Village Cheese Shanty

This little cheese shop is adorable and oh so friendly! It has an amazing selection of cheeses and sandwiches. The kind folks working there made amazing suggestions and were so lovely to us. Our niece was visiting for the first time from Sweden and said it’s her new favorite shop in Northern Michigan. (She thought the cheese shop guys were really cute too. :)) Highly recommend stopping by! (Don’t forget to bring cash!)

For $15 you can get a very large sandwich and a soda. They only take cash and the sandwich was very fresh and one of the best meals I had on my trip in Michigan. They have seats around the building outside by the dam.

FYI’s — CASH ONLY. If you’re a Huntington member there’s a Huntington atm not far! You cannot sit here. It’s purely takeaway. Take your meal around the corner to the picnic tables next to the canal or take it home. Classic. So good. It’s been here forever and there’s a reason for that. Menu and space has changed over the years but quality hasn’t. Sandwiches (wraps, baguette, pretzel bun) with lots of options and unique pairings. You can get non-alcoholic or alcoholic drinks (wine, beer, canned cocktails). And of course, you can get straight up cheese 🧀 really great selection too! Be prepared to wait during high season and understand that they have what they have. Meaning … sometimes they run out of stuff, especially if you visit near the end of the day.

Great sandwich’s at the Village Cheese Shanty. We tried the Log Jam, the North Shore, the South Shore, the Harbor, and the Lake Street. Everyone was happy with their sammie. The Village Cheese Shanty were “cash only”, as are many eateries in the area. We will definitely make this a stop whenever we are visiting the area in the future.

YES ITS WORTH THE HYPE!! My sister saw this place on social media and we were excited to try a new sandwich. I will absolutely be back simply for the pretzel bread. It was so salty and delicious! I got the north shore and it didn’t disappoint for a second, the ratios were perfect. I will be dreaming about this sandwich. No cards! They only take cash or check. Prices are so affordable. Can’t believe i got a filling meal for less than $10?!? 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 outstanding.

Absolutely awful!! One star was too much! Clearly the ratings are based on previous owners’ food or friends of the current owner. We were told that the ‘sandwich’ was massive & therefore could be shared if we weren’t that hungry. Joke! One of the worst 3 meals I’ve ever had. Given a wrap with next to no filling. Not inexpensive either. No seating inside. Steer clear or be very very disappointed!

Worth the drive every time. Quaint and nostalgic. Delicious vegetarian sandwiches and wraps.

If you know, you know—and if you don’t, get to the Village Cheese Shanty early and find out. This iconic shack in Historic Fishtown has earned its stripes with legendary pretzel bread sandwiches, made fresh daily from a passed-down family recipe you won’t find anywhere else. But here’s the deal: they only make a limited batch, so calling ahead or arriving early is essential if you want to snag one. The staff runs a tight, friendly ship—working hard and fast in a compact space to feed a crowd that only grows come peak season. Expect a bit of a wait (even with a phone order), and bring cash—no credit cards here, thanks to spotty reception and simple shanty charm. Think of it more as a specialty deli than a grab-and-go. They’ve also stepped up their merch game, which is great to see. Pro tip: grab some fresh cheese curds, then head next door to Carlson’s for smoked fish or jerky—it’s a Fishtown snacking rite of passage. Just mind those wooden toothpicks holding your sammie together before you dive in! This place is the real deal—local, handcrafted, full of flavor and heart. Be patient, be kind, and enjoy the best of Leland one bite at a time.

There was a lot of social media hype around this spot. I had high hopes and the long line was encouraging. However, my wrap just didn't wow me in any way. The ingredients were super fresh. I think just chose the wrong option and. I would have loved many other things on the menu. I would definitely give it another try.

I'd give it six stars if I could! I opted for the Lake Water Baguette and it was fantastic. When going to the cheese shanty, it is cash or check only, but service was super fast, and quite frankly, you can't go wrong with anything here. Set amongst the old fishing shanties, it's such a fun and historic vibe, and a must if in Fishtown/Leland area!

Must. Come. Here. I come to Northern Michigan every year and no matter where I am, I make it a point to be here!! One of my favorite sandwiches in the world. Love the north shore and that darn pretzel bread. You walk up and order, cash only. We typically do a hike in the AM and after we're done call ahead to order so it's ready when we get to Fish town. Seating in the back or up on the hill. Beer, seltzers, chips are great too! 10/10 recommend

CASH ONLY BUSINESS Food... 10/10 Service... 10/10 Price... 7/10 If you're in Leland, you have to make a stop here for a sandwich. Make sure to stop at the Cheese Shanty down by the water. Stop by an ATM before ordering because this is a cash only business. The North shore was great with super fresh ingredients. My favorite part of the meal was the herb-mayo!

Excellent prompt service. Pretzel bread amazing. Everything else as advertised. 9/10

Who knew that one of the best sandwiches I've had would come from this cute little town? It's easy to see why they are famous for their pretzel bread. It added a nice saltiness to the North Shore sandwich I ordered. The ingredients tasted fresh, the spread was the perfect touch, and they did not skimp on the meat or cheese. Absolutely delicious! A few good things to note before you go: -Come ready with cash! They are cash or check only. -If you want to get the pretzel bread, plan on coming early or calling ahead to see if they still have some available. They shared that they often times sell out before 12! -Their sandwiches are a generous size, so you may be able to split one with two people depending on your appetite.

Tried the North Shore on the pretzel bread today. No bacon for me. I had this before but on the baguette. Pretzel bread kicks it up a notch. Call ahead to avoid the line- stellar service. Gorgeous setting in fish town, fyi there's a bit of construction. If you need a restroom, I recommend the library nearby.

They are located in historic Fishtown, a tourist destination. They could slack because of their picturesque location, but they are totally legit. My family always orders sandwiches when in Leland. It gets really busy, so recommend that your order by phone for pick up. I am partial to the Orchard but everything we've ordered had been delicious.

How could I be craving such a simple but delicious sub over a month later? The Village Cheese Shanty is the answer. It's nothing fancy but somehow they put together the most incredible sandwiches out of their literal shanty. My go to is still the South Shore (ham, dill havarti, lettuce, tomato, onion, & pesto-mayo on a pretzel bun) but I also tried my husband's Orchard pita (chicken breast, brie, dried cherries, spinach, tomato, sunflower seeds & cherry vinaigrette) and it was also excellent. Also, living up to the cheese name, you can purchase several different types of cheeses from them. We got a few to go with some snacks we had at our rental house and they were excellent. The aged gouda was my fave! To adapt to the pandemic you place your order outside vs. going in like you used to. I actually like this format better because even though the space is cute, it was definitely harder to maneuver during the lunch rush. And there's a seperate line if you just want cheese to go!

A really unique place to stop and check out. They have a good selection of food that was all pretty good (B)

Love it!!! What a hidden gem this area is. The staff at Shanty are wonderful, they talked with me about the area and maybe places I should try. Plus they make the best sandwiches I've ever had. See you in May

If you're not looking to sit down to eat anywhere & are just looking for something to take to go, Village Cheese Shanty is the SPOT! They have an impressive menu of sandwiches for you to pick from, or if you want just a quick couple of cheeses / cheese curds to snack on while you explore Leland, this is your place! Definitely order ahead if you can because this place is super popular and will have a long line basically anytime you go, weekend or weekday. It's definitely worth it though! And of course, you'll have plenty to occupy your time while you wait for your sandwich to be made as well given that there are so many delightful shanties to weave in & out of and explore in Fishtown! I got the Carp River sandwich and it was DIVINE! Highly recommend! :) They have vegan options as well!

We came, we ate, we conquered. JJ's & Subway can grab some bench when compared to the Cheese Shop. The pretzel bread... again... the PRETZEL BREAD. Unreal. We went with the North Shore, a classic. So fresh, so good, very filling. When in Leelanau, go to The Cheese Shop. P.s. for somebody who isn't s mayo guy, the herb mayo was very good.

Best sandwich you will ever have!! 10/10 experience. You MUST go to the cheese shanty if you're in town :)

Yepp, this the place you are looking for! The best sandwiches you will ever have. The cheese is sooo good, and you can buy extra to take home. They are cash only, but don't worry! There is an ATM at the restaurant around the corner, right inside the door. And they don't mind if you use it! The service at the Shanty is awesome! Small seating area, but it's best to eat on the dock or over at the beach.

Excellent unique sandwiches. We enjoy the pretzel bread combinations. Very popular so order carry out early and enjoy.

This place is the BOMB! Last day for sandwiches this season is October 23? Double check me but I'm close so if call first Cash or check, no credit and you must wear a mask to get your sandwich We only go for the pretzel bread sandwiches.. I'm sure the others are amazing too but this is what we know: don't mess with awesomeness. And if you're not a Meat eater? No problem because I get the veggie option every time and you'll never know the meat is missing! We come to Fishtown only for these sandwiches but I end up spending big $$$ in the surrounding shops. It's my favorite lunch spot, even on a drizzly day.. which only enhances the charm of Fishtown

Awesome little spot to grab a delicious and absolutely enormous sandwich! With so many subs to choose from, there is something for everyone and you really can't go wrong! You can also BYOB to this area as they have open container!

A popular sandwich shop that serves large sandwiches loaded with fresh fillings on house made things they call "pretzel rolls" that are the size of a nerf football. This presents both philosophical and logistical difficulties. The logistical difficulty is that the sandwiches are too tall to easily eat, and if you somehow do manage your mouth will be full of dense white bread. You can fix this by taking off one of the pieces of bread, but it usually covered with at least one of the spreads crucial to the sandwich thus giving rise to the philosophical problem -- which is better, a well-dressed sandwich that is drowning in bread, or a less bready sandwich missing some key toppings? I'm also not sure what exactly made that bread a pretzel roll. Maybe the salt.

Adding my love for this place! We grabbed a couple of sandwiches (Greek wrap and Bear baguette) before boarding the ferry to North Manitou and were shocked at how delicious everything was! My kids dreamed about these sandwiches for our entire 6-day backpacking trip, so we got another round once we got back to Leland. I have to admit that the second round wasn't quite as delicious as the first. Maybe we ordered wrong the second time (blue water, north shore, and another Bear) or maybe they just couldn't possibly live up to the hype. Either way, I'm sure we'll be back again next summer.

The sandwich was good, they include a lot of meat in it to the point where you might have to unhinge your jaw to eat it but that's okay. I felt like the pretzel bread was more regular bread with salt on it but still overall a good experience. They give you a buzzer to wait for your food, it's pretty busy so definitely not a quick stop. The dock area is fun to look around while you wait though.

We needed a quick lunch, something not too expensive, close to our hotel. To Yelp we went! And it gave us several options in the Fishtown area of Leland. The Village Cheese Shanty (as a former Wisconsin-ite) called to me. Also it fit our needs AND had great reviews. So we stopped in for a meal. Or, well....we didn't exactly know before getting there that there isn't exactly a dining area in the place. It is a carry-out convenience store sandwich shop. If it had been a liiiittle nicer out, we probably would have just eaten outside in the sun...but it wasn't quite sunny when we were there. We ended up taking our meal up the street to a winery, to eat and drink and sit. I got the Log Jam on a pretzel bun. It was a really tasty sammich! And freaking beautiful! I opened the bag to look at our sandwiches and they looked absolutely gorgeous! Like...like they had been prepared for a commercial or an advertisement photo shoot! I devoured that baby. And it is a very generously sized sandwich...but it just tasted so good. The Village Cheese Shanty is also a cheese shop and carry-out beer and wine store. They have a great selection of both. And the employees are nice and friendly. They seem to know the locals well, but are also kind and chatty with tourists as well. If I ever find myself back in Northern Michigan, in this area, I would absolutely return here!

t's gotten a lot of attention from social media so it was pretty busy when we visited, it's small so expect a bit of a crowd. The stairs leading down to the docks of Fishtown take you straight to this hut & there is usually a line going all the way up the stairs. The wait in line was about 30 minutes, food took about 20 minutes but they give you a pager so you're able to visit shops while you wait. This place was a big hit with my family, even my daughter who's not a fan of sandwiches. I'd say the bread & the cheese are what make these sandwiches so great, along with their fresh, savory ingredients. I highly suggest choosing the baguette as your bread of choice as it is far superior to the others. Cost is comparable to Subway prices but obviously better quality. Be sure to bring cash, they are cash or check only. So glad we made the drive to this cool town & will definitely be back for the sandwiches! If you found my review helpful I would appreciate you clicking "useful" - thanks!

Woah. Wtf. Waited a very long time for a very sad sandwich. One thin slice of bacon. Three thin cucumber slices. A very thin slice of watery turkey that when I bunches up would have been about 1/4 cup. The bun (pretzel=bread with salt sprinkled on top) was stale on one side and unsalted dough, so very bland overall. Sad, sad, sad. Drink was cold, so there's that.

Best. Sandwiches. Ever! Pretzel bread is a must on their sandwiches. I've had every sandwich there and the North Shore is the best sandwich I've had from any restaurant! One of many reasons I keep going back is because they don't overprice their sandwiches after they got popular. I'm big on that. 6/5 stars! I travel around the country for work and feel like I have a humble but honest opinion on my favorite food which is sandwiches and burgers.

Wonderful service - the man working the front desk called us by name and made suggestions to our order. He let us know that fresh bread was coming out in 30 minutes and there would be a wait. It was totally worth it. The bagel works all around Leland and there are plenty of little shops to visit while you wait for your food. Heads up - they only accept cash or check. There is a Huntington atm about two blocks away that's easy to walk to.

I got the harbor and it was delicious I loved the Brie and herb mayo! The sandwich was delicious although when we ordered we weren't told of the 45 minute wait time which was a bummer and I wish they would've given us our drinks when we ordered and not when the sandwiches came out. I do think the sandwich was with the wait but would like to be told next time. Can't wait to come back and try more!

As soon as I took a bite into the Lake Effect (chicken, pesto mayo, goat cheese, etc), my mouth was watering. Flavor 10/10. Service 10/10. Portion sizes for the price 10/10. Atmosphere 10/10 (it's a fish town for God's sake!!) If I'm ever back in Leland, I'm making a bee-line for this place!

worth the long line! so many options and only $9 for a huge sandwich that was so delicious, i got the carp river. they give you a pager so you don't have to wait around until it's ready.

Cheese Shop represents fish town perfectly. Carp river sandwich is my favorite. I'm always sure to make a stop here during my summer visits

We grabbed a few sandwiches here while visiting based on recommendations from quite a few people. These are the best sandwiches I've ever had. The Northshore was by far the best and I'll be dreaming of the pretzel bread until I can get back again. Great location and super sweet workers too.

Delicious food. Incredibly fun and friendly staff!! Thanks for making us feel welcome!!! Susanna & Jen

One of the best sandwiches I've had! On a busy day the wait can be over an hour; I reccomend ordering right away and grabbing one of their alcoholic beverages and chips while you wait. We'll worth it though! The sandwhiches can be customized so don't let a bad ingredient stray you from ordering. We were super happy with our meals and they were extremely filling. Will definetely be back when we visit!

The best place in the world!!! Got here right as they opened and they were more than happy to serve! We got two different sandwiches and asked them to cut them in half so we could split - great hack! It was cash only but very affordable.

I can see what all the buzz is about with this small-town hole-in-the wall shop. So glad I was visiting Leland with a friend who is a regular visitor in town over the summers. He mentioned we had to try these sandwiches with the pretzel buns. It's a local favorite as the place is ALWAYS packed and today was no exception with a line out the door. The place is not very big so you have to wait outside until there's enough room for you to go inside. I'm normally not impressed with sandwiches but this is an exception! Not only is the bun delicious (if you like sea salt flavor they have a bit on top) but the sauces they use just goes well with the overall flavor. I got the turkey sandwich on pretzel bun called the Harbor. The sandwich is huge for just $6.75! We came for lunch and I was stuffed! The herb mayo they make is just perfect for the sandwich and uniquely flavored. For a local sandwhich shop, I was truly impressed. Another perk of this shanty is the fact that there is a dam nearby with views of the major restaurants in town. There are cute candy shops and trinket shops nearby too. The area is called Fishtown and is the downtown area of Leland. Glad I was able to come here. A tip is if you call in your order you can avoid the lines. Also, they apparently stop selling once all the bread they make in-house is gone so you don't want to come too late!

Always 5 stars. If youve been you love it. Always great, always order ahead, always get extra for the next day.

Great sandwiches, but the bread isn't great. It's bulky and not easy to bite and chew, so I just order everything in a wrap now.

When visiting Leland, the Shanty is a must stop. Best sandwich on the peninsula. Try the Leelanau for a zesty roast beef blue cheese combo with lots of extras. My wife had the Sanddune which she loved.

Great sandwiches! Their cheese and cheese curds are also amazing, but we didn't see the sign as it is under the counter where you place your order. They need to put it above the sandwich menu! Cute place in Fishtown!

Sandwiches are so freaking good, my friend got bricked while eating. 10/10 unless you want clean pants.‍‍. Service was fire, my server Ally was making my sandwich when a terrorist attempted detonate the village cheese shanty. Ally sprung into action, leaping over the counter and utilizing pickles as throwing stars, disarming the bomb while giving the terrorist a tasty surprise. There's the wrong way, the right way, and the Ally way. When faced with challenges choose the Ally way she's an inspiration to us all.

Sandwiches are absolutely delicious (and huge - could probably share one). I had the Harbor sandwich on a baguette and it seemed to just keep getting better with each bite

Long story short, the sandwiches are worth the visit. Never miss an opportunity to get a Lake Effect on pretzel roll when I'm there.

I have been going there for years as I am from the area. The sandwiches are still as great as they used to be except the price has gone up and the sandwiches have gotten a bit smaller. But the flavor of the pretzel bread, herb mayo and the meat tastes great. Be sure to order ahead because they run out of the pretzel bread really quickly. The baguette sandwiches are also great. I typically get the north shore which is the most popular one. I have also had the lake effect sandwich that has the chicken with goat cheese. Its one of the best sandwich spots I have been to. The service is quick, although there can be a wait during summer time and there can be a wait. You could be waiting outside as there is limited space in inside. They also have drinks and sides available as well. In short, call and order ahead and reserve the bread otherwise it won't be available.

Good sandwiches in a charming little shanty on the docks of fish town. Staff was super friendly and energetic. Busy, but the wait was much shorter than expected. Cookies were nothing special and sandwiches are a bit bready but the cheese is delicious!

Amazing sandwiches! There may be a wait at busy times. Picnic tables behind the building.

Awesome place to get a sandwich. Really surprised at how many options they had too. After you order, they can get done in about 15 min, so take the opportunity to check out the famous green boat in fish town, which is just behind the shop. Honestly, I wish they had more cheese. Got the curds but not typically a fan so I'm not the best person to review those. The sandwiches were flavorful and had really fresh and bright flavors. It's all 'to go' only so find a good place to sit down and enjoy!

If I lived within two hours of village cheese shanty, I would eat here every single day for at least 2/3 meals. The pretzel bread that they assemble their sandwiches on are absolutely DREAMY. Each year, we go to traverse city & make it a point to drive to Leland to get a north shore sandwich- & then, for the remainder of the year, I constantly dream about that sandwich. I only wish I could give them 12/5 stars.

Cash only! We came to the Village Cheese Shanty based on a recommendation from friends that are locals in the area. We originally arrived and had to immediately leave upon seeing that they were cash only. We attempted to go to the Early Bird Cafe instead, but they too were cash only - so we were able to get cash back from a grocery store up the road and decided to come back to the Village Cheese Shanty based on our original recommendation. I got the North Shore sandwich and subbed in chicken instead of turkey. I got it as a sack lunch combo, which comes with a cookie, bag of chips, coke/water, and pickle - all for $9.95. Lots of food - couldn't finish in one sitting!! The sandwich was good for being a cold sandwich. I ended up adding some chips to the sandwich for some crunch. Be prepared for a messy meal as the mayo may spill out on the sides onto your hands and lap! :) The service was a bit abrasive and direct, but the end result was a good meal at a good price. Take a walk along the dock out back and watch the fish jump out of the water. I wouldn't consider this a cheese shop, more of a sandwich shop in my eyes. They also serve beer and wine.

What a great place for sandwiches and cheese!!! Delicious! their pretzel buns are so unique! We made a new friend in Connie! we do appreciate your friendliness & great ideas of things to do around the area.