Bowers Fancy Dairy Products

My experience at Bowers was nothing but positive. While visiting Eastern Market, a friend and I decided to purchase some cheese and pâté. The young attendant behind the counter was attentive and friendly. We described the types of cheese we wanted, and he selected two cheeses for us to taste — and he was spot on. He then described each of the 5 or 6 pates available, and we picked one to sample. It was delicious, and we bought it too. I definitely plan to return.

The type of service here is comparable to your local Harris Teeter. Maybe Harris Teeter is better, even! You need to know exactly what you want here. Don’t expect them to make recommendations or offer suggestions according to your specific tastes. For example, today we went and asked if they had any Mahon. «No.» At other cheese shops, they would probably say: No, but if you like Mahon, you might like X which is really good. Nothing here is labeled, and there’s no menu, so you need to do your homework before going and have several options to ask about. If you show up and say: I’m making a mac n cheese, what do you recommended? You will get blank stares all around. Also they only accept cash and checks. I’ve never gotten a bad cheese here, but I feel like I’m really missing out on a great cheese plate since the staff here is so unfriendly.

This place has some really awesome cheeses, especially their aged gouda (Rembrandt) and gruyère. And, they give you a very generous sampling for each cheese you’d like to try, which for me was quite a handful. My main complaint and sole reason for not giving this place 5 stars is that the quality of service has varied each time I have gone: sometimes they are incredibly polite and attentive while at others, they are dismissive and unengaged, leading to an overall unpleasant experience albeit still having tasted great cheeses.

One of my all-​time favorites. I’ve bought here for seven years and I’ve never had an issue with service. Either I’m lucky, or… This has long been my go-​to place for stocking up on cheeses when I’m at Eastern Market every few weeks. The atmosphere of the inside hall certainly drives the interaction between customer and vendor towards the short and more curt like business, but I’m usually working the market and in a hurry to move along. I may also be a bit luckier because I’ve know the product after so many years and have already made my list of needs. If I were to browse then the experience may be different. Great mozzarella, ricotta, butter, cream, bleu cheeses, and parmesan-​gouda.

Bowers is an Eastern Market institution and I go there often. It’s sad that Mr. Bowers passed away in December 2012, but his son now runs the place and is bringing in more local cheeses. When the line is not long, they are very generous with samples. They do have some characters behind the counter, but my experience has always been good.

I did not have the customer service issues that other reviewers experienced, hopefully this means that Bowers’s has made some positive changes.
I stopped by on a Sunday afternoon and the shop was quite busy. I shopped at another booth and waited for things to quiet down before returning. Once at the counter, I was able to sample as many cheese as I wanted. The level of service matched the rush of the crowds. It could have been speedier, but I’m guessing that slow and attentive service might be what Bowers’s prefers.
My orders were not measured using the scale. Every single cheese was eyeballed and the employee asked me each time if I was OK with it. Most of my cheese exactly the quantity I wanted, of not generous portions. Only one was .2 ounces underweight, but the generous portions of other orders more than makes up for it. This is in no way a complaint of their system, just a description. I actually enjoyed the old-​timey, «corner cheese shop» of it all.
I’m teetering between 3– and 4-​star because of a sanitary issue. The employees at Bowers do not wear gloves when handling the cheese – this alone is not an issue. However, I witnessed an employee shake a customer’s hand and then handle cheese immediately after. For sanitary reasons, he should have washed his hands before handling food.

People often make absurd complaints about service. In fact, I generally blame the customer for their experience. However, let me explain why Bowers is terrible and why you should not go there.
I buy an aged gruyère from Bowers. I was also looking for a particular English cheddar cheese this morning which Tess, the woman at Bowers, says they used to carry. I asked her whether she had anything similar to it. She lets me sample a five cheddar concoction that is decidedly different than what I wanted. When I passed on that one, she said what flavor are you looking for? Here’s my rub with that question. You own a cheese shop. You said you used to carry the exact cheese I requested. I’m going to you because you are the expert on cheese. Did I say any of this out loud? No. I just said I can’t really explain it (because, frankly, I haven’t tried a cheddar cheese similar to the one I was trying to find). She offers me one more slice of a different cheese before she testily says, «I can’t help you. There are other customers here.» The other customer (singular, not plural) was trying and clearly enjoying the cheeses that Tess had offered me. Here’s the point: if you didn’t have the cheese I was looking for and didn’t have anything similar to it from a flavor profile, then just tell me that and I can be on my way. But grilling the customer about the flavor profile of a particular cheese you used to carry and then having the audacity to shoo them away in an unnecessarily rude fashion is the very definition of awful customer service.
I’ll add that this is not a one time occurrence. They had been marginally rude to me in the past, but nothing so ridiculous as what I experienced today. I obviously won’t be back.
Also, I took the time to read all 21 previous reviews on this place. I can’t help but notice that another Indian customer had almost the exact same experience as I did (Shachi B.). Other customers have noted that they are like the cheese version of the soup Nazi (Alisdaire Bar F.). Even some of the more positive reviews have noted that they are «a little aloof, laconic, and lacking in jovial customer service» (Pam Z.) or that they tell you what you are going to buy or yell at you (Laura T.). Perhaps most distressing is the second hand account that they potentially sell expired cheese to American customers because they are too dumb to note the difference (Alisdaire Bar F.). Or the fact that they don’t clean their knives after cuts (Nate M.).
I generally give a business the benefit of the doubt when it comes to service. In fact, I’ve even gone out of my way on a number of occasions to vehemently defend a business that has received complaints about their service (see Batter Bowl Bakery review or Taste of Tunisia review for examples).
There is no defense for Tess’s rude behavior at Bowers Cheese Shop. I won’t come here again, and frankly, their continued presence within Eastern Market is an insult to the neighborhood. We deserve better than this.

Do you remember the soup guy from Seinfeld? This is the cheese version. I’ve been visiting this establishment for years, although i finally stopped. And yep, you get treatment that ranges from hot and cold, depending on the day, so reviewers who say they’ve been treated nicely or rudely = they’re both right, although it leans closer to the rude end of the continuum. A foreign-​born friend of mine was once a fan and regular, until she confessed to me that one day, the owner revealed to her that even though one of the cheeses had expired, ah well, the Americans wouldn’t know. As a result, she never returned. Is that a true story? My friend told it to me, so you decide. How many days was the cheese expired? I have no idea, and we all know that sometimes it might not make a difference, but that’s not really the point, is it? I’m just recounting a story I was told.

Travesty how terribly unfriendly the woman behind the counter is, really, given the quality of their ricotta. Incredible fresh, pillow-​like ricotta that I must stop myself from eating straight out of the carton with a spoon. Or really whatever utensil is within reach, even if it means resorting to a finger, because I will. It absolutely must be full fat we’re dealing with here. This cheese will take any lasagna, gnocchi or pasta dish up at least three notches on your scale of 1 – 10. We’re bemoaning the fact that we won’t be able to grab
Quite frankly, the duck pâté also is melt-​in-​your-​mouth delicious and perfection with a little bit of a good red wine (I’m thinking pinotage, though I’ve been told there «aren’t many good pinotages out there» — beside the point…).
But yes, sadly, as so many reviewers have stated, these folks behind the counter can be downright rude. I actually get a little bit nervous when patronizing the place as occasionally I have a bit of a stutter and I’ve come to find that they do not have the patience for someone who might hesitate half a second before speaking. Last time when we visited and asked to know the amount of ricotta in the «large» (versus small) container, she pointed at it … while it was in the refrigerator, behind the counter, where I could barely see it. They act like your questions are silly. They seem annoyed by your presence and inability to know exactly what cheese you want without tasting it or talking to them about their selection. We’ve been able to taste the cheeses before we buy when we ask to but we normally go on weeknights, and I do seem to have a faint recollection of trying to taste some when we first moved to the city a couple years ago and being told to shove off.
One of the older men who works there can crack some funny remarks that bolster the mood but otherwise, buyer beware. If we’re out and about we buy great cheese at a reasonable price at Trader Joe’s.
All that said, we will still come back for that ricotta as long as they’ll let us, and I still want to indulge in some cream and butter. Take the bad with the good, that’s what they say, right?

I wanted a strong cheese for an appetizer plate I was making and the lady at the counter handed me a piece of the mildest manchego I’ve had in my life. I reminded her the manchego wouldn’t work and that I needed something stronger.
She first said I was making a mistake in getting a stronger cheese, but handed me some pepper jack anyway. I didn’t care for it either so I said, «let me think about this for a second.» Before I could say, «Ok, give me a pound of the manchego,» she promptly rolled her eyes and turned to the next guy in line while pointing at me and said, «Typical.»
Look, I completely get they must give out tons of cheese to people who just like to sample and don’t have any intention of buying, but that doesn’t give them the right to be openly rude to customers.
Pass.

Selection is limited here. Service is not friendly. Prices are high. Just buy your cheese in the supermarket. There is no benefit to buying here.

We have gone here a few times and they are very rude, but my niece is coming into town and specifically requested a cheese they have. It was our last «stop» of our trip to Eastern Market and we walked up to the counter. It was not busy and the man was sitting on the counter at the back. He NEVER acknowledged that we were there, just then another customer walked up and he went right over to them, ignoring my husband and I completely. Like we weren’t even there, I made a loud comment to the effect of do you not even see me standing here and we just walked off. I will NEVER go back to this place, Cowgirl Creamery on F Street will and I will ALWAYS get my special cheeses from them.
I was reading some of the other Unilocal and have NEVER heard that they only do tastings during the week. I have had to wait in the past for them to finish their tastings to buy cheese not even taste but buy!

I’ve had two experiences with this place; Eastern Market is a little out of the way for me, so even though I really LOVE good cheese I can’t get over here very often. But yesterday was my second time here, so I felt I should review it.
Yes, the people here are less friendly than, say, the cheese counter at Dean and DeLuca, where I’d also been yesterday, or Whole Foods Market, my most common place to buy cheese. But the first time I was here, I found a Shropshire Blue (my favorite cheese of all) at an unusually low price. And yesterday I spotted a White Stilton with apricots, a type of fruit-​cheese mix I’ve bought elsewhere, and like, which seems to have vanished in the places that used to carry it. So it’s a place you might spot an unusual cheese, and I don’t think they’re as overpriced as some reviews seem to make it.
So I can’t really agree with the other reviewers in all respects.

I don’t know if I have ever been treated as rudely as I was today at this place. And no, I am not one of those people that is hard to get along with — I have had excellent experiences with every other vendor in Eastern Market, but I am still in shock at the rude treatment I got when I visited this place for the first time today.
I was out running errands in the neighborhood and I’ve always meant to get some cheese here, so I decided today would be my day. I stood in line for 5 – 10 minutes at this place watching the people behind the counter hand out samples to all the customers in front of me, chatting away, and handing even (gasp!) multiple samples to some customers.
It was finally my turn. The people in front of me had gotten a peppered brie, which sounded intriguing, so i thought to myself «OK, i’ll get a half a pound or so of that, but this is great, I can taste it before I buy (like everyone else apparently does) to see if I like it.»
I said to the lady «serving» me, «May I try a bite of that peppered Brie?»
She responded, «No.»
I said, «what?» thinking she must be kidding with me. Not so.
She said, «tastings are during the week, young lady. Come back during the week. Weekends are busy and only for people who are buying.» This was rather off-​putting to me because 1) I am not a «young lady» — I am actually 30 years old and last time I checked calling anyone over the age of, like, 12 who is not your daughter «young lady» is basically unspeakably rude; 2) I had just watched everyone in front of me try a bunch of cheese; and 3) I was planning to buy some of their stinking cheese — I wasn’t asking for a «tasting»; I was asking for a «taste.»
I said, «Well, I think I want to buy some, but I’d like to taste it to make sure.»
She responded, even more rudely this time than the last time, «Tastings are during the the week, young lady. You keep that in mind.»
I said, «I’m sorry, I don’t understand. I just watched all these people in front of me taste cheese…»
She rolled her eyes and said, AGAIN, «young lady, we don’t offer tastings during the weekend. It’s too busy. you remember that for next time.» and grudgingly handed me a bite of the cheese.
At this point, I really should have told her where to shove her cheese and walked away but I wasn’t raised that way, I was kind of in shock, and I didn’t feel like looking for more cheese so I got my half a pound of cheese and left, but I won’t be going back there. It’s not like there cheese is even «fancy», homemade, local or anything special — it’s just lame, pedestrian cheese. You can buy the exact same at the damn Safeway. Which is where I will be buying my cheese from now on.

I try to say nice things about the Eastern Market because it is near my neighborhood. But the truth is some of the vendors there sell mediocre goods at ridiculous prices.
Case in point, Bowers «Fancy» Dairy Products.
Went to the market Sunday with my daughter. We were on a simple mission to buy some crusty bread, a little bit of ham and some Swiss cheese.
While I was getting the ham at Canales ($ 1.82 for a quarter pound), daughter went across the aisle to Bowers and asked them for a quarter pound of Swiss. I know, not very adventurous, but that is what we needed.
The price?
Six dollars. For a quarter pound. Of regular old Swiss cheese.
The person who got our order seemed kind of new, so I asked the owner if $ 24 a pound for ordinary Swiss cheese could possibly be correct?
He started to blather, «Yes I know, all of this stuff is expensive.» Quite patronizing.
So I am not sure whether they really charge $ 24 a pound for Swiss cheese, or whether the guy just couldn’t be bothered to answer my question.

You know that feeling, that even when something isn’t to your taste at an ethnic restaurant, but you can still tell it’s good quality food? Yeah, it’s kinda like that with some of their cheeses.
Yes, the older gentleman behind the counter is a *little* aloof, laconic, and lacking in jovial customer service. And he might bully you into buying a cheese. But he always gives me a sample or something if I haven’t tried it before and I’ve been able to resist buying things I know I won’t eat later. He knows I’m always there for the gouda/​parm anyway, so sue me.
I like hard cheeses, blues that stink only a little, and brie and mozarella, although my lactose intolerance hates me! My faves here are Beemster (a 3 yr old gouda/​parm), the gouda/​parm, and the triple cream brie. Others I have tried include the grayson, a dutch cheese with cumin, a mild blue, and smoked gouda. All super yummy!
Yes, there’s almost always a line at this place. And it’s cheese, so it’s pricey. And they don’t always have everything. If you want a really good selection of cheese, hike out to Wegman’s or pay top dollar at Cowgirl Creamery. But considering DC’s lack of fromageries and that I have a soft spot for local business institutions (especially in my neighborhood), 3.75 stars from me.
PS You can also pick up a gallon of milk for your hungover roommate.

A-​okay because they sell cheese, and you know, cheese is good.
Despite my love of cheese, and my walking distance proximity, I have only bought things here twice. Once, because I didn’t know any better, and twice because I wanted to make sure my first experience wasn’t a fluke. I really wanted it to be, but the service is intimidating and unfriendly. I can get that at Safeway, okay? For less money. I am wondering how the people with positive experiences got them. I promise I’m not a meanie! I’m actually a very submissive customer. Maybe that’s it…

I know that the Eastern Market Cheese Guy is a DC institution, but I still prefer Cowgirl Creamery. Why? Because Cowgirl lets me try a variety of cheeses, from which I can select the cheese I would like to purchase. At Bowers, by contrast, I always end up buying whatever cheese the Cheese Guy sees fit. You will buy this cheese AND YOU WILL ENJOY IT.
For example, I dropped by Bowers to pick up some cheese to take to a friend’s house. I asked the Cheese Guy to recommend something «interesting but accessible» and then clarified, «something that unadventurous people would like, but that isn’t something common like cheddar.» He recommended a Parrano, which is a delicious parmesan-​gouda hybrid that Whole Foods has pimped out in their fruit section for the past five years, but I wanted to explore my other choices. «What’s this green one like?» I asked, «That’s not what you’re looking for,» he replied, slicing a sliver off a hunk of cheese and waving it insistently at an innocent passerby who said, «Huh?» and then took it, like a mouse hypnotized by the gimlet stare and sinuous movements of a rattlesnake.
«So are there any other recommendations?» I asked, a glutton for punishment. He wordlessly handed me another pale slice, «It’s not as nice as the Parrano,» I said. «Of course it isn’t!» he barked.
So, battered into submission, I ended up forking out $ 11 for the Parrano.
Everyone enjoyed it.

I had to do a search to find out what this place was actually called because I just referred to the guy who works there as «the cheese guy», although it’s usually staffed by said cheese guy and usually two women, all of whom are great. When people who are new to DC asked about Eastern Market I’d always advise them that while at Eastern Market they have to «go see the cheese guy». The next day they’ll tell me a story that they got went there and they were given samples of the edam, white cheddar and something they had never heard of before and they ended up buying a pound of gorgonzola.
I probably get cheese here every other week or so and like to try stuff I haven’t had before. They definitely have a good variety available and are happy to make recommendations if you want to try something different. Make sure you try a few sample slices before you pick what you want. You’ll probably discover something that you like.

I love the cheese from this place! They’re always so nice and will let you sample all the cheeses before you buy or even if you don’t buy! There’s usually a line on the weekends, but they still let you take your time in deciding. I never seem to have cash on hand when I’m here and they thankfully take checks!
My favorite cheese is the green one (don’t know what its called) and the cheddar with herbs (I think rosemary).