Cheapest place to buy cashews (poor student budget working here!)

[Sheikah]

As the title suggests, I'm on the hunt for some place in downtown Toronto that's the cheapest place to buy cashews (and other various nuts). I'm vegetarian, and while I've gotten my protein source reasonably worked out with other things, I'd still like to add more nuts to my diet...but sadly, on my poor (unemployed!) student budget, it's a bit pricey around the areas near me (Valu-Mart, Rabba...).

So I was wondering if anyone knows of the cheapest place to buy nuts, cashews in particular. I'm located right next to the UofT St. George campus, if that helps.

Thanks! :)

[Giulia_F]

Hi there...try Tutti Frutti on 64 Kensington Avenue in Kensington Market - their bulk section is awesome...I usually walk out with 2 or 3 bags of mixed nuts/flour, etc. and never spend more than $10.....

[YummyYummy]

Didn't want to start a new thread, but I'm specifically looking for cheap places that sell pistachios instead of cashew nuts. Any more recommendations? Thanks!

[piccola]

In general, bulk food stores are great for this stuff. But if you're ever around Bloor and Ossington, there are a lot of little Ethiopian convenience stores that sell nuts for dirt cheap. The one I like best is near Concord, one west of Ossington, on the north side.

[1sweetpea]

Find a friend with a car and head up to Yonge and Steeles. There are a few Persian shops that specialize in dried fruits, nuts and sweets. While in the area, you should also peruse the giant Korean Galleria store. There's awesome stuff there. Ambrosia is up there as well, and though their prices are often high, they have sales on certain items, which can be great value. You'll be in heaven as a vegetarian.

Another area that could be good is Lawrence and Warden-ish. Nasr foods is in this area, as well as a variety of other Lebanese and Greek places. You can find great prices on produce and bulk items, such as dates, figs, apricots and nuts. I live in Windsor and I hit up the Lebanese shops for nuts, raisins and apricots. I also buy larger bottles of extra virgin olive oil for cooking at good prices. Origins are usually Greek or Lebanese. Bulk Barn is always an option as well.

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Rami's
1996 Lawrence Ave E, Toronto, ON M1R, CA

[food face]

Indian Grocery stores sell Cashews at a going rate of around $5/pound. What's great is also they have flavors that are unique and can't be found at Costco/Kensington or the Bulk Barn. We just went to one yesterday and found a spicy Red Masala cashew as well as a Lemon cracked Black Pepper cashew. They were super fresh too. The flavored ones are $5.99/pound. You would have to go the Indian Community on Gerrard and just go to any larger grocery store. That would be your closest bet if you are downtown.

[Omnibus_Eater]

I agree with the poster who recommended Noah's, near Spadina and Bloor. I haven't bought cashews there, but I do get walnuts, almonds, and peanuts, all organic. I don't know if the prices are the lowest, but the freshness and quality are excellent.

I avoid the shops on Baldwin in Kensington Market, and the other healthfood stores along Bloor in the Annex. Their prices may be attractive, but I've had major freshness issues with their nuts.

[TorontoJo]

The best value in nuts that I've found in the city is at Costco. Both the roasted/salted nuts and the raw nuts are really excellent quality at great prices. I know this probably doesn't help you downtown, but perhaps you could ask for around for friends that may have a membership? Roasted, salted cashews come in 1.13 kg tubs and run somewhere around $12 or $13.

[jayseeca]

was at T&T and got a bucket, yes a bucket, for about $11

[Doctormhl1]

Try Johnvince Foods at 555 Steeprock Drive in North York.
The selections are mind-boggling. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

[c.cow]

I think Noah's has some bulk containers of nuts - you might check their prices.

Pistachios are higher in protein if you like the taste. Almonds are a bit higher in protein and easier to buy cheaply. Pine nuts are higher protein but at least as expensive as cashews. Peanuts are even higher in protein but I've heard weird, potentially false stories about low quality nuts having toxins.

If you're interested in seeds, these also seem cheaply available - sunflower are good.

[shelleypascual]

Trust me, I'm always tryin' to hunt down the cheapest place to buy dried fruits & nuts too. There are 2 places I can recommend.

The Bulk Food Emporium
http://www.strictlybulk.ca/

I usually visit the Danforth location of Bulk Food Emporium, but the nearest location to you I guess is at Bloor & Ossington. In general, the prices are decent. I usually stock up when my favourite nuts go on sale. It's a bit of a health food store as well, sellin' organic products and such, which are also decently priced.

The second place I recommend is in Kensington Market. There are 3 bulk food shops just east of Baldwin St. & Augusta Ave., on the north side of Baldwin. Sorry, I don't recall the name of the shop, but just go to the bulk food shop in the middle, a friendly little (European?) elderly lady is there everytime I pass by. Cheapest place I've found to buy my assorted, unsalted nuts in bulk. Service is awesome and the quality of nuts is always great. Hope that helps!

[ziggystardust]

I have to disagree about the place in Kensington. The last time I bought nuts there, they tasted and stank of car exhaust from being displayed out on the street for so long.

[jnine]

No Frills is my choice for cheap cashews.

[Sheikah]

Hm...there is one that isn't too far from where I am. Is there any chance you can remember the approximate cost that you would pay?

[jnine]

I've got a 250g container of Charlie's unsalted cashews in my hands with a sticker price of $5.99

[jnine]

but...come to thick of it, I bought these at Sobey's, which is more expensive. No Frills is less. I also buy my nuts for baking there. The no name 1KG of walnuts pieces is quite well priced.

[jnine]

and Fiesta Farms usually has very good prices on nuts to you nut butters (cashew, almond)...sometimes 2 jars for $10.

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Fiesta Farms
200 Christie St, Toronto, ON M6G, CA

[foodyDudey]

That is not particularly cheap. Cashews can be found at most stores for around 8.00 / 454g

Shoppers Drug Mart has a 300g bag of jumbo cashews on sale for 4.99 right now.

[yaddayadda]

No Frills Unsalted Pee Wee Cashews - a relative bargoon at $5 for 400g. And their natural almonds are good, too (crunchy and tasty) -- usually $5 for 500g, if you can find them, which you usually can't for some reason.