Where to buy Medjool Dates?

yes, i'm trying to replicate those incredible dates from AOC. does anyone know where i can buy medjool dates?

thanks!

[DFD]

Shields in Indio. They ship.
They also have the best date shakes in the world. They don't ship the shakes.

[Diana]

Glson's usually has them, or halawi, which I like better. Also, sometimes Kalawi!

[Foodandwine]

I have a weekend home in Palm Desert.. I always take a drive to Thermal. The epicenter of Dates.. Try it.. you will loe it.. See this link for places to visit or mail order..

http://www.datesaregreat.com/

[arkestra]

i'm a big fan of the dates from flying disc ranch (in thermal). they're at the wed. santa monica farmers market (on the north side or arizona, a little west of 2nd). as we're past prime time date season, i believe they're there only every other week. but they're there every week during the last few months of the year when dates are really fabulous. and if you're in the neighborhood, you can also catch them at the ferry building farmers market in S.F. on saturdays.

http://www.flyingdiscranch.com/

[xox]

I get mine at the Farmer's Market and for an easy, quick desert, stuff them with mascarpone.

[Jet]

In addition to Trader Joes, you can also find them in abbundance at the myriad of middle eastern & Persian grocery stores throughout L.A. & the Valley. Theres one on a cross street near Sherman Way called Millers Market, I think, and another at a Persian mom & pop store on Fallbrook South of Victory. There are also many such places on West Ventura Blvd. in Woodland Hills. Good Luck! JET

[AteTooMuch]

Try Valley Produce on Vanowen just east of Reseda Blvd. Great super market with lots of middle eastern stuff.

[Emme]

i get them at Farm Boys - one in Sherman Oaks and one in Venice

[Brook Lyn]

If you are ever driving toward palm springs...HADLEY'S

[NakedHombre]

Sorry, I've never been a big fan of Hadley's. All I ever find there are overprocessed nuts and the dates are packaged very dry! Not good stuff. Big hype is all. Everyone has HEARD od Hadley's and just has to stop there when passing through Cabazon. But then one becomes experienced and the choices become limited. If you look hard you'll find something passable I suppose but this surely is not a "health food" nor date fancier's dream. IMHO

[xhotelie]

Bautista Family Farms of Mecca sells organic medjools at the Tuesday Torrance Farmers market; delicious, plump dates for about $6 a pound. I don't recall if they're there on Saturdays or not. Really good and worth seeking out.

Shields Date Garden in Indio (http://www.shieldsdates.com/) has great medjools, citrus and other good stuff (like the requisite date shakes) if you're going to make a trip out to the Coachella Valley.

[Phood]

Bautista' s at the Cloverfield/Pico Saturday Market. They have a quality product. I like the Halawy Dates for general snacking.

i too trying to replicate the dates at aoc went out looking for them. i got some from the saturday santa monica farmer's market. they were a lot bigger than the ones at aoc and expensive too at $5.50 for about 16 pieces. or is that cheap? 16 pieces would go quick with 3-4 people. but the dates looked like they were in tip top shape.

Link: http://immaeatchu.blogspot.com

[Fru]

I have a bag right here of Honey Dates (not suitable for what you are doing but my favorite for eating) from Dates by Davall. 760-398-1070 You can find out which farmers' market they go to that is closest to you. I see them at the Saturday market at Pasadena High School.

[khh1138]

Those Honey Dates are my favourite, too! So...squoooshy.
The fellow who sells them is a complete sweetheart, too, really ready to help people try dates who are a little squeamish about them (my Tall Dark and Handsome Husband is a recent convert). He'll help you pick a date that is appropriate for certain recipes as opposed to just eating out of the bag.

[Fru]

I have been a regular of theirs for years. I love to support independent farmers. Especially like you say someone who is a "complete sweetheart".

There are Medjools...and then there are great Medjools. We have had many, but I prefer the ones at Bristol Farms in the produce area, straight from the box. These are probably comparable to the ones at the Farmer's Market, but they are certainly (imho) superior to the ones at other markets around.

[nitsuj]

Bristol Farms definitely doesn't have decent dates anymore. This thread led me to the Hollywood branch, yesterday. Bulk is gone...the produce guy told me that it was the result of customers treating it as a buffet then getting indignant if called on it. The Medjools that he claimed were the same but pre-packaged, were of fancy grade, mediocre quality and were $7.50 for a 12oz pack!
The ONLY place in LA for consistently high-quality dates at a good price (that I've found) is ELAT MARKET (Jewish/Iranian) on Pico @ Robertson. Amazing Medjools for $5.99/lb and, currently Rotab Medjools for $3.99/lb, as well as a couple of other varieties. All bulk style.

[Foodandwine]

The Nut Man at ELAT is a real throwback.. I stop there whenever I am in the area and have time. Watchout for the customers in the Produce section, they will run over your toes when seeking a good deal out on tomatoes..

I've seen them at Costco...

A.O.C. buys their produce from the Santa Monica Farmer's Markets. I believe they get the Medjool dates from DaVall Dates from Indio. At the Wednesday Farmer's Market, the DaVall stand is located on 2nd Ave. off of Wilshire. I hope that helps.

Agree. The medjools at the good farmers markets (Santa Monica and Hollywood, in particular) are generally a cut above what one gets in the local TJs/supermarkets, etc. Or, drive out to Mecca by the Salton Sea and get them from the source. (I personally feel that all true date lovers have an obligation, at least once in their lives, to make the pilgrimage to Mecca for a date shake and a case or two of medjools.)

[AteTooMuch]

LOL, I was at my friends, who happens to be muslim, house yesterday. I *had* to show him your post. He laughed and whole heartly agreed!

Not too hard to find. I've bought them at Trader Joe's and Whole Foods.

second Trader's.