Our Story
Our history dates back to the location at 802 W Loucks Avenue (just off Sheridan Road) in Peoria, IL. Built as a grocery store in the 1920s, it became an infamous watering hole for Peoria residents after prohibition that lasted decades. ENTER Ray Eskridge in the 1960s. Mr. Eskridge opened “Ray’s Patio Inn” in 1961…1962…the jury is still out.
However, the one thing we do know is that he introduced Peoria to the BEST “garlic cheese dip” this side of ANYWHERE! It was served free in a ceramic crock with crackers alongside your favorite beverage.
Who created the original recipe is still up for debate. Was it concocted in the house next door (that had a “patio” worth partying on) by family, or did Ray whip it up in the small kitchen in the back of the bar? No matter how it came about, the famous cheese spread was born. Ray continued the storied tradition for 28 years. It sold in the late 80s a couple of times, but it wasn’t until 1993 that Chuck and Barb Castle bought the bar and Peoria welcomed, “Castle’s Patio Inn”.
Ray Eskridge, Ray's Patin Inn
Chuck and Barb continued serving the spread in the same ceramic crocks with crackers for all patrons partaking in their favorite drink. During the holiday heyday, the bar went through 4,000 pounds of cheese spread. The quaint kitchen would be filled with family and friends trying to keep up with the orders. Customers put a $3 deposit down on a crock and would bring it back to get refilled. It was a wonderfully nostalgic custom for the “Heart of Illinois”. Chuck passed away in 2015, but Barb kept the business going for six more years before her retirement, making their tenure 27 years.
Barb & Chuck Castle
Classic Crocks
Bar Shenaigans
Chuck and Barb’s daughter, Pam Castle, then took the reins of the renowned garlic cheese spread. During those six years, there were increased health regulations that forced the cheese spread to be produced in a manufacturing facility. Pam worked full-time in the Quad Cities and drove back and forth from the Quad Cities to Peoria, helping her mom with the bar. Over time, Pam plunged ALL the way into the “Way of the Spread”. She decided to make a go of the recipe and established Castle’s Cheese, LLC in 2018. From the ground up she was able to secure a manufacturing facility in Davenport, IA, and did ALL OF THE THINGS to establish Castle’s Cheese, LLC as a legitimate company.
Pam & Barb
While continuing to make the cheese spread for Castle’s Patio Inn and attending The Freight House Farmers’ Market things started to come together, she made the product more available in the Quad Cities and eventually Peoria by entering the retail space. Castle’s Garlic Cheese Spread is still made small batch style, ensuring the rich garlic flavor and silkiness of the spread is a constant. Jalapeño Garlic has been added to the product mix along with some seasonal flavors. The goal of Castle’s Cheese is to continue the tradition born in a bar in Peoria, and introduce it to as many folks as possible looking for the most flavorful cheese spread on the market!