Hidden spot at state college. There is a nice little atmosphere and they roast the coffee right in front of you. We had good service, our drinks were out instantly. I got a chai tea latte and it was one of the best I've had. read more

Took a couple of different coffees to brew at home. Felt both were very similar in roast ( it seems that they roast on the dark side), which I like. I wanted to buy some loose tea for my daughter, but was underwhelmed at the selection, so didn't try any. Cheese selection is in a single vertical fridge behind the counter. read more

The coffee is incredibly good- shockingly good actually. We bought some cheese and honey for later. I hope to come back and buy some beans next time! read more

Even though I live far, far away outside of State College in Las Vegas, I always buy my coffee from The Cheese Shoppe and have it shipped. Why? Because the proprietor, Ray, really knows his beans inside and out and each package is delivered with a sense of gratitude. I highly recommend to all coffee connoisseurs. read more

WC Clarke's The Cheese Shoppe - Cheese Shops Near Me - State College, Pennsylvania

This place is a hidden Gem in state college. I've been in the area for a little over 4 years and I have never been to this location till yesterday. Do not make the same mistake I did. The coffee is incredible and they have a great source to get it with many varieties from around the world. That's not even the best part THEY ROAST THE BEANS IN HOUSE FOR EVERYONE TO VIEW! Not only do they have incredible fresh coffee for you to purchase but they have incredible prices and the best mocha I have ever had. They have lose leaf tea from around the world and an insane cheese selection. Their prices cannot be beat and the staff is top notch. This is one of the few places left that has a communal environment as well. You walk in and everyone says hello not just the staff but customers too! Everyone talks and drinks coffee and just enjoys life there. Their espresso is also incredible. This place is so great I almost didn't review it to keep it a little secret! read more

WC Clarke's The Cheese Shoppe - Coffee roaster - Cheese Shops Near Me - State College, Pennsylvania

My family and I have been loyal customers of The Cheese Shoppe for decades, and their exceptional products and service keep us coming back--even from afar. No visit to State College feels complete without stopping in, and I continue to order from them no matter where I live. Truly a gem! read more

The cheese shoppe is a fantastic little hidden gem in State College. It is one of those unfortunate businesses in the weird half basement things on Calder Way, so it is easy to miss, but make sure you don't miss it! They have a HUGE selection of coffee beans and the staff know everything there is to know about them - where they come from, who farms them, how they are roasted, what they taste like, etc., and I love going in there and just telling them what I am in the mood for and having them find me a bean to match my flavor preferences. You can try it as an espresso then buy a bag of beans to take home! Despite having some of the best coffee in town, their prices are among the cheapest. There are like two chairs in inside that you can sit at, and four more outside in the weird concrete ditch thing, so not a fantastic place to plop and work for hours. I almost forgot to talk about the cheese because I was so caught up on the coffee. Yes the cheese is great too! Lots of artisanal varieties you can't find even at Wegmans. read more

I have roasted coffee commercially for 8 years and personally for nearly 20 years and can definitely endorse this place as having exceptional coffee. Do yourself a favor and get a pound from their vast selection of roasted coffee. At $16/true pound, its amazing value for a great cup. read more

Stopped in here Saturday. Experienced absolutely wonderful service. Should have asked his name; he was knowledgeable about the products, very helpful, and customized their products to accommodate what I needed. Along with that I took a cup to go. It was a "fine wine" cup of coffee. Not just a cup of coffee, but a GREAT cup of coffee. Savor flavor!! read more

Great staff! Mark helped me find a delicious new (to me) cheese: D'Affinois, and made a terrific latte. I will definitely be back if I am ever in State College. read more

They have good products, but I am always put off by their service. Whenever I've had to ask something, it seems like they can't be bothered. This includes trying to buy cheese, which seems completely ridiculous. The whole "breaking the vibe" comment made in another review is very accurate. I waited around for almost ten minutes until the person working the register finished their conversation to get something from the case and pay. On a sad note, I found the man who works at the cheese section of wegmans much more knowledgeable and helpful than the person I spoke to at the cheese shop. Also, one employee was extremely rude when I didn't know how their coffee grinder worked (sue me, I am not a coffee drinker, I was getting it as a gift) and asked for help. I don't care if she thought I was an idiot, it's incredibly bad form to be rude to a customer who has asked for help. I guess if you're judging purely on quality of food and coffee, I'd have to give it a higher rating, but I simply can't after experiencing the service on several occasions. read more

From the point I realized coffee could be delicious and not merely a caffeine source, I've put considerable effort into seeking out the truly exceptional coffee. I've been a coffee drinker for more than 30 years and I have scoured much of the United States and overseas as well. I have found no better coffee roaster than Bill Clarke. His roast is pure perfection. I am particularly fond of his Sumatra. Oh - and yes, he has amazing exotic cheeses as well. read more

The cold brew is amazing!!!! Super kind staff and quick service. As well as many cheeses just in case. It's a must visit every time i'm in state college read more

What a great place--always excellent coffee, never unnecessarily bitter. The honor system of paying is unique and fun, but there is always someone close by if you want help. Quirky location is sometimes a bear to get to, but it's worth the extra ten minutes to get awesome coffee. read more

Great place to buy coffee! Whether you are looking to grab a cup for a walk around town or a bag of beans to brew at home, this is the spot. To-go cups are on the honor system so just pour it and toss your money on the counter. Apparently they also have Cheese. Fancy Cheese shipped in from exotic locale's like Bellefonte (which I believe is in France or maybe Switzerland?) and Brywn Mar (which is in the South Pacific or something). I've tried a lot of their selections and the veggie gouda is a stand out. If you're into veggies and gouda give that one a try. Definitely will be back! read more

Great memories were made because of the coffee at the Cheese Shoppe (actually even more bc of the owner). I was en route to class back in the 90s and smelled the coffee. I followed my nose and discovered the freshest, best tasting and hottest cup of coffee I'd ever had. I don't know if the Cheese Shoppe is still in the same spot but as long as it's the same guy you can't get a better cup. He was a coffee guru and was cool to me despite my long hair, bushy sideburns and tie-dyed t shirt. He took the time to explain a lot to me when I'd stop in for a bag of fresh coffee or some cheese and a hot cup. I was energized just by smelling their coffee especially when I was freezing my tail off riding to campus. Haven't bought a cup as good since then either. Cheers to the Cheese Shoppe guy! read more

Hands-down the best coffee in State College. There's no other place in town that you can get fresh (daily!) roasted beans and pay by tossing your bills on the counter. In the mornings, the aroma alone is worth five stars. Like Graham H, I've never been here for cheese, but I've gotten plenty of coffee (by the cup, carafe, or just bags of roasted beans for home) and have recently started to enjoy their selection of tea. I've yet to be disappointed. The coffee is so good, I'm not even bothered by the lack of soymilk -- the flavor is rich enough to drink black and doesn't have the bitterness that you'll get most places. If you want a legit tasty cuppa joe, do yourself a favor and check it out. read more

A while back, I went into the Cheese Shoppe, found Bill, and told him I knew an older kind of intellectually curmudgeonly British man and I needed to get him cheese for his birthday. Bill took the pipe out of his mouth and just said "stilton." Brilliance. And here I thought it was just the best coffee in town and thought how great it was to be able to sit outside in the summer and drink it. Needless to say, I recently added them to my dissertation acknowledgments. read more

Mmmm. Coffee and cheese... what more could you want? The roasts are amazing. The selection is extensive. The smell is intoxicating. I only wish they had more fair trade and/or organic options. FYI, if you're getting a cup of coffee there, you can grab what you want and toss your cash on the counter, making change if necessary. This honor system sums up why this place could get 6 stars if it were possible. read more

Don't be intimidated by all the locals that never seem to leave. Tell the staff you are there for cheese describe what you want, what you are paring with, sample and you'll end up with a platter better than wegmans at about the same price. At "Clarks" your are sure to actually learn a thing or two about cheese as you order. read more

I may be biased because I did work here in college...but this place is amazing! It's one of those places that you could go to Penn State for 4 (or 5, 6, 7 years) and never know it existed. They offer more than just cheese, actually coffee is the biggest seller and it is roasted every morning. There are beans from all over the world, as well as your traditional Columbian, Sumatran, Italian roasts. They also have a huge selection of flavored beans if you're into that as well as loose leaf teas, bagged teas, olive oils, balsamic vinaigrettes, hot sauces, chocolates, crackers, cookies...lots of things you cannot find anywhere else. You can get coffee or tea to go or to stay (in actual cups and saucers). There are only a few tables outside for sitting, unfortunately nothing inside. There is an "honor system" to pay for your cups of coffee...basically there's a pile of change and bills on the counter and guests are trusted to make their own change if it is available. The cheeses are delicious and range from your traditional well-known options to very diverse...drunken goat (a goats milk cheese that was aged in red wine)...or dorothea (I won't tell you what is in that one, you'll have to try it). Which you can...if you go in, they will give you samples of cheeses you want to try before buying. They also offer many local products...breads/pastries from Gemelli Bakers and jams from Tait Farm to name a few. OH yeah and GREAT hot chocolate :) read more

Very good coffee beans, and friendly staff. I just wish they were covid compliant. Last two times I have been in, there has been people packed in, not wearing masks, and standing around. I understand some were drinking coffee, but their tiny space is not where these things should be taking place. read more

Since 1978 Bill Clarke has presided over an establishment that is the closest to one that you would find along the Champs Elysees. Not only will your nose be greeted by the aromas of the day but you will also be be able to choose from a vast selection of the freshest and broadest assortment of beans and fresh brewed coffee. No matter the season, or the time of day, this is a real coffeehouse. No burnt roast here, Bill times everything to perfection. But don't overlook the namesake, which is cheese. Yes, you can buy cheese at other locations in the area but none will be as good as what you can find here. Can't find the kind you want? Get adventurous and ask for a taste of something like it. Not sure what you are looking for? Ask Bill to make a recommendation. No matter what, you won't go wrong. PS. He carries a fantastic selection of loose tea as well and hard to find gourmet items. PPS. The location is wheelchair accessible just by going to the main entrance at 248 East Calder and then using the elevator to the rear door of the shoppe. read more

The Cheese Shoppe has great atmosphere -- a big coffee roaster in the front, old wooden counters, burlap bags of beans on the floor, self-serve coffee with payment by the honor system. The problem is they over-roast most of their beans. On our visit, the coffee aroma led us down the block to the not-terribly-prominent doorway; once inside, the burnt odor was overwhelming. The beans being stirred in the roaster were all glossy black, a sign things had gone too far. Advice: go to the bulk bins at the back first and pick out a roast that's not burned -- dull beans are good, shiny beans are bad. Use that information to select your brew at the front. Worked well for me -- I had an excellent cup. My wife didn't check the bins and wound up with scorch. (By the way, the cheese part of the shop wasn't that wonderful -- just a fridge case behind the counter (and behind the barista) with a bunch of cuts laid every which way on the refrigerator floor. The selection may be fine, but the lackluster presentation and not being able to browse kills some of the fun.) read more

I think the name of this place is somewhat deceptive, 'The Cheese Shoppe' yet they advertise as 'WC Clarkes'? Nevertheless its a cool spot to go. A real, authentic coffee-shop vibe and not that cookie-cutter setup Starbucks has emulated. There are about 9 daily selections of coffee that rotate pretty regularly and you can even buy and have been roasted in-house for you. I've never had the cheese from the store but it looks pretty extensive. There's minimal to no seating which is the slightest downside, but usually I get my coffee on the run so its a moot point. Definitely check these guys out and support them vs the big chain stores. read more

The best place to get your coffee craving in State College. Believe me that they have the best coffee compared to other chains like Starbucks and other coffee shops chain. Local place with local oldies atmosphere. Once you come in you can smell the fresh coffee. My favorite is double shots mocha. It's literally the best mocha in town, you must try it! They have a huge selection of coffee beans and tea leaves, and of course, cheese. I don't really understand cheese therefore I just come here for the coffee. Most of the people are coming here for the cheese or the coffee, or both. The rating is more like 4.5/5, since they don't have indoor seating for the winter. But in the summer, their outside seating area is the best. I came here a lot and never once I am disappointed. Friendly and fast service with high quality items, what can go wrong? read more

While I've been to the Cheese Shoppe many times, I've never been here for cheese. I've seen the cheese in the refrigerated case, so I know they have cheese, but even though I'm a big cheese fan, that isn't the draw. For me, and many others, the draw is the freshly roasted coffee. In the morning, the sweet steam of the coffee roaster fills the street and acts as a fog that obstructs idling cars as commuters hop out to grab their morning brew amongst the die hard regulars. It's not just commuters and regulars that love the coffee here, but also police as well. I regularly see a police car outside of the Cheese Shoppe and it's not to break up trouble, it's just the fact that The Cheese Shoppe has the best coffee in town bar none. Police always know where the best coffee is and it's a testament to the quality here. This is my favorite coffee shop and I'll return every time I'm in town. If you love coffee and haven't been here yet, then you are missing out. read more

Yesterday I went to buy different kinds of cheese to that shop. The owner seems to be a nice guy but he was busy, and the person who helped me was a lady with indian appearance. The girl was moody, every time i asked her about a kind of cheese, she squinted. She has very bad energy. I ended buying 2 hundred something dollars in cheese because i really needed it right away, but when i left i felt a bad sensation, like i didn't know how to forgive myself for buying it there after her treat to me. I wanted also to go back and talk with the owner but i was on a rush. I feel discomfort. I think shops like that need nice, gently people. For sure, I'm not coming back, and will tell my friends about my experience. read more

WC Clarke's The Cheese Shoppe - Is the cheese I bought in that shop. - Cheese Shops Near Me - State College, Pennsylvania

Good, strong coffee. An unwritten way of business that you come in and toss money on the counter, there's cash all over it. No idea what this setup is though. So I don't go back. No seating, no parking, located down stairs that are not handicapped accessible and are positively treacherous in winter. read more

I really like the local feel of this place. Its small and cozy and the honor system for paying for your coffee is cool. I dont particularly like their coffee although it is drinkable... I just dont like coffee that is roasted as much as it is here (though its roasted in house and you can smell it for blocks down the street in the mornings which is amazing and I have enjoyed that for many years). My friends who like that kind of coffee are always very happy here. Their espresso is good but only Brett knows how to pull a shot without getting grinds in the cup. The super quiet outdoor sitting area is a real plus here too! Additionally, they have a fantastic slection of cheeses and often at better prices and more fresh than any of the grocery stores around town. read more

Been buying our coffee here for years (Celebes). Knowledgeable staff. Fair prices. Their roasting is top-notch: I hate over/under-roasted beans. I've purchased their cheese off-and-on over the years. While it's always good and their selection is full of varieties, I just don't think of buying cheese when not in the grocery store or at Meyer Dairy. If you're looking for a special European/UK cheese that you can't find elsewhere, go here. Very loyal fanbase and consistently good products keep this local institution on the map. read more

I never sit in the store but am a regular for the coffee been for years. My favorite is the Ethiopian and Columbia's which makes good cappuccino with breville barista express machine. While I still try to find other combination that can match the saints intelligentsia beans, I sometimes wish the Sumatra is not roasted too dark. read more

My favorite coffee in town. They have their staple roasts and a flavored roast that changes every day, so there is plenty of variety! Paying is honor system (leave your cash on the counter and pour your own coffee), so make sure you bring cash with you! read more

The staff was so kind and helpful! The cheese was divine!! HIGHLY recommend! The shop itself is very cute with great outdoor seating (little tables) read more

Great selection and an always fresh decent cup of coffee. Staff (owner)very friendly and knowledgeable in their craft. Its a great place to just go down to and relax while enjoying the company of your neighbors. read more

WC Clarke's The Cheese Shoppe - Delicious and quick cups to go. - Cheese Shops Near Me - State College, Pennsylvania

Bill the owner is a great guy, always so nice and remembers your face even if you don't go frequently. The chocolate covered espresso beans are delicious! And the assortment of cheese is impressive...esp for a little cheese shop in the middle of nowhere PA. read more

Love this place!!! I have my morning coffee everyday from here. It's not your typical cookie cutter chain restaurants coffee shop. Great coffee; amazing cheese and awesome people!! read more

If you're grabbing a cup of coffee, it's not a bad place to go but there are better places in town. Don't EVER buy their beans. They're roasted so dark they taste like charcoal instead of coffee. The cheese is decent but you're better off going to the farmer's market a block away and buying cheese there. The customer service is almost always awful and the employees act as if you're only there to inconvenience them. Overall, my experiences with The Cheese Shoppe have been largely unpleasant and I recommend spending your money elsewhere. read more

Oh. My. God. For a cheese source in this tiny town, other than Wegman's (and that that's included is a rather sorry statement in and of itself), this is far and away your best option. They provide tastes if you're unsure, and sell some of the best cheese available in the central Pennsylvania, in my humble opinion. read more

The cheese shoppe has freshly roasted coffee, teas, an assortment of local items and of course cheese. You can get cheese cut into as big or small of sections as you would like and is priced based on weight. The teas are also sold based on weight and a good place to get teas if you are into loose leaf teas. The Coffee is roasted a little too dark for my taste however I wont knock that since I know a lot of people whom do like a darker roast. They also coffee per cup on a "honor system" where they have change laid out on the counter and you just pay for your own coffee and take your change out of the change on the counter. It is cash only so just be aware of that before coming in. read more