Fresh cheese curds have a fun trick most other cheeses cannot do. When they are really fresh, they squeak against your teeth as you bite in, and that little sound is a sign you are eating them at their best.
Indiana has a handful of farms, factories, and small shops that make or sell curds so fresh they still squeak, and some of them are worth planning a whole afternoon around. From Amish country creameries to family dairy farms, these stops mix good cheese with a nice country drive.
Grab your keys and a cooler, because here are seven Indiana spots where the curds are made to snack on straight from the bag.
1. Fair Oaks Farms, Fair Oaks, Indiana
Right off Interstate 65 between Chicago and Indianapolis, Fair Oaks Farms turned a working dairy into a full day out. The farm makes cheese on site, and the store keeps bags of fresh curds ready for travelers who want a snack for the road.
The Farmhouse Restaurant and the Dairy Adventure area draw crowds, but plenty of people stop just for the cheese counter. Curds here are a popular grab because they are made close to where you buy them.
I like this stop because it works for a quick pull-off or a longer visit with kids. There is a pig adventure, a birthing barn, and a play area if you want to stretch out the trip.
Parking is easy, and the location makes it one of the simplest curd runs in the state.
2. Deutsch Kase Haus, Middlebury, Indiana
Cheese lovers in Indiana’s Amish country often point newcomers toward Deutsch Kase Haus in Middlebury. The factory is known for its Colby and other cheeses, and it sells fresh curds that regulars line up for.
Part of the appeal is watching the process. On the right days you can see cheesemaking through viewing windows, which makes the curds feel connected to the place instead of just pulled off a shelf.
Middlebury sits in the heart of the Shipshewana and Elkhart County Amish area, so the drive itself is scenic. Rolling farmland and horse-drawn buggies set the tone before you even reach the door.
Check the hours before you go, since this part of the state keeps a slower, more traditional schedule.
3. Jacobs and Brichford Farmstead Cheese, Connersville, Indiana
Small-batch fans should know about Jacobs and Brichford, a farmstead cheese operation near Connersville in eastern Indiana. The farm makes cheese using milk from its own herd, which is what farmstead means.
Their reputation is built on aged, handmade wheels, and they have earned attention at national cheese competitions. That craft-first approach is different from the big factory stops on this list.
Because it is a working farm, availability can change and visits may need planning ahead. Reaching out before you drive out is a smart move.
For anyone who wants curds and cheese with a clear farm-to-shop story, this rural stop delivers a more hands-on kind of experience.
4. Traders Point Creamery, Zionsville, Indiana
Just outside Indianapolis near Zionsville, Traders Point Creamery runs an organic dairy that has become a favorite weekend destination. The farm is known for grass-fed dairy and a market that carries its own products.
Beyond cheese, the property includes a farm store, a restaurant, and open pastures with cattle you can actually see. It is an easy trip for city folks who want a farm feel without a long haul.
Weekends can get busy with families and market shoppers, so arriving earlier gives you a calmer visit. Between the dairy focus and the short drive from Indy, it is one of the more polished stops for anyone chasing fresh Indiana cheese.
5. E and S Sales, Shipshewana, Indiana
Bulk-food shoppers already know E and S Sales in Shipshewana, a large store packed with pantry goods, snacks, and a well-stocked refrigerated section. It is a go-to for cheese in the middle of Amish country.
The cheese case usually carries a wide range, including curds, which makes it a handy one-stop for stocking a cooler. You can grab curds along with jams, dried goods, and other treats for the ride home.
Shipshewana is famous for its flea market and small-town shopping, so a curd run pairs naturally with a day of browsing. If you are already in the area for the market, adding E and S keeps everything on one easy loop.
6. Yoder Popcorn and Country Store area, Topeka, Indiana
Northern Indiana’s Amish region around Topeka is dotted with country stores that carry local dairy alongside their signature goods. These stops are worth a look for travelers hunting fresh curds off the main road.
Country stores in this area often stock cheese made or sourced nearby, which is why they land on curd-lover routes. You can find refrigerated cases mixed in with popcorn, baked goods, and other regional products.
The countryside here is quiet and slow-paced, dotted with farms and family shops. It pairs well with a broader drive through Lagrange County.
Calling ahead about current cheese stock is wise, since selection at smaller stores changes with the seasons and suppliers.
7. Kelsay Farms, Whiteland, Indiana
South of Indianapolis in Whiteland, Kelsay Farms is a working dairy that opens up to visitors, especially in the fall season. The family farm mixes agriculture with fun on-farm activities.
Fall brings a corn maze, pumpkin picking, and other seasonal draws that make it a popular family outing. The farm setting gives you a real look at where dairy comes from before you shop.
Because much of the visitor activity is seasonal, checking their schedule before driving out matters. For a stop that blends a country outing with farm-fresh products just a short trip from the city, Kelsay makes a friendly close to any Indiana cheese route.
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