A cheese curd buffet? It's a thing in Wisconsin. Here's what to know about these Sendik's events.

Hannah Kirby, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·4 min read
At Sendik's cheese curd events, which are held every few weeks, customers walk up to tables full of curds and a store associate puts together a customizable cheese curd sampler box with the kinds and amounts of each that they want in it.
At Sendik's cheese curd events, which are held every few weeks, customers walk up to tables full of curds and a store associate puts together a customizable cheese curd sampler box with the kinds and amounts of each that they want in it.

This just might be the most Wisconsin thing you've heard of in a while.

Every few weeks, full-service Sendik's stores construct what look like cheese curd buffets.

And they don't just offer the basics. More than 20 different kinds are on hand, from Bloody Mary to Buffalo wing.

Unlike a self-serve buffet, customers walk up to tables full of curds and a store associate puts together a custom cheese curd sampler box with the desired kinds and amounts.

"It just gives (customers) the opportunity to try new things," said Kaitlyn Herzog, Sendik's marketing and communications manager. "But also, it's a comfortable avenue to do so ... It kind of gives them the opportunity to try something they might not normally."

The next special cheese curd event like this is scheduled to coincide with March Madness. Called "Slam Dunk Curds," the event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 18-19.

Here's what to know, from what flavors will be available to how much a customized box of curds costs.

How do Sendik's cheese curd events work?

Sendik's sets up long tables with cheese curds on display, covered in plastic for health and safety purposes, Herzog said.

A store associate stands behind the tables, takes customers' orders and builds a box of curds for them with the kinds and amounts they want.

The cheese curd varieties available at the events include unique 'Wisconsin flavors'

Sendik's works with a vendor in Weyauwega to develop cheese curds that are "creative" or in "Wisconsin flavors," Herzog said.

The cheese curd offerings at the events include:

  • White and yellow cheddar mix

  • Brown Sugar Bacon

  • Mango Habanero

  • Sweet Bourbon Bacon Chipotle

  • Garlic Dill

  • Bloody Mary

  • Buffalo Wing

  • Traditional Cheddar

  • Sour Cream and Onion

  • Sassy Honey BBQ

  • Taco

  • Tomato and Sweet Basil

  • Shallot Black Pepper

  • Pizza

  • Salsa

  • Horseradish Chive

  • Tangy Ranch

  • Jamaican Jerk

  • Hickory Hollow Smoked

  • Cajun

  • Ghost Pepper

  • Spicy Buffalo Wing

  • Bacon Ranch

  • Jalapeno

  • Gyro

A sampling of the cheese curds offered at Sendik's cheese curd events.
A sampling of the cheese curds offered at Sendik's cheese curd events.

What are Sendik's most popular cheese curds?

Garlic Dill, Mango Habanero, Sweet Bourbon Bacon Chipotle, Bloody Mary, as well as the "traditional" white and yellow cheddar mix, are among the most popular curds, according to Herzog.

Her personal favorite? Shallot Black Pepper.

Which Sendik's store locations participate in cheese curd events?

Sendik's 14 full-service stores participate in cheese curd events. Here's a list of 'em:

  • Brookfield (at The Corners): 20222 Lower Union Street

  • Elm Grove: 13425 Watertown Plank Road

  • Franklin: 5200 West Rawson Avenue

  • Germantown: N112W15800 Mequon Road

  • Grafton: 2195 1st Avenue

  • Greenfield: 7901 West Layton Avenue

  • Hartland: 600 Hartbrook Drive

  • Mequon: 10930 North Port Washington Road

  • New Berlin: 3600 South Moorland Road

  • Oconomowoc: 1450 Olympia Fields Drive

  • Waukesha: 701 Meadowbrook Road

  • Wauwatosa: 8616 West North Avenue

  • West Bend: 280 North 18th Avenue

  • Whitefish Bay: 500 East Silver Spring Drive

Can I just show up for the event or do I need to pre-register?

Customers can just show up for the cheese curd events.

How much does a customizable cheese curd box cost?

The cheese curds cost $7.99 per pound, which is "a lot of cheese curds," Herzog said.

How often are the cheese curd events put on?

The cheese curd events are usually held every six to eight weeks, Herzog said, and are often put on around big game days.

How to find out when future cheese curd events will be held

The cheese curd events are featured on Sendik's social media channels, including Facebook. They are also mentioned in the business' weekly mailed ad delivered on Tuesdays, and at sendiks.com/weekly-ad/ad.

The business has some kind of food-related event every weekend in varying departments, Herzog said.

"We kind of like to just introduce new and exciting things to our guests," she said.

How many types of cheese curds does Sendik's carry regularly?

Depending on stock, Sendik's typically carries about five kinds of curds daily, Herzog said.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin Sendik's cheese curd 'buffet' events feature 20+ varieties