This is a neighborhood gem. The store was recently sold to new owners while the previous owner helped train and transition. I don’t eat cheese, being lactose intolerant, so I never went into this store every time I passed by it. But one day I needed a quick lunch so I decided to give their sandwiches a chance. It was a «Eureka» moment. They use great ingredients and quality bread. To top it off, their service is great. I hope the new owners will continue in this tradition, and by all indications they are doing so.
Marie L.
Place rating: 5 San Francisco, CA
Went in to get some hummus and babganoush with a side of cheese since I had crackers at home. Everything WAS delicious(operative word being ‘was’). I alone ate part of the baba, the entire container of hummus and all of the cheese. I’m going for a walk now… to get more hummus. I suggest you do the same.
Kaje Y.
Place rating: 5 San Francisco, CA
I’d give this place a 4.5 star rating, but rounding up for great service. This is a corner store, that you might pass and not think twice about. They don’t really flaunt much from the outside. Going in, it looks like just a tiny market. Upon entering, I’m greeted with a cheerful smile. I told him I needed some time to decide what I wanted to order. He told me just to let him know when he’s ready. This places sells a bunch of things, chips, bread, crackers, soda, wine, olive oil, olives, jams, cookies, cheese, hummus, meats, and a lot more! I wasn’t quite ready to buy cheese for a little cheese party I’m going to have, but I wanted a nice substantial cheesy sandwich. I opted for a roast beef and smoked gouda sandwich with everything, on a soft french roll. He went to work preparing it behind the counter. Like another reviewer mentioned, no gloves were used. I don’t care too much, a little dirt hasn’t killed me quite yet. My sandwich came out to $ 6.50 exactly, and I left. Later when I got home, I pulled out my trusted ruler, and took some measurements. It was approximately short of 8 inches long from end to end and 2.3 inches tall. When I bit into it, I was so satisfied. He gave me 4ish layers of gouda… and it was orgasmic for my tongue. The roast beef was okay, and the rest of the fillings really worked well together. The sandwich is good, they have a huge selection of cheese, they have meats. I’ll report back when I try some of their other stuff like pesto and hummus. Service was amazingly friendly, sandwich was super tasty, and despite it being slightly smaller than most places, the flavour of it was great. Recommended and I’ll be back! Actually craving it now…
Danny C.
Place rating: 4 South San Francisco, CA
Not the largest selection of cheeses, but a great selection nonetheless. The price isn’t terrible for the area and the merchandise. They also have homemade pasta, spinach dip, hummus, and several other foodie goods. The customer service is also excellent. They let you try any of the cheeses, and the cashiers are super knowledgeable. You could easily go wrong elsewhere. Oh, and they make bomb sandwiches with their cheeses.
Audrey K.
Place rating: 5 Santa Cruz, CA
The istara basque is amazing!!! Also, the guys that work here are super sweet cheese experts!
Dennis L.
Place rating: 5 Redondo Beach, CA
Incredibly simple seller of cheese, meats, and freshly made sandwiches. Granted I could stand in the cheese aisle of Andronico’s and probably find a larger selection, I would be horribly overwhelmed and in need of assistance. At Cheese Boutique, Brian never fails to suggest something based on my personal preference. I wanted to create a cheese plate to pair with some wines and Brian was patient and let me try numerous types before settling on a few choices. He does sell some specialty items on the shelves, but I haven’t tried them. I only wish he had a toaster oven to make hot sandwiches. __ Dec ’11 Health Score — 94
Rosalind S.
Place rating: 3 San Francisco, CA
After reading all the great reviews I was excited to finally check this place out for a dinner party I was throwing. Their selection of cheeses was very disappointing. For some reason I was picturing something more along the lines of V. Sattui or even the selection available at Trader Joe’s would have been better. I did purchase some cheeses and the guy helping me was very very nice. I would love to support small businesses more but I found myself running over to Andronico’s after.
Anita D.
Place rating: 4 San Francisco, CA
Brian(the owner?) was super helpful. Even with a line and other customers behind me, he was super attentive to my presence and questions. I tried quite a few cheeses. He even threw in some very good recommendations. He’s such a sweetheart and so knowledgeable. We ended up getting a turkey and salami sandwich with bleu cheese. On top of that we ordered 1/8lb of the derby, ¼lb mushroom brie(LOVED it), ¼lb of some bleu cheese(second close, delicious as well), and I believe as per recommended ¼lb of some type of gouda. Crackers on the side. and then some salami… not just any salami… spicy salami. It had me wanting more after the first bite. The spicy kick, is not like anything else I’ve ever tasted on salami. I will definitely be returning. Prices are very affordable compared to other cheese shops. Grab some before you picnic at Golden Gate park or Dolores Park. No doubt, about it, I will be back for more. There’s plenty of other cheeses I’m dying to try. I even woke up this morning and texted my buddy I was craving cheese and salami. True story.
Crystal C.
Place rating: 5 San Francisco, CA
Warning folks, I know that Unilocal says it’s open at 10:00A but their hours have changed and it’s open now at 10:30A. I was dead set on coming here to get goodies for my weekly co-worker bread & cheese luncheon, so like a lost pup waiting for its masters’ return, I waited forlornly in front of their shop for 30 minutes. Plus, I would be dead if I showed up to work with only bread & vegetables. But I have to say, I love, love, LOVE this place! Great selection, great prices, and excellent service! Not only did the man at the counter let me sample the cheeses I was interested in purchasing but he was knowledgeable and made sure I had just enough for my party of 8. They also have delicious deli meats and chocolate hazelnut pirouettes! Yum! In total, I got 8 different cheeses(all delicious!), 1 hummus, 1 tabouleh salad, 1 spinach dip, ½lb of salami, ½lb of proscuitto and a pack of flat bread crackers for $ 51! I’ve hosted bread & cheese spreads many times and I guarantee that for everything you get it’s a STEAL! I’m a big fan of supporting local businesses and it’s no wonder people love them. The man at the counter was incredibly helpful and friendly and I hope to be coming back soon to try their sandwiches. Till then, Cheese Boutique.
Jade W.
Place rating: 4 San Francisco, CA
The cheese does not stand alone! Cumin cheese slightly blew my mind. The raccellete was perfection and I could’ve sampled all day. Great local cheese shop at reasonable prices with unique flavors!
Misha T.
Place rating: 5 Berkeley, CA
the staff here is super nice and helpful which is really vital when trying to navigate all their various cheeses. I had a turkey sandwich with some avocado the other day and went off their cheese recommendation and was completely pleased with my sandwich.
Anjali V.
Place rating: 5 San Francisco, CA
You know how there are some places you supports cos you feel guilty shopping at Andronico’s/Whole Paycheck/Trader Ho’s, etc, etc. Cos you’d rather give your money to a local business than a gagillion-$ conglomerate? But the place isn’t exactly better? So, this isn’t that place. There is 0 guilt involved as the service, food, expertise speaks for itself. Make sure you don’t stumble in on a Wednesday cos they’re closed. Do make sure you stumble in cos: — there’s a large variety of cheeses without it being intimidating/confusing/dizzying — they take cards — Brian’s awesome & extremely helpful/friendly/non-judgmental when you ask stoopid Q’s like«er,…what is cheese?» — it’s a one-stop shop before an impromptu or even planned picnic-ette in the park(they have cheese/bread/crackers/non-alcie drinks/wine/hummus/sandwiches/salami/other deli-sliced meats) — they also have fresh pastas, a small variety of pasta sauces, wines, olive oils, peanut butter, almond butter, fresh olives & more! more! more! — you can sample as many things as you’d like sans attitude(but don’t be a douche! — buy something if you genuinely like it, don’t just run in for free samples cos you can, mang.) Stop in. You won’t be disappointed. Your trendy low-carb/low-fat diet might be screwed, but dear sweet heaven it’ll be as worth it as a pint of Nutella.(which they also have. ha!)
Lauren L.
Place rating: 5 Longmont, CO
I LOVETHISPLACE!!! First of all I love anything meat, cheese, wine or olive related so this place rocks. It has great prices and they let you sample just about anything in fact they encourage it. They also take suggestions for new items that you would like to see there which is really awesome because I live in the neighborhood and hate to go to Andronicos because the price is ridiculous!!! I would love to completely cut them out of my grocery shopping so if they could just get Panda Puffs cereal, organic cottage cheese and yogurt I would be totally set!!! All in all I love there selection and the people that work there are so friendly. I hear there sandwiches are really good too but haven’t tried them yet but plan too! PS: THEHUMMUSISAMAZING!!!
Kelley B.
Place rating: 5 Foster City, CA
I just love this place. My mom and I stopped in here the other day on a whim because we both looove us some cheese. The guy who was helping us out was SUPER friendly and encouraged us to ask for as many samples as we wanted; I probably could have tried every kind of cheese in the store if I really wanted to. They also sell homemade hummus(the guy said his uncle made it) that has a nice, creamy texture and a good amount of lemon in it, as well as dolmas and much more. They have a tiny grocery section with pasta and sauce and cookies and the like, too. Whenever I venture into that neck of the woods again I will definitely be going to visit the Cheese Boutique. Gotta keep myself supplied with some gooda gouda!
Sonya D.
Place rating: 5 San Diego, CA
I fell in love today with my new corner sandwich shop. OMG wow best sandwich place ever. Every aspect of the sandwich was amazing. I got the turkey and provolone on whole wheat w/everything on it– lettuce, peppercinis, pickles, onion, tomato, mayo, and mustard. The guy was super friendly, helpful, and put this amazing super garlicky pesto on as well that he had picked up at a little shop somewhere. Everything about this place is awesome– tiny mom and pop, filled with cheese and delicious meats, and best pesto in the whole world, and apparently he said also the best hummus which I so need to go back in and try. People are just not that nice anymore, so i fully want to support this place!
Marika A.
Place rating: 5 San Francisco, CA
Wandering aimlessly around Inner Sunset the other day, I only knew I wanted a sandwich to take into the park with me, but I didn’t know where to go. Lo and behold, a lightbulb dinged above my head when I saw the sign for Cheese Boutique. I cannot ever eat enough cheese, no matter how persistently I try, and it was a double bonus to see that they make fresh sandwiches. Their selections all sounded delicious but then my eyes lit on the Mozzarella sandwich, the answer to my prayers! It was only $ 5.65 too! Grabbed a bottle of water and bag of carrot chips and my picnic lunch was complete. All for less than $ 10, and the service was AMAZING!!! He was so friendly and offered samples of any cheeses I cared to try. I was focused on my sammie so I turned him down– temporary insanity, perhaps? this sandwich was heaven! The mozazarella was fresh, there was an olive tapenade or some kind of condiment on there that added a sweet & tangy flavor that complemented the cheese perfectly. Lettuce, tomato and I think some pepper or other seasoning. I practically inhaled the thing and have been thinking about eating another one ever since. And if you’re looking for a picnic spot nearby(there’s nowhere to eat inside this shop), just head over a few blocks to Golden Gate Park. I will be back again soon!
Brenda C.
Place rating: 5 Fullerton, CA
I love Cheese. I love love Chocolate. This place has cheese ANDDD chocolate. ANDDDD salami !! Splurged on chocolate and sweets here. Weird, right?! Well, aside from selling cheese, they sell a variety of chocolate, coca, spreadable jams, cookies, and salami. I didn’t really focus on the cheese because I was too hypnotized by the sweets. The ginger lemon cream cookies are absolutely worth dying for !! The dark chocolate thin mints are AH-MAH-GAD amazing !!! The service was outstanding! I mean seeing the wide variety of cheese is quite intimidating, but the man reassured and comforted our cheese purchase by allowing us samples. PS — I’m eating the ginger lemon cream cookies and thin mints as I write this review. Jealous?
Alan S.
Place rating: 5 Berkeley, CA
Great cheese and very friendly service. The folks who work here gave me lots of samples and recommended some excellent cheeses for fondue night at my place. The emmenthaler and grueyere were a smash hit, drew rave reviews even from the lactose intolerant folks present! I regret that I don’t eat as much cheese as I used to because this place is top notch!
Gwynnie p.
Place rating: 5 San Francisco, CA
Cheese, glorious cheese! My genuine Swiss Miss friend Sue F. said Cheese Boutique was THE place to buy raclette cheese for our upcoming raclette fest. BTW and FYI, this Cheese Boutique location has a couple of raclette machines you can rent for the princely sum of $ 6 per evening. They also have a nice mom ‘n pop vibe, but I would suggest calling ahead to make sure they have what you want if you need something specific as the Swiss Miss once had to go to their Glen Park location to get raclette cheese after finding none was to be had in the InSet. I wouldn’t say that you’ll get an answer when you call the first time as mom or pop might be making a sando or cutting cheese. Be persistent. You want to spend your money with these nice people. Capricorn Coffee beans also avail @ $ 7.49 lb. That’s a deal.
Jacquee P.
Place rating: 5 San Francisco, CA
Hello everyone! Just wanted to let you know that I’m super fancy! Yep! I went to the de Young today to see the Tut exhibit of Carter’s 1922 «discoveries» and then off to the Cheese Boutique to get some meat and cheese to accompany my Acme breads for a lovely picnic lunch on this A-mazing August day in SF.