Where To Go During This Year’s American Cheese Society Annual Conference
In a few short weeks, over 1,000 cheese professionals will descend on Buffalo, New York for the American Cheese Society annual conference. The conference, affectionately known as “cheese camp,” draws cheesemakers, cheesemongers, distributors, importers, writers, and enthusiasts for three days of educational sessions and networking.
As we started to plan our routes and save places to our Google Maps list, we figured it would be a good idea to reach out to an in-the-know local to get an inside scoop on the Buffalo cheese scene. Rachel Waschitz Banks, a founding member of the NY State Cheese Council and the Meeting of the Milkmaids organizations, was kind enough to pull together a list of the cheesiest spots in and around Buffalo.
From cheese shops and dairy farms to burger joints and ice cream spots, be sure to check out these spots when you’re in town!
Cheese is alive in Buffalo!
Buffalo has historically played an important role in the American cheese industry. Located in a dairy state—New York is currently the fifth largest dairy-producing state in the US—and on Lake Erie and the Erie Canal, Buffalo was a key player in shipping cheese to other states.
Buffalo is home to unique regional cuisines, like spaghetti parm, sponge candy, and of course, Buffalo wings, and a burgeoning cheese scene. Today many new artisanal cheese businesses are emerging across Western New York, from makers, mongers, charcuterie, and distribution.
The New York State Cheese Council has created a map of cheese businesses across the state. We hope this will serve as a tool you can use to plan your trips to and from the conference, so you can take in all that our amazing state has to offer! Click on the image below to check out the interactive map (and thank you to the Cheese Club for allowing us to use the platform).
Thank you to Emily Smith, Plant Manager and Cheesemaker at Eden Valley Creamery, Kristen Cronyn owner at Meet and Eat Charcuterie, Molly Moffett, Cheesemaker at Oakfield Corners Dairy, and the folks at the Cheese Factory for helping me compile this list of cheesy spots in Buffalo.
Cheese Shops
Meet and Eat Charcuterie Buffalo, NY
Located in Buffalo’s iconic Larkin Square – the Larkin Building was once a soap factory, and as best we can tell the name has no relation to Larkin Cold Storage. Meet & Eat Charcuterie is the realization of owner Kristen Cronyn’s dream of connecting wine and cheese experts with enthusiasts. Pass the hours with friends, family, or colleagues over your custom-ordered charcuterie and the perfect wine pairing. Then, grab your favorite local cheese to take home—the grab and go cooler features a wide array of cheese, including WNY’s own Eden Valley Creamery line.
The Cheese Factory Orchard Park, NY
Owned by Mark and Beth Jacobs, the Cheese Factory features a cut-to-order counter and a grab and go fridge. Look for cheese curds from Stoltzfus Family Dairy, which they smoke and flavor in house.
Watson’s Chocolates Buffalo, NY
Even though Watson’s isn’t a cheese shop, I’m adding it to the list because it is dairy adjacent, and because they make an iconic Buffalo dessert: sponge candy. This famous Buffalo treat is crunchy and cloudlike at the same time. Don’t miss it!
Sweet Jenny’s Chocolates and Ice Cream Williamsville, NY
Another dairy-adjacent storefront, but this place is truly special and worth checking out. Owners Howard and Tara Cadmus make everything in house. I had no idea how amazing homemade ice cream was, to be honest, it’s hard to go back now that I know what I’ve been missing. Located in a historic mill, you can watch them make ice cream through the viewing window, and then wander upstairs to check out the vintage comic shop.
Grocery Stores
Lexington Co Op Buffalo, NY
For over 50 years, the Lexington Co-Op has served it’s community. They place an emphasis on sourcing local products and while they don’t have a cut-to-order counter, they do have a nice cheese selection. Located in the heart of the trendy Elmwood Village, a visit here can be followed with a stroll down Elmwood Avenue to check out the numerous shops and restaurants (and a visit to Watson’s Chocolates).
Wegmans Buffalo, NY
You should never visit Western New York and skip Wegmans—it is an experience. The beloved grocer has a well-stocked cut-to-order counter and a huge selection of artisan cheese.
Whole Foods Amherst, NY
The Whole Foods we all know and love. Check out the large cut-to-order counter!
Farms and Creameries
East Hill Creamery South Perry, NY
From East Hill Creamery’s website: “East Hill Creamery is run by Gary and Betty Burley who in 1981 started East Hill Farm with just 100 acres and 18 cows. With the help of 4 of their children, they now milk 1,300 cows on over 1000 acres and that fantastic, grass-fed milk is what East Hill cheeses are made from. By using raw milk exclusively from our own dairy farm we are able to guarantee quality from pasture to plate. The terroir of Wyoming County has led us to focus solely on Alpine-style cheeses.”
Plan a visit to try their fabulous line of alpine style cheeses or go on a tour.
Eden Valley Creamery’s Farm Store Dayton, NY
From Eden Valley Creamery’s website: “Mammoser Farms was established by Norbert and Ethel Mammoser in Eden, NY in the year 1949. The idea of a creamery was born long before EVC officially opened it’s doors in 2019, but finding the proper location, skilled cheesemakers, and product marketers took many years. Today our creamery is located in South Dayton NY where we can source our high quality milk, fresh each day, from less than a mile down the road.”
The area is absolutely gorgeous with sprawling views of grazing cows along the way! There is a viewing window into the creamery, where you may spot plant manager and cheesemaker Emily Smith hard at work making their line of artisan cheese.
Oakfield Corners Dairy Batavia, NY
Owned by the Lamb/Veazey family, Oakfield Artisanal is an innovative single-source dairy producer seeking to create cultural mosaic for connoisseurs of fine foods. Cheesemaker Molly Moffett expertly crafts Mexican style cheeses that are equally suited to snacking or cooking. Visit their farm store or schedule an appointment to tour the facility.
Ordinary Farmstead East Aurora, NY
Ordinary Farmstead, owned by Paula Tofil and Brian Pusch, is located in beautiful East Aurora, NY. East Aurora is a stunning suburb filled with lovely historical buildings and the famous Roycroft Campus which is a complex of buildings that is part of the movement of “guilds” that evolved as centers of craftsmanship and philosophy during the late 19th century. It contains nine of the original 14 structures including the Inn, the Chapel, the Print shop, the Furniture Shop, and the Copper Shop. There is also a restaurant at the Roycroft Inn and the food is elegant and quite frankly, to die for.
If you signed up for the pre-conference tour, you’ll get the chance to visit Ordinary Farmstead and interact with the goats as well as meet local cheesemakers and sample products from Oakfield Corners Dairy and Eden Valley Creamery. I will also be there, as Ordinary Farmstead is where I work developing recipes!
Restaurants
Mother’s
Mother’s is a hidden gem well known by Buffalo locals. The atmosphere is elegant, the kitchen is open until midnight, and the food is absolutely fantastic. While there, don’t forget to try the stuffed banana peppers. The Buffalo delicacy consists of Hungarian yellow peppers stuffed with meat and ricotta and topped with cheese, there’s a slight kick that makes this version addicting.
Gabriel’s Gate
You can’t leave Buffalo without indulging in a few Buffalo wings! This is a popular spot amongst locals. The dressing is ALWAYS blue cheese, never ranch. It’s creamy, authentic, and delicious. Top notch!
Chef’s
Located in downtown Buffalo, this place is FAMOUS here. The food is Italian and a must for anyone who loves cheese!
Allen Burger Venture
Really trendy place, the burgers are fantastic. I highly recommend the “One” burger, which comes topped with forest mushroom, Cambozola, and a brandy peppercorn sauce.
Guercio and Sons
An iconic Italian deli that has been a Buffalo staple since 1961. They have a cut to order cheese counter with a nice selection and their produce is spectacular. But the real star is the absolutely mouthwatering capicola, roasted red pepper and provolone sandwich.
