Chicago, that's where. I was visiting an old friend in Chicago, which I had been told was a bit of a cheese wasteland, and was pleasantly surprised by The Cheese Stands Alone, a small independent shop devoted exclusively to cheese. There are no takeaway sandwiches, bottles of wine, baskets of produce, or knick-knacks to distract from the aging dairy perfection under glass. There are two cases, one filled with American farmhouse and artisan cheeses, and another, significantly larger case stacked with all the European must-haves, plus a few rare treats. The American cheeses are heavily weighed toward the Midwest, including a curious Emmental made in Indiana by a former Wisconsin cheesemaker, and when available, Pleasant Ridge Reserve. Old standbys like Red Hawk and Humboldt Fog round out the selection. The owners, Matt and Sarah Parker, know the tastes of their customers, who mainly live within walking distance of their store just outside of Lincoln Square on Chicago's northwest side. Everything is reasonable, and there is very little priced over $25.00/lb.
The Parkers have put a great deal of care into their two-year old shop. The walls are painted shocking orange, which provides a great color contrast to the mostly wheat-colored cheeses. They carry everything necessary to create a perfect cheese plate: jams, spreads, pates, prosciutto, bread, olives, crackers, etc. My friend and I stopped there before a picnic and were able to put together a great spread.
Next time you visit Chicago be sure to stop in: The Cheese Stands Alone, 4547 N. Western Ave 773-293-3870. Call for hours.
Posted by Wade at August 26, 2005 10:54 AM | TrackBack