Sendik’s shows Wisconsin flair with cheese curd ‘buffets’

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 buffets.

And they don’t just offer the basics. More than 20 different kinds are on hand, from Bloody Mary to Buffalo wing.

Unlike a self-serve buffet, 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 flavors will be available to how much a customized box of curds costs.

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

Sendik’s works with a vendor in Weyauwega to develop cheese curds that are “creative” or in “Wisconsin flavors,” Herzog said.

The cheese curd events include:

White and yellow cheddar mix Brown Sugar Bacon

Mango Habanero

Sweet Bourbon Bacon Chipotle Garlic Dill

Bloody Mary

Buffalo 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 Buffalo Wing

offerings

at the

Bacon Ranch Jalapeno Gyro

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?

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

Brookfield (at The Corners): 20222 Lower Union St.

Elm Grove: 13425 Watertown Plank Road

Franklin: 5200 W. Rawson Ave. Germantown: N112 W15800 Mequon Road

Grafton: 2195 First Ave. Greenfield: 7901 W. Layton Ave. Hartland: 600 Hartbrook Drive Mequon: 10930 N. Port Washington Road

New Berlin: 3600 S. Moorland Road Oconomowoc: 1450 Olympia Fields Drive

Waukesha:

Road

Wauwatosa: 8616 W. North Ave. West Bend: 280 N. 18th Ave. Whitefish Bay: 500 E. Silver Spring Drive

701

Meadowbrook

How much does a cheese curd box cost?

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

How often are cheese curd events?

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 find future cheese curd events

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

The business has some kind of foodrelated 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 five kinds of curds daily, Herzog said.

SUBMITTED 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.

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