Restaurant Depot

Class_of_75

Many forum members have posted that they buy meat at Restaurant Depot. I just checked and there's one in central Denver, about 20 minutes from me. However, their website claims it's members-only and the member qualification requires that you present a business license or similar evidence that you are in the food service business. Are the forum members who shop there in the restaurant or catering businesses?

grege345

http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1174797/kcbs-membership-paid-for-in-first-trip-savings-restaurant-depot-is-the-bomb-diggity

The Cen-Tex Smoker

yes but there are many ways to get one. We used to own a restaurant and still do some catering so ours was easy. My wife does all the catering for the high school theater booster group and we got a card for them too. You can use almost any club or group with a Tax ID# to get one. Kids baseball league concessions? Scouts? School booster clubs? Church? Office with a break room? They really aren't picky. Bring them a tax ID, tell them you do food service for that business and they will give you a card. 

Also, I think a $35 yearly membership to KCBS will get you a day pass any time you want to go. RD is a cool place but you are buying in bulk. It's not really practical to shop for a family there. Costco or Sams or something similar is probably more likely to fit the bill. I used to buy brisket there but now I buy them at Costco. I'm headed down today because they have whole pork bellies for $2.39 lb. I asked at my fancy grocery store over the weekend- $6.99. I wonder if they want to buy some from me  

GATraveller

Membership in the Kansas City BBQ Society would be the easiest way if you have no affiliation with a restaurant.

The Cen-Tex Smoker

I'll shoot you some pics later of what they have and prices. Depending on what you like to buy, they are very similar priced to Sam's or Costco. They don't sell steaks, they sell sub primals. If you want a steak, you are going to have to buy the entire $100+ sub primal and cut them yourself.

last time I was there (a month ago) Superior Choice Briskets were $3.67 (Costco was $4.09 for prime this week- I didn't look at their choice), Butts were $1.79 (2 packs only), belly was $2.39. 

Anything you want me to get you a price on? That way you can compare with what you can get now. 

I'll be there in a few hours.

grege345

I'd certainly be buying more belly to make my own bacon at that price. Holy crap. I've been doin Canadian bacon because of the price. @The Cen-Tex Smoker

The Cen-Tex Smoker

grege345 said:

I'd certainly be buying more belly to make my own bacon at that price. Holy crap. I've been doin Canadian bacon because of the price. @The Cen-Tex Smoker

Yeah- it's insane at grocery stores around here. Apparently, they have gotten the word that bacon is hot among home chefs.  The funny part is, I bought their store made bacon for $5.99 and they wanted to sell the me the whole belly for $6.99. I had a short chat about the economics of that but the counter was 30 people deep so I just let it go. How they can take the whole belly, cure it, smoke it, slice it and sell it cheaper than they will sell me the raw belly in cryo just seems stupid. They would never be $2.39 anyway so really I was just talking to hear myself sound smart

That's the real beneift of RD- They sell at the commodity price plus wholesale markup. They don't raise the price of bellies because food nerds found out they are cool. Their costs follow the commodity cost trends so you don't pay the hipster price for anything there.

Legume

...and no sales tax

grege345

Legume said:

...and no sales tax

...and there is the kick in the balls. Lol

buzd504

Last time I was at RD, the bellies were cheap, but  you had to buy 50lbs.  SWMBO said no. 

Eggerty

@Class_of_75 I am in Denver as well. I have the KCBS membership. I HIGHLY recommend RD. Its like a toy store of meet for cooks. I have purchased packer brisket, BB and STL ribs, rib roast, scallops, pretty much everything...

On on another note I have a Costco membership as well. I went by there yesterday and all they carry is brisket flats. Can't order packers and the "butcher" at first didn't know what a packer brisket was. 

Again I recommend RD highly.

greenenvy

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

grege345 said:

I'd certainly be buying more belly to make my own bacon at that price. Holy crap. I've been doin Canadian bacon because of the price. @The Cen-Tex Smoker

Yeah- it's insane at grocery stores around here. Apparently, they have gotten the word that bacon is hot among home chefs.  The funny part is, I bought their store made bacon for $5.99 and they wanted to sell the me the whole belly for $6.99. I had a short chat about the economics of that but the counter was 30 people deep so I just let it go. How they can take the whole belly, cure it, smoke it, slice it and sell it cheaper than they will sell me the raw belly in cryo just seems stupid. They would never be $2.39 anyway so really I was just talking to hear myself sound smart

That's the real beneift of RD- They sell at the commodity price plus wholesale markup. They don't raise the price of bellies because food nerds found out they are cool. Their costs follow the commodity cost trends so you don't pay the hipster price for anything there.

Always assumed it was just their way of using up nearly-expired inventory. Thus, cooked whole chicken at Costco is cheaper than buying the raw bird. Just speculation of course, but the only way it ever made sense to me.

Class_of_75

Thanks for all the good feedback. This forum is an incredible resource.

The Cen-Tex Smoker

greenenvy said:

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

grege345 said:

I'd certainly be buying more belly to make my own bacon at that price. Holy crap. I've been doin Canadian bacon because of the price. @The Cen-Tex Smoker

Yeah- it's insane at grocery stores around here. Apparently, they have gotten the word that bacon is hot among home chefs.  The funny part is, I bought their store made bacon for $5.99 and they wanted to sell the me the whole belly for $6.99. I had a short chat about the economics of that but the counter was 30 people deep so I just let it go. How they can take the whole belly, cure it, smoke it, slice it and sell it cheaper than they will sell me the raw belly in cryo just seems stupid. They would never be $2.39 anyway so really I was just talking to hear myself sound smart

That's the real beneift of RD- They sell at the commodity price plus wholesale markup. They don't raise the price of bellies because food nerds found out they are cool. Their costs follow the commodity cost trends so you don't pay the hipster price for anything there.

Always assumed it was just their way of using up nearly-expired inventory. Thus, cooked whole chicken at Costco is cheaper than buying the raw bird. Just speculation of course, but the only way it ever made sense to me.

can be. We did that often at the grocery store/restaurant. Today's Ribeye is tomorrow's steak sandwich. It always helps to have an exit strategy for perishables or your will go broke.

The bellies are in cryo and will last months though. this place is super trendy and they definitely price by what's hot. Great place but I'm not paying $6.99 for the same exact belly you can buy for $2.39 down the road.

The Cen-Tex Smoker

Legume said:

...and no sales tax

you and I don't pay sales tax on most food in TX anyway. I'm exempt at Sam's and Costco too if using it for commercial purposes. I rarely do so I always pay the tax when it's for personal use. i'm not going to get in a scrap with the IRS over $8 in sales tax every few months

Legume

Agree on the food, but I bought some non-food items last time there - I don't think they hit me with tax for that either, was kind of a weird surprise.

buzd504

Legume said:

Agree on the food, but I bought some non-food items last time there - I don't think they hit me with tax for that either, was kind of a weird surprise.

Because you have a business license, RD assumes everything is for resale.

anton

I am in Ca, and I have the KCBS membership,it was $35.00, and I did it all online. I bring my card to the front desk at RD, they confirm card and issue you a day pass, you shop, and EVERYTHING is wholesale, with no tax. You can use your card for a day pass once EVERY day if you wish. KCBS members also must pay in cash or debit, no credit cards. (At least in Ca). It is awesome, and the amount of food is staggering.

DoubleEgger

I went through the KCBS route. You'll save the $35 membership fee the first visit. 

BigKlu

Just a suggestion, on the other side of Missouri there is the St. Louis BBQ Society. $25 gets you a membership and access to RD similar to KCBS.  I joined a month ago and have been twice.  It is not just the price of the meat but cheese selection is awesome.  Want a whole lamb they have it,   Bought a whole packer brisket last trip for $3.69/lb which is good for this time of year.  Always looking for a deal and living outside STL it was great.  Word of caution as I assume this is national access but may want to check it out.

SmyrnaGA

They accept non-profit organizations too.  I took our HOA paperwork and tax info and got 2 membership cards.

Eggcelsior

@bigklu how long did it take you to get access? What did you have to do after registering?

JethroVA

I enjoy the RD seafood dept. Got an insanely good deal on blue mussels.  Often get excellent shrimp for $2 less per lb. than Kroger.   Good scallops for 1/2 the price of Kroger.   Once they had octopus but I haven't seen it again. 
Some things you can get in "normal" size packages for cheap: butter, cheese, fresh pasta.   Don't go on Friday or Saturday afternoon. It's a mad house. 

JethroVA

Oh, I forgot something really important re RD.  Spices for cheap!  Got a huge container of ground ancho for $8 or $9.  Something fun to do is take a buddy who likes cooking with you to RD and divide up the larger packages.  Fun outing that doesn't necessarily involve alcohol.

The Cen-Tex Smoker

Fun outing that doesn't necessarily involve alcohol...

But it often does. Always more expensive that way but I can rock the hell out of those free dirty coats they give you at the cooler entrance

Class_of_75

I joined the KCBS yesterday for $35 and am waiting for my membership card to arrive in the mail. I called the nearest RD and was told all I need is my card and I can come on down.

Ladeback69

GATraveller said:

Membership in the Kansas City BBQ Society would be the easiest way if you have no affiliation with a restaurant.

I joined the KCBS to get access to the Restaurant Depot and to possibly start judging competitions maybe.  I haven't been there yet, but will soon. 

blasting

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

Fun outing that doesn't necessarily involve alcohol...

But it often does. Always more expensive that way but I can rock the hell out of those free dirty coats they give you at the cooler entrance

Those coats look nasty.  I've only gone once, back in Feb, and I just wore a t-shirt, but it was a little chilly.  I'll bring my own pullover next time.

BigKlu

Eggcelsior said:

@bigklu how long did it take you to get access? What did you have to do after registering?

I registered on line and then printed off my receipt and membership page and went that day and RD accepted that.  It took about 2 weeks to get the membership card.