Anything from portion cups, take out containers, and diner style baskets can be spotted on my posts and often cause readers to ask where I purchase these specialty items. Well ask no more! Rindy, her mom Bobi of Bobi's Bites, and I, way back before school was out, made a big shopping trip to Restaurant Depot in Alexandria, VA. Trips to RD are always coordinated between some friends and I to travel together so that we may split cases of certain items. 
You can see that Rindy and I always get into mischief. You may also see in my left hand that I travel to RD with my pocket knife, a very useful tool in this type of store. We also bring boxes, coolers, sweaters, and wear sneakers. Every time I go I am better prepared.
The shelves are huge and piled high. The men on fork-lifts show no mercy and honk ruthlessly until you get out of their way. When I bring my children, I have to sign a waiver saying I won't sue RD if my children get hurt- it is a very dangerous place for children! They stay at home now. Since it was Bobi's first time, she was initiated by having to push the very heavy wheelie cart. He-he. 
This is where I get those 11 pound bars of chocolate for candy making.
Any plate, cup, bowl, or portion cup.
Any storage containers.
Meats.
Or pots.
Sometimes we have to crawl under shelves to find lids that match our cups. Many heads are bonked in this place.
The parking lot is filled with gut trucks or roach coaches. Someday I would love to own a taco truck but mine will be pink and green and I will wear Daisy Duke shorts, a push-up bra, and long flowing locks, sell cute cupcakes, Italian meatball sandwiches, and healthy little salads...oh wait, scratch the salads, healthy items may scare away the customers.
Here are some of the things I use from RD.
1. Straws- shakes, chocolate milk, root beer floats
2. Wax paper sheets- layering tortillas, wrapping lunches, lining baskets or bowls
3. Foil sheets- wrapping hot sandwiches
4. Styrofoam meat trays- making cookie platters, great for dessert gift platters
5. Paper baskets- for small meals like sandwich and chips. I get sizes 500 and 50. The 50's are great for desserts.
6. Wax bags- wrapping sandwiches, trail mix, chips
7. Plastic diner-style baskets- for novelty dinners like fish and chips
8. 9 ounce plastic punch cups- great for parties and wrapping cupcakes!
9. Softspoon- I pick up 2 every time I go
10. Various sized portion cups with lids- great for packing lunches
11. Tasting spoons- love, love, love these. For lunches and little bites.
12. Three compartment dinner tray with lids- when I have to bring a meal for an elderly or widowed neighbor, these are what I use. Great for freezing leftovers too.
13. Bamboo skewers- kebabs
14. Umbrellas- for fancy drinks, to top cupcakes to keep the plastic wrap from sticking, even for the children's milk!
15. Large take-out containers- Sending cookies to work, neighbors, or friends. Leftovers for company to take home
16. Sword picks- Drinks, sandwiches, snacks, Barbie Doll vs. GI Joe duels
What do you like to get at your local restaurant supply store?
32 comments:
I live in Alexandria - there is a RD on Eisenhower Ave - I thought it wasn't open to the public. How to you get in?
awesome! i love that you showed what you use, what it looks like, and how you use it! very informative. makes me want to go buy all this stuff! (but i wouldn't ever use it like you do, not at this point in my life at least :) )
Judy- That is the one I go to. You may shop there if you have a business tax ID number. It is free to join and no membership fees.
Wow, this looks like so much fun. I want to go!
man you are SO LUCKY. I dream of going to a place like that to stock up. I need those plastic containers w/ lids that they use for chinese soups.
um...heaven on earth? i think so. if i had a shopping spree here, i would go HOG-WILD.
Oh y'all look like you're having so much fun! I wish I lived close enough to get my own initiation!
You shop there so often, they put you on the marquee?! :)
Love the shot in the pot!
I'm totally drooling over your adventure!
wow- I never imagined what wonderful things could be found at a restaurant supply store! There is one 15 minutes from my home- I just may have to check it out!!! Thanks, Robin!
Oh, I am so sad I didn't get to go. It is fun everywhere you turn in there.
That looks like such fun! We live in a rural area, but we do have a smaller version of this. Not nearly as much variety, but I do pick up a lot of things there. Great post!
My shopping pulley cart thing looks much the same as yours. I do add a few items though ...
Lots of Versatainers for packing clients' meals
Foil pans - half sheets. Great for lasagna, enchiladas etc. to pack in freezer
Mega box of parchment paper
Phyllo tartlets - perfect for quick desserts and appetizers.
What a fun day that was Robin! Can't wait to go again!
I need to go before school, too! I have a huge list of things and also for the rest of summer camp. Mel had a great idea for Space week and wants to pack lunches in the ready to go containers. I love that store:)
I go nuts when in a restaurant supply store. I love the paper baskets the best. I use them for everything.
My mouth was hanging open just looking at all the stuff in your photos. You scored!
~ingrid
Oops you meant Alexandria VA. I had to google that one for I grew up in Arlington and never of one. I went to that one in Alex and you can shop there if you are a teacher.
JennyMac- Yup I meant Alexandria, I get those two towns mixed up! So being a teacher works too-that is good to know.
Robin, it was a fun day and thanks for letting me tag along and try to slither through those isles with you. That is a once in a life time trip for me but will linger in the back roads of my memory as a profitble one $. Many thanks.
SURELY we have something like this in Southern CA, right?? I thought you had to have a food industry card to shop in these places though. Lucky you. I'd go absolutely nuts in that place!
I like your comment about wearing sneakers... the first time I went I had on flip flops. Mistake! I ran over my toes so many times with that crazy cart. Like EAT, I stock up on Versatainers for client meals, aluminum pans for cooling meals, love the cheap gray bus pans, and I always browse the utensils for something new. Oh and their 2-packs of instant read thermometers are good.
These types of supply stores are my favorite. I usually get paper containers for packing cookies and candy. I've also purchased quite a few pieces of bar equipment from a similar store. Last year I did a fair amount of Christmas shopping at my local version (which I subsequently moved away from) getting a couple friends geared up with bar stuff.
Well...when we go to DC, my husband can take my daughter to the Spy Museum and guess where I'll go? I am so depressed about the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Cheesecake--but will probably lose some weight! BTW, please check out my new post; I have a little something for you.
I so wish we had one of these around here! Oh my gosh, they have everything--I could spend all day there. Love all of your loot!
All I can say is I am jealous. Green with envy. :-)
I don't have a business tax ID number and the website says Wholesale Only - *Restaurant Depot is wholesale only. To qualify for a free membership account, on your first visit you need to show a valid reseller's permit (business license) or tax-exempt certificate (for a non-profit organization) and show proof that you are authorized to purchase for said business or organization.
But I live close by! Does that mean I'm out of luck and can't shop there?
Ami- I guess you can not shop there until you get that tax exempt or business ID. Do you sell Mary Kay, Avon, Pampered Chef or any of those, because that would gvie you a business ID. Does anyone in your family own a business or are you a teacher or could run errands for your school on their ID? Where there is a will there is a way!!
How fun! What great finds!
I would like to see the recipe for Robin Stew! You looked so cute in the pot! (I guess you could call it Robin "Stue")
Looks like you had fun!
Talk to you soon!
Joyce
This store looks awesome, and I checked their website, and there's on in Vegas, I never knew!! And I have a tax ID...I'm there!! Thanks for sharing your adventure!!
Wow, what a place! Love the pic of you in the pot! :-)
Shirley
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