Matos Cheese Factory

You drive down LLano Road until you see their little sign that says Joe Matos Cheese, and head down the gravel (now halfway paved) driveway and park between the barn and the cheese house.
Most of the Matos family lives on that farm, and speaks mainly portugese. The cheese they make is St. Jorge cheese, somewhere between an aged swiss and sharp cheddar. Mary Matos (Joe’s wife) usually cuts you a nice sample, and then you tell her how many pounds you want off of the wheel they have ready. If you want a whole wheel, they have a variety of sizes from 8 to 20 lbs. that will age nicely at home.
The cheese is great for eating with fruit or making an outstanding mac and cheese. I also recommend a hot slice of apple pie with a cold slice of St. Jorge cheese on top. Very good contrast in flavors, and there are fantastic apple orchards in the area.