Grandpa’s Cheesebarn

I was visiting my BF from out of town the weekend of May 28^th when we drove back from Cleveland to Columbus Ohio. You can say I am the kind of girl who likes her cheese and can be very picky when it comes to the quality of cheese I enjoy. Grandpa’s cheese barn didn’t disappoint. The second I went upstairs to where cheese heaven began I knew I was right where I belonged. The place was filled with so many kinds of cheese that it was hard not to stay here all day.
The upstairs part of this barn has many kinds of cheese you can try. There are also many kinds of crackers, jams, sausages and spreads you can sample as well. I migrated to the cheddar cheese and fell in love with their Habanero Cheddar Cheese. When I return to Columbus I am definitely coming back to this place. Please enjoy this place if you happen to be in town. I will dream of this place for days.

SO MANY CHEESES! SO LITTLE TIME! OMG! The people here are super friendly and the amount and quality of the cheeses are FABULOUS!!! You can sample just about all the cheeses they offer. They even have jerky, maple syrups, juices and jams. This place is FABULOUS!!! WORTH THE TRIP!!! WORTH THE COST!

Disappointed! We drove out of the way to make there before they closed. Got there at 5:22 and they close at 6. It was our first time here and the girl that welcomed us was very friendly and told us where everything was. That was the end of the good experience. Once upstairs everyone to to busy cleaning and getting ready to close that the customers felt ignored or rushed. One girl was walking around taking away samples as ppl are still trying them. Only one person was cutting cheese while everyone else was putting things away. There was still at least 10 customers upstairs! I feel like that’s rude and it did not make me want to buy anything. I bought a chunk of cheese because I did go out of my way to come here, had I tried some samples and not felt rushed, I most likely would have bought more.

Great place to stop on a road trip up north.
They have a HUGE selection of different cheeses and sausages. You can sample pretty much everything as well.
They even have a bunch of things that you would never think would be good but turn out amazing… Try the Banana Pepper Butter on a sandwich. Outstanding.

What an interesting place! I can’t say that I know authentic Amish cheese, but id say that this is probably it. First off, the cheese selection is phenomenal, I mean wow! There are so, so, so many varieties, and they let you try all of them — free samples of all kinds. I think the craziest one I tried was toffee flavored cheese. Not my favorite, but you get the idea of variety.
There’s more than just cheese. They have a bunch of different food things, that you typically see in Amish food stores: pretzels, popcorn, etc.
There are also several additional buildings on the ‘campus.’ One of them I believe was completely chocolate, but I did not have the opportunity to explore the other building, but I did enjoy the country-​folk-​type band that was playing outside while I was on my way to the parking lot.

ALL HAIL EXIT 186! It is just about mandatory that I stop here on my way home for any and all holidays. I feel like a bad guest if I show up without some tasties from Grandpa’s. A few of my go-​tos are the cheese spreads and brandied peaches. Of course, you can try just about every product they offer while weaving around the barn, so I always leave with one or two of their more unique cheeses (whiskey cheese, porter cheese, brenost). It can get crowded so don’t forget your kindness and patience in the car. Everybody is just trying to get some cheese up in here!

Oh man. I live in Kansas and hadn’t been to grandpas for about six years. Me and a buddy went to Cleveland for a Browns game and stopped here on the way home. I had made him bring a cooler for us to use specifically for this cheese! Good thing I did too because we both ended up spending about $ 50 on a lot of DELICIOUS cheese! Plus another $ 30 on candies.
That cheese and meat and everything selection is so great, it’s overwhelming almost. Plus they have probably 50 samples on any given day. We stopped on a Monday morning and there were several people there, all trying all of that cheese. Seems like it’d be a waste to have all of those samples out, but because of them I bought 7 cheeses/​spreads instead of probably 3! It’s so great to be able to try all of that cheese. Seriously, it’s all SO good!
I had never gone to the candy building, but we did this time. Again, a lot of samples of fudge and other candy. I got two different pumpkin fudges, again very good! Ok, so check this out. I love gummy bears and worms. So I spotted a bag of gummy bears that said «the best gummy bears» and I took them up on that challenge. I asked the lady if it was ok to open a bag because I’d buy at least one, but wanted to see if they truly were the best, in which case I’d need to buy more :) Well, I ended up walking out with three bags! They seriously are the best I’ve ever had. They good as is, but they have about 10 different flavors compared to usual bears that have 4 or 5. But ya, you need to try those bears!
This cheese barn is amazing and you need to stop. NEED to. Seriously, are you hearing me? YOU NEED TO STOP!

We came, We saw, We conquered.
This place has it all dips, sweets, food, ice cream. You want it grandpa has got it. We went into the sweets shed because it was hot and we wanted to cool down a bit. We got some fudge. It was pretty good. I think this is a good stop to get out and stretch your legs along 71.

This gem of a «cheesery» is a rarity in our times. Upon walking in you are greeted with the wonderful aroma of meats and cheeses, and the smiles of people who work there. This two story building has the look and the feel of a traditional country store. No frills and unnecessary fanciness. Cheese samples galore! If you’re passing it by definitely stop in. They also have deli sandwiches and other foods you can eat. They have a little dining area with about three or four tables indoors and some picnic tables outside. Ice cream and candy next door is pretty awesome too.

A must-​see stop on I-​71!
As a frequent traveller between central and northeast Ohio, I’ve spent a lot of time on I-​71. I’ll be honest — the trip is rather boring. Thus, it is necessary to have a stop or two along the way to break up the drive.
You will see the signs for miles. You’ll instantly become intrigued and excited. Why is it so great? Why do they have billboards leading me there? The answer: Because you need to stop and see for yourself.
They have a wide variety of homemade/​local products: Mustard, cheese, ice cream, candy, etc. It’s fun to walk around to stretch out the legs and enjoy some samples.
See for yourself!

This place is definitely worth the stop off 71– great to pick up gifts for friends and family, to stock up on snacks, or just as a «cheesy» tourist destination. Their cheese is a little pricy, but well worth it considering the quality. My boyfriend also loves the smokies here which they sell in a variety of flavors. They also offer snack items, local honey, lots of different kinds of chocolate, and much, much more. We ended up spending more than we planned to, but we look forward to enjoying all the goodies we picked up at Grandpa’s Cheesebarn!

If you are a frequent traveler to or from Columbus you have undoubtedly passed Grandpa’s Cheesebarn in Ashland, Ohio. And if you haven’t stopped, you should. All those 20×40 hillside signs starting twenty miles from the exit are trying to do you a huge favor — Grandpa’s Cheesebarn has a little bit of country everything. Hundreds of cheeses and cheese items (and bags of flavored cheese curds, and tubs of cheese spreads, cheese accessories), pickles, country and old-​timey foods, fudge, ice cream and bakery items. Also toys, country knick-​knacks and gifts.
It is kind of shamelessly touristy? Yes… but in a sincere sort of way that makes you feel way better about spending a little money than you do at Disney or Cedar Point. And the food is actually really really good.

I love this place! There are tons of samples, the cookies are phenomenal, and the chocolate covered smoked bacon isn’t too bad either. Highly recommend stopping here, or making a trip just because of how awesome it is. Also, I ran into Grandpa (he was working the register) this trip, you’ll be doing yourself a favor if you go. Try the chocolate! Great place!

Like on Facebook and get a free gift!
We stopped at this place on a whim as we were traveling back to PA from Columbus. We saw a sign that said, «Grandpa’s Cheesebarn» and thought it was funny and joked about stopping there. It wasn’t until I read «Fudge» to my husband and he said, «No really, lets stop there.» So we did.
They have so much stuff and the prices aren’t bad. Basically every kind of cheese in every flavor you can think of. Pre-​packaged or fresh sliced. Samples of products abound! You can pretty much try everything. I ended up buying a mixed cheese bag, some fruity popcorn, pickles, and some beef sticks.
And what did we get for free for liking on Facebook? An icecream! And not like a tiny little baby icecream that I was expecting. A generous scoop in a waffle cone!

Sample and sample and samples and so many nice people! A fantastic stop off on the way to Columbus!

I have probably driven by this place over 100 times (I used to live in Cincinnati) and finally last weekend I decided to make the stop. I was overwhelmed by all the samples! I of course had to try everything that sounded good and therefore ate an entire meals worth of samples!
They not only have cheese but they have spreads, dips, jams, pickles, pickled items, popcorn, relishes and ice cream! They also have a barn devoted to fudge, chocolate and nuts!
This is not a place I need to visit everytime I am driving on 71 but I am sure glad I finally got to see the glory of Grandpa’s Cheesebarn!

This place is a hidden gem — a very well publicized hidden gem. Remember those old movies that showed roadside signs stating, «You Just Passed …»? Well, you can’t miss Grandpa’s Cheesebarn. Giant pasture-​mounted billboards start touting your imminent arrival at Grandpa’s miles before the appointed exit.
We stopped to check out the cheese after an indulgent trip to Fin, Feather and Fur (husband-​provoked). We hadn’t eaten all day and were interested in buying some delicacies. Wow, what an amazing surprise!
The store reminded me of winery gift-​shops in Amish country — unique little crafts and locally made popcorn. However, a trip upstairs led us into the wonderland of samples. Nearly every cheese they offered was presented for tasting in tiny cubes! Select sauces were offered for sampling on lovely little pretzel sticks. Each cheese was summarized on placards that explained the origins, taste and description. We happily purchased Brunost cheese — a peanut-​butter colored caramel cheese that was to die for! I am regretting my decision not to purchase a jar of Apple-​Horseradish jelly that I could have used as a sauce for grilled pork chops.
Grandpa’s is a little touristy, but it is the good kind of kitschy fun place your parents used to drag you to, replete with an Amish basket seller hawking his wares in the parking lot. This seemed like the «place to be» Memorial Day weekend as the place was teeming with hungry visitors. The old adage «the more, the merrier» suits this place well — everyone was happy, mannerly, and pleasant — perhaps a result of insane amounts of free munchies.
At checkout they presented us with a wooden nickel offering us a free sample at Sweetie’s — a candy store that shares the parking lot with Grandpa’s.
I am already planning our next trip to Grandpa’s to pick up a jar of Apple-​Horseradish jelly.

Why did I wait so long to stop here! I’ve driven by the exit a gazillion times and now regret every single time I’ve passed it before. It’s just amazing. The store has that old country kind of feel and they have samples of everything they sell that you can try before you buy it. There is beef jerky, salsa, dip mixes, jam, etc… But the best part is all of the cheese! So many different types all sitting there to be tried:) Can’t wait to go back!

Whenever I pass this place on I-​71 in Ohio, I feel like I am driving down the old route 66 and passing up a piece of yesterland. When I get the privilege of stopping at this gem I am not disappointed.
Nobody expects to find this quantity or quality of cheeses, meats, and assorted souvenirs in the middle of nowhere Ohio, but this roadside stop is well worth the diversion if you happen upon this area when they are open.
The staff is friendly and the samples are numerous. You will gain 10 pounds just by browsing, but it is well worth the extra minutes on the elliptical the next day. The sheer quantity of cheeses from around the world is worth the stop on your cross state journey. Do yourself a favor and stop in for a visit.

Chocolates, buckeyes, popcorn, ice cream, lots of cheddar cheese, dried sausages and quintessentially Midwestern friendly people, don’t turn up your nose at this not-​quite tourist trap, it’s less than half a mile off I-​71. Not just one barn, the cheese is spread (ha!) around a warren of little buildings.
Regular unaged cheddar and colby cheeses are all upstairs, all about $ 11/​pound. Don’t miss a chance to sample every flavor! You can also splurge for 5-​year sharp ($ 13) or even 10-​year ($ 34/​lb). Many flavored hard and soft (spreadable) cheeses too, adulterated with goodies like onion, garlic, jalapeño pepper, pappadew pepper, etc.
I was disappointed that they had no aged soft cheeses at all — no grandpa’s Brie, grandma Camembert or what have you. But hey, I grew up in Ohio and it’s safe to say that strong stinky cheese ain’t quintessentially Midwestern food lol.
At least I got to meet Granpa, he was taking money and working the register, and it was only fitting that the register was an old-​fashioned mechanical model with the right noises and pop-​up numbers, no digital era toy!
Founded 1978, the store and Grandpa were both going strong the day before Thanksgiving 2014.