Cheese on a Stick

Just Cheesy: The Podcast episode 194

Fondue: In this week's episode of Just Cheesy: The Podcast, we're talking about a fair favorite, cheese on a stick.  

Cheesy: This is Cheesy. And this one’s gonna "stick" with you.

Fondue: Its not just the mozzarella kind—we’re going international with cheese skewers from Greece, Brazil, the Philippines, India, China, and Korea.

Cheesy: That’s a global snack attack.

Fondue: It all started when I saw the Wisconsin State Fair was offering deep-fried cheese on a stick from a vendor called Crutchee’s Corn Dogs. Hand-battered, deep-fried, golden cheese glory.

Cheesy: Yum.

Fondue: But beyond fair food, SeriousEats.com mentions Greek halloumi grilled with veggies—threaded onto skewers with onion, zucchini, tomatoes, and brushed with olive oil, vinegar, and mint. Delicious!

Cheesy: Grill goals.

Fondue: In India, paneer tikka takes center stage. According to Mrskumars.com, it’s a tandoori-style marinated paneer grilled to perfection—a flavorful veggie take on traditional tandoori meat dishes.

Cheesy: So it’s paneer perfection on a stick?

Fondue: Exactly. In China, Rushan cheese is pulled and wrapped around bamboo, dried, and served warm or deep-fried. Often topped with rose petal jam, sweet milk, or even chocolate syrup!

Cheesy: Cheese lollipops, basically.

Fondue: Yep.  And in Brazil, there's queijo coalho, often called “beach cheese.” Eater.com says vendors walk the beach with tin fire pits, grilling salty skewered cheese until it gets a nutty crust. It’s like beach BBQ meets dairy delight.

Cheesy: That sounds like a vacation snack I can commit to.

Fondue: And then we hit the Philippines! Lumpiang queso is a fried cheese stick wrapped in egg crepe, dipped in—you guessed it—banana ketchup and mayo.

Cheesy: Banana ketchup? I’m intrigued… and mildly confused.

Fondue: Apparently it dates back to WWII when tomatoes were scarce. But I digress. Back to skewers! The Korean corn dog might take the prize. BeyondKimchi.com explains that it’s stuffed with mozzarella or a sausage-cheese combo, dipped in batter, rolled in panko—or even potatoes! Then deep-fried, dusted with sugar, and topped with ketchup and mustard.

Cheesy: So it’s a dessert… dinner… and snack all at once?

Fondue: Exactly! It’s wild and wonderful. Speaking of wonderful, this week's joke came to us straight from a fan.  Make sure to listen to this week's episode so you can enjoy it too!

Cheesy: This one is so gouda.

Stay Sharp,

Fondue

Got a cheesy idea? Email us at info@justcheesy.com.