Their website carries weekly sale items info and has a user friendly search engine that so far has…read morebeen accurate plus a store locator.
https://www.chefstore.com/locations/store/bothell-506/
Chef' Store caters to people who know their way around a kitchen with some professional or DIY background. It's primarily a store for restaurants and food service providers. It has a warehouse/grocery store vibe. It's typically not for the timid, but hold your judgement for now. Example: Canned items are sized for restaurant use. A brand of chili I'm partial to has the weight of six pounds on the label. Just to give you an idea. Beef is not made into cuts like steaks or roasts. You get what are called "primal cuts" like the brisket, flank, sirloin, or round. Each weighing six pounds or more in most cases.
So if you don't mind opening cans and portioning the contents into freezer bags, or cutting your own steaks, roasts, stir fry, or stew meat, you'll feel at home. And if you know your prices, you can find their sale items to be generous. Just have the freezer space to accommodate.
That's not to say they don't cater to the regular shopper. Produce, bread, and some diary items are available. The selection of precooked vacuum sealed Asian noodles is worth mentioning. And there is a selection of pre packaged deli meat and cheese slices available. Some of them very good. The meat classics are there: like salami, roast beef, ham, turkey, mortadella, corned beef, or pastrami. Tip: if there is a one or two pound container of corned beef or pastrami, get one if your a fan.
It's worth mentioning the bulk cheese section. Here you buy a loaf of provolone or Swiss at considerable savings. Just prepare your spouse ahead of time when you arrive home with a two foot long loaf of Swiss. And have the fridge space figured out. There are other cheeses ranging from bulk Greek feta, Gorgonzola, and Asagio, to Parmesan, Gouda, or mozzarella. Imported and domestic. Worth a look if you're a cheese or fondue lover. I pick up Mozzarella, Swiss and Provolone. Tip: warm clothing advisory - it's cold in that room. They have the primal cuts of mostly beef and pork in the same curtained off section. Bulk bacon and linked specialty items like hot dogs and Brotwurst are also there.
The freezer section carries prepared items like burritos, ravioli, breakfast sausage, seafood, appetizers, and desserts. In bulk sizes. Again: if you know your prices you can walk out with some pretty good deals. Just have the freezer space.
Pastas, flours, and rice: there is no shortage. The variety of name brand bulk flour and rice is impressive. Bulk size bags of pasta are competitively priced. Baking supplies should be compared. Bulk charcoal, usually three or more varieties is available in season. Red Mill is the predominant brand of flour: 25 lb bags.
The store provides a large assortment of commercial grade kitchen supplies. Cleaning supplies, paper plates, freezer bags, foil, bulk rolls of plastic wrap, and various items used for catering. Serving utensils, platters, trays and commercial grade cooking tools and knives are offered. Large containers of mostly, but not all, common spices are there.
Chef's Store does not provide bags for you to transport your goods. At the front of the store empty boxes that held bulk product are free and available for you to transport your food home. Since no bagging is done checkout is much faster. There can be a line but it moves. Staffing has mostly been adequate.
If your into providing a spread during a football game, throwing a BBQ, or having a party - it's worth checking CS out. During game season the activity level is noticeably higher. If you become a regular, it's better to go there on a weekday before they get hit by the weekend party crowd.
Parking is adequate. During weekends when there is a game it will get crowded. There is parking for disabled customers at the store front. Grab a cart before going in. Grab boxes when leaving or bring your own bags.
PS: keep a sharp eye out for product not found in grocery stores. I found an Asian Tabasco sauce that was not available anywhere except at CS. Sometimes they get a shipment of product a company is testing. I stocked up. It's no longer available. Good hunting !
