The Cheeze Factory Restaurant
521 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy S, Wisconsin Dells, WI, 53965
The Cheeze Factory Restaurant Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Wisconsin Dells for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Wisconsin Dells for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Wisconsin Dells for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
521 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy S
Wisconsin Dells, WI, 53965 - Phone (608) 253-6065
- Website https://www.cheezefactoryrestaurant.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 8:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner, Dessert
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Stacey L.
The Cheese Factory has vegetarian and vegan food so good you won't even give a passing thought to meat. I've eaten here about five times, give or take, and it's always amazing. This go-round my favorite was the Eggplant Parmesan sandwich, featuring the best ciabatta bread I've ever had. Also on my radar were the Macho Nachos (simple but tasty as all get-out) and the Thai Bananas (good for an app, meal, or dessert - sweet and savory at once). One can't talk about The Cheese Factory without giving a shout to the amazing desserts. I tried my friend's banana cream pie on Friday and am still thinking about it today, four days later. I only live about an hour away, so I think I need to work The Cheese Factory into my life on a more-than-yearly basis.
(5)Carrie W.
Loved it! Easy to find something interesting and delicious sounding even though I am definitely NOT a vegetarian, nor is my husband. Great, friendly service. Great decor, loved the soda fountain and the spinning dessert case. It was tempting even though I avoided the desserts.
(5)Joanna D.
Came here the sunday before memorial day. I would have never found this place if I was not looking for a store i thought was called "Cheese Factory". I am so glad I found it! As far as I am aware, this is the only vegetarian/vegan restaurant in the Dells area. The building was a little difficult go notice amongst all of the other large attractions in the area, but luckily my navigation helped me find it. It is a cute house located next to the Wilderness Lodge. I was very excited to try this highly rated restaurant! The interior reminds me of scenes from an older movie. I loved the feel of it. Sat down at the bar and ordered a cappuccino. The woman that made it for me added a sugar heart on top of the milk. It was adorable. I ordered the breakfast links and mushroom stroganoff. Both were very delicious! The mushroon stroganoff had a delicious saucd on it but was so large that I could not finosb it! My boyfriend had the cheess pizza, which resembeled a pizza back home kn Chicago. Met a few friendly people at this restaurant who are regulars. Overall, the staff was wonderful and the food was delicious. Definitely would come back.
(5)Kenneth B.
What a nice find... located in the Dells area, it sure was great. It is vegetarian, but so what, one meal without meat is a nice change. And the food is prepared to be tasty, and not like other restaurants that have one or two non meat items to be accommodating, They prepare non meat meals to be tasty. Check it out!
(4)Vince A.
I'm a carnivore. I'll admit. I eat animals. This past weekend while in the Dells, we decided to give this place a try and well, it was alright in my book. As a meat lover who does not like fake meats, my choices were limited on the menu. I went with a portobello mushroom sandwich on a ciabatta. This was paired with roasted red peppers and covered with a pesto mayo. The sandwich itself was very good and was paired with a salad with a honey mustard vinagrette. The vinagrette was the star -- Excellent dressing. Also had a 'Big Cheese' at the table which was a flavorful rendition of the grilled cheese sandwich. They home-make their desserts. Had a 'Cloud 9' which was a white chocolate mouse surrounding chocolate cake with a freah raspberry sauce surrounding it. cake - dry, mousse - weak, sauce - excellent. All in all, definitely worth the stop but likley wouldn't return on my next visit to the dells.
(3)Christina M.
Surprise!! Middle-of-Nowhere WI Vegan Goodness!!! WOW! I couldn't believe there was a fully Vegetarian restaurant in the middle of nowhere in Wisconsin - they even have a huge separate Vegan menu! Had this place not been suggested to me by a fellow Vegan I may have not stopped here on my way home - the name Cheese Factory, as a Vegan, sounded opposite of my diet; wow was I wrong!!! My bf and I stopped here for lunch yesterday and found this to be a neat little restaurant, cozy, decorated well with Wisconsin feel, and had very friendly employees. Someone mentioned cult/religious stuff...nothing was in your face or anything, there may have been a book or two by the cookbook display at the register, but who really cares - I'd sell whatever I want at a restaurant I owned. Too bad I wasn't starving because I just got the Romesco Potatoes (holy goodness!!!) and my bf (a non-Vegan) got The Big Cheese - you should have seen the look on his face when eating this, we may have to go out of our way to eat here again! This place is definitely a find and I recommend anyone passing through to stop here; it's conveniently located just off of the interstate!
(5)Matt N.
Vegan fare with a side of creepy. If you like vegan food- it might be great, I don't know. My veggie burger was bland, and the worst part? There was hardly any cheese on it! In fact, their cheese-based offerings were limited to a single sandwich and Beer Cheese soup. In case you aren't aware- the name of the restaurant is because of the building, not their menu offerings.
(2)Pavel S.
Perfect, healthy, vegetarian, cozy, home spirit.... Best in wis dells.
(5)Matt P.
Fantastic linguine with pesto and roasted red pepper.
(5)J J.
This is probably my favorite restaraunt. EVERYTHING we ordered was delicious and the waitstaff was beyond excellent. Our waiter was passionate for the food he was serving and made great suggestions. I wish I remembered his name. My boyfriend took me here before our trip back home because he knew this was a vegetarian restaraunt. Because I wanted to try so many things we ordered a lot of food. Our server even mentioned that we were ordering more food than we would be able to eat.... Oh but we did.... We ordered the beer cheese soup, baked goat cheese with olive oil garlic and peppers (heavenly), grilled cheese, spankiopita, and a burrito. For dessert I had rose infused espresso and my boyfriend had an espresso float. The only leftovers we had were half of the burrito and half of the grilled cheese. This place is a hidden gem. I wish it was closer, but for now it is definitely worth the 3 hour drive. If you are in the wisconsin dells area or actually anywhere in the U.S., this place is a must.
(5)Stephen B.
Simply fabulous, but don't use the directions linked from Yelp. Do a Google Maps search. The menu is, as others have noted, vegetarian. Not something I'd normally choose for my family, but the reviews here were enticing. My wife and 3 kids (10, 9, 5) all found something interesting on the menu. The daily Indian Special for me (authentic and delicious), Spanikopita for my wife (2 thumbs up), cheese pizza, grilled cheese and Froot Loops for the kids. The service is as attentive as you will find in the most exclusive restaurants, and yet so much more personal and friendly. The kids loved the full soda fountain service and the kid's menu has something for everyone. Add in a top notch desert list and it's a five star experience.
(5)Daniel D.
This wonderful and unique vegetarian restaurant officially closed down on September 30th 2013. You will greatly missed!!!
(5)Betsy H.
Being dairy-free you would think one would not have choices here, but there were many options. We loved even more the "non Wisconsin Dells" atmosphere. Simple, no Disney-like marketing. Just nice people running a nice restaurant. Try some of their Indian dishes, as they were fantastic. We loved the dairy-free hot chocolate option. They get an extra star just for possibly being the only healthy restaurant in the area.
(5)Chris G.
I ate at the Cheese Factory on a Saturday morning around opening time. I was greeted by the friendly, welcoming staff and music from the 1960s. The place has an old diner feel to it, and is entirely vegetarian. We ordered a vegan Chai Tea which was excellent, a Black Forest Cafe that was superb, and for our meal, a Sunrise Skillet and a Stew wrap. The romesco sauce is to die for, and the cranberry chutney went perfectly with the Indian feel of the chickpea stew wrap. I will be back for dinner later today!
(5)Paige M.
Cheese Factory Restaurant is the ONLY place in Wisconsin Dells that offers healthy, natural meals. The food at Cheese Factory is vegan or vegetarian and the restaurant itself is smoke free. Some cuisine options: - Eggplant Parmesan sandwich - Quiche - Veggie Chimichanga - Malaysian Coconut Noodles - Eggplant curry - Spanikopita - Gourmet salads - Thai Bananas (breakfast) - Fresh fruit plate and oatmeal There are plenty of creative dishes, however since Cheese Factory is the ONLY vegetarian restaurant in The Dells, we found ourselves eating three meals a day here. Unfortunately there isn't enough variety to keep our interest that regularly, plus the food is expensive: $20 per person, per meal. Our wallets were really hurting by the end of vacation, but it was either Cheese Factory or starve. One odd observance I made while dining here is that all of the employees (even the teenage waitstaff) were from Eastern Europe. There was a language barrier problem while placing orders, sometimes our waitress would just disappear. It just seemed really bizarre that there were all of these young, foreign people working in the middle of Wisconsin. Price per person: $20.00
(3)Lara A.
We had lunch and breakfast and both were very good. They have good variety on the menu for all ages and preferences. Great vegetarian options too. We can't wait to try dessert when we come back!
(4)Michael O.
I have been hesitant to write this review for one reason. This had nothing to do with the cute little WI Dells restaurant, the extensive vegetarian menu, the friendly service, or the above average food. The reason I have been hesitant is that I had a hair in my dish. It was not the baked in, super-nasty hair that would make any reasonable person cringe. It was right on the top, and it seemed to be from the hostess who brought out our food. It was an honest mistake, and I did not even point it out, because I did not want to freak out the other people I was eating with. There are not a whole lot of places where this would happen, and I would still go back, but this was one of them. The food we had was great. I was especially impressed with the beer-cheese soup. It seemed to have much more substance than most, and the croutons were spot on. My burrito was also very good, and had a meatless item in it that would fool most carnivores. My hope with this review is to not scare people away, but to provide an accurate description of our meal. The food was great, and much better than most places in the Dells, meatless or not.
(3)Andrew P.
Wonderful service and great food!
(5)Neal S.
We went here on our honeymoon and we had the best service we had out of anywhere. I being vegetarian loved the place and my wife being more of a meat eater also loved the food. Where else can you get good Greek and Indian food at the same time. Excellent food and service.
(5)Rhonda G.
This is the kind of place where I want to try other things as well. As meticulous as this food is made, there is just something unusual about some of the dishes, which is what it seems to thrive on. I ate light because the desserts looked way too awesome. I had the soup salad combo. It's everything a salad should be, I chose the creamy herb dressing. Unfortunately, I can't stand tarragon, and it almost dominates it. Most standard herb dressings list it or serve a tarragon dressing, it's that strong. The beer cheese soup had a lot of carrots in it. Some people make it like that for added flavor and crunch. It would have been better smooth. The iced tea had a weird taste too. I opted for the carrot cake. It was as good as it looked, but I'll get something else next time. They have plenty of variety. I tried a taste of Basil's key lime pie. Yet another example of the unusual, it had the denseness of cheesecake, but it was delicious just the same. It's a fabulous, lovely place, but as far as the food goes expect the unexpected.
(4)Stephen B.
Let's see. We go to the Dells expecting to wait two hours for a crappy meal consisting of nachos, pizza, or any variety of unhealthy fried/processed food. Instead we get on Yelp and find this little nugget. EVERYTHING we at was delish. Tomato basil soup, Mediterranean Platter, Malaysian Coconut Noodles, Delhi Delight and thai noodles. Incredibly well prepared, fresh, and plentiful. The deserts were great as well. So unexpected. All food should be prepared with this care. If you think you know vegetarian fare and think it's boring or bland, try this place!
(5)Kevin T.
Amazing service
(5)Yang J.
It was a wonderful and amazing experience there! The big cheese tasted so good and the coffee they had was just awesome. You really should not miss this one.
(5)John R.
The food was good the service was a little forgetful but did a fine job. If I was grading this for a veg restaurant in the Dells it is a 4. However against a lot of other places we have eaten elsewhere it did not make it to four. The Thai bananas where a good start, but the meal never went up from that opening. Over all I can see myself coming back here, but my expectations are going to be a lot different. The last thing of note is the cupcake the granddaughter picked had the worst icing on top of a unremarkable cake she likes sugar and she threw it away.
(3)Chaim L.
Very unique restaurant ,starting with the wonderful hospitality of the waitress and staff, the unique and extraordinary quality and taste of appetizers, main entrees and desserts, to the very reasonable price. Just wonderful.We'll be back for sure.
(5)Amber B.
AMAZING restaurant!!!! Highly recommend. My boyfriend hates tofu, but ate his whole meal thinking it was meat, and then I surprised him and told him it was tofu haha! Organic, gluten free selections and friendly staff. MUST COME HERE if you visit the dells!
(5)Brian F.
Excellent lunch here. Rattlesnake tofu had good flavor. Hummus chili good. Fried banana good. Black beans good. Carrot cake and banana crunch cake were phenomenal.
(5)T K.
The best restaurant in the dells--and wonderful for vegans and vegetarians! Relaxing ambiance, attentive and kind servers, and creative eclectic world cuisine. The Asian stir fries with coconut milk and mushroom gnocchi goulash were delicious. I also highly recommend the lunch sandwiches and inventive breakfasts. Meat eaters won't feel deprived at all.
(5)Ladybird G.
Great vegetarian fare, wonderful hosts and a nice change to the unhealthy options in Wisconsin Dells. Wish we were in town longer to go for a second meal; it was hard to choose. Great Vienesse cafe (would love to know what beans they're using), raspberry shake, rattlesnake tofu... everything was just great. Would recommend that they add "vegetarian food" on their signage. I think they would get more people coming in. The only way I found out about about it was by searching for "vegetarian" on yelp. Thanks, Yelp, for helping me find the Cheese Factory Restaurant. Next time we're in or near the Dells, we'll be sure to stop by!
(5)Trent T.
Really nice place. Super friendly staff with great food in a charming setting. Very kid friendly, and they even worked with us to serve my son, who has multiple food allergies.
(5)Brian C.
Wow, how do i begin. This place was awesome. first note, don't rely on Yelp to provide you with decent directions. After driving all around we finally ended up calling the restaurant and he gave us great directions to the restaurant. We arrived 30 mins before they closed, and they were very nice to us upon entering. Wife and i ordered the famous grilled cheese and the kids had the kids menu grilled cheese. I ordered the beer cheese soup, and wife got the organic salad. We also had cherry cokes and kids got shirley temples. All the food was awesome, and we ended up buying the cook book too. because the beer cheese soup recipe was in it. Will definitly come back when in Wisconsin dells
(5)RJ D.
stopped in for a quick coffee to go on our way out of town and enjoyed their handcrafted green tea refresher, as well. very enjoyable to have a good cup of coffee in the dells! we'll be back next year!
(4)Erika D.
Great food, kid friendly, reasonable prices, staff was very polite, service was fast.
(4)Christine H.
Under "Wisconsin Dells," Happycow.com only listed The Cheese Factory as vegan/vegetarian. By divine providence, my hotel happened to be across the street from the Dells' only vegan haven. I went there twice during my weekend stay. Their signature dish is Rattlesnake Tofu, and you must try it if you like barbecue (even the side of black beans was tangy, not plain and salty). That dish, by the way, was also the right serving size. Their huge maple walnut cookie is delicious and tastes just how you would expect it to taste (like maple syrup and walnuts). My waitress seemed a little frazzled, but otherwise, I loved this restaurant! I never thought I would actually have a hard time deciding what to eat at a restaurant in Wisconsin, the Midwestern cheese capital. The flavors from the Vegan burrito are also an ecletic, spicy party for your tastebuds. It was big enough for two meals and still tastes good cold (I had it in the car on the way home).
(4)Kate P.
Oh, I just loved this place. Everything about it. The menu and decor are eclectic and wonderful. The space has a little of everything: an old-fashioned soda fountain, a juke box, a garden room, a mural on the wall, lots of different art, and a revolving dessert case that provided so much entertainment as we walked around. This is not at all what I pictured when I read about an all-vegetarian restaurant. Or when I pictured a restaurant called The Cheese Factory. But all of these things come together for such a unique experience. And the food was phenomenal. I am assuming that the woman who seated us was the owner. She told us a little about the restaurant, and we ended up chatting with her several times throughout the evening. She answered lots of questions about the pastries as we stood in front of the dessert case, trying to control the drool. We also spoke with the pastry chef. Our server was nice, and there were several other people working there who bused the table or refilled water as they were walking around. Everyone was so friendly. My partner had the quesadilla, and he enjoyed it for dinner and again for lunch the following day. The mushroom stroganoff was outstanding. The portion was huge and delicious. I'd like another order of it right now. The kids had pasta with marinara and a veggie burger. We reluctantly passed on the desserts because we were so full. However, I came back the following evening to pick up an assortment of desserts for our traveling companions after I was unable to persuade them to try a vegetarian restaurant for dinner (we went somewhere nearby that was awful, so we had to use The Cheese Factory's desserts to salvage our evening). The Glorious Chocolate Cake was, indeed, glorious. Chocolate cake with a chocolate mousse layer, covered in chocolate ganache with a pretty chocolate heart set into the top. Gorgeous as well as glorious. The fun cupcakes were enjoyed by all who tried them. My favorite dessert was the Black Forest Wrap, which had decadent cake and filling wrapped in a delicate chocolate outer layer, topped with cherries. I don't know how this dessert was accomplished, but I loved it. We also tried the carrot cake, which was great. Our group split over the favorite dessert - a few of us voted for the black forest wrap, while the rest preferred the chocolate cake. This is my kind of debate. There were a couple of things that were a little off. The veggie burger was a bit burned, which is easy to do with soy products. However, my little guy ate it without complaint. The kids' placemat menu offers a sloppy joe, which isn't really something they serve. My daughter was disappointed, but the noodles with marinara that she ordered instead were thoroughly enjoyed. Her disappointment was completely forgotten after a glance at the kids cupcakes. Also, their kids meal toy is a little pinwheel, which is still delighting my kids several days later. So, yes, there were a few misses, but I am still giving Cheese Factory five stars because I tried some of their competition in the immediate area. The Cheese Factory would only be 4 stars in Madison or Chicago, but in the Dells, it is worth 7 or 8 stars. Hands down, the best food we ate during our entire vacation.
(5)Don P.
Best place to eat in the Dell's area. Something for everyone including your vegetarian. We went there every night for 5 days. Wonderful service. Comfortable surroundings. Really great people. Oh and the food for a vegan is outstanding.
(5)Joy H.
If you're driving to The Dells, Madison, Milwaukee, or even Chicago this summer, The Cheese Factory in Wisconsin Dells (not to be confused with the national chain restaurant, The Cheesecake Factory) offers excellent vegetarian and vegan cuisine and is definitely worth a stop. We discovered The Cheese Factory several years ago during a water park vacation to The Dells and the food is on the same level with some of the better vegetarian/vegan restaurants in San Francisco, Seattle and Chicago. If you go, the restaurant is open Thursday through Sunday. The Cheese Factory (named simply because the building used to be a cheese factory) offers both vegetarian and vegan/gluten-free menus and prepares everything in-house, including sauces and dressings. The food is fresh, colorful, flavorful and surprisingly sophisticated with international inspiration, especially considering its location in the land of meat and dairy. The Vegan Mediterranean Medley is a big platter of quinoa salad, grilled zucchini, rattlesnake tofu (seasoned charbroiled tofu), flame-broiled Portobello mushroom, tomato, hummus, cucumbers, marinated carrots (see recipe below) and Kalamata olives served with toasted pita for $13.95. The Mexicali Polenta features grilled polenta (seasoned with sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers and smoked almonds) atop black beans with organic greens, salsa, fried bananas and pineapple ($10.95). The Portobello mushroom sandwich has marinated and grilled mushrooms, peppers and onions, with a sauce made from roasted red peppers, garlic and smoked almonds, served with fries or a raspberry walnut mixed green salad ($10.95). All dishes are incredible -- on one weekend visit to the Dells, we ate at The Cheese Factory three times. The Cheese Factory has an old fashioned ice cream soda fountain offering many flavors of sundaes, malts and sodas and specialty ice cream desserts. They also bake tremendous desserts including a Princess cake -- vanilla cake with layers of lemon butter-cream frosting and raspberry filling. They offer a few vegan baked goods. The restaurant also sells The Cheese Factory Cookbook on the website and at the restaurant. I use this cookbook frequently. It includes many of the restaurant's menu items and a helpful introduction to meat substitutes for those learning to cook with tofu, TVP, tempeh and seitan. For more information: examiner.com/x-10371-Min…
(5)Derrick R.
A must stop. Great food, even better service. Had the Hungarian goulash blew me away.
(5)Claire S.
I randomly ate here while skiing in the Dells and I am so glad to have discovered this restaurant! Everything is vegetarian with vegan options for most dishes (vegan menu on request) and the cuisine ranges from Mexican to German to American types of dishes. I had the mushroom stroganoff-delicious! They also serve old-fashioned soda fountain drinks like phosphates (look it up if you don't know what it is and then try one!). I thoroughly enjoyed the food here and the service was excellent as well. So next time you're in the Dells (or even if you live there), drive through the main strip of fast food and restaurant chains and make a stop at The Cheese Factory!
(5)Rebecca D.
This is one of our favorite restaurants ANYWHERE. What a charming gem. We are not complete vegetarians but even if you're really a meat eater, this restaurant has such a diverse menu that it doesn't disappoint. In the Dells, where everything is fried, it's so wonderful to get a healthy meal with real vegetables for a low cost. The staff is so friendly - when we went there for my son's birthday last October, they treated him like an absolute king. Not the cheesy "we are singing to you because we have to" like in chain restaurants, but "we are so delighted you are sharing your birthday with us." Then he enjoyed a faceful of huge vegan chocolate cupcake. We are so glad they're open in winter now so we never have to miss a chance to go here!
(5)Dan L.
We loved this place. I am a seasoned meat eater but we went here in honor of one of our vegetarian friends. I was blown away by the quality of the food. Everything was so tasty and well prepared. Even the garnishes were amazing. We ordered apps and four entrees (I also had the beer soup). The plantains and bruschetta were so well made and the the Delhi Delicious was so flavorful. In addition the service was exquisite. The food came quickly as well. 5 Stars to this Jewel in the Dells!
(5)Chimeren P.
Waiter was very charming and sounded French, gotta love an accent. Ravioli with Gorgonzola cream sauce was amazing. Also tried coconut cream cake, hazelnut torte and cheesecake which where all very tasty but the coconut was my favorite.
(4)G T.
Rachel Ray was right. Worth a stop if you go to the Dells. Beer cheese soup, grilled cheese sandwich, and goulash all excellent.
(5)Chris S.
Seriously. For the price *and* the nuttiness of its name as compared to the cuisine they serve, this joint is tops! it's both a restaurant and a soda fountain and since we will probably never have the chance to dine here again, I had to sample from both sides fo that equation. My wife and I split a vanilla phosphate which was a toned-down surprise when compared with what one gets when they drink soda, these days. For my meal, I had a salad with the (signature) Rattlesnake Tofu. That was excellent! I've had grilled, crispy tofu befor, but the black bean side and the lemony kick of the BBQ sauce really added to it. When it came time for dessert, I looked around and found that my nermal dessert helper (my wife) had abandoned me! She was *not* going to be helping me with whatever I got. This just about stopped me for ordering the Chocolate Hazelnut Torte. Luckily, the rest of the party convinced me to go whole hog and I ordered it. Oh man, that was one of the best dessert cakes I've ever had...no, really. Not deathly sweet (thanks to the coffee-chocolate frosting) which I sometimes forget is okay in a dessert and rife with hazelnuts in the cake. The perfect way to more than double the caloric impact of my meal! If I'm ever here again, the Cheese Factory will be getting a visit from this here Californian! Big up to my wife's uncle for finding this place for his out-of-town guests!
(5)Jen B.
Hands down my favorite restaurant of all time. The BF and I stopped in after getting a good reco from veggie friends and ended up coming here two more times over the course of one long weekend in the Dells. The second and third times we made everyone in our party come along, and they all loved it, too. The place is run by Christian Scientists from who are unbelievably nice and friendly. The food is to die for. I tried the chimichanga, the rattlesnake tofu, Peg's Eggs and the "famous" grilled cheese, and countless bites of other entrees. Everything is delicious. Seriously, you cannot go wrong. Don't forget dessert - I loved the carrot cake.
(5)Edward R.
Sounded pretty good, but we skipped it because no alcohol -- even BYO.
(2)Emily W.
Being a vegan, I checked ahead of our trip to see if there were any vegan/vegetarian-friendly restaurants in the Dells area. After reading a handful of reviews for this place, I decided I had to try it for myself. It. Was. Delicious. On our first trip (dinner), I had the Malaysian Coconut Noodles and my husband ordered the Chimichanga. So flavorful and just the right amount of spice, with generous portions. The service was charming and attentive. My kids really enjoyed our waiter - they each ordered one of the milkshakes. On our second trip (breakfast), it was busy. Really busy. The staff was apologetic, but not overly so. I was happy they had so many patrons. The Sunrise Skillet was, again, very flavorful. Not exactly the kind of skillet we were used to, but my husband and I loved it. The server was a little frazzled, but quite kind. I was disappointed at the comments I heard around me - some people turned up their nose at the fact that they don't serve meat. One table even got up and left. Their loss. This place is a gem! Keep up the good work - we will definitely return the next time we are in the area.
(5)Andrew A.
Every time I visit this area, which is every year or two, I make a point to go to the Cheese Factory at least twice (once for the vegan chimichanga, once to try something new). It is a vegetarian/vegan haven in a sea of chain restaurants and hotel buffets. It's very country, a little old-fashioned, but the food is totally gourmet, reasonably priced and delicious. I seriously dream about that romesco sauce. They also have a soda bar, and a great selection of desserts. Staff is very friendly. If you're vegan, they have a completely separate vegan menu so be sure to ask for it when you're seated!
(5)Kim O.
Food was very good. I woud like a change of menu items though for vegan options. Been the same for awhile now. Prices are slightly high, but the quality of food is great.
(5)pepper r.
We went there around 530 on a Friday night. The food was really good. Although the "big cheese" was cold and bland. I had the Malaysian peanut sauté which was awesome. My daughter had spaghetti. Don't order appetizers the portions are huge! There is no alcohol. And of course this is a veggie only restaurant!
(4)tonya b.
Where exactly is the cheese factory in the Cheese Factory??? Very good food. Fresh, wholesome and the desserts are amazing. I love Key Lime Pie when it is NOT green! Try the Wisconsin Cheese and Beer soup. you can tell it's fresh, so that makes it good. i didn't ask how many calories. at this point it doesn't matter! I had the crepes with cheese, cheese, more cheese and leeks. it was a great dish. decent presentation. It feels like a soda shop, which it is actually, so it's more like a lunch place, although we had dinner here and it was good. They have a jukebox. it's cute. but i don't think they serve alcohol or anything. the pizza- try the Romesco. my mom had that and it ws AMAzing! (i make my own pizza by hand at home, so i am VERY picky about it!). I would like to see a thinner crust, but honestly, for pizza not from home, it was very good! I recommend this place, especially for lunch. it is well lit inside, so it's not a quiet romantic place.
(4)Rose P.
The place is adorable with cute and friendly servers to match. However, they don't do substitutions well which might be an issue when it comes to their breakfast menu. I, as well as some of my friends, felt like every menu item was missing something we wanted with our meal that the server would not add or sub for. Yet, I ended up on our servers shit-list when I asked for potatoes instead of rice. The omelet with guacamole was heavy on the guac, the potatoes were overcooked, and they did not have any kind of French toast item which was very disappointing. They did have amazing blueberry pancakes, beer cheese soup, and desserts that sounded great. I kind of regret not getting something off their lunch menu or buying their cookbook. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by this place. Its probably much better than anything else the Dells has to offer, even for omnivores.
(4)Heidi K.
Wow wow wow! Great food and great service! Everything we ordered tasted really fresh! I will go back!
(5)Emily C.
Two seconds from my favorite The Wilderness Hotel - it would get 5 stars if they were open year round at decent times. We went for lunch the first day - great onion, pepper red sauce meal with fresh steamed veg. Dinner was a delicious Indian Faire with lentils, a vegan burrito and a few deserts - I didn't care for the rhubarba pie but vegans can't be choosers - or something like that. Everyone dresses ala 1950, they all have Australian accents I believe, and a great soda bar. At dinner people were lining up while they were trying to close to just get a scoop of ice cream - can't speak to that personally but the kiddos were in tears at the possibility of not getting their favorite ice cream in the whole word. Prices were fair, drinks were delicious - non-alcoholic, and the food - hey - it's WI --home of beer and cheese soup and cheese curds - my food failed to moo at me or try to raise my cholesterol - that's a plus in my book.
(4)Kyle H.
Visited the Cheese Factory again on our annual Dells trip, this time for dinner. After pleading and prying with my sister to try their interesting vegetarian dinner fare, the food did not let us down, but the horrible service was a bit of a dissapointment. Even a staunch meat eater can find something they'll probably enjoy here. My sister loved her mushroom stroganoff. I loved the fresh take on a Malaysian Coconut Curry, full of vegetables, slightly spicy without being too heavy. My son loved the spinach ravioli with artichoke and mascarpone. Served on a gorgonzola cream sauce with dried cranberries and walnuts, the floor manager said this was his favorite dish! Even our picky eater loved the freshly grated parmesan on her butter noodles. Dessert was really the star of the night. The NY Cheesecake, the raspberry princess cake, and the Cloud 9 mousse was incredible. White mousse with a piece of chocolate cake in the middle, topped with a white chocolate "9" served on top of a raspberry drizzle that looked like an exploding sun. This was a work of art! (That we devoured.) Now, back to the service. After being seated we sat for ten minutes without even a greeting from our server, and it wasn't particularly busy yet. The manager had to tell our server she was assigned to our table, and it seemed every step of our meal was delayed by her inattention. Oddly enough, I heard a nearby table who had a change of server mid-meal and wasn't even told. Even though the management is incredibly nice, I think they need to step it up and be more mindful of having staff provide good service along with their incredible food.
(4)David P.
Not a typical restaurant by any means. I was quite delighted by the excellent food and very friendly staff. We showed up at 9am for breakfast on a Saturday, and expected a line. Well they just opened at 9am, so we were seated promptly and served fast. The food was all very very good. It is a place I would take my parents for breakfast, but also can be enjoyed by friend with particular eating requirements. My favorite was the espresso machine that they handcrafted a cafe latte for me out of, quite tasty.
(5)Jay F.
MISLEADING! The food was good for what it is, but this is 100% VEGETARIAN. They have not a morsel of meat to be found in the place. Yep, I like meat with my meals. And they had none. 3 stars because for those that are gluten-free and/or vegetarian this is not only your best option in the Dells but probably all of Wisconsin. The food I had was actually good tasting. It just wasn't fulfilling. Nowhere do they say they are all vegetarian. Not on their web site, not on the outside of their building, nowhere. I'm sure this is purposeful because they feel they'd lose business otherwise. But if your customer acquisition strategy is trickery, I'd recommend a new strategy. So, disappointing business practices, a very overly intrusive waiter that wanted to recommend something different than each person ordered (nice guy, but let us order!), and that makes it somewhere I'm never going back to.
(3)Casey M.
Service was excellent. Outside the Restaurant has a beautiful European look with flowers a plenty. We read the menu on the outside of the building & sounded great. During ordering, we found out that NONE of the products on the menu are what they say they are. The burger is not in fact burger. The chicken nuggets are not chicken. The sausage is not sausage. I think their menu should have explained better what the products were since the names were so far off. I am fine with vegetarian so long as you tell me on the menu what your "burger" is made of. Would be hard for people with food allergies to eat there since the names of the items are so deceiving. The food was bland, the pita bread that came with our hummus was burnt so it had a charred aftertaste. All the pita bread did. Not sure why they are putting char marks on pita bread. The soup had no flavor. The dressing on our salads was just OK. We would not go back. I guess it's fine for vegan food, if you are used to bland.
(1)Lydia W.
Just tried this restaurant after they closed, revamped their menu, and reopened. I loved it before and I love it still! It's completely plant-based/vegan now. There were so many options to choose from! For starters, we ordered the rattlesnake tofu with house made BBQ sauce and black beans. It seemed a bit pricey at $7.95 for two tofu sticks but was pretty tasty. For entrees, my carnivorous husband decided on the Sicilian Scramble (tofu, red peppers, onions, roasted egg plant with marinara sauce and side of olives and grilled flat bread) and he loved it!! I opted for the grilled portobello on Ciabatta with pesto "mayo," crispy kale, and other sauteed veggies. Came with a side of sweet potato "fries" and a citrusy carrot salad. It was all very good. The fries were more like wedges and were baked, so I was skeptical, but they won me over! So good. We also ordered a ginger ale (do not recommend, tasted somewhat soapy!), hot cocoa (with vegan marshmallows!), and a maple walnut cookie. In all, we spent $53, before tip. Seemed a bit pricey but considering it's mostly organic, non-gmo and all vegan, it's probably a bargain. One thing to note, they don't allow for ANY substitutions. The table near us ordered a kid's burger and asked to add pickles. The waiter nicely said no additions are allowed. The customer and waiter went back and forth and I think she eventually got them, but I can't be sure. I had originally asked for the "tuna" burger and was informed I couldn't get it without coleslaw. In all, a great restaurant with friendly wait staff. Just don't try to special order!
(4)John K.
My wife has tried to get me to go for a year but the Vegan food scared me away. Wow - was I missing something. The crumbled "Italian Sausage" BBQ was exceptional. My kids rave about the almond flavoring in the pancakes. My wife really enjoyed the flatbread. Best of all, it was very affordable. The quaint ambience, laid back but professional service, and creative menu will keep us coming back.
(5)Jasmin V.
Beer cheese soup was very tastey. A must if you are visiting WI Big cheese was featured on Rachel Ray. And it's no surprise because this grilled cheese was good. My only wish was bacon on it, but that's the meat lover in me. My boyfriend got the Chimichangas. It was pretty good. My boyfriend did like the tofu in it. I think I'll visit it every time in Wisconsin Dells.
(3)Sarah P.
We drove past this restaurant while looking for our hotel. I was already hungry, and after looking at the reviews and seeing "veggie friendly", we decided to stop and eat here before we found our hotel. I'm an always vegetarian and sometimes vegan and my husband is a omnivore. I was so overwhelmed with the menu. As a vegetarian, I'm used to only having a few choices (if any), so I had to ask for help for our server. She recommended the Malaysian Coconut Noodles . It was perfect. The cashews and pineapple (things I don't normally like in stir fries) were a perfect compliment to the dish. My husband ordered the Quesadilla and didn't even miss the meat. I only wish that this restaurant was closer to home so I could go more often~
(5)Pg H.
I have been to the Dells for many years now and the hotel we stay in is located right next to this restaurant. For some reason we never ate there until last year and now I know why. The name of the restaurant can fool those who don't read carefully. This is the Cheese Factory Restaurant. Not the Cheesecake Factory Restaurant. But Anywho... I was unaware that this was a vegetarian/vegan restaurant until I actually saw the menu. I'm sorry guys, I don't care how many stars a grilled cheese sandwich gets from Rachel Ray, but a grilled cheese, in essence, is just a melted cheese sandwich. The waitstaff is a little creepy and seems to be from another country (Eastern Europe perhaps?). Cute decor. Quiet little place. But I am not a vegetarian. In a nutshell, I will NEVER pay $20 for a grilled cheese sandwich and a drink and give the restaurant 4stars. Sorry.
(2)Aaron T.
Agree with many here. It was not clear this was Vegetarian until we got in and ordered drinks. Food was good, but not great. I maybe a little bias as I was expecting a restaurant that served meat....... Waitstaff and mgmt. were very nice and attentive.
(3)Kevin T.
If you're a vegetarian, vegan, or a "flexitarian", this is the holy grail of restaurants. Especially in a town filled with chain restaurants and lame tourist traps filled with $7 patties of dirt they call a hamburger. I don't think there is a single menu item that has actual meat in it. It's all the fake soy-based "meats." As for the quality? It's pretty good, actually. I had the black bean burrito, which was pretty big and very filling. My wife had the ravioli, which she says was very good, but for $15 for 5 seems a bit over-priced to me. The beer cheese soup had a very unique taste to it, and while it wasn't the best we've had, it holds it's own against competitors. Very friendly and helpful staff. My daughter even got a free pinwheel. Where most restaurants give out balloons or coloring books, we got a pinwheel. How cool. She loved it, by the way. A tip: If you get the hot fudge sundae, get the kid's size. That's plenty even for two people to share. Reasonable prices, good menu items, and a good staff. I'll come back next time I'm in the Dells.
(4)Tess M.
As many other Yelpers have mentioned, we had no idea this was a Vegetarian restaurant until we were already sitting at a table looking at the menus. My first thought was, "uh oh, I don't think my husband will be happy with this" being that I am married to a Texan who loves any and all meat, lol. And yes, as others have noted, it is easy to overlook the building or know that it is a restaurant (not a Cheese Factory store) but luckily for the owners (and for ME!) they have a large sign in the window saying, "Breakfast Served till 2pm". Well, sign me up!! (you had me at "Breakfast") I went with the "Good Morning Skillet" which includes the freshest, organic, grilled carrots, zucchini, mushrooms, onions and bell peppers (I excluded the onions and bell peppers), along with their "ham" (vegetarian ham), seasoned oven roasted potatoes, 2 eggs and Hollandaise sauce. I can honestly say this was the absolute BEST tasting and freshest tasting Skillet I had ever eaten, with the most delicious Hollandaise sauce, made perfectly so it did not split! Yum, yum, yum!! Here is is months later and I still dream about this skillet breakfast! My husband had the Mediterranean Omelette which is stuffed with feta cheese, kalamata olives, tomatoes, and a basil pesto, served with seasoned over roasted potatoes and a croissant. And in his words....."Mmmm.....GOOD!" (Guess that's all you need from a meat eatin' Texan, haha). And the best part - - to finish off our fabulous meal - - the nectar of the Coffee Gods poured in to a cup! You must not miss the opportunity to enjoy the most decadent Dark Chocolate Italian Mochaccino!! Absolute Heaven! Lastly, another important part of our experience was the friendly staff and wonderfully attentive waiter who made me believe that his greatest joy was to provide great service to us along with great food. Honestly, one of our best restaurant experiences ever! We have already gone back for a return visit but that day was unfortunately one of their closed "off season" days, so make sure you check their hours if you are coming by in the fall, winter or spring.
(5)Matt D.
The children's pancakes and flatbread special we're excellent - I had a little more difficulty finding something and settled on the vegetarian chimichanga. Good portion, very filling - fairly sweet, but had a nice curry flavor.
(4)Tom C.
I went looking for a healthy dining option in the Dells. Not an easy task until I found this amazing restaurant. Great service, atmosphere and food. The Brunch is a must. The pancakes and waffles are delicious. The deserts! Wow. I got the caramel crunch cake to go and it was easily the best cake I have had in a long time. Everyone working there was so upbeat and happy. I loved the mellow music and decor. I will be back. Wonderful!
(5)Laura T.
So glad this place is in the Dells! We had the rattlesnake tofu, salads, and chocolate coconut pie. It was delicious and we felt healthy afterwards-- a far cry from other meals we had in the Dells! Staff was very friendly and the baker told us how she made all the desserts so creamy (avocado!).
(5)William B.
On another visit to the Dells, we stopped back into the Cheese Factory for a lunch. I tried the beer cheese soup, on recommendation from some vegetarian friends. Outstanding. I also ordered the chimichanga. I'm not a vegetarian, but I would order this every time. I mean, its deep fried. can you go wrong? It was big enough to feed the whole table. I am keeping their rating at 4 stars, though, as wifey, who has the food sensitivities (not vegetarian either) never seems to fare well after eating here, even though they have a gluten free menu. She has sensitivities to corn, which is often hard to identify in gluten free stuff. But, I have a feeling they also use MSG in some dishes.
(4)R S.
I'd been told there was only bar food in the Dells. Wrong. The Cheese Factory not only has unique and terrific food, but it has a quaint atmosphere, perfect for families. We started off with the delicious "Goat (cheese) Roast," which came with copious amounts of garlic - a big plus for me. I followed that up with the Delhi Delicious and my wife had the Black Bean Burrito. Everything was very well seasoned and though this is a vegetarian spot, you won't miss the meat. I'm tempted to go back to try the seitan Reuben. The menu is quite diverse, with selections for all tastes (Pizza, Italian, Greek, Indian, Mexican, Hungarian, you name it). The service was very friendly. The host noticed the hockey theme on my credit card and mentioned that he had played in college leagues in Austria. We chuckled about how hockey is like an addiction. Once you start you can't stop! Great food, great service and some conversation with a fellow hockey player? Five stars!
(5)Mara A.
After being sent off by Yelp we headed to any place that was open for breakfast. This was the next on the yelp list. The place is adorable! Old school meets European. The place only had 3 or so tables with customers but by the time we left, it was packed. We looked at the menu to find out that this place is all vegetarian/vegan. Even though I am a vegetarian, the other 4 people in my party are not and we definitely would not have came here if we knew this. We ordered a latte and it was huge and so pretty.
(3)Bradley M.
This place was ok for vegan/cult food. About 5 entree options, none of them too appealing for non-vegans. 3 stars for making me eat my veggies.
(3)David J.
Great little "alternative" atmosphere vegetarian restaurant. Get the Hungarian mushroom stroganoff if you are a meat eater like me, and you won't even miss meat. The desserts and coffee drinks are fantastic, which is the main reason I have went there in the past. While it is "casual" without needing to dress up, it is nice, too, with nicely laid out tables and polite, attentive service, nicely laid out food, plenty of it. Bright and airy, not candle-lit. Good place for a relaxed date.
(5)Margie C.
Part of the reason we ate here was my fault. See, I love cheese. We were passing through and I checked Yelp and it was rated high (I can only guess that the high ratings are due to lack of other good restaurants here or the others tend to frequent The Sizzler). But come on, shouldn't a restaurant called THE CHEESE FACTORY in WISCONSIN focus on cheese? Not here! (yes, I know it's an old cheese factory but come on - I want some insanely cheesey dishes.) Once again, my dining experience was like something out of Twin Peaks. The decor is...odd. There's an old timey jukebox but they were playing jazz. The inside has lots of obviously fake silk flowers and looks junky. But at the front, they have a number of books about "enlightenment" for sale (WTF?). Like their menu (more on that later), they don't know what they want to be. After waiting a long time to be seated - 4 different employees made eye contact with me, but no one sat us or acknowledged us. Eventually someone sat us and then disappeared. Again a long wait and a very skittish Eastern European accented women waited on us. She was not pleasant not unpleasant but she was odd. Very soft spoken. Their menu has a huge display announcing that Rachel Ray has declared their grilled cheese to be one of the "over the top" grilled cheese sandwiches in the country. Over the top grilled cheese? Sign me up. Our order included this sandwich, Goat Roast, cheese soup and Greek Fusion salad. Other items included a mix of tofu dishes (?), Italian dishes (?) and Mexican food. Oh yeah the special of the day was an Indian dish. There was no cohesion to the menu. Most of the food was average. My husband and I were disappointed by the cheese sandwich. There was nothing over the top about it. It was a grilled cheese with 3 pieces of bread. It was light on the cheese too. I did go back and look up the article where their grilled cheese was declared "over the top" and compared to the other sandwiches, this one is tame. Battered and deep fried grilled cheese - that's over the top. This was an average grilled cheese. Here's a link to the article - bit.ly/POnpgg . The cheese soup was good but definitely not the best I have ever had. Goat Roast was good - the bread was too tough after being grilled though. The Greek Fusion salad was ok. I think they could have skipped the olives because they didn't mesh with the dried cranberries. It was merely average food. Nothing special. In the middle of our service, our waitress came over and muttered that she was off and someone else would come over and take care of us. I've never had this happen before. The replacement server was also neither pleasant nor unpleasant. She had a thick Eastern European accent and was a little rough. I imagine she chain smoked in the back. While leaving we got stuck in a weird conversation with one of the employees. He was enthralled with my husband's shirt. He kept wanting to talk about the Irish pub that was on my husband's shirt. He had never been there but this man was entirely obsessed with asking questions about the shirt and the pub. Then he looks at me and says "You have a shirt on too!" Yep, I didn't go naked to the restaurant. I had on a Star Wars shirt and he said mine was more contemporary and then he went right back to asking about my husband's shirt. I went to their website after they left. All staff are students or teachers at an "enlightenment center". You can draw your own conclusions but I think I just helped finance a cult.
(3)Jamie R.
Cheese Factory? Try Cheese-LESS Factory!!!! My hubby and I just wanted some heavenly beer cheese soup and the delectable grilled cheese we'd read about online. To our cheesy dismay, the place is under new management and has completely converted to an ALL-vegan restaurant. That means no animal products, so why on earth are you still called the "The CHEESE Factory?" Unfortunately we didn't figure out this problem until we had already ordered drinks and felt bad leaving. The service wasn't great, and forget your dreams of aged cheddar. The only "aged" thing in this restaurant was the wait staff. I didn't even feel right using the toilet, because I knew my poop wasn't vegan. Biggest joke of all... the sign on the door that says, "People on Yelp love us!" Um no... how about people on Yelp loved you about 8 months ago when it wasn't Opposite Day and a place called "Cheese Factory" in Wis-effing-consin actually served cheese?!!!
(1)Kristen H.
No where on the restaurant does it announce that its completely vegetarian. We stopped here on a busy Saturday morning because Mr Pancake was packed (as was every other breakfast place in The Dells) and they advertised "breakfast until 2pm". When we got there, there were only 2 other tables in the entire place. Gluten free and vegetarian restaurant in The Dells? Very awesome, actually. Not stating you are such? You can only tell by looking at the menu -- of course, after being seated. Not cool. We DO eat gluten free (by choice) but we also eat meat -- and abstain from eating beans, tofu, soy, and other fake foods. So essentially all we could order from this restaurant was eggs and the potato fries. They didn't have much in the way of cheese, either -- although their name would suggest otherwise. We did order eggs, and they were good. But it wasn't a filling breakfast. Their menu is weird (they can't decide if they're American, Mexican, or Mediterranean) and the decor is...Unique. After being seated for a while, other customers came filing in. My husband overheard the table behind us exclaim "They don't have meat?" The staff was nice, very friendly and serice was prompt. Then again there weren't a lot of people in the restaurant. 3 stars for good staff, and the food we got was cooked well and wasn't bland. All in all, I thought I was a customer for a restaurant appearing in Kitchen Nightmares, and thought Chef Ramsay would be showing up any minute.
(3)Malinda D.
We were really looking forward to checking this place out during our trip~ unfortunately they have terrible open times, so we didn't get to go. They are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the height of the season. We were all heart broken....
(3)Ken R.
Don't be turned off because it is vegetarian my wife and I are both meat lovers and this place rocked! The Mexican food was terrific and the grilled cheese was killer. Top it all of with great servers and great customer service and the place is very nice looking and homey to boot. Don't be a weirdo!!! Try this place.
(5)Erin B.
This is such an amazing little place! When I think of the Dells, I think of mediocre restaurants that cater to family tourists (aka middle-aged suburbanites and little kids). There's nothing wrong with that because that's basically the whole essence of the Wisconsin Dells. The Cheese Factory, however, flips the status quo on its head and offers a fully vegetarian & vegan menu that targets caters to ALL groups of people. When our group of 20-something city girls came in, we observed a full spectrum of patrons which is a nice change of pace from the typical Dells-ish restaurants that are usually one of a narrow range of restaurants: old timey supper clubs, gag-worthy chains or mess hall-esque dining troughs featuring larger than life lumberjacks. There were 6 of us and we ordered a nice array of items - all of which were great and served in huge portions. One of the best features was the full espresso bar that whipped up some fantastic (diet-busting) creations that were well worth the calories. Vegan, vegetarian or none of the above will find something to love about this place. The only regret: too full to try any of the delicious looking desserts but I will definitely try harder to fit one in on the next visit!
(4)Pearl H.
We have been coming to The Cheese Factory for about 15 years. When my daughter and I went last night I was nervous to learn that they are now vegan. Oh my goodness--the food is better! I got the portabello mushroom sandwich and the mushroom was perfectly prepared. Loved the carrot and rutabaga slaw. My daughter got the breakfast sausage plate. The home fries were excellent. We got the chocolate coconut pie which I learned after falling in love with it that it was made with avocado which I don't even like! My child had the raspberry cheesecake which was also very tasty. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Alice Z.
We went because we heard that the grilled cheese was amazing. My friends ordered a grilled cheese "The Big Cheese" and the Wisconsin Cheese Beer Soup. I ordered the Quesadilla. The grilled cheese doesn't live to the hype but is a really good grilled cheese nonetheless. The bread had really good texture and I really liked the tomato in it but I wish it had more cheese and was more gooey. The Beer Cheese Soup was really good. It was very rich from the cheese and didn't have a huge beer flavor which I liked. The best is when you take the grilled cheese and dunk it in the soup. Best. Combo. Ever. The quesadilla was very good but had normal stuff in it (Cheese, peppers, onions). I asked not to have jalapenos in it and they were very accommodating. It had a ton of cheese which I really enjoyed. It came with smooth guac, salsa, sour cream and black beans. The black beans were average. I'm normally not a fan of guac but it was really yummy this time. The prices were pretty good too (a person is about $10) and the portions were big. We were so full that we didn't order any dessert :( The service was very good, atmosphere was quaint (there were a bunch of families, old people) and food was good. The only thing that was kind of weird was that there were a bunch of religious books on sale right next to the cash register.
(4)Lily W.
Stopped in for lunch not knowing anything about the place. Based on the name, I expected cheese to be a main focus on the menu. That wasn't the case, and found out that at one time it was an actual cheese factory. Looking over the menu, I noticed a theme- no meat. None. Just meat alternatives. Now, I'm not a vegetarian, and I have to admit, I was a little scared. Up to this point my experience with vegetarian food was the frozen veggie burgers from the grocery store that taste like cardboard. But we were there, we were hungry so we figured- why not? I ordered the Veggie Burger. It was amazing! I tasted so much like a real burger that if I hadn't known it was veggie, I would never have guessed. A previous reviewer complained that they don't overtly advertise that its a non-meat restaurant. If they had, I (and many others, I'm sure) probably wouldn't have gone in. But I'm glad I did. So have an open mind and try the veggie burger. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
(5)Don H.
On the way home from Minneapolis, we were about half way when we got to the Dells. Since we just had lunch a bunch of hours ago (and a lighter lunch to boot), we decided to get off the expressway, top up the car with fuel and our bellies with food. We drove up and down the main drag for a while and decided that this place was the most diner sounding of all the restaurants without being a chain AND still open. Boy, were we way off. Despite the name, this isn't a fat-ass place of horrible food but a gem in the middle of a play land. We took one look at the menu and couldn't decide at all. Just couldn't. There were so many things we wanted to try, but just couldn't make a decision. In the end we asked the waiter (who had a wonderful accent and disposition -- he'd just come "visit" us from time to time like a friend who has the key to your home) for some help. We ended up trying the cheese soup, mushroom soup, an order of the hummus, a Greek salad and the coconut noodles. We share this all to get a good sampling. It was all amazing! The noodles had the most perfect flavor, unlike any other. We topped it off with a "glorious chocolate cake" and were so satisfied we wanted to slap someone for making the drive home that much more dangerous since we were in a food coma at that point. What I loved is despite all the food we had we never felt overly full or disgusting eating it. Just an overall pleasurable experience, start to finish. We ended up with a $55 bill (before tip) for all of that, a handshake to the waiter and a vow to return when we passed through again.
(4)Dan C.
Wonderful place! Amazing service and amazing food! Get the grilled cheese and the portobello sandwich, you won't regret it.
(5)michael b.
OVERALL: 2 out of 5 (won't return) FOOD: 2 out of 5 - VEGETARIAN/GLUTEN FREE ONLY. I didn't realize that before. It didn't affect my review, I just prefer real meat and cheese. Had I known, I wouldnt have gone. SERVICE: 3 out of 5 - I don't mind slow service but it seemed very slow based on the crowd. That may have been expected since it seemed more of a 'mom n pop' place. ATMOSPHERE: 3 out of 5 - most people would find the ambiance 'cute' but I enjoy lively places. OVERALL: If someone wants gluten free, or more of a 'european' look, they might love this place. Its just not my kind of place.
(2)Winnie K.
My favorite part of Wisconsin Dells! I was here for work last week and realized the food at the hotel was just awful. Inedible really and not cheap either. I yelp'ed it and we went on a little adventure to the Cheese Factory Restaurant. I realized it was a 100% vegetarian restaurant thanks to yelp, but it would matter anyway, I don't like to eat meat for every meal. The moment you step in, you are greeted like family. I loved the soda fountain bar, so cute. We were seated immediately. We were both going to order the grilled cheese, but our server recommended we share the grilled cheese and the portabello mushroom sandwich instead because the grilled cheese is just SO rich and the mushroom sandwich is his favorite on the menu. He was SO right - the grilled cheese is huge and just a lot of cheese. I'm so glad I was told to share it, I definitely couldn't have finished the entire thing. I love tomatoes in my grilled cheese, so that was a plus for me. The portobello mushroom sandwich had a lovely pesto sauce on it and was very tasty as well. The pesto sauce did not overwhelm the sandwich in any way. Both items were pretty messy to eat, however. To finish off a wonderful meal, we also ordered the Blueberry Nectarine Pie. I am told they make all of their pies in house. My goodness, it was delightful. Our server was attentive without being overbearing, though he was a little mia towards the beginning. They gave out little plastic windmills to children - such a nice touch. There are SO many chains now, it's hard to find a family owned place that is like a throwback to how things "used to be". This place was wonderful and it seriously was the highlight of my trip. I really wish I found out about it sooner rather than eating at our hotel - every meal would have been there!
(5)Christine L.
This place is an endearing little gem! Everyone is so warm and genuinely kind at this restaurant. I enjoyed eating here and the "home-y" feel to it. The famous grilled cheese sandwich lives up to its hype and I highly recommend it. It pairs well with the beer cheese soup. I am very glad that I stopped by and got my fill of Wisconsin cheeses before I headed back home.
(5)Kimberly N.
Wonderful vegetarian brunch with a great coffee bar and good service. Other yelpers may have mentioned this, but apparently Rachel Ray says they have the best grilled cheese in America. While I didn't get it, it didn't sound like the kind of over-the-top 20 cheese, deep fried sandwich I was imagining. It did sound delicious and simple: sourdough bread, tomatoes, and cheese. Sad I didn't try it, but I was cheesed out. Do get the cheese soup, if you aren't cheesed out. And, do try one of their desserts or coffee drinks. I had one made with rose, and it was delightful!
(5)Ed B.
Service and food are great. We go there every time. My favorite vegetarian restaurant, although I'm not a vegetarian. Desserts are really good, European style, not too sweet. The food is great also. We had "rattlesnake tofu", grilled cheese and Delhi delicious. The place is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. They don't serve alcohol.
(5)Liza P.
This food was so good that I wanted to jump up from my table and start a one-woman mosh pit! My kids got grilled cheese and a cheese pizza, which they enjoyed. My brother got the Thai stir fry, which he said was awesome, and the kind of dish he had been wanting to make for himself for a long time. I got the Big Cheese--the 3 layer grilled cheese and tomato sandwich, which was fantastic. It came with homemade salsa, which had a nice kick. My mom and I shared each others food, so I got to try the Delhi Delicious. It was THE best dish I have tried in a long time. Chickpea stew with a dollop of toasted coconut sprinkled sour cream, cranberry chutney, and sweet potato. Absolutely amazing! I've been thinking about it ever since. I would definitely recommend this place. It's a breath of fresh air in the deep fried, cheese-covered mess that is the Dells.
(5)Chrissy M.
Very cute, clean and food was good, staff was super friendly. If you are espresso people (like us) you will love that you don't have to grab a Starbucks after breakfast because they have an Espresso bar. The kids meals could use a little more variety (and maybe more fruit for the pancakes)..also, this place is vegetarian, which was okay for every one but my carnivore husband ;).
(4)Lola B.
We went to his restaurant when we were vacationing in Dells and LOVED IT! It was a big group of us and almost everyone took something different and they all loved their food! The waiter Riccardo was such a friendly and informative waiter! Everything was just great!! If we didn't live so far we would come there every week!! Try it before you judge it!!
(5)Ben S.
We had always heard good things about the Cheese Factory so we had to check it out on our first visit to the Dells. It did not disappoint. As a vegetarian, it was great to see page after page of interesting menu items--all vegetarian! There will definitely be more dishes to explore on subsequent visits. My wife and I were the only vegetarians in our party of six adults and one child. Everybody ordered something different and everybody was happy. The menu is fairly eclectic but very well executed. The flavors are rich and balanced. The Wisconsin beer cheese soup was delicious--my wife and I shared a bowl which worked out well. She then had the Hungarian Goulash (an adventurous choice for her) which she really enjoyed. The flavor was robust and the texture of the tofu was amazing. It comes with Pierogi which were a highlight for her. She recommends a side of sour cream. I had something called "Delhi Delicious"--an Indian inspired chickpea stew served over rice with roasted sweet potatoes and cranberry chutney. I really enjoyed the interplay of complementary flavors. The service was friendly and prompt and the atmosphere was cute and comfortable. We will definitely be back (and probably visiting the Dells again sooner now that we know where we'll be eating).
(5)Katrina T.
We were surprised to find that this place was entirely vegan and GMO-free, especially given the name. My tween balked but eventually settled on pancakes and like them. There was a lot of fake "meat" on the menu, but three of us had other things and all enjoyed them. I had a sampler with dal, fried bananas, sweet potatoes, rice pilaf, and sauteed veggies, and it was delicious. Also the BBQ tofu appetizer, yum. Good, friendly service. At the end they gave us mints wrapped in religious statements, which as an odd end to the meal, but not enough to keep me from going back.
(4)Jay K.
What a wonderful place! We were looking for something different on vacation. Not just a "vegetarian restaurant" but a FABULOUS restaurant that just happens to serve vegetarian food. Believe me, you won't miss the meat. We ate there twice in 2 days it was so good. Enjoyed the hungarian goulash, the beer cheese soup and the carrot ginger soup was so good I bought the cook book. Wonderful service and staff. very friendly and just a pleasurable place to eat. Go. you will love it.
(5)Jim S.
Big Cheese was awesome
(4)Monkean M.
We were in the Dells for a recent vacation. We decided to try the Cheese Factory, since it offered Vegan and Gluten-Free options, which is important to us. This restaurant has the best selection of Gluten-Free and Vegan choices we have seen. The food was very tasty and the service was good. I only have two complaints: 1) the prices are a little high, and 2) there are no Gluten-Free dessert options. Despite that, we went there two days in a row.
(4)Richard H.
This is the place to go for vegetarian that makes it main stream. We had the Hummus wrap that was exploding with fresh vegetables surrounding a light creamy hummus core. The dessert selection should be against the law it was so good, so leave room!
(4)Madeleine N.
Such an awesome restaurant. Great local flavor. LOOOOVE the beer cheese soup. Check the hours in the winter because they are closed some days.
(5)Mike F.
Awesome food but had ravioli and had to return in because it was cold. When they brought back another plate it was hot and it was absolutely wonderful. I will be coming back! Service is decent but bit slow well worth the wait.
(5)Gabriel S.
Great vegitarian food. Their breakfasts are the best but they have a killer curry and eggplant app. I would love to try everything on the menu. On a 4 day trip we went there 3 times. If you want something fresh and dont eat meat this place is for you. They were a Rec from yelp to me and it was dead on Vegitarian heaven and solid good food for those who dabble in not eathing meat as well.
(5)katsiaryna s.
OMG! my waitress was dressed so horribly! i felt like i was in a church, not in a restaurant. smell is very unpleasant. there were a lot of old people working there, which i don't mind, but it take them so long to get things done. i stopped in there for breakfast, but didn't find anything appealing on the menu...so i ended up just getting a desert which was ok, nothing spectacular... for almost 6 dollas you can get something much better than a piece of cake!
(1)Sylvia R.
Oh Cheese Factory, how you tease. I wish Yelp let me break down ratings into categories- but they don't, so I'll handle the task. As far as service, it's like a Twilights Zone in there! We were seated by a strangely shy gentleman, and didn't see our waitress for 10 minutes! In that 10 minutes, we had PLENTY of time to scope out the menu and pick what we wanted. When she finally showed up, she got our drink orders and dissapeared for another 10 minutes! When she finally came back, she casually says 'I hope you weren't waiting too long'. Huh? Well seeing as you deterimined how long we were waiting..Moving on- we ordered the beer cheese soup, which was excellent. For the main course, we shared the 'Big Cheese' sandwich and the Goulash. Both together, yummy. The Big Cheese on it's own? Well- that's what I get for listening to Rachel Ray! ;) Right before dessert, we had a waitress switch- THANK GOD, and ordered the Cloud Nine to share. SO. GOOD. Like, DREAMY good. Overall, the service could have been due to the one inept waitress we had, the food was magnificent for being meat free, and I would recommend a stop or two when you're cheesin it up in the Dells, just prepare yourself ahead of time for wierd service!
(4)Ryan W.
Fabulous. Heaven for vegetarians, as you can choose between western and eastern dishes. The service some of the best I've ever experienced, far better than places with prices more than twice what you see at this place. Really reasonable. Now in my top 5 favorite restaurants, and makes me wish I lived closer to the Dells.
(5)Mike B.
Great food and great atmosphere. Even if you not into tofu or soy products (which I am..) there are so many options on the menu. The kids enjoyed their pizza and pasta. The desserts are also fabulous. We even bought the cookbook to try to recreate are entries..I wish we found this earlier in our Dells stay...
(5)Sarah B.
Located about a mile from the Interstate, this restuarant has an extensive vegetarian menu--though not as unique as Chicago Diner. There's a soda fountain/espresso bar, and plenty of tantalizing cakes and pies on display. Breakfast is good and features no-meat and fake meat dishes; served til 2PM. Children seem to be unavoidable during weekend breakfast/brunch. This is not a fancy place--jeans and a t-shirt are fine. Service is slow, very slow, but the place and its staff are squeaky clean. **was here again recently and just had to encourage everyone to try the croissant with cheese, spinach and leeks with the side of cranberry chutney--delicious! 4-17-07
(4)Dorn M.
Your must visit restaurant in the Dells. We recently relocated away from Baraboo and this is perhaps the restaurant we miss the most. The staff is friendly and quirky. The food is superb and the deserts are spectacular. During the growing months, the flowers and garden outside are gorgeous. The restaurant owns the small smoke free hotel immediately next door that is a no frills but sparkling clean and pleasant affair and they also own a B & B in the historic section of the Dells. Non-vegetarians need not be afraid, the food is spectacular. I highly recommend the Mediterranean omlet, the beer cheese soup, and the blue cheese quesadilla. Save room for desert.
(5)Jeff W.
If there ever was a misnamed restaurant, this would be it. Had I not been tippped off by a friend, it's unlikely I would have gone here --unless I was craving a grilled cheese sandwich. The Cheese Factory Restaurant features gourmet vegetarian cuisine. The menu reflects a collage of flavor that I've rarely seen. For example, we ordered an appetizer of grilled bannanas in Thai peanut sauce with walnuts sprinkled on top and little chunks of pineapple. It was incredibly delicious. The place is a delightful oddity in the midst of tourist-centered Formica franchises and smoky supper clubs.
(5)Joanna R.
associated with ananda fuara, the food is fresh and inventive - i had an awesome nori avocado rice bowl and the staff are reeeaaaalllyyy gracious. if you are from a more metro city, the prices may actually seem kind of high for some items - for example, my rice bowl was $13 - but then when you consider how much more difficult it must be for this place to get items like nori in wisconsin dells than i'm used to in san francisco, it makes sense. besides - 13buxx here is waaay better spent than on the usual wisconsin dells fried cheese and beef. go there if you value yourself.
(5)Terri B.
I have never written a review for anything before but this place was such a great find I had to tell other people. My friend and I randomly picked this restaurant while driving around looking for a place to have lunch. I am so glad we did! We even went back the next day for lunch too. Everything on the menu looked amazing; I want to try it all and my non-veg friend enjoyed his meals also. On the first day I had the East Meets Midwest chickpea stew which was so absolutely fantastic I can't even describe it. It was served with a salad with a yummy honey mustard dressing. My friend had the Spinach Fettuccini Pesto which had one of the best pesto sauces I have ever had. The next day we brought another veg friend. I had the It's A Wrap which is a wrap filled with rice, the chickpea stew, and cranberry chutney which was delicious and I want to try to recreate at home. My veg friend had the Meatball Crumble Ciabatta which had soy crumble, marinara, and mozzarella cheese. One thing I periodically miss since becoming veg is meatball subs and this was definitely the best I ever had! My other friend had the triple decker grilled cheese which was browned to perfection with 2 kinds of cheese and tomatoes. We also ordered the hummas as an appetizer, which were only OK. I thought they needed garlic and my friends thought they had too much tahini and were a little bitter. They still weren't horrible (I'll eat the rest of it), but they could have been better. Oh! And the best part, for dessert I got a mini coconut cream cake, my friends got the princess cake and key lime pie. They were all soooooo good. Save room for dessert! I will definitely go to this diamond in the rough next time I am in the Dells.
(5)Apollo L.
A vegetarian restaurant in the middle of Wisconsin? This place in Wisconsin Dells was staffed by the most painfully friendly group of people (most of whom spoke with German accents) ever. The food was good and the service superb.
(4)John F.
This place is a good alternative to the mostly mainstream and generally not very good restaurant food in the Dells. Even if you are not vegetarian you'll find something nice here. Dishes are very tasty and well prepared. Not a cheap place but not overpriced either. They also have ice cream and sundae creations. A good place for to introduce kids to vegetarian food.
(4)Ivy E.
Good Vegetarian cusine. More suitable for larger groups of people (like families) than its sister restaurant The Secret Garden Cafe. Not as secluded and romantic. They also have Italian and French sodas which they dont offer at The Secret Garden.
(4)Ryan J.
one of my favorite restaurants. cool atmosphere, delicious vegetarian food (i really like the pizzas and the mexican food), and great desserts (the carrot cake is great). wish they had better hours.
(5)Loden C.
1. IT DOESNT SERVE CHEESE! The place has become completely vegan. Vegetarian was one this but vegan limits them so much. 2. The Food I ordered was sub par and it all looks the same. Bottom line is, don't come here. :) the only upsides are that they have nice waiters and the place is very clean. Edit: I decided to change my review a bit because I remember the experience being pretty fun. Honestly just trying to figure out how they made things like hot dogs and whatnot without using meat was kinda cool. If you want just an experience then I would recommend going here honestly. It just really wasn't for me.
(2)Michelle L.
Please know they only serve vegan food so children will not be happy. My son didn't eat ... Our dinner was outstanding. Rajas Wrap is worth driving back to the Dells just to eat. Delicious.
(5)K V.
I try not to let the context of a restaurant influence my ratings, but the fact that is a place where you can get good, healthy food that kids will eat-- IN THE DELLS (where the average meal is 1500+ calories of fried whatever) is pretty mind blowing. The fact that it is vegan is incidental to me. I went with three 11-year old boys for a late lunch after a weekend at the Wilderness (this restaurant is practically in their parking lot, which is all the more bizarre). Did not tell them it was vegan or healthy. It was funny when we walked in-- the hostess greeted us and said "and are you aware..."-- I had to cut her off before she warned us about it being vegan, so the kids would not bug out! So the kids got a burger, a hot dog, and nuggets. They thought the place was strange enough that everything was organic, but they never figured out they weren't eating meat and ate everything. The kid with the burger said it was "really good... especially considering it was organic" (like he figured it would be worse if it were organic). So overall it's what I would normally give 4 stars (my "healthy, wealthy, and wise" combo was great), but the fact that its in the Dells where I have to imagine that at least a couple of times a day folks are turning on their heels as soon as they find out its vegan earns it an extra star (for my 2nd ever 5-star review). Only suggestion might be to "bump up" the atmosphere a little... seemed a bit "grandma-ish" from an ambiance perspective (c'mon, we were wearing paper moose antlers the night before at the pizza place...)
(5)Karl W.
I am thankful to have discovered Yelp, I have been vacationing at the Dells every year for the last 17 years and never thought to dine here until I read the reviews. A very odd man served our table with an accent that I couldn't quite distinguish and made us felt a bit uncomfortable. The food on the other hand is outstanding, fresh and very tasty. Portions are medium to small in size, everyone at our table easily finished our meals. Highlights include the Grilled Cheese sandwich which everyone raves about including Rachel Ray (see feature inside the menu) and the beer cheese soup and the mushroom ravioli. We all left very pleased and the children got free pinwheels for the ride home.
(5)Jayaraman B.
One of the best places I ever ate. 5 stars coz of service, taste and for being non gmo. Can't believe vegan food can soo good. Chef here is a genius. Had the chimichanga which was like Meade in heaven. Have also tried the Asian medley, carrot cake, apple pie, strawberry cheese cake which was lip smacking and a hummus appetizer. Will keep going here when ever we get a chance.
(5)Gordon M.
I'm really torn. On the one hand, if this were named "Tofuland" or "Vegan-Hut" or something, I never would have gone in. But on the other hand, the food was delicious. But come on! It's called the Cheese Factory Restaurant, and they don't serve cheese. Seriously, every person I've told about this experience has thought it strange. So while I feel I was tricked into eating here, in the end it was a good experience that I wouldn't have had if it were more appropriately named. Thus, I remain torn on how I feel about this place.
(4)Colleen M.
In the wasteland of overpriced, crappy Sysco food that is the Dells, The Cheese Factory is the light at the end of the tunnel. Seriously, this is the only place worth eating in the area. Yes, the name is deceiving as they don't have cheese/meat/beer, the things my little Wisconsin-shaped heart craves but please give them a chance. I made the mistake of giving a new place a shot last weekend, I won't say their name but it's a brewery with a large antlered animal in the name. The beer was good! We had a pitcher of the milk stout and honestly we should have stuck to that. The food was so bad and had the texture of being over microwaved because it was chewy and oddly crunchy on the sides. As we were driving out we passed The Cheese Factory and my heart broke and my wallet cried. How could I have forgotten?! Oh well, next time. And any other time after that. Why you should go: - Their food is great! It tastes fresh and has a lot of flavor. I like the mushroom stroganoff and a Mexican dish that I'm forgetting the name of that has cornbread and cactus. - The portions are filling. A good bang for your buck. - The staff is always very sweet! - They have an old fashioned soda bar with ice cream drinks and heavenly desserts. - An old juke box! - The ambiance is sort of old school, like a diner and there are paintings from some Old World Fair on the walls. The best part is, is that it's not overly cluttered with brightly colored crap like the rest if the Dells. It is somehow more peaceful. I don't have kids but I know they like flashy things and therefore may not like/might be confused by this restaurant. But open your children up to the tasty cuisines of other cultures it will help their worldview. Anyways, I love you Cheese Factory and I'll see you next time.
(5)Greg R.
Super kid friendly. The service was amazing. The kids declared it the best restaurant they have ever been to! We will definitely go back.
(5)Ellie B.
An all vegetarian (and vegan friendly) restaurant in the Dells might seem laughable and out of place to some, but this place is killing it. When my friends and I heard about this place's existence, we made a point of visiting for lunch. The service was great, food came out super fast, and it was incredibly flavorful and filling. Their rattlesnake tofu and beer cheese soup are spot on. I fell in love with the seitan Reuben and could eat it every day. They have an extensive dessert menu, too and a rotating case of them to tempt you. Grab one of the restaurant cookbooks for sale because you'll totally want to make a vat of the beer cheese soup all for yourself!
(4)Scott R.
I'm a carnivore who enjoys his meat. Therefore, I wasn't doing back flips when I found out I would be dinning at a vegetarian restaurant. I ordered a cup of the beer cheese soup and the Big Cheese sandwich which is endorsed by Rachel Ray's face taking up a quarter of the menu saying so. The sandwich is made of three slices of sliced sourdough bread, sharp cheddar, Swiss, and Romano cheeses, and includes two Roma tomatoes. My take is the bread overwhelms the sandwich and the three cheeses do not complemented each other. They were melted but semi-solid and not cheesy gooey like most prefer their grill cheese sandwiches.
(2)Sadie T.
A vegetarian joint that will make you forget about meat. Cool and inventive options, like a chimichanga (AMAZING sauce!), and a "ham" and cheese quiche that was out of this world. The prices are quite reasonable. Nice side salad. Overall really high quality ingredients! They also have shakes and ice cream sundaes, and a lot of different cakes to choose from. So get dessert! Very casual diner-esque enviroment. I went twice, once for dinner and then for lunch the next day. The server at dinner was in a little dream world and was very slow, didn't refill water until we asked for the check, then she refilled the water saying "water is good for you" and then never brought the check - we had to go to the register! At lunch our server was friendly and very fast, she had to deal with a lot of tables at the lunch rush and many had to get back to the conference-she had a lot on her plate and she looked like this was a new experience for her, but she did really well! Go. Yum yum.
(5)Bernice R.
I didn't think it could be done but it's true.... The Cheese Factory Restaurant made me forget I was a carnivore! Where do I start?! My taste buds danced- no, RAVED, in my mouth every bite I took! I loved every single item in the smorgasbord of appetizers me and my fiance ordered. We split the dinner soup/salad combo and shared three different appetizers. Pretty clever, right? My man's cheese/beer soup was so delicious and it had subtle flavors of spices, veggies, and of course cheese and beer. My salad was equally amazing and I loved the fresh alpha alpha sprouts and the abundance of other veggies that graced my plate! As for the appetizers........................ sorry, I had to wipe the drool from my mouth before I started typing again. MY GOSH, I never would have thought these dishes would have appeared in Wisconsin Dells. So much flavor. So unique. So awesome I've decided this is the place to go every time I visit! Rattlesnake Tofu- Great texture and spiced flavor in the tofu and it was tasty with or without the homemade bbq sauce. And the black beans that accompanied it... muah! Thai Bananas- savory, sweet, creamy, crunchy... I didn't know what to think, except that its everything you want in an appetizer and or dessert! Baked Goat Cheese- soft whole garlic, capers, peppers, and sough dough bread. Did it work... OH YES, YES IT DID! And to top things off, the service is outstanding! Polite, attentive, and prompt! :D
(5)Lillie Z.
Holy amazeballs. I don't care too much for purely vegetarian foods but if they all tasted like this, I would totally go vegan. The grilled cheese was just as good as people said; the beer cheese soup was DIVINE (seriously a must try); and the spanakopita was perfectly crumbly and rich in flavor. Had my birthday dinner here (there's a jukebox!) and they sang me happy birthday and I had the best (GIANT SIZED) raspberry sorbet.
(5)Kim B.
The only reason I knew this restaurant was vegetarian was because of the Yelp reviews. If I didn't do my research ahead of time I probably wouldn't even have noticed. The food was that good. Came with a large group and we were seated almost immediately. All of the servers here were friendly and polite. On a side note, don't be scared off by the assortment of religious books at the entrance to the restaurant and the fact that Rachael Ray recommended it. The staff were all very nice and the food is actually good. My boyfriend and I split the famous Rachael Ray-recommended grilled cheese sandwich and fries. The sandwich was not your ordinary grilled cheese: it had three different types of cheese and tomato slices. The flavors were good and the bread was grilled perfectly. What really impressed our group were the desserts.. we ordered one of each dessert and all of them were good! In one visit, we tried carrot, cloud 9, chocolate and key lime. Like I said before, everything was good but my favorite would have to be the Cloud 9 cake. It's chocolate cake covered in white mousse. Ordinarily, I don't care for that much whipped topping but it was light and creamy and perfect. The Cheese Factory is definitely on my list of restaurants to visit next time I'm in the Dells.
(4)Bill P.
Breakfast theatre is my favorite! This show started off with a van-load of tourists who crammed the entryway as they scoffed at the idea of waiting 10-15 minutes for this relatively small restaurant to allow the only other large group to finish their meal. Lesson: don't be a van-load of tourists and come here without some advance notice. After taking that opportunity to grab some nice pictures in the beautiful garden areas surrounding the restaurant, we entered a cozy and clean cafe environment surely better for not seating the van people. Parties of 4 or less should have no problem here. I love the story of this being a church project. It's the kind of place you wouldn't mind sending food back to the kitchen to be cooked more, or in our case...cut into quarters. Lesson: don't expect any available steak knives at a vegetarian restaurant. Gotta say, the most charming aspect of this place wasn't the sincerely gracious host or the dedication to provide the Dells area with a thoughtfully conceived and prepared alternative menu. It was our nearly blind waitress. She made me smile, and then eventually laugh. Initially it was when I watched her use the calculator to prepare someone's bill with her nose mere inches away from it. Then when she thought their business card on our table was a coupon. Lastly, I was tickled pink when she grabbed my cup and poured some really good coffee on the floor. That's the kind of stuff I go back for...but only when the meals I'm served are executed well. My favorite was the Portobello mushroom sandwich (steak knife segue), followed closely by the coffee and rolls, then the rattlesnake tofu appetizer (which ate like a southwestern omelette) and then the beer cheese soup. Also cool was leaving a restaurant full of food smells, then getting a parting shot of the fragrant fresh flowers as we walked towards the parking lot. Thanks for the olfactory cleanse!
(5)karen r.
Thought the restaurant would be open to serving people with food allergies given they serve vegan food. But their menu makes it sound like they are not willing to accommodate you. Being vegan is a choice that I can respect. Food allergies are not a choice. Wish they could at least try to support those with food allergies.
(1)Lynn L.
NO CHEESE at the Cheese Factory! The #1 fact to know before selecting this restaurant is that this is a VEGAN restaurant. They offer many gluten-free items and are working to eliminate all GMOs. I was impressed that the employee greeting customers at the door always asked if the group had been there before was familiar with their menu. The restaurant was recommended by my vegetarian SIL, although she noted she had not eaten here since it converted from vegetarian to vegan. My hubby, kids and I are *not* vegetarian/vegan. My SIL and I both ordered the Tropical Chimichanga and were both a bit disappointed. We found it to be "one-note" with little flavor except for the fruit on top. I requested tobacco sauce to add flavor. I was able to sample the "sausage" and did not like it at all. I also sampled the "tuna salad," which tasted like a mild potato salad - it was fine, but nothing I would order in the future. My hubby ordered the Sicilian Scramble and thought it was flavorless, except for the grilled flatbread which came out partly black and tasted burnt. He left hungry. We didn't order desserts, although they were very attractive. The staff was extremely friendly and they were SO nice to our young kids! Although I enjoy an interesting vegetarian meal, I would not return unless my SIL wanted to dine here. She never gets to pick the restaurant, as the rest of us love our meat!
(2)Timothy K.
This place is a true original and worth a stop if you are in The Dells. With all the bigger-than-life nonsense in the area it was quite a breath of fresh air. We were on our way to Milwaukee and my traveling companion said that this place was a "must stop". I totally understand why. From the pretty blue building and flower beds in the front to the soda-jerk in a bow tie, this place was perfection. The staff were quiet and attentive. They were flexible with our needs, kind to a fault, spoke with a bit of an accent which adds to the charm of the place, and the host spent a little time with me at the end to make sure that my companion and I enjoyed ourselves. Each one went above and beyond. Now, you should know that it's a vegetarian place. It's unfortunately named, but it is inside what used to be a cheese factory. I can imagine someone walking in without knowing. That can go one of two ways. "Oh, this looks good. Let's have that!" or "Um... why can't I have a burger?" It being smack-dab in the middle of Touristville, WI, I suspect it's the former more often than not. The rattlesnake tofu had some lovely grill marks and was perfectly cooked. The beans on the side were amazing and if I wasn't afraid it might sting a bit, I would bathe in that smokey salsa. We also shared the Vegetable Boat which was a collection of veggies, the same lovely tofu as the rattlesnake, and a Romesco sauce that I'm going to be spending the next few weeks learning how to make. So good. The broccoli was crisp, the onions were sweet, and we cleaned the plate. OH! I almost forgot the piña colada and mango soy-bet shake. Holy crap. I wish I would have known that there was a separate vegan menu, but that's my only complaint. I'm an omnivore, but I like to know all my options. (you know, because of the whole "omni" part).
(5)NunYa B.
Just pull over! And go in! Delicious food from my entree to the decadent dessert. And to think I almost passed on dessert. Ordered to go and the customer service was friendly and patient as I drooled while deciding on what dessert to take with me. My entree (healthy wealthy and wise) had a tasty chickpea chilli. The raspberry cheesecake was devoured with in seconds. Wish I were in town longer to visit this local non chain restaurant once more.
(5)Nessie V.
Surprisingly good, for the middle of nowhere or not. Looking at the menu, I see a lot of bold and unusual options for a veg place. Often when I go to a place like this, it's best to avoid the ethnic dishes or other extravagant choices, and they are many times miserable mockery of the original dish. This is NOT the case here. The spicy banana-coconut-peanut sauce appetizer was superb. The chickpea stew had a good mid-east flavor (as opposed to merely being chana masala). The Thai lo mein was excellent, as was the Malaysian noodles. And of course the chocolate cupcake was quality. They seem to pay attention to each ingredient, The cabbage was grilled. The nuts were roasted and caramelized in some kind of sauce. The hot drinks were very good quality and flavor. I also tried a phosphate, which I could not distinguish from an Italian soda. Staff is super nice. They do seem to be affiliated with a religious group, but you wouldn't know unless you dug through the books on display by the host station. The only drawbacks were that they only had 1 1/2 vegan options for breakfast, and the portobello sandwich was just meh for me (I liked the one at the Barn better). But there are many other fantastic options other than that sandwich to try here, so that's not so bad. I definitely will eat here again. And so should you.
(5)Jason L.
Enjoyed it very much, smaller feel with what felt like a lot of pride of ownership and very friendly staff. I like meat, wife and kids don't eat meat for most part. Split some different things, grilled cheese very good, quesadilla excellent! Kids liked meals, vanilla coke was great as well. Beer cheese soup was not for me though I must say. Overall wife was very impressed and I am sure we will return next time at the dells!
(5)Alyson W.
Awesome vegan food. The Asian noodle dish and southwestern platter were fab. Great service, too!
(5)Tim B.
Excellent food. Asian medley was very tasty. My wife couldn't keep her hands off of it.
(5)Robyn H.
I love, loooove, LOVE this place! Being vegetarian, it's nice to be able to have anything on the menu. But I've taken many meat-eaters to this place over the years and they've loved it as well. Great menu. Great desserts. Nice staff. It's probably a little odd to find a vegetarian restaurant in the Dells. But that's also part of its charm. We've driven up from Madison many times just to eat here.
(5)Jonathan E.
I learned about The Cheese Factory one day when I was watching Food Network. The grilled cheese sandwich was rated one of the best 5 in the country--at that point, I was sold. I make an annual drive from Minneapolis to Chicago and felt it was an awesome opportunity to stop near the Dells for a bite to eat. The restaurant is actually a little bit difficult to find. I had never been there before and even with a map it was a little tricky navigating. But, the building is quite destinct--it almost looks like a Scandinavian gift shop. The interior reminds me of an old school malt shop (and yes, they do serve old-fashioned shakes and malts). Im not 100% sure, but I believe they also specialize in vegetarian and gluten-free options. The winner, thought, is the grilled cheese (see photo). Ive never had another grilled cheese that even comes close. It has three layers of perfectly toasted sourdough bread with roma tomatoes and three types of different cheeses. I really dont have the words to properly explain it, but I highly recommend taking a look at the photos. Pros: Perfect stop between Minneapolis and Chicago or Milwaukee, cozy building, the best grilled cheese sandwich youll ever eat, well-priced Cons: A little bit off of the highway--takes some navigation, this area gets very busy during the summer months
(4)Ryan B.
Now, I wanted to do something special with my family because it might have been the last time we would be on vacation with each other. After reading the previous reviews, I thought the Cheese Factory would be the perfect last hurrah. Boy, was it! They rolled out the red carpet for us and provided the best service I've ever had. Two waiters waited on us having casual conversations while having incredible food! All 6 of us got different items, and they were all fantastic. We were so impressed with the menu that we had to order dessert (a first for my family). We ended up ordering a whole page, and enjoyed every bite as we passed the cakes around the table. The Cheese Factory was definitely the best dining experience my family has ever had, and one of the best restaurants I've ever been too. If you're looking for somewhere special in the Dells, look no further.
(5)Dave G.
This looks like an old school country diner but is really a secretly all vegetarian restaurant! Beer cheese soup was not too thick but very flavorful. Seitan reuben was the best thing ever with pastrami style spices and sauerkraut. Sadly it was made with honey mustard instead of thousand island so was not perfect. Homemade dill ranch was awesome too!
(5)Kristen H.
I was so excited to hear that there was a vegan/vegetarian restaurant with an European twist in the dells. Usually, the best you can find are wings, pizza, or burgers, which doesn't do too well for the bikini body. Yet, I was still a little apprehensive to try it out because nonetheless it is in the Dells. I was so pleased with my decision; I got the Thai Stir Fry; the portions were just right, and the spices were so good that I didn't need tons of hot sauce to make it perfect. My boyfriend loved his Beer Cheese soup and garden salad with honey mustard vinaigrette. The atmosphere is friendly and it reminded me of a 50's diner with a soda and coffee bar. It was definitely worth coming to, and next time we are in the Dells, we are going for breakfast!
(5)Jen P.
Our final stop on the foodie tour of Wisconsin Dells was The Cheese Factory. I knew the restaurant was vegetarian, and was apprehensive about how the husband would react to the lack of Moo. However, the place got off to a great start with their coffee bar. He veered from his usual black coffee and ordered a Black Forest coffee drink that was simply amazing. Food we ordered: Thai Bananas (3 stars) Cool concept and tasty, worth trying out. Mediterranean Omelete (4 stars) My husband raved about this. The omelet was packed with feta, olives, tomatoes, and a basil pesto. It came with a healthy serving of potatoes as well as a croissant. A lot of food for the money and very tasty! I had the much revered Big Cheese grilled cheese sandwich (3.5 stars). Not to say it wasn't good, the sourdough and tomatoes and all the different cheeses blended well together, but I think it was a bit oversold. If you're in the Dells and in the mood for grilled cheese, I am NOT advising against it, by all means, it is a perfectly good grilled cheese and better than you will get at your chain restaurants or family diners. But in recent years, the grilled cheese has taken on a lot of gourmet twists, and this one, for me, doesn't quite stack up. Summary: Decor is quaint, homey, and comforting. The staff is AMAZING. Friendly, helpful, just can't say enough good about them. Take advantage of the variety in the coffee bar. The food is solidly good, I don't think anyone would be disappointed trying this place out.
(3)Tamara M.
Stumbled upon this place when we needed fuel. Thanks, Yelpers! I love the soda fountain! I chose an Italian Soda in Rose. He had a chocolate malt. Wow. So delicious, though not nutritious. Beer cheese soup was thick and rich. It didn't taste like too much beer, a good thing. Mediterranean Medly fed me twice. In addition to a lovely presentation, ingredients were amazing. Grilled Portobello, heirloom tomato stuffed with hummus, crisp greens, pitas, bulgar wheat salad...I'm forgetting something, but it was excellent. Even though there are tons of choices for vegetarians, D found a Reuben that was perfect for his meaty needs. There seemed to be a number of Indian dishes and specials that were very tempting too. Service was friendly and attentive. We only wish we'd had room for the scrumptious looking desserts!
(4)Kaveesh M.
This place is amazing for vegetarians and vegans! Everything on the menu is vegetarian. Even the amazing baked goods have no eggs.
(5)Jill P.
Very good surprise. Restaurant is completely VEGAN FYI. Even when the fist item listed is a burger, it's not meat. I shared a salad, the flatbread, and the caramel crunch cake and each was delicious and full of flavor. It was very fresh and tasted healthy (but flavorful) and was a perfect break to our road trip.
(5)Kelly T.
Vegetarian disaster! We were in the Dells for the day and headed here for lunch based on the number of very good yelp reviews. A rare instance where Yelpers steered me wrong. Had no idea this was a vegetarian restaurant. That's what I get for trying to Yelp while I was driving. Just looked at the number of stars and headed here. Not a hint of meat on the menu! Dang! Had the beer cheese soup, and it was a gloppy disaster of mostly grated carrot. Got the grilled cheese that supposedly Rachel Ray loves, but I seriously doubt that after tasting it. After sending the first one back because it was cold and the grated cheese wasn't even close to being melted, the second one arrived in the same state. I gave up at that point and just ate my small side salad. The ranch dressing was likely homemade, and I quite liked it, but my friend hated it. She thought it tasted too much of tarragon. The service was awful. Slow, slow, and slower. Waitress was kind enough to not charge me for the grilled cheese, though. But how hard is it to screw up grilled cheese, really?
(1)Rebecca M.
Meals were creative and delicious! The desserts were to die for. We are very newly converted vegans, so it was exciting to try new flavors and ways to prepare meals. I would have eaten here regardless of being a vegan. And the service was outstanding. They were very nice and attentive. Our daughter is six and got treated like a princess. I would highly recommend this restaurant. We will probably go back again before leaving town. Wish we had a place like this at home!
(5)Mike P.
Very pleasantly surprised to find a vegan restaurant in the Wisconsin Dells, especially one this good! The owner said they had been a vegetarian restaurant but closed this past September and reopened as all vegan, with many gluten free items. We were only in town for 2 days but we ate here for dinner and then lunch the next day. My husband, daughter and I are vegan and loved everything we tried (tropical chimichanga, hot dog kids meal, mushroom goulash with gnocchi, stacked burger duo, etc. ) My parents are not vegan but they enjoyed their meals and dessert. Sweet potato wedges and house coleslaw are soooo good. The carrot cake is excellent. Fast, friendly service...you really can't ask for more. It is right next to Wilderness Resort/Glacier Canyon. We were able to walk from the shuttle stop/parking lot. I just wish we had found it earlier in our trip!
(5)Levent T.
Friendly and quirky staff yet I feel this is always a safe bet to hit for lunch on the way into town. The flavors are good yet the service needs some tweaking. The muffins steal the show and the Reuben sandwich is *the* only meat item on the menu worth getting after. Loved the amount of cheese and kraut built onto the sandwich and the rye bread is hearty. Had the Medi omelet and enjoyed the pesto but it was served cold...yuck! Really wanted to give them three stars but can't due to cold food.
(2)Eric V.
Quirky atmosphere, amazing food. The wait staff is great, and menu is well put together.
(5)Pamala G.
Didn't know it was a veggie place until I got there, but was pleasantly surprised. Friend and I shared two wraps....couldn't decide which we liked better. Very flavorful. Nut much for decor, but it is all about the food and flavors!
(5)Jonathan H.
Holy Crap, please if you are like me take an immodium BEFORE you get there. It helps and also shows you they are using REAL Wisconsin cheese in there products. I do not like vegetarian food mostly. I like vegetables, but most vegetarian food I find bland. That was not the case at the CFR. I had one of those giant grilled cheese sandwiches and a soup. And after a day of sun and water antics, it was nice to just sit down and eat quietly. Easy parking and a nice staff as well.
(4)Kedar D.
The Cheese Factory, despite its name, is super vegan-friendly with a separate vegan menu available upon request, full of all sorts of appetizers, sandwiches, salads and main course options. Gluten-free items are also labeled. I started off with a "Rattlesnake tofu" ($6.95) which was quite tasty---it was char-grilled tofu with a hint of lemon, served along with a decent BBQ sauce and also a small side of black beans. For my main dish I had the chimichanga ($10.95), which was big and filling. The outer flour shell was lightly fried and covered in a delicious orange-colored sauce (some kind of tomato mixture?); inside, the chimichanga was filled with rice, onions, bell peppers and tofu. I think it could have used more tofu, and instead of white rice, I wish they'd used brown, but this was otherwise a solid choice. The salad that came with it seemed like a mish-mash of random leafy greens and could have been presented better, though. I think I would have preferred fresh pico de gallo or maybe a side of chips with this dish instead of the salad. The only vegan dessert they have (aside from some sorbet smoothies/shakes) was a maple walnut cookie ($2.50), which was excellent: soft and chewy with the wonderful, subtle flavor of maple. I hope they'll add a vegan cheesecake at some point in the future. The service here was impeccable. Everyone was super-friendly, eager, and happy. I felt good to eat there and felt welcomed by genuinely caring people who like what they do and care about the food they make. The decor is great, too. It's like an old-time soda fountain shop and servers wear bowties. The Cheese Factory is an asset to Wisconsin Dells. It's also a great stopping point for people traveling between Minneapolis and Madison/Milwaukee/Chicago, as it's right off of I-94 (and as I discovered, it's exactly 3.5 hours from Chicago and 3.5 hours from Minneapolis, so it's the perfect middle-point in that long drive).
(4)Jason L.
It's a cute throwback featuring an old-school soda fountain, decor, etc. I've heard that vegetarians love it. Pretty sure most meat-eaters would not enjoy. I had a garden wrap that was above adequate but not good enough to order again. Maybe it was the fact that I was duped by the name (thought I was headed to Cheesecake Factory), or maybe it was the inattentiveness of the servers or maybe it was the haphazard trying-to-be-authentic-but-missing-the-mark, or possibly it was the weird menu variety, but whatever the case, I won't be back. On a positive note, the servers were really kind and smiley. Oh, free wifi, too.
(2)Jeff B.
Friendly people and great vegetarian/vegan food. The goulash is wonderful and what I plan to order again the next time I'm in the Dells. I had a curry special another night that was also very good.
(4)Amanda C.
Only giving four stars because they offer NO meat choices (sadly, little Manders does not have the self control to go veg... shhh). Aside from that, this place was RAW AS HELLLLLLL!!! Lets start off with the fact that this place is like a quaint little cottage centered in the middle of the Dells. Extremely inviting, even to a rough-around-the-edges lady such as myself. Upon entering I was stoked! The place is ADORABLE! The tables all had a cute little centerpiece and clean linens. The tables are fairly spread out, so I am not elbow-to-elbow with a douchebag tourist that keeps asking where the burgers are on the menu. There is an upstairs area which I wish I got to sit in! God knows I hate being around others... rarrr. Anyway, the staff is UNREAL friendly. I want some of whatever they are on, because damn those bitches are happy. I couldn't decide what I wanted because everything sounded so awesome, but I made my choice... HUMMMMMMMMMUSSSSSSS! CAN YOU SAY HUMMUS!? CAN YOU SAY RAW ONIONS DIPPED IN HUMMUS!? CAN YOU SAY MY BREATH PROBABLY SMELLING LIKE ROTTEN TURD AND ME NOT CARING!? Yeah, if you're not an idiot, you can... so say it to the server at the Cheese Factory & order it, okay?
(4)Cornelia A.
this place was sooooo good! Fresh food full of flavor,and no meat!!!!! the highlight of my vacation! grill cheese was KILLER!
(5)Jeremy B.
Delicious! A gem in the Dells. Had a cup of beer cheese soup, mushroom stroganoff, and princess cake. Everything was really exceptional, especially for Dells cuisine.
(5)Jackie H.
We are vegan so we are very happy to find a vegan friendly restaurant close by. They have vegan and gluten free menu. Food is good and service excellent. Love the chocolate cupcake and it is vegan. BTW, they have wifi access, I wrote the quick review from my android phone.
(5)Richard S.
The service was amazing so was the food. My wife and I stayed in the Dells for the weekend and we went here two times. My favorite is their chocolate cake. If you are in the Dells you must visit this resturant.
(5)Tami O.
My husband and I enjoyed a visit to Wisconsin Dells this past weekend and stopped to enjoy breakfast with a friend from the area. While neither he nor our friend are vegetarian, I have recently switched and wanted to find a place to enjoy breakfast where I could eat more than just eggs and cheese. Though they are not open for breakfast (open at 11am) we decided to stop in. What a good decision, the service was friendly and the food was good. My husband had the black bean burrito which was delicious. It did have a meaty texture (not sure if it was soy based or seitan?) with a really wonderful flavor. The spices were well balanced and not too spicy. I enjoyed the famous grilled cheese...though I will admit it was a bit much for me. My only suggestion here would be to eliminate the extra layer of bread. There are three pieces of bread and the third just seems gratuitous. Not a lot of cheese but it was grilled to perfection and included some (not so great) tomatoes. I cannot agree that it is good enough to be famous, but I enjoyed it either way. Plus, it was accompanied by fresh salsa and chips. A very refreshing option over having standard French fries. We shared the beer cheese soup, which was a little different than what I may have expected but okay regardless. It did have carrots and a bit of a sweeter taste so that was an interesting twist compared to how I have had it at other restaurants which are usually spicy. The menu is a bit pricey but the food was good overall. The hours seem odd for being in the Dells, but I would stop in again on my way through.
(3)Melissa B.
FINALLY!!!! actual VEGETABLES in Wisconsin Dells! Stopping here before we head home from our yearly Dells trip has become my favorite new tradition and treat. I feel so healthy after I eat here, instead of how I feel after eating all the usual fried and processed crap one usually finds in the Dells or on the road. This was the first time I had vegetables all weekend. My Thai peanut stir fry was outstanding. My chocolate cupcake was the BEST I have ever tasted! Just wish this place wasn't so far from home.
(5)A. B.
What a gem! Who would have thought there would be a vegan-friendly vegetarian restaurant in Wisconsin Dells, let alone one with a dairy-centric name like "The Cheese Factory?" But here it is! I had the grilled vegetable flatbread and the vegan cupcake, both were great. I really enjoyed the excellent service and homey ambiance. Recommended highly!
(5)Julia C.
While on a family vacation, we stumbled upon the reviews and were intrigued. My brother is a vegetarian and after reading the menu, I knew this was up his alley. My husband and I also love a good vegetarian meal, so we took the parents and we all shared everything. We got the indian curry special, the goulash, the mushroom stroganoff and the "famous" grilled cheese. The grilled cheese was very good, but nothing omg amazing. The others were absolutely delicious. My mom even got excited knowing she can make stroganoff with mushrooms for when my brother comes over for dinner. The dessert we also shared was the Cloud 9, which was sooooooo good too. The staff was helpful and super nice, and overall we had a great experience and next time we are in town, we will definitely be back.
(5)Catherine S.
What a delightful surprise! Healthy, fresh, well-prepared vegetarian fare - who'da thunk? While the name is completely misleading, the lovely garden out front gives a hint of what's inside. You'll know immediately upon walking in that it's not your typical WisDells fare. High ceilings, wooden floors and lots of natural light, great hand-painted murals everywhere, authentic old fashioned soda counter. Best dish at our table was the Mediterranean Medley grilled pita wedges, chickpea patties, quinoa, tomato and hummus, wedge of fresh feta - it was absolutely beautiful and delicious. I enjoyed the 'Manic Organic' veggie open faced sandwich with a mesclun, beet, carrot and sunflower seed salad and blue corn tortilla chips. And kid friendly, too! Off the kids menu (complete with word search and crayons), my girls had spaghetti with red sauce that was declared 'the best ever' and a grilled cheese sandwich. They split a raspberry-banana-pineapple-soymilk smoothie. I couldn't believe it - healthy food, going down without protest, in the Dells! At the end of the meal, the waiter brought them each a pinwheel. It was a delightful and unexpected bonus - a completely apropos finish to a delightful and unexpected treat of a meal. Postscript: the desserts looked absolutely stellar, but we didn't wanto to overdo it en route to the waterpark. If we'd been there another day, we'd have gone back from just dessert. I was eyeing the sabayon with strawberries. There were spectacular mile-high layer cakes of every kind, Key Lime pie, cupcakes. They all looked great.
(5)Brett W.
Great food if a little slow on the day I was there. However, it was worth the wait. And to be fair, they'd just gotten slammed with a capacity crowd when we walked in. I highly recommend this Vegan/Vegetarian restaurant for the Non-vegetarian eater. Its a great introduction into how good a meal can be sans meat.
(5)Rick H.
On the way to The Cheese Factory I was very skeptical. I'm a man who eats some kind of meat for almost every meal, so the fact that this is a vegetarian restaurant put me outside of my usual habits. I got there and ordered a quesadilla and my stars was I surprised. This was one of the most delicious meals of my life. So fresh and full of flavor. They were loaded with cheese, peppers, and onions. It came with salsa and black beans. Worth every penny! Next time I'm in the Wisconsin Dells I'm stopping here for sure. The atmosphere is 50's style and it's a nice quiet place to have a meal. This place is authentic and quaint, which is surprising because it's right on Highway 12 with the other "touristaurants".
(5)Nick J.
Fantastic! Without a doubt the tastiest best quality food in the dells! Exemplary and friendly service! Great chimichanga! Excellent breakfasts! So nice to escape from all the other shoddy offerings in the dells. Have been there 4 times now.
(5)Olga S.
Perfect vegetarian place for the family, couples, singles. Wonderful food - american, italian, eastern europe. Very good service... It seems like you came to your friends, not to the restaurant..
(5)Gary S.
If you want to eat healthy home cooked food, this is the place. I had the beer cheese soup and a very good mushroom pasta dish. Staff is very helpful and the setting was very comfortable.
(5)Megan S.
Where do I begin?? The Cheese Factory (NOT to be confused with the Cheesecake Factory) is one of my favorite restaurants anywhere. I make a point to stop by every time I drive from southeastern Wisconsin to the Twin Cities, and I try something different every time I go. It's an especially difficult place to describe, but I love it so much I had to try... First, some background: the Cheese Factory is staffed by "teachers" (I'm not sure what that position actually entails) of A Course in Miracles, which is some sort of spiritual/metaphysical "thought system" (according to the ACIM website). I'm not sure what their group (religion?) is all about, but the people running this restaurant are the most bubbling, effusively happy men and women on the planet. Don't be surprised if your waiter spontaneously breaks out into song as he carries you your dinner, or if there's dancing behind the counter. Moral of the story: most delightful service ever. Now, the food. The menu is entirely vegetarian (it's part of the ACIM thing) and offers everything from chimichangas to Thai bananas, along with more traditional American fare. All of it is delicious, no exceptions, but I'm especially fond of the beer cheese soup. I promise you will not be disappointed if you visit the Cheese Factory while vacationing in the Dells or make a pit-stop on your next road trip. This place is amazing!
(5)Daniel B.
At first I thought this was the same commercial piece of crap restaurant and I was going to go pee on the door, but I was in for a surprise. This is a quality vegetarian restaurant that even a meat eating person like myself can enjoy. I went with the tried and true Huevos Rancheros I didn't think I would like vegetarian chorizo sausage, but I was wrong...way wrong. It comes, as close to tasting like meat as you can without killing a cow. I like to consider myself somewhat of a Huevos Rancheros expert and this one is in my top 3. Spicy, flavorful, loads of beans and served with a cheesy quesadilla, which is something new, and makes this dish a stand out! The decor is that of a soda parlor and I felt like I traveled back in time when I walked through the door. The place is really bright and happy. I suggest you not go here hung over; you might die from light exposure. Service is borderline Stepford wifeish is how I would put it, just a little creepy. (Maybe it was just our server) It's a great environment for a sun filled breakfast and I would love to give lunch and dinner a try.
(5)Veronica W.
My husband and I had brunch here while in the Dells. The food was fantastic. Our waitress was very nice and the service was great. The desserts on display looked fantastic but I had just devoured the biggest and best blueberry muffin I ever had, Desserts will have to wait till next time. There will be one for sure.
(4)Yoko Y.
Ever see the movie "Pleasantville"? This place is so that. "White Christmas" is playing in the middle of summer, the staff wears dresses and bow ties, and the women's bathroom has tampons and pads perfectly stuffed in a dainty little basket. It's awesome! The place has a main room with a 50's counter, tables, and booths. They also have a beautiful sunroom to dine in. You'll have to walk by a rotating display case of sinfully delicious looking desserts just to get to that room. It's so hard not to stop and stare at the desserts and resist the urge to order everything in it. Anyway, the food is freaking fantastic here! The chimichanga was bible sized and filled with a delicious romesco sauce. Next time, more tofu please! The beer cheese soup was good. The rattlesnake tofu was simple and delicious. And the black beans! If my own black beans could just miraculously come out like theirs. Yum. As for desserts, the coconut cream puff pastry can turn you into a food addict. It's that good. The maple cookie was soft and chewy. The flan was delicious though a bit over cooked on the bottom. You can find many of their dishes in their recipe book. The ones that were fantastic (black beans and chimichanga) have looooong ingredients list. No wonder they taste so good. Bottom line, you must eat here if you're in the Dells!
(5)Mike S.
Vegetarian place with OK food. Beer cheese soup, was different but good. Grilled cheese sandwich was unimpressive, and the "burger" was about equal to a frozen boca burger. Fries were nice and crispy, probably the best part of the meal.
(3)Heather B.
We were in town to visit the water parks and stopped in for dinner on our way out of town. They have a great menu from all over the world. Everything is made from scratch in the restaurant, including their amazing desserts! We had the beer cheese soup to start and then split the Hungarian Goulash. Even though everything on their menu in vegetarian, DO NOT expect a bland meal. They do an amazing job of flavoring all the tofu to taste just like the meat they are substituting. I can't wait to visit again and try more of their delicious food!
(5)Ash M.
Great place for vegetarians. The big cheese sandwich was great was the Spicy Thai Lomein was very delicious. If you are a vegan, do not miss on the Vegan Chocolate Cupcake...it's better than the best I have had before.
(4)David P.
A vegetarian restaurant for non-vegetarian. Amazing array of global flavors from Thai to Middle Eastern to Mexican to Indian in contrast to to the typical burgers and pizza you find elsewhere in the Dells. Reserved the place for a family reunion with some intrepidation. How could everyone possibly be pleased with various tastes and dietary restrictions. But actually everyone ended up going away pleased with a (vegetarian) Reuben sand which for grandpa, lasagna for grandma, pizza for the kids, Mid-East combo for my wife and a distinctive brown rice/avocado/nori bowl for me. Impressive selection of deserts and fountain treats to boot. It would have been nice if they had wines and beers -- it would have been a good compliment to all the great flavors served.
(4)Chris M.
I was in town on business and had an extended break. My family and I went there for lunch. First of all, i didn't know it was a vegetarian joint (although the amount of Priuses in the parking lot should have been a dead giveaway). Not that I was disappointed, it just wasn't what I was expecting (like a burger, perhaps). I tried the rattlesnake tofu and my wife had the soon-to-be-famous grilled cheese sandwich (four cheeses and roma tomatoes). "What's so special about a grilled cheese?", we asked. Something magical about the ingredients and tomatoes (which I normally don't like heated) make for a fantastic combination. It even got written up as one of the countries' best grilled cheese sandwiches recently! One of those pleasant surprises that doesn't happen very often. Anyhow, it was a perfect lunch and a complete pleasure. Way to go, Wisconsin Dells!
(5)Andy O.
We were staying right across the street at the Wilderness Resort. Very convenient. We tried this based on yelp reviews. It was Friday during Lent so some in our party weren't eating meat. Also, there was a child with lactose issues. The child was able to get dairy-free hot chocolate which she really liked. There were many attractive items on the menu. Someone had the portobello sandwich that they really liked. I had the stroganoff and my wife had the goulash. Both were quite good. The bill got kind of high, but we had hot ciders, coffee, hummus and other extras. However, when compared to the poor meal we had the night before we were more than happy with the experience.
(4)Mike S.
The food was good the service was spectacular! The price was a little high for a fam of 4 but the two pieces of cake we took with us was worth it.
(4)Louis C.
Super customer service, wait staff professional and informed, soda fountain with the superior service you had with your grandparents at the local soda fountain (if you're as old as I) seemed like everyone working there could be the owner with all of the excellent customer service and attention, patience with kids and parents having a difficult time deciding, very clean, kind, top-notch food. Can't say enough about this place. Refreshingly polite staff, reasonable prices for high quality fresh food that delivers dine in or take out. Difficult to get a quinoa salad that is this good anywhere, let alone in the Dells. Very impressed with all dishes. East meets west chickpeas, grilled cheese for kids, milk shake, quinoa salad, french fries, dinner slad, raspberry vinaigrette, spanakopita, pita tepanade, 2 cupcakes (they put in 2 birthday candles as a surprise in our takeout bag because we were vacationing on the kids' birthdays). Must note that cupcakes were delicious to kids and Dad (and according to this Mom who is a Baker) and looked cool to the kids, as they were decorated carefully with lollipops, gummi worms, smiley rings and other treats. Hmmm...time to get back there.
(5)j j.
It is SO nice to find a place in a tourist mecca that focuses on quality food. Not everyone wants greasy meat and potatoes, even when on vacation. The cheese factory is vegetarian, which might turn some meat-lovers away. But for anyone who enjoys some vegetables and flavorful food, this is a good choice. There are also vegan and gluten free options available. "Serious scrumptious" is how the coconut thai noodles are described on the menu and that is an accurate description. Desserts are a highlight. The cake slices are humungous and really, really good. The soda fountain with barstools (vanilla cokes anyone?) and whimsically decorated cupcakes make it a fun place to take kids for a treat. The staff are incredibly friendly and the premises are comfortable and inviting. This is a place I could eat almost every day.
(5)Jess A.
The only vegetarian restaurant in Wisconsin Dells!! And man, the food was good! Service was friendly and quick, and the food, well the food was yummy! I would have eaten here every day during my trip if I could have. And seriously, I would have, if we hadn't have been there during the off season and the Cheese Factory was only open Friday through Sundays. Major Bummer. One of the main reasons that I booked a room next door at the Dell Creek Motel was because it was next to this restaurant, and they offered discount coupons. Color me sad to be visiting the Dells during the off season. Only means I have to go back to eat here more!
(5)Michelle C.
I have been a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad Yelper. That alone should tell you how amazing The Cheese Factory Restaurant is for me to run back to my hotel immediately after finishing my delightful meal to tell you about how gloriously wonderful it was. Despite the fact that I am no longer a vegetarian, I eat vegetarian 97.5% of the time or something like that. The rest of the time tends to be when I'm out in a restaurant and the idea of chocking down another uninspired veggie burger or salad makes me want to slit my wrists. Imagine my delight when I logged into Yelp to look for restaurants in Wisconsin Dells and found out that there was a restaurant that served ONLY vegetarian cuisine. For a gal that's been back in the Midwest for a few months after a fabulous stay in California, the idea of a restaurant filled with vegetarian gems all but moved my to tears. For my dinner, I got the Hungarian Goulash. (Our rendition of an Eastern European classic includes scrumptious morsels of vegetables and tofu slowly simmered in a sour-cream paprika sauce. Served with pierogi (potato dumplings) and Bavarian sauerkraut.) It was possibly the most amazing thing I have ever eaten. The rye flavor was very strong but I love rye so this was an added bonus to me. The sauce was delightful and the overall meal was scrumptious. I'm not sure about the other entrees (YET...but I will be eating every meal for the next two days there) but the serving for the Goulash was easily enough to make two meals out of. Unfortunately, I don't have a microwave in my room so my leftovers had to go to waste. This truly saddens me since the food was amazing. Maybe I'll update after I eat there tomorrow but if i don't it's because everything was fabulous and I just can't imagine how you'll live your life without consuming a meal there.
(5)Eric C.
I just got back from a trip to the Dells and was told I had to go check this place out. After yelping it, I agreed it was worth a shot. Background on me - I'm a carnivore who has no problem eating vegetarian. First stop - Friday night dinner. I got the rattlesnake tofu (really wasn't as great as the other reviews make it out to be) along with the Thai stir-fry. The Thai stir-fry was very "meh", it was ok, but nothing I'd want to really order again. One friend got the Spanakopita and loved it, and those who got "The Big Cheese" all agreed it was good, but not as good as it was made out to be for Rachel Ray's Top 5. I also got the Root Beer float and expected some crazy root beer-ness, but instead, got a can of Barq's. Boo. This led to me being somewhat disappointed in Yelp's powers (or I just put the The Cheese Factory up on a a pedestal of Yelp goodness). Sunday lunch: holy crap. I had read Daniel B's review of the Huevos Rancheros, and he is right. This dish was hands down freaking amazing. My mind could not handle the ridiculous flavor packed into this dish. Quesadillas under beans, some chili mix with the vegetarian chorizo, sour cream to smooth it out, delicious. To clarify one thing, basted eggs are pretty much over easy (our waitress didn't know off hand). I also tried the Almond pastry, it was just OK. Sour note: waitress on Sunday just could not understand what I was saying, I had to repeat and point out the dishes on the menu a few times, kind of annoying. Otherwise, everyone else there was super nice and I would definitely stop by here again for lunch next time I'm in the Dells.
(4)Denise H.
This is a MUST if you travel to Wisconsin Dells and you don't want to be stuck with crappy fast-food chain dining.
(5)Bryan B.
Another big thumbs-up! A wide variety of fantastic food, big portions, amazing service, and plenty of options for would-be carnivores. We went on a holiday weekend Friday night and there was hardly anyone there, sad to see, because it's gotta be the best restaurant in the Dells. If you're waiting in line at some crappy Dells restaurant and yelping for somewhere else to go, and you're thinking "Wow, lots of great reviews, but it's VEGETARIAN, what will we do if Dakota can't order chicken nuggets?" Just shut up and try it out, it's awesome. Even lowest-common-denominator Food Network hostess Rachel Ray dug it, (and probably short-changed them on the tip.)
(5)Mindy G.
Went here with kids and hubby. I was so happy to find a veggie place in the Dells. Everything was great. I had a fake bacon sandwich with cheese, almonds, pineapple, and saurkraut. Kids had hummus and grilled cheese. Hubby had a wrap. The server was so nice and even gave my kids pinwheels to play with. It was great to find a healthy place to eat!
(5)Eri K.
What a lovely surprise to find in the Wisconsin Dells! My family and I stopped in for lunch after hearing good things about the restaurant. First, the restaurant is owned and run by a fantastic group of people who are all very passionate about serving their customers with quality and love. All of the food is vegetarian - but you would never know! I have 3 carnivores in my family and they all loved the place. My brother recommends the enchiladas. We all sampled from 6 dishes and 3 desserts - all fantastic. In addition, they have an espresso machine and a real soda fountain - and they know how to use them! Ricard, our waiter from Spain, was an absolute pleasure and was extremely considerate when making suggestions. I ended up loving the dishes so much that I bought The Cheese Factory Restaurant Cookbook. It's full of all of their delicious dishes which include everything from American food (they won an award for one of Rachel Ray's TOP 5 GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICHES), to Mexian, Italian, French, etc. This was quite possibly my favorite stop on our family vacation to Wisconsin.
(5)Kirby H.
Fabulous even meat eaters should love it.
(5)Rebecca Y.
Tucked away in the middle of a tourist trap, I stumbled upon this treasure. The Cheese Factory was a simple delight from the ambiance to the staff to the menu. The restaurant is small but packed with chart including a dated soda fountain. The staff is mostly European. I caught myself saying Thank you in Dutch. The menu was packed with so many wonderful things to choose from. I ordered the broiled polenta served with black beans, salsa, pineapple and grilled plaintains. So incredibly yummy. My girlfriend ordered the pita tapandade served with pesto, feta cheese, zuchinni and tomato. She was in heaven. I simply can't believe I found this place. I will definately be back and only wish it was closer to my home!
(5)Sydney F.
On our way to spa weekend, my girlfriends and I were delighted to find this gem. Delicious treats for a minimal amount of money & quite the selection! I tried the stroganoff and it was delicious! Also had the apple pie & the glorious chocolate cake...which left something to be desired...but the pie was incred!
(3)Katie C.
The reviews on here all right. Simply put, the food is the best I've had in the Dells. I had the cheese ravioli with beet coulis, roasted sweet potatoes, blue cheese crumbles, and toasted walnuts. My boyfriend convinced me to have dessert, and we opted for the Cloud 9, a "heavenly" white chocolate mousse surrounding a piece of devil's food cake and topped with a decadent raspberry sauce. Wow. Now if I could only convince my potential mother-in-law that there are better things to eat in the Dells than buffet pizza, we'd be back...
(5)Brett C.
I can't believe this place exists! I always associate the Wisconsin Dells, or really Wisconsin in general as a meat, cheese and grease kind of town. Anywhere I've been, whether it be, Milwaukee, Madison, Lake Geneva, or Wis Dells, are mostly heavy on all things carnivorous and artery clogging. The Cheese factory on the other hand, defies convention not only by being all vegetarian, and partially vegan, but by providing an organically grown menu as well. The looks of the place reminds me of an old country Inn, or bed and breakfast. Everything is decorated with dark woods, almost has an old lady feel to it, but in a good way. Also the staff there are mostly pushing 50 or 60, so that may have something to do with it too. But I digress... The food here is outstanding, and extremely high quality, fresh, creative, and filling. After discovering this place, I did not want to go anywhere else. For breakfast one day I had the Vegan Sunrise Skillet, and for lunch on a different day I had the Vegan Chimichanga. Both left me feeling stuffed, satisfied, and licking my plate (the true test of a good meal). The service was attentive and friendly, really, if you're struggling to find a vegetarian or vegan place in the dells, this is your safe haven. Lots to choose from, all vegetarian, vegan friendly, healthy, friendly food. Worth every bite. I just wish they were open later. If it wasn't for yelp, I never would have found it though, the name is deceiving.
(5)MR W.
This place is vegetarian only. Ok no biggy I like eggs and cheese and veggies sometimes. The eggs were awful as was everything else. I can't believe the great reviews. blah!
(1)Nicole C.
We were at the Dells for a family vacation and "the girls" went to The Cheese Factory for a late lunch. The place is super cute and it was nice to be at a place that wasn't huge and totally busy with tourists. Our server was great and even allowed us to order an item that isn't available until after 4pm (I think it was around 2PM). We had my neice with us (age 12) and my daughter (15 months) and my sister in law. My daughter had the veggie burger and enjoyed it (Well, what didn't end up on th floor!). The rest of us ordered different items and we shared them: A cup of the beer cheese soup, Rachael Ray's grilled cheese, mushroom stronganoff and eggs moneray. The soup was great, the grilled cheese needed to be cheesier. Our favorites were the Mushroom Stronganoff and the Eggs Moneray. We also enjoyed a chocolate malt and chocolate soda. It was a great meal, maybe a little pricey, but we were on vacation! Thank you Yelp, for stearing us in the right direction!
(5)Cell L.
Absolutely loved this place. Went with my husband who eats gluten free and our two children (one is vegetarian) Staff was very friendly, comfortable seating and cool atmosphere. My husband got the Thai stir fry which he loved and I got the Spanakopita which was wonderful. Great kids menu and they get a prize at the end of the meal. So excited to know of a place we can stop in while traveling that is delicious and healthy. The only suggestion I have for them is to offer more gluten free dessert options.
(5)Roy C.
Vegetarian restaurants should not be this good! If every restaurant put this much love into every dish, I would be 300 lbs. As an avid bacon lover, I want to hate the cheese factory, but their dedication to interesting flavors makes me forget about pigs. Every person visiting the Wis Dells should pay a visit to the cheese factory, if only for the ridiculous desserts. Stop being a hillbilly, order a veggie burrito and tell them D-Ca sent you!
(5)Nick C.
Great atmosphere. Wait staff catered to customers as if they were serving at a 5 star restaurant. Very tasty food! Would go again in a heartbeat.
(5)Beep H.
This place should get one star, but since it's vegan it gets two. The food was terrible and came in bite sized portions. The waiters ignored us for the duration of our stay and were completely uninterested. The food was bland and, I swear, tasted like it was from costco. I mean, it beats ponderosa obviously, but don't have high expectations.
(2)Elina K.
This place is fab-u-lous! What a great option to have in the Dells! Everything we ordered was truly outstanding for the vegans, omnivores and children alike. Here is what I tried: - House Dinner Salad - Middle Eastern Classic - "Tuna" salad sandwich (doesn't taste like actual tuna but gives the same "mouth feel") - "Fisch" and chips (tastes so much like fisch it's creepy) - Kids' Grilled Cheese - Kids' pasta w/marinara sauce (YUM!) - Spiced sweet potato wedges (Soooo good!) - Home style potato wedges - Chocolate cake with ice cream (beautiful and delicious) - Key lime cashew dream cake (who needs cheesecake???) Kids couldn't believe their grilled "cheeze" sandwiches weren't actually "cheese". I am vegan and couldn't believe the "fisch" and chips was totally plant based. I actually got scared I ate fish and called the server over to make sure it wasn't lol! Service was warm and helpful and the manager, chef and server went out of their way to accommodate us and make recommendations. So don't be scared off by the plant-based cuisine. We all agreed it was the best meal we had in a long while.
(5)Justin W.
Ambience is quirky. It's like an old timey diner. The help isn't amazing. They warn you its all vegan but not in an exciting way, more like a scare you away, way. And the waitresses had almost a European vibe, not super excited to help or serve, but available and pleasant enough. The food was actually pretty good, and I'm not a vegetarian. I had the Canadian club sandwich (which includes zero whiskey). All the food of my friends around me looked and smelled really good too. Their deserts all looked really good, although we didn't imbibe. I would go back if I was looking for something healthy or had vegetarian friends that were insistent on the food. Probably not for the atmosphere though.
(2)Amanda G.
The food is consistently good. The service, not so much. The prices are also quite high for what you get. This definitely wasn't an issue for us but the name of the restaurant is a bit misleading as the menu is 100 % vegan, no animal products at all whatsoever. If you are able to look passed the mediocre service, give this place a shot--even if you're not vegetarian or vegan, the food is good! Try the chocolate cupcakes and Italian espresso float. Amazing.
(3)Sang L.
Great cheesecake! It doesn't taste like what you would expect, but good. The place is very cute. The servers are awesome. I would definitely come back.
(5)Bonnie L.
This place is fantastic. While I do agree that the name is a bit misleading since the place is 100% vegan, the food is fantastic. I have seen other people comment here on Yelp about being mislead down an evil Vegan path unbeknownst to them. To that, I say open your mind. Explore new horizons. You might really like this place. There is a lot to like about it. Being vegan, I am always limited to what I can order at restaurants. This place was limitless! That is a bit problematic for me because I can never make a decision to save my life. But the great thing is that there isnt a bad decision to be made here. Once we found out this was 100% vegan, we dined here three times this past weekend. Simply delicious. The first night we split the Mushroom Gnocci and the Flatbread pizza. Both were absolutely wonderful. The Gnocci had a creamy sauce that you make you swear there was dairy in it. The flatbread had wonderfully fresh ingredients on it including Kalamata olives, some greens and a very tasty cashew spread. We had the Carrot Cake for Dessert. It had really wonderful chunks of pineapple and raisins it it. To die for! Next night we tried the Tortada Quesadilla which had awesome chunks of sweet potato and fresh veggies. It also had some faux sausage, not my thing. I picked those out and would omit them next time. Too meaty tasting for my liking! My boyfriend went with an Asian stir fry over rice. Damn delicious. Dessert two nights in a row, we were on vacation after all! We got the Chocolate Layer Cake. We split it and i had to control myself from ordering a second piece. I am a vegan baker so I know how wonderful desserts made without eggs or butter can be and their desserts did not disappoint. Next....breakfast/brunch. I dont like breakfast, even for breakfast. I chose the Big Salad. It was, in fact, Big and it was delectable. It had slivered beets and carrots on it. Alfalfa sprouts, chick peas, raw cashews, sun dried tomatoes among a number of other fresh vegetables. THe dressing was made in house. I could taste a hint of olives in it, maybe? So good. I also got a side of potato wedges. The vacation factor again! My boyfriend went with pancakes. They were really good and had a bit of crunch to them. I think there were flecks of Coconut in them. I could seriously eat coconut on EVERYTHING! Skipped dessert.....but I didnt want to...... I would also like to add that we had the Apple Cider cold spiced drink. That was so refreshing and good. I am going to try to recreate that at home. The service here was impeccable. The people who run this are truly fantastic. I had wonderful conversations with many of the employees while there and I always felt warmth and welcomed. Thank you to everyone at the Cheeze Factory restaurant for giving us top notch food and service this past weekend in the Dells. It is a must try for vegans, vegetarians and carnivores alike.
(5)Diane K.
If you are looking for vegan food in the Dells this is the place to go. Food is amazingly fresh and delicious. Atmosphere comfortable and excellent service. You can have breakfast all day there.
(5)Keerti N.
I had been here a couple of years back. The menu is very different now with vegan, non diary and non GMO products forming the basis of all the menu items. Certainly for non vegetarian its bit of a let down. Having said that it was a delight to know vegies (especially Vegan) can taste so good. Good: The staff is exceptionally good, very polite, accommodating. The menu is very refreshing. Not so good: If you are craving for the conventional american food, this is not the place. They don't even have cheese anywhere in their menu. Recommended: Fried Banana's
(4)Martin K.
Excellent vegan restaurant. I had the tropical chimichanga and it's the best vegetarian dish I've had in a long time! Highly recommended!! A++ restaurant. The service is excellent too. My wife had the rattlesnake tofu and Thai banana. She loved them.
(5)Sarah H.
What an awesome find! We are traveling cross-country and were delighted to find this cruelty-free restaurant. The food was great (I had the Raja Wrap and my fiancé had the open stir fry). The staff was very kind and efficient, and we felt welcome. Fast service, friendly faces and great food. I cannot recommend this vegan treat enough!!
(5)Matt F.
Steer clear. The food here is nothing but microwaved food from the frozen foods section of whole foods. The outside of establishment clearly says "Fresh Homemade Cuisine". This could not be further from the truth. $16 for toaster waffles. Never again.
(1)Lauren S.
Wonderful unique organic options that are all plant based derived even the yummy desserts. Must experience
(5)Natalie C.
Fabulous vegan plant based meals. So delicious and so much attention to detail in each dish. Asian noodle stir fry and chick pea chili were amazing.
(5)Guru N.
Excellent service! Small place, seemed to be family owned. The spiced cider was Excellent. Very distinct flavors of Orange and cinnamon in it , was very refreshing. I had the Raja wrap, well spiced. The tortada my friend had was pretty good too. Worth a visit if you're around!
(5)Amy G.
Great vegan food! Really, the Cheese Factory proved that it IS possible. I enjoyed the five mushroom goulash, with smoked brussel sprouts in lemon sauce as a side dish. The flavors were complex with pleasant textures. A major step up from vegan food I've had in the past at other restaurants. It was great to have vegetables treated with respect and see flavor profiles beyond the usual Asian or Mexican. My server was attentive and the meal leisurely. The name is totally confusing though. The building used to house a cheese store by that name.
(5)Joe W.
We stopped here for some dessert and hot cocoa for our girls. These women were so lovely to our family. Cakes were fantastic and the girls felt special drinking a hot drink out of a real tea cup! Loved the little ACIM notes to wrap up our family fun. The flowers growing up the building were amazing! The banana cake with maple frosting was so good and different.
(5)Victor Z.
My family and i came in to the dells on vacation. Part of our family is vegan and im am not so i was very not interested in eating here cause i want meat but i was willing to give it a try. First impression was not welcoming. We entered an almost empty place with 8 people and a baby in a carrier. The gentleman at the door replied when we said 8 and a baby was we do not have room for a baby... we looked around and wondered how come this place is empty. I really think he didnt mean it and was just a miss on words because they were very friendly. The service was quick and they are quick on request. They where very consistent about asking if we wanted refills or wanted to try a different favor of soda. All of which are natural and made there. I tried the bean and "chorizo" tortada. It was on point and very very good. The serving size huge. More then what a 6 foot 1 225lb man can eat alone. The fake chorizo was great. A little hot sauce and it was perfect. We also had a burger and portabello mushroom all everyone liked. If i had a complaint it would be on the fish and chips dish. Two little fish nugget things that seem they should have been on the kids menu cause that dish was not filling and scrappy. I would also have to say i wish the new york cheese cake was colder and the apple pie had been hot.... it was just warm from being out and when ordered with ice cream which was great missed that hot and cold treat combo. Still must visit every time in the future. I would very much recommend this place to a meat eater and vegans.
(5)Vaishali B.
Awesome food! Very different, speciality food. The menu was all vegetarian, vegan, made of non-genetically engineered, organic food. So, it was top-notch. We ate a lot and still felt light. They had an elaborate menu but it was hard to believe that they could have so many varieties made from speciality. The server was extremely sweet and polite.
(5)Leo Y.
Not a bad place to check out if looking for a healthier option. Their salads, even the side salad that comes with the dinner entrees, are quite nutritious. The entrees, being vegetarian, are healthier versions of the meat equivalents. It wasn't particularity cheap, but I couldn't finish the dinner entrée, so you definitely get your moneys worth. Based on the other choices in the area, this is the only restaurant that I would actually go back to.
(4)Rebekkah R.
I wanted to love the Cheeze Factory. I am always excited to visit new vegan restaurants, and it is difficult to come by completely vegan restaurants in Wisconsin. I believe that this may be the only one. After wanting to visit for almost a year, I finally went, twice in a few days. It was certainly exciting to be able to order anything off of the menu. Having visited multiple times, I was able to try a number of different dishes-- the chicken bacon wafflewich, the tuna salad sandwich, the fish and chips, and the deli sandwich. All of these used different, premade meat substitutes except for the tuna salad, which was by far my favorite. I was a little disappointed being served meat substitutes that I knew I had in my refrigerator at home. Still, everything tasted good and I was glad to go back a second time. I'd also recommend trying the desserts-- the chocolate cake was very chocolatey and moist, better than some non-vegan cakes I've had. I think non-vegans would enjoy their meals here, as well. It's a great place, considering the location and the general lack of vegan (or even vegetarian) food in Wisconsin.
(4)Erin H.
This was romantic, cute, made me feel at home and the food was delicious. Vegetarian everything! Wonderful place...go here!!!
(5)Lds A.
This is one of the places I most enjoy when I am in Wisconsin Dells. Delicious and Fresh vegan food! (You won't even notice), and desserts to die for. The homemade cakes are perhaps the best I've ever tried, no exaggeration!
(5)Maryanna M.
We had a delicious meal here. Everything was perfect. Love love love the carrot cake. A must restaurant in the Dells.
(5)Katherine M.
The best vegan restaurant I've ever eaten at (former vegetarian/often meat free eater) even my 13 hear old and 11 year old ate their food and they are carnivores! The deserts are amazing my cider was great so was the strawberry rhubarb soda, loved my millet breakfast food for dinner. I'd eat here often if I lived in the dells! Great service, nice people, excellent food!
(5)Michelle R.
Amazing place to eat! Freshly made homemade food that tastes great. A true gem amongst all the junk food places in the Dells. The spiced sweet potatoes are soooo good! Vegan and GMO free!
(5)Kathy T.
It was weird to find out the cheesecake factory was all vegan when I walked in. Despite the surprise, the food and the service was good. I also ordered berry bliss cheesecake and it was very filling and delicious. Also, at the end of the meal, they gave me a mint wrapped in religious statements....that was a weird way to end the meal... If I'm back in the area again, I would probably return since the area is full of fast food restaurant that don't offer healthy food.
(4)M. N.
How courageous would it be to open a vegan restaurant in a historically tourist-driven area like Wisconsin Dells? That's what these people did, and hats off to them. From what I can tell the entire Wisconsin Dells area is swarming with families looking for water fun, cheap/not very healthy family eating options, and bright affordable attractions to keep their kids busy, so "risky" is the only word I can use to describe (re)opening a restaurant featuring a (gasp!) vegan menu in this location. Pros: Short or no wait for tables despite good number of people in the dining area, good parking, located just outside the heart of busyness (we like that), beautiful flowers/arrangements outside, clean bathrooms, love their coffee, they have a simple but prolific menu, their dishes are hearty and plentiful and taste great (and we've tasted about 5-10 things on their menu - so lots lots to like here for me and my wife. Cons: I could try to point to some things that aren't my thing - like the paintings on walls, some aspect of decor, the fact that clientele and staff skew older, but in the end these are small things and personal tastes, not so much anything that should be singled out as negative for the general public. So very hard for me to knock a star off, I'd feel like a con-man for doing that :) BUT I have to take off one star for a different reason - and I told the staff this. They have to change the name!! Cheese Factory is by definition NOT vegan!! The staff know this and apparently talk about it, but struggle because the name is historic as the restaurant used to be a Cheese Factory and had a history in the area, so they don't want to lose that history. Tough place to be but my take: don't be partially bold, BE BOLD! Lose the name and let your flag fly, everything else fits except the name, so fix that! I think most people would enjoy eating here, even families that don't have much vegan/vegetarian experience. For any hungry hungry hippos on a budget the prices are good and servings large. It's simply a great/different option that happens to be in the Disneyland of Cheese-land that is Wisconsin Dells Wisconsin ;)
(4)Riya M.
Awesome vegan food!! We were a family of 12 adults. Mix of vegetarians and meat eaters. We wanted to pick a place where everyone would enjoy the food after a long day of jumping, swimming and having fun :) I picked this restaurant thinking they might have some fish and meat varieties as stated in their menu. Was I failed to read was this is a vegan restaurant. they have fish and meat substitutes and not actual fish and meat. When the gentleman explained that its a vegan restaurant some of us decided to go to another place to eat. However, I insisted on at least trying the menu and glad that I did so. Everyone loved the food. The Indian chick-peas curry was amazing. The noodles were nice and moist and the Wrap was as spicy as it could get. Had the best food in Wisconsin. Delicious food without meat. What else can be more tasty and healthy?!!
(5)Lisa B.
This restaurant need to COME TO CHICAGO PLEASE. I visited Wisconsin Dells again during the Memorial Day weekend. I use to always drove past this restaurant, not knowing it was even actually one. Until that one day...my family and I came here. I was kind of hesitant about vegan food because I assume it was no match for non-vegan foods. Boy was I wrong, my family pretty much ordered almost everything off the menu, dinner salad, french toast, fries, desserts, and so on. My family and I tried each other's food and I had to say "I can't believe it's vegan!" I may over exaggerating but I don't care, I'm here in Illinois longing the next time I'm visiting this restaurant again. I have many more food off the menu to try.
(5)Caitlin M.
My mother and I were driving from the Chicago area (where she lives) to Minneapolis (where I just relocated to) last week, and so naturally the Dells is the perfect midday lunch stop. As we made our way from the highway, we were starting to feel disheartened as all we saw were fast food joints and steakhouses. What we really wanted was a lighter lunch, preferably diner-style. That's when we spotted the Cheeze Factory. We went in, and we were really surprised to learn that rather than a diner, it was a Vegan establishment (with a name like "Cheese Factory"!? It seemed to have a bit of an identity crisis as branding alternated between 'Cheese' and 'Cheeze') I ordered the Sicilian Scramble. HOLY MOLY ... Just divine! So many amazing flavors contained in one outstanding dish, and the flatbread it was served with was perfectly toasted with good flavor. I'm normally ambivalent towards tofu, but the way this tofu was seasoned and prepared really made me think I could adopt tofu into my roster of regularly-consumed items. My mother ordered the Daily Flatbread and really loved her dish, as well. The service was impeccable, the environment was clean, and calm jazz standards were piped throughout the dining area, which was a welcome retreat from the hectic pace of highway travel. We left with smiles on our faces and joy in our hearts, feeling refreshed to conquer the remainder of our journey. Perfectly sated; not feeling weighed down or bloated like can sometimes happen with roadfood. Now that we both know it is there and somewhat equidistant to the both of us, I'm sure that we will both be visiting it again on our road trips to visit one another.
(5)M H.
Restaurant is vegetarian as others have posted. We didn't realize it. They really should indicate that outside the restaurant. But we were hungry and decided to give it a go. We ordered the soup and a muffin and fruit. Hubby ate the soup and ended up spending a lot of time in the bathroom for the next 24 hours if you get my drift. Overall we were not impressed and will not return.
(2)Diana E.
Wow wow wow. This place is absolutely incredible! All plant based food, everything was so delicious and the chocolate cake was the best I ever had. My only recommendation is that that they should either change the name of the restaurant as its misleading or they should somehow advertise on the storefront that it is vegan. There were quite a few families that came in while we were dining that were disappointed once they arrived that it was a vegan restaurant. The decor is beautiful, staff so accommodating and overall one of the best restaurants I have ever been to. Worth traveling from NY for!
(5)Richy S.
3rd time was a charm with the Cheese Factory Restaurant, but don't let the name of this place fool you, that means you, you cranky vegan, this place is 100% true to your dietary morals. Now, this would be my 3rd year going back to Wisconsin dells and I have had 2 previous bad experiences here. I must add that, the food is exceptionally good, a bit expensive, but very good. In my previous years, I had servers each year that somehow, forgot what I ordered after they wrote down my order--twice. Yes, twice the order was written down, and still a "screw up." Odd as it was, and at the time, not everything on the menu was vegan, either. However, my experience here again has changed my opinion on the service, and as I aforementioned, the food has always been fantastic. I was assured over and over again from my 4th of July weekend visit that everything is completely vegan. Try the rattlesnake tofu, it's fantastic. Or, dip your mouth into their hummus, because it's one of the best I have ever had. Their shakes and cakes are also, to die for. There is still hope after my last visit, and I assure you, all of you crazy vegans, that you will enjoy this place, too. If you sit down (you can also take orders to go) at this place, the ambiance of your grandmother's kitchen might perpetuate olfactory senses into your nostrils and brain, but its "cute" in that way, and inviting. Promise this is one of those places to visit in the dells.
(5)Wesley H.
Being a critic reviewer, I always points out pros and cons(from my perceptive), here we go. PRO: Awesome environment, feels like at home. Waiter is nice and friendly. It's quite clear he loves working here. Food, is awesome. Tastes good. CON: Well, it's a vegetarian restaurant, not a place for meat lovers Overall, awesome place, will come again.
(5)Meg F.
Great experience. We went for dessert and weren't disappointed. There were four of us and we each got a different dessert to share. The service was perfect. Attentive but not annoying and very friendly. Would definitely go back but would skip the hot chocolate.
(4)Michelle M.
Excellent vegan/vegetarian restaurant--loved the cold spiced cider and the goulash!
(5)Mallika K.
This is one amzing place for all the vegetarians -I am from India and a pure vegetarian. Finding a vegan place that too in Wisconsin dells is like finding water in dessert. Everything which we ordered was perfect. The presentation was amazing and taste was as good as presentation. It is a must go for all.
(5)Zara P.
Great food,nice and clean place,Dells definitely needed a vegan resaurant,not many choices un the other restaurants for vegans.The food was delicious ,my salad was huge and delicious.Definitely will visit again.
(5)NItin S.
I was initially confused with the Name. Thought it was Cheesecake factory (Chain) but it was a independtly owned and operated. Best part was it was completely vegan and Non-GMO restaurant We ordered a Rattle snake tofu for appetizer. I was pleasntly suprised by how well the beans and sauce tasted with the tofu. Asian Medly was quite filling. We tried the Chocolate cake which was quite different in a good way. Tip: One entree can definitely be shared by two, unless you box it for later
(5)Gibran G.
What a great Wisc Dells gem!!! In the land of brats and beer, there is a great healthy option. The food was great and the service matched. I normally do not eat Vegan/ Vegetarian but I might have been converted. My server offered Great recommendations and I loved them all. Will def come back soon.
(5)Keri-Ann W.
We arrived with a party of 7 and didn't know it was vegan. This was not an adventurous crowd so we had to leave. The decor was nice and the gentleman who waited on us was so polite and kind. He even gave the kids pin wheels. I had to try it. We called in a small order later on in our stay and it was so good. I had a mushroom dish, and it had so much flavor. I would go back for sure. They should have a sign or something outside stating it is Vegetarian, I hated having to leave without ordering with such a large group it was a little embarrassing. Even hard-core meat lovers would like it if they have an open mind. Its amazing what you can do with a mushroom.
(4)Joe W.
We stopped here for some dessert and hot cocoa for our girls. These women were so lovely to our family. Cakes were fantastic and the girls felt special drinking a hot drink out of a real tea cup! Loved the little ACIM notes to wrap up our family fun. The flowers growing up the building were amazing! The banana cake with maple frosting was so good and different.
(5)Victor Z.
My family and i came in to the dells on vacation. Part of our family is vegan and im am not so i was very not interested in eating here cause i want meat but i was willing to give it a try. First impression was not welcoming. We entered an almost empty place with 8 people and a baby in a carrier. The gentleman at the door replied when we said 8 and a baby was we do not have room for a baby... we looked around and wondered how come this place is empty. I really think he didnt mean it and was just a miss on words because they were very friendly. The service was quick and they are quick on request. They where very consistent about asking if we wanted refills or wanted to try a different favor of soda. All of which are natural and made there. I tried the bean and "chorizo" tortada. It was on point and very very good. The serving size huge. More then what a 6 foot 1 225lb man can eat alone. The fake chorizo was great. A little hot sauce and it was perfect. We also had a burger and portabello mushroom all everyone liked. If i had a complaint it would be on the fish and chips dish. Two little fish nugget things that seem they should have been on the kids menu cause that dish was not filling and scrappy. I would also have to say i wish the new york cheese cake was colder and the apple pie had been hot.... it was just warm from being out and when ordered with ice cream which was great missed that hot and cold treat combo. Still must visit every time in the future. I would very much recommend this place to a meat eater and vegans.
(5)Vaishali B.
Awesome food! Very different, speciality food. The menu was all vegetarian, vegan, made of non-genetically engineered, organic food. So, it was top-notch. We ate a lot and still felt light. They had an elaborate menu but it was hard to believe that they could have so many varieties made from speciality. The server was extremely sweet and polite.
(5)Leo Y.
Not a bad place to check out if looking for a healthier option. Their salads, even the side salad that comes with the dinner entrees, are quite nutritious. The entrees, being vegetarian, are healthier versions of the meat equivalents. It wasn't particularity cheap, but I couldn't finish the dinner entrée, so you definitely get your moneys worth. Based on the other choices in the area, this is the only restaurant that I would actually go back to.
(4)Rebekkah R.
I wanted to love the Cheeze Factory. I am always excited to visit new vegan restaurants, and it is difficult to come by completely vegan restaurants in Wisconsin. I believe that this may be the only one. After wanting to visit for almost a year, I finally went, twice in a few days. It was certainly exciting to be able to order anything off of the menu. Having visited multiple times, I was able to try a number of different dishes-- the chicken bacon wafflewich, the tuna salad sandwich, the fish and chips, and the deli sandwich. All of these used different, premade meat substitutes except for the tuna salad, which was by far my favorite. I was a little disappointed being served meat substitutes that I knew I had in my refrigerator at home. Still, everything tasted good and I was glad to go back a second time. I'd also recommend trying the desserts-- the chocolate cake was very chocolatey and moist, better than some non-vegan cakes I've had. I think non-vegans would enjoy their meals here, as well. It's a great place, considering the location and the general lack of vegan (or even vegetarian) food in Wisconsin.
(4)Erin H.
This was romantic, cute, made me feel at home and the food was delicious. Vegetarian everything! Wonderful place...go here!!!
(5)Lds A.
This is one of the places I most enjoy when I am in Wisconsin Dells. Delicious and Fresh vegan food! (You won't even notice), and desserts to die for. The homemade cakes are perhaps the best I've ever tried, no exaggeration!
(5)Maryanna M.
We had a delicious meal here. Everything was perfect. Love love love the carrot cake. A must restaurant in the Dells.
(5)Katherine M.
The best vegan restaurant I've ever eaten at (former vegetarian/often meat free eater) even my 13 hear old and 11 year old ate their food and they are carnivores! The deserts are amazing my cider was great so was the strawberry rhubarb soda, loved my millet breakfast food for dinner. I'd eat here often if I lived in the dells! Great service, nice people, excellent food!
(5)Michelle R.
Amazing place to eat! Freshly made homemade food that tastes great. A true gem amongst all the junk food places in the Dells. The spiced sweet potatoes are soooo good! Vegan and GMO free!
(5)Kathy T.
It was weird to find out the cheesecake factory was all vegan when I walked in. Despite the surprise, the food and the service was good. I also ordered berry bliss cheesecake and it was very filling and delicious. Also, at the end of the meal, they gave me a mint wrapped in religious statements....that was a weird way to end the meal... If I'm back in the area again, I would probably return since the area is full of fast food restaurant that don't offer healthy food.
(4)M. N.
How courageous would it be to open a vegan restaurant in a historically tourist-driven area like Wisconsin Dells? That's what these people did, and hats off to them. From what I can tell the entire Wisconsin Dells area is swarming with families looking for water fun, cheap/not very healthy family eating options, and bright affordable attractions to keep their kids busy, so "risky" is the only word I can use to describe (re)opening a restaurant featuring a (gasp!) vegan menu in this location. Pros: Short or no wait for tables despite good number of people in the dining area, good parking, located just outside the heart of busyness (we like that), beautiful flowers/arrangements outside, clean bathrooms, love their coffee, they have a simple but prolific menu, their dishes are hearty and plentiful and taste great (and we've tasted about 5-10 things on their menu - so lots lots to like here for me and my wife. Cons: I could try to point to some things that aren't my thing - like the paintings on walls, some aspect of decor, the fact that clientele and staff skew older, but in the end these are small things and personal tastes, not so much anything that should be singled out as negative for the general public. So very hard for me to knock a star off, I'd feel like a con-man for doing that :) BUT I have to take off one star for a different reason - and I told the staff this. They have to change the name!! Cheese Factory is by definition NOT vegan!! The staff know this and apparently talk about it, but struggle because the name is historic as the restaurant used to be a Cheese Factory and had a history in the area, so they don't want to lose that history. Tough place to be but my take: don't be partially bold, BE BOLD! Lose the name and let your flag fly, everything else fits except the name, so fix that! I think most people would enjoy eating here, even families that don't have much vegan/vegetarian experience. For any hungry hungry hippos on a budget the prices are good and servings large. It's simply a great/different option that happens to be in the Disneyland of Cheese-land that is Wisconsin Dells Wisconsin ;)
(4)Riya M.
Awesome vegan food!! We were a family of 12 adults. Mix of vegetarians and meat eaters. We wanted to pick a place where everyone would enjoy the food after a long day of jumping, swimming and having fun :) I picked this restaurant thinking they might have some fish and meat varieties as stated in their menu. Was I failed to read was this is a vegan restaurant. they have fish and meat substitutes and not actual fish and meat. When the gentleman explained that its a vegan restaurant some of us decided to go to another place to eat. However, I insisted on at least trying the menu and glad that I did so. Everyone loved the food. The Indian chick-peas curry was amazing. The noodles were nice and moist and the Wrap was as spicy as it could get. Had the best food in Wisconsin. Delicious food without meat. What else can be more tasty and healthy?!!
(5)Lisa B.
This restaurant need to COME TO CHICAGO PLEASE. I visited Wisconsin Dells again during the Memorial Day weekend. I use to always drove past this restaurant, not knowing it was even actually one. Until that one day...my family and I came here. I was kind of hesitant about vegan food because I assume it was no match for non-vegan foods. Boy was I wrong, my family pretty much ordered almost everything off the menu, dinner salad, french toast, fries, desserts, and so on. My family and I tried each other's food and I had to say "I can't believe it's vegan!" I may over exaggerating but I don't care, I'm here in Illinois longing the next time I'm visiting this restaurant again. I have many more food off the menu to try.
(5)Caitlin M.
My mother and I were driving from the Chicago area (where she lives) to Minneapolis (where I just relocated to) last week, and so naturally the Dells is the perfect midday lunch stop. As we made our way from the highway, we were starting to feel disheartened as all we saw were fast food joints and steakhouses. What we really wanted was a lighter lunch, preferably diner-style. That's when we spotted the Cheeze Factory. We went in, and we were really surprised to learn that rather than a diner, it was a Vegan establishment (with a name like "Cheese Factory"!? It seemed to have a bit of an identity crisis as branding alternated between 'Cheese' and 'Cheeze') I ordered the Sicilian Scramble. HOLY MOLY ... Just divine! So many amazing flavors contained in one outstanding dish, and the flatbread it was served with was perfectly toasted with good flavor. I'm normally ambivalent towards tofu, but the way this tofu was seasoned and prepared really made me think I could adopt tofu into my roster of regularly-consumed items. My mother ordered the Daily Flatbread and really loved her dish, as well. The service was impeccable, the environment was clean, and calm jazz standards were piped throughout the dining area, which was a welcome retreat from the hectic pace of highway travel. We left with smiles on our faces and joy in our hearts, feeling refreshed to conquer the remainder of our journey. Perfectly sated; not feeling weighed down or bloated like can sometimes happen with roadfood. Now that we both know it is there and somewhat equidistant to the both of us, I'm sure that we will both be visiting it again on our road trips to visit one another.
(5)M H.
Restaurant is vegetarian as others have posted. We didn't realize it. They really should indicate that outside the restaurant. But we were hungry and decided to give it a go. We ordered the soup and a muffin and fruit. Hubby ate the soup and ended up spending a lot of time in the bathroom for the next 24 hours if you get my drift. Overall we were not impressed and will not return.
(2)Diana E.
Wow wow wow. This place is absolutely incredible! All plant based food, everything was so delicious and the chocolate cake was the best I ever had. My only recommendation is that that they should either change the name of the restaurant as its misleading or they should somehow advertise on the storefront that it is vegan. There were quite a few families that came in while we were dining that were disappointed once they arrived that it was a vegan restaurant. The decor is beautiful, staff so accommodating and overall one of the best restaurants I have ever been to. Worth traveling from NY for!
(5)Richy S.
3rd time was a charm with the Cheese Factory Restaurant, but don't let the name of this place fool you, that means you, you cranky vegan, this place is 100% true to your dietary morals. Now, this would be my 3rd year going back to Wisconsin dells and I have had 2 previous bad experiences here. I must add that, the food is exceptionally good, a bit expensive, but very good. In my previous years, I had servers each year that somehow, forgot what I ordered after they wrote down my order--twice. Yes, twice the order was written down, and still a "screw up." Odd as it was, and at the time, not everything on the menu was vegan, either. However, my experience here again has changed my opinion on the service, and as I aforementioned, the food has always been fantastic. I was assured over and over again from my 4th of July weekend visit that everything is completely vegan. Try the rattlesnake tofu, it's fantastic. Or, dip your mouth into their hummus, because it's one of the best I have ever had. Their shakes and cakes are also, to die for. There is still hope after my last visit, and I assure you, all of you crazy vegans, that you will enjoy this place, too. If you sit down (you can also take orders to go) at this place, the ambiance of your grandmother's kitchen might perpetuate olfactory senses into your nostrils and brain, but its "cute" in that way, and inviting. Promise this is one of those places to visit in the dells.
(5)Wesley H.
Being a critic reviewer, I always points out pros and cons(from my perceptive), here we go. PRO: Awesome environment, feels like at home. Waiter is nice and friendly. It's quite clear he loves working here. Food, is awesome. Tastes good. CON: Well, it's a vegetarian restaurant, not a place for meat lovers Overall, awesome place, will come again.
(5)Meg F.
Great experience. We went for dessert and weren't disappointed. There were four of us and we each got a different dessert to share. The service was perfect. Attentive but not annoying and very friendly. Would definitely go back but would skip the hot chocolate.
(4)Michelle M.
Excellent vegan/vegetarian restaurant--loved the cold spiced cider and the goulash!
(5)Mallika K.
This is one amzing place for all the vegetarians -I am from India and a pure vegetarian. Finding a vegan place that too in Wisconsin dells is like finding water in dessert. Everything which we ordered was perfect. The presentation was amazing and taste was as good as presentation. It is a must go for all.
(5)Zara P.
Great food,nice and clean place,Dells definitely needed a vegan resaurant,not many choices un the other restaurants for vegans.The food was delicious ,my salad was huge and delicious.Definitely will visit again.
(5)Jay K.
What a wonderful place! We were looking for something different on vacation. Not just a "vegetarian restaurant" but a FABULOUS restaurant that just happens to serve vegetarian food. Believe me, you won't miss the meat. We ate there twice in 2 days it was so good. Enjoyed the hungarian goulash, the beer cheese soup and the carrot ginger soup was so good I bought the cook book. Wonderful service and staff. very friendly and just a pleasurable place to eat. Go. you will love it.
(5)Jim S.
Big Cheese was awesome
(4)Monkean M.
We were in the Dells for a recent vacation. We decided to try the Cheese Factory, since it offered Vegan and Gluten-Free options, which is important to us. This restaurant has the best selection of Gluten-Free and Vegan choices we have seen. The food was very tasty and the service was good. I only have two complaints: 1) the prices are a little high, and 2) there are no Gluten-Free dessert options. Despite that, we went there two days in a row.
(4)Richard H.
This is the place to go for vegetarian that makes it main stream. We had the Hummus wrap that was exploding with fresh vegetables surrounding a light creamy hummus core. The dessert selection should be against the law it was so good, so leave room!
(4)Madeleine N.
Such an awesome restaurant. Great local flavor. LOOOOVE the beer cheese soup. Check the hours in the winter because they are closed some days.
(5)Mike F.
Awesome food but had ravioli and had to return in because it was cold. When they brought back another plate it was hot and it was absolutely wonderful. I will be coming back! Service is decent but bit slow well worth the wait.
(5)Gabriel S.
Great vegitarian food. Their breakfasts are the best but they have a killer curry and eggplant app. I would love to try everything on the menu. On a 4 day trip we went there 3 times. If you want something fresh and dont eat meat this place is for you. They were a Rec from yelp to me and it was dead on Vegitarian heaven and solid good food for those who dabble in not eathing meat as well.
(5)Catherine S.
What a delightful surprise! Healthy, fresh, well-prepared vegetarian fare - who'da thunk? While the name is completely misleading, the lovely garden out front gives a hint of what's inside. You'll know immediately upon walking in that it's not your typical WisDells fare. High ceilings, wooden floors and lots of natural light, great hand-painted murals everywhere, authentic old fashioned soda counter. Best dish at our table was the Mediterranean Medley grilled pita wedges, chickpea patties, quinoa, tomato and hummus, wedge of fresh feta - it was absolutely beautiful and delicious. I enjoyed the 'Manic Organic' veggie open faced sandwich with a mesclun, beet, carrot and sunflower seed salad and blue corn tortilla chips. And kid friendly, too! Off the kids menu (complete with word search and crayons), my girls had spaghetti with red sauce that was declared 'the best ever' and a grilled cheese sandwich. They split a raspberry-banana-pineapple-soymilk smoothie. I couldn't believe it - healthy food, going down without protest, in the Dells! At the end of the meal, the waiter brought them each a pinwheel. It was a delightful and unexpected bonus - a completely apropos finish to a delightful and unexpected treat of a meal. Postscript: the desserts looked absolutely stellar, but we didn't wanto to overdo it en route to the waterpark. If we'd been there another day, we'd have gone back from just dessert. I was eyeing the sabayon with strawberries. There were spectacular mile-high layer cakes of every kind, Key Lime pie, cupcakes. They all looked great.
(5)Brett W.
Great food if a little slow on the day I was there. However, it was worth the wait. And to be fair, they'd just gotten slammed with a capacity crowd when we walked in. I highly recommend this Vegan/Vegetarian restaurant for the Non-vegetarian eater. Its a great introduction into how good a meal can be sans meat.
(5)Rick H.
On the way to The Cheese Factory I was very skeptical. I'm a man who eats some kind of meat for almost every meal, so the fact that this is a vegetarian restaurant put me outside of my usual habits. I got there and ordered a quesadilla and my stars was I surprised. This was one of the most delicious meals of my life. So fresh and full of flavor. They were loaded with cheese, peppers, and onions. It came with salsa and black beans. Worth every penny! Next time I'm in the Wisconsin Dells I'm stopping here for sure. The atmosphere is 50's style and it's a nice quiet place to have a meal. This place is authentic and quaint, which is surprising because it's right on Highway 12 with the other "touristaurants".
(5)Nick J.
Fantastic! Without a doubt the tastiest best quality food in the dells! Exemplary and friendly service! Great chimichanga! Excellent breakfasts! So nice to escape from all the other shoddy offerings in the dells. Have been there 4 times now.
(5)Ladybird G.
Great vegetarian fare, wonderful hosts and a nice change to the unhealthy options in Wisconsin Dells. Wish we were in town longer to go for a second meal; it was hard to choose. Great Vienesse cafe (would love to know what beans they're using), raspberry shake, rattlesnake tofu... everything was just great. Would recommend that they add "vegetarian food" on their signage. I think they would get more people coming in. The only way I found out about about it was by searching for "vegetarian" on yelp. Thanks, Yelp, for helping me find the Cheese Factory Restaurant. Next time we're in or near the Dells, we'll be sure to stop by!
(5)Trent T.
Really nice place. Super friendly staff with great food in a charming setting. Very kid friendly, and they even worked with us to serve my son, who has multiple food allergies.
(5)NItin S.
I was initially confused with the Name. Thought it was Cheesecake factory (Chain) but it was a independtly owned and operated. Best part was it was completely vegan and Non-GMO restaurant We ordered a Rattle snake tofu for appetizer. I was pleasntly suprised by how well the beans and sauce tasted with the tofu. Asian Medly was quite filling. We tried the Chocolate cake which was quite different in a good way. Tip: One entree can definitely be shared by two, unless you box it for later
(5)Gibran G.
What a great Wisc Dells gem!!! In the land of brats and beer, there is a great healthy option. The food was great and the service matched. I normally do not eat Vegan/ Vegetarian but I might have been converted. My server offered Great recommendations and I loved them all. Will def come back soon.
(5)Keri-Ann W.
We arrived with a party of 7 and didn't know it was vegan. This was not an adventurous crowd so we had to leave. The decor was nice and the gentleman who waited on us was so polite and kind. He even gave the kids pin wheels. I had to try it. We called in a small order later on in our stay and it was so good. I had a mushroom dish, and it had so much flavor. I would go back for sure. They should have a sign or something outside stating it is Vegetarian, I hated having to leave without ordering with such a large group it was a little embarrassing. Even hard-core meat lovers would like it if they have an open mind. Its amazing what you can do with a mushroom.
(4)Katrina T.
We were surprised to find that this place was entirely vegan and GMO-free, especially given the name. My tween balked but eventually settled on pancakes and like them. There was a lot of fake "meat" on the menu, but three of us had other things and all enjoyed them. I had a sampler with dal, fried bananas, sweet potatoes, rice pilaf, and sauteed veggies, and it was delicious. Also the BBQ tofu appetizer, yum. Good, friendly service. At the end they gave us mints wrapped in religious statements, which as an odd end to the meal, but not enough to keep me from going back.
(4)Amber B.
AMAZING restaurant!!!! Highly recommend. My boyfriend hates tofu, but ate his whole meal thinking it was meat, and then I surprised him and told him it was tofu haha! Organic, gluten free selections and friendly staff. MUST COME HERE if you visit the dells!
(5)Brian F.
Excellent lunch here. Rattlesnake tofu had good flavor. Hummus chili good. Fried banana good. Black beans good. Carrot cake and banana crunch cake were phenomenal.
(5)T K.
The best restaurant in the dells--and wonderful for vegans and vegetarians! Relaxing ambiance, attentive and kind servers, and creative eclectic world cuisine. The Asian stir fries with coconut milk and mushroom gnocchi goulash were delicious. I also highly recommend the lunch sandwiches and inventive breakfasts. Meat eaters won't feel deprived at all.
(5)Loden C.
1. IT DOESNT SERVE CHEESE! The place has become completely vegan. Vegetarian was one this but vegan limits them so much. 2. The Food I ordered was sub par and it all looks the same. Bottom line is, don't come here. :) the only upsides are that they have nice waiters and the place is very clean. Edit: I decided to change my review a bit because I remember the experience being pretty fun. Honestly just trying to figure out how they made things like hot dogs and whatnot without using meat was kinda cool. If you want just an experience then I would recommend going here honestly. It just really wasn't for me.
(2)Michelle L.
Please know they only serve vegan food so children will not be happy. My son didn't eat ... Our dinner was outstanding. Rajas Wrap is worth driving back to the Dells just to eat. Delicious.
(5)K V.
I try not to let the context of a restaurant influence my ratings, but the fact that is a place where you can get good, healthy food that kids will eat-- IN THE DELLS (where the average meal is 1500+ calories of fried whatever) is pretty mind blowing. The fact that it is vegan is incidental to me. I went with three 11-year old boys for a late lunch after a weekend at the Wilderness (this restaurant is practically in their parking lot, which is all the more bizarre). Did not tell them it was vegan or healthy. It was funny when we walked in-- the hostess greeted us and said "and are you aware..."-- I had to cut her off before she warned us about it being vegan, so the kids would not bug out! So the kids got a burger, a hot dog, and nuggets. They thought the place was strange enough that everything was organic, but they never figured out they weren't eating meat and ate everything. The kid with the burger said it was "really good... especially considering it was organic" (like he figured it would be worse if it were organic). So overall it's what I would normally give 4 stars (my "healthy, wealthy, and wise" combo was great), but the fact that its in the Dells where I have to imagine that at least a couple of times a day folks are turning on their heels as soon as they find out its vegan earns it an extra star (for my 2nd ever 5-star review). Only suggestion might be to "bump up" the atmosphere a little... seemed a bit "grandma-ish" from an ambiance perspective (c'mon, we were wearing paper moose antlers the night before at the pizza place...)
(5)Karl W.
I am thankful to have discovered Yelp, I have been vacationing at the Dells every year for the last 17 years and never thought to dine here until I read the reviews. A very odd man served our table with an accent that I couldn't quite distinguish and made us felt a bit uncomfortable. The food on the other hand is outstanding, fresh and very tasty. Portions are medium to small in size, everyone at our table easily finished our meals. Highlights include the Grilled Cheese sandwich which everyone raves about including Rachel Ray (see feature inside the menu) and the beer cheese soup and the mushroom ravioli. We all left very pleased and the children got free pinwheels for the ride home.
(5)Jayaraman B.
One of the best places I ever ate. 5 stars coz of service, taste and for being non gmo. Can't believe vegan food can soo good. Chef here is a genius. Had the chimichanga which was like Meade in heaven. Have also tried the Asian medley, carrot cake, apple pie, strawberry cheese cake which was lip smacking and a hummus appetizer. Will keep going here when ever we get a chance.
(5)Gordon M.
I'm really torn. On the one hand, if this were named "Tofuland" or "Vegan-Hut" or something, I never would have gone in. But on the other hand, the food was delicious. But come on! It's called the Cheese Factory Restaurant, and they don't serve cheese. Seriously, every person I've told about this experience has thought it strange. So while I feel I was tricked into eating here, in the end it was a good experience that I wouldn't have had if it were more appropriately named. Thus, I remain torn on how I feel about this place.
(4)Colleen M.
In the wasteland of overpriced, crappy Sysco food that is the Dells, The Cheese Factory is the light at the end of the tunnel. Seriously, this is the only place worth eating in the area. Yes, the name is deceiving as they don't have cheese/meat/beer, the things my little Wisconsin-shaped heart craves but please give them a chance. I made the mistake of giving a new place a shot last weekend, I won't say their name but it's a brewery with a large antlered animal in the name. The beer was good! We had a pitcher of the milk stout and honestly we should have stuck to that. The food was so bad and had the texture of being over microwaved because it was chewy and oddly crunchy on the sides. As we were driving out we passed The Cheese Factory and my heart broke and my wallet cried. How could I have forgotten?! Oh well, next time. And any other time after that. Why you should go: - Their food is great! It tastes fresh and has a lot of flavor. I like the mushroom stroganoff and a Mexican dish that I'm forgetting the name of that has cornbread and cactus. - The portions are filling. A good bang for your buck. - The staff is always very sweet! - They have an old fashioned soda bar with ice cream drinks and heavenly desserts. - An old juke box! - The ambiance is sort of old school, like a diner and there are paintings from some Old World Fair on the walls. The best part is, is that it's not overly cluttered with brightly colored crap like the rest if the Dells. It is somehow more peaceful. I don't have kids but I know they like flashy things and therefore may not like/might be confused by this restaurant. But open your children up to the tasty cuisines of other cultures it will help their worldview. Anyways, I love you Cheese Factory and I'll see you next time.
(5)Greg R.
Super kid friendly. The service was amazing. The kids declared it the best restaurant they have ever been to! We will definitely go back.
(5)Ellie B.
An all vegetarian (and vegan friendly) restaurant in the Dells might seem laughable and out of place to some, but this place is killing it. When my friends and I heard about this place's existence, we made a point of visiting for lunch. The service was great, food came out super fast, and it was incredibly flavorful and filling. Their rattlesnake tofu and beer cheese soup are spot on. I fell in love with the seitan Reuben and could eat it every day. They have an extensive dessert menu, too and a rotating case of them to tempt you. Grab one of the restaurant cookbooks for sale because you'll totally want to make a vat of the beer cheese soup all for yourself!
(4)Scott R.
I'm a carnivore who enjoys his meat. Therefore, I wasn't doing back flips when I found out I would be dinning at a vegetarian restaurant. I ordered a cup of the beer cheese soup and the Big Cheese sandwich which is endorsed by Rachel Ray's face taking up a quarter of the menu saying so. The sandwich is made of three slices of sliced sourdough bread, sharp cheddar, Swiss, and Romano cheeses, and includes two Roma tomatoes. My take is the bread overwhelms the sandwich and the three cheeses do not complemented each other. They were melted but semi-solid and not cheesy gooey like most prefer their grill cheese sandwiches.
(2)Sadie T.
A vegetarian joint that will make you forget about meat. Cool and inventive options, like a chimichanga (AMAZING sauce!), and a "ham" and cheese quiche that was out of this world. The prices are quite reasonable. Nice side salad. Overall really high quality ingredients! They also have shakes and ice cream sundaes, and a lot of different cakes to choose from. So get dessert! Very casual diner-esque enviroment. I went twice, once for dinner and then for lunch the next day. The server at dinner was in a little dream world and was very slow, didn't refill water until we asked for the check, then she refilled the water saying "water is good for you" and then never brought the check - we had to go to the register! At lunch our server was friendly and very fast, she had to deal with a lot of tables at the lunch rush and many had to get back to the conference-she had a lot on her plate and she looked like this was a new experience for her, but she did really well! Go. Yum yum.
(5)Bernice R.
I didn't think it could be done but it's true.... The Cheese Factory Restaurant made me forget I was a carnivore! Where do I start?! My taste buds danced- no, RAVED, in my mouth every bite I took! I loved every single item in the smorgasbord of appetizers me and my fiance ordered. We split the dinner soup/salad combo and shared three different appetizers. Pretty clever, right? My man's cheese/beer soup was so delicious and it had subtle flavors of spices, veggies, and of course cheese and beer. My salad was equally amazing and I loved the fresh alpha alpha sprouts and the abundance of other veggies that graced my plate! As for the appetizers........................ sorry, I had to wipe the drool from my mouth before I started typing again. MY GOSH, I never would have thought these dishes would have appeared in Wisconsin Dells. So much flavor. So unique. So awesome I've decided this is the place to go every time I visit! Rattlesnake Tofu- Great texture and spiced flavor in the tofu and it was tasty with or without the homemade bbq sauce. And the black beans that accompanied it... muah! Thai Bananas- savory, sweet, creamy, crunchy... I didn't know what to think, except that its everything you want in an appetizer and or dessert! Baked Goat Cheese- soft whole garlic, capers, peppers, and sough dough bread. Did it work... OH YES, YES IT DID! And to top things off, the service is outstanding! Polite, attentive, and prompt! :D
(5)Lillie Z.
Holy amazeballs. I don't care too much for purely vegetarian foods but if they all tasted like this, I would totally go vegan. The grilled cheese was just as good as people said; the beer cheese soup was DIVINE (seriously a must try); and the spanakopita was perfectly crumbly and rich in flavor. Had my birthday dinner here (there's a jukebox!) and they sang me happy birthday and I had the best (GIANT SIZED) raspberry sorbet.
(5)Kim B.
The only reason I knew this restaurant was vegetarian was because of the Yelp reviews. If I didn't do my research ahead of time I probably wouldn't even have noticed. The food was that good. Came with a large group and we were seated almost immediately. All of the servers here were friendly and polite. On a side note, don't be scared off by the assortment of religious books at the entrance to the restaurant and the fact that Rachael Ray recommended it. The staff were all very nice and the food is actually good. My boyfriend and I split the famous Rachael Ray-recommended grilled cheese sandwich and fries. The sandwich was not your ordinary grilled cheese: it had three different types of cheese and tomato slices. The flavors were good and the bread was grilled perfectly. What really impressed our group were the desserts.. we ordered one of each dessert and all of them were good! In one visit, we tried carrot, cloud 9, chocolate and key lime. Like I said before, everything was good but my favorite would have to be the Cloud 9 cake. It's chocolate cake covered in white mousse. Ordinarily, I don't care for that much whipped topping but it was light and creamy and perfect. The Cheese Factory is definitely on my list of restaurants to visit next time I'm in the Dells.
(4)Bill P.
Breakfast theatre is my favorite! This show started off with a van-load of tourists who crammed the entryway as they scoffed at the idea of waiting 10-15 minutes for this relatively small restaurant to allow the only other large group to finish their meal. Lesson: don't be a van-load of tourists and come here without some advance notice. After taking that opportunity to grab some nice pictures in the beautiful garden areas surrounding the restaurant, we entered a cozy and clean cafe environment surely better for not seating the van people. Parties of 4 or less should have no problem here. I love the story of this being a church project. It's the kind of place you wouldn't mind sending food back to the kitchen to be cooked more, or in our case...cut into quarters. Lesson: don't expect any available steak knives at a vegetarian restaurant. Gotta say, the most charming aspect of this place wasn't the sincerely gracious host or the dedication to provide the Dells area with a thoughtfully conceived and prepared alternative menu. It was our nearly blind waitress. She made me smile, and then eventually laugh. Initially it was when I watched her use the calculator to prepare someone's bill with her nose mere inches away from it. Then when she thought their business card on our table was a coupon. Lastly, I was tickled pink when she grabbed my cup and poured some really good coffee on the floor. That's the kind of stuff I go back for...but only when the meals I'm served are executed well. My favorite was the Portobello mushroom sandwich (steak knife segue), followed closely by the coffee and rolls, then the rattlesnake tofu appetizer (which ate like a southwestern omelette) and then the beer cheese soup. Also cool was leaving a restaurant full of food smells, then getting a parting shot of the fragrant fresh flowers as we walked towards the parking lot. Thanks for the olfactory cleanse!
(5)karen r.
Thought the restaurant would be open to serving people with food allergies given they serve vegan food. But their menu makes it sound like they are not willing to accommodate you. Being vegan is a choice that I can respect. Food allergies are not a choice. Wish they could at least try to support those with food allergies.
(1)Lynn L.
NO CHEESE at the Cheese Factory! The #1 fact to know before selecting this restaurant is that this is a VEGAN restaurant. They offer many gluten-free items and are working to eliminate all GMOs. I was impressed that the employee greeting customers at the door always asked if the group had been there before was familiar with their menu. The restaurant was recommended by my vegetarian SIL, although she noted she had not eaten here since it converted from vegetarian to vegan. My hubby, kids and I are *not* vegetarian/vegan. My SIL and I both ordered the Tropical Chimichanga and were both a bit disappointed. We found it to be "one-note" with little flavor except for the fruit on top. I requested tobacco sauce to add flavor. I was able to sample the "sausage" and did not like it at all. I also sampled the "tuna salad," which tasted like a mild potato salad - it was fine, but nothing I would order in the future. My hubby ordered the Sicilian Scramble and thought it was flavorless, except for the grilled flatbread which came out partly black and tasted burnt. He left hungry. We didn't order desserts, although they were very attractive. The staff was extremely friendly and they were SO nice to our young kids! Although I enjoy an interesting vegetarian meal, I would not return unless my SIL wanted to dine here. She never gets to pick the restaurant, as the rest of us love our meat!
(2)Timothy K.
This place is a true original and worth a stop if you are in The Dells. With all the bigger-than-life nonsense in the area it was quite a breath of fresh air. We were on our way to Milwaukee and my traveling companion said that this place was a "must stop". I totally understand why. From the pretty blue building and flower beds in the front to the soda-jerk in a bow tie, this place was perfection. The staff were quiet and attentive. They were flexible with our needs, kind to a fault, spoke with a bit of an accent which adds to the charm of the place, and the host spent a little time with me at the end to make sure that my companion and I enjoyed ourselves. Each one went above and beyond. Now, you should know that it's a vegetarian place. It's unfortunately named, but it is inside what used to be a cheese factory. I can imagine someone walking in without knowing. That can go one of two ways. "Oh, this looks good. Let's have that!" or "Um... why can't I have a burger?" It being smack-dab in the middle of Touristville, WI, I suspect it's the former more often than not. The rattlesnake tofu had some lovely grill marks and was perfectly cooked. The beans on the side were amazing and if I wasn't afraid it might sting a bit, I would bathe in that smokey salsa. We also shared the Vegetable Boat which was a collection of veggies, the same lovely tofu as the rattlesnake, and a Romesco sauce that I'm going to be spending the next few weeks learning how to make. So good. The broccoli was crisp, the onions were sweet, and we cleaned the plate. OH! I almost forgot the piña colada and mango soy-bet shake. Holy crap. I wish I would have known that there was a separate vegan menu, but that's my only complaint. I'm an omnivore, but I like to know all my options. (you know, because of the whole "omni" part).
(5)NunYa B.
Just pull over! And go in! Delicious food from my entree to the decadent dessert. And to think I almost passed on dessert. Ordered to go and the customer service was friendly and patient as I drooled while deciding on what dessert to take with me. My entree (healthy wealthy and wise) had a tasty chickpea chilli. The raspberry cheesecake was devoured with in seconds. Wish I were in town longer to visit this local non chain restaurant once more.
(5)Nessie V.
Surprisingly good, for the middle of nowhere or not. Looking at the menu, I see a lot of bold and unusual options for a veg place. Often when I go to a place like this, it's best to avoid the ethnic dishes or other extravagant choices, and they are many times miserable mockery of the original dish. This is NOT the case here. The spicy banana-coconut-peanut sauce appetizer was superb. The chickpea stew had a good mid-east flavor (as opposed to merely being chana masala). The Thai lo mein was excellent, as was the Malaysian noodles. And of course the chocolate cupcake was quality. They seem to pay attention to each ingredient, The cabbage was grilled. The nuts were roasted and caramelized in some kind of sauce. The hot drinks were very good quality and flavor. I also tried a phosphate, which I could not distinguish from an Italian soda. Staff is super nice. They do seem to be affiliated with a religious group, but you wouldn't know unless you dug through the books on display by the host station. The only drawbacks were that they only had 1 1/2 vegan options for breakfast, and the portobello sandwich was just meh for me (I liked the one at the Barn better). But there are many other fantastic options other than that sandwich to try here, so that's not so bad. I definitely will eat here again. And so should you.
(5)Jason L.
Enjoyed it very much, smaller feel with what felt like a lot of pride of ownership and very friendly staff. I like meat, wife and kids don't eat meat for most part. Split some different things, grilled cheese very good, quesadilla excellent! Kids liked meals, vanilla coke was great as well. Beer cheese soup was not for me though I must say. Overall wife was very impressed and I am sure we will return next time at the dells!
(5)Alyson W.
Awesome vegan food. The Asian noodle dish and southwestern platter were fab. Great service, too!
(5)Tim B.
Excellent food. Asian medley was very tasty. My wife couldn't keep her hands off of it.
(5)Robyn H.
I love, loooove, LOVE this place! Being vegetarian, it's nice to be able to have anything on the menu. But I've taken many meat-eaters to this place over the years and they've loved it as well. Great menu. Great desserts. Nice staff. It's probably a little odd to find a vegetarian restaurant in the Dells. But that's also part of its charm. We've driven up from Madison many times just to eat here.
(5)Jonathan E.
I learned about The Cheese Factory one day when I was watching Food Network. The grilled cheese sandwich was rated one of the best 5 in the country--at that point, I was sold. I make an annual drive from Minneapolis to Chicago and felt it was an awesome opportunity to stop near the Dells for a bite to eat. The restaurant is actually a little bit difficult to find. I had never been there before and even with a map it was a little tricky navigating. But, the building is quite destinct--it almost looks like a Scandinavian gift shop. The interior reminds me of an old school malt shop (and yes, they do serve old-fashioned shakes and malts). Im not 100% sure, but I believe they also specialize in vegetarian and gluten-free options. The winner, thought, is the grilled cheese (see photo). Ive never had another grilled cheese that even comes close. It has three layers of perfectly toasted sourdough bread with roma tomatoes and three types of different cheeses. I really dont have the words to properly explain it, but I highly recommend taking a look at the photos. Pros: Perfect stop between Minneapolis and Chicago or Milwaukee, cozy building, the best grilled cheese sandwich youll ever eat, well-priced Cons: A little bit off of the highway--takes some navigation, this area gets very busy during the summer months
(4)Ryan B.
Now, I wanted to do something special with my family because it might have been the last time we would be on vacation with each other. After reading the previous reviews, I thought the Cheese Factory would be the perfect last hurrah. Boy, was it! They rolled out the red carpet for us and provided the best service I've ever had. Two waiters waited on us having casual conversations while having incredible food! All 6 of us got different items, and they were all fantastic. We were so impressed with the menu that we had to order dessert (a first for my family). We ended up ordering a whole page, and enjoyed every bite as we passed the cakes around the table. The Cheese Factory was definitely the best dining experience my family has ever had, and one of the best restaurants I've ever been too. If you're looking for somewhere special in the Dells, look no further.
(5)Dave G.
This looks like an old school country diner but is really a secretly all vegetarian restaurant! Beer cheese soup was not too thick but very flavorful. Seitan reuben was the best thing ever with pastrami style spices and sauerkraut. Sadly it was made with honey mustard instead of thousand island so was not perfect. Homemade dill ranch was awesome too!
(5)Kristen H.
I was so excited to hear that there was a vegan/vegetarian restaurant with an European twist in the dells. Usually, the best you can find are wings, pizza, or burgers, which doesn't do too well for the bikini body. Yet, I was still a little apprehensive to try it out because nonetheless it is in the Dells. I was so pleased with my decision; I got the Thai Stir Fry; the portions were just right, and the spices were so good that I didn't need tons of hot sauce to make it perfect. My boyfriend loved his Beer Cheese soup and garden salad with honey mustard vinaigrette. The atmosphere is friendly and it reminded me of a 50's diner with a soda and coffee bar. It was definitely worth coming to, and next time we are in the Dells, we are going for breakfast!
(5)Jen P.
Our final stop on the foodie tour of Wisconsin Dells was The Cheese Factory. I knew the restaurant was vegetarian, and was apprehensive about how the husband would react to the lack of Moo. However, the place got off to a great start with their coffee bar. He veered from his usual black coffee and ordered a Black Forest coffee drink that was simply amazing. Food we ordered: Thai Bananas (3 stars) Cool concept and tasty, worth trying out. Mediterranean Omelete (4 stars) My husband raved about this. The omelet was packed with feta, olives, tomatoes, and a basil pesto. It came with a healthy serving of potatoes as well as a croissant. A lot of food for the money and very tasty! I had the much revered Big Cheese grilled cheese sandwich (3.5 stars). Not to say it wasn't good, the sourdough and tomatoes and all the different cheeses blended well together, but I think it was a bit oversold. If you're in the Dells and in the mood for grilled cheese, I am NOT advising against it, by all means, it is a perfectly good grilled cheese and better than you will get at your chain restaurants or family diners. But in recent years, the grilled cheese has taken on a lot of gourmet twists, and this one, for me, doesn't quite stack up. Summary: Decor is quaint, homey, and comforting. The staff is AMAZING. Friendly, helpful, just can't say enough good about them. Take advantage of the variety in the coffee bar. The food is solidly good, I don't think anyone would be disappointed trying this place out.
(3)Tamara M.
Stumbled upon this place when we needed fuel. Thanks, Yelpers! I love the soda fountain! I chose an Italian Soda in Rose. He had a chocolate malt. Wow. So delicious, though not nutritious. Beer cheese soup was thick and rich. It didn't taste like too much beer, a good thing. Mediterranean Medly fed me twice. In addition to a lovely presentation, ingredients were amazing. Grilled Portobello, heirloom tomato stuffed with hummus, crisp greens, pitas, bulgar wheat salad...I'm forgetting something, but it was excellent. Even though there are tons of choices for vegetarians, D found a Reuben that was perfect for his meaty needs. There seemed to be a number of Indian dishes and specials that were very tempting too. Service was friendly and attentive. We only wish we'd had room for the scrumptious looking desserts!
(4)Kaveesh M.
This place is amazing for vegetarians and vegans! Everything on the menu is vegetarian. Even the amazing baked goods have no eggs.
(5)Jill P.
Very good surprise. Restaurant is completely VEGAN FYI. Even when the fist item listed is a burger, it's not meat. I shared a salad, the flatbread, and the caramel crunch cake and each was delicious and full of flavor. It was very fresh and tasted healthy (but flavorful) and was a perfect break to our road trip.
(5)Kelly T.
Vegetarian disaster! We were in the Dells for the day and headed here for lunch based on the number of very good yelp reviews. A rare instance where Yelpers steered me wrong. Had no idea this was a vegetarian restaurant. That's what I get for trying to Yelp while I was driving. Just looked at the number of stars and headed here. Not a hint of meat on the menu! Dang! Had the beer cheese soup, and it was a gloppy disaster of mostly grated carrot. Got the grilled cheese that supposedly Rachel Ray loves, but I seriously doubt that after tasting it. After sending the first one back because it was cold and the grated cheese wasn't even close to being melted, the second one arrived in the same state. I gave up at that point and just ate my small side salad. The ranch dressing was likely homemade, and I quite liked it, but my friend hated it. She thought it tasted too much of tarragon. The service was awful. Slow, slow, and slower. Waitress was kind enough to not charge me for the grilled cheese, though. But how hard is it to screw up grilled cheese, really?
(1)Rebecca M.
Meals were creative and delicious! The desserts were to die for. We are very newly converted vegans, so it was exciting to try new flavors and ways to prepare meals. I would have eaten here regardless of being a vegan. And the service was outstanding. They were very nice and attentive. Our daughter is six and got treated like a princess. I would highly recommend this restaurant. We will probably go back again before leaving town. Wish we had a place like this at home!
(5)Mike P.
Very pleasantly surprised to find a vegan restaurant in the Wisconsin Dells, especially one this good! The owner said they had been a vegetarian restaurant but closed this past September and reopened as all vegan, with many gluten free items. We were only in town for 2 days but we ate here for dinner and then lunch the next day. My husband, daughter and I are vegan and loved everything we tried (tropical chimichanga, hot dog kids meal, mushroom goulash with gnocchi, stacked burger duo, etc. ) My parents are not vegan but they enjoyed their meals and dessert. Sweet potato wedges and house coleslaw are soooo good. The carrot cake is excellent. Fast, friendly service...you really can't ask for more. It is right next to Wilderness Resort/Glacier Canyon. We were able to walk from the shuttle stop/parking lot. I just wish we had found it earlier in our trip!
(5)Levent T.
Friendly and quirky staff yet I feel this is always a safe bet to hit for lunch on the way into town. The flavors are good yet the service needs some tweaking. The muffins steal the show and the Reuben sandwich is *the* only meat item on the menu worth getting after. Loved the amount of cheese and kraut built onto the sandwich and the rye bread is hearty. Had the Medi omelet and enjoyed the pesto but it was served cold...yuck! Really wanted to give them three stars but can't due to cold food.
(2)Aaron T.
Agree with many here. It was not clear this was Vegetarian until we got in and ordered drinks. Food was good, but not great. I maybe a little bias as I was expecting a restaurant that served meat....... Waitstaff and mgmt. were very nice and attentive.
(3)Kevin T.
If you're a vegetarian, vegan, or a "flexitarian", this is the holy grail of restaurants. Especially in a town filled with chain restaurants and lame tourist traps filled with $7 patties of dirt they call a hamburger. I don't think there is a single menu item that has actual meat in it. It's all the fake soy-based "meats." As for the quality? It's pretty good, actually. I had the black bean burrito, which was pretty big and very filling. My wife had the ravioli, which she says was very good, but for $15 for 5 seems a bit over-priced to me. The beer cheese soup had a very unique taste to it, and while it wasn't the best we've had, it holds it's own against competitors. Very friendly and helpful staff. My daughter even got a free pinwheel. Where most restaurants give out balloons or coloring books, we got a pinwheel. How cool. She loved it, by the way. A tip: If you get the hot fudge sundae, get the kid's size. That's plenty even for two people to share. Reasonable prices, good menu items, and a good staff. I'll come back next time I'm in the Dells.
(4)Kyle H.
Visited the Cheese Factory again on our annual Dells trip, this time for dinner. After pleading and prying with my sister to try their interesting vegetarian dinner fare, the food did not let us down, but the horrible service was a bit of a dissapointment. Even a staunch meat eater can find something they'll probably enjoy here. My sister loved her mushroom stroganoff. I loved the fresh take on a Malaysian Coconut Curry, full of vegetables, slightly spicy without being too heavy. My son loved the spinach ravioli with artichoke and mascarpone. Served on a gorgonzola cream sauce with dried cranberries and walnuts, the floor manager said this was his favorite dish! Even our picky eater loved the freshly grated parmesan on her butter noodles. Dessert was really the star of the night. The NY Cheesecake, the raspberry princess cake, and the Cloud 9 mousse was incredible. White mousse with a piece of chocolate cake in the middle, topped with a white chocolate "9" served on top of a raspberry drizzle that looked like an exploding sun. This was a work of art! (That we devoured.) Now, back to the service. After being seated we sat for ten minutes without even a greeting from our server, and it wasn't particularly busy yet. The manager had to tell our server she was assigned to our table, and it seemed every step of our meal was delayed by her inattention. Oddly enough, I heard a nearby table who had a change of server mid-meal and wasn't even told. Even though the management is incredibly nice, I think they need to step it up and be more mindful of having staff provide good service along with their incredible food.
(4)David P.
Not a typical restaurant by any means. I was quite delighted by the excellent food and very friendly staff. We showed up at 9am for breakfast on a Saturday, and expected a line. Well they just opened at 9am, so we were seated promptly and served fast. The food was all very very good. It is a place I would take my parents for breakfast, but also can be enjoyed by friend with particular eating requirements. My favorite was the espresso machine that they handcrafted a cafe latte for me out of, quite tasty.
(5)Jay F.
MISLEADING! The food was good for what it is, but this is 100% VEGETARIAN. They have not a morsel of meat to be found in the place. Yep, I like meat with my meals. And they had none. 3 stars because for those that are gluten-free and/or vegetarian this is not only your best option in the Dells but probably all of Wisconsin. The food I had was actually good tasting. It just wasn't fulfilling. Nowhere do they say they are all vegetarian. Not on their web site, not on the outside of their building, nowhere. I'm sure this is purposeful because they feel they'd lose business otherwise. But if your customer acquisition strategy is trickery, I'd recommend a new strategy. So, disappointing business practices, a very overly intrusive waiter that wanted to recommend something different than each person ordered (nice guy, but let us order!), and that makes it somewhere I'm never going back to.
(3)Casey M.
Service was excellent. Outside the Restaurant has a beautiful European look with flowers a plenty. We read the menu on the outside of the building & sounded great. During ordering, we found out that NONE of the products on the menu are what they say they are. The burger is not in fact burger. The chicken nuggets are not chicken. The sausage is not sausage. I think their menu should have explained better what the products were since the names were so far off. I am fine with vegetarian so long as you tell me on the menu what your "burger" is made of. Would be hard for people with food allergies to eat there since the names of the items are so deceiving. The food was bland, the pita bread that came with our hummus was burnt so it had a charred aftertaste. All the pita bread did. Not sure why they are putting char marks on pita bread. The soup had no flavor. The dressing on our salads was just OK. We would not go back. I guess it's fine for vegan food, if you are used to bland.
(1)Lydia W.
Just tried this restaurant after they closed, revamped their menu, and reopened. I loved it before and I love it still! It's completely plant-based/vegan now. There were so many options to choose from! For starters, we ordered the rattlesnake tofu with house made BBQ sauce and black beans. It seemed a bit pricey at $7.95 for two tofu sticks but was pretty tasty. For entrees, my carnivorous husband decided on the Sicilian Scramble (tofu, red peppers, onions, roasted egg plant with marinara sauce and side of olives and grilled flat bread) and he loved it!! I opted for the grilled portobello on Ciabatta with pesto "mayo," crispy kale, and other sauteed veggies. Came with a side of sweet potato "fries" and a citrusy carrot salad. It was all very good. The fries were more like wedges and were baked, so I was skeptical, but they won me over! So good. We also ordered a ginger ale (do not recommend, tasted somewhat soapy!), hot cocoa (with vegan marshmallows!), and a maple walnut cookie. In all, we spent $53, before tip. Seemed a bit pricey but considering it's mostly organic, non-gmo and all vegan, it's probably a bargain. One thing to note, they don't allow for ANY substitutions. The table near us ordered a kid's burger and asked to add pickles. The waiter nicely said no additions are allowed. The customer and waiter went back and forth and I think she eventually got them, but I can't be sure. I had originally asked for the "tuna" burger and was informed I couldn't get it without coleslaw. In all, a great restaurant with friendly wait staff. Just don't try to special order!
(4)John K.
My wife has tried to get me to go for a year but the Vegan food scared me away. Wow - was I missing something. The crumbled "Italian Sausage" BBQ was exceptional. My kids rave about the almond flavoring in the pancakes. My wife really enjoyed the flatbread. Best of all, it was very affordable. The quaint ambience, laid back but professional service, and creative menu will keep us coming back.
(5)Jasmin V.
Beer cheese soup was very tastey. A must if you are visiting WI Big cheese was featured on Rachel Ray. And it's no surprise because this grilled cheese was good. My only wish was bacon on it, but that's the meat lover in me. My boyfriend got the Chimichangas. It was pretty good. My boyfriend did like the tofu in it. I think I'll visit it every time in Wisconsin Dells.
(3)Sarah P.
We drove past this restaurant while looking for our hotel. I was already hungry, and after looking at the reviews and seeing "veggie friendly", we decided to stop and eat here before we found our hotel. I'm an always vegetarian and sometimes vegan and my husband is a omnivore. I was so overwhelmed with the menu. As a vegetarian, I'm used to only having a few choices (if any), so I had to ask for help for our server. She recommended the Malaysian Coconut Noodles . It was perfect. The cashews and pineapple (things I don't normally like in stir fries) were a perfect compliment to the dish. My husband ordered the Quesadilla and didn't even miss the meat. I only wish that this restaurant was closer to home so I could go more often~
(5)Pg H.
I have been to the Dells for many years now and the hotel we stay in is located right next to this restaurant. For some reason we never ate there until last year and now I know why. The name of the restaurant can fool those who don't read carefully. This is the Cheese Factory Restaurant. Not the Cheesecake Factory Restaurant. But Anywho... I was unaware that this was a vegetarian/vegan restaurant until I actually saw the menu. I'm sorry guys, I don't care how many stars a grilled cheese sandwich gets from Rachel Ray, but a grilled cheese, in essence, is just a melted cheese sandwich. The waitstaff is a little creepy and seems to be from another country (Eastern Europe perhaps?). Cute decor. Quiet little place. But I am not a vegetarian. In a nutshell, I will NEVER pay $20 for a grilled cheese sandwich and a drink and give the restaurant 4stars. Sorry.
(2)William B.
On another visit to the Dells, we stopped back into the Cheese Factory for a lunch. I tried the beer cheese soup, on recommendation from some vegetarian friends. Outstanding. I also ordered the chimichanga. I'm not a vegetarian, but I would order this every time. I mean, its deep fried. can you go wrong? It was big enough to feed the whole table. I am keeping their rating at 4 stars, though, as wifey, who has the food sensitivities (not vegetarian either) never seems to fare well after eating here, even though they have a gluten free menu. She has sensitivities to corn, which is often hard to identify in gluten free stuff. But, I have a feeling they also use MSG in some dishes.
(4)R S.
I'd been told there was only bar food in the Dells. Wrong. The Cheese Factory not only has unique and terrific food, but it has a quaint atmosphere, perfect for families. We started off with the delicious "Goat (cheese) Roast," which came with copious amounts of garlic - a big plus for me. I followed that up with the Delhi Delicious and my wife had the Black Bean Burrito. Everything was very well seasoned and though this is a vegetarian spot, you won't miss the meat. I'm tempted to go back to try the seitan Reuben. The menu is quite diverse, with selections for all tastes (Pizza, Italian, Greek, Indian, Mexican, Hungarian, you name it). The service was very friendly. The host noticed the hockey theme on my credit card and mentioned that he had played in college leagues in Austria. We chuckled about how hockey is like an addiction. Once you start you can't stop! Great food, great service and some conversation with a fellow hockey player? Five stars!
(5)Tess M.
As many other Yelpers have mentioned, we had no idea this was a Vegetarian restaurant until we were already sitting at a table looking at the menus. My first thought was, "uh oh, I don't think my husband will be happy with this" being that I am married to a Texan who loves any and all meat, lol. And yes, as others have noted, it is easy to overlook the building or know that it is a restaurant (not a Cheese Factory store) but luckily for the owners (and for ME!) they have a large sign in the window saying, "Breakfast Served till 2pm". Well, sign me up!! (you had me at "Breakfast") I went with the "Good Morning Skillet" which includes the freshest, organic, grilled carrots, zucchini, mushrooms, onions and bell peppers (I excluded the onions and bell peppers), along with their "ham" (vegetarian ham), seasoned oven roasted potatoes, 2 eggs and Hollandaise sauce. I can honestly say this was the absolute BEST tasting and freshest tasting Skillet I had ever eaten, with the most delicious Hollandaise sauce, made perfectly so it did not split! Yum, yum, yum!! Here is is months later and I still dream about this skillet breakfast! My husband had the Mediterranean Omelette which is stuffed with feta cheese, kalamata olives, tomatoes, and a basil pesto, served with seasoned over roasted potatoes and a croissant. And in his words....."Mmmm.....GOOD!" (Guess that's all you need from a meat eatin' Texan, haha). And the best part - - to finish off our fabulous meal - - the nectar of the Coffee Gods poured in to a cup! You must not miss the opportunity to enjoy the most decadent Dark Chocolate Italian Mochaccino!! Absolute Heaven! Lastly, another important part of our experience was the friendly staff and wonderfully attentive waiter who made me believe that his greatest joy was to provide great service to us along with great food. Honestly, one of our best restaurant experiences ever! We have already gone back for a return visit but that day was unfortunately one of their closed "off season" days, so make sure you check their hours if you are coming by in the fall, winter or spring.
(5)Matt D.
The children's pancakes and flatbread special we're excellent - I had a little more difficulty finding something and settled on the vegetarian chimichanga. Good portion, very filling - fairly sweet, but had a nice curry flavor.
(4)Tom C.
I went looking for a healthy dining option in the Dells. Not an easy task until I found this amazing restaurant. Great service, atmosphere and food. The Brunch is a must. The pancakes and waffles are delicious. The deserts! Wow. I got the caramel crunch cake to go and it was easily the best cake I have had in a long time. Everyone working there was so upbeat and happy. I loved the mellow music and decor. I will be back. Wonderful!
(5)Laura T.
So glad this place is in the Dells! We had the rattlesnake tofu, salads, and chocolate coconut pie. It was delicious and we felt healthy afterwards-- a far cry from other meals we had in the Dells! Staff was very friendly and the baker told us how she made all the desserts so creamy (avocado!).
(5)Mara A.
After being sent off by Yelp we headed to any place that was open for breakfast. This was the next on the yelp list. The place is adorable! Old school meets European. The place only had 3 or so tables with customers but by the time we left, it was packed. We looked at the menu to find out that this place is all vegetarian/vegan. Even though I am a vegetarian, the other 4 people in my party are not and we definitely would not have came here if we knew this. We ordered a latte and it was huge and so pretty.
(3)Bradley M.
This place was ok for vegan/cult food. About 5 entree options, none of them too appealing for non-vegans. 3 stars for making me eat my veggies.
(3)Jamie R.
Cheese Factory? Try Cheese-LESS Factory!!!! My hubby and I just wanted some heavenly beer cheese soup and the delectable grilled cheese we'd read about online. To our cheesy dismay, the place is under new management and has completely converted to an ALL-vegan restaurant. That means no animal products, so why on earth are you still called the "The CHEESE Factory?" Unfortunately we didn't figure out this problem until we had already ordered drinks and felt bad leaving. The service wasn't great, and forget your dreams of aged cheddar. The only "aged" thing in this restaurant was the wait staff. I didn't even feel right using the toilet, because I knew my poop wasn't vegan. Biggest joke of all... the sign on the door that says, "People on Yelp love us!" Um no... how about people on Yelp loved you about 8 months ago when it wasn't Opposite Day and a place called "Cheese Factory" in Wis-effing-consin actually served cheese?!!!
(1)Kristen H.
No where on the restaurant does it announce that its completely vegetarian. We stopped here on a busy Saturday morning because Mr Pancake was packed (as was every other breakfast place in The Dells) and they advertised "breakfast until 2pm". When we got there, there were only 2 other tables in the entire place. Gluten free and vegetarian restaurant in The Dells? Very awesome, actually. Not stating you are such? You can only tell by looking at the menu -- of course, after being seated. Not cool. We DO eat gluten free (by choice) but we also eat meat -- and abstain from eating beans, tofu, soy, and other fake foods. So essentially all we could order from this restaurant was eggs and the potato fries. They didn't have much in the way of cheese, either -- although their name would suggest otherwise. We did order eggs, and they were good. But it wasn't a filling breakfast. Their menu is weird (they can't decide if they're American, Mexican, or Mediterranean) and the decor is...Unique. After being seated for a while, other customers came filing in. My husband overheard the table behind us exclaim "They don't have meat?" The staff was nice, very friendly and serice was prompt. Then again there weren't a lot of people in the restaurant. 3 stars for good staff, and the food we got was cooked well and wasn't bland. All in all, I thought I was a customer for a restaurant appearing in Kitchen Nightmares, and thought Chef Ramsay would be showing up any minute.
(3)Margie C.
Part of the reason we ate here was my fault. See, I love cheese. We were passing through and I checked Yelp and it was rated high (I can only guess that the high ratings are due to lack of other good restaurants here or the others tend to frequent The Sizzler). But come on, shouldn't a restaurant called THE CHEESE FACTORY in WISCONSIN focus on cheese? Not here! (yes, I know it's an old cheese factory but come on - I want some insanely cheesey dishes.) Once again, my dining experience was like something out of Twin Peaks. The decor is...odd. There's an old timey jukebox but they were playing jazz. The inside has lots of obviously fake silk flowers and looks junky. But at the front, they have a number of books about "enlightenment" for sale (WTF?). Like their menu (more on that later), they don't know what they want to be. After waiting a long time to be seated - 4 different employees made eye contact with me, but no one sat us or acknowledged us. Eventually someone sat us and then disappeared. Again a long wait and a very skittish Eastern European accented women waited on us. She was not pleasant not unpleasant but she was odd. Very soft spoken. Their menu has a huge display announcing that Rachel Ray has declared their grilled cheese to be one of the "over the top" grilled cheese sandwiches in the country. Over the top grilled cheese? Sign me up. Our order included this sandwich, Goat Roast, cheese soup and Greek Fusion salad. Other items included a mix of tofu dishes (?), Italian dishes (?) and Mexican food. Oh yeah the special of the day was an Indian dish. There was no cohesion to the menu. Most of the food was average. My husband and I were disappointed by the cheese sandwich. There was nothing over the top about it. It was a grilled cheese with 3 pieces of bread. It was light on the cheese too. I did go back and look up the article where their grilled cheese was declared "over the top" and compared to the other sandwiches, this one is tame. Battered and deep fried grilled cheese - that's over the top. This was an average grilled cheese. Here's a link to the article - bit.ly/POnpgg . The cheese soup was good but definitely not the best I have ever had. Goat Roast was good - the bread was too tough after being grilled though. The Greek Fusion salad was ok. I think they could have skipped the olives because they didn't mesh with the dried cranberries. It was merely average food. Nothing special. In the middle of our service, our waitress came over and muttered that she was off and someone else would come over and take care of us. I've never had this happen before. The replacement server was also neither pleasant nor unpleasant. She had a thick Eastern European accent and was a little rough. I imagine she chain smoked in the back. While leaving we got stuck in a weird conversation with one of the employees. He was enthralled with my husband's shirt. He kept wanting to talk about the Irish pub that was on my husband's shirt. He had never been there but this man was entirely obsessed with asking questions about the shirt and the pub. Then he looks at me and says "You have a shirt on too!" Yep, I didn't go naked to the restaurant. I had on a Star Wars shirt and he said mine was more contemporary and then he went right back to asking about my husband's shirt. I went to their website after they left. All staff are students or teachers at an "enlightenment center". You can draw your own conclusions but I think I just helped finance a cult.
(3)Malinda D.
We were really looking forward to checking this place out during our trip~ unfortunately they have terrible open times, so we didn't get to go. They are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the height of the season. We were all heart broken....
(3)Erin B.
This is such an amazing little place! When I think of the Dells, I think of mediocre restaurants that cater to family tourists (aka middle-aged suburbanites and little kids). There's nothing wrong with that because that's basically the whole essence of the Wisconsin Dells. The Cheese Factory, however, flips the status quo on its head and offers a fully vegetarian & vegan menu that targets caters to ALL groups of people. When our group of 20-something city girls came in, we observed a full spectrum of patrons which is a nice change of pace from the typical Dells-ish restaurants that are usually one of a narrow range of restaurants: old timey supper clubs, gag-worthy chains or mess hall-esque dining troughs featuring larger than life lumberjacks. There were 6 of us and we ordered a nice array of items - all of which were great and served in huge portions. One of the best features was the full espresso bar that whipped up some fantastic (diet-busting) creations that were well worth the calories. Vegan, vegetarian or none of the above will find something to love about this place. The only regret: too full to try any of the delicious looking desserts but I will definitely try harder to fit one in on the next visit!
(4)Pearl H.
We have been coming to The Cheese Factory for about 15 years. When my daughter and I went last night I was nervous to learn that they are now vegan. Oh my goodness--the food is better! I got the portabello mushroom sandwich and the mushroom was perfectly prepared. Loved the carrot and rutabaga slaw. My daughter got the breakfast sausage plate. The home fries were excellent. We got the chocolate coconut pie which I learned after falling in love with it that it was made with avocado which I don't even like! My child had the raspberry cheesecake which was also very tasty. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Alice Z.
We went because we heard that the grilled cheese was amazing. My friends ordered a grilled cheese "The Big Cheese" and the Wisconsin Cheese Beer Soup. I ordered the Quesadilla. The grilled cheese doesn't live to the hype but is a really good grilled cheese nonetheless. The bread had really good texture and I really liked the tomato in it but I wish it had more cheese and was more gooey. The Beer Cheese Soup was really good. It was very rich from the cheese and didn't have a huge beer flavor which I liked. The best is when you take the grilled cheese and dunk it in the soup. Best. Combo. Ever. The quesadilla was very good but had normal stuff in it (Cheese, peppers, onions). I asked not to have jalapenos in it and they were very accommodating. It had a ton of cheese which I really enjoyed. It came with smooth guac, salsa, sour cream and black beans. The black beans were average. I'm normally not a fan of guac but it was really yummy this time. The prices were pretty good too (a person is about $10) and the portions were big. We were so full that we didn't order any dessert :( The service was very good, atmosphere was quaint (there were a bunch of families, old people) and food was good. The only thing that was kind of weird was that there were a bunch of religious books on sale right next to the cash register.
(4)Lily W.
Stopped in for lunch not knowing anything about the place. Based on the name, I expected cheese to be a main focus on the menu. That wasn't the case, and found out that at one time it was an actual cheese factory. Looking over the menu, I noticed a theme- no meat. None. Just meat alternatives. Now, I'm not a vegetarian, and I have to admit, I was a little scared. Up to this point my experience with vegetarian food was the frozen veggie burgers from the grocery store that taste like cardboard. But we were there, we were hungry so we figured- why not? I ordered the Veggie Burger. It was amazing! I tasted so much like a real burger that if I hadn't known it was veggie, I would never have guessed. A previous reviewer complained that they don't overtly advertise that its a non-meat restaurant. If they had, I (and many others, I'm sure) probably wouldn't have gone in. But I'm glad I did. So have an open mind and try the veggie burger. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
(5)David J.
Great little "alternative" atmosphere vegetarian restaurant. Get the Hungarian mushroom stroganoff if you are a meat eater like me, and you won't even miss meat. The desserts and coffee drinks are fantastic, which is the main reason I have went there in the past. While it is "casual" without needing to dress up, it is nice, too, with nicely laid out tables and polite, attentive service, nicely laid out food, plenty of it. Bright and airy, not candle-lit. Good place for a relaxed date.
(5)Don H.
On the way home from Minneapolis, we were about half way when we got to the Dells. Since we just had lunch a bunch of hours ago (and a lighter lunch to boot), we decided to get off the expressway, top up the car with fuel and our bellies with food. We drove up and down the main drag for a while and decided that this place was the most diner sounding of all the restaurants without being a chain AND still open. Boy, were we way off. Despite the name, this isn't a fat-ass place of horrible food but a gem in the middle of a play land. We took one look at the menu and couldn't decide at all. Just couldn't. There were so many things we wanted to try, but just couldn't make a decision. In the end we asked the waiter (who had a wonderful accent and disposition -- he'd just come "visit" us from time to time like a friend who has the key to your home) for some help. We ended up trying the cheese soup, mushroom soup, an order of the hummus, a Greek salad and the coconut noodles. We share this all to get a good sampling. It was all amazing! The noodles had the most perfect flavor, unlike any other. We topped it off with a "glorious chocolate cake" and were so satisfied we wanted to slap someone for making the drive home that much more dangerous since we were in a food coma at that point. What I loved is despite all the food we had we never felt overly full or disgusting eating it. Just an overall pleasurable experience, start to finish. We ended up with a $55 bill (before tip) for all of that, a handshake to the waiter and a vow to return when we passed through again.
(4)Dan C.
Wonderful place! Amazing service and amazing food! Get the grilled cheese and the portobello sandwich, you won't regret it.
(5)michael b.
OVERALL: 2 out of 5 (won't return) FOOD: 2 out of 5 - VEGETARIAN/GLUTEN FREE ONLY. I didn't realize that before. It didn't affect my review, I just prefer real meat and cheese. Had I known, I wouldnt have gone. SERVICE: 3 out of 5 - I don't mind slow service but it seemed very slow based on the crowd. That may have been expected since it seemed more of a 'mom n pop' place. ATMOSPHERE: 3 out of 5 - most people would find the ambiance 'cute' but I enjoy lively places. OVERALL: If someone wants gluten free, or more of a 'european' look, they might love this place. Its just not my kind of place.
(2)Ken R.
Don't be turned off because it is vegetarian my wife and I are both meat lovers and this place rocked! The Mexican food was terrific and the grilled cheese was killer. Top it all of with great servers and great customer service and the place is very nice looking and homey to boot. Don't be a weirdo!!! Try this place.
(5)Winnie K.
My favorite part of Wisconsin Dells! I was here for work last week and realized the food at the hotel was just awful. Inedible really and not cheap either. I yelp'ed it and we went on a little adventure to the Cheese Factory Restaurant. I realized it was a 100% vegetarian restaurant thanks to yelp, but it would matter anyway, I don't like to eat meat for every meal. The moment you step in, you are greeted like family. I loved the soda fountain bar, so cute. We were seated immediately. We were both going to order the grilled cheese, but our server recommended we share the grilled cheese and the portabello mushroom sandwich instead because the grilled cheese is just SO rich and the mushroom sandwich is his favorite on the menu. He was SO right - the grilled cheese is huge and just a lot of cheese. I'm so glad I was told to share it, I definitely couldn't have finished the entire thing. I love tomatoes in my grilled cheese, so that was a plus for me. The portobello mushroom sandwich had a lovely pesto sauce on it and was very tasty as well. The pesto sauce did not overwhelm the sandwich in any way. Both items were pretty messy to eat, however. To finish off a wonderful meal, we also ordered the Blueberry Nectarine Pie. I am told they make all of their pies in house. My goodness, it was delightful. Our server was attentive without being overbearing, though he was a little mia towards the beginning. They gave out little plastic windmills to children - such a nice touch. There are SO many chains now, it's hard to find a family owned place that is like a throwback to how things "used to be". This place was wonderful and it seriously was the highlight of my trip. I really wish I found out about it sooner rather than eating at our hotel - every meal would have been there!
(5)Christine L.
This place is an endearing little gem! Everyone is so warm and genuinely kind at this restaurant. I enjoyed eating here and the "home-y" feel to it. The famous grilled cheese sandwich lives up to its hype and I highly recommend it. It pairs well with the beer cheese soup. I am very glad that I stopped by and got my fill of Wisconsin cheeses before I headed back home.
(5)Kimberly N.
Wonderful vegetarian brunch with a great coffee bar and good service. Other yelpers may have mentioned this, but apparently Rachel Ray says they have the best grilled cheese in America. While I didn't get it, it didn't sound like the kind of over-the-top 20 cheese, deep fried sandwich I was imagining. It did sound delicious and simple: sourdough bread, tomatoes, and cheese. Sad I didn't try it, but I was cheesed out. Do get the cheese soup, if you aren't cheesed out. And, do try one of their desserts or coffee drinks. I had one made with rose, and it was delightful!
(5)Ed B.
Service and food are great. We go there every time. My favorite vegetarian restaurant, although I'm not a vegetarian. Desserts are really good, European style, not too sweet. The food is great also. We had "rattlesnake tofu", grilled cheese and Delhi delicious. The place is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. They don't serve alcohol.
(5)Liza P.
This food was so good that I wanted to jump up from my table and start a one-woman mosh pit! My kids got grilled cheese and a cheese pizza, which they enjoyed. My brother got the Thai stir fry, which he said was awesome, and the kind of dish he had been wanting to make for himself for a long time. I got the Big Cheese--the 3 layer grilled cheese and tomato sandwich, which was fantastic. It came with homemade salsa, which had a nice kick. My mom and I shared each others food, so I got to try the Delhi Delicious. It was THE best dish I have tried in a long time. Chickpea stew with a dollop of toasted coconut sprinkled sour cream, cranberry chutney, and sweet potato. Absolutely amazing! I've been thinking about it ever since. I would definitely recommend this place. It's a breath of fresh air in the deep fried, cheese-covered mess that is the Dells.
(5)Chrissy M.
Very cute, clean and food was good, staff was super friendly. If you are espresso people (like us) you will love that you don't have to grab a Starbucks after breakfast because they have an Espresso bar. The kids meals could use a little more variety (and maybe more fruit for the pancakes)..also, this place is vegetarian, which was okay for every one but my carnivore husband ;).
(4)Lola B.
We went to his restaurant when we were vacationing in Dells and LOVED IT! It was a big group of us and almost everyone took something different and they all loved their food! The waiter Riccardo was such a friendly and informative waiter! Everything was just great!! If we didn't live so far we would come there every week!! Try it before you judge it!!
(5)Ben S.
We had always heard good things about the Cheese Factory so we had to check it out on our first visit to the Dells. It did not disappoint. As a vegetarian, it was great to see page after page of interesting menu items--all vegetarian! There will definitely be more dishes to explore on subsequent visits. My wife and I were the only vegetarians in our party of six adults and one child. Everybody ordered something different and everybody was happy. The menu is fairly eclectic but very well executed. The flavors are rich and balanced. The Wisconsin beer cheese soup was delicious--my wife and I shared a bowl which worked out well. She then had the Hungarian Goulash (an adventurous choice for her) which she really enjoyed. The flavor was robust and the texture of the tofu was amazing. It comes with Pierogi which were a highlight for her. She recommends a side of sour cream. I had something called "Delhi Delicious"--an Indian inspired chickpea stew served over rice with roasted sweet potatoes and cranberry chutney. I really enjoyed the interplay of complementary flavors. The service was friendly and prompt and the atmosphere was cute and comfortable. We will definitely be back (and probably visiting the Dells again sooner now that we know where we'll be eating).
(5)Stacey L.
The Cheese Factory has vegetarian and vegan food so good you won't even give a passing thought to meat. I've eaten here about five times, give or take, and it's always amazing. This go-round my favorite was the Eggplant Parmesan sandwich, featuring the best ciabatta bread I've ever had. Also on my radar were the Macho Nachos (simple but tasty as all get-out) and the Thai Bananas (good for an app, meal, or dessert - sweet and savory at once). One can't talk about The Cheese Factory without giving a shout to the amazing desserts. I tried my friend's banana cream pie on Friday and am still thinking about it today, four days later. I only live about an hour away, so I think I need to work The Cheese Factory into my life on a more-than-yearly basis.
(5)Carrie W.
Loved it! Easy to find something interesting and delicious sounding even though I am definitely NOT a vegetarian, nor is my husband. Great, friendly service. Great decor, loved the soda fountain and the spinning dessert case. It was tempting even though I avoided the desserts.
(5)Joanna D.
Came here the sunday before memorial day. I would have never found this place if I was not looking for a store i thought was called "Cheese Factory". I am so glad I found it! As far as I am aware, this is the only vegetarian/vegan restaurant in the Dells area. The building was a little difficult go notice amongst all of the other large attractions in the area, but luckily my navigation helped me find it. It is a cute house located next to the Wilderness Lodge. I was very excited to try this highly rated restaurant! The interior reminds me of scenes from an older movie. I loved the feel of it. Sat down at the bar and ordered a cappuccino. The woman that made it for me added a sugar heart on top of the milk. It was adorable. I ordered the breakfast links and mushroom stroganoff. Both were very delicious! The mushroon stroganoff had a delicious saucd on it but was so large that I could not finosb it! My boyfriend had the cheess pizza, which resembeled a pizza back home kn Chicago. Met a few friendly people at this restaurant who are regulars. Overall, the staff was wonderful and the food was delicious. Definitely would come back.
(5)Kenneth B.
What a nice find... located in the Dells area, it sure was great. It is vegetarian, but so what, one meal without meat is a nice change. And the food is prepared to be tasty, and not like other restaurants that have one or two non meat items to be accommodating, They prepare non meat meals to be tasty. Check it out!
(4)Yang J.
It was a wonderful and amazing experience there! The big cheese tasted so good and the coffee they had was just awesome. You really should not miss this one.
(5)Vince A.
I'm a carnivore. I'll admit. I eat animals. This past weekend while in the Dells, we decided to give this place a try and well, it was alright in my book. As a meat lover who does not like fake meats, my choices were limited on the menu. I went with a portobello mushroom sandwich on a ciabatta. This was paired with roasted red peppers and covered with a pesto mayo. The sandwich itself was very good and was paired with a salad with a honey mustard vinagrette. The vinagrette was the star -- Excellent dressing. Also had a 'Big Cheese' at the table which was a flavorful rendition of the grilled cheese sandwich. They home-make their desserts. Had a 'Cloud 9' which was a white chocolate mouse surrounding chocolate cake with a freah raspberry sauce surrounding it. cake - dry, mousse - weak, sauce - excellent. All in all, definitely worth the stop but likley wouldn't return on my next visit to the dells.
(3)Christina M.
Surprise!! Middle-of-Nowhere WI Vegan Goodness!!! WOW! I couldn't believe there was a fully Vegetarian restaurant in the middle of nowhere in Wisconsin - they even have a huge separate Vegan menu! Had this place not been suggested to me by a fellow Vegan I may have not stopped here on my way home - the name Cheese Factory, as a Vegan, sounded opposite of my diet; wow was I wrong!!! My bf and I stopped here for lunch yesterday and found this to be a neat little restaurant, cozy, decorated well with Wisconsin feel, and had very friendly employees. Someone mentioned cult/religious stuff...nothing was in your face or anything, there may have been a book or two by the cookbook display at the register, but who really cares - I'd sell whatever I want at a restaurant I owned. Too bad I wasn't starving because I just got the Romesco Potatoes (holy goodness!!!) and my bf (a non-Vegan) got The Big Cheese - you should have seen the look on his face when eating this, we may have to go out of our way to eat here again! This place is definitely a find and I recommend anyone passing through to stop here; it's conveniently located just off of the interstate!
(5)J J.
This is probably my favorite restaraunt. EVERYTHING we ordered was delicious and the waitstaff was beyond excellent. Our waiter was passionate for the food he was serving and made great suggestions. I wish I remembered his name. My boyfriend took me here before our trip back home because he knew this was a vegetarian restaraunt. Because I wanted to try so many things we ordered a lot of food. Our server even mentioned that we were ordering more food than we would be able to eat.... Oh but we did.... We ordered the beer cheese soup, baked goat cheese with olive oil garlic and peppers (heavenly), grilled cheese, spankiopita, and a burrito. For dessert I had rose infused espresso and my boyfriend had an espresso float. The only leftovers we had were half of the burrito and half of the grilled cheese. This place is a hidden gem. I wish it was closer, but for now it is definitely worth the 3 hour drive. If you are in the wisconsin dells area or actually anywhere in the U.S., this place is a must.
(5)Stephen B.
Simply fabulous, but don't use the directions linked from Yelp. Do a Google Maps search. The menu is, as others have noted, vegetarian. Not something I'd normally choose for my family, but the reviews here were enticing. My wife and 3 kids (10, 9, 5) all found something interesting on the menu. The daily Indian Special for me (authentic and delicious), Spanikopita for my wife (2 thumbs up), cheese pizza, grilled cheese and Froot Loops for the kids. The service is as attentive as you will find in the most exclusive restaurants, and yet so much more personal and friendly. The kids loved the full soda fountain service and the kid's menu has something for everyone. Add in a top notch desert list and it's a five star experience.
(5)Daniel D.
This wonderful and unique vegetarian restaurant officially closed down on September 30th 2013. You will greatly missed!!!
(5)Betsy H.
Being dairy-free you would think one would not have choices here, but there were many options. We loved even more the "non Wisconsin Dells" atmosphere. Simple, no Disney-like marketing. Just nice people running a nice restaurant. Try some of their Indian dishes, as they were fantastic. We loved the dairy-free hot chocolate option. They get an extra star just for possibly being the only healthy restaurant in the area.
(5)Paige M.
Cheese Factory Restaurant is the ONLY place in Wisconsin Dells that offers healthy, natural meals. The food at Cheese Factory is vegan or vegetarian and the restaurant itself is smoke free. Some cuisine options: - Eggplant Parmesan sandwich - Quiche - Veggie Chimichanga - Malaysian Coconut Noodles - Eggplant curry - Spanikopita - Gourmet salads - Thai Bananas (breakfast) - Fresh fruit plate and oatmeal There are plenty of creative dishes, however since Cheese Factory is the ONLY vegetarian restaurant in The Dells, we found ourselves eating three meals a day here. Unfortunately there isn't enough variety to keep our interest that regularly, plus the food is expensive: $20 per person, per meal. Our wallets were really hurting by the end of vacation, but it was either Cheese Factory or starve. One odd observance I made while dining here is that all of the employees (even the teenage waitstaff) were from Eastern Europe. There was a language barrier problem while placing orders, sometimes our waitress would just disappear. It just seemed really bizarre that there were all of these young, foreign people working in the middle of Wisconsin. Price per person: $20.00
(3)Lara A.
We had lunch and breakfast and both were very good. They have good variety on the menu for all ages and preferences. Great vegetarian options too. We can't wait to try dessert when we come back!
(4)Michael O.
I have been hesitant to write this review for one reason. This had nothing to do with the cute little WI Dells restaurant, the extensive vegetarian menu, the friendly service, or the above average food. The reason I have been hesitant is that I had a hair in my dish. It was not the baked in, super-nasty hair that would make any reasonable person cringe. It was right on the top, and it seemed to be from the hostess who brought out our food. It was an honest mistake, and I did not even point it out, because I did not want to freak out the other people I was eating with. There are not a whole lot of places where this would happen, and I would still go back, but this was one of them. The food we had was great. I was especially impressed with the beer-cheese soup. It seemed to have much more substance than most, and the croutons were spot on. My burrito was also very good, and had a meatless item in it that would fool most carnivores. My hope with this review is to not scare people away, but to provide an accurate description of our meal. The food was great, and much better than most places in the Dells, meatless or not.
(3)Andrew P.
Wonderful service and great food!
(5)Neal S.
We went here on our honeymoon and we had the best service we had out of anywhere. I being vegetarian loved the place and my wife being more of a meat eater also loved the food. Where else can you get good Greek and Indian food at the same time. Excellent food and service.
(5)Rhonda G.
This is the kind of place where I want to try other things as well. As meticulous as this food is made, there is just something unusual about some of the dishes, which is what it seems to thrive on. I ate light because the desserts looked way too awesome. I had the soup salad combo. It's everything a salad should be, I chose the creamy herb dressing. Unfortunately, I can't stand tarragon, and it almost dominates it. Most standard herb dressings list it or serve a tarragon dressing, it's that strong. The beer cheese soup had a lot of carrots in it. Some people make it like that for added flavor and crunch. It would have been better smooth. The iced tea had a weird taste too. I opted for the carrot cake. It was as good as it looked, but I'll get something else next time. They have plenty of variety. I tried a taste of Basil's key lime pie. Yet another example of the unusual, it had the denseness of cheesecake, but it was delicious just the same. It's a fabulous, lovely place, but as far as the food goes expect the unexpected.
(4)Stephen B.
Let's see. We go to the Dells expecting to wait two hours for a crappy meal consisting of nachos, pizza, or any variety of unhealthy fried/processed food. Instead we get on Yelp and find this little nugget. EVERYTHING we at was delish. Tomato basil soup, Mediterranean Platter, Malaysian Coconut Noodles, Delhi Delight and thai noodles. Incredibly well prepared, fresh, and plentiful. The deserts were great as well. So unexpected. All food should be prepared with this care. If you think you know vegetarian fare and think it's boring or bland, try this place!
(5)Kevin T.
Amazing service
(5)John R.
The food was good the service was a little forgetful but did a fine job. If I was grading this for a veg restaurant in the Dells it is a 4. However against a lot of other places we have eaten elsewhere it did not make it to four. The Thai bananas where a good start, but the meal never went up from that opening. Over all I can see myself coming back here, but my expectations are going to be a lot different. The last thing of note is the cupcake the granddaughter picked had the worst icing on top of a unremarkable cake she likes sugar and she threw it away.
(3)Chaim L.
Very unique restaurant ,starting with the wonderful hospitality of the waitress and staff, the unique and extraordinary quality and taste of appetizers, main entrees and desserts, to the very reasonable price. Just wonderful.We'll be back for sure.
(5)Chris G.
I ate at the Cheese Factory on a Saturday morning around opening time. I was greeted by the friendly, welcoming staff and music from the 1960s. The place has an old diner feel to it, and is entirely vegetarian. We ordered a vegan Chai Tea which was excellent, a Black Forest Cafe that was superb, and for our meal, a Sunrise Skillet and a Stew wrap. The romesco sauce is to die for, and the cranberry chutney went perfectly with the Indian feel of the chickpea stew wrap. I will be back for dinner later today!
(5)Matt N.
Vegan fare with a side of creepy. If you like vegan food- it might be great, I don't know. My veggie burger was bland, and the worst part? There was hardly any cheese on it! In fact, their cheese-based offerings were limited to a single sandwich and Beer Cheese soup. In case you aren't aware- the name of the restaurant is because of the building, not their menu offerings.
(2)Pavel S.
Perfect, healthy, vegetarian, cozy, home spirit.... Best in wis dells.
(5)Matt P.
Fantastic linguine with pesto and roasted red pepper.
(5)Eric V.
Quirky atmosphere, amazing food. The wait staff is great, and menu is well put together.
(5)Pamala G.
Didn't know it was a veggie place until I got there, but was pleasantly surprised. Friend and I shared two wraps....couldn't decide which we liked better. Very flavorful. Nut much for decor, but it is all about the food and flavors!
(5)Kedar D.
The Cheese Factory, despite its name, is super vegan-friendly with a separate vegan menu available upon request, full of all sorts of appetizers, sandwiches, salads and main course options. Gluten-free items are also labeled. I started off with a "Rattlesnake tofu" ($6.95) which was quite tasty---it was char-grilled tofu with a hint of lemon, served along with a decent BBQ sauce and also a small side of black beans. For my main dish I had the chimichanga ($10.95), which was big and filling. The outer flour shell was lightly fried and covered in a delicious orange-colored sauce (some kind of tomato mixture?); inside, the chimichanga was filled with rice, onions, bell peppers and tofu. I think it could have used more tofu, and instead of white rice, I wish they'd used brown, but this was otherwise a solid choice. The salad that came with it seemed like a mish-mash of random leafy greens and could have been presented better, though. I think I would have preferred fresh pico de gallo or maybe a side of chips with this dish instead of the salad. The only vegan dessert they have (aside from some sorbet smoothies/shakes) was a maple walnut cookie ($2.50), which was excellent: soft and chewy with the wonderful, subtle flavor of maple. I hope they'll add a vegan cheesecake at some point in the future. The service here was impeccable. Everyone was super-friendly, eager, and happy. I felt good to eat there and felt welcomed by genuinely caring people who like what they do and care about the food they make. The decor is great, too. It's like an old-time soda fountain shop and servers wear bowties. The Cheese Factory is an asset to Wisconsin Dells. It's also a great stopping point for people traveling between Minneapolis and Madison/Milwaukee/Chicago, as it's right off of I-94 (and as I discovered, it's exactly 3.5 hours from Chicago and 3.5 hours from Minneapolis, so it's the perfect middle-point in that long drive).
(4)Jason L.
It's a cute throwback featuring an old-school soda fountain, decor, etc. I've heard that vegetarians love it. Pretty sure most meat-eaters would not enjoy. I had a garden wrap that was above adequate but not good enough to order again. Maybe it was the fact that I was duped by the name (thought I was headed to Cheesecake Factory), or maybe it was the inattentiveness of the servers or maybe it was the haphazard trying-to-be-authentic-but-missing-the-mark, or possibly it was the weird menu variety, but whatever the case, I won't be back. On a positive note, the servers were really kind and smiley. Oh, free wifi, too.
(2)Jeff B.
Friendly people and great vegetarian/vegan food. The goulash is wonderful and what I plan to order again the next time I'm in the Dells. I had a curry special another night that was also very good.
(4)Amanda C.
Only giving four stars because they offer NO meat choices (sadly, little Manders does not have the self control to go veg... shhh). Aside from that, this place was RAW AS HELLLLLLL!!! Lets start off with the fact that this place is like a quaint little cottage centered in the middle of the Dells. Extremely inviting, even to a rough-around-the-edges lady such as myself. Upon entering I was stoked! The place is ADORABLE! The tables all had a cute little centerpiece and clean linens. The tables are fairly spread out, so I am not elbow-to-elbow with a douchebag tourist that keeps asking where the burgers are on the menu. There is an upstairs area which I wish I got to sit in! God knows I hate being around others... rarrr. Anyway, the staff is UNREAL friendly. I want some of whatever they are on, because damn those bitches are happy. I couldn't decide what I wanted because everything sounded so awesome, but I made my choice... HUMMMMMMMMMUSSSSSSS! CAN YOU SAY HUMMUS!? CAN YOU SAY RAW ONIONS DIPPED IN HUMMUS!? CAN YOU SAY MY BREATH PROBABLY SMELLING LIKE ROTTEN TURD AND ME NOT CARING!? Yeah, if you're not an idiot, you can... so say it to the server at the Cheese Factory & order it, okay?
(4)Cornelia A.
this place was sooooo good! Fresh food full of flavor,and no meat!!!!! the highlight of my vacation! grill cheese was KILLER!
(5)Jeremy B.
Delicious! A gem in the Dells. Had a cup of beer cheese soup, mushroom stroganoff, and princess cake. Everything was really exceptional, especially for Dells cuisine.
(5)Jackie H.
We are vegan so we are very happy to find a vegan friendly restaurant close by. They have vegan and gluten free menu. Food is good and service excellent. Love the chocolate cupcake and it is vegan. BTW, they have wifi access, I wrote the quick review from my android phone.
(5)Jonathan H.
Holy Crap, please if you are like me take an immodium BEFORE you get there. It helps and also shows you they are using REAL Wisconsin cheese in there products. I do not like vegetarian food mostly. I like vegetables, but most vegetarian food I find bland. That was not the case at the CFR. I had one of those giant grilled cheese sandwiches and a soup. And after a day of sun and water antics, it was nice to just sit down and eat quietly. Easy parking and a nice staff as well.
(4)Richard S.
The service was amazing so was the food. My wife and I stayed in the Dells for the weekend and we went here two times. My favorite is their chocolate cake. If you are in the Dells you must visit this resturant.
(5)Tami O.
My husband and I enjoyed a visit to Wisconsin Dells this past weekend and stopped to enjoy breakfast with a friend from the area. While neither he nor our friend are vegetarian, I have recently switched and wanted to find a place to enjoy breakfast where I could eat more than just eggs and cheese. Though they are not open for breakfast (open at 11am) we decided to stop in. What a good decision, the service was friendly and the food was good. My husband had the black bean burrito which was delicious. It did have a meaty texture (not sure if it was soy based or seitan?) with a really wonderful flavor. The spices were well balanced and not too spicy. I enjoyed the famous grilled cheese...though I will admit it was a bit much for me. My only suggestion here would be to eliminate the extra layer of bread. There are three pieces of bread and the third just seems gratuitous. Not a lot of cheese but it was grilled to perfection and included some (not so great) tomatoes. I cannot agree that it is good enough to be famous, but I enjoyed it either way. Plus, it was accompanied by fresh salsa and chips. A very refreshing option over having standard French fries. We shared the beer cheese soup, which was a little different than what I may have expected but okay regardless. It did have carrots and a bit of a sweeter taste so that was an interesting twist compared to how I have had it at other restaurants which are usually spicy. The menu is a bit pricey but the food was good overall. The hours seem odd for being in the Dells, but I would stop in again on my way through.
(3)Melissa B.
FINALLY!!!! actual VEGETABLES in Wisconsin Dells! Stopping here before we head home from our yearly Dells trip has become my favorite new tradition and treat. I feel so healthy after I eat here, instead of how I feel after eating all the usual fried and processed crap one usually finds in the Dells or on the road. This was the first time I had vegetables all weekend. My Thai peanut stir fry was outstanding. My chocolate cupcake was the BEST I have ever tasted! Just wish this place wasn't so far from home.
(5)A. B.
What a gem! Who would have thought there would be a vegan-friendly vegetarian restaurant in Wisconsin Dells, let alone one with a dairy-centric name like "The Cheese Factory?" But here it is! I had the grilled vegetable flatbread and the vegan cupcake, both were great. I really enjoyed the excellent service and homey ambiance. Recommended highly!
(5)Julia C.
While on a family vacation, we stumbled upon the reviews and were intrigued. My brother is a vegetarian and after reading the menu, I knew this was up his alley. My husband and I also love a good vegetarian meal, so we took the parents and we all shared everything. We got the indian curry special, the goulash, the mushroom stroganoff and the "famous" grilled cheese. The grilled cheese was very good, but nothing omg amazing. The others were absolutely delicious. My mom even got excited knowing she can make stroganoff with mushrooms for when my brother comes over for dinner. The dessert we also shared was the Cloud 9, which was sooooooo good too. The staff was helpful and super nice, and overall we had a great experience and next time we are in town, we will definitely be back.
(5)Elina K.
This place is fab-u-lous! What a great option to have in the Dells! Everything we ordered was truly outstanding for the vegans, omnivores and children alike. Here is what I tried: - House Dinner Salad - Middle Eastern Classic - "Tuna" salad sandwich (doesn't taste like actual tuna but gives the same "mouth feel") - "Fisch" and chips (tastes so much like fisch it's creepy) - Kids' Grilled Cheese - Kids' pasta w/marinara sauce (YUM!) - Spiced sweet potato wedges (Soooo good!) - Home style potato wedges - Chocolate cake with ice cream (beautiful and delicious) - Key lime cashew dream cake (who needs cheesecake???) Kids couldn't believe their grilled "cheeze" sandwiches weren't actually "cheese". I am vegan and couldn't believe the "fisch" and chips was totally plant based. I actually got scared I ate fish and called the server over to make sure it wasn't lol! Service was warm and helpful and the manager, chef and server went out of their way to accommodate us and make recommendations. So don't be scared off by the plant-based cuisine. We all agreed it was the best meal we had in a long while.
(5)Justin W.
Ambience is quirky. It's like an old timey diner. The help isn't amazing. They warn you its all vegan but not in an exciting way, more like a scare you away, way. And the waitresses had almost a European vibe, not super excited to help or serve, but available and pleasant enough. The food was actually pretty good, and I'm not a vegetarian. I had the Canadian club sandwich (which includes zero whiskey). All the food of my friends around me looked and smelled really good too. Their deserts all looked really good, although we didn't imbibe. I would go back if I was looking for something healthy or had vegetarian friends that were insistent on the food. Probably not for the atmosphere though.
(2)Amanda G.
The food is consistently good. The service, not so much. The prices are also quite high for what you get. This definitely wasn't an issue for us but the name of the restaurant is a bit misleading as the menu is 100 % vegan, no animal products at all whatsoever. If you are able to look passed the mediocre service, give this place a shot--even if you're not vegetarian or vegan, the food is good! Try the chocolate cupcakes and Italian espresso float. Amazing.
(3)Sang L.
Great cheesecake! It doesn't taste like what you would expect, but good. The place is very cute. The servers are awesome. I would definitely come back.
(5)Bonnie L.
This place is fantastic. While I do agree that the name is a bit misleading since the place is 100% vegan, the food is fantastic. I have seen other people comment here on Yelp about being mislead down an evil Vegan path unbeknownst to them. To that, I say open your mind. Explore new horizons. You might really like this place. There is a lot to like about it. Being vegan, I am always limited to what I can order at restaurants. This place was limitless! That is a bit problematic for me because I can never make a decision to save my life. But the great thing is that there isnt a bad decision to be made here. Once we found out this was 100% vegan, we dined here three times this past weekend. Simply delicious. The first night we split the Mushroom Gnocci and the Flatbread pizza. Both were absolutely wonderful. The Gnocci had a creamy sauce that you make you swear there was dairy in it. The flatbread had wonderfully fresh ingredients on it including Kalamata olives, some greens and a very tasty cashew spread. We had the Carrot Cake for Dessert. It had really wonderful chunks of pineapple and raisins it it. To die for! Next night we tried the Tortada Quesadilla which had awesome chunks of sweet potato and fresh veggies. It also had some faux sausage, not my thing. I picked those out and would omit them next time. Too meaty tasting for my liking! My boyfriend went with an Asian stir fry over rice. Damn delicious. Dessert two nights in a row, we were on vacation after all! We got the Chocolate Layer Cake. We split it and i had to control myself from ordering a second piece. I am a vegan baker so I know how wonderful desserts made without eggs or butter can be and their desserts did not disappoint. Next....breakfast/brunch. I dont like breakfast, even for breakfast. I chose the Big Salad. It was, in fact, Big and it was delectable. It had slivered beets and carrots on it. Alfalfa sprouts, chick peas, raw cashews, sun dried tomatoes among a number of other fresh vegetables. THe dressing was made in house. I could taste a hint of olives in it, maybe? So good. I also got a side of potato wedges. The vacation factor again! My boyfriend went with pancakes. They were really good and had a bit of crunch to them. I think there were flecks of Coconut in them. I could seriously eat coconut on EVERYTHING! Skipped dessert.....but I didnt want to...... I would also like to add that we had the Apple Cider cold spiced drink. That was so refreshing and good. I am going to try to recreate that at home. The service here was impeccable. The people who run this are truly fantastic. I had wonderful conversations with many of the employees while there and I always felt warmth and welcomed. Thank you to everyone at the Cheeze Factory restaurant for giving us top notch food and service this past weekend in the Dells. It is a must try for vegans, vegetarians and carnivores alike.
(5)Diane K.
If you are looking for vegan food in the Dells this is the place to go. Food is amazingly fresh and delicious. Atmosphere comfortable and excellent service. You can have breakfast all day there.
(5)Keerti N.
I had been here a couple of years back. The menu is very different now with vegan, non diary and non GMO products forming the basis of all the menu items. Certainly for non vegetarian its bit of a let down. Having said that it was a delight to know vegies (especially Vegan) can taste so good. Good: The staff is exceptionally good, very polite, accommodating. The menu is very refreshing. Not so good: If you are craving for the conventional american food, this is not the place. They don't even have cheese anywhere in their menu. Recommended: Fried Banana's
(4)Martin K.
Excellent vegan restaurant. I had the tropical chimichanga and it's the best vegetarian dish I've had in a long time! Highly recommended!! A++ restaurant. The service is excellent too. My wife had the rattlesnake tofu and Thai banana. She loved them.
(5)Sarah H.
What an awesome find! We are traveling cross-country and were delighted to find this cruelty-free restaurant. The food was great (I had the Raja Wrap and my fiancé had the open stir fry). The staff was very kind and efficient, and we felt welcome. Fast service, friendly faces and great food. I cannot recommend this vegan treat enough!!
(5)Matt F.
Steer clear. The food here is nothing but microwaved food from the frozen foods section of whole foods. The outside of establishment clearly says "Fresh Homemade Cuisine". This could not be further from the truth. $16 for toaster waffles. Never again.
(1)Lauren S.
Wonderful unique organic options that are all plant based derived even the yummy desserts. Must experience
(5)Natalie C.
Fabulous vegan plant based meals. So delicious and so much attention to detail in each dish. Asian noodle stir fry and chick pea chili were amazing.
(5)Guru N.
Excellent service! Small place, seemed to be family owned. The spiced cider was Excellent. Very distinct flavors of Orange and cinnamon in it , was very refreshing. I had the Raja wrap, well spiced. The tortada my friend had was pretty good too. Worth a visit if you're around!
(5)Amy G.
Great vegan food! Really, the Cheese Factory proved that it IS possible. I enjoyed the five mushroom goulash, with smoked brussel sprouts in lemon sauce as a side dish. The flavors were complex with pleasant textures. A major step up from vegan food I've had in the past at other restaurants. It was great to have vegetables treated with respect and see flavor profiles beyond the usual Asian or Mexican. My server was attentive and the meal leisurely. The name is totally confusing though. The building used to house a cheese store by that name.
(5)Olga S.
Perfect vegetarian place for the family, couples, singles. Wonderful food - american, italian, eastern europe. Very good service... It seems like you came to your friends, not to the restaurant..
(5)Gary S.
If you want to eat healthy home cooked food, this is the place. I had the beer cheese soup and a very good mushroom pasta dish. Staff is very helpful and the setting was very comfortable.
(5)Megan S.
Where do I begin?? The Cheese Factory (NOT to be confused with the Cheesecake Factory) is one of my favorite restaurants anywhere. I make a point to stop by every time I drive from southeastern Wisconsin to the Twin Cities, and I try something different every time I go. It's an especially difficult place to describe, but I love it so much I had to try... First, some background: the Cheese Factory is staffed by "teachers" (I'm not sure what that position actually entails) of A Course in Miracles, which is some sort of spiritual/metaphysical "thought system" (according to the ACIM website). I'm not sure what their group (religion?) is all about, but the people running this restaurant are the most bubbling, effusively happy men and women on the planet. Don't be surprised if your waiter spontaneously breaks out into song as he carries you your dinner, or if there's dancing behind the counter. Moral of the story: most delightful service ever. Now, the food. The menu is entirely vegetarian (it's part of the ACIM thing) and offers everything from chimichangas to Thai bananas, along with more traditional American fare. All of it is delicious, no exceptions, but I'm especially fond of the beer cheese soup. I promise you will not be disappointed if you visit the Cheese Factory while vacationing in the Dells or make a pit-stop on your next road trip. This place is amazing!
(5)Daniel B.
At first I thought this was the same commercial piece of crap restaurant and I was going to go pee on the door, but I was in for a surprise. This is a quality vegetarian restaurant that even a meat eating person like myself can enjoy. I went with the tried and true Huevos Rancheros I didn't think I would like vegetarian chorizo sausage, but I was wrong...way wrong. It comes, as close to tasting like meat as you can without killing a cow. I like to consider myself somewhat of a Huevos Rancheros expert and this one is in my top 3. Spicy, flavorful, loads of beans and served with a cheesy quesadilla, which is something new, and makes this dish a stand out! The decor is that of a soda parlor and I felt like I traveled back in time when I walked through the door. The place is really bright and happy. I suggest you not go here hung over; you might die from light exposure. Service is borderline Stepford wifeish is how I would put it, just a little creepy. (Maybe it was just our server) It's a great environment for a sun filled breakfast and I would love to give lunch and dinner a try.
(5)Veronica W.
My husband and I had brunch here while in the Dells. The food was fantastic. Our waitress was very nice and the service was great. The desserts on display looked fantastic but I had just devoured the biggest and best blueberry muffin I ever had, Desserts will have to wait till next time. There will be one for sure.
(4)Yoko Y.
Ever see the movie "Pleasantville"? This place is so that. "White Christmas" is playing in the middle of summer, the staff wears dresses and bow ties, and the women's bathroom has tampons and pads perfectly stuffed in a dainty little basket. It's awesome! The place has a main room with a 50's counter, tables, and booths. They also have a beautiful sunroom to dine in. You'll have to walk by a rotating display case of sinfully delicious looking desserts just to get to that room. It's so hard not to stop and stare at the desserts and resist the urge to order everything in it. Anyway, the food is freaking fantastic here! The chimichanga was bible sized and filled with a delicious romesco sauce. Next time, more tofu please! The beer cheese soup was good. The rattlesnake tofu was simple and delicious. And the black beans! If my own black beans could just miraculously come out like theirs. Yum. As for desserts, the coconut cream puff pastry can turn you into a food addict. It's that good. The maple cookie was soft and chewy. The flan was delicious though a bit over cooked on the bottom. You can find many of their dishes in their recipe book. The ones that were fantastic (black beans and chimichanga) have looooong ingredients list. No wonder they taste so good. Bottom line, you must eat here if you're in the Dells!
(5)Mike S.
Vegetarian place with OK food. Beer cheese soup, was different but good. Grilled cheese sandwich was unimpressive, and the "burger" was about equal to a frozen boca burger. Fries were nice and crispy, probably the best part of the meal.
(3)Heather B.
We were in town to visit the water parks and stopped in for dinner on our way out of town. They have a great menu from all over the world. Everything is made from scratch in the restaurant, including their amazing desserts! We had the beer cheese soup to start and then split the Hungarian Goulash. Even though everything on their menu in vegetarian, DO NOT expect a bland meal. They do an amazing job of flavoring all the tofu to taste just like the meat they are substituting. I can't wait to visit again and try more of their delicious food!
(5)Ash M.
Great place for vegetarians. The big cheese sandwich was great was the Spicy Thai Lomein was very delicious. If you are a vegan, do not miss on the Vegan Chocolate Cupcake...it's better than the best I have had before.
(4)David P.
A vegetarian restaurant for non-vegetarian. Amazing array of global flavors from Thai to Middle Eastern to Mexican to Indian in contrast to to the typical burgers and pizza you find elsewhere in the Dells. Reserved the place for a family reunion with some intrepidation. How could everyone possibly be pleased with various tastes and dietary restrictions. But actually everyone ended up going away pleased with a (vegetarian) Reuben sand which for grandpa, lasagna for grandma, pizza for the kids, Mid-East combo for my wife and a distinctive brown rice/avocado/nori bowl for me. Impressive selection of deserts and fountain treats to boot. It would have been nice if they had wines and beers -- it would have been a good compliment to all the great flavors served.
(4)Chris M.
I was in town on business and had an extended break. My family and I went there for lunch. First of all, i didn't know it was a vegetarian joint (although the amount of Priuses in the parking lot should have been a dead giveaway). Not that I was disappointed, it just wasn't what I was expecting (like a burger, perhaps). I tried the rattlesnake tofu and my wife had the soon-to-be-famous grilled cheese sandwich (four cheeses and roma tomatoes). "What's so special about a grilled cheese?", we asked. Something magical about the ingredients and tomatoes (which I normally don't like heated) make for a fantastic combination. It even got written up as one of the countries' best grilled cheese sandwiches recently! One of those pleasant surprises that doesn't happen very often. Anyhow, it was a perfect lunch and a complete pleasure. Way to go, Wisconsin Dells!
(5)Andy O.
We were staying right across the street at the Wilderness Resort. Very convenient. We tried this based on yelp reviews. It was Friday during Lent so some in our party weren't eating meat. Also, there was a child with lactose issues. The child was able to get dairy-free hot chocolate which she really liked. There were many attractive items on the menu. Someone had the portobello sandwich that they really liked. I had the stroganoff and my wife had the goulash. Both were quite good. The bill got kind of high, but we had hot ciders, coffee, hummus and other extras. However, when compared to the poor meal we had the night before we were more than happy with the experience.
(4)Mike S.
The food was good the service was spectacular! The price was a little high for a fam of 4 but the two pieces of cake we took with us was worth it.
(4)Louis C.
Super customer service, wait staff professional and informed, soda fountain with the superior service you had with your grandparents at the local soda fountain (if you're as old as I) seemed like everyone working there could be the owner with all of the excellent customer service and attention, patience with kids and parents having a difficult time deciding, very clean, kind, top-notch food. Can't say enough about this place. Refreshingly polite staff, reasonable prices for high quality fresh food that delivers dine in or take out. Difficult to get a quinoa salad that is this good anywhere, let alone in the Dells. Very impressed with all dishes. East meets west chickpeas, grilled cheese for kids, milk shake, quinoa salad, french fries, dinner slad, raspberry vinaigrette, spanakopita, pita tepanade, 2 cupcakes (they put in 2 birthday candles as a surprise in our takeout bag because we were vacationing on the kids' birthdays). Must note that cupcakes were delicious to kids and Dad (and according to this Mom who is a Baker) and looked cool to the kids, as they were decorated carefully with lollipops, gummi worms, smiley rings and other treats. Hmmm...time to get back there.
(5)j j.
It is SO nice to find a place in a tourist mecca that focuses on quality food. Not everyone wants greasy meat and potatoes, even when on vacation. The cheese factory is vegetarian, which might turn some meat-lovers away. But for anyone who enjoys some vegetables and flavorful food, this is a good choice. There are also vegan and gluten free options available. "Serious scrumptious" is how the coconut thai noodles are described on the menu and that is an accurate description. Desserts are a highlight. The cake slices are humungous and really, really good. The soda fountain with barstools (vanilla cokes anyone?) and whimsically decorated cupcakes make it a fun place to take kids for a treat. The staff are incredibly friendly and the premises are comfortable and inviting. This is a place I could eat almost every day.
(5)Jess A.
The only vegetarian restaurant in Wisconsin Dells!! And man, the food was good! Service was friendly and quick, and the food, well the food was yummy! I would have eaten here every day during my trip if I could have. And seriously, I would have, if we hadn't have been there during the off season and the Cheese Factory was only open Friday through Sundays. Major Bummer. One of the main reasons that I booked a room next door at the Dell Creek Motel was because it was next to this restaurant, and they offered discount coupons. Color me sad to be visiting the Dells during the off season. Only means I have to go back to eat here more!
(5)Michelle C.
I have been a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad Yelper. That alone should tell you how amazing The Cheese Factory Restaurant is for me to run back to my hotel immediately after finishing my delightful meal to tell you about how gloriously wonderful it was. Despite the fact that I am no longer a vegetarian, I eat vegetarian 97.5% of the time or something like that. The rest of the time tends to be when I'm out in a restaurant and the idea of chocking down another uninspired veggie burger or salad makes me want to slit my wrists. Imagine my delight when I logged into Yelp to look for restaurants in Wisconsin Dells and found out that there was a restaurant that served ONLY vegetarian cuisine. For a gal that's been back in the Midwest for a few months after a fabulous stay in California, the idea of a restaurant filled with vegetarian gems all but moved my to tears. For my dinner, I got the Hungarian Goulash. (Our rendition of an Eastern European classic includes scrumptious morsels of vegetables and tofu slowly simmered in a sour-cream paprika sauce. Served with pierogi (potato dumplings) and Bavarian sauerkraut.) It was possibly the most amazing thing I have ever eaten. The rye flavor was very strong but I love rye so this was an added bonus to me. The sauce was delightful and the overall meal was scrumptious. I'm not sure about the other entrees (YET...but I will be eating every meal for the next two days there) but the serving for the Goulash was easily enough to make two meals out of. Unfortunately, I don't have a microwave in my room so my leftovers had to go to waste. This truly saddens me since the food was amazing. Maybe I'll update after I eat there tomorrow but if i don't it's because everything was fabulous and I just can't imagine how you'll live your life without consuming a meal there.
(5)Eric C.
I just got back from a trip to the Dells and was told I had to go check this place out. After yelping it, I agreed it was worth a shot. Background on me - I'm a carnivore who has no problem eating vegetarian. First stop - Friday night dinner. I got the rattlesnake tofu (really wasn't as great as the other reviews make it out to be) along with the Thai stir-fry. The Thai stir-fry was very "meh", it was ok, but nothing I'd want to really order again. One friend got the Spanakopita and loved it, and those who got "The Big Cheese" all agreed it was good, but not as good as it was made out to be for Rachel Ray's Top 5. I also got the Root Beer float and expected some crazy root beer-ness, but instead, got a can of Barq's. Boo. This led to me being somewhat disappointed in Yelp's powers (or I just put the The Cheese Factory up on a a pedestal of Yelp goodness). Sunday lunch: holy crap. I had read Daniel B's review of the Huevos Rancheros, and he is right. This dish was hands down freaking amazing. My mind could not handle the ridiculous flavor packed into this dish. Quesadillas under beans, some chili mix with the vegetarian chorizo, sour cream to smooth it out, delicious. To clarify one thing, basted eggs are pretty much over easy (our waitress didn't know off hand). I also tried the Almond pastry, it was just OK. Sour note: waitress on Sunday just could not understand what I was saying, I had to repeat and point out the dishes on the menu a few times, kind of annoying. Otherwise, everyone else there was super nice and I would definitely stop by here again for lunch next time I'm in the Dells.
(4)Denise H.
This is a MUST if you travel to Wisconsin Dells and you don't want to be stuck with crappy fast-food chain dining.
(5)Bryan B.
Another big thumbs-up! A wide variety of fantastic food, big portions, amazing service, and plenty of options for would-be carnivores. We went on a holiday weekend Friday night and there was hardly anyone there, sad to see, because it's gotta be the best restaurant in the Dells. If you're waiting in line at some crappy Dells restaurant and yelping for somewhere else to go, and you're thinking "Wow, lots of great reviews, but it's VEGETARIAN, what will we do if Dakota can't order chicken nuggets?" Just shut up and try it out, it's awesome. Even lowest-common-denominator Food Network hostess Rachel Ray dug it, (and probably short-changed them on the tip.)
(5)Mindy G.
Went here with kids and hubby. I was so happy to find a veggie place in the Dells. Everything was great. I had a fake bacon sandwich with cheese, almonds, pineapple, and saurkraut. Kids had hummus and grilled cheese. Hubby had a wrap. The server was so nice and even gave my kids pinwheels to play with. It was great to find a healthy place to eat!
(5)Eri K.
What a lovely surprise to find in the Wisconsin Dells! My family and I stopped in for lunch after hearing good things about the restaurant. First, the restaurant is owned and run by a fantastic group of people who are all very passionate about serving their customers with quality and love. All of the food is vegetarian - but you would never know! I have 3 carnivores in my family and they all loved the place. My brother recommends the enchiladas. We all sampled from 6 dishes and 3 desserts - all fantastic. In addition, they have an espresso machine and a real soda fountain - and they know how to use them! Ricard, our waiter from Spain, was an absolute pleasure and was extremely considerate when making suggestions. I ended up loving the dishes so much that I bought The Cheese Factory Restaurant Cookbook. It's full of all of their delicious dishes which include everything from American food (they won an award for one of Rachel Ray's TOP 5 GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICHES), to Mexian, Italian, French, etc. This was quite possibly my favorite stop on our family vacation to Wisconsin.
(5)Kirby H.
Fabulous even meat eaters should love it.
(5)Rebecca Y.
Tucked away in the middle of a tourist trap, I stumbled upon this treasure. The Cheese Factory was a simple delight from the ambiance to the staff to the menu. The restaurant is small but packed with chart including a dated soda fountain. The staff is mostly European. I caught myself saying Thank you in Dutch. The menu was packed with so many wonderful things to choose from. I ordered the broiled polenta served with black beans, salsa, pineapple and grilled plaintains. So incredibly yummy. My girlfriend ordered the pita tapandade served with pesto, feta cheese, zuchinni and tomato. She was in heaven. I simply can't believe I found this place. I will definately be back and only wish it was closer to my home!
(5)Sydney F.
On our way to spa weekend, my girlfriends and I were delighted to find this gem. Delicious treats for a minimal amount of money & quite the selection! I tried the stroganoff and it was delicious! Also had the apple pie & the glorious chocolate cake...which left something to be desired...but the pie was incred!
(3)Katie C.
The reviews on here all right. Simply put, the food is the best I've had in the Dells. I had the cheese ravioli with beet coulis, roasted sweet potatoes, blue cheese crumbles, and toasted walnuts. My boyfriend convinced me to have dessert, and we opted for the Cloud 9, a "heavenly" white chocolate mousse surrounding a piece of devil's food cake and topped with a decadent raspberry sauce. Wow. Now if I could only convince my potential mother-in-law that there are better things to eat in the Dells than buffet pizza, we'd be back...
(5)Brett C.
I can't believe this place exists! I always associate the Wisconsin Dells, or really Wisconsin in general as a meat, cheese and grease kind of town. Anywhere I've been, whether it be, Milwaukee, Madison, Lake Geneva, or Wis Dells, are mostly heavy on all things carnivorous and artery clogging. The Cheese factory on the other hand, defies convention not only by being all vegetarian, and partially vegan, but by providing an organically grown menu as well. The looks of the place reminds me of an old country Inn, or bed and breakfast. Everything is decorated with dark woods, almost has an old lady feel to it, but in a good way. Also the staff there are mostly pushing 50 or 60, so that may have something to do with it too. But I digress... The food here is outstanding, and extremely high quality, fresh, creative, and filling. After discovering this place, I did not want to go anywhere else. For breakfast one day I had the Vegan Sunrise Skillet, and for lunch on a different day I had the Vegan Chimichanga. Both left me feeling stuffed, satisfied, and licking my plate (the true test of a good meal). The service was attentive and friendly, really, if you're struggling to find a vegetarian or vegan place in the dells, this is your safe haven. Lots to choose from, all vegetarian, vegan friendly, healthy, friendly food. Worth every bite. I just wish they were open later. If it wasn't for yelp, I never would have found it though, the name is deceiving.
(5)Cell L.
Absolutely loved this place. Went with my husband who eats gluten free and our two children (one is vegetarian) Staff was very friendly, comfortable seating and cool atmosphere. My husband got the Thai stir fry which he loved and I got the Spanakopita which was wonderful. Great kids menu and they get a prize at the end of the meal. So excited to know of a place we can stop in while traveling that is delicious and healthy. The only suggestion I have for them is to offer more gluten free dessert options.
(5)Roy C.
Vegetarian restaurants should not be this good! If every restaurant put this much love into every dish, I would be 300 lbs. As an avid bacon lover, I want to hate the cheese factory, but their dedication to interesting flavors makes me forget about pigs. Every person visiting the Wis Dells should pay a visit to the cheese factory, if only for the ridiculous desserts. Stop being a hillbilly, order a veggie burrito and tell them D-Ca sent you!
(5)Nick C.
Great atmosphere. Wait staff catered to customers as if they were serving at a 5 star restaurant. Very tasty food! Would go again in a heartbeat.
(5)Beep H.
This place should get one star, but since it's vegan it gets two. The food was terrible and came in bite sized portions. The waiters ignored us for the duration of our stay and were completely uninterested. The food was bland and, I swear, tasted like it was from costco. I mean, it beats ponderosa obviously, but don't have high expectations.
(2)Brian C.
Wow, how do i begin. This place was awesome. first note, don't rely on Yelp to provide you with decent directions. After driving all around we finally ended up calling the restaurant and he gave us great directions to the restaurant. We arrived 30 mins before they closed, and they were very nice to us upon entering. Wife and i ordered the famous grilled cheese and the kids had the kids menu grilled cheese. I ordered the beer cheese soup, and wife got the organic salad. We also had cherry cokes and kids got shirley temples. All the food was awesome, and we ended up buying the cook book too. because the beer cheese soup recipe was in it. Will definitly come back when in Wisconsin dells
(5)RJ D.
stopped in for a quick coffee to go on our way out of town and enjoyed their handcrafted green tea refresher, as well. very enjoyable to have a good cup of coffee in the dells! we'll be back next year!
(4)Erika D.
Great food, kid friendly, reasonable prices, staff was very polite, service was fast.
(4)Christine H.
Under "Wisconsin Dells," Happycow.com only listed The Cheese Factory as vegan/vegetarian. By divine providence, my hotel happened to be across the street from the Dells' only vegan haven. I went there twice during my weekend stay. Their signature dish is Rattlesnake Tofu, and you must try it if you like barbecue (even the side of black beans was tangy, not plain and salty). That dish, by the way, was also the right serving size. Their huge maple walnut cookie is delicious and tastes just how you would expect it to taste (like maple syrup and walnuts). My waitress seemed a little frazzled, but otherwise, I loved this restaurant! I never thought I would actually have a hard time deciding what to eat at a restaurant in Wisconsin, the Midwestern cheese capital. The flavors from the Vegan burrito are also an ecletic, spicy party for your tastebuds. It was big enough for two meals and still tastes good cold (I had it in the car on the way home).
(4)Kate P.
Oh, I just loved this place. Everything about it. The menu and decor are eclectic and wonderful. The space has a little of everything: an old-fashioned soda fountain, a juke box, a garden room, a mural on the wall, lots of different art, and a revolving dessert case that provided so much entertainment as we walked around. This is not at all what I pictured when I read about an all-vegetarian restaurant. Or when I pictured a restaurant called The Cheese Factory. But all of these things come together for such a unique experience. And the food was phenomenal. I am assuming that the woman who seated us was the owner. She told us a little about the restaurant, and we ended up chatting with her several times throughout the evening. She answered lots of questions about the pastries as we stood in front of the dessert case, trying to control the drool. We also spoke with the pastry chef. Our server was nice, and there were several other people working there who bused the table or refilled water as they were walking around. Everyone was so friendly. My partner had the quesadilla, and he enjoyed it for dinner and again for lunch the following day. The mushroom stroganoff was outstanding. The portion was huge and delicious. I'd like another order of it right now. The kids had pasta with marinara and a veggie burger. We reluctantly passed on the desserts because we were so full. However, I came back the following evening to pick up an assortment of desserts for our traveling companions after I was unable to persuade them to try a vegetarian restaurant for dinner (we went somewhere nearby that was awful, so we had to use The Cheese Factory's desserts to salvage our evening). The Glorious Chocolate Cake was, indeed, glorious. Chocolate cake with a chocolate mousse layer, covered in chocolate ganache with a pretty chocolate heart set into the top. Gorgeous as well as glorious. The fun cupcakes were enjoyed by all who tried them. My favorite dessert was the Black Forest Wrap, which had decadent cake and filling wrapped in a delicate chocolate outer layer, topped with cherries. I don't know how this dessert was accomplished, but I loved it. We also tried the carrot cake, which was great. Our group split over the favorite dessert - a few of us voted for the black forest wrap, while the rest preferred the chocolate cake. This is my kind of debate. There were a couple of things that were a little off. The veggie burger was a bit burned, which is easy to do with soy products. However, my little guy ate it without complaint. The kids' placemat menu offers a sloppy joe, which isn't really something they serve. My daughter was disappointed, but the noodles with marinara that she ordered instead were thoroughly enjoyed. Her disappointment was completely forgotten after a glance at the kids cupcakes. Also, their kids meal toy is a little pinwheel, which is still delighting my kids several days later. So, yes, there were a few misses, but I am still giving Cheese Factory five stars because I tried some of their competition in the immediate area. The Cheese Factory would only be 4 stars in Madison or Chicago, but in the Dells, it is worth 7 or 8 stars. Hands down, the best food we ate during our entire vacation.
(5)Don P.
Best place to eat in the Dell's area. Something for everyone including your vegetarian. We went there every night for 5 days. Wonderful service. Comfortable surroundings. Really great people. Oh and the food for a vegan is outstanding.
(5)Joy H.
If you're driving to The Dells, Madison, Milwaukee, or even Chicago this summer, The Cheese Factory in Wisconsin Dells (not to be confused with the national chain restaurant, The Cheesecake Factory) offers excellent vegetarian and vegan cuisine and is definitely worth a stop. We discovered The Cheese Factory several years ago during a water park vacation to The Dells and the food is on the same level with some of the better vegetarian/vegan restaurants in San Francisco, Seattle and Chicago. If you go, the restaurant is open Thursday through Sunday. The Cheese Factory (named simply because the building used to be a cheese factory) offers both vegetarian and vegan/gluten-free menus and prepares everything in-house, including sauces and dressings. The food is fresh, colorful, flavorful and surprisingly sophisticated with international inspiration, especially considering its location in the land of meat and dairy. The Vegan Mediterranean Medley is a big platter of quinoa salad, grilled zucchini, rattlesnake tofu (seasoned charbroiled tofu), flame-broiled Portobello mushroom, tomato, hummus, cucumbers, marinated carrots (see recipe below) and Kalamata olives served with toasted pita for $13.95. The Mexicali Polenta features grilled polenta (seasoned with sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers and smoked almonds) atop black beans with organic greens, salsa, fried bananas and pineapple ($10.95). The Portobello mushroom sandwich has marinated and grilled mushrooms, peppers and onions, with a sauce made from roasted red peppers, garlic and smoked almonds, served with fries or a raspberry walnut mixed green salad ($10.95). All dishes are incredible -- on one weekend visit to the Dells, we ate at The Cheese Factory three times. The Cheese Factory has an old fashioned ice cream soda fountain offering many flavors of sundaes, malts and sodas and specialty ice cream desserts. They also bake tremendous desserts including a Princess cake -- vanilla cake with layers of lemon butter-cream frosting and raspberry filling. They offer a few vegan baked goods. The restaurant also sells The Cheese Factory Cookbook on the website and at the restaurant. I use this cookbook frequently. It includes many of the restaurant's menu items and a helpful introduction to meat substitutes for those learning to cook with tofu, TVP, tempeh and seitan. For more information: examiner.com/x-10371-Min…
(5)Derrick R.
A must stop. Great food, even better service. Had the Hungarian goulash blew me away.
(5)Claire S.
I randomly ate here while skiing in the Dells and I am so glad to have discovered this restaurant! Everything is vegetarian with vegan options for most dishes (vegan menu on request) and the cuisine ranges from Mexican to German to American types of dishes. I had the mushroom stroganoff-delicious! They also serve old-fashioned soda fountain drinks like phosphates (look it up if you don't know what it is and then try one!). I thoroughly enjoyed the food here and the service was excellent as well. So next time you're in the Dells (or even if you live there), drive through the main strip of fast food and restaurant chains and make a stop at The Cheese Factory!
(5)Rebecca D.
This is one of our favorite restaurants ANYWHERE. What a charming gem. We are not complete vegetarians but even if you're really a meat eater, this restaurant has such a diverse menu that it doesn't disappoint. In the Dells, where everything is fried, it's so wonderful to get a healthy meal with real vegetables for a low cost. The staff is so friendly - when we went there for my son's birthday last October, they treated him like an absolute king. Not the cheesy "we are singing to you because we have to" like in chain restaurants, but "we are so delighted you are sharing your birthday with us." Then he enjoyed a faceful of huge vegan chocolate cupcake. We are so glad they're open in winter now so we never have to miss a chance to go here!
(5)Dan L.
We loved this place. I am a seasoned meat eater but we went here in honor of one of our vegetarian friends. I was blown away by the quality of the food. Everything was so tasty and well prepared. Even the garnishes were amazing. We ordered apps and four entrees (I also had the beer soup). The plantains and bruschetta were so well made and the the Delhi Delicious was so flavorful. In addition the service was exquisite. The food came quickly as well. 5 Stars to this Jewel in the Dells!
(5)Chimeren P.
Waiter was very charming and sounded French, gotta love an accent. Ravioli with Gorgonzola cream sauce was amazing. Also tried coconut cream cake, hazelnut torte and cheesecake which where all very tasty but the coconut was my favorite.
(4)G T.
Rachel Ray was right. Worth a stop if you go to the Dells. Beer cheese soup, grilled cheese sandwich, and goulash all excellent.
(5)Chris S.
Seriously. For the price *and* the nuttiness of its name as compared to the cuisine they serve, this joint is tops! it's both a restaurant and a soda fountain and since we will probably never have the chance to dine here again, I had to sample from both sides fo that equation. My wife and I split a vanilla phosphate which was a toned-down surprise when compared with what one gets when they drink soda, these days. For my meal, I had a salad with the (signature) Rattlesnake Tofu. That was excellent! I've had grilled, crispy tofu befor, but the black bean side and the lemony kick of the BBQ sauce really added to it. When it came time for dessert, I looked around and found that my nermal dessert helper (my wife) had abandoned me! She was *not* going to be helping me with whatever I got. This just about stopped me for ordering the Chocolate Hazelnut Torte. Luckily, the rest of the party convinced me to go whole hog and I ordered it. Oh man, that was one of the best dessert cakes I've ever had...no, really. Not deathly sweet (thanks to the coffee-chocolate frosting) which I sometimes forget is okay in a dessert and rife with hazelnuts in the cake. The perfect way to more than double the caloric impact of my meal! If I'm ever here again, the Cheese Factory will be getting a visit from this here Californian! Big up to my wife's uncle for finding this place for his out-of-town guests!
(5)MR W.
This place is vegetarian only. Ok no biggy I like eggs and cheese and veggies sometimes. The eggs were awful as was everything else. I can't believe the great reviews. blah!
(1)Nicole C.
We were at the Dells for a family vacation and "the girls" went to The Cheese Factory for a late lunch. The place is super cute and it was nice to be at a place that wasn't huge and totally busy with tourists. Our server was great and even allowed us to order an item that isn't available until after 4pm (I think it was around 2PM). We had my neice with us (age 12) and my daughter (15 months) and my sister in law. My daughter had the veggie burger and enjoyed it (Well, what didn't end up on th floor!). The rest of us ordered different items and we shared them: A cup of the beer cheese soup, Rachael Ray's grilled cheese, mushroom stronganoff and eggs moneray. The soup was great, the grilled cheese needed to be cheesier. Our favorites were the Mushroom Stronganoff and the Eggs Moneray. We also enjoyed a chocolate malt and chocolate soda. It was a great meal, maybe a little pricey, but we were on vacation! Thank you Yelp, for stearing us in the right direction!
(5)Jen B.
Hands down my favorite restaurant of all time. The BF and I stopped in after getting a good reco from veggie friends and ended up coming here two more times over the course of one long weekend in the Dells. The second and third times we made everyone in our party come along, and they all loved it, too. The place is run by Christian Scientists from who are unbelievably nice and friendly. The food is to die for. I tried the chimichanga, the rattlesnake tofu, Peg's Eggs and the "famous" grilled cheese, and countless bites of other entrees. Everything is delicious. Seriously, you cannot go wrong. Don't forget dessert - I loved the carrot cake.
(5)Edward R.
Sounded pretty good, but we skipped it because no alcohol -- even BYO.
(2)Emily W.
Being a vegan, I checked ahead of our trip to see if there were any vegan/vegetarian-friendly restaurants in the Dells area. After reading a handful of reviews for this place, I decided I had to try it for myself. It. Was. Delicious. On our first trip (dinner), I had the Malaysian Coconut Noodles and my husband ordered the Chimichanga. So flavorful and just the right amount of spice, with generous portions. The service was charming and attentive. My kids really enjoyed our waiter - they each ordered one of the milkshakes. On our second trip (breakfast), it was busy. Really busy. The staff was apologetic, but not overly so. I was happy they had so many patrons. The Sunrise Skillet was, again, very flavorful. Not exactly the kind of skillet we were used to, but my husband and I loved it. The server was a little frazzled, but quite kind. I was disappointed at the comments I heard around me - some people turned up their nose at the fact that they don't serve meat. One table even got up and left. Their loss. This place is a gem! Keep up the good work - we will definitely return the next time we are in the area.
(5)Andrew A.
Every time I visit this area, which is every year or two, I make a point to go to the Cheese Factory at least twice (once for the vegan chimichanga, once to try something new). It is a vegetarian/vegan haven in a sea of chain restaurants and hotel buffets. It's very country, a little old-fashioned, but the food is totally gourmet, reasonably priced and delicious. I seriously dream about that romesco sauce. They also have a soda bar, and a great selection of desserts. Staff is very friendly. If you're vegan, they have a completely separate vegan menu so be sure to ask for it when you're seated!
(5)Kim O.
Food was very good. I woud like a change of menu items though for vegan options. Been the same for awhile now. Prices are slightly high, but the quality of food is great.
(5)pepper r.
We went there around 530 on a Friday night. The food was really good. Although the "big cheese" was cold and bland. I had the Malaysian peanut sauté which was awesome. My daughter had spaghetti. Don't order appetizers the portions are huge! There is no alcohol. And of course this is a veggie only restaurant!
(4)tonya b.
Where exactly is the cheese factory in the Cheese Factory??? Very good food. Fresh, wholesome and the desserts are amazing. I love Key Lime Pie when it is NOT green! Try the Wisconsin Cheese and Beer soup. you can tell it's fresh, so that makes it good. i didn't ask how many calories. at this point it doesn't matter! I had the crepes with cheese, cheese, more cheese and leeks. it was a great dish. decent presentation. It feels like a soda shop, which it is actually, so it's more like a lunch place, although we had dinner here and it was good. They have a jukebox. it's cute. but i don't think they serve alcohol or anything. the pizza- try the Romesco. my mom had that and it ws AMAzing! (i make my own pizza by hand at home, so i am VERY picky about it!). I would like to see a thinner crust, but honestly, for pizza not from home, it was very good! I recommend this place, especially for lunch. it is well lit inside, so it's not a quiet romantic place.
(4)Rose P.
The place is adorable with cute and friendly servers to match. However, they don't do substitutions well which might be an issue when it comes to their breakfast menu. I, as well as some of my friends, felt like every menu item was missing something we wanted with our meal that the server would not add or sub for. Yet, I ended up on our servers shit-list when I asked for potatoes instead of rice. The omelet with guacamole was heavy on the guac, the potatoes were overcooked, and they did not have any kind of French toast item which was very disappointing. They did have amazing blueberry pancakes, beer cheese soup, and desserts that sounded great. I kind of regret not getting something off their lunch menu or buying their cookbook. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by this place. Its probably much better than anything else the Dells has to offer, even for omnivores.
(4)Heidi K.
Wow wow wow! Great food and great service! Everything we ordered tasted really fresh! I will go back!
(5)Emily C.
Two seconds from my favorite The Wilderness Hotel - it would get 5 stars if they were open year round at decent times. We went for lunch the first day - great onion, pepper red sauce meal with fresh steamed veg. Dinner was a delicious Indian Faire with lentils, a vegan burrito and a few deserts - I didn't care for the rhubarba pie but vegans can't be choosers - or something like that. Everyone dresses ala 1950, they all have Australian accents I believe, and a great soda bar. At dinner people were lining up while they were trying to close to just get a scoop of ice cream - can't speak to that personally but the kiddos were in tears at the possibility of not getting their favorite ice cream in the whole word. Prices were fair, drinks were delicious - non-alcoholic, and the food - hey - it's WI --home of beer and cheese soup and cheese curds - my food failed to moo at me or try to raise my cholesterol - that's a plus in my book.
(4)katsiaryna s.
OMG! my waitress was dressed so horribly! i felt like i was in a church, not in a restaurant. smell is very unpleasant. there were a lot of old people working there, which i don't mind, but it take them so long to get things done. i stopped in there for breakfast, but didn't find anything appealing on the menu...so i ended up just getting a desert which was ok, nothing spectacular... for almost 6 dollas you can get something much better than a piece of cake!
(1)Sylvia R.
Oh Cheese Factory, how you tease. I wish Yelp let me break down ratings into categories- but they don't, so I'll handle the task. As far as service, it's like a Twilights Zone in there! We were seated by a strangely shy gentleman, and didn't see our waitress for 10 minutes! In that 10 minutes, we had PLENTY of time to scope out the menu and pick what we wanted. When she finally showed up, she got our drink orders and dissapeared for another 10 minutes! When she finally came back, she casually says 'I hope you weren't waiting too long'. Huh? Well seeing as you deterimined how long we were waiting..Moving on- we ordered the beer cheese soup, which was excellent. For the main course, we shared the 'Big Cheese' sandwich and the Goulash. Both together, yummy. The Big Cheese on it's own? Well- that's what I get for listening to Rachel Ray! ;) Right before dessert, we had a waitress switch- THANK GOD, and ordered the Cloud Nine to share. SO. GOOD. Like, DREAMY good. Overall, the service could have been due to the one inept waitress we had, the food was magnificent for being meat free, and I would recommend a stop or two when you're cheesin it up in the Dells, just prepare yourself ahead of time for wierd service!
(4)Ryan W.
Fabulous. Heaven for vegetarians, as you can choose between western and eastern dishes. The service some of the best I've ever experienced, far better than places with prices more than twice what you see at this place. Really reasonable. Now in my top 5 favorite restaurants, and makes me wish I lived closer to the Dells.
(5)Mike B.
Great food and great atmosphere. Even if you not into tofu or soy products (which I am..) there are so many options on the menu. The kids enjoyed their pizza and pasta. The desserts are also fabulous. We even bought the cookbook to try to recreate are entries..I wish we found this earlier in our Dells stay...
(5)Sarah B.
Located about a mile from the Interstate, this restuarant has an extensive vegetarian menu--though not as unique as Chicago Diner. There's a soda fountain/espresso bar, and plenty of tantalizing cakes and pies on display. Breakfast is good and features no-meat and fake meat dishes; served til 2PM. Children seem to be unavoidable during weekend breakfast/brunch. This is not a fancy place--jeans and a t-shirt are fine. Service is slow, very slow, but the place and its staff are squeaky clean. **was here again recently and just had to encourage everyone to try the croissant with cheese, spinach and leeks with the side of cranberry chutney--delicious! 4-17-07
(4)Dorn M.
Your must visit restaurant in the Dells. We recently relocated away from Baraboo and this is perhaps the restaurant we miss the most. The staff is friendly and quirky. The food is superb and the deserts are spectacular. During the growing months, the flowers and garden outside are gorgeous. The restaurant owns the small smoke free hotel immediately next door that is a no frills but sparkling clean and pleasant affair and they also own a B & B in the historic section of the Dells. Non-vegetarians need not be afraid, the food is spectacular. I highly recommend the Mediterranean omlet, the beer cheese soup, and the blue cheese quesadilla. Save room for desert.
(5)Jeff W.
If there ever was a misnamed restaurant, this would be it. Had I not been tippped off by a friend, it's unlikely I would have gone here --unless I was craving a grilled cheese sandwich. The Cheese Factory Restaurant features gourmet vegetarian cuisine. The menu reflects a collage of flavor that I've rarely seen. For example, we ordered an appetizer of grilled bannanas in Thai peanut sauce with walnuts sprinkled on top and little chunks of pineapple. It was incredibly delicious. The place is a delightful oddity in the midst of tourist-centered Formica franchises and smoky supper clubs.
(5)Joanna R.
associated with ananda fuara, the food is fresh and inventive - i had an awesome nori avocado rice bowl and the staff are reeeaaaalllyyy gracious. if you are from a more metro city, the prices may actually seem kind of high for some items - for example, my rice bowl was $13 - but then when you consider how much more difficult it must be for this place to get items like nori in wisconsin dells than i'm used to in san francisco, it makes sense. besides - 13buxx here is waaay better spent than on the usual wisconsin dells fried cheese and beef. go there if you value yourself.
(5)Terri B.
I have never written a review for anything before but this place was such a great find I had to tell other people. My friend and I randomly picked this restaurant while driving around looking for a place to have lunch. I am so glad we did! We even went back the next day for lunch too. Everything on the menu looked amazing; I want to try it all and my non-veg friend enjoyed his meals also. On the first day I had the East Meets Midwest chickpea stew which was so absolutely fantastic I can't even describe it. It was served with a salad with a yummy honey mustard dressing. My friend had the Spinach Fettuccini Pesto which had one of the best pesto sauces I have ever had. The next day we brought another veg friend. I had the It's A Wrap which is a wrap filled with rice, the chickpea stew, and cranberry chutney which was delicious and I want to try to recreate at home. My veg friend had the Meatball Crumble Ciabatta which had soy crumble, marinara, and mozzarella cheese. One thing I periodically miss since becoming veg is meatball subs and this was definitely the best I ever had! My other friend had the triple decker grilled cheese which was browned to perfection with 2 kinds of cheese and tomatoes. We also ordered the hummas as an appetizer, which were only OK. I thought they needed garlic and my friends thought they had too much tahini and were a little bitter. They still weren't horrible (I'll eat the rest of it), but they could have been better. Oh! And the best part, for dessert I got a mini coconut cream cake, my friends got the princess cake and key lime pie. They were all soooooo good. Save room for dessert! I will definitely go to this diamond in the rough next time I am in the Dells.
(5)Apollo L.
A vegetarian restaurant in the middle of Wisconsin? This place in Wisconsin Dells was staffed by the most painfully friendly group of people (most of whom spoke with German accents) ever. The food was good and the service superb.
(4)John F.
This place is a good alternative to the mostly mainstream and generally not very good restaurant food in the Dells. Even if you are not vegetarian you'll find something nice here. Dishes are very tasty and well prepared. Not a cheap place but not overpriced either. They also have ice cream and sundae creations. A good place for to introduce kids to vegetarian food.
(4)Ivy E.
Good Vegetarian cusine. More suitable for larger groups of people (like families) than its sister restaurant The Secret Garden Cafe. Not as secluded and romantic. They also have Italian and French sodas which they dont offer at The Secret Garden.
(4)Ryan J.
one of my favorite restaurants. cool atmosphere, delicious vegetarian food (i really like the pizzas and the mexican food), and great desserts (the carrot cake is great). wish they had better hours.
(5)