Used (or Inexpensive) Cookware

[xcanuck]

Does anyone know of a used restaurant supply store in the DC area that sells to the general public. I'd love to pick up stuff like sheet pans, drying racks, stock pots, and saute pans without paying the Sur La Table prices.

[DameEdna]

Does anyone know of a used restaurant supply store in the DC area that sells to the general public. I'd love to pick up stuff like sheet pans, drying racks, stock pots, and saute pans without paying the Sur La Table prices.

If you can put up with the auction process, you could try www.rasmus.com. Finding an particular

item right now is almost impossible, they do sometimes sell stuff at very low prices (they did Blackie's House of Beef).

Most of the auctions involve copiers and IT stuff. Some restaurants, though.

[Joe H]

Fortessa has once a month sales to the public at their store in Sterling. I do not remember seeing pots, pans, etc. but for glasses, plates, trays, silverware and other serving pieces they are outstanding. All Clad has sales of "seconds" twice a year near Canonsberg, PA which is south of Pittsburgh.

Edited September 2, 2006 by Joe H

[Mark Slater]

There used to be a used and reclaimed restaurant supply store here in DC called George's Restaurant Supply. They advertised weekly in the WP.

[Escoffier]

There used to be a used and reclaimed restaurant supply store here in DC called George's Restaurant Supply. They advertised weekly in the WP.

George's Restaurant Equipment

415 E. Raymond Ave

Alexandria, VA 22301

Phone: 703 836-1800

I can't say for sure this is the place you're looking for, but it's worth a try. There is also a restaurant supply house near the Fedex office on Eisenhower Avenue but I think they do only new and not used.

[mdt]

There is also a restaurant supply house near the Fedex office on Eisenhower Avenue but I think they do only new and not used.

You need to be a member to shop there.

[Scott Johnston]

There is also a place in Beltsville that had great prices

http://www.beltwayrestaurantequipment.com/

I picked up sheet pans for like 5 bucks and a lot of small things. Not high end home equipment, but good functional stuff.

You can always wait till the next DR.com Flea Market.

[mdt]

I picked up sheet pans for like 5 bucks and a lot of small things. Not high end home equipment, but good functional stuff.

Looks like the sell much of the same type of stuff as the one on Eisenhower Ave. And those $6 half-sheet pans hold up much better than those expensive high end home ones.

[Lydia R]

There is also a place in Beltsville that had great prices

http://www.beltwayrestaurantequipment.com/

Thanks for reminding about this place. It's in the light industry area behind the Beltsville Costco (off Route 1, north of the College Park Ikea).

The Restaurant Association of Maryland site has a pretty comprehensive equipment supplier list (includes DePalo and Martin Bamberger in Baltimore).

I went to the All Clad seconds sale, held in the Washington County (PA) fairgrounds, last year and was greatly rewarded (lots of 70% off stuff) because I was one of the first 10 (yawn) in line when they opened. A great adventure (usually early June & December) -- call the AC corporate offices for sale dates.

[Joe H]

Thanks for reminding about this place. It's in the light industry area behind the Beltsville Costco (off Route 1, north of the College Park Ikea).

The Restaurant Association of Maryland site has a pretty comprehensive equipment supplier list (includes DePalo and Martin Bamberger in Baltimore).

I went to the All Clad seconds sale, held in the Washington County (PA) fairgrounds, last year and was greatly rewarded (lots of 70% off stuff) because I was one of the first 10 (yawn) in line when they opened. A great adventure (usually early June & December) -- call the AC corporate offices for sale dates.

I bought a 12 quart LTD stockpot for $95.00 there a number of years ago for about 70-75% off list (now $350). Then, the line was over 200 long when they opened the doors. That sale was actually held in the factory with a film crew from CBS in Pittsburgh doing a live remote. I believe they started the Fairgrounds/Meadows racetrack sale four or five years ago because of the incredible crowds. I actually drove up from Reston with orders from friends and neighbors for the sale. I spent almost $2,000 but we figured the retail value of what I bought was almost $6,000. Everything in their line was on sale for at least 40% off with many, many items 70% or more off as Lydia noted. A GREAT sale! I also remember a 20 quart stockpot for $125 which I now regret not buying. It's about $500 today!

Edited September 2, 2006 by Joe H

[Ilaine]

You need to be a member to shop there.

The name of the place on Eisenhower Avenue is Restaurant Depot. Link Free to join but you need to have a business to join. Doesn't have to be in the food industry, either, they just want a copy of your business license.

They'll let you walk around and "just look" so you can decide if it's worth your while.

[fooddufus]

It just so happens that I am somewhat of an expert on this because I often sell supplies as part of my income. Used restaurant supply houses are great for mostly equipment. Buying a new range, fryer, grill, reach in, etc. for a restaurant is a lot like buying a brand new car. It looks great but as soon as you drive it away you lose money. Some have used smallwares(pots, pans, tongs, knives etc) but since most of those items are so beat up in a commercial kitchen they are not worth buying used. Brand name items like All Clad are rarely used in restaurant kitchens because of the cost and the fact that they can easily disappear. If you do go to a supply house be very cautious of trying to retro-fit commercial grade equipment to home because they don’t usually work well together. Particularly the gas appliances.

George

[xcanuck]

Thanks for all the replies. I'll give George's and the Beltway place a try. I'm not looking for name brand stuff. I just want functional stuff. Sheet pans for $6 is exactly the kind of thing I'm looking for. Thanks again!

[Malawry]

There's also JB Restaurant Supply in Rockville. They cater in part to the Chinese community in Rockville, so you can buy things like Chinese soup spoons, soy sauce dishes, and other Asian smallwares at rock-bottom prices. Not used stuff, though.

There is a restaurant supply store in Frederick with a decent smallwares selection that does sell used and new equipment as well. I forget the name, but I'm pretty sure it's on Patrick Street near the downtown area.

[cjsadler]

There's also JB Restaurant Supply in Rockville.

Where is this located exactly?

[DanielK]

Where is this located exactly?

12141 Nebel St. in Rockville. SE of the intersection of Rockville Pike and Montrose/Randolph.

website

[Lydia R]

This week's "The List" mentioned a sale at the usually "to the trade" Fortessa Outlet. Has anyone shopped there? Might be worth it - if coupled with a Wegman's expedition.

Just Like The Pros Do It -- Want your holiday table to look like it belongs in a five-star restaurant? Check out bargain-priced tableware goodies normally available only to professional chefs and retailers. The Fortessa Outlet Store announced that it will be open to the public on most Fridays and Saturdays for the rest of the year to serve holiday shoppers. According to Scott Hamberger, vice president, the outlet store "brings five-star restaurant designs to the home table." The store offers tempting prices on tabletop products from around the world, including bone china, metalware, plates, pitchers, barware, hand-blown glassware, servers, accessories and flatware. Many products come from Italy and Germany. (22601 David Drive in Sterling, VA; 703.787.0357)

[Hannah]

FYI, it's Davis Drive, not David. It's just off Sterling Blvd - the second light if you're coming from Rt. 28.

[Soup]

Am looking to pick up some basic kitchen stuff (e.g., pans, pots, dishes) Any recommendation for a resturant supply store would be appreciated (that is open to the general public).

Soup

[mktye]

Somewhat similar request here.

[Ilaine]

This week's "The List" mentioned a sale at the usually "to the trade" Fortessa Outlet. Has anyone shopped there? Might be worth it - if coupled with a Wegman's expedition.

So did anybody make it to Fortessa? I see on their website they've reopened the outlet store, which is open to the general public. I could use some bone china bowls.

[pax]

There's also JB Restaurant Supply in Rockville. They cater in part to the Chinese community in Rockville, so you can buy things like Chinese soup spoons, soy sauce dishes, and other Asian smallwares at rock-bottom prices. Not used stuff, though.

There is a restaurant supply store in Frederick with a decent smallwares selection that does sell used and new equipment as well. I forget the name, but I'm pretty sure it's on Patrick Street near the downtown area.

Gilbert's Restaurant Supply. Near the Post Office, ish.

[eatWashington]

Somewhat similar request here.

I've found good stuff, from ranges (though didn't buy one of those...) through to smaller appliances, metal mixing bowls, massive whisks and all the kind of stuff that makes you think, if I just had one of those I'd turn into Thomas Keller, at Jefferson Davis Highway, on the right before you get to the Target. George's, 415 E Raymond Ave, Alexandria, (703) 836-1800. eatWashington.com

[chickenlover]

Am looking to pick up some basic kitchen stuff (e.g., pans, pots, dishes) Any recommendation for a resturant supply store would be appreciated (that is open to the general public).

Soup

I go to a place called "Best", just down the block from A Litteri. It's kind of crammed in there but they have some good--and cheap--stuff. 413 Morse St. NE

[johnb]

I go to a place called "Best", just down the block from A Litteri. It's kind of crammed in there but they have some good--and cheap--stuff. 413 Morse St. NE

Best Equipment is a good place to know about. Their only shortcoming IMO is their line of pots and pans, which just aren't all that great, although they may have new stuff since I was last there. But it's well worth a visit anyway--I never could seem to get out of the place without spending at least $50 or so on all kinds of stuff that got me into trouble when I got it home and my wife saw what I'd been spending money on. Being Asian-owned they are a particularly good source for woks and such, but they have all the standard restaurant needs and plenty that's useful at home.

[dcs]

Best Equipment is a good place to know about. Their only shortcoming IMO is their line of pots and pans, which just aren't all that great, although they may have new stuff since I was last there. But it's well worth a visit anyway--I never could seem to get out of the place without spending at least $50 or so on all kinds of stuff that got me into trouble when I got it home and my wife saw what I'd been spending money on. Being Asian-owned they are a particularly good source for woks and such, but they have all the standard restaurant needs and plenty that's useful at home.

Is Best still open? Their website has a 2008 copyright date and a number of dead links.

[Cizuka Seki]

There is row of restaurant supply stores in Rockville -- JB was mentioned earlier. Best is still very much open albeit a little hard to find. But it's still down the block from A. Litteri's. Best has a pretty decent selection of sheet pans and baking-related wares. Also some very good cutting boards.

There's also http://www.webstaurantstore.com/ and http://www.chefscatalog.com/

George's is....not the greatest. It's not particularly cheap and for a lot of items, you might have to run it through an industrial dishwasher/use serious elbow grease several times and then some.

Also, depending on what you're looking for, H Mart and Lotte and the like have some good cooking equipment for the home cook....small wares like spatulas, tongs, as well as some pots and such that I find incredibly handy and very inexpensive.

[DonRocks]

Maybe we could do a kitchen swap at the next picnic?

[thistle]

Oh, jeez, don't even mention that, I'm likely to show up like an old time tinker, I have some serious kitchen excess...that's what garages are for, right? But, Tom left some good tongs at the last team dinner, I'm missing my silicon basting brush, & I really need a small ladle for my kanom krok pan....thank goodness I loaned out that cupcake stand for a recent baby shower...

[DonRocks]

Oh, jeez, don't even mention that, I'm likely to show up like an old time tinker, I have some serious kitchen excess...that's what garages are for, right? But, Tom left some good tongs at the last team dinner, I'm missing my silicon basting brush, & I really need a small ladle for my kanom krok pan....thank goodness I loaned out that cupcake stand for a recent baby shower...

I just figure there are a good dozen people here with too much of this and not enough of that.

[Bart]

Is Best still open? Their website has a 2008 copyright date and a number of dead links.

Yep! They're still there.

They have great prices on plates and bowls too. We just redid our kitchen and my wife wanted plain white plates from Williams Sonoma. WS sells them for about $25 per plate. Best had damn near identical plates for $75 for dozen!

[DC Deb]

There is also a place out in Gaithersburg (near Shady Grove & 355) called Continental Restaurant Equipment that sells used restaurant supplies and equipment. They have new smallwares and dishes. There is an upstairs loft area that has a lot of used pots and pans, platters, etc. Not all of it is in great condidtion. If you happen to be in the area, it's worth a look. Kind of like going to a yard sale. You never know what you will find.

The website is not very useful but it gives you the address and directions.

[DaRiv18]

I have recommended Best before on this website, and the shopper decided it was more expensive than what she wanted. Just another thought. I still shop there though.