At the northern tip of Kingston, just a few miles off the Thruway traffic circle on Route 28 heading toward Woodstock, you’ll find a local gem of an eatery called Cheese Louise. Conveniently situated between The Wine Hutch and Bistro To-Go, this specialty grocery store/deli is the ideal market for any weekender or day-tripper looking to stock up on some essentials. A stop at this well-loved shop will take a picnic in the Catskills to a whole new level.
Offering much more than a selection of fine cheeses, Cheese Louise is packed with unique and local flavors, some that you can taste for yourself.
As the catchy name suggests, Cheese Louise is not your average small deli. Offering much more than a selection of fine cheeses, it is packed with unique and local flavors, some that you can taste for yourself. Owners Sam McDevitt and Rick Regan put out a taste-testing spread that includes an international variety of olive oils with crusty breads for dipping, cured sausages, and aromatic, creamy cheeses with assorted crackers.
“We put samples out generously every day,” says Sam. “We’re 90-percent grocery and cheese and a little bit prepared food.”
The bounty of gourmet cheeses may leave you awestruck (they carry over 120 varieties), but not to worry: Sam, Rick, and their staff are there to guide you through the range of options, from hard to creamy, buttery to nutty, mild to pungent, and beyond. When you’re finished with the frômage, you can move on to the other essentials: Catskill Mountain organic coffee beans, Hudson Valley bee honey, sausages, jams, jellies, and gluten-free crackers all provide the perfect pairings for the gourmet palate. Top that off with some of the
A stop at this well-loved shop will take a picnic in the Catskills to a whole new level.
assorted delicacies, such as red and green pesto, salts, vinegars, olives, baguettes, and rum cakes, all of which are enjoyed by local residents, too. “There are some people we see every week,” says Sam. “With a lot of them, we are on a first-name basis.” The Cheese Louise staff is knowledgable about their products and eager to satisfy their customers. Their love of fine foods and dedication to serving quality, well-made items is evident throughout the store. A glance at their Facebook page shows just how much this shop is loved by the local community. “Simply the best!!” writes one reviewer, adding, “Everyone who works there is amazingly friendly & helpful.”
In addition to gourmet hors d’oeuvres and procurements, Cheese Louise offers an impressive array of prepared foods that make for an indulgent lunch by the nearby reservoir or an easy dinner at home.
Seasonal items on their menu may include smoked trout, Egyptian goulash, turkey enchiladas, potato latkes, chicken matzo ball soup (a local wintertime favorite), and fresh or smoked duck breast.
Keep them in mind when you’re hosting a get-together, as well—just ask Sam about her specialty platters for all occasions. Possibilities include all-natural dried-cured meats, pâtés, cheeses, olives, fruits, crackers, fig cakes, and apricots. The spreads that Sam creates are gorgeously prepared and almost look too good to eat (but who can resist?).
Cheese Louise is a delightful stop on your way into the mountains or even as a destination unto itself. It’s a culinary adventure for the senses, and you are bound to come away with an experience that is as satisfying as the food itself.
Cheese Louise
940 Route 28, Kingston
845-853-8207
cheeselouise-ny.com
Open Tuesdays through Sundays
