Make Ahead

Bar Cheese

October  4, 2022
4
2 Ratings
  • Makes about 2 cups
Author Notes

As a child, my folks loved to do Sunday afternoon dinners at various restaurants in the area. Occasionally this would mean a "destination" trip to Marshall, Mi where the famed Win Schuler Restaurant was located. I loved their cheese spread which was served on every table as soon as you arrived. The Schuler family now markets their spread and varieties thereof, but I learned long ago to make my own which is very similar ( and so easy! ) —inpatskitchen

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Ingredients
  • 2 slices bacon
  • 2 cups finely shredded medium cheddar
  • 3 tablespoons prepared horseradish
  • 1/3 cup mayo
  • 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
Directions
  1. Cook the bacon slices until crispy. Cool and crumble.
  2. Mix all the ingredients together and stir vigorously until the cheese actually seems to meld into the mayo.
  3. Chill for a couple of hours before serving with crackers. ( I actually think the Schuler family served their spread with melba toast).

See what other Food52ers are saying.

Recipe by: inpatskitchen

I think I get my love for food and cooking from my mom, who was an amazing cook. She would start baking and freezing a month before Christmas in order to host our huge open house on Christmas afternoon. I watched and I learned...to this day I try not to procrastinate when it comes to entertaining. My cooking style is pretty much all over the place, although I'm definitely partial to Greek and Italian cuisine. Oh yes, throw a little Cajun in there too!

22 Reviews

feedingtheboys April 5, 2011
Excellent! I've been looking for a copy cat recipe for Win Schuler's bar cheese that didn't call for Velveeta or CheezWhiz. This is perfect. The bacon put it over the top for the hubby, too. Thanks for a great, easy, delicious recipe!
inpatskitchen April 5, 2011
You're welcome....I'm glad you all enjoyed!
eyecancook April 2, 2011
Wow! Great to hear conversation about Schuler's. We vacationed up near Clare yearly and would stop in during our trip for lunch or dinner. The best part of the meal was the FREE meatballs they used to serve before your meal. That is a recipe we need to see!!
MyCommunalTable April 3, 2011
Everyone seems to have such fond memories of the BBQ meatballs. You could get bar scheeze and meatballs on the table as a welcome in the 60's and 70's, but in the 40's and 50's they would place a huge relish tray in the center of the table. State health department laws made the restaurant change that practice.
Sadassa_Ulna April 2, 2011
This is such a great conversation, so fun to read, I must try this!
inpatskitchen April 2, 2011
I hope you enjoy....
Lakegran April 2, 2011
Hello all you fellow foodies... I am not sure this is the proper place for this, but I am looking for Win Schuler garlic bread ( squares) recipe....
It was fun to see Elizbeth's post, as, I worked for the Jackson Restaurant for many years in the 60s and 70s
I buy the bar scheeze for a favorite cheesy potato recipe that I picked up while working there..( it is my grands. most asked for dish and it calls for bacon :) )
I will try your bar cheese recipe, since I am not able to find it when I visit my family in Illinois.
drbabs April 2, 2011
Consider posting this on foodpickle or sending Elizabeth Schuler (MyCommunalTable; see below) a direct message--I bet she can help you.
inpatskitchen April 2, 2011
I just saw this post and agree with drbabs...I think E Schuler may be able to help
MyCommunalTable April 3, 2011
I have to admit, I have no recollection of such a recipe. I asked my dad and he could not recall it either. Can I have some more details about the garlic bread? I am going to ask my mom and see if she remembers. My family sold the cheese company years ago, but I have seen it at Sam's club in Ilinois. It is great that you worked in Jackson. That is fun. I could of met you sometime...
MyCommunalTable March 30, 2011
Hey, inpatskitchen, I am Elizabeth Schuler, granddaughter to Win Schuler. Nice to meet you. Love your version of the bar cheese. Bacon, yum! Lots of varieties, but all good with a cold beer. Where did you grow up? I was born in Marshall, but also lived in Grand Rapids after my parents divorce. Spent time in both places growing up. Fun that you have good memories there. I spent a lot of my early years working there. Maybe I waited on you or scrubbed your baked potato that you were served.
inpatskitchen March 30, 2011
Hi! I grew up in Royal Oak and haven't moved much further, so the trip to Marshall is a bit of a trek... but I have fond memories of the restaurant... and the bar cheese!! Bacon does make things better! Thanks for your kind words.
drbabs March 30, 2011
Oh, I love this!
Burnt O. March 27, 2011
Classic! Takes me right back to my Uncle Lou's on a Sunday dinner. I use this as a sandwich spread. Especially yummy broiled with some summer tomatoes on it.
inpatskitchen March 27, 2011
I love classic!
boulangere March 27, 2011
Oh yes, this is all childhood memory-ish! Looks terrific!
inpatskitchen March 27, 2011
Thanks boulangere!
lastnightsdinner March 27, 2011
This reminds me of my childhood! And I remember those "bar chips" they had - kind of like melba toast rounds, definitely!
inpatskitchen March 27, 2011
Weren't the chips a little cheesy too? I'm getting too old to remember...
MyCommunalTable March 30, 2011
No they had a garlic flavor and were served warm. They kept them in a big warming drawer.
Sagegreen March 27, 2011
Sounds delicious!
inpatskitchen March 27, 2011
It really is...and something you can whip up with on hand ingredients!