I've been a customer for years. This is a franchise or chain of restaurant supply stores, and I was really excited to discover last spring that they opened in Norristown, because prior to that I had to visit their Lancaster location, or pay shipping.
I love this place for bulk organic quinoa and bulk organic lentils, also bulk type 00 flour, which is aka pizza dough flour. It is made in Italy and is lower gluten than garden variety flour.
Also big hits in my kitchen are the Vollrath nonstick fry pans, and Hell's Handle turners. These are extremely durable, great quality products, at affordable prices. To get comparable quality from Williams-Sonoma, Bed Bath & Beyond, etc, you will spend ten times more. It may be a little prettier or trendy, but you'll pay through the nose. Also, last I checked, the box/mall store brands have 3-, 5-, etc year warranties, but pretty much every brand I've bought from this store has a lifetime warranty.
I was a Cutco snob with my wedding registry years ago, thought they were great, but they're nothing compared to Dexter and Mercer knives, which are a fraction of the price. Sadly, a helpful associate told me the store is no longer going to carry Dexter knives, so they are all on sale. I was super disappointed. I haven't had to replace a single one yet (in over 10 years), but I'd like to know where to find them if I need them. Restaurant Store's prices are an average of $10 below any Amazon price on Dexter, and with the sale, they were often half of Amazon's price. I bought a few for friends who like to cook.
Mercer is another really excellent knife brand they carry, although I did not see much floor stock so they may only be online. But my Mercers usurped the Cutco, relegating those stupid overpriced things to the back of the drawer. I don't buy into these ridiculous carbon knives for pretentious idiots who aren't chefs. For the level of skill an at home cook is going to achieve, Mercer and Dexter are more than adequate (and real chefs use them too!).
I've gotten a lot of stainless bar ware here too. Shakers, stirrers, jiggers, strainers. Great quality, good thickness, no rust even when I mistreat them. Today I bought a cool bottle opener for under $2. It will last forever. Also got 15oz creme de coco for $2.68, which is super low compared to my local grocery store.
Charcoal is a great deal here. Beats my warehouse clubs, and anywhere else.
Ooh and my last fave here--something I've even given as gifts--are the San Jamar deep fry gloves. They are similar to the latest BBQ glove trend, but they've been around forever, and are way cheaper than the same thing marketed differently and placed in a pile in the middle of a box store. Those gloves are my oven mitts, and they are rockstars! You can get different lengths, so they can run up your arms. I have like medium length, and they are excellent not only with oven tasks, but also steam from draining pasta or stirring, etc. Love them!
They have some fun outdoor furniture. I didn't see prices at quick glance, but given the trend of every single purchase I've ever made, I bet it's a steal!
Staff is super friendly and helpful. They are always on hand throughout the aisles too, and never pushy. I also really like how they cone off the entrance so traffic can't drive right up to the door. Most people have those flatbed carts to carry a lot of heavy stuff, and the cones allow you to access your car without aggravation and stress while you're protecting foodstuffs/etc.
You don't have to be a restaurant owner or member to shop, and there is no minimum quantity or spend threshold. Members do get cheaper prices, and buying large quantities will lower unit costs, but I do neither and still have gotten so many fabulous deals! Just check them out! read more