Visiting chef in need of help finding specialty food stores

[sdolan]

Hi Phoenix!

I am competing in a culinary competition next week and am in need of recommendations of where to purchase some of my produce. I need mostly Asian items like baby bok choy and lemongrass. Any help would be appreciated!!

[azhotdish]

Good luck in the competition!
http://www.healthcarefoodservice.org/...

I believe Bill Hunt would be perfect to judge this thing...

[sdolan]

Thanks for the nice words. I am impressed, you found the competition link.

[Lunchbox76]

Chow Bella has a nice little write up of the event... Looks interesting...

http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/bell...

[sdolan]

Thanks for your input everyone!

[dragonflyjd]

You could also try House of Rice in Scottsdale for some of your ingredients. Although they tend to be more geared to Japanese and Indonesian in the packaged items, they do have a small selection of fresh herbs and spices and include lemongrass. The bok choy should be available through Whole Foods.

Although it is a bit of a drive from Biltmore, I agree Lee Lee and Mekong have the best overall selection when it comes to Asian markets.

[Dmnkly]

House of Rice is a good suggestion. That's a great little shop, and the variety of stuff that they pack in there is impressive. But it's probably worth noting for your circumstance that the entire store doesn't even have the display area of one aisle of Mekong or Lee Lee. If you want to be sure you can get everything in one stop without having to bounce around town looking for things, it may not be the best choice (I've been in your shoes in other cities as well, and there's nothing worse than spending all of your time driving around town when you should be in the kitchen). But if you're only looking for a few basics, particularly anything Japanese, that's a great rec. They'll have it.

[janeh]

I shop at Super Ranch and Lee Lee and have found a much greater variety of produce at Lee Lee on 75th Ave and Cactus. Happy cooking and best of luck!

Lee Lee Market
7575 W Cactus Rd
Peoria, AZ 85381
[phone]

[sdolan]

Everything is happening at the Biltmore. We will most likely go to Whole Foods first and fill in the rest with the Asian market.

[Dmnkly]

Then Super L Ranch Market on 44th and the 202 is probably your closest bet. If you don't mind driving a little further (another 10 minutes or so unless it's rush hour), you'll find better produce at Mekong Market in Mesa. Super L's produce can be kind of hit or miss.

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Super L Ranch Market
668 N 44th St, Phoenix, AZ 85008

[jock]

No brainer. the chinese cultural center on 44th st in phoenix.

[Dmnkly]

Unless (s)he's going to be out west, in case Lee Lee will be closer (and larger). Or Mekong (again, larger) down in Mesa. Or others. Hence, the question about location. It's hardly a no-brainer. Super L Ranch Market (the market jock mentions) is the most convenient for me, but there are other Asian markets just as good or better that may be significantly closer to where the OP is going to be.

[Dmnkly]

Where are you staying/competing, so we don't send you running all over town?