A cross sectional study was carried out at Wolaita Sodo district from May 2013 to November 2014 with the aim to evaluate the bacteriological quality and to isolate and identify common milk borne zoonotic bacterial pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella species) from raw cow milk and cheese collected in market, restaurant and cafeteria.Milk quality related practice was also assessed by direct observation and questionnaire survey. A total of 56 raw milk and 40 cheese samples were collected in cafeterias / restaurants and from market. The result revealed that 43(76.7%) were poor quality milk with a total aerobic bacterial count more than 5x105CFU/ml and only 13(23.3%) moderate or acceptable milk which have an estimated total aerobic bacterial count of below 5x105CFU/ml. The mean total bacterial count and mean of coliforms count was significantly higher (P<0.05) in raw milk collected from market point than from cafeteria / restaurant. The maximum and minimum total aerobic bacterial counts from study area were 8.00log10CFU/ml and 5.00 log10CFU/ml, and coliform counts were 7.10 log10CFU/ml and 4.23 log10CFU/ml respectively. The mean coliforms and total aerobic bacterial count were significant (P<0.05) from different sampling point. The overall mean of total aerobic bacterial count and coliform count in cheese sample was 5.38log10CFU/ml and 5.58 log10CFU respectively. The bacteriological analysis revealed that 73.5% and 70% Staphylococcus aureus were isolated in raw milk and cheese respectively. A total 55.2% and 42.5% Escherichia coli and 42.9% and 30% Salmonella species were found in raw milk and cheese sample respectively.