January 20 is set to be a big day in Kentucky and across the country. That will be when we celebrate National Cheese Lovers Day, and you probably would not be shocked to learn that Americans love their cheese, whether its American, Swiss, cheddar or mozzarella.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average American consumed 41.8 pounds of cheese in 2022. That’s up nearly 10 pounds from the start of the century.
While cheese by itself is good, it’s of course not the only way to eat it. In honor of the big day that’s less than two weeks away, we at BetKentucky.com broke from Kentucky sports betting coverage and used Google Trends to see which cheese-based foods are most popular in Kentucky. The search period was between January 7, 2005 – January 7, 2025, and we ranked the list based on search interest score.
Kentucky’s Favorite Cheese Products
| Rank | Product | Search Interest Score |
| 1 | Cheesecake | 44 |
| 2 | Quesadilla | 16 |
| 3 | Cheese Pizza | 14 |
| T-4 | Mac and Cheese | 13 |
| T-4 | Nachos | 13 |
It’s not a surprise that cheesecake tops Kentuckians’ searches when it comes to cheesy products. Whether it’s a plain cheesecake or one that’s topped with fruit, chocolate or other toppings, it’s a dessert that’s sure to be a hit with your family and friends any time you serve it.
And when you talk about Kentucky cheesecakes, the top brand that comes to mind is Adam Matthews. The family-owned bakery in Louisville has made premium cheesecakes for more than 40 years. Both the original cheesecake and the Kentucky Woods bourbon caramel cheesecake include the flavor of the state’s native spirit.
As far as cheese pizza goes, there’s not a place in Kentucky where you can’t get a good slice or a whole pie. That includes 54 Pizza in Owensboro, Pizza By The Pound in Paducah, Derby City Pizza in Louisville, PieTana in Lexington or Goodfellas in Louisville, Lexington and Covington.
A Kentucky Cheesy Honorable Mention
One item I was shocked not to see in the to five was beer cheese. It’s a staple at pubs everywhere, but just like fried chicken, Kentucky knows how to fix it just right.
In fact, there is a company in Winchester called The Kentucky Beer Cheese that sells its products nationwide. It’s available in both hot and regular flavors, and at sizes varying from 16 ounces to 10 pounds.
If you’re planning to watch the College Football Playoff championship on National Cheese Lovers Day with your friends and family, Kentucky beer cheese is a must for your appetizer or snack table. If you prefer to make it yourself, Southern Living has an easy-to-follow recipe you can use.
One thing that definitely is not cheesy is BetKentucky’s reviews of the licensed sportsbooks operating in the Bluegrass State. Check out our site frequently for the latest reviews of sportsbooks and the best Kentucky sportsbook promo codes available. In addition, the site is your source for the latest news and analysis of the Kentucky Wildcats and Louisville Cardinals.
Author
Steve is an accomplished, award-winning reporter with more than 20 years of experience covering gaming, sports, politics and business. He has written for the Associated Press, Reuters, The Louisville Courier Journal, The Center Square and numerous other publications. Based in Louisville, Ky., Steve has covered the expansion of sports betting in the U.S. and other gaming matters.
