LPT: Shop for kitchen supplies at restaurant supply stores

Submitted by guyinnova t3_z66s1v in LifeProTips

I've been into 2 or 3 and they've never asked if I actually work at a restaurant. Restaurants need good quality for a great price, so instead of paying for the brand name of the knife, you get the features for a lower price. Whether it's knives, storage, cutting boards, mixing bowls, all sorts of stuff, you'll probably get better options, better features, and for a fraction of the price of name brand consumer aimed products.

Last time I bought a knife they have good options for $8-16. It got an 8" Santoku with a wide blade and rubber grip handle, and it wasn't even the most expensive option. Consumer Santoku knives were starting at $20-30 for a smaller knife without the features. If you want nice looking stuff, you may want consumer stuff (I think of it as do you want to look like you cook or do you want to actually cook). If you want functionally better for a better price, the restaurant supply store may be your hidden gem.

4,736

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

DJSmurf94 t1_iy14n3p wrote

As a professional chef, I approve this message.

Tiny Asian restaurant suppliers, where stuff is piled everywhere you can see, and you can barely ever find a price tag. They will forever be your best friends

Edit: Kitchen Hut, is my goto, here in Ottawa canada

826

FagboyHhhehhehe t1_iy1wrub wrote

Yep. Chicago China Town has one and it's exactly as described. Great people very nice and great prices.

114

spibop t1_iy3fjgr wrote

Walking down the Bowery in NYC is like being a kid in a candy store. There are like 6 restaurant stores as described.

6

Sketti_n_butter t1_iy34tll wrote

I've been to that one. Kitchen stuff piled everywhere haha. Prices looked good too

2

pacificnwbro t1_iy2flbp wrote

I just picked up my first cleaver at an Asian market for $20 and am in love. Next step is researching how to care for it properly.

25

Kilohex t1_iy2pi7v wrote

Well generally the best upkeep for a cleaver is recommended to reap the souls of the innocent. Your in luck though! Death, having noticed the marked increase of horrific crime, has changed cleaver requirements from two people per year, not including childeren, to only one person per year. Alternatively if you have a heart he will also accept individual limbs at a one per quarter year rate.

20

Own-Cost9676 t1_iy3ckvo wrote

I’m assuming it’s a Chinese veggie cleaver which are usually carbon steel not stainless. The biggest thing is you shouldn’t ever leave it wet. Wiping the blade off between cuts is a good idea especially if you’re going to set it down for a minute. No dishwasher for any knife no matter what steel type. Hand wash and dry then put a thin layer of oil over the steel to protect it before storage. After regular use carbon steel develops a patina which will help protect the blade from rusting.

If you forgot to dry it it will rust so get a rust eraser. They’re little rubber blocks with abrasive in them that’ll rub the rust off and it’s fine again. Sometimes I’ll chop for too long without wiping and the blade will start flash rusting and I have to get the rust eraser out.

If it’s stainless then just no dishwasher.

6

Givemeurhats t1_iy3iyyn wrote

Learn how to keep an edge with a whetstone and honing blade, lots and lots of good videos on youtube.

Always clean, dry, and put away after use. No dishwasher. If its a carbon steel, keep it away from acidic foods, acidity will speed up the patina process.

2

Algebrace t1_iy3bl7f wrote

Kiwi Knifes for the win!

Super sharp, $5 knives that you can treat like trash and throw away after 10 years of use. Like, they have wooden handles with 2 copper pins to hold the blade in, they don't even try to make them ergonomic.

But they come in a bunch of sizes and are a great, cheap knife to start with.

5

bmlbytes t1_iy3z2kp wrote

There’s a place near Kitchen Hut called Whitestone Kitchen Supply. It looks a bit more organized than kitchen hut until you go to the basement. Both shops are great places to get cheap but good kitchenware.

2

DJSmurf94 t1_iy40yti wrote

Love Whitestone too.

Also, if you work in the industry, just talk to your boss! I've ordered knives, spices, even frozen goods from providers like Russell hendrix and sysco,, at cost If you're in hotel, or retirement, anything with a kitchen/restaurant, talk to the supervisor, they might work out a deal

1

FagboyHhhehhehe t1_iy047um wrote

I also get my knives from a restaurant supply store. To be exact an Asian restaurant supply store in China Town. They sharpen well and are cheap to replace.

556

[deleted] t1_iy0stk9 wrote

[deleted]

42

FagboyHhhehhehe t1_iy16fm3 wrote

Oh no i got a nakiri with a wood handle of some sort. I wouldn't buy an actual cleaver cause i have no need for one and neither does anyone in my house. It's a nice all around knife and i have about a year with it i think. Haven't replace it because it has yet to chip or become very dull but i hone it on a stone on the occasion. But when I do replace it, it'll be less than a McDonald's meal in price.

29

[deleted] t1_iy1pyfi wrote

[deleted]

−3

Sierra419 t1_iy27d54 wrote

Yeah they hone with a stone???

4

Fox_Hawk t1_iy3am90 wrote

My grandmother honed on her stone kitchen steps. When she passed away her knives were sharp, old, half the size my father remembered.

The top step was worn almost to nothing.

1

Sierra419 t1_iy3bxf1 wrote

That’s not honing though. That’s sharpening. A honing rod is metal and reshapes the blade edge to make it sharp again by aligning the point. Stones sharpen the blade by removing metal.

1

KaneMomona t1_iy1746b wrote

This. I have 20 year old knives and I expect them to outlast me.

10

sigmatrophic t1_iy1npzi wrote

Toronto?

3

thesmokestack t1_iy3kgct wrote

Go to Tap Phong, but even Nella is good for this (but is becoming more fancy end-user all the time).

1

Knowsnoone t1_iy2idnf wrote

I use these kiwi knifes as beaters which I get from a Asian market for dirt cheap. It’s shocking how long they hold a edge.

2

Bubbagumpredditor t1_ixzndiw wrote

Also, steal the utensils from your college dorm and use them for 30 years.

489

le_fart t1_iy1fu1a wrote

The real life pro tips are always in the comments

58

guyinnova OP t1_ixznlre wrote

Lol, can't say we've never "accidentally" taken a knife or condiment cup from a restaurant...

41

Bluesideofthemoon t1_iy19a1g wrote

As a server, I have no issue with this, it’s less bussing for me 😂 I sometimes even joke with my tables and tell them to take the utensils if they like them

17

Tianoccio t1_iy22hxh wrote

I steal napkins everywhere I work. I need a yellow and indigo napkin for a rainbow, and I have a 5 napkin gradient from white to black.

I really want a wine red one, though. My red is more just like normal red.

10

caddyofshak t1_iy2cv14 wrote

Before I left Applebees I grabbed a bunch of ramekin cups. Great for dipping at home.

6

rockmodenick t1_iy2uza9 wrote

If they didn't want us to take those, they'd bring out disposable plastic cups to put the sauces in when we asked for containers to bring home our food along with the clam shells. They GAVE THEM to us.

3

agncat31 t1_iy1ir49 wrote

Don’t forget if you run out of tp in your dorm the library always has some. I love the library for various reasons but this one saved me a lot of $ that one semester. 🤣

30

jeffroddit t1_iy1xd5l wrote

Don't forget whether you run out of TP or not, if you steal a roll from Krispy Kreme your butt will smell like a scratch N sniff glazed donut cuz their paper gets permeated with the smell.

18

TD994 t1_iy0rfwc wrote

The year I was in a dorm, a good number of us had taken plates and utensils and kept them in our rooms for microwaving things or if we ordered food.

25

ContemplatingPrison t1_iy0qaae wrote

All of cups are stolen pints or pings the bartenders gave me from bars. I have like 15 of them. They're all I use now

4

ericaferrica t1_iy2d4rn wrote

I have 8 plastic dining hall cups that have been trucking in my cabinet for 11 years, I'm not even the one who stole them

2

username45031 t1_iy1lmmy wrote

I had a six place dinner set from the dorms and my roommate made off with them goddamn it.

1

AtlEngr t1_iy0wzti wrote

It really does vary locally- around me absolutely none of them will sell to individuals. It’s a sales tax thing, they just don’t want to mess with it at all for the small percentage of business individuals represent.

443

medoy t1_iy1h0ql wrote

Businesses pay sales tax on supplies unless they will further resale the items.

97

ColgateSensifoam t1_iy2ug48 wrote

Varies locally, like they said

Locally to me, VAT is paid on everything that is not zero-rated, and then claimed back at the end of the fiscal year, the same time VAT is due, so the VAT bill is collected VAT minus claimed VAT

7

Clemon86 t1_iy2uhzz wrote

Well not in Germany for example. When you are a business you can buy the stuff you need to run it without paying sales taxes.

Like a carpenter who buys a hammer to make things a restaurant buys a knife to cook things.

5

Mothertruckerer t1_iy32uj2 wrote

Yeah, we do this differently here in Europe usually. Unfortunately this means we can't buy things as easily at wholesalers and businesses focused on B2B.

2

CaptainPunisher t1_iy2rya3 wrote

This. Restaurants are end users of the equipment, and thus need to pay sales/use tax for any merchandise.

3

tropic420 t1_iy1qy9q wrote

Have you checked since Covid? Restaurant Depot started selling to the public in early 2020 and AFAIK haven't stopped

40

guyinnova OP t1_iy1140y wrote

Out of curiosity, did you just do in and they asked or did you ask?

33

AtlEngr t1_iy122he wrote

Asked me “which account are you on?” - also they don’t accept cash - B2B purchase orders only. I mean I could register and get a business license and then set up an account but it doesn’t seem worth the cost and effort.

90

guyinnova OP t1_iy13n3g wrote

No, not worth any of that. But you notice a different one, try there. If I'm in a new city, even for the day, I'll look up stores for my hobbies. That's how I've found some of them.

58

Brunoise6 t1_iy1e2ns wrote

Depends on the kind of supply store. A wholesale one that doesn’t charge sales tax on food will require an account, but a supply store that doesn’t actually sell wholesale (tax free) food might not require an account.

33

stevensokulski t1_iy2dd4u wrote

> A wholesale one that doesn’t charge sales tax on food will require an account

Where do you live that you pay sales tax on food ingredients?

In most of the US you only pay sales tax in grocery stores on tools or prepared foods.

3

the_cardfather t1_iy2k960 wrote

Louisiana charges sales tax on food. Freaked me out the first time because I didn't have enough money. I said you charge tax on food??!? The lady looked at me like I had three heads.

5

noneedtoprogram t1_iy31ohh wrote

Still baffles me why Americans a) don't just include the tax on the sticker price so you know how much money your need, and b) for some reason some of them feel the need to defend this bizarre practice??

5

yukon-flower t1_iy35trl wrote

Sales tax can can vary based on the consumer (e.g., purchasing on behalf of self vs. on behalf of a non-profit), and regions change sales tax seemingly at whim for stuff like paying for a new local stadium. There are more than 10,000 different little sales tax regions in the United States.

Easier to compute at the register than redo a zillion price stickers.

It’s also just the way it’s done. There’s inefficient things in every country in the world. It’s just how it is and it would take too much of an effort to change things for countless shops and stores.

1

darklordbazz t1_iy13oeo wrote

Depending on where you are its not hard to register a sole proprietorship ($25 I think where I live for name registration) and sometimes it can be free if you use your name and just set up a business account with the store

12

oakteaphone t1_iy2hprw wrote

>it can be free if you sue your name

Jeez, it always comes back to litigation, doesn't it?

2

stevensokulski t1_iy2d6s0 wrote

Some chains are open to the public, like Standard Restaurant Supply.

Others, like Restaurant Depot require you to register with a business license.

The former will always say they’re open the public. And nobody cares whether you work in the industry or not.

9

clitter-box t1_ixzprwy wrote

What is considered a restaurant supply store?

68

xflo11 t1_ixzr3f4 wrote

Restaurant Depot for example.

40

BoringNYer t1_ixzzodo wrote

Restaurant depot needs a tax or tax free id

33

HursHH t1_iy0s7hk wrote

Your social security number is your tax ID when you are a personal business...

22

lumpyspacebear t1_iy0wdx6 wrote

Only in order to make an account with them. Otherwise you can bring your ID to the service desk, they have you sign a waver & you get a one-time pass.

20

Robobvious t1_iy14pnu wrote

Is it really one-time or can I go do it again later?

8

lumpyspacebear t1_iy16fr1 wrote

You can go again, they just give you a pass only good for the one time on the day you came in. You just have to go through the same process every time.

23

Tazwell3 t1_iy2sucs wrote

They need a phone number to connect an existing account. Meaning, give the the phone number to a mexican restaurant near by and they will have all their info. LPT any store that requires a phone number will also have(area code)867-5309 as an account under Jenny.

2

guyinnova OP t1_ixzrvjw wrote

Others are correct. I go to Google Maps and search for "restaurant supply store" and you should see them. The pictures should show a functional store, not one with nice displays, it's all sorts of stuff packed into these places usually. Lots of selection, no frills or looks.

40

alfiethemog t1_ixztwjn wrote

In the UK, I can highly recommend Nisbets - there's always a range of pricing but I've never bought anything bad there, and it's almost always far more practically designed than consumer-grade equipment.

31

gardenpea t1_iy13q7w wrote

Pattersons is another option in the UK, though they have fewer stores.

Nisbets can be useful, but do shop around. While always practical, they can have features that no home user really needs (a range of precisely sized ladles, for instance, useful for portioning ) and it's often cheaper elsewhere, especially when there's not much practical difference in terms of quality (ladles, for instance...)

9

ColgateSensifoam t1_iy2uun3 wrote

Nisbets are also one of the few places that will sell you a case of cream chargers no questions asked, and suggest an excellent dispenser to go with them

1

Ghstfce t1_iy0yswc wrote

In the US, webstaurantstore.com is a good one. I've gone on there several times for glasses, plates, etc.

26

galaxystarsmoon t1_iy1mrng wrote

The shipping cost absolutely sucks though.

13

PenroseSun t1_iy20qy1 wrote

It depends where you're shipping to, and if you only order when you're getting a lot of things at once, it's still often worth it, even with shipping. I'd also avoid anything there which ships common carrier.

7

galaxystarsmoon t1_iy248wh wrote

The shipping cost goes up the more you order from them.

4

PenroseSun t1_iy2a2le wrote

That depends on what you're shipping and how you group it. Importantly, if you're shipping a knife vs. shipping a knife, some toilet paper, some paper towels, a bunch of sponges, and some assorted bulk food, the total amount that shipping is higher for the larger group of stuff is often way less than the amount you're saving cumulatively on all of it. Obviously, be smart and price compare, and take shipping prices into account, but I've been able to get pretty good deals on certain items fairly consistently

0

edwin_4 t1_iy2c3bt wrote

Probably not worth it as an individual but their prime cuts all the shipping costs. I use it for my cafe

1

galaxystarsmoon t1_iy2zhml wrote

Yeah, as a teeny business, I can't afford $99/month.

1

edwin_4 t1_iy3of35 wrote

Fair enough. Though you can always team up with other teenie businesses and split the cost

1

snowbellsnblocks t1_iy3lc3w wrote

Yeah this place is great. Sure if you need like two things the shipping probably is not worth it but if you get a bunch of shit it's great. Stop buying shitty sheet pans from regular stores that always buckle. I bought a few from here and they have been bulletproof for years and they are like 10 bucks or something.

2

Chuck710Taylor t1_ixzq6s0 wrote

A store that restaurants use to supply themselves. Brick and mortar stores in some areas.

6

clitter-box t1_ixzqejo wrote

You don't say :p

I was looking for, idk, "Walmart" or "sam's club" lol

−2

preggobear t1_ixzvn3m wrote

Where I live there’s a Maxwell but I think that’s limited to the Midwest/tundra region.

3

CaptainBitnerd t1_iy1cne2 wrote

At least near me, there are a bunch, but nothing I'd recognize as a national brand. I'd think just googling for "restaurant supply near me" would be fruitful. But check first - some of them near me, at least, do verify that you're a real business.

Also worth checking - there's a "grocery store" that sells just monstrously big packages of everything, and also carries kitchen tools. I'm a bit mystified about what their clientele really is, though. I'd figure the only reason a real restaurant would ever send an employee out to a bricks-and-mortar store on the clock was a phenomenal failure to order their weekly trucked shipment. (But neither have I ever run a restaurant kitchen, so what do I know.)

3

UncleGoats t1_iy1ug0i wrote

I worked in a restaurant in Knoxville, TN. We would have to get "emergency veggies" about once every two months, to hold till the truck got in the next day. There was an Asian grocery store about three blocks away that was a life saver. Seemed like every 4-6 months, someone would half to make a 30 minute drive to the Gorden's food service store, as something unexpectedly ran out or something broke.

7

FortWendy69 t1_ixzzcd3 wrote

There was a period a couple years back where every restaurant in my area had K-Mart (Australian equivalent of Walmart) bowls and plates.

1

BrotherGreed t1_iy0swrz wrote

>K-Mart (Australian equivalent of Walmart)

Fun fact, K Mart also started in the US (assuming it's the same K Mart and not a store with the same name.)

They used to be as plentiful as Wal Marts where I grew up, but in the early 2000s they died out, now there's only a handful left in the world.

8

julbull73 t1_iy2ecea wrote

Ironically they bought Sears which was doing really well thanks to craftsmen and their appliances.

Then used it to hide debt and sold off the craftsman label.

Only to bury Sears and Kmart at the same time.

Sears was the best department store you bastards!!!!

4

FortWendy69 t1_iy2978g wrote

Yeah I never could figure out if the two companies were officially related.

2

LuvCilantro t1_iy0fz0i wrote

We visited China a few years back, and one of the breakfast buffet places had all Ikea dishes (cups, saucers, etc). Maybe the Ikea stuff is made in China, I don't know, but I found it ironic.

5

ASK_IF_IM_PENGUIN t1_ixzv511 wrote

No restaurant buys from Walmart unless they want to go bust in three months

−8

BigHawkSports t1_iy15dze wrote

Just Google Restaurant Supply Store in blank city. They are sometimes general wholesalers, there are chains, mom and pops. They usually all have the same stuff but you can see differences. There is one where I live that's been in continuous operations since like the 40s that has slightly better pricing etc

5

jshuster t1_iy0b4qs wrote

We bought some a chef knife from Restaurant Depot, a restaurant supply store, loved it, and we have bought multiples now, are eventually replacing most of our knives with the same brand, because they’re workhorses that come out of the package sharp, stay sharp, are comfortable in the hand, even when doing a lot of knife work, and are easy AF to clean.

44

CosmicTurtle504 t1_iy1eid9 wrote

I work in a commercial commissary, and we use those Dexter knives. They’re great.

16

TheNuttyIrishman t1_iy2b415 wrote

I've got a rather sizable collection of kitchen knives including a bunch of high end Japanese knives but my Dexter Russel brisket knife is sharper than everything else

6

jshuster t1_iy2tri3 wrote

I also inherited my fathers Norton Tri-Stone sharpener, so I can bring any knife back from the dead.

1

0o00o0o00o0o t1_iy1f940 wrote

www.webstaurant.com

You're welcome

37

montanagrizfan t1_iy1zdeo wrote

I just ordered pizza screens from them a while back. Prices are amazing.

7

linx14 t1_iy2ivn1 wrote

Oh man you can buy bulk herbs and spices!!

3

Sir-Vantes t1_iy0d389 wrote

Our day-to-day non-stick cookware is from Chef's, Analon-quality pans at a Farbrware price and about 3X thicker bottoms.

None of that rise-up in the middle crap.

30

Special_Possession46 t1_iy0uv64 wrote

We've bought pans, a tortilla press, knives, spices and dish towels from the restaurant store near us. The value and savings are great.

25

Direct-Chef-9428 t1_ixzxlrn wrote

This is true except for the knives part. They generally sell the knives that will be communal and abused - not the ones meant for finesse.

21

momomoca t1_iy1u3a1 wrote

I think for most people those types of knives are fine, but I agree that if someone is really into the art of cooking then investing in some bougie knives is definitely worth it-- they're absolutely a level up! My old man use to work for a knife dealer (idk how else to describe it; he imported knives from Japan for private sale to chefs) so we got gifted some meals at higher-end local restaurants, and based on that experience idk a single chef who doesn't have their own bag of personal $$$ knives lmao

5

DrDisastor t1_iy14rf3 wrote

Knives are 100% worth spending time learning about and finding some that fit your hand, abuse, and lifestyle.

1

sunnyflow2 t1_ixzpnt0 wrote

Storage.. food staff store is great to purchase there too. And you can usually buy a replacement lid and or lots in interchangeable

18

wastntimetoo t1_iy1pejo wrote

These are my favorite items from supply stores. I have two dozen containers ranging from 1qt-12qts. They all stack and pack perfectly, all lids are interchangeable and they have measurements marked on the sides.

Uniform sizes and stackability keep my fridge tidy and I can fit a ton of stuff in it. Makes prepping for big parties much more organized.

4

argleblather t1_iy1wep2 wrote

Webstaurant is a restaurant supply website if you don't have a supply store near you.

18

Dr_StrangeloveGA t1_iy0q994 wrote

Our local one welcomes the public but at full retail. Restaurants get different pricing levels depending on how much they spend and are tax-free.

I have bought a lot of my household stuff there.

11

CaptainPunisher t1_iy2t2ym wrote

Anything a restaurant isn't reselling should be taxed. Sales tax is paid by the end user. The supplier might "knock off tax", but that's just a discount that's equal to the total tax (not getting into the math, though it's not hard).

2

frogfluff90 t1_iy0oinr wrote

We get our pans and sheets pans from one. They hold up great against abuse and our great grand kids will probably end up with them. Prices are also awesome. I'm not paying for a name or a fancy function. I need an even heating hunk of metal to cook my food on and a 200 piece set of forks.

As for everyone arguing about knives, I have a 15$ set from Walmart that my bf sharpens for me that I use for work. He has the fancy name brand knives that he sharpens and uses at home. Take care of em and you're good.

10

Pylitic t1_iy27m3e wrote

Keep in mind this is not always true.

Yes, restaurants get good equipment for a good price, but almost every restaurant (at least where I live) has a business account with these places where the more you buy, the cheaper the price.

We get good quality for good price because restaurants buy a lot of equipment, when were buying knives, we don't usually just buy 1, we buy 3, or 4, same with mixing bowls and cambros and things like that.

Source: I manage a restaurant.

9

PenroseSun t1_iy2aqn4 wrote

This is absolutely true, but for non-perishable items, even normal consumers can sometimes want to buy in bulk. I routinely get paper goods from restaurant supply stores, for example, because I have the space to stock up and store them, and because I'd rather stock up on a ton of paper goods every once in a blue moon than buy in more normal amounts and be caught unaware when something happens and I run out because I went through more paper towels than I was expecting. Also, groups of friends can definitely go in for single bulk purchases at these sorts of places, and if you're just starting out and know a lot of other young people in a similar situation, a small buying group for something like basic kitchen gear, plates, and silverware can work out really well.

1

Signedupfortits27 t1_iy0pwd1 wrote

They sell whippits in large quantity for cheap. In case you need a lot of “whip cream”

8

Otiv64 t1_iy1mk6j wrote

The real lpt always in the comments

1

OutlanderMom t1_iy0qzc9 wrote

I got a pro-grade stainless immersion mixer from Webstaurant for about $60. And I’ve bought bulk food and spices from food service companies.

8

KaneMomona t1_iy16ngy wrote

Most professional kitchen supply stores are setup to sell at vaguely competitive pricing to restaurants and rob blind anyone else who walks in the door. I use one, because I am a business I get a discount of between 20 and 60% on whatever the sticker price is. If you walk in you usually don't. There are some items with low price points but that does not mean they are good value, just that they are exceptionally cheap to make. They have cheap knives but they are terrible. If you want decent quality cheap knives go on Amazon and look for the Tuo brand. $25 knives that are rock solid and will out perform and out live the cheap stamped crap at the low end in stores. They do have a decent range of items and if you can't wait for Amazon to deliver then they can save your ass, but there is usually a hefty premium. I buy bulky items like bus tubs and items where a warranty is useful and I can get a hefty discount (stuff like large braising pots and immersion blenders).

For sure, if you want an interesting walk around or can't wait for shipping then they are great. Just be aware their "affordable" stuff is generally terrible quality and virtually everything is marked up with the intention of it being discounted to larger spenders. I'm sure there are exceptions but do your homework!

6

mekareami t1_iy0pfhe wrote

Gordon Food Service in the midwest has great stuff for reasonable price. I have 2 baking pans that are 20+ years old and still doing regular duty and looking nice.

5

122784 t1_iy0vlkq wrote

I wholeheartedly agree with this. Those huge boxes of cling wrap are amazing!

4

MIGHTYKIRK1 t1_iy27wdh wrote

Or at restaurant equipment bankruptcy sales.

3

momofboysanddogsetc t1_iy2fg5y wrote

Can confirm! I have several cooking utensils that have lasted over 20 years and I got them from a restaurant supply warehouse. Worth every penny!

3

ghostridur t1_ixzx75e wrote

Knives, never had good ones huh? Kitchen supply stores will never compete with the good knives aside from on price.

Wusthof classic or ikon, JAH, Chicago ect. Some stamped blade for cutting against the grill top at chipotle is not a comparison. Professional vs novice. It is like saying a Oster mixer is the same as a professional 5 plus KitchenAid.

2

Reznerk t1_iy0hqst wrote

Good knives require maintenance, and none of the brands you've reccomended are really all that good lol. They're great for spending a pretty penny on a knife that's no better than a mercer genesis forged for almost 5x the price. This LPT is talking about grocery store knives that are 29.95 and underperform compared to a dexter.

14

misumena_vatia t1_iy0urfc wrote

I have that exact Mercer knife and it beat my boyfriend's Wusthof in an onion and tomato slicing showdown.

5

momomoca t1_iy1w2ta wrote

When someone says something like "you've never tried a good knife?" I expect that to be followed by mentioning a blacksmith like Takeda, not a feckin Wusthof 😭

And ya, most people don't need what I just defined as an exceptionally good knife-- there's a not insignificant amount of effort needed to maintain them that I wouldn't even do if my dad hadn't made it into a permanent habit for me at a young age lmao I personally think most knives can be good knives if you know how to and keep up with sharpening them!

3

Reznerk t1_iya8kvr wrote

I wouldn't even mention Takeda to anyone who isn't working at a very high end restaurant or an absolute knife geek lol. His work is immaculate but hard to find and well over double what I've spent on most of the knives in my roll lol

2

ghostridur t1_iy0yv72 wrote

Well I am buying one and will see how it is. My bet is "not all that good lol" I believe I paid about 120 for my 6" and 180 for my 10" wusthof classics locally so this 8" falls in the middle and also about half the price not 5x.

−4

Reznerk t1_iy10jy4 wrote

A $40 knife is half the price of a $120 or a $180 knife? Try that again lol. Comparatively they're all German stainless steel which is very meh IMO, but I care about edge retention and value per dollar. I wouldn't even mention a German mega brand, or a marketed knife company for that matter. That goes for Shuns, Miyabi, Zwilling, Wusthof, etc.

6

ghostridur t1_iy119gq wrote

I have used a shun as well and felt it was pretty good. One item I dislike about the mercer is it is made in Taiwan so QC could be an issue.

0

jackdawson1049 t1_iy3nf5i wrote

Funny, I own Wusthof, and Chicago Cutlery. My favorite knives are the ones that I buy at the restaurant supply for cheap.

2

thebipeds t1_iy18nj2 wrote

Depends on the area, the giant ones here (Southern California) don’t sell to individuals.

I was trying to buy 250 forks and they wouldn’t do it. It doesn’t make any sense why.

2

DivvySUCKS t1_iy1gjxn wrote

Restaurant Depot requires you to have a membership and a restaurant. They scan your tag at checkout.

2

totes_mai_goats t1_iy1m0vj wrote

I say this too all my friends and kids just starting out in life. the only things that don't last forever are the non stick pans but they do last along time.

2

callouscomic t1_iy1mysb wrote

Let me just pop on in real quick to my local restaurant surplus shop......

2

h3rpad3rp t1_iy1v6qk wrote

If you live anywhere considered a city, there will likely be a restaurant supply store. They may or may not sell to you if you don't have a restaurant, but there will almost certainly be one around somewhere.

3

GuvnaGruff t1_iy1pjh2 wrote

I went to one once for stock pots. For the same price as one there I got 4 different sized ones on Amazon.

2

doomedroadtrips t1_iy1uf10 wrote

Some of my favourite kitchen stuff came from commercial kitchen stores!

2

dave200204 t1_iy1v5u7 wrote

My wife introduced me to restaurant supply stores. Back in North Carolina they had no problem selling to us individuals. We use cutting mats instead of cutting boards in our home. The ones we found at the restaurant supply store have lasted longer than the ones we had purchased from Walmart.

2

rathdro t1_iy24j5a wrote

smart and final or cash and carry have small restaurant supply selections. Better quality than grocery’s stores for like mixing bowls, tongs, ladles, knives are pretty cheap but passable

2

TurboAnus t1_iy2dgt3 wrote

Totally agree with this for most things. I wouldn’t say that the knives are the same quality though. I know that folks recommend the dexter (russel) chefs knife as a best value, and don’t want to say it isn’t a perfectly adequate knife. For me, steel matters and you won’t be getting a great knife at these prices. You WILL get a knife that is good enough, it will cut things and be suitable for most needs. It won’t stay sharp for as long, but you can also pick up a cheap pull-through sharpener and not feel guilty about using it.

Love a restaurant supply store.

Pro tip: if restaurant supply stores don’t sell to the public in your area, you can usually find a supply store in your Chinatown area that has great prices and will sell to the public.

2

AardvarkGal t1_iy2ejy9 wrote

All our saucepans, baking sheets, rocks glasses, ramekins, and a bunch of other stuff comes from our neighborhood restaurant supply store. Oh, and the biggest pizza paddle they had made a great charcuterie board once we cut down the handle.

2

Buchanan-Barnes1925 t1_iy2g46y wrote

I go online to a restaurant supply company and buy all my kitchen supplies. My partner was amazed at what the prices were. I don’t work in the industry anymore (due to health reasons), but when I worked at my parent’s restaurant, my dad introduced me to them. I wouldn’t go anywhere else.

2

TheKurosawa t1_iy2myo9 wrote

Never heard of Restaurant Depot before my old boss gave me his membership card to shop for some stuff. Good lord. I felt like a kid in a candy factory.

2

Apprehensive-Ease932 t1_iy2rguv wrote

Oh yes. The commercial grade stainless oven trays and dishes are so much better than the cheap non stock crap that’s likely giving us can set as soon as it gets a slight scratch.

2

Paoloadami t1_iy2rufr wrote

LPT: don’t buy any kitchen supplies from supermarkets. Cheap stuff.

2

CaptainPunisher t1_iy2suzr wrote

When my brother was opening his restaurant, he wanted a Wolf brand stove and oven. Our salesman talked him down to a similar set that is generally used in schools and prisons that cost about half of what Wolf did. We got more equipment for the money and similar quality. Hobart mixer? Nope, another institutional brand with the same results.

I've gone back for personal home items like ramekins and Japanese soup spoons, and I've been considering replacing all of my mismatched silverware with a nice restaurant pattern that is similar to and far less expensive than what I'd get online, at Bed Bath & Beyond, or a department store. I could get 12 forks for about $6, but that was a couple years ago; still looking it up at an online restaurant supply store shows under $8.

2

keepthetips t1_ixzn6ns wrote

Hello and welcome to r/LifeProTips!

Please help us decide if this post is a good fit for the subreddit by up or downvoting this comment.

If you think that this is great advice to improve your life, please upvote. If you think this doesn't help you in any way, please downvote. If you don't care, leave it for the others to decide.

1

rutheman4me2 t1_iy1gl9p wrote

Interesting as I just googled for this in my area and all are commercial only and / or make appt for consultation

1

azninvasion2000 t1_iy1qu86 wrote

If you want to do things legit, you can take the 5 minutes to set up a business online and use that TAX ID # to register for a membership at your local restaurant supply store.

What you really want is to be listed as an employee at a bar and issued a card, so you can get a case of 12x 1 liter bottles of liquor for 80 bucks with that liquor license.

Unless I'm throwing a party, I can't eat/shuck 50 lbs of oysters no matter how cheap they are lol.

1

cbelt3 t1_iy2a9vc wrote

My mum bought glasses from a supply store. A case at a time. One of her six children broke a glass, we got a new one out of the box. The plates she bought from a fancy department store because they had a lifetime warranty, even against breakage.

1

FeFiFoShizzle t1_iy2oe0i wrote

Ya they don't give a shit if you work in a restaurant, they sell to anyone.

1

Tazwell3 t1_iy2s9vc wrote

In the Houston area? Go to JK’s restaurant supply, or budget restaurant supply. Or Ace if you can spend a few extra bucks.

1

jtmarlinintern t1_iy33dya wrote

i agree with this comment, but i would say, knives are worth the investment, buy good knives that will last a long time as long as you care for them

pot and pans etc, totally get them at kitchen supply places

1

jackdawson1049 t1_iy3o2vw wrote

I love my restaurant supply knives. Better than my expensive ones in MHO.

2

Lstndaze68 t1_iy35tf4 wrote

Have any online names?

1

OrigamiMarie t1_iy3978h wrote

Also they tend to stock stuff with durable, non-fussy finishes like stainless steel and enamel (and some cast iron). Nobody in a restaurant has time to baby the Teflon coating or make sure plastics and silicone don't get too hot (unless you're talking about really fancy desserts, but that's a whole different shop). Restaurants want stuff that'll go from stovetop to oven to dishwasher several thousand times, and they don't have time or money for anything else.

1

Ch3rryunikitty t1_iy3bowr wrote

Get your dishes there too. Basically unbreakable

1

Odd-Turnip-2019 t1_iy3dolu wrote

Make sure you're tax registered first because around me they won't sell to non businesses. Other suppliers in other areas might differ

1

spielmann_markus t1_iy40822 wrote

,d445 3ee yeah 212222222222222--22dv22321 w v26-1:22@22¤2×-× 22×1222 -gg 3

1

chipcity90 t1_iy438uv wrote

The quality of products you'll find is better than anything in other big box stores etc. Commercial grade kitchen equipment will last forever.

1

Yoankah t1_iy4de11 wrote

I also buy some hair products from hairdressing shops. They offer fairly cheap hairdye for non-standard colors that regular stores often don't carry, or only have products that wash out very quickly. And I get conditioner by the liter (33oz), which is a little inconvenient, but it's a huge steal for a better quality than the usual pretty packaged consumer products which often include harmful ingredients.

Specialty stores in general are often the way to go!

1

HellCat70 t1_iy4sm6o wrote

Webstaurant Supply so you can get it delivered!

1

ponyo_impact t1_iy5feyb wrote

most of kitchen stuff is from resturant depot. best spot

1

KiwieeiwiK t1_iy7rnq2 wrote

Doesn't work everywhere. I used to work for the largest hospitality supply company in my country and they were fucking expensive for everything. They made their money on markups on essentials, and kept their customers through good customer service. Shit was not cheap to just walk into for a knife or whatever

1

jomns t1_iy232tu wrote

LPT: Shop for groceries at a grocery store. They have groceries, and you'll get the groceries you need.

−1