Murray's Cheese

Murray's Cheese

Cooking
Greenwich Village, New York, New York
(676 Reviews)

The History of New York's Oldest and Best Cheese Shop:

Murray Greenberg (never met him; he died before I got here) was a Jewish Spanish civil war veteran and communist who opened a wholesale butter and egg shop a few doors up Cornelia street in 1940. The old timers tell me that even though he was an old leftie, he was still a street smart capitalist who used to buy cheese cheap and trim it and sell it. In the 70's he sold the shop to his clerk Louis Tudda, an Italian immigrant from Calabria.

The old shop was used like a bodega or a Korean deli is today; not only cheese was sold but cheap oil and tomatoes to the locals, who were predominantly Italian back in '91 when I bought the shop. That's changing now.

I'd left the family supermarket business in '85 to do full service specialty shops in New Jersey, where I was from. When my shop, in Princeton tanked with the crash of '87, I wound up in my brother's old apartment here in the Village (he's a lawyer and he'd moved to L.A.), wondering what to do with my life next. One day, when I was in line at the original shop, I heard Louis say he'd lost his lease and was closing. I made him an offer and moved the shop to the corner of Bleecker, where we stayed 14 years, until November '04, when we moved to our current location at Bleecker and Leroy.

Frankie came with the shop; he lived around here and had been the delivery boy, then a counterman through college, and stayed here when his folks returned to the island of Malta where they were from. Louis himself worked for a year before he went back home. We'd hang out behind the counter selling cheap cheese, mostly commodity stuff bought on deal.

Around ten years ago we got serious about the good stuff, and at first we couldn't sell it. Now we can't keep it in stock! The first line we got in was Neal's Yard Dairy cheese, and boy, did it sit there in the case. The old neighborhood is changing. Zito's bread, older than Murray's even (1920) is gone, and so is the pioneer of all, Balducci's up on 9th St. (Citarella's there now). But the new customers are a lot younger and hipper.

We always had a good staff, though this is by far the best. I'm often grouchy, but everyone else was, and is, really very nice. Go figure. And the business grows each year.

These days I can barely keep up on all the new stuff that's going on: we have a kitchen, a new web site, mail order, a gift catalog, a classroom and cheese caves. It's not quite anarchy but it's certainly not corporate. It's the Village: artists, folkies, poets, creative types have made this their home for over a century. Our shop in Grand Central even has the feel of it.

The main thing is to let the customers see our passion, that's what it's all about. Turn them on to whatever we've got going. Taste it yourself. My Grandpa, whose own store is in a picture above the dairy case (ca. 1925), and an immigrant (Russian Jewish) himself, always said, in that sort of accent of his, 'go on, take a taste.' Nothing's changed, I suppose. We tell them, 'here, take a taste.'

--Rob

Reviews of Murray's Cheese

(676 Reviews)
Burrata Making

5/21/2023
Bob W.

Attended: Burrata Making


The concept of the class was great and something we were looking forward to. The sampling of different cheeses in different states, along with the bubbly/wine was a nice touch. We have done a number of cooking classes in our hometown as well as other cities we have travelled to. None of these classes involved cheese or in this case making a specific cheese, so it might not be a fair comparison. The other classes were instructor lead and participatory, just like this one. However, the process was laid out in steps, with the instructor giving you direction for each step. This class was watching the instructor go through all the steps and then we were allowed to start. It was easy for her since she has done this multiple times in the past. But for a first timer it was very confusing, trying to remember what was said and then try to duplicate the steps. And it didn't go very well, with each of our efforts resulting in a less than acceptable finished cheese. Since we took it with us as we left, we both threw our "finished product" in the trash. The class was also very messy dealing with the cheese and water. It would have been nice to have some protection/covering (aka an apron) to protect our clothes as both of us experienced some splashes and spots on our clothes that were supposed to be worn again during our vacation. I doubt we will try this at home based on our experience, and instead just go out and purchase the cheese when we have the occasion to serve it. For the money, this was a total bust. We had hoped for more.

Rosé & Cheese Pairing

5/8/2023
Lindsey C.

Attended: Rosé & Cheese Pairing


Very informative, teachers were nice and did a great job, delicious cheese and wine!

Tour of Europe - Wine & Cheese Pairing

4/17/2023
Anonymous

Attended: Tour of Europe - Wine & Cheese Pairing


The class was great, super informative and fun!

Mozzarella Making

1/8/2023
Lauren D.

Attended: Mozzarella Making


Fun experience, great information, delicious mozzarella! Staff was friendly.

The Most Decadent Mother's Day

12/11/2022
Anonymous

Attended: The Most Decadent Mother's Day


I loved the class!

Mozzarella & Burrata Making

11/15/2022
Kristen H.

Attended: Mozzarella & Burrata Making


What an absolutely perfect afternoon! This class was fun, informational, delicious and lovely. Our instructor was so knowledgable, witty, helpful and warm. What blew me away was how well it was prepped and run. From the wine and tasting to the actual making and the gifts to take home, it was an incredible experience that exceeded my expectations.

Virtual Pairing Perfection: Picnic Edition

9/30/2020
Kyla B.

Attended: Virtual Pairing Perfection: Picnic Edition


Very educational and fun! Learned a lot and the food was delicious!

Virtual Cocktails and Cheese

6/20/2020
Kimberly M.

Attended: Virtual Cocktails and Cheese


Had a great time learning about cocktails and cheese!

Virtual French Pairing  Perfection

5/28/2020
Anonymous

Attended: Virtual French Pairing Perfection


cheese was great, class was boring/video was low quality

Virtual Spring in Vermont with Jasper Hill!

5/23/2020
Kimberly M.

Attended: Virtual Spring in Vermont with Jasper Hill!


Hope they do more classes like this!

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Questions about this school?
254 Bleecker St, New York, New York 10014
Murray's Cheese
Greenwich Village, Manhattan
254 Bleecker St
Btwn Leroy & Morton Streets
New York, New York 10014

Upcoming Classes at Murray's Cheese

Mozzarella Making
Mozzarella Making
Next start date:

Wednesday Jun 7th, 6:30–8pm Eastern Time

Summertime Pairing Perfection
Summertime Pairing Perfection
Next start date:

Thursday Jun 8th, 6:30–8pm Eastern Time

Wine & Cheese Pairing
Wine & Cheese Pairing
Next start date:

Friday Jun 9th, 6:30–8pm Eastern Time

Wine and Cheese Pairing: Summer Favorites
Wine and Cheese Pairing: Summer Favorites
Next start date:

Saturday Jun 10th, 5:30–7pm Eastern Time

French Wine & Cheese Pairing
French Wine & Cheese Pairing
Next start date:

Wednesday Jun 14th, 6:30–8pm Eastern Time

Burrata Making
Burrata Making
Next start date:

Saturday Jun 10th, 2:30–3:30pm Eastern Time

Meat & Cheese Pairing
Meat & Cheese Pairing
Next start date:

Saturday Jun 17th, 5:30–7pm Eastern Time

Cheese 101
Cheese 101
Next start date:

Wednesday Jun 21st, 6:30–8pm Eastern Time

Wine & Cheese Crash Course
Wine & Cheese Crash Course
Next start date:

Friday Jun 23rd, 6:30–7:30pm Eastern Time

Italian Wine and Cheese Pairing
Italian Wine and Cheese Pairing
Next start date:

Saturday Jun 24th, 5:30–7pm Eastern Time

Taste of Italy: Italian Meat and Cheese
Taste of Italy: Italian Meat and Cheese
Next start date:

Wednesday Jul 12th, 6:30–8pm Eastern Time

Pairing Perfection
Pairing Perfection
Next start date:

Wednesday Jul 5th, 6:30–8pm Eastern Time

Teachers at Murray's Cheese

Aaron Foster Aaron Foster and Justin Chearno Aaron Foster and Jon Lundbom Aaron Foster and Sascha Ingram Adam Moskowitz Adam Ford Adeline Druart Alexandra Leaf Allan Roth Allison Hooper Allison Hooper, Zoe Brickley, Chris George, Jamie M. & Jason Hinds Alyse Whitney Alyse Whitney and Christine Clark Amanda Parker Amanda Parker and Jordan Zimmerman Amanda Parker and Jeremy Adona Andy Hatch Angela Steil Anthony Belleveau-Flores Anuradha Jayakrishnan B.R. Rolya and Sascha Anderson Barbara Frank & Dan Belmont Beau Rapier and Beth Ann Coulton Becky Nawrocki Ben Anhalt Ben Granger and Sascha Anderson Ben Watson and Greg Hall Beth Ann Coulton Beth Ann Coulton and Joel Zighelboim Brad Knebel Brad Knebel & Anuradha Jayakrishnan Brad Knebel & Murray's Faculty Brian Ralph Brian McKenzie & Dan Belmont Bruno Gritti Carla Marina Marchese Chris Gray Chris George Chris Munsey Chris George and Sascha Anderson Chris George and Lillian Wilkie Chris George & Jordan Zimmerman Chris Munsey and Beth Ann Coulton Chris Munsey and Sascha Anderson Chris Munsey and Brian Ralph Chris Munsey and Brian Ralph Christine Clark & Carey Polis Christopher Briar Williams and Dan Belmont Claus Meyer Clay Risen Dan Belmont Dan Belmont & Jordan Zimmerman Darlene Hayes David Furer Dean Fisher Diane Flynt and Sascha Ingram Diane Flynt and Sascha Anderson Diane Flynt and Liz Thorpe Diane Flynt, Steve Wood & Andy Brennan Ed MacEachen Elias Cairo Elizabeth Chubbuck Elizabeth Chubbuck and Sascha Ingram Elizabeth Chubbuck and Diane Flynt Elizabeth Chubbuck and Lee Blumenschine Enric Canut Enrica Maffucci Eric Genau and Sascha Anderson Eric Genau and Beth Ann Coulton Ezra Sherman and Sascha Ingram Ezra Sherman and Sascha Anderson Ezra Sherman and Brian Ralph Ezra Sherman of Eve's Cidery and Murray's Faculty Garrett Oliver & Aaron Foster Gemma Paterson Gianaclis Caldwell Gidon Coll Greg Hall Greg Hall and Sascha Ingram Greg Hall and Aaron Foster Gregory Hall Heather Paxson Hervé Mons Jake Cohen James Christopher Tracy Janet Fletcher Jason Donnelly Jason Donelly and Susan Weldon Jeff O'Neil Jenn James Jennifer Mattson Jeremy Adona and Beth Ann Coulton Jeremy Adona & Anuradha Jayakrishnan Jeremy Adona and Sascha Ingram Jessica Allen Jim Hutchinson and Amanda Parker Jim Hutchinson and Sascha Ingram Joan Prior Joel Zighelboim & Elizabeth Chubbuck Jon Kielty Jon Lundbom and Jordan Zimmerman Jon Lundbom and Sean Kelly Jon Lundbom and Sascha Ingram Jon Lundbom and Josie Adams Jon Lundbom and Sascha Anderson Jon Lundborn and Brian Ralph Jordan Zimmerman Jordan Zimmerman & Roman Roth Jordan Zimmerman & Allan Roth Josie Adams Justin Philips and Sascha Anderson Justin Philips and Chris George of Beer Table Kamal Kouiri Kerin Auth Kerin Auth and Waldemar Albrecht Kirstin Jackson Kristina Sutter and Sascha Ingram Laene McCarthy & Murrays Faculty Lan Cheung Liz Thorpe Louella Hill Maison Mons Marina Marchese and Sascha Ingram Masha Hamilton Mast Brothers Master Sommelier Christopher Bates Matt Rainiei Matthew Ranieri May Matta Aliah Megan Giller Melanie Franks & Murray's Faculty Michael Steil Michael Kalish Michael Green Michael Green & Anuradha Jayakirshnan Michael Green and Sascha Anderson Michelle Hotaling Mike Benz Murray's Faculty Murray's Cheese and Le Pain Quotidien's Staff Murray's Faculty and Jon Lundbom Murray's Faculty and Joel Zighelboim Murray's Faculty and B.R. Rolya of Shelton Brothers Murray's Faculty and Traci Donaldson Lee Murray's Faculty and Marina Marchese of Red Bee Honey Nicolas Villalon Noah Rothbaum Orr Shtuhl Orr Schtul and Murray's Faculty Paolo Fontana Paul Kindstedt Philip Markle Philip Markle Philip Markle Ranith Librach and Elizabeth Chubbuck Rebecca Lando & Murrays Faculty Richard Olsen-Harbich Richard Olsen-Harbich & Murray's Cheese Expert Roman Roth Rose Rose & Bubbles Ryan Ross Rynn Caputo Sascha Ingram Sascha Anderson Sebastian De Martino Señor Lechuga Stéphane Hénaut & Jeni Mitchell Summer Babiarz Sydney Willcox Traci Lee Travis Huang Victoria James Victoria James Vineyard Brands & Murray’s Cheese Waldemar Albrecht and Elizabeth Chubbuck Walshe Birney Zeke Freeman & Murray's Faculty Zeke Freeman and Liz Thorpe Zoe Brickley
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