Mendels Creamery N’appetizer

A great store. Perhaps it’s not as big as some of the other cheese stores at Kensington Market, but the customer service is far better and the prices are quite good. Although Mendels was quite busy when I walked in today, the woman helping me was very patient and answered all of my questions, gave me samples of cheeses, and gave advice based on my preferences. I love that when I asked for 200 gramms of cheese, I got 200 gramms of cheese — this is not true with some of the other cheese stores in the area… they give you more than you asked for so you pay more.

Of the three Kensington Market creameries, this is by far the cheapest. I’ll compare some prices for your shopping convenience.
presliced small packed of chease are $ 1 at Global, and 6 for $ 3 (¢50/​pack) at Mendels. They come in mozzerella, provalone, cheddar and a few others.
Mendels also does a good deal on stilton. If you buy it off of the wheel it’s $ 5.99/100g But you get two 100g wedges prepaked for $ 6 flat. Half the price.
They used to have $ 5/​lb brie that came in big squares. I would stuff it with fruit and bake it. Cheap and fancy.
Global, as far as I know, doesn;t sell large tubs of anchovies, but Mendels does. The giants tubs are $ 19.99, which I think cuts the price in half of the tiny ones that are $ 7.99.
All in all, the cheapest in the market with a fine selection. The selection isn;t as big as at Global, and there are fewer of the fancy-​smancy $ 14.99/100g seasonal tombes, etc, that you can get from Cheese Magic, but that’s fine by me cause I rarely ever get those things. They also have a nice selection of cured fish, like herring on a pickle.

Maybe I’m a sucker, but these guys get my points because they offer me a piece of cheese every time I get two steps in the door. Though it seems like I’m directly benefiting from the transaction, it does make good sense from a business perspective: as long as the cheese isn’t expensive, I usually give in.
I know Cheese Magic and that other huge cheese outfit are much more popular with the masses, but I like this one because I never feel intimidated nor do I ever have to do much work to find a cheese I like.
Having said that, the selection appears to be smaller than that of the cheese store next door, but if you’re the type of person who wants recommendations, these guys are never out of ideas.