Saxelby Cheesemongers

Wonderful shop featuring many local (NE) cheeses. I can’t wait to go back and try more.

Delicious. Knowledgeable. Kind. Can’t wait to gift their product to friends and family. They helped with a charity event too, so kudos on giving back to good causes! Many thanks!

Saxelby Cheesemongers offers an exemplary selection of artisanal cheeses selected from small producers who farm sustainably with respect for their land and animals. The availablity of their cheeses vary from month to month as they offer a seasonal menu and are dedicated to bringing you only the choicest product of that time of year.

Amazing grilled cheese with pawlet, spicy pickles and heritage ham — check it out, best grilled cheese i

Best. Cheese. Ever. Everything they have is fantastic
The guy behind the counter was generous with the samples and helped us find a few cheeses that we liked. There were a ton of different options, and even though we knew nothing about cheeses he was able to walk us through a bunch of different options from the stinkiest of cheeses to ones that were more mild
Definitely a good place to go if you’re going to bring a food gift to a party or something

My partner and I are BIG cheese fans. We’ll even drive to Philly to visit DiBruno Brothers in the Italian Market.
Saxelby is pound for pound the best in NYC! Sure you can go to Murray’s and they have a great selection — but Saxelby’s seems to only have an All-​Star selection. Every piece you try is better than the last. And when I say «try» — whoever it is behind the counter when you go — they initiate the conversation — «Something you’d like to try?». Much appreciated — and the ultimate sales tool.
Everything on offer is fresh (and the selection varies by season). If there is something you know you like and have enjoyed before — visit their website to see what’s available. Or better yet — just stop in and try something new — you’ll be glad you did!

Small cheese shop inside Essex Street Market. I really like the selection of cheese tha they have to offer, and I like that a decent amount of them are I’m New York State. Definitely shocked to see that they had cheese curds — once I figure out how to deep fry them in my tiny apartment I am totally picking up some of those!
Only reason I didn’t give 5 stars was that the guy working was very quiet and not that friendly. Beyond that, I really like this little place and I’m glad I finally stopped over.
I got one of the types of goat cheese. It is super creamy and has an almost smoky flavor to it. With how much I really enjoyed it, I can’t wait to try out some of the other cheese they carry!

I adore this little shop in Essex Street Market. The shop owner is so so so helpful and very sweet. Well, I am guessing she is the owner. My cheese intake is unsophisticated, so I was thrilled to try out some cheese samples. When I mentioned the types of cheeses I usually go for, the owner suggested Mountaineer 24.99/lb, so so so SPOT ON and delish. It was a semi hard cheese, something in between gouda and cheddar. Great and knowledgable service is so hard to come by. I recommend novice and experienced cheese eaters alike to consider checking out Saxelby’s!

I had been looking for the perfect place to get my cheese on for months, and I had read a few reviews about this place and figured it was worth my time for the trek.
I have to admit that it was a little bit difficult to find; it’s one of the many stands in Essex Market. After finding it, I was surprised that I had heard about it given the limited selection and small space. They have most cheeses that someone would ask for here, but if you’re looking to compare different ages of the same style or looking for a very specific cheese or accompaniment for cheese, this is certainly not the best place. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable, but that couldn’t make up for the limited selection at this site. Others have commented that the location is a benefit because you can find spreads or other items in Essex to go with your cheese selection, but I think I’d rather have it all at one shop.
The staff here were helpful and friendly, but that couldn’t make up for the limited space and selection at this cheese shop. If I lived closer, I could see myself stopping by more frequently, but I think there are better cheese shops in the city.

I purchased a mini buratta at the shop in Essex Market and was really disappointed that it was no good– completely soured. I had to throw it ($ 12) in the trash :(
When I emailed to let them know, it took days for them to get back– when they did-​there was no effort to make up for it — barely an apology.
Sorry Saxelby, I liked you– especially because I’m a neighbor– but I won’t be a customer anymore…

«American cheese» typically conjures up images of plastic wrapped individual slices of ‘cheese product’ — but Saxelby’s proves this impression OH SO WRONG. American cheese (like American craft beer) is breaking the mold (sorry, couldn’t resist) of stifled European traditional styles, while utilizing the knowledge and skills honed over the centuries by our friends across the sea. The result is an exciting array of new cheeses that demonstrate the distinct American terroir, while catering to an increasingly complex palette of customers who have ditched that processed crap into the bin where it belongs.
Saxelby’s offers a healthy variety even for such a cramped location. Somehow it doesn’t FEEL cramped, although the counter can serve perhaps 2 people at a time, this guarantees you will receive individual attention from the experts manning (and womanning) it. They’re so knowledgeable and friendly, you won’t get the feeling of being «up-​sold» like at a sleazy car dealership — instead, like any expert consultant, they actually seem to have YOUR best interests (eating GOOD cheese and pairing it with appropriate accompaniments) at heart. If that results in the purchase of an extra hunk of blue, or another jar of chutney — well good for them and good for YOU!
I have yet to try their prepared foods, but my experience with purchasing cheese for my family’s Thanksgiving was so enjoyable, I know I could spend hours picking their brains (and nomming on bits of cheese) except I wouldn’t want to run the risk of becoming «that guy» — so like an early date, I’ll slow my roll and try my best to play it cool. But you can see that longing glint in my eye, can’t you Anne Saxelby? *creepy wink*
Oh yeah, there’s tons of other stores to visit while in Essex, and I bet every one of them has something that will play well with anything from Saxelby — even the Tuna.

Hi how are you. Always friendly, and always more than cheese! They have milk, both cow and goat too and sometimes sheep. All kinds of US made cheese (except Parm… because…well you know about parm i’m sure).

The prices are steep and the staff can be hit or miss, but they will give you damn fresh cheese. Really delicious stuff to be had, especially their fridge section. 3 corners yogurt is AMAZING. Sheep ftw.

Cheeeeese!
So nice.
So lovely.
Such butter.
Such large tastes.
Such devoted turophiles.
Such amazingly fresh chevre.
Such spot-​on recommendations.
I love you.

What a fantastic place! Anne’s passion for American artisan and farmstead cheese really shines through in this tiny little corner of the Essex St Market. America is going through an artisan cheese renaissance and there are a lot of original American cheeses to discover. It’s no Kraft Singles; these cheeses win awards and are served in some of the best restaurants in the world. Anyone at Saxelby can guide you through it and give you a taste before you commit to purchase — as they do in every world class cheese counter.
Unlike the big market Anne Saxelby actually knows the cheesemakers and selects the right wheels for her shop. She now ages them in their new cheese cellar in Brooklyn, so every piece of cheese here has lots of love and attention, passion and personal knowledge included in the price.
If you are looking for European cheeses, a few steps away in this market is Formaggio Kitchen a great little shop that specializes in these finds. I often buy from both on the same shopping trip.
I have never tried any of the Saxelby sandwiches though they look great. There are occasional cookies and baked goods that I like here though. I also purchase Evan’s Farmhouse yogurts and milk here which I really like (cream-​line! Non-​homogenized! Organic, grass-​fed and local, gently pasteurized. This isn’t your generic supermarket variety…).
The cheeses here are not cheap and no matter how much I shop here they still don’t recognize me, but that aside, this is one of the best cheese shops for American artisan cheeses in the country (especially considering its miniscule size!)
Besides, I must say that the work they do to spread the word about the rebirth of the American cheese movement is invaluable. Keep it up.

I can’t recommend Saxelby enough. Some friends and I recently threw a surprise tasting for my cheese fanatic girlfriend. Anne was super helpful and enthusiastic. She met with me to talk about set up, and what cheeses we would like to try. She set up a table in the area next to her shop for us to hold the event. The platter was beautiful and the cheese was delicious. My girlfriend was thrilled, and therefore so was I.
I would absolutely recommend you try them.

I love local food. I love cheese. Saxelby Cheesemongers specializes in cheeses produced in the Northeastern United States. Win.
Picked up some «Ploughman’s Lunch» sammies to eat at the bar where we were watching World Cup: unbelievably fresh and crusty ciabatta bread, thick slices of sharp farmhouse cheddar, and a nice layer of gooey chutney. The woman working recommended their Raisin Haters chutney — chock full of raisins — because «even people who hate raisins love it!» I, however, have never met a raisin I liked and wasn’t about to risk it. Husband, Moms, Pops got the Raisin Haters. I got the rhubarb. Paired with a nice, cold beer, this sandwich made a most enjoyable lunch.

After reading the reviews we decided to come here. We got lost because we didn’t realize that it is a little store reside within a big Bldg of other stores… So quick tip for future Saxelby customers it’s the plain building that could look like nothing from the outside and only has one entrance.
Thank God we made it on time. Even though we have about 30 minutes, other venues were closing and packing stuff away.
Ariel was the lady who helped us find what we needed. She gave recommendations after Asking what types of cheese I like (Brie, Mozzarella, Muenster, Feta…) So she suggested Mosses Sleeper along with a sample… It was greAt so I asked for half a pound. I also wanted hard cheese and she suggested one that is popular among returning customers. Calbet Cloth and Chedder was a great sample. So wha did I do… I also asked for half pound of that. I wanted to take more of both but it was like 100° outside with the humidity…
Since we were traveling back to L.A. The next day I asked if it would be okay. Ariel said it should be fine on the plane, there is AC, but I wouldn’t recommend walking around town with it I your backpack. Ya, we were headed home and she was nice enough to double pack it.
Oh and for anyone else who doesn’t know, they do ship across the country. So yay, for me!

We discovered Saxelby Cheesemongers while on «The Melting Pot» tour offered by The Enthusiastic Gourmet. While on the tour, we tasted many cheese samples and learned the history of the place.
Saxelby’s focuses on cheeses produced in the Northeastern US. The varieties of cheeses change throughout the year. All their cheese comes from small producers who farm sustainably.
Luckily, we had a refrigerator in our hotel room. This meant that we could buy some cheese here and store it until it was time to go home. When we got to the store, they weren’t busy. I asked them what they had available in mild cheeses. The recommendation was for a cheese called «Landaff» made from cow’s milk. We were offered a sample and liked what we tasted. It reminded us of a mild cheddar but with a salty undertone. Sold! We bought a wedge that was almost ½ pound. Today I bought some crackers and can’t wait to enjoy this cheese!
I wish we lived nearby so that I could sample and buy a wider variety of cheeses!

I adore this little stand at the Essex Street Market. Anne is such an amazing cheesemonger– and always has such a wonderful selection and suggestions. She recently introduced me to Lazy Lady Farms’ cheeses — and I’ve never been the same since!
It’s especially nice that they have fresh organic eggs and Sullivan Street Bakery breads… it’s one stop gourmet shopping.