These 10 Oregon Stores Sell Tillamook Cheese for Way Less Than You’d Expect

Oregon knows cheese. More specifically, Oregon knows Tillamook cheese, that creamy, tangy gold that graces everything from grilled cheese sandwiches to fancy charcuterie boards.

But here’s the thing: you don’t need to pay premium prices to enjoy premium cheddar.

Across the state, from coastal factory outlets to employee-owned discount chains, savvy shoppers have discovered where to score serious deals on their favorite blocks and wedges. Some of these spots sell Tillamook for 40 to 70 percent less than conventional grocery stores.

Others offer specialty varieties you won’t find anywhere else, often at surprisingly reasonable prices.

Whether you’re stocking up for the week or hunting down aged cheddar that won’t break the bank, these ten Oregon locations deliver quality cheese without the sticker shock. Time to fill that cart.

1. Tillamook Creamery Visitors Center, Tillamook

Right at the source is where magic happens. The flagship location at 4165 N Highway 101 puts you face-to-face with more cheese varieties than most grocery stores even know exist.

Walking into this factory shop feels a bit like entering cheese paradise. Beyond the standard sharp and medium cheddars that line supermarket shelves, you’ll find specialty aged blocks, smoked varieties, and limited releases that never make it to Fred Meyer or Safeway.

Prices here compete directly with major retailers, but the selection blows them out of the water. That two-year aged reserve cheddar your grocery store charges a fortune for?

Often costs less here, and you can sample before buying.

The factory setting means fresher inventory turnover too. Cheese doesn’t sit in distribution centers or on trucks for days before reaching the sales floor.

It goes from production to shop in record time, which matters when you’re talking about a product this perishable.

Tourists flock here year-round, but locals know the real secret: shop on weekday mornings when crowds thin out and staff have more time to answer questions about which blocks pair best with your favorite crackers. The self-serve ice cream doesn’t hurt either, though that’s technically a different department.

Plan extra time to watch the cheesemaking process through viewing windows. Educational and delicious rarely combine this well.

2. Tillamook Market at Portland Airport, Portland

Airports and good prices usually go together like oil and water. This location breaks that rule completely.

Tucked into Concourse E at 7000 NE Airport Way, this market offers travelers a chance to grab Oregon’s most famous export before heading home. But here’s what most people miss: the pricing actually stays reasonable despite the captive audience.

You’ll find aged cheddar varieties here that smaller grocery stores don’t stock. The selection focuses on crowd-pleasers and specialty items that make excellent gifts or personal treats.

Blocks come in TSA-friendly sizes if you’re flying, though larger cuts are available for locals or those checking bags.

The real advantage shows up when you compare airport convenience store pricing to this shop. Instead of paying inflated tourist trap rates, you’re getting legitimate retail pricing on legitimate quality cheese.

That matters when you’re trying to bring home something special without feeling robbed.

Staff here actually know their product line, which seems rare for airport retail. They can recommend pairings, explain aging processes, and help you choose between similar-looking options.

That level of service usually costs extra elsewhere.

Early morning and late evening see the lightest foot traffic. If your flight schedule allows, those windows offer the most relaxed shopping experience.

Otherwise, expect to navigate around other travelers doing the same last-minute Oregon shopping you are.

3. Tillamook Country Smoker Factory Outlet, Bay City

Just a few miles north of the main creamery sits a lesser-known treasure. At 8335 US Highway 101 North, this outlet specializes in something most stores can’t offer: squeaky fresh cheese curds.

Curds are cheese in its purest, most playful form. They squeak against your teeth when ultra-fresh, and this outlet gets them faster than almost anywhere else in the state.

Prices undercut both the main factory store and standard grocery chains, making this a favorite stop for locals who know their cheese.

Beyond curds, the outlet carries full blocks and specialty items at discount rates. The selection rotates based on what’s available from production runs, which means you might find unexpected varieties on any given visit.

That unpredictability adds a treasure hunt element that keeps regulars coming back.

The smaller footprint means fewer crowds than the main Tillamook Creamery. You can actually browse without bumping into tour groups or navigating stroller traffic.

For introverts or anyone who hates crowds, this location offers a much calmer cheese shopping experience.

Parking is easier here too. The lot rarely fills completely, even on summer weekends when the main creamery turns into a zoo.

You can pull in, grab what you need, and get back on the road in under fifteen minutes if you’re in a hurry.

Pro tip: call ahead to confirm curd availability if that’s your main goal. They sell out faster than regular blocks.

4. Blue Heron French Cheese Company, Tillamook

Sometimes the best deals hide in plain sight. Located at 2001 Blue Heron Road, this specialty shop sells Tillamook products alongside their own French-style cheeses, creating a one-stop destination for cheese lovers.

The atmosphere here skews quieter and more relaxed than the main Creamery. Fewer buses means more breathing room and actual time to read labels without someone reaching past you.

That alone makes the trip worthwhile for anyone who values a peaceful shopping experience.

Pricing on Tillamook products stays competitive with the factory store, but the real advantage comes from selection diversity. You can compare Oregon’s famous cheddar against European-style options, grab some fresh baguette from their bakery section, and build a complete cheese board in one stop.

The staff here tend toward cheese enthusiasts rather than seasonal workers. They know flavor profiles, aging processes, and which combinations work best together.

That expertise helps when you’re buying for a specific recipe or trying to impress guests at your next gathering.

Free samples flow generously, letting you taste before committing to full blocks. This matters more than you’d think when exploring new varieties or trying to decide between similar options.

Nobody wants to drop fifteen dollars on cheese they end up hating.

The surrounding property includes a petting zoo and wine tasting room, making this a legitimate destination rather than just a quick stop. Families appreciate having multiple activities in one location, especially when traveling with kids who need regular entertainment breaks.

5. WinCo Foods, Oregon City

Employee ownership changes everything about how a grocery store operates. WinCo at 19701 Oregon Route 213 proves this daily by consistently undercutting major competitors on nearly every product, including Tillamook cheese.

The pricing structure here makes Safeway and Fred Meyer look downright expensive. Because WinCo operates on thinner margins and eliminates fancy displays, those savings pass directly to customers.

A block of Tillamook sharp cheddar that costs six or seven dollars elsewhere might run four-fifty here.

Selection spans the full standard line: sharp, medium, mild, pepper jack, and various shredded options. You won’t find the exotic aged varieties from the factory store, but for everyday cooking and snacking cheese, this location delivers unbeatable value.

The store layout follows a no-frills warehouse approach. Concrete floors, industrial shelving, and minimal decoration keep overhead low.

Some shoppers find this off-putting at first, but most quickly realize they’d rather save money than admire pretty tile work.

Shopping here requires bringing your own bags and bagging your own groceries. This self-service model contributes to lower prices, though it does add a few minutes to your checkout process.

Most regulars consider this a fair trade for the savings.

Hours run late compared to many competitors, with some locations staying open twenty-four hours. Late-night cheese runs become possible when insomnia strikes or recipe ingredients run out mid-cooking project.

That convenience factor adds surprising value beyond just low prices.

6. Grocery Outlet, Tillamook

Closeout deals and overstock purchases built this chain’s entire business model. The location at 2055 Main Avenue North specializes in selling name-brand products for forty to seventy percent less than conventional stores.

Tillamook cheese appears here regularly, though specific varieties change based on what the store’s buyers can source. You might find standard sharp cheddar one week and smoked gouda the next.

This unpredictability actually adds excitement for bargain hunters who enjoy discovering unexpected deals.

Prices routinely shock first-time shoppers. Seeing Tillamook blocks priced two or three dollars below Fred Meyer or Safeway rates makes you wonder what the catch is.

Usually there isn’t one beyond slightly shorter sell-by dates or packaging that’s being discontinued.

The store operates on a treasure hunt shopping model. Inventory changes constantly as new deals arrive and old stock sells through.

Regular visitors learn to grab good finds immediately rather than waiting, because that specific product might not return for months.

Staff can’t predict what cheese varieties will arrive next, so calling ahead about specific items rarely helps. Instead, savvy shoppers make Grocery Outlet part of their regular rotation, checking in weekly to see what new deals appeared.

The Tillamook location puts you minutes from the main Creamery, creating an interesting dynamic. You can hit the factory store for specialty items, then swing by Grocery Outlet for everyday blocks at closeout prices.

Best of both worlds in one afternoon.

7. Costco Wholesale, Warrenton

Bulk buying transforms cheese economics completely. The Warrenton location at 1804 SE Ensign Lane demonstrates this principle perfectly with Tillamook blocks that cost significantly less per ounce than smaller grocery store packages.

Membership fees apply here, running around sixty dollars annually for basic access. But if you’re buying cheese regularly, that cost disappears quickly through per-unit savings.

A family that goes through several blocks monthly recoups the membership fee in just a few shopping trips.

Costco typically carries two-pound blocks or multi-packs of smaller cuts. This format works great for larger households, frequent entertainers, or anyone who meal preps extensively.

Solo dwellers or couples might find the quantities excessive unless they’re comfortable freezing cheese for later use.

Quality stays consistently high because Costco’s inventory turns over rapidly. Cheese doesn’t languish on shelves growing old and dry.

Fresh stock arrives regularly, ensuring you’re getting product in peak condition.

The Warrenton location serves the north coast region, making it convenient for Astoria residents and visitors to Seaside or Cannon Beach. Unlike some rural areas where Costco requires a significant drive, this warehouse sits reasonably accessible to multiple population centers.

Beyond cheese, the store obviously carries everything else Costco is famous for. You can knock out your entire monthly shopping in one trip, from paper products to electronics to that rotisserie chicken everyone raves about.

Efficiency matters when you’re trying to minimize shopping time.

8. Walmart, Happy Valley

Love it or hate it, Walmart moves product volume that forces competitive pricing. The Happy Valley location at 11500 SE 82nd Avenue stocks a solid selection of Tillamook products at rates that undercut many local competitors.

You’ll find both block cheese and shredded varieties here, covering most common cooking and snacking needs. The selection focuses on popular flavors rather than specialty or aged options, but for everyday use, that’s usually sufficient.

Pricing fluctuates with sales and promotions, but baseline rates typically run lower than Safeway or Fred Meyer even without special deals. When Walmart does run cheese promotions, prices can drop to genuinely impressive levels that make stocking up worthwhile.

The supercenter format means you’re shopping alongside groceries, household goods, electronics, and everything else Walmart carries. This one-stop convenience appeals to busy families trying to consolidate errands, though it can make quick cheese runs take longer than intended when you remember six other things you need.

Self-checkout lanes move faster than traditional registers during peak hours. If you’re only grabbing cheese and a few other items, scanning your own products gets you out the door quickly.

Full cart shoppers might prefer staffed lanes where someone else handles the work.

The Happy Valley location serves the southeast Portland metro area, sitting conveniently near major highways. Easy access matters when you’re comparing multiple stores for the best cheese deals.

Being able to hit Walmart, Costco, and WinCo in one efficient loop maximizes your savings potential.

9. Fred Meyer, Eugene

Pacific Northwest heritage runs deep at Fred Meyer. The Eugene location at 60 Division Avenue represents the chain’s strong regional presence and commitment to carrying local products like Tillamook cheese.

Selection here outpaces most competitors, spanning the full standard Tillamook line plus specialty items that smaller stores skip. Some locations even feature Murray’s Cheese sections that include premium aged Tillamook varieties alongside artisan options from other producers.

Prices tend higher than discount chains like WinCo or Grocery Outlet, but Fred Meyer compensates with frequent sales and loyalty program discounts. Smart shoppers watch the weekly ads and stock up when Tillamook products hit promotional pricing.

Those sale prices can match or beat discount stores temporarily.

The store layout integrates groceries with household goods, clothing, electronics, and pharmacy services. This department store approach makes Fred Meyer a genuine one-stop destination, though it also means larger footprints and more walking between sections.

Fuel points programs reward grocery purchases with gas discounts at Fred Meyer stations. Heavy cheese buyers can accumulate significant fuel savings over time, adding hidden value beyond just the shelf price.

Those fuel discounts effectively reduce your cheese cost when you factor in total household savings.

Eugene’s location serves the southern Willamette Valley, acting as a grocery anchor for the region. The store sees heavy student traffic from the University of Oregon, which keeps inventory fresh and turnover high.

Fresh inventory matters with dairy products that lose quality as they age.

10. Safeway, Portland

Major chains get unfair reputations for high pricing, but Safeway actually delivers decent value when you shop strategically. The Portland location at 1100 NE Broadway stocks the complete Tillamook range and runs regular promotions that drop prices substantially.

Weekly ads feature rotating deals on different cheese varieties. One week might discount sharp cheddar while the next focuses on pepper jack or shredded options.

Tracking these cycles lets you stock up when your preferred varieties hit sale pricing rather than paying full retail.

The Just for U digital coupon program adds another savings layer. Loading offers to your loyalty card before shopping can knock additional dollars off already-discounted cheese.

Combining sale prices with digital coupons sometimes creates deals that rival discount chains.

Selection quality stays consistently high because Safeway maintains strict freshness standards. Older blocks get pulled before they decline noticeably, ensuring customers get cheese in prime condition.

This quality control costs money but results in better-tasting products that justify slightly higher baseline pricing.

Store brand alternatives sit next to Tillamook on shelves, offering even cheaper options for budget-conscious shoppers. But taste tests consistently favor Tillamook’s flavor and texture, making the modest price premium worthwhile for most customers who prioritize quality.

The Broadway location serves inner northeast Portland neighborhoods with easy access from multiple transit lines. Urban shoppers without cars appreciate this accessibility, especially when hauling heavy grocery loads home.

Convenience sometimes outweighs pure price considerations when you’re comparing stores.