Best Cheese Shops in Pittsburgh
Although Pittsburgh is not known for its cheese, there are several great shops in the area that specialize in one of America's favorite foods. Whether it's for entertaining, wine pairing or cooking for your own enjoyment, you are bound to find something to delight the cheese lover in you at the best cheese shops in Pittsburgh.
Pennsylvania Macaroni Company
2010-2012 Penn Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
www.pennmac.com
When you ask Pittsburghers where to get great cheese, they will probably tell you to go to Pennsylvania Macaroni Company in the Strip District. Pennsylvania Macaroni Company imports cheeses from all over the world, though it also sells domestic cheeses. If you are looking for a a certain cheese, chances are you will find it there. From French etorki to English Welsh cheddar and Oregon smoky bleu it is difficult to know where to start. Penn Mac offers sampler packs that contain four half-pound cheese samplers. Try the English sampler, which contains double gloucester, sage derby, English applewood and wensleydale for $29.95. You may also join the cheese of the month club and try all of the samplers for $29.95 per month.
McGinnis Sisters
700 Adams Shoppes
Mars, PA 16046
(724) 779-1212
www.mcginnis-sisters.com
With locations in Mars, Brentwood and Monroeville, McGinnis Sisters is a specialty food store in which Pittsburghers may find unique grocery, deli and bakery items. McGinnis Sisters is known for its award-winning cheese department that offers both domestic and imported cheeses. It is especially well known for its Pennsylvania Farmstead cheeses. Each handcrafted farmstead cheese is hand crafted and shipped directly to McGuiness Sisters, so if a selection runs out, it must wait for a new batch to be crafted. Quality cheeses, like sheep's milk pecorino romano start at $6.99 per pound.
Clarion River Organics
824 Whitmer Road
Sligo, PA 16255
www.clarionriverorganics.com
Clarion River Organics is a local cooperative of 10 certified organic farms offering a variety of produce, meats and dairy products produced in a sustainable, healthy manner. It specializes in goat's milk cheeses such as chevre, feta and meadowbelle. The cheeses are available for order online and may be picked up at the Pittsburgh public market, Sewickley Farmer's Market, Fox Chapel Farmers market or a number of other convenient locations throughout the city. Selections change monthly, so be sure to check the website for the most updated offerings and prices.
Related: Best Sommeliers in Pittsburgh
Mandi Cheese Shop
270 Alpha Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
(412) 967-1480
www.mandifoods.com
Mandi Cheese Shop is a wholesale cheese distributor that sells cheese in quantities ranging from a pound to 75-pound wheels. It is a great choice if you planning a party and looking to make a beautiful cheese board display. Mandi offers a wide variety of cheeses from the best cheese makers in the world. From English stiltons to hard-to-find Norwegian gjetost, Mandi Cheese Shop likely carries any cheese you are looking for for a special occasion. You may also order cheese as a gift, and Mandi will ship it. Mandi Cheese Shop has gift cheese boards available, such as the International Cheese Board, which includes five cheeses from all over the world on a small bamboo cutting board for $59.99.
Lamagna Cheese Company
1 Lamagna Drive
Verona, PA 15147
(412) 828-6112
www.lamagnacheese.com
Lamagna Cheese Company is a producer of high-quality, all-milk, Italian-style cheeses such as ricotta, mozzarella and feta. Lamagna also makes deli-style mozzarella and provolone cheeses. Lamanga is made right here in Verona with fresh Pennsylvania milk using sustainable methods. Lamagna is well known for its ricotta cheese made from only milk, vinegar and salt. There are no stabilizers, whey or starches used. Lamagna is available in grocery stores across the country.
Related: Best Places for Mac & Cheese
Jennifer Stockdale is a native of the greater Pittsburgh, PA area. She is a restaurant marketer and wine enthusiast and one of the hosts of the East Coast Wine Geeks Podcast. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
