By Stevie Burnich

After two years of cross country travels and much planning, Sarah Dvorak’s Mission Cheese finally opened its doors at 736 Valencia. (Be sure to read her blog about the shop, too!) At first glance, the space itself appears more cafe than than fromagerie. However, with a selection of over 30 domestic cheeses, pressed sandwiches, mac and cheese, raclette, and beer and wine license on the way, Mission Cheese is more of an amalgamation of both. Their cut to order selection houses a wide range of hand-selected, small produced offerings ranging from Northern California standards such as Cypress Grove’s Humboldt Fog and Cowgirl Creamery’s Red Hawk, to East Coast favorites from Jasper Hill Farms, and Wisconsin’s lesser known cheesemakers, like Roelli Cheese Haus and Hidden Springs Creamery.

Like any great cheesemonger, it's Dvorak’s intention to keep their list in constant fluctuation in order to highlight cheesemakers from all over the country while keeping the city’s cheese aficionados entertained with new and thoughtful selections. In addition, the quality of the cheese is ensured by a staff well-versed in the handling and storage of their delicate product.

Whether you’re just stopping in for a mid afternoon snack or picking up a few treats for a Dolores Park picnic, there is guaranteed to be something to please every discerning palette. In short, Mission Cheese is should prove to be worth visiting regularly to catch up on the latest domestic cheese trends and is undoubtedly a welcome addition to the neighborhood.

Mission Cheese
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 11-8
736 Valencia (at 18th Street), SF