Chellino Cheese Co. is a long-standing, family-run creamery rooted in the Italian cheesemaking traditions of the Midwest. Founded in 1917 and still operating from its original Joliet location, the business has remained a quiet but essential part of the regional food landscape for over a century. Today, it is led by third-generation owners Greg and Linda Chellino, who revived the company with a focus on preserving its heritage while continuing to serve local communities and longtime customers.

Production at Chellino centers on small-batch, fresh cheeses made without preservatives, with an emphasis on quality and consistency. Their ricotta—widely regarded as the company’s signature—has earned national recognition, including a top placement at a major international cheese competition. Alongside ricotta, the creamery produces a range of traditional Italian-style cheeses that are distributed throughout the Midwest, particularly to restaurants, pizzerias, and specialty food shops.

Despite its scale in regional distribution, Chellino maintains a strong connection to its neighborhood roots. A small portion of its business remains dedicated to walk-in customers, continuing a decades-long tradition for local families who stop by for fresh cheese. The operation itself remains intentionally modest, employing a small team and focusing on craftsmanship over expansion, with production rhythms tied closely to demand and seasonality.

Chellino Cheese Co. represents a rare example of a surviving urban creamery—one that bridges old-world techniques with modern distribution while staying grounded in its community. For those seeking authentic Italian-style cheeses made with care and history, it remains a distinctive and enduring presence in the Midwest cheese landscape.

Cheeses Produced: • Ricotta (fresh) • Dry Ricotta • Mozzarella (parchment-wrapped) • Mozzarella (vacuum-sealed) • Shredded Mozzarella • Scamorza • Tuma • Caciocavallo