going to make mac n cheese. No matter what the challenge, they will assist - and you will learn. You will learn that you love those funny looking little goat cheese disks covered in mold, and that the 3 milk cheeses are impossible to beat, and that there are way more kinds of feta than you ever imagined.
Then grab a baguettte, but don't start eating it yet - they weigh the baguettes and charge you based on weight (at least last time I checked).
Much love to the Cheese Board. An educational experience in itself.
Honestly I think this place is WAY OVER RATED! I mean, I think it's super unique and all, how they only serve ONE type of pizza and they put all these crazy toppings on it, but it's not really THAT fantastic. I mean, extreme pizza or la val's or zachary's are all WAY better! And you get to choose what type of topping you want at those places! Plus you don't have to wait in a HUGE line to buy an over priced pizza and risk your life trying to hop over a busy street to get your jeans all grass stained because you had to sit in the middle divider of road because all the seats inside The Cheeseboard are all filled up!
But by all means, I'm sure everyone is going to take my review with a grain of salt and go try it anywayz because you hear so much hype about this place. By all means, go waste your money and try it. I'm sure after you do, you and the rest of the world will be brainwashed into thinking this is the best pizza in the world because you are all just jumping on the band wagon.
If I were Ratatouille, I'd live here. Forget the fine culinary arts of the french cuisine. With a stock of different variations of pizza that are served on a daily basis, I'd be too busy stuffing my face with this beloved dairy covered gourmet piece of delight, rather than focusing on the job. Thank god I don't work here.
I'm a meat girl. I used to think that meat was a necessasry component of any dish in order for it to fully satisfy my primal appetite. After trying a couple of slices at Cheese Board, I now appreciate how a combination of simple ingredients can create such a beautiful harmonious dynamic of flavors.
Listen.
"Roasted potato and onions, guyere and mozarella cheeses, garlic olive oil and fresh herbs..."
Doesn't that sound beautiful? Now, that's a real pizza. The ability to concoct an extraordinary item using ordinary ingredients.
And to think that I was lying to you about the music... nope nope nope. They even have a live jazz band that plays on a daily schedule! How awesome possum is that?!!!!
The only downside. Your favorite pizza might not be served on the day of your visit, but that means that multiple trips during the week are a must then as the menu changes frequently. It's like a surprise everyday.
Such a unique restaurant with lots of character, history and flavors. This place is a MUST try in Berkeley.
Recommend: corn cherry scones, cheese bread (served warm-- otherwise, too hard)), chocolate cookie, blueberry muffin, english muffin, olive bread, any of their fresh cheeses
Skip: Chocolate thing (white brioche w/ dark chocolate chunks-- good but not "great"), ginger cookie, pecan rolls (I found them too sweet), baguette pieces, shortbread cookies
I would give this place 10 stars if I could.
Awesomely low-priced cheese. Fantastic fresh-baked…
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The beauty of this bakery imo lies not in the baked goods but the love of their craft by the employees here. I remember getting a first class education of cheeses the first time I came here with a perplexed look of wonder at their stock of cheeses.
The people here LOVE what they do and can be taste by any of their baked goods. Their cheese rolls and double chocolate cookies are absolutely delightful. Additionally, they'll also give you free sourdough starter if you ask! I feel most people know cheeseboard for their pizzas but their baked goods are even better!
Truly one of my favorite places in the world. Amazing cheese and amazing respect for cheese.
Used to be on my walk home, but I'll still fly 2000 miles to visit.
Go in, ask for suggestions, and enjoy.
And don't forget to grab a corn-cherry scone.
This is one of Berkeley's true Gems! If I were to make my own list of top 10 places to eat, Cheeseboard would be the top choice for many reasons: perfect thin-slice pizza with only the freshest ingrediants of the day, wide variety of cheese-flavors, and soooo cheap!
I always try to stop here each time I visit Berkeley. Today's pizza flavor was the red pepper, cauliflower, fresh garlic and paired it with a fresh small green salad. Dressing was a red-pepper something, and it was "brillant". Just the right amount of flavor and spice, all for $6 bucks!
I was first confused when my pizza came with a extra small slice, but i guess that's part of the $2.50 slice deal! Extra cool is the free live jazz band, but unfortunately they were on break during my visit.
This is my first 5-star review. Need I say more?
P.S. Tip - this is only a cash-only joint! I did not have cash on me, so spent $5 in extra transaction fees to withdraw $ at the BoA next door.
I dont give 5's much. well i think this place gets a 4.8. hahahaha. ( im so harsh)
NY style pizza!! (thin crust..thin everything basically)
Ambiance: friendly & lively! local jazz band was playing and it was absolutely relaxing!
the special of the day was summer squash, onions, mozarella and feta cheese and the best ingredient of all is..PESTO!!!!!!! It was seriously top notch delicious! a bite of the perfectly cooked onions and squash with the thin layer of hot mozarella and a fat splash of pesto is heaven. they also add a good amount of feta cheese.
feta cheese and my stomach do not go well..so i had a tummy ache right after my first slice. even though i was uncomfortable, i kept eating my second slice..and i was only able to eat half of it..damn feta!!!! it is just that delicious!!
a slice of pizza is 2.50
whole pizza is 20 bucks!!! =)
oh by the way, they only serve veggie pizza and only one kind a day!
Cheese Board is A MUST TRY!!!
This review is based solely on the pizza they offer on daily basis. I've had the pizza on many occasions, but today was particularly impressed with the selection. Today was a summer squash and pesto pizza. It was amazing. I usually like lots of meat on my pizza, but Cheese Board always impresses me with its vegie only menu. And to top it all off, the local jazz artist was great, the sun was shining, and the median was in full effect. I usually get the Root Beer because I most often come to Cheese Board during the middle of the day. Today, for dinner, I got a beer. The best part is that all of the beers only cost $2.50. Its like its own little happy hour without advertising the discounts. This really is a great deal.
Cheese Board is an institution. Go and enjoy Berkeley at its best. P.S. be sure to completely disregard the signs that say "stay off the median"
Expensive but wonderful.
Right when you walk into the store, you can't help but exclaim, "Holy cow! Look at all these differents types of cheeses!" I believe there were hundreds of different cheeses and I was impressed at first glance. Beware of the foul smell though.. there are some really stinky cheeses in there!
Ok, so I'll admit that I am not a connoisseur of the different types of cheeses but you gotta start somewhere right? I was hoping to partake in a cheese tasting or be introduced to some of the bestselling cheeses in the store, but I was quite disappointed with my experience here.
The lady who helped us try some of the cheeses was not that very helpful and seemed a bit frustrated because we didn't know what we wanted. Thanks for making me feel stupid lady. I felt very rushed and I didn't find the type of cheese that I was looking for. But we did find a sharp Gouda we liked, so we bought some of that.
I tried the Amaretto, which was a fruity, hard type of cheese imported from Spain. The description sounded nice, but it did not taste good at all.
I also tried a popular type of Brie here, which tasted pretty good with their freshly baked sourdough bread. However, I was grossed out when she grabbed a huge gunk of brie with her fingers and handed it over to me. It doesn't hurt to slice the brie with a knife..
..whatever, I don't think I'd go out of my way to come here again. I would come again to try their pizzas next door though.
Cheese board is our family friday night ritual.
At some point we broke down and started ordering our pizzas "for here" despite the slightly panicked feeling we get before we score a table. I know, this is going to sound painfully bad. But the cheese board makes me feel like a human being after the weekly routine of work, home, work, home. It is so very Berkeley in every way. Young families, aging hippies, students, and everyone else. Munching yummy pizza with the chaos of my kids sitting or climbing on laps, spilling their drinks, clapping to the music, or making friends with their neighbors squished into the next table. It never fails to make me happy as a clam just to be here. And that is a good way to kick off the weekend.
Huge variety of cheese and breads. And it is all high quality and cheap.
Friendly staff.
Hours are little shorter but I work around that.
My cousin and I recently ordered an entire "pie"/pizza here. I never went to this place throughout my four years at Cal! I am disappointed that it took me this long to try this wonderful place.
Food: They make 1 pizza a day and it's uber fresh. The best cheeses and veggies! All their pizzas are vegetarian and tasty. On the day we went, our pizza had pesto and mushroom among other ingredients. The pizza was thin crust and the "pie"/entire pizza contained about 9 slices including the "extra" slice they threw in. They normally (I was told) throw in an extra slice or two if a customer purchases the entire pizza.
Price: $20 per the entire pizza or $2.50/slice. WELL WORTH IT. It was very good and I will have to come back again.
Customer Service: The folks were friendly and I enjoyed the ambiance. It's simple and laid back.
Ambiance: I liked the community feel and its diversity. All types and all ethnic groups, sexual orientations, ages represented. It truly embodies the spirit of Berkeley and the surrounding area.
Parking: Street and metered. It can get tough, but since it's not directly near campus it is not super hard either. Look and you will find parking and if you dare there's a grocery store lot too.
Payment: Cash only. I wish they took credit card!!! I am tempted to drop a star for this, but the pizza is too good for me!
Will def. go back! Yummy!
Here's a little way to save some time and money
OK ,here we go.
Look in the mirror (And if you haven't perfected this) act like a pretentious prat.
Do this... look deeply and vapidly and imagine your something special.
Then... go out and buy some yeast, flour and NY water (and of course some other sundry ingredients like, goats milk and artichoke hearts)
mix and bake. Serve it to your self. BON APETIT!
Voila! you smell like cheese and. And you didn't have to spend time amongst wealthy snobby poo poos,
Um, Corn Cherry Scone and Cheese roll.... My only friends.
Yummy friends.
I hate vegetables (maybe not that severe) But this is a place I would be able to eat piles and piles of veggies on this perfectly made pizza. Thin pizza, vegetables only, and for every time I've visited a perfect combination of everything giving such a desirable taste.
I don't live in the Bay Area (yet) but when I do come to the area, I must always come to this place. Highly recommended and absolutely delicious.
this place was great! If you like cheese, check this place out.
gotta go to experience the entire atmosphare.
the cheese was fantasic and it's next door to their pizza place!
Interesting way to do pizza. Bummer if you're allergic to any of the ingredients that day though. If you're lazy and just want to eat-try this place! The ingredients are fresh and local and DELICIOUS!
It's way popular, this place was busy when I came-but the line moves fast because you're just ordering the amount of food. There was a little local jazz band that played, very community-ness.
If you can't find a place inside or in their local dining area, some kids found a place on the little island of grass between the roads.
Holy COW! I mean, seriously, holy cows...this place is awesome. If you've never been to the Cheese Board and you love cheese...you must drop what you're doing right this instant, get in your hybrid fitness vehicle, and drive to Berkeley asap!
We spent the better part of a half hour tasting and purchasing enough cheese to stink up our fridge for a nuclear winter.
On top of the cheese they are rolling out fresh baked bread and pastries hot out of the oven, local and imported honeys, fresh baked to-die-for pizzas, COME ON!
Why are you still reading this...get in the car now!
If you want to read more about my Cheese Board Adventure read my blog post about it.
http://bayareababyblog...
Wow.. There are no words that will describe my love of the Cheese Board. I have been coming here since I was a kid with my mama... I am now 22 and I still go here and buy cheese from the same, insanely nice people behind the glorious counters of seemingly endless delicious cheese selection. I mean really though, they have EVERYTHING and it is damn good too! You can sample anything you are unsure about (or that you just want a taste of!). It doesn't end at the cheeses either- the bakery has some of the best bread you will ever taste. A quintessential California sour taste. Crunchy. Delicious. Their baked goods (scones etc.) are also really good, although very bad for you haha def made with heavy cream.
Next door they opened a pizza place. You can check on their website what kind of pizza they have when youre going- it changes by day of week, although they are all really good so it doesnt matter that much. During lunch they have cheerful live music. Its pretty magical. It is really small so you usually end up sharing a table with a few other people, but they are usually as cool as you are.
BEST PLACE EVER. Seriously. I have nothing bad to say about it at all. Fan for life! If this place ever closed I would go into mourning.
Wow, Wow, and WOW!!!! What a great place!!! It's no wonder why this place has so many reviews and 5 stars! I mean, the crowds surrounding this place speaks for itself!!! I'm glad I got to finally experience the oh-so-famous Cheeseboard in Berkeley.
What a great way to spend a sunny day! Grab a piece of their daily special pizza, (always just one a day) find a seat either on their sidewalk seating or plop next to all the locals chillin' on the grass median on Shattuck. They have live jazz music on the weekends and everyone is in high spirits.
There is a great cheese and bread shop connected to it and you can find just about any cheese on the planet. Run people, don't walk! This is a must!
What can anyone say about The Cheese Board that hasn't already been said? My teenage kids have been going there so long that they know, and are known by, most of the people who work there. They even remember which cheeses are my kids' favorites, and take the time to suggest other cheeses which they might like (how many 14-year olds know the difference between washed and unwashed rinds; blue cheeses from cow, sheep, and goat; or between cheeses like Epoisses, Affidelice, and Stinking Bishop?)
But I digress . . .
The Chese Board was established in 1967. I can't speak to their earliest days, but my wife's been buying her cheeses here for over 20 years -- and in the nearly eight years that I've been a customer -- I've never purchased an "off" or even disappointing cheese. Any cheesemonger worth the name will know their stock and their customers. The folks at The Cheese Board do just that -- their recommendations are usually "spot on," they won't sell me cheeses that aren't "ready" yet (or are past their prime), and their overall selection is outstanding!
Their breads and scones are outstanding (and in a town with Acme and Semifreddi's, that's saying something!), and the pizzas are excellent (although that's a separate review!)
In just the same way that, say, Nordstrom's or Neiman-Marcus is an "anchor" store of any upscale shopping center, The Cheese Board is one of the anchors of North Berkeley's "Gourmet Ghetto," and we are ALL better off for it!
Had lunch here today and it was just lovely.
Izze clementine soda, and a slice of the pizza de jour (or is it del giorno?) with asparagus, gouda and fresh mozzarella, tomato, olive oil and just a touch of garlic.
We sat up front near the window on a gorgeous sunny day and listened to the local band that was playing at the restaurant.
Sublime and all for only $4 - gotta love it.
Excellent place.
Great pizza, thin crust with a minimum of tomato sauce, more olive oil. Multiple flavors, with a distinct taste of garlic, and yes, adorned with different cheeses. Yum, Yum.
Jazz playing for free, and people camped out on the grassy median eating pizza and soakin' up rays.
Very Berkeley.
Beside the long line and wait, they have really good pizza. The only thing that is missing is that they do not serve any meat product on the pizza so its only veggies which isn't that bad. Also, I like that they is only one choice so customer don't have to think of what kind of pizza they want. They is only one special per day and the great thing is that you can look online and find out what they are serving for that day.
I usually get hungry around 4ish and it sucks that they close for a hour to clean up and i would always miss it or would have to wait till they open up again.
They also give u an extra small stripe of pizza. So if you order 2 slices you would be getting around 3 slices of pizza and I would always get full from here. The staff is always friendly too. excellent staff!!
Welcome to heaven. I can never turn down bread and other pastries. Carbs, I love you.
I just started working in the area and my co-worker let me taste her cherry corn scone. I make it my breakfast and lunch but it is oh so worth it. Next I'll be trying the tomato, caper, and olive focaccia. Mmm my mouth is watering just thinking about it. Of course I still have to grab some cheese, too.
I am truly in love! Never lets me down..
if you like healthy style original - no choice - just accept what they're making. and
if you haven't tried it then take the chance. you will love it too!
Love this place. Cheese worth dying for. 20 kinds of goat cheese and counting. The knowledgeable staff will give you suggestions and ever better gives you a taste of everything.
Their breads are fantastic - though the baguettes turn into rocks the next day. Their scones and other goodies are great.
Love that they are a collective and that they generously shared their recipes with Arizmendi.
Neighborhood: North Berkeley
Category: Cheese Shops
Berkeley, CA
Category: Bakeries
Berkeley, CA
Category: Cheese Shops
Neighborhood: North Berkeley
Category: Chocolatiers and Shops
Neighborhood: North Berkeley
Category: Beer, Wine & Spirits
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