Bougie’s Cheese Shop in La Mesa offers a shopping experience that blends old-world charm with new-world artisan flair. Housed in the beautifully restored historic Levy House, the shop is a cozy, welcoming space where you’re likely to be greeted by the owners themselves—Jackie and Melanie—who are passionate about cheese and community.

Bougie's Cheese Shop

Here’s what makes the experience special:

  • Artisan Selection: Over 70 cheeses, mostly made in the U.S., are carefully curated for quality and uniqueness.
  • Warm Hospitality: The shop prides itself on “old world” customer service, meaning you’ll get personalized recommendations and friendly conversation.
  • Charming Setting: The 1920s craftsman home has been lovingly renovated, including Bougie backyard patio featuring fire pits, fountains, and even fruit trees to garnish cheese boards.
  • Local Vibes: Beyond cheese, they stock gourmet foods, artisan goods, and gifts from local makers —it’s a little hub for food lovers and curious minds alike.
The Porch Logo

The Porch is 21+ Only Area. This area is restricted to 21 and over. Folks may enjoy our non-alcoholic menu in the Front yard seating area.

After your visit to Bougie’s Cheese Shop, don’t rush off—step through the side gate, outside and settle into The Porch, our enchanting backyard retreat where fine cheese and wine meet Old World soul.

  • Tasting flights of cheese and charcuterie showcase the shop’s artisanal selections—each bite thoughtfully paired, balanced, and curated to bring out bold surprises and subtle pleasures.
  • Wine handpicked by The Porch—pouring generously into glasses that catch the twilight just right. Whether you’re sipping a crisp Rosé or a robust Cabernet Sauvignon, every pour elevates the flavors on your plate and the conversation around the table.

It’s not a restaurant, not quite a patio bistro—but something more rare: a communal table under the stars that feels like it was set just for you.

**Our offerings rotate seasonally. Please contact us to confirm availability.

Cheese Tasting Flights

Cheddar Flight – The Aged & Artful Trio A bold journey through American cheddar craftsmanship. This flight features the crystalline bite and nutty richness of Hook’s Five-Year Cheddar, the sweet, creamy snap of Milton’s Prairie Breeze, and the savory, earthy depth of William Cofield’s McKinley Clothbound Cheddar. A masterclass in texture, aging, and terroir— perfect for purists and curious cheese lovers alike.

Trifecta Cheese Flight – Creamery Royalty A perfectly balanced trio that highlights the rich diversity of American artisan cheese. Begin with Blakesville Creamery’s Shabby Shoe, a funky, tangy goat’s milk gem with a velvety rind. Next, melt into the decadent, sweet, buttery smoothness of Hook’s Butterkäse, a German-style Sheep milk cheese with a mellow finish. Complete the journey with the bold and playful Holy Cow from Central Coast Creamery—an approachable yet complex cow’s milk cheese with hints of caramel and roasted nuts. A flight for the curious palate—equal parts creamy, dreamy, and unforgettable

Blue & Bold Cheese Flight – The Celestial Selection This flight showcases a stellar trio of blue and bloomy brilliance across three milks and styles. Begin with Shooting Star Creamery’s Capricorn, a luscious goat’s milk cheese with a bloomy rind and a delicately tangy core. Then explore the rustic intensity of Shepherd’s Way’s Big Woods Blue, a sheep’s milk marvel that’s earthy, creamy, and boldly blue-veined. Finally, savor the iconic Original Blue from Point Reyes Farmstead—a cow’s milk classic that’s both buttery and piquant, balancing sharpness with a sweet finish.

Charcuterie Flight – Cured & Composed A bold tasting trio that showcases the craftsmanship of American cured meats, balancing tradition with unique flavor infusions.

  • Journeyman Meat – Il Pio Dry Salami Crafted in the Italian tradition, this pork salami is deeply savory with hints of wine, garlic, and warm spice. Rustic, rich, and full of character.
  • Smoking Goose – Dodge City Salami Large-format and coarsely ground, this dry salami blends heritage pork with black pepper and red wine for a robust, Old World flavor punch.
  • Smoking Goose – Spruce Tip Wagyu Bresaola A showstopper of cured Wagyu beef accented with hand-foraged spruce tips. Tender, lean, and delicately aromatic with a whisper of pine.

Charcuterie Sliders Trio

A bite-sized adventure in bold, artisan flavor. This isn’t just bar food—it’s a curated flavor journey with a foot in both comfort and craftsmanship.

  • Slider One: Delicate ribbons of Prosciutto drape over a creamy layer of Firefly’s Bloomy Breeze Brie, with a sweet touch of fig jam that melts into the brie’s bloom. It’s indulgent, silky, and just the right amount of decadent.
  • Slider Two: Smoking Goose’s Dodge City dry salami brings big, peppery energy, balanced by the nutty depth of Hook’s Butterkäse Cheese. A spread of tomato jam adds brightness and tang, making this slider a standout with serious character.
  • Slider Three: Journeyman’s wine barrel smoked ham delivers a kiss of oak and smoke, paired with the melty comfort of New School American Cheese. A dollop of Buzz Savories Honey Mustard cuts through with a sweet-and-savory zing that ties it all together.
  • The Finish: Each slider is crowned with baby arugula tossed in Bari Blackberry Vanilla Balsamic and Barricato Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil, adding a fragrant, peppery crunch that lifts every bite. All layered on a soft, golden bun that holds it all in a perfect, palm-sized package.

The Sicilian Plate

A Mediterranean daydream, served on a board. This curated selection brings the vibrant, rustic soul of Southern Italy to life, one sumptuous bite at a time.

Cheese Flight:

  • Caciocavallo Silano: A semi-hard, stretched-curd cheese from Sicily with a mild, nutty warmth and a buttery finish.
  • Fiore Sardo DOP: Bold and rustic, this aged sheep’s milk cheese from Sardegna offers a smoky, salty punch with earthy complexity.
  • Quadrello di Bufala: Creamy, tangy, and a touch funky—this Lombardian water buffalo cheese melts on the tongue with decadent grace.

Cured Meats:

  • Prosciutto: Silky, salty, and melt-in-your-mouth.
  • Capocollo di Dorman Salami: Marbled with spice and tradition, it delivers rich, porky elegance with a whisper of heat.

Italian Accents & Extras:

  • Tarallini Crackers: Crunchy, savory rings made to cradle cheese or sop up drizzles of olive oil.
  • Castelvetrano & Mantova Olives: A briny, buttery green duo—lush and vibrant.
  • Truffle Almonds: Earthy and aromatic, they add depth and crunch.
  • Dried Tart Cherries: A zing of sweetness and chew to cut through the richness.
  • Cara Cara Oranges: Juicy, pink-fleshed citrus that brightens the whole board with a sunny kiss.

This is not just a plate—it’s a passport to Italy. Every component is chosen to balance and elevate the others, creating a savory, sweet, and utterly indulgent experience.

Spice Girl Plate

A fiery flirtation with flavor that brings the heat and keeps it playful. This boldly curated board is an ode to all things spicy, savory, and sensational—made for the adventurous palate that craves both heat and harmony.

Cheeses with a Kick

  • Snapdragon Triple Cream with Habanero from Tulip Tree Creamery: outrageously rich and luxuriously creamy, with a habanero snap that tingles on the finish.
  • Sambal Cheddar from Plymouth Creamery: a tangy, aged cheddar spiked with Southeast Asian sambal for a sweet-meets-heat explosion.
  • Stuyt Dairy Jalapeño Gouda: buttery and semi-firm, spiked with just enough jalapeño to dance across the tongue.
  • Fresh Jalapeño Cheese Spread: cool and creamy on the front, but it bites back in the best way.

Spiced Meats

  • Journeyman’s Nduja: a spreadable salami with Calabrian fire, smoky depth, and an umami punch that lingers.
  • Salami Picante from Smoking Goose: cured with spice and attitude, it’s bold, chewy, and not for the timid.

Crunch & Tang on the Side

  • Tangerine & Chili Olives: sweet, spicy, and briny all at once.
  • Candied Jalapeños: fiery little gems with a sweet glaze that sneaks up on you.
  • Dried Pears: cooling and subtly sweet, a welcome foil to the heat.
  • Sea Salt Crackers: simple, sturdy, and built for scooping, spreading, and stacking.
  • Crispy Snack Mix: roasted corn, fava beans, chickpeas, and almonds—all tossed together for a salty, crunchy, addictive contrast.

Grapes of Mercy For those needing a little respite, a handful of black grapes wait patiently like the hero at the end of a rom-com—cool, sweet, and always there when you need them most.

This is the plate that turns up the volume and dares you not to love it. Want to pair it with a crisp white, a fruit-forward rosé, or a juicy red from The Porch? I’ve got some knockout wine matches in mind.

Picnic Plate– A Taste of Summer

A vibrant celebration of the season, this plate is stacked with bright, fresh, and savory delights. Skewers of cantaloupe and prosciutto bring sweet-and-salty flair, joined by juicy peaches, heirloom grape tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and summer salami. The cheese stars include Hook’s Five-Year Cheddar, Milton’s Prairie Breeze Cheddar, and creamy cow’s milk Brie. Crunchy fried almonds add texture, while Jack’s white wine crackers offer the perfect bite. Finished with a touch of aged balsamic and fresh basil —it’s a perfect plate for warm afternoons and easy laughter.

Mediterranean Plate

A celebration of bold flavors and regional artistry, this plate brings together hand-selected cheeses, meats, and accompaniments that evoke the sun-drenched coasts of the Mediterranean.

  • Franklin’s Teleme – A California original that began as feta and evolved into a luscious cow’s milk cheese with a soft, marshmallow-like creaminess.
  • Sicilian Pepprocini – A firm sheep’s milk cheese with a dry texture and subtle peppery finish.
  • 1605 Manchego – A Spanish classic, creamy and complex, offering layers of nutty, savory depth.
  • Rigani Loukaniko – Crafted by Olympia Provisions, this Greek-style dry salumi is infused with oregano and orange zest, delivering a fragrant and flavorful bite.
  • JeeSauce Sun-Dried Tomato Spread – A local favorite, this almond-based hummus-style spread adds a tangy richness that complements every element on the plate.
  • Crunch & Accents – Roasted chickpeas and pita chips provide satisfying texture, while dried figs, plumcot slices, crisp cucumbers, and briny olives round out the experience with sweet, fresh, and savory notes.

Deconstructed Pizza Plate

A bold reimagining of the classic pie, the Bougie Cheese Shop way featuring local makers and layered flavors. This shareable plate begins with Not Your Nonna’s Pizza Sauce and vibrant crafted pesto, served alongside crisp crostini and baguette slices for build-your-own bites.

Toppings include:

  • Creamy Amano Stracciatella cheese
  • Spicy nduja spreadable salami and classic pepperoni
  • Smoky-sweet roasted red pepper & artichoke tapenade
  • Briny mixed olives
  • Topped off with 2-year aged Parmigiano Reggiano

Il Tagliere Misto,  “Mixed Board”

An Italian‑inspired selection that brings together three distinctive cheeses, artisan salumi, and seasonal pairings
for a balanced, abundant, and irresistibly snackable board.

The Cheeses

  • Montasio (DOP) Crafted in the Montasio mountain range north of Venice, this cow’s‑milk classic is creamy, approachable, and gently nutty with subtle fruity notes.
  • Cravero Parmigiano Reggiano di Montagna (DOP), 24‑Month A mountain‑aged Parmigiano chosen for its depth and finesse. Expect a savory‑sweet balance with flavors of toasted nuts, fruit sweetness, and warm caramel.
  • Blu di Bufala A fudgy, aged water‑buffalo blue cheese that strikes a beautiful harmony between sweetness, spice, and a lingering, luxurious richness.

The Salumi

  • Lowry Hill Provisions – Red Wine & Rosemary Salame A large‑format, dry‑cured salame aged 75 days with red wine, rosemary, garlic, and black pepper. Aromatic, savory, and deeply flavorful.

Pairings

  • Fresh plums, grapes, dried figs, Marcona almonds, and crisp crackers round out the board with sweetness, crunch,
    and contrast.

Wine Suggestions: crisp whites, sparkling wines, Moscato, or medium‑bodied reds.