An attraction. A cheese and sausage shop. A bakery. A family business. A deli/restaurant. A bar. A liquor store. A souvenir shop. A specialty grocery store. A roadside attraction. A road trip destination. An icon.
This is Mars Cheese Castle.
In October of 1947, Mario and Martha Ventura first opened a cheese shop in a renovated schoolhouse in Kenosha County. Fast forward to today, when the cheese shop is in a castle!
The Role of a Lifetime: Meet the Cheese Prince!
For locals and visitors alike, the Mars Cheese Castle proudly towers over the interstate, a signifying landmark of Kenosha. We sat down with the reigning heir (AKA General Manager) of the Castle, Michael Ventura, for an inside scoop on this iconic shop and eatery.
Like most children born into royalty, Michael didn’t realize how unique his upbringing was in his youth. However, the benefits of his family name were not a given. After opening the Cheese Castle, his grandfather aimed to foster a meritocracy that challenged any notion of entitlement, not letting his descendants work in the Castle until they proved their work ethic by washing his car. Michael recalls reaching this milestone in sixth grade, followed by a climb from janitor to stocking shelves, working in each department before he was entrusted to manage the store.
Michael reflects, “my grandfather wanted it that way, because he wanted a manager to know all of the areas of the business so we could be effective, and a family member is no exception. He was tough on us, in fact, tougher than he was on the other employees, because he knew that family member dynamic. He knew there was a likelihood to be relaxed or entitled.”
Now, the business is owned by his mother and aunt, but without operational duties. “They entrust the third generation to run the business,” a duty shared by Michael and his cousins Tyson and Natalie.
It’s tough to argue with the results of the family’s high expectations. When asked how he made it this far, he joked “I was the youngest.” But his commitment to continuing the one-of-a-kind legacy of the family business is evident in his demeanor and exemplified in the Castle’s ongoing success.
One of Michael’s many contributions has been the creation of the Castle’s new mission statement: to be Wisconsin’s premiere travel oasis.
“A lot of our customers are travelers, and they’re thinking of their family back home, and they want to bring something special back, which is pretty cool,” he remarked, noting that many customers come in after driving past the building countless times and finally giving into their curiosity. “And then there are the loyal fans of our business who just love how quirky Americana it is - they get pretty passionate about it.”
For many weary road-trippers, it’s hard to think of a more perfect attraction - right off the highway, complete with affordable dining, Wisconsin specialty foods, and an incredible variety of gifts. Be assured, for travelers and Kenosha natives alike, the Mars Cheese Castle is a destination.
Wine & Beer
The wine area is extensive, with a large portion from Wisconsin. There are also wines from other states and countries. Pretty much every type of wine you would want including cabernet, pilot noir, riesling, pinot grigio, zinfandel, dessert wines, chardonnay, merlot, sparkling, bubbly, champagne, brut, prosecco, ice wine, port, rosé, orange wine, red/white, and cava.
The beer area offers craft beers to pair with the cheeses. A variety of Wisconsin beers are available – including New Glarus (Spotted Cow)!
At the bar, enjoy cocktails, beer, wine, craft beer, and an award-winning Bloody Mary.
Dine
Get your breakfast, lunch, or dinner in the café/deli/grill area. Reuben, grilled cheese, Italian beef, burgers, bratwurst, hot dogs, liverwurst, eggs/bacon/toast, potato salad (cold or warm German), and fried cheese curds are among the menu items. The King’s Ransom sandwich is very iconic. It’s casual affordable dining!
Grocery Store / Souvenir Shop
A variety of items can be found in the grocery store portion of the store, including Wisconsin specialty foods.
Souvenirs include novelty items like keychains, shot glasses, clothing, and more. There are many options for gifts … including the cheesehead hats!
Bakery
In addition to their famous cheesebread, many more bakery items are prepared in-house including cookies and muffins.
More Fun Facts
- Mars Cheese Castle hosts holiday events and specials.
- The Food Network Sandwich King, Jeff Mauro has visited and declared that Mars Cheese Castle’s grilled cheese is one of his top eight sandwiches in the country!
- Products are shipped throughout the country including authentic Danish Kringle.
- The Usinger Bratwurst is made with a Mars exclusive recipe.
- The King of Clubs cheese spread is a brand exclusive to Mars.
- The beer wall near the deli has a replica of a famous Amsterdam painting (Bartholomeus van der Helst, Banquet at the Crossbowmen's Guild)
- The list of famous customers includes politicians, actors, and musicians.
- There are great photo opportunities, including the exterior of the building (it’s a castle!), the towering sign outside, and Isabelle the Holstein Cow (she moos!) inside.
Visit Mars Cheese Castle Today!
Next to Interstate 94/41
2800 West Frontage Road
Kenosha, WI 53144
(855) 352-6277
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