Kamil Perry
Mars Cheese Castle is a popular tourist attraction in Kenosha, Wisconsin, located along Interstate 94. It was first opened in 1947 by Mario and Martha Ventura and has since become a well-known landmark, featuring a unique castle design. The castle houses a variety of departments, including a specialty food store, a delicatessen, a bakery, a restaurant, a pub, and a souvenir shop. Visitors can find an extensive selection of cheeses, wines, sausages, bakery items, sandwiches, and Wisconsin specialty foods. The castle also offers holiday events and provides photo opportunities with its distinctive exterior and towering sign.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Address | 2800 West Frontage Rd. Kenosha, WI 53144 |
| Phone Number | 1-855-352-MARS (6277) |
| Opening Hours | Mon-Fri 11am-7pm, Sat & Sun 9am-7pm |
| Products | Cheese, sausages, sandwiches, burgers, beer, wine, specialty condiments, soft drinks, souvenirs, bakery items |
| Services | Café/deli/grill, restaurant, pub, bakery, gift shop, holiday events |
| Attractions | Photo opportunities, novelty items, holiday specials, famous customers |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Mars Cheese Castle is located at 2800 West Frontage Rd. in Kenosha, Wisconsin
- It's a popular tourist attraction, known for its cheese selection and other specialty items
- The castle-shaped store offers a cafe, bakery, restaurant, pub, deli, and souvenir shop
- It was opened in 1947 by Mario Ventura, inspired by his name and his mother's castle in Italy
- The Food Network's Jeff Mauro praised Mars Cheese Castle's grilled cheese as one of America's best
Mars Cheese Castle is located at 2800 West Frontage Rd. in Kenosha, Wisconsin
The history of Mars Cheese Castle dates back to 1947 when it was first opened by Mario and Martha Ventura. The name "Mars" was inspired by Mario, derived from the Roman god of the same name, and "Castle" referred to a castle in Italy owned by Ventura's mother. The original store featured a large beer bottle on its roof and burned down in 1957, leading to the construction of a new store nearby. In 2011, the store relocated 50 yards away from the freeway due to a project widening Interstate 94. The new building was designed to resemble a castle even more closely, complete with a watchtower for wine storage and an entrance resembling a drawbridge.
Mars Cheese Castle offers a unique shopping and dining experience. It houses multiple departments, including a specialty market with over 700 types of cheese, an in-house bakery famous for its cheese and jalapeno cheese bread, a restaurant known for its generous portions of cheese and meat sandwiches, and a pub featuring Wisconsin beers on tap. The castle also has a deli/café area serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner options like grilled cheese, burgers, and bratwurst.
In addition to its food offerings, Mars Cheese Castle has a gift shop selling souvenirs such as cheesehead hats, keychains, shot glasses, and clothing. It has become an iconic destination for road trips and is often referred to as an "icon for generations of I-94 travelers" and "an icon of quirky Americana." Its fame has attracted famous customers, including politicians, actors, and musicians.
Chuck E. Cheese: Free Entry, Fun Times!
You may want to see also
It's a popular tourist attraction, known for its cheese selection and other specialty items
Mars Cheese Castle is a popular tourist attraction located in Kenosha, Wisconsin, along Interstate 94. It was opened in 1947 by Mario Ventura Sr., with the name inspired by the owner's name, Mario, which comes from the Roman god Mars, and "Castle" coming from a castle in Italy owned by Ventura's mother. The shop's logo was designed by Kenosha artist George Pollard.
The store is a specialty food shop, delicatessen, and taproom, offering a wide range of products, but it is best known for its extensive selection of cheeses. The castle-like structure houses a specialty market with over 700 varieties of cheese, wines, and specialty items from Wisconsin and around the world. The in-house bakery is famous for its cheese and jalapeno cheese bread, baked fresh daily.
The restaurant within Mars Cheese Castle is a popular spot, known for its generous portions of cheese and meat sandwiches, as well as its featured burgers and sandwiches of the month. The pub is well-known for its Wisconsin beers on tap and its signature Bloody Mary, often accompanied by a beer chaser, following a Wisconsin tradition.
The store has attracted a number of celebrity visitors over the years, including rock band Weezer, who held a record signing there in 2001, as well as notable figures such as Al Hirt, Al McGuire, John F. Kennedy, and Johnny Cash. Mars Cheese Castle has become a beloved Wisconsin staple and a popular tourist destination for those seeking unique food items and a memorable shopping experience.
Velveeta Cheese: Does it Age Like Fine Wine?
You may want to see also
The castle-shaped store offers a cafe, bakery, restaurant, pub, deli, and souvenir shop
The Mars Cheese Castle is located at 2800 West Frontage Rd. Kenosha, WI 53144. It is a popular tourist attraction, especially for those travelling along Interstate 94, and has been described as a "cheese landmark". The castle-shaped store offers a cafe, bakery, restaurant, pub, deli, and souvenir shop.
The castle houses many departments, including a specialty market offering over 700 cheeses, wines, and specialty items from Wisconsin and beyond. The in-house bakery serves freshly baked desserts, kringles, and breads, including its famous cheese and jalapeno cheese bread. The restaurant is known for its generous portions of cheese and meat sandwiches, as well as its featured burger and sandwiches of the month. The pub is a great place to try Wisconsin beers on tap and its famous Bloody Mary, complete with a beer chaser, following a Wisconsin tradition.
The deli offers a variety of sandwiches, including burgers and bratwurst, as well as ice cream. Visitors can also purchase souvenirs, such as Wisconsin cheesehead hats, and other gifts and food items. The store is family-owned and has been a staple in Wisconsin since it first opened in 1947.
The unique castle design features a watchtower for storing wine and an entrance that resembles a drawbridge. The store's logo was designed by Kenosha artist George Pollard, and the name "Mars Cheese Castle" was inspired by the owner's name, Mario Ventura, Sr., and a castle in Italy owned by Ventura's mother.
The Origin Story of Coon Cheese
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It was opened in 1947 by Mario Ventura, inspired by his name and his mother's castle in Italy
Mars Cheese Castle is a specialty food store, delicatessen, and taproom located in Kenosha, Wisconsin. It is a popular destination for visitors to Wisconsin and has been described as a "cheese landmark" and "an icon for generations of I-94 travellers". The shop was opened in 1947 by Mario Ventura Sr., inspired by his name—derived from the Roman god Mars—and his mother's castle in Italy. The store's logo was designed by Kenosha artist George Pollard, in his first job.
The original store featured a large beer bottle on its roof and was located along Interstate 94. Unfortunately, it burned down in 1957 and had to be rebuilt nearby. In 2011, the store was forced to relocate again, this time just 50 yards away from the freeway, due to a project widening Interstate 94. The new building is over twice the size of the original and is designed to resemble a castle, with a watchtower for wine storage and an entrance resembling a drawbridge.
Today, Mars Cheese Castle offers over 700 varieties of cheese, as well as wines and specialty items from Wisconsin and around the world. It also has an in-house bakery, a restaurant, and a pub. The bakery is famous for its cheese and jalapeno cheese bread, while the pub is known for its Wisconsin beers on tap and its Bloody Marys, which are traditionally served with a beer chaser. The store is also a great place to pick up souvenirs, such as cheesehead hats.
Jim 'N Nick's Secret: Are Cheese Biscuits the New Bread?
You may want to see also
The Food Network's Jeff Mauro praised Mars Cheese Castle's grilled cheese as one of America's best
Mars Cheese Castle is a specialty food store, delicatessen, and taproom located in Kenosha, Wisconsin, along Interstate 94. The shop was opened in 1947 by Mario Ventura, Sr., with the name inspired by its owner, as "Mario" comes from the Roman god Mars, and the "Castle" part by a castle in Italy owned by Ventura's mother. The store has been dubbed a cheese landmark and "one of Wisconsin's most recognizable cheese shops", attracting many visitors.
The Food Network's Jeff Mauro has praised Mars Cheese Castle's grilled cheese as one of America's best. The grilled cheese sandwich is a signature offering from the shop's in-house bakery, which features a range of freshly baked goods, including their famous cheese and jalapeno cheese bread. The bakery is just one of the many departments housed within the castle-like structure, each offering a unique selection of products.
The specialty market at Mars Cheese Castle offers over 700 varieties of cheese, along with wines and specialty items from Wisconsin and around the world. The in-store deli serves generous portions of cheese and meat sandwiches, burgers, and other sandwiches, including their featured burger of the month. The pub is well-known for its Wisconsin beers on tap and its famous Bloody Mary, often enjoyed with a beer chaser, following a Wisconsin tradition.
In addition to its culinary delights, Mars Cheese Castle also offers a gift shop with souvenirs, making it a popular destination for travellers and a true Wisconsin icon. The unique castle-like structure, complete with a watchtower and a drawbridge-like entrance, adds to its appeal, making it a must-visit attraction for food enthusiasts and tourists alike.
With its wide range of offerings, Mars Cheese Castle has become a beloved staple in Wisconsin, attracting locals and visitors alike. The combination of delicious food, a vast selection of cheeses, and a unique castle setting has made it a memorable destination, and the praise from Jeff Mauro has only added to its renown.
Taco Bell's Vegan Cheese: Where Did It Go?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Mars Cheese Castle is located along Interstate 94 in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
The opening hours of Mars Cheese Castle are 9 am-7 pm daily. On weekdays, it is open from 11 am to 7 pm.
Mars Cheese Castle offers a wide variety of products, including over 700 types of cheese, wines, specialty items, sausages, and other foods. They also have an in-house bakery and a restaurant that serves sandwiches, burgers, and other meals. You can also find souvenirs, novelty items, and Wisconsin specialty foods in their grocery store section.
