About US

Fromagination is a specialty cheese shop celebrating Wisconsin artisanal cheesemakers and highlighting fine cheeses from around the United States and world. In addition to our selection of cheeses and perfect companions, we offer catering, lunches, gift baskets, classes on cheeses, and a unique venue for private events. We promise to taunt your taste buds whether you’re an experienced foodie or making your first foray into artisanal cheeses.

 

We believe that it’s only natural that the people who work at Fromagination be experts in cheese and its complements. Each staff member is chosen for their enthusiasm for food and given extensive, ongoing training in its selection, history, handling, cutting and tasting. The people who work at Fromagination are here because they love cheese - and everything that goes with it - as much as you do.

 

Our staff also takes service to a new level. That’s why we were awarded Madison Magazine’s Best Specialty Food Store, and why The Isthmus named us as Madison’s Favorite Specialty Food Source. We’ve also been written up in The New York Times, Midwest Living, and in numerous publications around the country.

 

What People are Saying About Fromagination

 

From The New York Times:

“Wisconsin’s cheese renaissance reached a new high when a former Lands’ End merchandise manager opened a shop called Fromagination in Madison, dedicated to showcase the cheeses of the world and the state.”

 

From Chowhound:

“Stop at Fromagination on the square, a new world-class cheese shop, possibly the best in the Midwest, it certainly rivals the classic fromageries in New York.”

 

From The Isthmus:

“Since late winter of 2009, the Square’s premier cheese shop has been offering fondue lunches and dinners around their one table in the back of the shop. Rich and luxurious cheeses, savory meats, and a healthy slug of Kirsch — this is a meal from another continent and totally without parallel in Madison. Only at the cozy shared table of Fromagination can you take part.”

 

Your cheese heaven awaits. Molly O  Yelp Comment Chicago , IL

Really, there’s not much else to know. A zillion cheeses, uber friendly staff that are jonesin’ to cut you off a sample and talk in-depth about dairy, cheese plate accoutrement galore (nuts, charcuterie from Underground Foods, Potter’s crackers, Quince and Apple spreads, etc), cheese knives... they’ve got you covered.

I feel really sorry for you if you are lactose intolerant

Michael F. Booklyn, NY  Yelp

Had a jarringly friendly counter-woman, which may be standard for Wisconsin.  On a road trip through we only had time for a quick lunch, and I think we made the perfect choice.

The store is littered with samples. We each ordered sandwiches which came with cornichons (I could take or leave) and a chocolate square (perfect ending). Surprisingly affordable sandwich deal for such a place, but otherwise pretty pricey.

As I approached the counter I kept finding things I had to buy, cheese squeaks (were great on the road), "orphans" (little cut ends of cheese for $2-4), beer (self explanatory).

We headed out to the patio with sandwiches and haul in tow, but kept eyeing the grassy patch across the street for a picnic. We weren’t sure what the rules were about drinking beer outside of designated restaurant areas, and inquired within. Not only did she say it was fine, the perfect picnic blanket appeared from her hands and we proceeded to have a genuinely great meal in the sun, on the grass, by city hall, watching the protesters and chipmunks scurry around us.

Anyway, this counter woman facilitated a great meal, the bread is universally delicious and sandwich appropriate, though I was partial to the sunflower seed thing used for the PBJ. The cranberry relish on their turkey and the jelly used on PBJ were both similar, chunky, sweet and tasty. Smoked chicken was creamy and the cheese was mild, but could have used a more bitter green on it. I wish I had tried the Salami. Across the board, my only complaint is that I wish the cheeses had been more prominent on the sandwiches, and that I wish they had some kind of grilled cheese/pure cheese sandwich on offer had a local Wisconsin red ale (Quisconsin I think?), a friend had a cider. Both went well.