Texas Cheese

OK, say cheese! That’s right.  We’ve traveled through our backdoor and landed in cheese country.  No, not Wisconsin, but Schulenburg, Texas.  We have driven to one of our favorite places, Stryk Jersey Farm, just about eight miles west of Schulenburg off Highway 90, for freshly made Texas cheese.  Look for the crossroad sign on the right that says “Krenek-Stryk Road” and head up the road about a mile.  You will see their entrance sign on the right side of the road.  Follow the gravel road to the best kept secret in Texas, Texas-made cheese. 

Once you get to the homestead, you’ll notice a small building on the left.  That’s where they sell the cheese!  This is a full fledge working dairy farm.  The cows you see are the very ones who produce the milk for the cheese.  This is local at its finest!  The owners, Bob and Darlene are the nicest folks you will ever meet.  Their raw milk cheddar cheese can be purchased as Plain, Black Pepper, Red Pepper, Chipotle, Cumin, Merlot or Caraway.

If you are lucky, you can catch Bob and his helpers making the cheese in his large stainless steel vat in the building.  He will answer any question you have about cheese or cheese making even as he works.  And if no one is in the building, no problem, just make your way to the large cooler in the back and help yourself.  Crack that big cooler door open and go inside to pick out your cheese for purchase.  

 If you enjoy fresh raw milk or other raw milk products, check those out in the cooler, too.  Don’t worry, Bob has a permit from the state of Texas for Grade A Raw for Retail Milk Permit.  This special permit is stricter in its criteria than a regular state health permit for producer dairies shipping to pasteurizing milk plants, so you know it is safe to eat or drink.  Some of you may have never tasted fresh whole milk before and this will be a new experience for you and your family.  It’s especially good for baking or making homemade ice cream.  And if your homemade ice cream is great, feel free to invite us over to sample!

Once you’ve chosen your bounty, add up the prices and leave your money in the money box found in the middle of the room.  They are that trusting!  Payment is on the honor system and if you leave a little more, that’s OK, too!  These are hard working country folks trying to preserve their heritage and way of life.  For us, it’s another way to enjoy the bounties of Texas Thru My Back Door!