Chesse Board Inc

I love this place. They are part of the same collective as Arizmendi, so obviously I love them. Anyplace that shuts down for Labor Day and Cesar Chavez Day is awesome. They let you sample any cheese, they have a chalkboard listing tons of cheeses, and there's always signs telling you about special cheeses or new arrivals. I was there today, and they had notices up about raw milk blues, organic jack, and organic raw milk cheddar which was WONDERFUL. Their prices are awesome. I bought a tub of creme fraiche for about half of what it would have cost me at Trader Joe's - and Trader Joe's is usually the cheapest around for that stuff. The staff is very knowledgeable, which is rare in these days of chain store nonsense. And they are also friendly and fast-working, which means that even when it looks really busy they don't take too long to get to you. Plus, they have some of their fabulous breads to peruse and even munch on while you wait - and often, free tea to sip. My advice when shopping here on a busy day is to arrange what you want in your head ahead of time, and alternate all those little things you want to just taste with the things you are actually going to buy. If you try ten cheeses before picking one, they can sometimes get cranky - although I notice that the woman who got cranky with me is no longer working there. If you are clear about what you want, even if all you know is something like "I need a cheddarish cheese for my macaroni, but NOT CHEDDAR" or "I want something squishy, what cheese are squishy?" they can work wonders at good prices. more

Cheeseboard serves very delicious pizza in a quaint little shop that often has live music. There is always a line, but service is very fast so don’t let the wait scare you off. They only have one flavor per day, which can be unfortunate if you are waiting for one specific flavor, but they rotate often, and you can call in to ask about what flavor that have so it is not that big of a deal. There is almost no seating in the shop, and the police are cracking down on people who sit in the street divider area, so think ahead about where to enjoy your pizza. more

I love going to this store, I always buy more than I mean to and never regret it. My family doesn't much like cheese, so I go there and ask for something unusual and always find great new tastes. Their pizza is amazing and their bread excellent. Yet another Berkeley original. I love my town. more

The first time I went to the Cheese Board, I had a purpose. I was hosting a wine and cheese party, and wanted to find some chevres that were a little more exotic -- a little more exciting -- than I could get at my local Albertson's. Little did I know that my trip t would turn into such an event -- or that I would be so tempted to return, even when I was not specifically in need of cheese.... My advice when going to the Cheese Board is to leave yourself TIME. There are at least 100 varieties to choose from -- and because most of these will probably be unfamiliar, you will want to sample at least a few. Happily, the staff is courteous, helpful, and more than willing to give you tastes of potential favorites. I had a blast just deciding which to buy -- and which to save for my next Cheese Board visit! more

This place is off the charts. With only one pizza offered per day, they strive for protection; and it shows. The line daily gets wrapped around the block, but the wait is well worth it if you want a typically Californian take on pizza (toppings I’ve had in the past include goat cheese, artichokes, and other “neo”-type toppings). The pizza dough is crisp, but doughy, and has an amazing flavor. For great more upscale pizza, this is the place to go. more

If you’re a cheese connoisseur you must visit the Cheeseboard. This wonderful collective published a book a little over a year ago, and makes history daily. Upon walking in you are overcome with the wondrous smell of fresh bread. Start at the back of the little store where they bake breads daily and even christen them with unique names (like “Zampanno,” from Fellini’s La Strada). They offer muffins, biscuits and other breads and the selection varies daily. Then move onto the cheese counter (always crowded) and ask for recommendations. Whether you are into pungent, semi-soft or mild, they will be sure to answer your questions with precision. more