Unveiling the contents of a Holiday Gift Box sent by my friends at K-State’s Call Hall Dairy Bar
Back in September 2023, I made my first visit to Manhattan, Kansas for the UCF-Kansas State game. One of many highlights from that trip was my visit to K-State’s Call Hall Dairy Bar, which I ranked #4 in my inaugural College Dairy Store Power Rankings.
In mid-November, I received an email from the manager of Call Hall, who wanted to thank me for my support of college creameries by sending me a holiday gift basket. I was blown away by the gesture, stunned that a fun little video I posted on social media had spread widely enough to have a positive impact on the highlighted dairy stores.
Earlier today, the gift box arrived. Check out the unboxing video below:
In addition to some elite swag — including a t-shirt and cap featuring the vintage K-State Wildcat logo holding an ice cream cone — the box contained a decorative tin filled with dairy delicacies:
- K-State Select – Call Hall’s signature sharp white cheddar
- Call Hall Pepper Jack – A jack cheese studded with spicy bits of chilies and herbs
- Call Hall Mild Cheddar – Kansas State’s version of the tried-and-true American style cheddar
The tin also contained a specialty beef-and-pork summer sausage packed with diced jalapeños and little bits of cheese.
The cheeses and summer sausage presented the perfect opportunity for a night of Adult Lunchables — a kicked-up version of the classic crackers-cheese-meat combo, accompanied by various spreads & toppings and washed down with Grown-Up Capri Sun (red wine). Mixing the cheeses and spreads in various combinations allowed for an endless stream of complex bites.
I found the pepper jack to have just the right amount of heat, packing a light punch of spicy warmth, but balanced by the cheese’s overall creaminess. The jalapeño flavor in the summer sausage was slightly more mild, allowing it to nicely accentuate the rich meaty flavors of the beef & pork.
The sharp white cheddar had the characteristic “bite” you’d expect from a sharp cheddar and seems like it would be able to carry a bold mac n’ cheese; I may have to experiment with that idea. And finally, the mild cheddar had an understated nuttiness to go with its smooth creaminess, making me want to slice it up and melt it atop a burger with bacon and caramelized onions.
I can’t thank the folks at Kansas State enough for such a thoughtful and incredible holiday gift box. The cheeses and summer sausage were all delightful, and the various swag items — t-shirt, cap, license plate, stickers, etc. — adorned with Call Hall’s iconic logo were a welcome touch.
If there’s one thing I learned in the Little Apple, it’s that K-State fans are truly elite — easily among the best I’ve encountered anywhere in the country. Without exception, the Wildcats I’ve met have been friendly, kind, down-to-earth, family-oriented folks who hold deep love for their university. I can’t wait to get back to Manhattan for a game and revisit Call Hall, which I’m told has some exciting new renovations in the works.
Stay tuned…
CFB Travel Guy 