Mars Cheese Castle
Mars Cheese Castle
4
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
About
Mars Cheese Castle is a family owned Wisconsin staple and grown tour attraction situated on I-94 between Milwaukee and Chicago. It is a castle that houses many departments including a specialty market offering more than 700 cheeses, wines and specialty items from Wisconsin and around the world, an in house bakery featuring desserts, kringles and breads (famous for its cheese and jalapeno cheese bread) baked daily, a restaurant popular for its many generously portioned cheese & meat sandwiches and featured burger and sandwiches of the month and a pub, well known for it's Wisconsin beers on tap and famous Bloody Mary (don't forget the beer chaser, a Wisconsin tradition!). Don't forget to pick up a souvenir in the gift shop on your way out!
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See what other travelers are saying
- slalemandAuburn, Maine439 contributionsOh, your going to stopIt could get 5 stars and probably should but CIVD did play a small in our visit and a small part in some of the services not being opened or serving. Of what we could do, see, feel touch, try out and all, it's a great stop of the "Tourist" in you. Make no mistake, this IS a Tourist Trap, and I do NOT mean this in a bad way. There are tourist Traps all across the country, designed for folks who are traveling won't likely be back in the area again, but who want to get a flavor for the area. this is a Very Good Tourist Trap. Some one asked me once, "what do you mean "Tourist Trap"? ok, the best way to describe it for me is, It's NOT the place you are asked to go and get a quart of milk or loaf of bread (That's the local grocery store), but it is a great place to go and get interesting things from the region. As Tourist Traps / Stops go, this is a damn good one. Cheeses, Wines, and bakery goods galore, and all really good. My wife really LOVED the fact that many of the wines (Hint, hint) had nice small sign explaining about the wine, what it is like, would go with, taste like, came from and more. While my wife likes to have a glass of wine occasionally, she knows very little about wines, just knows what she likes, but would like to know why as well as what to serve with different meals or guests come over. Bakery was almost as big and fun to shop in, as was the crackers from around the world, and the many different honeys, jams and other treats. Cheese selection isn't huge, I might say they have as much interesting meats, Jerky, Sausages and other meats as they do cheeses. One thing that was starting to show up after a dozen or so stops so far in our trip, which the general lack of knowledge about the products they are offering. Now I'm sure this has a lot to do, with the lack of help (which is REAL bad across the country) and lack of good help. Now this no doubt is partly due to the pay scale and the fact that many folks - who are choosing to work instead of sitting on their butts at home (Good for you), these aren't the jobs they hope to have for long, or maybe they haven't been working in these places long, in any case. Oh yeah, you'll stop when in the area, you'll be glad you did.Visited September 2021Written October 22, 2021
- Angie RMount Pleasant, Wisconsin30 contributionsMore than Cheese!Me and my family went to the Mars Cheese Castle this past weekend and it was FABULOUS! We went for the cheese but stayed for all the other surprises such as the wine selection (they have a whole room), the beer cave, the Cedar Crest ice cream, and the fudge counter. There's also SO much more; I will be going back to buy cute, WI, local products such as homemade jellies/jams, and witty shirts/hats. There's also a whole room of candy! We could have spent more than the hour there; there was so much to see and look at. So lucky to be so close to this special castle! The employees were also super friendly and helpful :)Visited February 2020Written February 25, 2020
- Lisa BChicago, Illinois473 contributionsUnique and fun but quite overpriced!The “castle” is a fun collection of rooms carrying a large variety of cheese (and related items), beer, wine, bakery goods, novelties and various Wisconsin tourist items. Be prepared to pay more here than elsewhere. A 6 pack of a popular Wisconsin beer brand (New Glarus) is $2 more here than every gas station nearby which also sells cheese curds, cheese and tourist trinkets. Go for fun but don’t stock up here unless you can afford it.Visited June 2020Traveled with familyWritten June 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
701 reviews
Excellent
289
Very good
262
Average
102
Poor
29
Terrible
19
Aaron G
1 contribution
Mar 2023 • Couples
Ho hum yawn. Walked in there to eat lunch with my wife and found the bar was very small and barley any seating available and the only restaurant they have is a cheap sandwich shop with sandwiches and hotdogs .
Self serve.
They used to have a great restaurant back in the day but now it’s a tourist trap.
They do have a lot of good cheeses and wines though , along with the typical Wisconsin tourist junk like cheese head hats, key chains and coffee cups.
It was disappointing .
A lot of tourist hype for Illinoians to drool over.
Self serve.
They used to have a great restaurant back in the day but now it’s a tourist trap.
They do have a lot of good cheeses and wines though , along with the typical Wisconsin tourist junk like cheese head hats, key chains and coffee cups.
It was disappointing .
A lot of tourist hype for Illinoians to drool over.
Written March 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grace G
1 contribution
May 2023 • Friends
Usually, I am not the type of person to write bad reviews, but my experience was so poor it feels necessary. My friends and I stopped at the Mars Cheese Castle on May 21st to purchase some cheese as a gift for my dad. I bought the Vern's Natural Cheese Curds listed as $7.99, but after we left, I realized I was overcharged 5 times that amount. Understanding that mistakes happen, I contacted the store and asked to speak to a manager, who was unhelpful. She told me she could not help me since she was only an assistant manager and that I would receive a call from the store manager the next day. I never received that call and had to, once again, call them back. They were slightly more helpful, asking me to write them an email including all the information I knew. After completing all that work, they informed me that since I didn't have a receipt and they couldn't find my order, I had to contact my bank to perform a dispute. I was required to answer multiple questions from my bank to complete this dispute, and it just ended up getting denied. I was reasonable with the problem at first, but after being ripped off $40, I will not be returning. I recommend that if you do go to take your receipt and double check that you are charged the correct amount.
Written June 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cdpd119
Albertville, AL174 contributions
Aug 2020
Nasty people. I wear a hard plastic face shield which covers my eyes, nose and mouth. I am not able to wear the tradition mask due to a medical condition, so I was denied entry. FURTHERMORE, N95 masks, scarves, bandanas, and most other face coverings are NOT allowed. They require people to wear either the fabric or cheap paper things. I am not sure of their motivation, but since it has been proven that shields are at least comparable to, and in many cases superior to those poorer choices, it seemed unreasonable. The man at the door (gatekeeper) had an attitude when I politely asked (because I had not had time to read all of the signs that were posted) I politely asked about medical situations. He got pretty nasty. NO worries. I am so thankful that I was not tempted to leave any of my hard earned money there. Wisconsin is full of cheese stores, and I will patronize the smaller, more customer friendly ones. I will not forget the way I was treated, even after the pandemic is over.
Written August 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
groupleader45212
Helena, MT1,249 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
This is a great spot for a delicious and reasonably priced lunch. They say they make the best fried cheese curds in the world and they are right!!!!
Also knock out Mac and cheese, grilled cheese, nachos and home made soups. They have a ice cream bar, huge selection of Wisconsin cheeses, vast beer selection and a shop full of all thing Wisconsin. This is a must see ! ( and eat)
Unfortunately the pub is closed during Covid.
Great Covid precautions.. bring a madk
Also knock out Mac and cheese, grilled cheese, nachos and home made soups. They have a ice cream bar, huge selection of Wisconsin cheeses, vast beer selection and a shop full of all thing Wisconsin. This is a must see ! ( and eat)
Unfortunately the pub is closed during Covid.
Great Covid precautions.. bring a madk
Written July 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Margie S
3 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
The bartenders and service is amazing. If you want cheese curds you better get them fresh. I ordered an order of fried cheese curds and after waiting 45 minutes I was told it would be another 45 minute wait. What kind of place makes you wait 1 1/2 hours for fried curds? Not in Wisconsin when it only takes 10 minutes to make.
Written July 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mrjonesii
Indianapolis, IN321 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
Heading to Milwaukee we had to visit a cheese factory or store of some sort. This is right off the highway. Not a big store which I was happy about because I didn’t want to feel overwhelmed. You can souvenir shop here. Two places to eat however I believe the cafe isn’t open every day. They sale Kringle which I’m not a fan. However I did like their pumpkin apple loaf! Yummy! After leaving here we went to the Civil War Museum which is like 20 mins away. You really can spend a day in the Kenosha area. We visited the castle on our way to Milwaukee and on our way returning home with some goods.😊
Written October 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jktchorne
Fort Smith, AR1,069 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
It kind of a roadside a attractions for us. It worked out well because you always hear of Wisconsin cheese and we wanted to find a cheese shop. It had all kids of cheese and other foods. They sell coolers with ice packs if traveling and if you want buy some. We bought serval different types cheese to try when we get home. (due Covid not sampling) The castle also has a restaurant not currently open, but the snack bar had food. We got breakfast sandwich and few things out bakery all very good.
It was a worth the stop! The staff told us it rated #14 on roadside attractions in us to stop at, kind of cool. You are required wear mask due Covid.
It was a worth the stop! The staff told us it rated #14 on roadside attractions in us to stop at, kind of cool. You are required wear mask due Covid.
Written July 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beth HH
1 contribution
Feb 2020 • Solo
Ok, seriously? I’m originally from Milwaukee and have seen this on the side of I-94 forever. At age 50, I stopped in for the first time a month ago. The cheese selection is Ok, there is some summer sausage (from Usingers. - so thumbs up). this being WI, there is beer and there are spirits, and a decent Drink Wisconsibily section. If you’re in MKE, stock up at Sendiks and then go to the Drink Wisconsinibly pub downtown and skip this.
Btw, the cashier was busy talking to a coworker and left me waiting for 5 plus minutes. Where’s that Midwestern helpfulness (I miss out on the E Coast)?
Btw, the cashier was busy talking to a coworker and left me waiting for 5 plus minutes. Where’s that Midwestern helpfulness (I miss out on the E Coast)?
Written February 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cherylpd1
Delran, NJ376 contributions
Aug 2022
This touristy establishment called out to us in our travels so we had to visit of course. It kind of just looks like a supermarket inside, but there are lots of local items and cheese, as well as items from other states. We did not have the ability to store anything refrigerated so I hunted down some small items that I could easily transport home for myself and others. It was a fun stop that took us off the drive for a short time, but not one that's a must-see.
Written September 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrea
Winthrop Harbor, IL14 contributions
Feb 2021
I remember as a child when this place was much smaller and we would pass it on our way home to Chicago after visiting relatives further north in WI. Now this place is freaking huge!! This is like the Disneyland of cheese! So many delicious cheeses to choose from! They have much more than just cheese too. Plenty of different meats, bacon, baked goods, candy, snacks, souvenirs, wine and beer too! Didn’t realize they have their own brand of wine so of course I had to buy some to try it. They serve food there too and they have a tavern that would be interesting to try out once things are more back to normal and it reopens. Everyone there is so nice too! They are also very COVID conscious and diligent with wiping down the shopping carts after each use. They have you immediately hand it to someone upon exiting. Had a great time bringing hubby there, definitely recommend you check it out when you’re in the Kenosha area! Fun times!!
Written February 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
boendertwinm
Highlands Ranch, CO
Do you guys use flower in some of your cheeses? I have a gluten intolerance and I've recently have had a reaction. The only thing different in my diet has been cheese from your place that I recently bought while visiting. I'm really hoping you don't because I love your cheese!
culaugh2012
Tacoma, WA471 contributions
I have never seen flour in cheese...but I just visited there...I don't work there...I also have GF intolerance and had no reaction to any I tried or bought
Do they sell raclette cheese?
B. Gail W
Houston, Texas92 contributions
Sorry! unable to tell you! As the person above stated give them a call!!
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Claim your listingMars Cheese Castle (Kenosha) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Mars Cheese Castle
- Mars Cheese Castle is open:
- Mon - Wed 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
- Thu - Sun 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
- Hotels near Mars Cheese Castle:
- (0.17 mi) Oasis Inn Kenosha
- (3.16 mi) Hampton Inn & Suites Kenosha
- (6.51 mi) Fairfield Inn & Suites Kenosha Pleasant Prairie
- (2.89 mi) Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Kenosha, WI
- (3.11 mi) Best Western Executive Inn
- Restaurants near Mars Cheese Castle:
- (0.23 mi) Subway
- (5.68 mi) Tenuta's
- (9.06 mi) Javier's Cuisine
- (4.26 mi) Apple Holler
- (6.73 mi) La Fogata Mexican Grill
- Attractions near Mars Cheese Castle:
- (6.24 mi) Boundless Adventures
- (7.41 mi) Civil War Museum
- (4.74 mi) Petrifying Springs Park
- (7.46 mi) Kenosha Public Museum
- (7.09 mi) Twenty Four VII Charters
Mars Cheese Castle Information
| Excellent Reviews | 289 |
|---|---|
| Very Good Reviews | 262 |
| Mars Cheese Castle Photos | 346 |
























































