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.
Kalona 3
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Kalona Creamery
2206 540th St SW, Kalona, IA 52247
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Twin County Dairy
2206 540th St SW, Kalona, IA 52247-9178
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Kalona Cheese House
5401 Highway 1 SW, Kalona, IA 52247-9263
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The Cheese Shop
833 42nd St b, Des Moines, IA 50312
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Brix Cheese Shop and Wine Bar
209 N Linn St, Iowa City, IA 52245
Leighton 1
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Frisian Farms Cheese House
2098 Fisher Ave, Leighton, IA 50143
Madrid 1
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Sisters in Cheese
203 S State St, Madrid, IA 50156
McGregor 1
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Jayco Fish and Cheese
226 Main St, McGregor, IA 52157
Milton 1
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Milton Creamery LLC
202 IA-2, Milton, IA 52570
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Shut Your Piehole Cheesecakes
600 S Pine St, New London, IA 52645
Also in Iowa
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 Iowa, local processors charge based on this weight. Browse 10 meat processors across Iowa 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 10 specialized meat markets listed across Iowa on ButcherAtlas.