I learned about this restaurant supply from a yelp elite event I attended at Nino Salvaggio's where Chef Peter Loren name dropped it. I had shopped at a restaurant supply in Texas but had yet to find one in the area.
Gold Star is open to the public and filled with a very diverse collection of items to purchase. If you've never checked out one of these shops, let me give you an idea of what they have.
There are a lot of industrial grade items you probably would never buy for your home kitchen. But they have quality food prep supplies, baking supplies (including pastry/frosting bags/tips), storage containers, servingware, cookware, utensils, barware, bulk glassware in the back (a good brand, too!)... Odds are if it's related to cooking, they have it. If you're not sure... Just call. Some of it will be exactly like you've seen eating out, like little syrup dispensers. But some of it you've never seen before... Or you've seen something similar but higher end at your usual kitchen stores. It might not be as fancy, but these items will get the job done at a reasonable price.
I used to help run a couple retail kitchen shops (like a Sur la Table but local) in my home town. Let me give you some items that I saw that I would suggest you purchase here.
-A large cutting board. They have some thick boards. I have the same brand they carry and it has lasted me 15 years
-Cutlery! Not every knife you own needs to be from Wustof. They carried some Victornox which are excellent knives. Again, mine have lasted 15 years. They had another brand for the larger knives... If they're what chefs want and use, I'm sure they're quality
-A good, cheap 12" nonstick fry pan. This is actually a Chef Loren tip that I agree with. Fry pans by their nature are somewhat disposable. Just buy a cheap one. The pans they had were totally fine for home use
-Storage containers in many sizes. These are a hard plastic with good lids. The hard plastic makes it so they don't absorb color or odors. Great for marinading/brining meat
-Giant metal mixing bowls! Easy to use and clean, stores on top of your fridge
-Odds and ends utensils. I bought some demitasse spoons (read: baby spoons) for desserts and to serve with coffee and tea
It's worth going once just to see what you might need. Give them a shot before heading to your big box kitchen store. The people at the counter were nice! They're local and probably have something you need. read more