Cheese curds in Milwaukee's North Shore: A complete guide

Looking for cheese curds as a Christmas gift? From Sendik's spectacular 20+ flavor events to Clock Shadow Creamery's unique Pizza and Scorpion Pepper varieties, the North Shore communities offer surprisingly good access to artisan curds, while several greater Milwaukee destinations justify a short drive for exceptional selection. This guide covers every worthwhile stop from Shorewood to Mequon, plus the city's best specialty cheese shops.

Sendik's North Shore cheese curd shopping

Sendik's Food Market stands out as the premier North Shore destination for flavored cheese curds, with locations perfectly positioned for residents of Whitefish Bay and Mequon. The family-owned grocery chain (operating since 1926) has developed something remarkable: periodic "Build Your Own Cheese Curd Box" events featuring more than 20 flavored varieties at $7.99 per pound.

The Whitefish Bay location at 500 East Silver Spring Drive (414-962-9525) operates 7 AM–9 PM daily. Mequon shoppers can visit the 10930 North Port Washington Road store. Both carry approximately five cheese curd varieties daily, but the special events—held every six to eight weeks—transform the cheese section into a curd lover's paradise.

Sendik's flavor lineup includes crowd-pleasers like Garlic Dill, Mango Habanero, and Sweet Bourbon Bacon Chipotle, alongside creative options such as Bloody Mary, Buffalo Wing, Jamaican Jerk, and Shallot Black Pepper curds. The curds come from a vendor in Weyauwega, Wisconsin, with flavors developed specifically for Sendik's Wisconsin customer base. Check their weekly ad at sendiks.com or follow their social media for event announcements—these often coincide with big game days and holiday periods.

Larry's Market Brown Deer's finest cheese

Just south of the North Shore proper, Larry's Market at 8737 North Deerwood Drive in Brown Deer represents Milwaukee's pioneering fine foods destination since 1970. The shop carries 300-400 varieties of artisan cheeses, with 70% sourced from Wisconsin producers.

Larry's hours are more limited than typical grocery stores: Monday–Thursday 10 AM–5 PM, Friday 10 AM–7 PM, Saturday 10 AM–5 PM, closed Sundays. Call ahead at 414-355-9650 to confirm cheese curd availability, as their focus leans toward artisan specialty cheeses rather than traditional curds. However, their staff—described as "more knowledgeable about cheese than anyone else"—can create custom gift baskets featuring Wisconsin cheeses if curds aren't in stock.

West Allis Cheese

For the widest consistently-available selection of flavored curds, West Allis Cheese & Sausage Shoppe justifies the 15-20 minute drive from the North Shore. The original location at 6832 West Becher Street in West Allis (414-543-4230) has served Milwaukee for over 50 years with 400+ cheese varieties.

Their fresh cheese curd selection includes Yellow Cheddar, White Cheddar, Cajun, Dill Garlic, Jalapeño, Ranch, and Mozzarella Whips—all priced at $5.99 per 10-ounce package. The full café serves breakfast all day, including their famous Bloody Marys garnished with deep-fried cheese curds, grilled cheese, and bacon.

The Milwaukee Public Market location (400 North Water Street, 414-336-1111) offers the same cheese selection with extended hours: Monday–Saturday 10 AM–8 PM, Sunday 10 AM–6 PM. This makes an excellent downtown destination for combining cheese curd shopping with the market's other food vendors.

Clock Shadow Creamery

Clock Shadow Creamery

Milwaukee's original urban creamery deserves special attention for its genuinely unique flavored curds. Clock Shadow Creamery produces curds every Wednesday and Friday, hand-cutting and salting them before same-day delivery to retailers. Their trademarked "Squeaks" come in flavors you won't find elsewhere:

• Standard offerings: White Cheddar, Yellow Cheddar, Garlic Dill, Cajun, Ranch

• Creative varieties: Pizza, Tomato Basil, Spicy Ranch, Jalapeño, Habanero

• For heat seekers: Scorpion Pepper (made to order—extremely hot)

• Seasonal experiments: Wisconsin Sausage (Usinger's-flavored), Raspberry Jalapeño, Bloody Mary

Clock Shadow curds are available at Hill Valley Dairy (138 West Bruce Street, Milwaukee), which now occupies their former retail space. Hill Valley operates a working cheese factory with viewing windows, plus a cheese and cocktail bar. Shop hours: Tuesday 10 AM–4 PM, Wednesday 10 AM–10 PM, Thursday 12 PM–10 PM, Friday 2 PM–11 PM, Saturday 12 PM–11 PM, Sunday 12 PM–6 PM. Email MKEcheese@hillvalleydairy.com or call 414-269-8111.

Wisconsin Cheese Mart holiday gift boxes

For Christmas gifting specifically, Wisconsin Cheese Mart at 215 West Highland Avenue in downtown Milwaukee offers the best combination of selection, gift packaging, and shipping options. Family-owned for over 80 years, they carry 150+ Wisconsin cheese varieties including several curd options:

• Flavored Curd Variety Pack ($35 for 2.6 lbs): Includes Dill & Garlic, Cajun, Sour Cream & Onion, and Sweet Bourbon Chipotle Bacon from Weyauwega Star Dairy

• Cheddar Cheese Curds Combo (3 lbs/$35 or 5 lbs/$46): Clock Shadow Creamery curds in white, yellow, or mixed

• Dill & Garlic Curds: $7.75 individually

Their gift boxes range from the Nibbler Gift Crate ($49) to the Best Sellers Collection ($78), all with free nationwide shipping. Order by December 16 for guaranteed Christmas delivery. The adjacent Uber Tap Room allows beer pairings with cheese tastings.

Outpost Natural Foods

Outpost Natural Foods Co-op operates five Milwaukee-area locations, with the Mequon store at 7590 West Mequon Road (262-242-0426) serving North Shore residents directly. This community-owned cooperative since 1970 emphasizes local and artisan Wisconsin cheeses, regularly featuring Clock Shadow Creamery products and rotating local vendors including Alpinage Cheese and Henning's Cheese.

The Capitol Drive location at 100 East Capitol Drive (414-961-2597) sits near the North Shore boundary. Hours run Monday–Friday 7:30 AM–8 PM, Saturday–Sunday 8 AM–8 PM. While their curd selection varies, Outpost excels at discovering and showcasing emerging Wisconsin cheesemakers.

Wisconsin cheese producers

Several Wisconsin cheese producers ship directly and offer flavors unavailable locally:

Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery produces 180,000 pounds of cheese curds daily in what's officially the "Cheese Curd Capital of Wisconsin." Their retail store in Ellsworth (about 90 minutes northwest) sells fresh curds daily starting at 11 AM. Online prices run $2.50 for 5-ounce bags and $6.50 for 16-ounce bags—significantly cheaper than local retail. Flavors include Natural White Cheddar, Garlic, Cajun, Ranch, Dill Pickle, Hickory Bacon, Hot Buffalo, Taco, Jalapeño, Sour Cream & Onion, and Pizza. Orders placed after December 15 ship after Christmas.

Gardner's Wisconsin Cheese offers creative seasonal varieties including Hot Honey, Everything Seasoned, and Mango Fire (Mango Habanero). Free cold-pack shipping on orders over $69.

Cheese Brothers (Almena, Wisconsin) guarantees their curds arrive squeaky, shipping same-day. Their Wisconsin Cheese Curds Sampler includes eight 6-ounce bags, and their "12 Days of Cheesemas" gift box ($105, reduced from $120) makes a fun holiday present.

Kraemer Wisconsin Cheese in Watertown (45 minutes from Milwaukee) offers the closest "day trip" cheese factory experience. Fresh curds made Mondays and Thursdays in Cheddar, Muenster, Mixed, Dill, Jalapeño, and Taco Seasoned varieties. Hours: Monday–Friday 7 AM–5:30 PM, Saturday 7 AM–3 PM, Sunday 8 AM–12 PM. Address: 1173 North 4th Street, Watertown (920-261-6363).

North Shore farmers markets cheese vendors

Summer and fall bring additional cheese curd opportunities through farmers markets:

Fox Point Farmers Market runs Saturdays June 14–October 11, 8 AM–12 PM at North Shore Congregational Church (7330 North Santa Monica Boulevard). Shorewood Farmers Market at Village Park features 70+ Wisconsin vendors including cheese curd producers. Whitefish Bay Farmers Market at 325 East Silver Spring Drive accepts EBT/SNAP and WIC benefits.

Alpinage Cheese from Oak Creek—known for award-winning raclette—sells cheese curds, string cheese, and whips at the South Shore Farmers Market (Saturdays, 8 AM–12 PM, June–October). Their curds can also be found at West Allis Cheese and Outpost Natural Foods.

Pricing comparison shows significant range across retailers

Retailer Price Size Best Value West Allis Cheese $5.99 10 oz Best everyday price Sendik's events $7.99/lb Custom Best flavor variety Wisconsin Cheese Mart $7.75 varies Best gift options Ellsworth online $6.50 16 oz Best bulk price Clock Shadow (via Hill Valley) $9.00 varies Most unique flavors

Conclusion

North Shore residents seeking flavored cheese curds beyond Metro Market's basics have excellent options without leaving the immediate area. Sendik's cheese curd events offer unmatched flavor variety with 20+ options—simply check their weekly ads for the next event before Christmas. For guaranteed daily availability, West Allis Cheese & Sausage Shoppe at the Milwaukee Public Market provides the most reliable flavored selection at competitive prices.

For Christmas gift-giving, Wisconsin Cheese Mart's curated gift boxes ship nationwide with free delivery on orders over $49—order by December 16 for Christmas arrival. And for truly adventurous curd seekers, Clock Shadow Creamery's Pizza, Tomato Basil, and Scorpion Pepper varieties (available at Hill Valley Dairy) offer flavors found nowhere else in Wisconsin.

The region's cheese curd landscape rewards exploration. A leisurely Saturday could include Sendik's in Whitefish Bay, Hill Valley Dairy's cheese-making viewing windows in Walker's Point, and West Allis Cheese's famous curd-garnished Bloody Marys—perfect research for your next blog post.