The Cheese Board
Categories: Bakeries, Cheese Shops [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Gourmet Ghetto, North Berkeley1512 Shattuck Ave
(between Cedar St & Vine St)
Berkeley, CA 94709 (510) 549-3183
- Hours:
Mon 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. - Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
80 reviews
Alameda, CA
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178 Reviews for The Cheese Board
Being Scandinavian in California, I was surprised by the difficulties I had finding good bread. As you might not know, Norwegians eat A LOT of bread, not the type found in regular convenience stores, but I'm talking about the real, high quality homemade bread, heavy and delicious. Cheese board has the best bread Ive ever had in the Bay Area.
This is how it is supposed to taste!
They also have amazing cheese. If you love experimenting with different types, but like to try out before you buy, this is the place to go.
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This is as good as vegetarian pizza can possibly get. This is also the only place I would ever enjoy ordering a vegetarian pizza. Stuff your face with a whole pizza + complimentary slices, and maybe even bring some meaty slices for them to throw onto your pizza if Cafe Gratitude (see my review: http://www.yelp.com/bi...) turned you off from eating vegetarian/vegan ever again!
Yummy!!!
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Heaven....
I'm in Heaven...
My tummy feels so alive...
I could hardly sing...
cause I'm stuffing my big mouth with some delicious pizza!
Similar to Arizmendi's but greasier. Although I believe it's EVOO (for those who watch Rahael Ray), so very good for you.
They have one type of pizza for the day with ingredients listed on the entrance board. Don't get discouraged if you see a long line out the door, that's usual and they are very fast. They also have quotes of the day...fabulous! I love how there's many walks of life here, professional, students, hippies, and random peeps like myself just passing by.
I heart Berkeley!!
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I really really really want to go here but as a working professional the hours of business make this shop nearly inaccessible. Who the hell closes at 6pm??? They're in the the Gourmet Ghetto! Do they really expect interest in cheese buying to dramatically drop off after 6pm? Sometimes I hate Berkeley.
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I went to Cheese Board at lunch time on a Friday, the line was already out the door, but suprisingly it moved efficiently. The pizza of the day was 4 cheese (score). It was slightly greasy, but nothing a little napkin blot couldn't fix (i know, i'm girly). It was still delicious after removing the oil slick on top.
The part I love most about this place is this: the lack of seating in the cafe sends everyone to the grass in the median of the street where it clearly reads "No pedestrians on median" (or something like that), while berkeley police cars patrol along the street. The truth is, I'd risk my life to have some cheese board pizza. When I have more time, I'd love to check out the cheese selection next door.
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I have come to The Cheese Board on and off for the past 5+ years, but only have grabbed baked goods and lined up for one of the quick check-out registers. Yesterday I experienced such fun service, taking a number in the form of a playing card to ask the advice of those behind the cheese counter. I ended up with a beautiful half of La Tur from Italy, very creamy and soft with a slightly floral finish, thanks to the guidance of the kind counter staff. All this in a packed store that still managed to move people in and out with great aplomb.
I'll be sure to visit again, and hopefully soon.
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I love the choice o cheeses . they have the best bread in America.
Very casual and not pretentious. Try the pizza next door divine.
The pizza I ate here was not bad. I think sitting outside on the median with the sun shinning is what made it better. I really think this place is over rated. I have been here a few times and it is always the same old feta and garlic oil.
This place is just so awesome, worth driving across the Bay for! Especially when getting that bridge toll worth of exotic cheese samples! Cheese Board, you rock my socks off. And thankfully, you somehow don't smell like them!
A Berkeley institution and one that cares for its employees with a 401k, retirement plan, etc. (I knew someone that worked here).
Don't know of too many places that treat workers like that anymore... Just when I hate Berkeley I am reminded about the good points of the Berzerkeley lifestyle & business philosophy.
Someone complained about them closing at six - and I know it sucks like a hind teet of inconvenience - but they're trying to get their employees home in time for dinner. Like the rest of us would like to be.
Prices for cheese (try the Petite Basque, really) are better here than at Whole Foods or AndrogenHoes.
Damn, these people are serious about their cheese! Not in a pretentious, snotty kind of way though. Very helpful people that are willing to let you sample as much cheese as you want. They are also patient with cheese newbies like myself. I definitely recommend the cheese board for fellow cheese lovers. Yum.
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I love everything about this place, except the long lines when they're busy. I'm not really obsessed with cheese or bread, but I am SO extremely happy whenever I visit.
I've tried a lot of things here....just cause you can...the staff behind the counter are quite knowledgeable and fairly patient with indecisiveness. So that's nice. If only I lived closer.
Over 400 different types of cheese!? There is no doubt in my mind that this place deserves a 5 star rating. I love cheese, breads, and anything this shop has to offer, so I have to represent and give the well deserved 5 stars.
Try the specialty bread that change daily. They are all so unbelievably wonderful.
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A solid 5 stars for this North Berkeley mainstay. Not much to say beyond that except that the bialys and shortbread are to die for, and I almost always run into several people I know in the frenetic early-morning crowd.
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This place is awesome! There are so many kinds of cheeses at reasonable prices - no marking up for the sake of it here. My boyfriend and I went in with no clue what kind of cheese we wanted; we just wanted a few different types. The guy who worked there was incredibly helpful, friendly, and patient. He made really good suggestions that we enjoyed very much, and didn't automatically try to have us buy the most expensive item in the store. 5 stars for everything: selection, quality, atmosphere, cleanliness, and staff.
If I ever double in size, this place will be the reason why.
Any green credits that I've developed while living in Berkeley have been deducted by my driving to work JUST so I can stop at the Cheese Board for breakfast.
What's for breakfast, you ask?
Among my favorites are the cheese rolls (in a recipe that makes 12-14 rolls, there are 2 cups of Gruyere and 2 cups of Asiago -- not for the faint of heart -- literally, people); the zampanos (soft sourdough rolls brushed with garlic olive oil and sprinkled with parmesan and pepper flakes); the wolverines (rolls with pecans, dried apricots, cherries, and raisins); assorted focaccias (rosemary and sea salt, lemon-ricotta salata-cilantro), and their shortbreads (the Meyer lemon one in particular). Everything doubles in deliciousness if you catch it coming out of the oven.
Coffee runs out typically about 10. Feelgood factor: 10.
It seems to be the meeting place in the morning for mommies with toddlers, owners with puppies, and people with a love of bread and cheese.
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I have no problem driving out to Berkeley for two (and a half) slices of pizza. Paired with an Orangina, the pizza is AMAZING. Cheeseboard offers a different daily pizza and never fails to amaze my taste buds.
Be aware that there is little to no seating (especially on the weekend), but fear not. Simply bring your pizza to the median and enjoy eating on the grass. If it's too wet or crowded, walk around the corner or across the street and sit on the sidewalk.
Housed next door is a wide assortment of cheese. Take a look and browse at the wide selection.
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While it isn't the BEST pizza, it is pretty darn good, and props for being vegetarian at that. It IS also cheaper than blondie's and has live piano-and-string musicians sometimes during the day - how many pizza shops have even mildly entertaining music? They also have a HUUUUUGE cheese selection next door [which actually started first].
There's always a line, and you can sit on the street median island though it is supposedly illegal and officials will occasionally shoo you away.
It is out of the way for the majority of UC Berkeley students, but I won't hold that against them - a lot of good places are, and they serve the area not the students.
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"Nobody drink the beer! The beer has gone bad!"
I share William Lichter's sentiments. The first time I was introduced to a cheese that wasn't cut into squares and skewered with a toothpick next to a cherry tomato, I took one bite of the aged roquefort and reacted in much the same way. No way was I going to eat that. No. Way.
That was, until the Cheeseboard.
Aside from being a Berkeley institution as well as a "must see" stop for all foodie travelers through the East Bay, the Cheeseboard is to cheese lovers what BevMo is to alcoholics. Shangri-La, bitches. The staff, all of whom definitely know their Bries from their Bleus, expertly guide you through the different types of cheeses, careful to structure the sampling in a way that won't overload your palate. It's like a self-empowerment program for the fromagely challenged. Every time I stop by I learn something new, whether about a certain aging process or pairing ideas for new cheeses. The lecture is never forced and *always* welcomed.
I love cheese now. Like, LOVE. IT. This level of affection and dedication would not have been possible without the Cheeseboard's unparalleled selection and friendly staff.
Plus, they call themselves the "Cheeseboard Collective". A Collective! Not since the Borg has an organization struck such awe in me.
Neals Yard Dairy Stilton? Resistance is Futile.
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Been coming here since, gee, I don't remember. We have family friend in the collective, and their gift certificates are common gifts in our family. I love the cheese counter, but I also love going when they first open to get warm scones, brioches and other tasty treats from the bakery.
I love that if you want cheese for a cheese tray at a buffet, they always have a suggestion. If you know you want something with a certain kind of flavor, they can help you find it. Fabulous when I can barely remember to tie my shoes some weekend mornings!
So whenever I drove on the north side of shattuck, I would observe "hippie-like" people sitting in the center divider of the street eating pizza. I always made fun of them and commented on their "hippiness." Little did I know, that after trying Cheeseboard, I would become one of these "hippies."
When I first saw the Cheeseboard menu I could not comprehend how this place was so popular. But it seems that they somehow manage to make a disgusting sounding pizza(i.e. - pear) very very good. After going for the first time, I can't help but check their daily pizza on their website. I especially like anything with mushrooms. Also, the people here are super nice and give a sample slab for each order! Only negative is they just raised their prices from $18/pizza to $20/pizza.
Thank you Cheeseboard for getting me in touch with my inner "hippie"
you can't give the cheese board anything but 5 stars. The only thing that is bad is if they have toppings that day that you don't like. If you check ahead, you will never be disappointed.
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This has got to be one of my favorite places on earth.
When I lived closer, I used to stop in here at least once a week (the waistline wouldn't allow for more often) on my way to work. What would I get? Corn-cherry scones, sticky pecan rolls, apricot muffins, chocolate things, cheese scones, brioches studded with golden raisins, provolone-olive bread, hazelnut shortbread....the list could go on and on.
Their Killer Granola is absolutely amazing. The pizza next door is the best thin-crust around.
Yes, this place is busy. It should be. It is an institution!
Oh yeah, they have wonderful cheese too!
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Fantastic place. Love the people, love the food, love the live jazz, love the concept (coop, only one type pizza a day, same price per slice if you buy one or a whole pizza), basicly love everything about the place.
To quote Leon Ware's funky smoothjazz tune:
"This is why I came to California"
How to spend a Tuesday night?
come here for the first time with Christopher S. before he leaves for LA to become a Doctor of Space and Science. This fellow nerd and I love Stargasms and Pizza. I like the fact there is only one pizza on the menu.
Makes me less indecisive! There is a jazz trio playing, I have a root beer in hand and the pizza for a thin crust-is very good.
I don't know why people continually compare Cheeseboard to Zachary's because they are in two different categories.
For Cheeseboard is a thin crust shop and Zachary's is a deep dish shop.
That's like saying a pie and a crumble are the same.
The price is reasonable. A half a pizza fills one grown man and one pint size woman. total damage 12 bucks.
astronomical scientific/existential talk over gelato-priceless.
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What can I say, I love cheese. So this place is simply heaven to me. More than 200! varieties of cheese and you can taste every darn one of them before you buy. But that may not actually be the best part, in my opinion. The best part may be that they also sell the best damn baked goods you may ever taste and, when you're very very lucky, they even have day-olds for sale.
Oh and you can pick up Cheeseboard Pizza to go, by the pie, here as well. How easy is that?
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So I was headed up to Mt. Whitney for three days. I needed to pack good trail food, and it wasn't going to consist solely of Clif Bars. So I hit the farmer's market for some Fatted Calf salami, and then headed to the Cheese Board for the requisite hard cheeses.
What's great about the Cheese Board is the fabulously helpful staff. Yes, you will wait for what seems like an eternity waiting for your card to come up. But once you are the front of the line, the able staff will assist you to find the right kind of cheese. And even while you're waiting, a flirtatious look might get you a couple of complimentary tastes in the interim.
So when my Three of Clubs was called, I explained I was going into the backcountry for a few days, that I'd like some hard cheeses that would last on the trail. I sampled several choices and settled on a wonderfully nutty cow's milk cheese and a fruitier sheep's milk cheese. I was good to go.
And a day or so later, as I was perched on a snowy rock, high above the valley below, I had for myself quite an extraordinary picnic. Sigh. I love that I can take a piece of Berkeley to the tallest of peaks.
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Tuesday morning: Berkeley buns. What are they, you ask? English muffin dough with curry powder and onions. The most delicious savory item they offer and the most addicting. Great on sandwiches, and if you happen to come across a gorgeous Tuesday afternoon as you are wont to do in Berkeley, you shouldn't skip out on the buns. And they're cheap, too; $1.50 a pound. That's like, five buns.
Friday morning: X-Bread #7. Brioche dough with four cheeses and jalapeno. Snack time? You bet. Stock up on these because they make great Saturday morning breakfast, especially when you tuck in two slices of ham inside.
As for the cheese... did I really need that block of bleu and that slice of gouda? Probably not, but my nutritionist says cheese makes my teeth healthier. I'll bite.
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So yummy. Very reasonably priced. I like the interesting varieties with things like lemon rind. So tasty. Weird hours and occasionally pretentious clerks at the pizza side, but not the cheese side. You will almost certainly wait in line behind a pretentious rich former hippie who is now a Berkeley millionaire.
Yes the cheese shop is fantastic. Really fantastic with knowledgeable people who let you try everything.
Just finished their remodel on the pizza side, so there is more indoor seating, nice hardwood floors, and the restroom is much more accessible than previously (when you had to walk through the kitchen).
The pizza is yummy. Thin crust cooked wicked hot and crisp. A new pizza flavor each day, and only one, and it is always vegetarian. No choices, no volume economies for buying a whole pizza, just pick a drink while you are in the fast moving line and tell them how many slices you want and if it is here or to go. Cash only on the pizza side (they take a check too but I don't know the rules).
Sounds too simple to be that good huh? But it is not. Come see why this is an institution. Though you need not worry about what kind of pizza they are making that day (it is always fresh and yummy), if you are curious or worried about it you can go to their website here (http://cheeseboardcoll...) and look it up.
The cheese shop simply has hundreds of great cheeses from around the world and a very knowledgeable staff to help you choose according to your taste. Take a recyclable number (a playing card) on your way in and wait your turn. Take your time for cheese, this is not the fast moving pizza line. We are there to taste and enjoy the experience. Don't mess with us or rush us biznatches! It is worth the wait.
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It seems silly to write a review for something that is so unquestionably dope. I'd just like to make a few pointers.
The pizza is always vegetarian which is neat.
A slice of pizza here is the best $2.25 you could ever spend.
New digs with lots more places to sit so you don't have to park your ass on the Shattuck Ave divider while devouring.
God comes to earth in physical form in the crust of this pizza.
The cheese store is cool- they will let you sample all their stuff which is tons o fun.
They have baguettes and other baked goods that are better than Acme, in my humble opinion.
They are a worker owned collective.
The staff are really nice.
Viva cheeseboard.
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This is the best place to experience cheese in all its glory and form! I saw this place on the show, "Bay Area Backroads" and omg, I had to come. Overe 400 types of cheese to choose from?! I'm there! I came here with my in-law b/c I know how much my mother-in-law loves cheese as do I although it can do you dirty especially if you're lactose intolerant.
The service is outstanding and so graciously patient with the customers! We went on a Saturday afternoon so it was packed to the hilt and looked like a good 30 minute wait but a woman gave us her card number which was so nice of her and we were that much closer to being served. We tried different types of Brie Cheese, some good, some not-so-good but we ended up with 2 different types of Brie, one creamier than the other and just plain delicious. You can spend a crapload of money here but if you love cheese, it's definitely worth it!
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Four Chesse Piiiiizzahhhhhhhhh.
Makes me drool like Homer.... .uuuuughhughughughghhhhhhhhhh
Is there any place as fantastically delicious? The pizza side is great but for me, it's all about the cheese. Even in France, the Cheeseboard's selection and generosity is unequaled. You can stand tasting (and buying) for hours based on their great recommendations. Don't miss the bargain bin hanging on the right side of the counter.
Holy Amazingness. My life centers around this place like church for Catholics. I cannot, and will not, live without the Cheese Board.
There are not many places you can go and get such an incredible array of cheese options. The staff are amazing because, no matter how busy they are, when it's your turn, you get top notch attention. You can taste as many cheeses as you want and your frommagier will take the time to tell you about the origin, milk type, and aging of each cheese.
My dream, and I am COMPLETELY serious about this, is that one day, I'll walk in there and start chatting cheese with the staff. They will say, "Gee, you really love cheese. Why don't you come back here, throw on an apron, and join us on this side of the cooler?" And then they'd add, "Oh, and you can take home all the cheeses you want for free.....forever."
So, until that dream is realized, I will keep going and trying all the delicious, moldy, veiny, grassy, nutty, and creamy cheeses that make my blood pump.
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For some reason, I avoid places that have a following- I just assumed this place was over priced.
Recently, I went here with a friend. We got 5 good sized wedges of wonderful cheese- everything from Cave Aged Gruyere to Humboldt Fog, two little sourdough rolls and a bag of olives for $17!
The prices are amazing. Pure cheesy goodness.
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Everything in this place is super yummo!! The cheeses, the cheese rolls, the pastries, the cheeserolls, the bread, the cheeserolls, the coffee . My new favorite is their 'mock boursin' spread. It is better than the real thing and u don't have to feel guilty if you eat the entire container. Did I do that??? Spread it on one of their delicous baguettes and its a little taste of heaven.
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An excellent bakery.
Surefire wins are:
* Pecan rolls
* Cheese rolls (be sure to get one with extra crispy cheese overhang bits)
* Corn cherry scones
* Chocolate cookies (these are especially amazing if you get them hot)
* Chocolate things (if you get ones with lots of chocolate)
* Deep Dark Chocolate Loaves (stop me before I eat again!)
* Baguettes (often hot from the oven!)
* Challah (BEST in the area -- Friday & Saturday mornings only, I think)
* Greek Shepherd Bread with cheese and olives -- day-yamn!
* Provolone Olive Loaf
* Country Bread or Suburban Bread (no, not City Bread)
And when you're feeling funky:
* X-Bread
* Blueberry Millet muffins
* Olive Focaccia
And when you need a sweet roll that appears not to be:
* The Wolverine, Baby! (Cheap, too.)
I never buy any cheese, though I know I should.
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Since there are so many detailed reviews about the CB, I don't have to add much.
The staff is very friendly and patient in letting customers sample before they buy. Also, nothing is pre-packaged and thus the cheese doesn't smell like plastic wrap. Prices here are a lot better than in South Bay or the Peninsula.
Just a word of caution (I am sure most folks know this too well)--the line gets quite long in the afternoon and make sure that you get a number immediately after you enter the store. Also, parking is huge issue. So, use the BART and then walk to the store, if possible.
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