Cheese is a big deal in the United States. Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows Americans consumed nearly 42 pounds of cheese per capita in 2022.
That works out to roughly 3.5 pounds per month or about two ounces per person per day.
This month, on Jan. 20, we’ll celebrate National Cheese Lovers Day. At BetCarolina.com, the home of NC sportsbooks, we used Google Trends to see which cheese-based foods are most popular in North Carolina. The search period was between Jan. 8, 2005, and Jan. 8, 2025, and we ranked the list based on search interest scores.
| Rank | Product | Search Interest Score |
| 1 | Cheesecake | 56 |
| 2 | Mac and Cheese | 23 |
| 3 | Cheeseburger | 10 |
| T4 | Grilled Cheese | 6 |
| T4 | Quesadilla | 6 |
By a large margin, North Carolinians’ favorite cheese product is the cheesecake. They’re not alone. It’s a dessert staple at many restaurants, with Tastewise reporting nearly 24% of eateries have at least one cheesecake item on their menus.
The great thing about cheesecake is its versatility. A plain cheesecake can be topped with cherries, strawberries, caramel, chocolate or a variety of other sauces or fruits. The cheesecake itself can be made with a flavor, such as peanut butter or pumpkin.
In North Carolina, CHEESECAKES by Alex has been hugely popular in the Greensboro area for more than 20 years. Besides picking up a small, medium or large cheesecake, customers also can take advantage of nationwide shipping, available as is a subscription service.
If you want to pair your cheese with some adult beverages, look at our list of top 10 states to enjoy craft breweries to see where North Carolina ranks.
Did you know there are cheeses native to North Carolina? According to TasteAtlas.com, one such cheese is called Providence. It’s derived from pasteurized goat’s milk and aged for three months. It’s a crumbly cheese with a creamy flavor that is perfect for charcuterie boards.
Another way to celebrate the big day is to take a trip on the North Carolina Cheese Trail, which includes several cheesemakers, vineyards and restaurants across the Tar Heel State. While Jan. 20 is a federal holiday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, you can also hit the trail over the weekend in case you have to work that day. Then, you can partake in some of your purchases as you watch the College Football Playoff Championship Game that night.
While we don’t have reviews on North Carolina cheeses, BetCarolina is your source for the latest information on North Carolina sports betting apps. We have up-to-date reviews on the licensed operators as well as the best promo codes available.
Author
As a writer and analyst for BetCarolina.com, Steve not only covers gaming news and developments in North Carolina but also provides insights into what they mean for bettors, licensed operators and the state. A veteran journalist with 25 years of experience covering sports, politics and business, Steve has reported on the gambling industry intently over the past five years.
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