The Massive Cheese Shop In Wisconsin That Takes Nearly All Day To Explore
When you’re in Wisconsin, you’re never far from some delicious cheese. In the biggest cities and the smallest towns, you’ll find stores selling wonderful local varieties, including bags of squeaky cheese curds that kids of all ages enjoy devouring. One regal cheese store stands above all the others – it’s more than a cheese shop, it’s an icon, and it’s enormous. Here’s why Mars Cheese Castle is the best cheese store in Wisconsin.
If you’ve driven between Milwaukee and Chicago, you’ve probably passed Mars Cheese Castle. It’s located in Kenosha, right next to the highway and it has a towering, 80-foot sign that’s like a beacon for cheese lovers.
The castle has a long history. Mario Ventura, Sr. started the business back in 1947 – it was named Mars because the name Mario comes from the Roman god Mars. Mario’s mother once owned a castle in Italy, so that inspired the second half of the name.
Nothing would stop the success of this store. After a fire destroyed the original building in 1957, the owners rebuilt. In 2001, when Interstate 94 was expanded, the store's location was moved to accommodate the project, and the new store was twice as large.
If you have a sweet tooth, the store has you covered too – there’s an awesome bakery, and there’s a restaurant serving savory items like Usinger’s Wisconsin bratwurst sandwiches and deli-style corned beef sandwiches.
Mars Cheese Castle is open daily, and if you can’t make it to Kenosha, it also has an online store. Learn more on the Mars Cheese Castle website. The castle is just the start of the fun you can have in Kenosha – the city happens to be the perfect day trip destination.
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Address: Mars Cheese Castle, 2800 W Frontage Rd, Kenosha, WI 53144, USA
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