Restaurant supply stores open to public? [Calgary]

[darelleats]

I've never been to a restaurant supply store, but really wouldn't mind checking one out. Are there any that are open to the public in town that you'd recommend?

I'm not looking for anything in particular (although I imagine I'll see a million things I'll want). I'm just curious and would like to go browse some time.

[Love to dine out]

I shop at Russell food equipment. Off of 58th Ave and 4th St S.E. In a few blocks. You will get the same prices restaurants get and I think right now they have a spring sale. Try Canadian Wholesale Club on 58th Ave. Really good prices but not much selection.

[maplesugar]

Sorry to hijack - does anyone know if any of these stores carry BakeMold paper baking pans? Looking for loaf pans/muffin cups like these: http://www.bakerella.com/paper-pans/

[miss.foodie]

I was at Hendrix last week and don't recall seeing any of these BakeMold paper pans there.

[worldwidestuff]

How many? There is a supplier of those in the Foothills Industrial area. Not sure of his MOQ.

[maplesugar]

Not a ton... I'm baking for an upcoming AGM for a board I'm on...so 3 doz. of the 3.5 in tartlet pans maybe? I was thinking of doing tartlets/mini cheesecakes.

[worldwidestuff]

The guy sells by 100's only. Best bet is the Canadian Wholesale Club.

[maplesugar]

Ah 100 would be a bit of a commitment. I'd like to try a few before buying in quantity. I could see getting through 100 muffin/cupcake molds eventually. I didn't think Canadian Wholesale Club sold BakeMold?

[aktivistin]

Golda's Kitchen (Canadian retailer) sells these kinds of paper molds online: http://kitchenware.goldaskitchen.com/...

[maplesugar]

I was hoping to find someone local (and by local I mean anywhere in Alberta) Looks like Golda's is my best option since they sell by the dozen. Thanks aktivistin =)

[aktivistin]

You're welcome! You could check with Qzina. They have a warehouse in Edmonton. I've never bought paper cups from them but have bought bulk Valhrona chocolate. Good service, but it's a catalogue system (meaning, I don't think they have an online store).

http://www.qzina.com/category.php?cat...

[Strider]

There's also Geneal Restaurant Equipment in the NE

One thing about most of these places that has always stifled me, is that they're only open during office hours on weekdays. So I haven't been able to make it to a lot of them. If you're like me and can't take time off to go kitchen shopping, try Real Canadian Wholesale Club. They have a smaller (but fairly useful)selection of commercial kitchen wares (I think a lot of it made by Johnson Rose).

[nonlinear]

hahha, once again Hendrix seems to be an exception. They are definitely open on weekends, as that's the only time i'm able to go. (i'm not sure if they're open all weekend, or just saturdays, so might want to call ahead first.)

i agree also about Real Canadian Wholesale Club. They do carry a lot of kitchen stuff. It is quite different than a restaurant supply shop, though. IME, RCW seems to focus mainly on food packaging, etc.

[greatdane12]

Thanks for the responces. Think I will gocheck them out

[greatdane12]

Does anyone own any of the yellow handled Henckells.? The price looks good but how is the quality?

[worldwidestuff]

My wife uses them at the bakery to slice bread, fruits and other stuff. Excellent, she says.

[nonlinear]

i own them and they are excellent. (there's a reason these are used in commercial kitchens around the world.)

[aktivistin]

Excellent. Use my 10" chef's knife every day.

[darelleats]

Thanks so much everyone! Can't wait to head on down and check things out!

Cheers,

Darell

[sharonanne]

I actually look up restaurant supply places in cities when I travel. In NYC my husband had to restrain me from buying a neon sign that promised "Good Food". I think it would have looked great on the ugly sound barrier the city put in my backyard.

Sometimes there are real bargains in the used equipment sections.

[nonlinear]

i've only been to hendrix, but i've been a number of times, and they've always had EXCELLENT customer service... not sure why the rest of you are having problems haha :P Also, I find that the prices are cheaper or the same as you're going to pay at a big box store (unless you're comparing all-clad to lagostina, e.g.), but the quality is far superior. for instance, you can get the yellow-handled henckels there for > $30/knife. while they aren't as "sexy" as their $125 counterparts you can buy at the Bay, they do have the same exact blade.

Hendrix Restaurant Equipment & Supplies
www.hendrixequip.com
457 42 Avenue Southeast
Calgary, AB T2G 1Y3, Canada
[phone]

[Scary Bill]

Hey non, you mean <, not >.

And you don't feel so bad when you have to toss the knife out!

[nonlinear]

hahah, sorry about that! that's actually quite embarrassing... anyhow, thanks for the correction!

and yes - you can buy probably 4 of the yellow-handeled knives for the same price as 1 of the sexy blades.

[crigg]

thats cool, looking at the sets I'm pretty sure they make blades for ikea too. I love ikea blades. Esp the "Henckels Twin Master Stickling Knife 8""

[worldwidestuff]

Drove by Hendrix a few times and never stopped in yet. In terms of service I meant their clear distinction between a big fish and a small walk in retail client like myself.
I watched it a few times.

[aktivistin]

Second the recommendation for Hendrix. I have one of the yellow-handled 10" chef's knives, a large white cutting board (I think it's 20" x 28"), and two heavy-gauge half sheet pans. I use the knife and the cutting board every day and the two half sheet pans have replaced all my other cookie sheet/jelly roll pans. Great prices and the service is fine for me--friendly and helpful when asked but they don't follow you around the store.

[nonlinear]

yea, i think it's great. you can browse at your leisure, without having to deal with people coming up asking if they can help you... but if you do need help, the staff are more than happy to assist... and checkout is awesome. i often get tangled in convo when trying to pay for my items hahah!

[miss.foodie]

I stopped by Hendrix yesterday for the first time. I thought their service was EXCELLENT and very friendly. I was approached a few times by different staff asking if I needed any assistance. The prices were pretty good. It was nice to see that they carried a lot of Paderno items and the prices on some of the Paderno items were even better than the Paderno outlet in Edmonton. I also found out that they do knife sharpening... $2 on Tuesdays and $3.49 the rest of the other times.

[Scary Bill]

Missy, does Hendrix do a good job sharpening knives, ie do they grind a new edge that I can keep sharp for some time afterwards with a steel?

[Iamclarkman]

Mr Scary.. If you like to have your knife "scary" sharp as I do I would highly recomend Knifewear in Inglewood... I have a couple high carbon steel japanese knives that I would never dream of getting sharpened anywhere else. They use a series of waterstones for sharpening and will sharpen to your specifics. ie straight razor sharp and the tip and a little less sharp and the heel is what I prefer. At $10 per knife I think it's a steal.. considering it will take them 15-20 mins per knife while showing you exactly what they are doing and why. Will restore your never used "old" knife to a precise slicing tool. A dull knife is way more of a danger than one razor sharp!

[sharonanne]

I totally agree about service but I think they're a deal in that they are better value for your money for small goods like tongs or paring knives. The quality of the standard items is much higher. I haven't directly compared in a while but a few years ago they were cheaper but worldwidestuff suggests that's changed.

There is also a Chinese one on Centre street north on the west side of the street around 10th avenue.

[katidyd]

There is also Brown's - on the edge of downtown on Riverfront avenue

[crigg]

I found my mini coffee spoons there that I use for condiments. Not terribly fine looking but they work well... Squeeze bottles for sauces too.

[worldwidestuff]

They all are open to the public as far as I know. Just don't expect a deal.
Or good customer service......but yes, it is a great way to spend a day visiting all those places.

http://www.russellfood.ca/

http://www.crownfoodequipment.com/