Mars Cheese Castle

Where I live in Nebraska we only have a tiny Cheese Haus so I was beyond excited to come here while we in Wisconsin for Thanksgiving. We loved all of the wine and beer and other alcohol plus non-alcoholic drinks there were to choose from. The souvenir selection was also fantastic. And then of course the amount of cheese to choose from was very large. Along with that, there was also different kinds of meat, chips, chocolate, candy, sauces, jams and jellies, and pickled veggies and so much more. We actually came on two different days and definitely did not come home empty handed!

Mars Cheese Castle was founded in October 1947 by Mario Ventura Sr. and Martha Ventura in a renovated old school building in Kenosha County, Wisconsin. The name "Mars" comes from Mario's first name (Mario ≈ Mars) and Ventura's mother's Italian concept of a castle, so "Cheese Castle" also implies both "castle" and "cheese kingdom." Initially a small cheese shop, it expanded and relocated (the original shop was rebuilt after a fire in 1957). It wasn't until 2011, during the reconstruction along Interstate 94, that the current, more castle-like location was built. It has become an iconic roadside attraction and symbol of Wisconsin cheese culture. 💫 The atmosphere: The exterior resembles a small castle, and the large sign is easily visible from the highway. Upon entering, the aroma of cheese, bread, and sausage is breathtaking, instantly making you feel like you've arrived in "cheese lover's paradise." 🧀 Must-see Highlights: • Over 700 cheese varieties! In every flavor and shape, you'll be constantly thinking, "I want to try that too!" "That looks so special!" • Restaurant + Bar Area: Sit down with a Wisconsin beer and a Reuben sandwich or cheese bread – it feels like a little luxury during your trip. • Gift Area: Perfect for giving family and friends some "only-in-Wisconsin" souvenirs. 📸 Photo Tip: The castle exterior + the cheese display area + the bar stools – this three-way combination is a must! Remember to choose a sunny day; the reflections off the cheese display windows are beautiful. ⚠️ Weekends can be crowded, so leaving early might be easier. While cheese lovers will love it, if your group isn't a cheese fan, you can order hot food or drinks from the restaurant so everyone can find something they like. Remember to bring cooler or freezer bags when buying cheese, especially if it's summer or a long drive.

A fun stop, but I wish they would have all of the local products labeled. Many of the things they have (like the jams and the jellies and crackers) are from other areas of the country. I’m from a town where we produce a lot of local products, and so the stores label them. Even the grocery stores! Because I really want to shop local. It’s Clear the beer was local, But I would’ve loved all of the local cheeses to have been labeled as such. And if they had other local products, just put a big sign up that says “local” because I really want to support local farmers etc. All that said, this is a lot of fun (As you can see from the photos). They also had a pretty amazing wine selection, and they had some local beverages as well, and again, it would’ve been great if they had a big sign up that said “buy local!” They had a mix-and-match for the local beer. Which I love! So we brought home a mixed six pack. We also brought home some of the cheese that they had offered for tasting, which seemed very local. And I love that they have the cheese to taste as well. Restrooms were clean. My husband had a Reuben and he said the pastrami was good, but they didn’t have it on the correct bread. A Reuben should be on rye bread. They had an alternative.

Impromptu stop while in Wisconsin. I’ve been coming here for years. My favorite place for cheese. Such a huge variety. I always try something different. That’s what’s to cool about Mars. They always have different samples of cheese to try. Or if not already available, they will give you a slice of cheese you are wanting to taste. Yummy 😋 😋 Today’s purchase was Smoked Mozzarella, Bellavitano Cheese, Sartori Sharp Cheddar, Havarti, and the all time famous WI String Cheese 🧀. Such a cool spot. It also has a deli and a bar- restaurant. A nice selection of specialty beers and sodas too. A must check out right off interstate 🛣️.

We went to the Cheese Castle on our way to where we were going for a business trip. There are so many types of cheese and beef sticks for sale inside of the store, you could spend hours in there finding new different kinds. There are also a lot of cool decorations inside of the place, and the gift shop is nice too

I don't enough words to explain how awesome this place is. An incredible variety of not only cheeses but so many other things: candy, shirts, snacks, condiments, goofy stuff, cards and stickers, beer and alcohol, fresh bakery items. In addition, they have a bar area and a little restaurant. I got the "classic "grilled cheese, which had actual cheddar cheese in it, not American, and when I did the cheese pull, it was about 2 feet long, which was cool. It came with fries that were perfect and I ordered a side of bacon, which was thick and crispy, just how I like it. You can have your picture taken with a cow, a mouse and on a throne! Fun place, even if you don't like cheese!

Mars Cheese Castle is a must-stop for anyone traveling through Wisconsin with even a passing interest in local flavor. The selection of Wisconsin-themed gifts is impressively broad—from fun, quirky souvenirs and t-shirts to authentic local goods that make for perfect take-home gifts or personal treats. The store is beautifully laid out and makes it easy to explore both the novelty and the genuinely artisanal. What truly blew me away, though, were the cheese curls. I’m not claiming they’re the best in the world—I haven’t tried every cheese curl out there—but they are, without question, the best I’ve ever had. Perfectly crunchy, bold in flavor, and oddly addictive. The staff here also deserves high marks. Friendly, efficient, and happy to share recommendations without being pushy, they added a sense of warmth to the experience that made the stop feel more like a visit to a local institution than a tourist trap. Highly recommended.

Such a quirky place! Funny, tacky, full of different sorts of wine & local beer, food items from crackers and jams to pasta and cheese of course. Merch and apparel as well. We were just disappointed that there wasn't a single type of cheese with nuts. Huge parking lot. Convenient location near the WI-IL border.

Such a fun place to stop when visiting Wisco. I grew up in the area and was on a road trip back home with a friend and insisted we stop here - even though it was nearly midnight and the castle was closed. Got some fun pics outside the sign and castle, and would definitely love to stop during business hours next time I'm back home.

Where to begin!? This place is AMAZING!! There is so much to offer in this massive cheese castle! From cheeses, sausages, beer, wine, tourism gifts, baked goods, popcorn, fudge, etc. The list goes on and on! Inside the cheese castle you will also find a bar with tasty drinks and of a variety of food options too. My mom and I enjoyed the cheese samples they had out. One of my favorites was the Cranberry Chipotle Cheddar Cheese. It was sweet and smoky. Absolutely delicious! We also went to the bakery and sampled cheese bread and Kringle cake. You have to try the kringle cake. It is a sweet and delicious pastry that is addicting! They had a lot of flavors to choose from: apple, pumpkin, blueberry, cherry, and pecan. I wound up purchasing fresh string cheese on the rope, dill cheese, spinach and artichoke cheese, summer sausages, popcorn, fudge, pecan kringle, and a birthday gift. Needless to say, I cannot wait to go back to the cheese castle. If you haven't been here, you're missing out!

Like a mirage emerging from a fever dream, Mars Cheese Castle appeared out of nowhere as I was driving on the interstate in Wisconsin. I was in need of a potty break and a place to get a Wisconsin souvenir, and because I manifested this place into being, I stopped at this castle of cheese as soon as I spotted it. It proved to be the perfect place to use the restroom and get something to eat! I had heard that Wisconsin is the place to get a kringle -- a sweet pastry filled with cheese or cherry preserves or blueberry jam or other things. I got a cherry one to take home. There's a big display case of Mars' Cheese Castle kringles near the entrance. There's also lots of cheese here. You'll find cheese curds, string cheese, cheese boards, and everything you can think of that might go with cheese, like crackers, chocolate, bread and other delicious things. Plus fudge, local beer (New Glarus Spotted Cow) and other fun foods. This is basically a big cheese shop with local goodies everywhere. I had wanted to get a food gift while I was in Wisconsin, and Mars' Cheese Shop proved to be a great place to find one. There are two places to park here at Mars' Cheese Castle: the parking lot for the store, and the parking lot for the bar area. (P.S. There is a bar here.) It's all the same parking lot, though. I parked at the bar and then had to walk a tiny bit to get to the store, but it was all good. But just FYI that if you're here for the store, you will want to park toward the front of the castle!

Mars Cheese Castle is a fun destination and cheese shop. They have many photo opportunities in addition to selling cheese, meat, beer, bread, and cheeseheads. Basically, anything that screams Wisconsin can be seen or purchased here. This is a must stop attraction if you are in the Kenosha area. I highly recommend Mars Cheese Castle!

I have wanted to come here for many years, and it finally happened! The castle was fairly empty on a Monday morning soon after opening. Access seems easy from either side of the interstate. Inside, I found cheese galore. not simply Wisconsin finds, but several imports that are rare for the States. The alcohol selection is massive, especially in terms of Wisconsin products, but prices are high and there are not small single cans or bottles available. There are also many cheese accompaniments, sausages, a bakery, and many Wisconsin and cheese themed gift items.

We were on our way from Milwaukee to Chicago and we saw this castle off the freeway. It's on its own off the freeway. There's a giant bar on one side and the other side it's a grocery store. They have so much cheese and other products. You can taste a few cheese . Overall a pretty good stop to try a lot of cheese.

A complete rip off. Went in here based off of some recommendations from some friends and it's not even a cheese castle. It's just a grocery store with a bunch of Wisconsin shit in it. Everything was way overpriced. You could go a town over and get everything that they were selling for probably 2/3 of what they were asking for. For example, I tried to get some spotted cow and it was $45 here but the town over was selling it for 31. Half of the stuff that they were selling there was all just souvenirs that you definitely didn't need to be buying. Would go anywhere else before I go to this tourist trap again.

Calling all cheeselovers - pack up your rig and head out to Mars Cheese Castle for the cheesiest foodieadventure yet! Any place that has an entire Cheese Curd Section is where I want to be. They have various cheeses available for tasting - so good! There was so much to choose from - and that's just the Cheese area. They also have amazing cheese related fun stuff. Not to mention the Drink Wisconsinbly products that are incredible. If you would like to check out l ocal artisan products wherever you go, then you need to make a stop at #marscheesecastle in #kenoshawisconsin. I can't wait to make some #smokedgouda Mac and cheese. The store is well kept and the staff is pleasant. There is ample parking, those you need you follow the road all the way around the building to get to the main entrance. There is a Tavern with food and a bar as well as a snack bar in the back. It can really be a whole experience.

This is a fun little stop when you're in the area. It looks like a small castle and while it's not made of cheese, you'll find a lot of cheesy options here.... I mean that literally and figuratively. They have a large variety of cheese and beer along with other local products like honey, maple syrup, baked goods, alcohol and more. You'll also find a lot of gifts, trinkets and punny items. There are a lot of shirts with cheese puns on them. They also have a dining area with basic foods like grilled cheese, sandwiches and drinks with plenty of seating. It looked like there was a bar as well but we didn't check it out. We ended up buying some cheese, cheese curds and fresh baked cheese bread. It was all a decent price- but were used to California prices so it could be bumped up a bit from regular prices. The staff we interacted with were really friendly as well.

Some may say it's a tourist trap, BUT those are looking at it wrong. This store/deli/bar is a stopover for those traveling the interstate. For us locals it a place to meet for a cocktail or famous Bloody Mary and rub shoulders with those that frequent the establishment. They started offering charcuterie boards as well, but you can ask for a purchased item from the market be cubed or sliced and bring it into the bar area to enjoy with a drink. It's a Great place to people watch too. Sure you can find a better price on the common items at the market but you can say that about a hotdog at the Cubs game too.

This was a nice store that we found off the side of 65 while we were traveling back home from Chicago. I said wow there's a bill giant cheese castle we must stop in. We saw a lot of good public art things, statues, Milwaukee, items, beers and knickknacks, and all kinds of fun stuff.

It was definitely cool seeing all of the different types of cheeses and being able to try a bunch of them. Overall, we had a fun time walking through the place and ended up eating there as well. The restaurant portion of the place could be improved. If they really embraced the theme more, they could have an awesome Bavarian/Wisconsin-style menu that would attract people looking for quality food as they shop for what is supposed to be the best cheese and wines/beers to pair with in town. I will say, the grilled cheese and tomato bisque was pretty good. The gift shop was a big let down and missed opportunity. They should have way more cheese-related items in there. It just seemed like a random assortment of gift shop stuff you could find anywhere. I could see a little bit of creativity going a long way at the whole establishment.

We saw it when we were driving on the highway, and decided to make a quick stop to check it out. It's mainly a place for you to pick up some souvenirs, cheese, or other food stuff. They also have a tavern. It's a nice place to stop as a roadside attraction, but no need to go out of the way for.

We have been coming here for many years but had recently noticed drop off in the service quality in the bar area. I am happy to say in our most recent visit, the service quality is back to standard! The bloody mary's are the best I have ever had here and that has not changed. Food is really good too, just not a place to stop if you want a healthy meal. Great for groups for fun! Highly recommended.

Been here several times and I love this place. They have lots of cheese variety. They have a 13 years aged sharp cheddar cheese, i tasted iit and it was very creamy and good. They have lots of beer variety from european craft beers to american beers. They also have tons of hot sauces. Bought the ghost pepper sauce and it was a hell of a taste. It was great. Lots of choices. Would come back to try the restaurant.

This place is almost overwhelming there is so much going on. I found souvenirs for people I was looking for. Found fresh Kringles to bring home for the holidays. Very excited about that. We of course stocked up on all the cheeses. They had no fresh cheese curds so that was a little sad. Overall great stop. Got cheddar wursts, popcorn, venison sticks & summer sausages to go with all the cheese.

Cheese Castle is one of those I wouldn't travel miles out of my way to visit places, but if you're traveling south to visit Illinois and coming from anywhere north of Milwaukee it's a great stop so your wife and kids can hit the bathroom. While there you might as well take advantage of picking up a craft beer, fresh bakery or of course fresh cheese. A convenient restaurant or snack counter to feed the kids and the chance to pick up just about anything that says Wisconsin. Cheese Castle is right along the interstate for easy on/easy off accessibility. A much better stop than hitting the wayside, gas station or the Illinois oasis.

I didn't like the name. But the place is actually very cool. Looks like an attraction from yesteryear. Inside is a nice little bar. We ordered one of their good bloody Mary's as it came with a beer chaser. There apparently is a secret ingredient and when I correctly guessed it the bar tender smiled. I'll keep the secret. Beer chaser was good. Don't order food at the bar. You order at the food court and they'll give you a buzzer. Otherwise a very wide selection of beer, cheese, charcuterie etc. Gotta see when in Kenosha area.

I've been wanting to visit for a while... You can't miss it traveling on either side of I94. Every time I passed by, I was under the impression that it was going to be THE place to go for cheese in the famous cheese state. Well, that was an understatement. This is what happens every time I walk in to a place with high expectations. You walk in to this huge building, and if you go left, you're going to be walking around a long time before you get to any cheese. Because all the cheese is right to the right side of the "palace", by the entrance. It's a pretty large collection, but by no means the biggest collection I've ever seen. Neither is it the most cost effective. Even cheese curds were $2 higher than at Woodman's (exact same brand/package). For a "cheese castle", I really expected more. I've actually found a bigger variety in downtown Milwaukee, with just as much sampling options. The place is huge though, so if you walk around, you'll find a bar, a coffee shop, roasted pecans stand, a bakery, groceries, and some knickknacks. So an overall fun place to hang out in general. But not a dedicated cheese place.

Very cute exterior and some good photo ops inside, but it seemed like a very overpriced souvenir food shop to me. I didn't buy anything; family members picked up a bunch of items. Later I honestly did regret not getting a bag of cheese curds to go. And they did seem to have a lot of selection on a lot of local foods.

The only thing interesting about this place is that the exterior looks like a fake castle. Inside it's just cheap souvenirs and local food - jam, cheese, honey. They do have a restaurant, but if you don't want or need lunch no point in coming inside at all. Just snap a picture from the parking lot and get on your way.

Artesian cheese, of only the highest quality...go figure the state of Wisconsin is known for their creamy goodness. Such a fun shopping excursion, merchandise and holiday themed items for sale, jams, jelly, crackers, unique appetizer ideas and more. Don't forget to pick up a tasty Kringle (danish of sorts) and stop off for lunch at their eatery or bar. Extensive cheese selection (obviously, and the woman behind one of the counters was so pleasant, offering a sample. Extensive wine and beer selections, truly an entertainers paradise!

This is a review immediately suffering from Yelp's stubbornness in not allowing reviewers to use half stars. I want to give the place a 3.5 out of 5 review but can't. Unfortunately, they are closer to a three than a four star review. First, this is always a fun, quick stop on the way to or from the Windy City. It is clean, there are lots of things to look at and stopping gives you an opportunity to refresh before you continue on the way. If you want a souvenir of Wisconsin, you can find it there. Food items, stickers , t-shirts, booze, they offer all of it. All of it comes at a high prices, but if you really need something to remember your trip by, they have. More specifically, I wanted to do a review including the little cafe they have at the back of the store. It is good enough to fill your belly before you jump back in the SUV. The prices aren't exorbitant and the portion size is reasonable. Keep in mind, you'll need to salt, pepper and condiment your food to taste, but it is edible. If you are as lucky as we were, it will also be served to you by several people who act like they would love to be anywhere other than behind the counter of the cafe (of course the lady bartending seemed equally unenthusiastic to be collecting a paycheck). I'll continue to stop by, I will probably just choose my food from somewhere else in the area.

I always have passed the mars cheese castle when I go to and from Illinois and Wisconsin. The experience of walking into the MCC was unlike anything. It's great being able to see the cashiers and being greets by them. And right off to the right you can see all the variety of cheeses and they even have samples. The foods court is legit. The grilled cheese was high quality from the ones I have had in my day. All of the different things within the building are great! You won't be disappointed if you visit the Mars Cheese Castle!

Ugh. Even a week later, I don't think I've ever had cheese curds this good and my mouth is salivating at the thought of eating these again. The fried batter and the stringiness of the curds as the steam leaves while being pulled apart... I wouldn't mind going back to Wisconsin just for this item. The assortment of cheeses are vast, too. I bought myself an aged balsamic vinegar cheese wedge and it's a solid cheese to include in your next charcuterie board.

Been coming here since I was a kid. We make it a point to stop here every time we come up to visit family in the area. The staff is friendly and have great recommendations if you want to step out of your comfort zone with cheese. Their selection of beer, wine and, of course, cheese is tough to beat. They have something for everyone. Check out their samples to try before you buy. Worth the visit.

Cool little touristy spot to check out. It's not a must but a fun spot if you have some time. There is a restaurant inside for food if you're hungry. I came on a Saturday around lunch time and it was packed. The parking lot was full and people all over. The market was super busy with people checking out all of the cheese and what not. The items here a bit pricier than the normal grocery store.

This is my go to place for my popcorn among other things. Kind of on the high priced side but it is a tourist attraction love their fresh bakery and all the cheeses! Nice bar area and patio when the weather permits.

Who doesn't love cheese?!?! Mars Cheese Castle is a Wisconsin border tradition. Right off of the expressway and easy to get to - it is your one stop everything shop. There's cheese obviously. There's a restaurant/bar. There's a bakery (carrying the famous pie in a brown bag from The Elegant Farmer). It carries touristy souvenirs like cheese hats and shot glasses as well as nik naks and clothing. I have legit left here spending hundreds of dollars stocking up on my favorites. But I think normal people can get away with a bag or two of cheese curds and some root beer. This place is a classic for a reason, you need to check it out!

Come for the cheese, stay for the food! Don't make the mistake of driving by this historic homage to all things Wisconsin! It's not only a cheese castle, it's a meat, booze, and cheesehead merchandise mart. The old castle moved to this newer location due to the 94/41 highway expansion and it's better than ever. They even have a cafeteria that serves up liverwurst sandwiches and Italian beef that rivals any Chicago diner. The bloody Mary's came with the requisite beer chaser - Spotted Cow at a bargain price. I also bought a frozen caramel apple pie in a paper bag that I heated up at home - to die for! You can also purchase meat or cheese in the shop and bring it in to the bar to eat with a cocktail. So if you are looking for a unique Wisconsin treasure, stop at the castle. It won't disappoint!

Nice stop on the way from Chicago to Milwaukee. Big and clean with many food items. The hidden gem is the $1.99 single scoop ice cream in the back! We were also given the choice of cup or waffle cone.. it was delicious!

Stopped in here after work to check out the store after it was remodeled. Prices have increased a bit, but still the same quality staples that they are known for. The cheese selection is second to none. If you're looking for a certain cheese, they most probably have it! Aside from the cheese, they also have a great bakery. They even make their own Kringle too....Yummmmmo! Plenty of parking, and extended hours for the holidays.

I stopped here quickly after the Wisconsin state fair. Lots of cheese and sausage options. The flavors were vast and the free sample were nice but weird because they weren't covered. Overall, I'd stop in again if I wanted more cheese. My daughter enjoyed the "castle" though.

I always stop by here when we're in the area. Their cheese is much better than Mariano's. I usually buy a jar of their homemade raspberry jam and one of honey as well as a package of assorted cheese. The staff is friendly and helpful. They have a lot of different things there. The bakery section is extremely inexpensive as well, and it's very good.

Mars is a total touristy stop for all things Wisconsin! It's a hodgepodge of local and WI products but also many other random food items which make it a strange kind of grocery store if in need. Things are overpriced, especially local beer, but if you need something they have it. They have tons of kitschy gift items, a bakery, tons of wine and beer options, cheese of course and even a bar and walk up food area. I wouldn't say it's a cheese castle, which implies mostly cheese, but a place to buy totally random things you didn't know you needed. Or maybe things you don't need too! Such as mini WI license plates with your name on them. Candy. Cheesehead hats. Shirts that say I love day drinking. Hot sauce. Popcorn. Kringle. It's probably impossible to go in and NOT buy at least one thing!

We stopped for a quick bit and we were surprised by the menu. It was not too large, but we were able to find something for everyone in my family. I started with the cheese curds and they were really good. You can tell the cheese is fresh. My wife got the onion rings, they looked on the dark side, but they were really good. We also had corn dogs and a turkey sandwich. Corn dogs were good and the sandwich was grilled to perfection. The turkey was very fresh. Prices were very reasonable and overall we were very happy we stopped here.

A visit to Wisconsin is not complete unless you stop in and explore Mars Cheese Castle. They have many varieties of cheese and assorted sausages. Check out their unique gifts including a one of a kind cheese hat. The bakery offers the traditional items and the Kringle.

A triumph! A Mecca...of cheese! Travelers come from far and wide to witness the abundance of curds! And the samples, oh the samples. Stop what you're doing right now and go.

Fun touristy spot for cheese (see name of location) and a range of entertaining items! If you're building a charcuterie board, visit here. You could make an impressive board with the right items. The more unique cheese I tried was the chocolate cheese. Don't judge before you try! I might have . It literally tastes like fudge. On my visit I ended up buying white cheddar from Deer Creek. The staff member told me that it was one of the most popular and she personally loved it. More importantly, the brand is from Wisco so I was down to purchase authentic Wisconsin cheese! Definitely a fun spot to check out! Family-friendly and a paradise for cheese lovers and connoisseurs.

This is a very gun store to visit ! It's nice to see the cafe is open for business ! It was open from 11-7 today. Went there to order the sandwich which I ate there . You order at the counter get a buzzer and pick up your order when ready . You can order and take out too. They have a delicious bakery also . Bought cheese bread, elephant ears and a cow cookie so good along with an M and M cookie . Before leaving I had sliced a half of a pound of baked ham. It will be my first time trying it. Bought Colby Jack cheese long time fave! This will make a nice tasty sandwich to enjoy at home !

Great place to stop & pee. Lovely local market- lots of options, I bought local spring water for the road. My son was disappointed there was no cheese pizza for sale to go

Can't stop in Wisconsin without a visit to the Cheese Castle....yes it's touristy but that's part of a road trip... you will find something for everyone here from food to beer with a lot of free samples to try

We noticed this place going to Milwaukee, so we decided to stop on the way back home. It didn't appear to be too busy, so we wanted to take advantage of it. As soon as you enter the door, it's basically a store that sells a bunch of stuff you can get at the grocery store. Everything is very overpriced. Save your money and get it cheaper close to home. Overall, not worth the stop.

A tourist stop! Mars has been around for years and offers a large variety of cheese, meats, bakery items, jams , beer and wine. The are a bit overpriced, but it is fun to browse all the items. They have a decent size gift shop and lots of Wisconsin themed items. Definitely worth a stop .

Visiting after many years away, and Iade it a point to stop for cheese to bring home. This place is huge! It was quite overwhelming at first, as there is just so much to choose from. I finally narrowed down my decision on a few cheeses, summer sausage and a shot glass. They sell ice packs and various cooler bags that I used in my luggage. There is something here for everyone. Cheeses, candies, and collectibles too. Definitely glad that I stopped.

We were out of towners but definitely will come back if we're out this way again! We first walked into their tavern and got a couple beers which were great and the bartenders were nice. They told us we can shop while we drink so we got some cheese and beef sticks for us as well as our family. Loved the samples! Mango hab cheese was a hit as well as the cheese curds! They have a little food area to get food and obviously cheese curds! The cashiers were nice and we found some fun souvenirs to take back home. Bathrooms we're decent, store looked stocked and clean.

Is this heaven? No. It's Kenosha. A must see stop, at least once in your life, if you happen to be driving along I-94 between Milwaukee and Chicago. Especially if you get a last minute request for some specific available-only-in-Wisconsin beer from a friend back in your home state as you are on your way back there.... The literal built-to-look-like-a-castle cheese, beer, and baked good shop is a mainstay for Wisconsin goods lovers. I feel like I could get as good or better a selection from Woodman's...but for a last minute stock up on the way out of town when you are on a schedule, Mars gets it done. Plus, I needed to show my boyfriend the cheese castle. He simply needed to understand the wonder. We got there very shortly after they opened in the morning, and prepared to spend more money on beer, sample some cheese, and nab some last minute curds. In the 15-20 minutes we were there, THREE coach buses filled with people pulled up and unloaded. It is a popular stop. And the line for the toilets get long... They have an impressive selection stocked. You will get what you want and need. And you'll get to shop in a castle. Everything I needed.

So, I've travelled between the Chicago area and many points in Wisconsin countless times throughout my life, and have always passed by but never stopped at the Mars Cheese Castle because well...there's a lot of cheese in Wisconsin right? and this place just sort of looked, pardon the pun...cheesy and touristy...but...in a "Covid-era" fit of not wanting our first vacation in 2 years to be over yet, we actually stopped here on our way back home. Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised! Yes, it is touristy and I can see how it could be a crowded mess at times. It wasn't bad on a Saturday afternoon in mid-September though. We did buy some cheese curds, and they were indeed the real deal...for anyone who knows, they must squeak, and these did so quite nicely. If you don't know what I'm talking about, go get some real cheese curds ASAP. They also have a nice selection of Wisconsin cheeses and other local products; I found they had spirits from a distillery we had visited in Door County; higher prices of course, but shorter drive. This is also a place those from Illinois can come to stock up on Spotted Cow. They literally had cases and cases of it stacked inside the door. Yes, a slightly longer trip off the highway would lead to places with lower prices on said Spotted Cow, but again, kind of a convenience fee... We didn't try any of the prepared foods as a sign warned the wait for something like a grilled cheese might be 45 minutes. So, we bought cheese to make some sandwiches at home after sitting out on the patio eating cheese curds as a very Wisconsin end to our trip.

This place is cheese heaven! If you're ever visiting Wisconsin, this is the place to be. Especially if it's your first time. It's FILLED with every souvenir you could ever want or even if it's you 10,000th time you will never get bored here. SO MUCH CHEESE! They even have a bar! We did try their cheese curds too and they were delicious. I wish I could live at the cheese castle.

Like their products but rude staff. Things like i drove 30 mins to buy $100 in products and took an empty box and was scolded that I couldn't use the waste boxes and made me take 5 plastic bags I can't recycle. Sucks when you like a product but hate the workers.