The Cheese Factory Restaurant
Restaurant, Coffee/Tea/Juice, Caterer
Hours
Profile
$$ - average
American, Mexican, Italian (Southern)
Vegetarian and vegan food in the Wisconsin Dells
Despite the name, The Cheese Factory features cuisine from around the world, and has a good selection of cheese-free vegan items.
They also have an ice cream soda fountain, a cappucino bar, private rooms for events, they offer catering, and they have a large flower garden open to visitors.
Some items labeled as "Vegan" contain honey. Ask the waiter to be sure.
Note that from June-August The Cheese Factory is also open on Mondays and Wednesdays, but continues to be closed on Tuesdays. Check their website or call ahead to confirm hours.
You can now order their food for delivery from BuyKind.
- Kid-Friendly
- Large Group-Friendly
- Wireless (free)
Added by Dave Rolsky on Jan 17 04 (updated Oct 29)
Reviews
Absolutely LOVED that they had a separate vegan menu... lots of choices here from breakfast food to the chimichanga I ordered that was pure amazing awesomeness! All the veggies were fresh and the tofu was nicely grilled, plus they had vegan cheese for the sauce on top.
Huge portions too so be ready to ask for a doggy bag. My only issue here is that even though the staff is super friendly most don't speak english well I heard they were here in the US on work visa's (I think they're Russian?)
The Cheese Factory, despite its name, is super vegan-friendly with an available, separate vegan menu full of all sorts of appetizers, sandwiches, salads and main course options. Gluten-free items are also labeled.
I started off with a "Rattlesnake tofu" ($6.95) which was quite tasty---it was char-grilled tofu with a hint of lemon, served along with a decent BBQ sauce and also a small side of black beans.
For my main dish I had the chimichanga ($10.95), which was big and filling. The outer flour shell was lightly fried and covered in a delicious orange-colored sauce (some kind of tomato mixture?); inside, the chimichanga was filled with rice, onions, bell peppers and tofu. I think it could have used more tofu, and instead of white rice, I wish they'd used brown, but this was otherwise a solid choice. The salad that came with it seemed like a mish-mash of random leafy greens and could have been presented better, though. I think I would have preferred fresh pico de gallo or maybe a side of chips with this dish instead of the salad.
The only vegan dessert they have (aside from some sorbet smoothies/shakes) was a maple walnut cookie ($2.50), which was excellent: soft and chewy with the wonderful, subtle flavor of maple. I hope they'll add a vegan cheesecake at some point in the future.
The service here was impeccable. Everyone was super-friendly, eager, and happy. I felt good to eat there and felt welcomed by genuinely caring people who like what they do and care about the food they make.
The decor is great, too. It's like an old-time soda fountain shop and servers wear bowties.
The Cheese Factory is an asset to Wisconsin Dells. It's also a great stopping point for people traveling between Minneapolis and Madison/Milwaukee/Chicago, as it's right off I-94 (and as I discovered, it's exactly 3.5 hours from Chicago and 3.5 hours from Minneapolis, so it's the perfect middle-point in that long drive).
I too, absolutely love this place. I live in central Wisconsin and go every summer at least once to indulge in the fabuloso vegetarian yummies!! (I do believe that their hours change in the winter, like every other facility in WI Dells in the winter months) I have been a veggie for about 7 years now and find it wonderful to have such a local restaurant such as this one to patron. Totally refreshing atmosphere...people are GREAT...food is delicious!! xox
I absolutely love this place! I go there every time I go back to my parent's house in Wisconsin; it's great for birthdays, special events, or any time you just want to treat yourself or a friend. I almost always get the vegan Black Bean Burrito, but I had the "Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise" last time and loved it! I think I have a new favorite dish!
They also have a specific vegan menu, so be sure to ask for that when you go in. My only complaint about this place is a definite lack of vegan desserts. All of the desserts are so beautifully prepared, but the majority (I think there may be a daily vegan pie offering, but that needs to be double-checked) are not vegan.
Oh, and the service may be slow, but the people are so friendly that it is worth it! This place is definitely a gem in the heart of tourist land!
It's been a while since I've been to the Cheese Factory Restaurant, but the last time I was there, I ordered the vegan chimichanga pictured here. It is perfection.
They have a separate Vegan menu, but be careful, SOME "VEGAN" ITEMS CONTAIN HONEY. Ask before you order to make sure there's no honey. Other than that, it was great. The people are friendly and helpful and the food is great. I had one of their Vegan burritos, and it's easily the best burrito I've ever had. If you're ever in Wisconsin Dells, make sure to go here.