The Better Cheddar

Their sandwiches make my life! Try the gjetost… so interesting and great on toast with coffee in the am.

I have been here twice in the past few months and have been ⁵⁄₅ stars impressed each time! I will provide in detail my most recent visit– I was shopping for cheeses, salamis, and accessories today at the Better Cheddar. They had at least four helpful and well informed employees working at the time I went! Although the prices may be somewhat high, in my opinion, for top quality cheeses and salamis with a staff that can thoroughly explain everything you are interested in… is well worth it! First, they had my #1 favorite cheese in the whole wide world, which happens to be «Brillat Savarin», a French triple cream cheese that is nearly impossible to find outside of New York or California! Secondly, I am serving an apple pie for Turkey Day and have personally never done the whole cheddar cheese thing with my pie. That being said, when I went today, I asked the guy, who appeared to be the manager, «am
I crazy for wanting to do this?» to which he responded, «absolutely not! I have had it several times and it is in fact delicious!» He then proceeded to show me the optimal cheddar to be served atop an apple pie! Thirdly, I am obsessed with the wide selection of artisan salamis that they sell here! I purchased about four different kinds of artisan salamis and (this I LOVE) they individually thinly sliced each of the salamis for me; when they could have easily told me they do not do that. However, it is my suggestion that because they have an industrial meat slicer, if you are to purchase one of their many fine salamis, it will behoove who to get that salami sliced on the slicer… SO much better than trying to slice it with a knife when you get home. Finally, I purchased a locally made wooden cheese board that is done by a local artist. This Thanksgiving I am
grateful to the wonderful employees and selection of cheeses and meats that The Better Cheddar will put on our family’s holiday table. I suggest if you have an event where $ is not a big problem but taste is… visit the Better Cheddar; not only will you leave with some amazing cheeses but you will also leave with an increased education in the art of cheese-​mongering!

A fantastic find. This store is quite expensive but worth it if you are looking to indulge in some quality goods. The staff are very impressive as well — very informative and look to make sure you are happy.

I go for the Japanese soda even though it’s more than regular soda it’s worth the extra dollar or two. It’s the only place I know that carries it and if you haven’t had Japanese soda go there and try it. I highly recommend it.

In from Seattle and found this foodie store in Prairie Village! I’m the only customer on a Thursday after 2pm. Jackpot! Got perfect goodies for my dad for a Father’s Day splurge, and I think I’m going back tomorrow to buy some perishables I couldn’t get yesterday! It’s in an inside court by the back of Bijin Salon (Also great place!)

Tons of free samples which is awesome!!! There are so many cheeses it would be too hard to pick without trying! They also have really cool things to go with the cheese to give for gifts and stuff. We ate lunch there and the sandwich was good, but I got the Gouda sandwich and wished I would’ve got something with meat on it. The Gouda was good, but it’s a cheese I don’t want to eat a ton of and there is a lot on the sandwich. I look forward to trying one of their turkey sandwiches!

The Better Cheddar is a bit out of my way, but when I need cheese for a special occasion, I do try my best to make it out here. They have a good variety of cheeses, though I would love to see more variety in terms of ages (a 3-​year-​old cheddar is so much different from a 5-​year-​old, and then there are 10-​year-​olds!) and regions/​countries represented. But the cheesemongers do know their stuff – they know how to create a good cheese plate, and what kind of cheese would go well with whatever kind of dish. They’re really nice, and they’re happy to give you a sample of a cheese if there aren’t already pre-​cut samples in the cheese case. I also like that they do offer local cheeses, too – I know that Kansas and Missouri aren’t known for their cheeses, but it’s nice to see what the few in the area are creating.
Like many others have stated, another reason to make the trek to the Better Cheddar are the other products along the sides of the store that can go along WITH the cheese – crackers, charcuterie, candies, drinks. There’s so much to see, and the place isn’t that big, it’s sometimes difficult to navigate if there are more than a handful of people in the store. It’s hard not walk out of the store with cheese AND something else.
The Better Cheddar provides a fun, food experience for all those food lovers out there. The few times I’ve been in here, I’ve spent probably an hour just wandering around, trying samples of cheeses, looking at the other products, talking with the cheesemongers. It’s an adult version of a candy store. Or maybe it’s just MY version of a candy store. Whatever the case, this is a great place to check out. Again, would love a little more variety, but otherwise this place is golden.

If you can navigate your way past all the cheese sample hoarders, you will discover some amazing products. Yes, some items you might have seen at the local grocery stores, but 75% of the pasta, chocolate, sauces, crackers, jams, tea, chips, nuts, soda, cheese, salumi and more is exclusive to this shop.
I do wish the would reduce the excessively large center staff area. Two customers cannot pass each other in the aisle, which can make is a pretty big cluster on the weekends. Picking up those items that make a picnic or dinner extra special makes the crowd worth the while.
I especially love the cheese selection, which can be overwhelming. Just talk to the staff, they are very knowledgeable!

Review 100! Weee!
I chose TBC to review for this landmark as I found it apropos to pick not only one of my favorite spots, but one which peddles my favorite food. Cheese.
My husband is off put by the scent as you walk in the door. I say, all good things come at a cost, and for cheese, one of those things is mold. Delicious, stinky mold.
You will find some pricey cheeses, but the thing I love is the sampling option. Don’t be shy if there is not a sample out of a cheese you are hankering for, the staff are so friendly and dare I say, passionate about cheese? that they will happily accommodate your request, whenever possible. Their knowledge is also worth mentioning. Let them know what you seek, and they will not disappoint.
The other sundries aside from the fromage, are lovely and make good gifts or additions to a gift basket. I find edible or consumable gifts are perfect for that man or gal who has everything. Especially those who appreciate the culinary, but aren’t likely to purchase a wedge running $ 19 a pop.
In summation, I say: Mmmmmmmm, cheeeeeese.

Fantastic selection, knowledgeable cheesemongers, and tons of samples! This is a place we stop every time we can when in KC.

The Better Cheddar has always been a favorite place of mine. I love that I can purchase delicious foody items for cooking and entertaining, and I adore that I can sample the wide varieties of cheeses to self-​educate as one makes a selection.
The sandwiches are quite good and offer an adequate selection of meats, cheeses, breads and dressings. My favorite is a sandwich of roastbeef with blue cheese, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and mayonnaise on sourdough bread. To complete the meal, a small bag of salt and vinegar potato chips and a soda pop (there are all sorts of unusual and intriguing options that go beyond a simple cola) are available for a comprehensive meal. Another nice sandwich is the tuna on sourdough with dill havarti cheese. There is a menu for carryout sandwiches, but the staff is happy to combine whichever ingredients that are available.
The service is decent and reasonably pleasant. I’ve never seen this location to be terribly crowded, so a wait for service is rare. (And while you wait, there is plenty upon which to graze!) I recently experienced a single issue with customer service at this location. The Better Cheddar in Prairie Village will not accept returns on fruitcake without a receipt. Store on the Country Club Plaza will accept fruitcake returns for store credit. On the whole, this does not cause me to write off this location in favor of the nearby Plaza location; however, for those who want less of a hassle and the option to purchase alcohol, these are factors that could weigh in the favor of the Plaza shop. For me, the experience with the attempted return only elicits an eye roll because the Plaza location certainly made a profit on taking the return; there are too many irresistible wares at the Better Cheddar to not end up spending additional cash with a store credit.
This is my top choice of places to visit when a recipe calls for an ingredient that is not to be found in the regular grocery market. The specialty foods here are top notch. I’ve become addicted to numerous products here, such as the Jade Szechuan Peanut Sauce (a perfect side dish to marinated flank steak: spaghetti, peanut sauce and freshly sliced scallions, served at room temperature). The Bedder Cheddar is a great place to browse and a great place to buy.

This is the best place to sample cheese in KC. It’s never crowded, has good service, and has the most underrated sandwiches in Kansas City. Why people would go to Mr. Goodcents across the street is beyond me. The Better Cheddar fills a major void in the gourmet food scene in PV.

Not only is their cheese selection top notch, they also have copious amounts of snacks, spreads and relative foodie brick-​a-​brack to satisfy even the most eclectic epicurean.

This Better Cheddar is equally as good as the Better Cheddar on the Plaza with the exception of no alcohol being sold out of this location. What a awesome locally owned store. Almost any *specialty* food item you would want can be found here with a strong emphasis on cheese. Cheese that you can sample before buying. Cheese and product that the «were you even born while Julia Child was still alive» young staff can speak about with much knowledge, passion and authority.
This isn’t the kind of place you would shop for everyday groceries. The prices are high but they always have a discount section worth digging through. If you are dealing with a recipe that has an ingredient that you have never heard of or have no idea where to find it, stop into The Better Cheddar and I bet you will find it.
This is a great store with great customer service that carries great product! It doesn’t get much better than The Better Cheddar.

I simply can not say enough good things about the Better Cheddar. It has things I have never had prior, and I consider myself quite an experienced eater (it shows at the waistline for sure).
If you want some special cheese, they will most likely have it. If you are looking for Velveeta or Kraft American Slices, you will NOT find it here. What you will find is an amazing assortment of cheeses, crackers, and a wide assortment of specialty food. Of course if you are looking for Velveeta or Kraft American Slices, you probably wouldn’t be reading Unilocal food reviews… but I digress…
My favorite quote, by a gentleman looking for Blue Cheese, «Don’t bother me, I’m getting my Blue on». I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Wow, Jeremy’s review I think says it all.
Having worked in the Specialty Food industry, this store does deserve the NASFT (National Association of the Specialty Food Trade) honor of being one of the Top 5 Specialty Food Retailers in the US. I recognized so many brands including chocolatiers, cheesemakers, pasta gurus, and gourmet condiments. The thing is, they’re not the best of the best. Sure, they’re high quality, but they’re also not knock your socks off. Though the appeal of the products they carry is sensation, not taste.
The cheese products however, are great. For the quality and freshness the Better Cheddar provides, you can’t get any better. So go ahead and indulge in $ 20 chunk of cheese, the sales people are more than willing to help. There is great customer service at this location, with of course, some knowing more product knowledge than others.

Whatever your «cheddar» is, it will be better by a visit to The Better Cheddar.
I LOVE this place. Talk about my veritable smörgåsbord, orgasboard. After my visit, I was singing Templeton’s anthem (Remember that pack-​rat from Charlotte’s web?)!
When the lights go out
It can be found, on the ground, and all around
That’s where a rat (or person in my case) can glut
From imported «everything» to cheeses that will give your taste-​buds a serious churning, Better Cheddar offers up so many gourmet delicacies, it’s hard to leave. Basically, I was forced to.
What’s interesting to me is the story behind this place. And you know what? That’s really how it is with great, local establishments. They seemingly exude this vibe of warmth and passion. But it’s usually after the fact and a visit that most of us will dig deeper and find there’s often a great story to accompany it. Hence, why the shop is so damn good to begin with.
So what’s the scoop? Guy purchases a small cheese and sandwhich shop in the Midwest with a desire to bring gourmet food items home. How’s it end? Better Cheddar now has two locations and has been recognized as a Top 5 Specialty Food Retailer in the country.
If Swiss Gruyère and soda called Jack Black’s Blood Red doesn’t start your engines cranking then get some cables or something because you will not be disappointed by this place. Yes, it’s a bit pricey but it’s an iconic place for foodies and those who want alternative choices and quality stuff that will have you throwing out your Velveeta and Oreos.
The assortment is as outstanding as the service. I don’t know if I’ve come across a shop as great as this in awhile. I’m just excited to share the information. I’d say what to buy, but really, you just cannot go wrong with a purchase. More often that not, you’ll probably be picking up something completely new for the first time to add another notch onto that palate of yours.
Why am I still talking?
Why are you still reading?!