Restaurant Depot; The Good and the Bad

bigguy136

I just joined RD and am seeing the good and the bad.

The good- good quality, large selection and low prices.

The bad- good quality, large selection and low prices.

I went there to just get a rack of beef ribs being $5/ lb. I got there and they were sold out. I start looking thru their angus brisket packers. I picked thru about 20 of them and found 3 that were more flexible than any other brisket. I picked up two 17 lbs, one 15 lb, a prime rib roast and 4 packs of pork tenderloins.

A bit excessive being I don't have any entertaining plans this weekend and am single. I have a lot to smoke and freeze. My neighbors are going to love me...

SGH

Restaurant Depot kicks a$$. 

WeberWho

Which Restaurant Depot? St. Paul? The one in Brooklyn Center doesn't carry Royal Oak. I know the one in St. Paul has carried in the past 

mEGG_My_Day

Please let us know your thoughts on the RD brisket after you smoke it.  I haven’t cooked one from there yet. 

Oh - and nice haul! 

bigguy136

WeberWho said:

Which Restaurant Depot? St. Paul? The one in Brooklyn Center doesn't carry Royal Oak. I know the one in St. Paul has carried in the past 

I go to the Brooklyn Center location. Some day I would like to see the St. Paul store. The BC location has RO red bags 20 lbs but I can get the RO 8.8 lb for $5.00. That is cheaper than RD red bags. Today I paid $5.77/ bag at Menards. I ran out and will stop in at Menards watching for their $5.00/ bag sale and grab 60 bags.

bigguy136

mEGG_My_Day said:

Please let us know your thoughts on the RD brisket after you smoke it.  I haven’t cooked one from there yet. 

Oh - and nice haul! 

I typically get large choice brisket packers from a butcher shop. My last brisket from the butcher was a 14.5 lbs and I trimmed 62 oz of fat. After that, I was either getting a Costco or RD membership.

I got my RD membership and picked up a choice Superior Angus 15 lb brisket. They had regular choice brisket ($3.29/ lb) and superior angus ($3.54/ lb). I put it on Christmas morning with my same set-up. My family was blown away at how much better this one was than my other briskets. It was crazy good.

thetrim

The good - Everything.  


The bad - Nothing.  


There is no more.  

hoosier_egger

There is an RD in Indy but the reviews via Google are terrible. Half rotten veg, terrible customer service etc... It's the only one nearby 

SWMBO has 501c3 status so I may join and go see for myself 

bigguy136

ColtsFan said:

There is an RD in Indy but the reviews via Google are terrible. Half rotten veg, terrible customer service etc... It's the only one nearby 

SWMBO has 501c3 status so I may join and go see for myself 

Membership is free.

It's nothing like a regular grocery store. There were whole goats (less hide, guts and head) inside a cloth bag with 1 end open laying on the floor. There were bags of meat that have been handled causing a tear and that liquid puddle on the floor. Not many speak English. I'm going for the meat and not the fluff.

I have a side business in design work. I went there and they wanted proof of resale, tax use license, a business selling food, food truck, anything. I told them I develop and sell recipes and I don't resell the food. A few funny looks and I had 2 membership cards in my hand.

Check it out.

Matt86m

Trying to find an 'in' to join. One close to home.

nolaegghead

KCBS membership used to get you in.  Find a friend who's a member and get a card from them.  that's my in.

CTMike

nolaegghead said:

KCBS membership used to get you in.  

Still does. 

nolaegghead

CTMike said:

nolaegghead said:

KCBS membership used to get you in.  

Still does. 

Wasn't sure, good to know, Mike.

CTMike

nolaegghead said:

CTMike said:

nolaegghead said:

KCBS membership used to get you in.  

Still does. 

Wasn't sure, good to know, Mike.

It is a national corporate policy. Bring this with you:

OhioEgger

I use my KCBS card to get in RD at least a few times a year. It's a really interesting place to shop.

GregW

The RD located in Birmingham AL is a pretty low end place, very dirty and run down. The only good thing about it is it's free to shop there. No membership required for anyone.

Sea2Ski

I have been to the one in Wilmington DE a few times. No great shakes, not the most organized, but definitely far from intolerable. 
Yesterday went to the one In Philly which is right by the stadiums. What a difference!  Super clean, easily 3 times bigger and a much much much larger variety of merchandise, especially when it came to the non-perishable and seasonings.  The meat was very similar for the larger cuts, but the fish section was 2x bigger and the lunch meat/cheese sections were much larger that the Wilmington location. One thing I noticed in the Philly location, you could buy rabbits either by the case or individually. Not in DE. Just happened to notice them. 

Next time I go, it will be to Philly again unless I am driving by the DE location and I need something I know they have. 

BigGreenKev

The Brooklyn Park one is one of the few in the country that doesn't require a membership.  I know the new manager of that location.  I would expect it to take some time but you will see the appearance and staff quality going up over time knowing him.