Selection styles vary widely between standalone cut-to-order counters, farmstead dairies focused on single-producer wheels, and wine shops with curated cheese cases. A map pin shows location, but it will not tell you whether a shop lets you sample before buying, stocks imported raw-milk varieties, or sells pre-cut wedges for quick pickup.
Chicago 8
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Great American Cheese Collect
2320 W 110th St, Chicago, IL 60643
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Beautiful Rind
2211 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Tue–Sun 11am–9pm, Fri–Sat 11am–10pm, Mon closed
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C E Zuercher And Company
1032 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607-1256
Mon–Fri 6am–2:30pm
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Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine
131 N Clinton St, Chicago, IL 60661
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Beecher’s Handmade Cheese
MDW Terminal, S Cicero Ave, Chicago, IL 60629
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Meow Dark
850 W Superior St, Chicago, IL 60642-5944
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Monti Trentini Usa Llc
40 E Chicago Ave # 404, Chicago, IL 60611-2026
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Stamper Cheese Company
2216 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60612
Marengo 2
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Cheesery
19117 River Rd, Marengo, IL 60152
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Umland's Crunchy Cheese Bites
21001 Ratfield Rd, Marengo, IL 60152
Addison 1
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Cacique Usa
715 W Racquet Club Dr, Addison, IL 60101-4317
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Cheese and Crackers
1715 W Kirby Ave, Champaign, IL 61821
Danville 1
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Spezia's Cheese Shop
24995 IL-1, Danville, IL 61834
Davis 1
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Megz Country Cheese Inc
420 IL-75, Davis, IL 61019
Dupo 1
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Hautly Cheese
704 Industrial Dr, Dupo, IL 62239
Elgin 1
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Schuman Cheese
2587 Technology Dr, Elgin, IL 60124
Geneva 1
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Chi-cuterie
321 Franklin St, Geneva, IL 60134
Glenview 1
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Cheers To Cheese
950 Harlem Ave, Glenview, IL 60025-4275
Joliet 1
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Mancuso Cheese Company
612 Mills Rd Ste 1, Joliet, IL 60433-2843
Lena 1
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Torkelson Cheese Co
9453 W Louisa Rd, Lena, IL 61048
Lombard 1
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Chicago Vegan Foods
905 N Ridge Ave, Lombard, IL 60148-1227
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Del Rancho Corp
4600 W Lake St, Melrose Park, IL 60160-2747
Normal 1
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Ropp Jersey Cheese
2676 Ropp Rd, Normal, IL 61761-9323
Oak Park 1
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Marion Street Cheese Market
100 S Marion St, Oak Park, IL 60302-2809
Richmond 1
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International House of Wine and Cheese
11302 US-12, Richmond, IL 60071
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Vintage 53
162 S 1st St, St Charles, IL 60174-2873
Stockton 1
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Brewster Cheese Company
300 W Railroad Ave, Stockton, IL 61085-1545
Also in Illinois
- Butcher Shops460
- Specialty Food Stores444
- Delis68
- Deer & Game Processing51
- Custom-Cut Butcher Shops36
- Halal Butchers21
- Seafood Markets19
- Butcher Shops with Dry-Aged Beef12
Good to know
Can you sample cheeses before buying?
Most full-service, cut-to-order cheese shops allow customers to taste pieces before committing to a weight. Pre-packaged retail displays or smaller specialty markets generally do not offer samples unless they are hosting a scheduled tasting event.
What is the difference between farmstead cheese and artisan cheese?
Farmstead cheese is made on the same property where the milk-producing animals are raised, using only milk from that specific herd. Artisan cheese refers to cheeses made in small batches using traditional methods, but the cheesemaker may purchase milk from outside farms.
How much cheese should you buy per person for a platter?
For a casual board served alongside other snacks, plan on two to three ounces of cheese per guest. If the cheese board is the main food item for a gathering, aim for four to six ounces per person across three to five distinct varieties.
What is hanging weight?
Hanging weight is the weight of a slaughtered animal after skinning and evisceration, but before final trimming and dry aging. When purchasing a side or whole animal in Illinois, local processors charge based on this weight. Browse 27 meat processors across Illinois on ButcherAtlas to learn more about custom carcass purchasing.
How to make sausage at home?
To make sausage at home, chill high-fat meat and grind it, mix thoroughly with seasonings and ice water until sticky, then stuff into natural casings. Keep all equipment cold to preserve the emulsion and texture. For custom meat grinds and fresh casings, visit any of the 27 specialized meat markets listed across Illinois on ButcherAtlas.