Coolhunting Weird Wisconsin Ep 2: A Trip To Mars (Cheese Castle)

Wisconsin cheesemakers like to play Frankenstein, churning out products in bizarre forms and flavors.

Some of the wildest dairy experiments are sold under the turrets of Mars’ Cheese Castle (2800 120th Ave, Kenosha WI; 800-655-6147).

Just 30 minutes from downtown Milwaukee, the 24,000 square foot stronghold looks like it’s carved from cheddar — drawbridge and all.

In this episode of my Huffington Post Travel TV show, two guards yell “Halt!” as I walk in. The tension mounts to an epic stare-down.

Check out the previous episode, Bondage And Balloons At Don Q Inn

But in truth, the family members that run the store are the friendliest folk you’ll meet.

Tyson Wehrmeister whisks me around his kingdom, insisting that I try a taste of everything. The video captures my surprise at chicken soup cheese and squeaky curds.

The decorative cheese, shaped and colored like cows, was too cute to eat. For Brewers fans, there were even cheddar baseballs and gloves.

I’ll admit I was hesitant about “chudge,” or chocolate cheese fudge. (It tastes better than it sounds.) And turtle kringle, a Nordic
pastry. (Not actually made from turtles, thankfully.)

At the bar, regulars chattered over mugs of local beer. The grilled cheese station brought back memories of childhood lunches.

With blow-up cows, racy hot sauces and hand-puppets, the gift shop was the cheesiest part of the castle. Or should I say...wait for it...“udderly ridiculous.”

What makes the castle a gem? The Ventura family, who make it personal: handing balloons to kids, hanging at the bar, passing around generous samples. Despite the big new location, Mars’ still feels like the warm family shop from 1947.

Now that’s cool.

Stay tuned for our next quirky location!

What’s the strangest cheese you’ve ever sunk your teeth into?

Comments

[Lovelieapple]

05:46 AM on 09/15/2011

Pretty awesome, then again, cheese is always awesome.
Definitely putting this on my list next time I go to Winsconsin~~

[CPAwADD]

09:58 AM on 09/14/2011

Cheese, Beer, Brats -- Wisconsin is awesome.

[Mister President]

11:14 PM on 09/13/2011

I'd always stop in at the Mars Cheese Castle when I drove from Chicago to Milwaukee. Lots of great cheese and deli meats and plenty of free samples. Their Danish kringles are also excellent if you're building a midwestern physique.

[SteveDenver]

09:12 AM on 09/13/2011

SHE'S FUN! I love cheese.
PRAISE CHEESES!

[Annemarie Dooling]

01:02 PM on 09/13/2011

She IS fun.

[colonelsun68]

04:27 AM on 09/13/2011

This is a fun store to visit. It's not in Milwaukee, however, but rather just outside Kenosha, Wisconsin, about 35 miles south of Milwaukee...where Interstate 94 intersects Hwy. 142.

[lacarmina]

05:34 AM on 09/13/2011

You're right! In the article and video, I say the Cheese Castle is in Kenosha, about 30 min from downtown Milwaukee. :)

[colonelsun68]

08:59 AM on 09/13/2011

Oops. Sorry, I missed that!

[SteveDenver]

09:13 AM on 09/13/2011

Fan!... because I am!
You're adorable, I love your play-along spirit, and you like cheese.

[Joe Mando]

03:23 AM on 09/13/2011

As anyone from Europe can tell you, America doesn't know cheese (with the exception of a few farmers who are making real cheese.)

[starkeeper827]

12:24 AM on 09/13/2011

I'd post this if La Carmina was NOT in it! She's a BIT TOO MUCH for this!

[SteveDenver]

09:14 AM on 09/13/2011

Your tolerance is low

[mwnyy]

10:30 PM on 09/12/2011

I don't eat cheese, it makes me vomit, the taste, the smell, never liked it. Yuck!

[SteveDenver]

09:14 AM on 09/13/2011

Thanks for visiting

[TeriA1]

11:09 AM on 09/15/2011

Thanks for that.

[Francisco Malpica]

10:15 PM on 09/12/2011

wow Im LIKE CHEESE LIKE ANY OTHER LIKE TO BECOME A MENBER FOR THE MARA CHEESE CASTLE LIKE THAT ANY OTHER FOODS REALLY

[IMRITENOTU]

09:47 PM on 09/12/2011

The strangest cheese I've ever tried was the worm cheese (Casu marzu).
It looks a lot worse than it tastes.

[BurrRobson]

09:31 PM on 09/12/2011

What in the world happened to her face?

[hman570]

09:27 PM on 09/12/2011

Love cheese all knids that don't have to do with stink!! Don't even care where it comes from!!! Just love cheese!!!!

[michputtytat]

07:14 PM on 09/12/2011

Best cheese place around. I live in Michigan and we travel there to get great cheese and they have the best veal brats also. I also try a different cheese each time we go. It's worth the drive.

[Judith Word]

07:07 PM on 09/12/2011

I'd love to try all the cheese, as well as visit Wis. one of the 6 states I haven't been too... perhaps one day I'll get to make a video/television/YouTube all expense paid Eat,Meet & Greet, lol.. Only cheese I didn't hear about, is my fave of all cheeses' ...........cheesecake ????? whats up ? lol oh, yes, let me guess that's New York, lol... ok

[Johny Appalachia]

09:06 PM on 09/20/2011

You must visit Wisconsin. They do have cheesecake as well (also my favorite. Please check out my latest blog, Children of God (c) I can use your feed back. May your day be filled with joy.

[Dross Cool]

06:47 PM on 09/12/2011

IAM SURE THE SOUP IS GREAT ,,, BUT MY ITALIAN FAMILY HAS BEEN MAKING A CHICKEN SOUP , FROM FRESH VEGS, HOMEDMADE THIN EGG NOODLES , AND TOPPING IT OFF WITH THE BEST IMPORTED CHEESE , ITS THE SOUP ALSO PARMESAN CHEESE , IMPORTED ONLY