National Cheese Lover’s Day is Jan. 20, though we think every day should celebrate cheese. In honor of the day, LawnStarter just released 2023’s Best Cities for Cheese Lovers. The survey compared the 200 biggest U.S. cities based on cheese access, quality, affordability, and community interest. Here are the cities that came out on top as the “big cheese.”
Related: The Best Cities in America for People Who Love Food
No. 10: Atlanta
Overall Score: 28.42
The Southern city holds a solid ninth place for its cheese community, meaning there are plenty of cheese-related events and meetups.
Related: 19 Ways to Make an Ordinary Grilled Cheese Extraordinary
No. 9: Milwaukee
Overall Score: 29.22
This beer-famous Wisconsin city made the list, of course. Located in “America’s Dairyland,” Milwaukee holds fourth place for quality of cheese, after New York, Buffalo, and Chicago.
Related: The Funkiest Cheeses in the World
No. 8: Santa Rosa, California
Overall Score: 30.22
This city in the Golden State came in fifth place for quality of cheese, which counts the total points for the past three U.S. Championship Cheese Contest Awards earned by county producers.
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No. 7: Seattle
Overall Score: 31.67
When you think Seattle, you may think coffee — but cheese is also a big deal. The city takes third place for cheese and wine meetups, and fourth for cheese-loaded farmers markets.
Related: Fun Facts You Didn’t Know About Mac and Cheese
No. 6: Washington, D.C.
Overall Score: 34.37
The nation’s capital comes in second place for cheese access, which includes cheese shops, farmers markets with cheese vendors, fondue restaurants, and number of Cheesecake Factory locations.
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No. 5: Los Angeles
Overall Score: 36.86
People in L.A. love their cheese, as long as it’s an excuse to gather. The city has the second-most cheese and wine meetups.
No. 4: San Francisco
Overall Score: 42.38
San Francisco ranks first place for having the most cheese shops per square mile, which sounds a bit like heaven.
No. 3: Chicago
Overall Score: 42.65
The Windy City is the birthplace of Kraft cheese, so is it any wonder it’s a top cheese locale? Chicago comes in third place for most farmers markets offering cheese and dairy products, as well.
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No. 2: Madison, Wisconsin
Overall Score: 43.74
Wisconsin is synonymous with cheese, so it’s no shocker that one of its cities came in second place. Madison ranked for the strongest cheese community and is second only to Modesto, California, in number of cheese factories and plants.
No. 1: New York
Overall Score: 55.27
The Big Apple ranks first as the “cheesiest” city. The city’s score is high for quality, plus NYC hosts the Cheesemonger Invitational, one of the biggest cheese events in the country.
