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Restaurant Depot thoughts

I’m thinking of joining KCBS to get Restaurant Depot access.  I have two major motivations:

1.  RD is much closer to my house than Costco
2.  Supposedly they carry plate ribs, which can be challenging to find in this market.

For those who have shopped ad RD, what are your thoughts on the selection and quality of protein?  Do you have to purchase in large quantities?  Any other thoughts about RD?

Thanks
Memphis, TN 

LBGE, 2 SBGE, Hasty-Bake Gourmet

Comments

  • jeffwit
    jeffwit Posts: 1,348
    Selection is fantastic, at least in the Buford, GA store. I’ve been happy with the quality of the protein that I’ve cooked. The store has only been open a couple of months, so I haven’t cooked a ton, but I’m working on it. 
    Quantities are bigger, but not overwhelming. 
    Jefferson, GA
    XL BGE, MM, Things to flip meat over and stuff
    Wife, 3 kids, 5 dogs, 4 cats, 12 chickens, 2 goats, 2 pigs. 
    “Honey, we bought a farm.”
  • JethroVA
    JethroVA Posts: 1,251
    love RD but as jeffwitt says above quantities are big.  no problem if you have a a second frigde freezer set up.  I really like the fresh seafood.  It comes in fresh most days packed on ice.  love to be there watching them open the big styrofoam boxes.  
    Richmond and Mathews County, VA. Large BGE, Weber gas, little Weber charcoal. Vintage ManGrates. Little reddish portable kamado that shall remain nameless here.  Very Extremely Stable Genius. 
  • SSN686
    SSN686 Posts: 3,507
    Morning @mEGG_My_Day :

    I agree with @jeffwit...I've been using RD (Tampa) for a few years & have been very satisfied with the quality & variety (and PRICE) for everything I've gotten there...If you have a vacuum sealer the larger quantities aren't a problem at all...give them a try.

    Have a GREAT day!

       Jay

    Brandon, FL


     

  • Photo Egg
    Photo Egg Posts: 12,137
    Check out your local store before you make a decision. Selection varies tremendously from store to store.
    Thank you,
    Darian

    Galveston Texas
  • Kelso
    Kelso Posts: 79
    Photo Egg said:
    Check out your local store before you make a decision. Selection varies tremendously from store to store.
    How is our local Houston store as far as selection? Worth a membership?
    XL and a MM.  

    League City, Texas
  • Carolina Q
    Carolina Q Posts: 14,831
    Photo Egg said:
    Check out your local store before you make a decision. Selection varies tremendously from store to store.
    And dress warmly. You'll be spending time in a walk in refrigerator!

    I hate it when I go to the kitchen for food and all I find are ingredients!                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

    Michael 
    Central Connecticut 

  • blasting
    blasting Posts: 6,262

    Great protein selection.  I buy almost all my pork and beef there. Briskets come as singles (different grades offered), pork butts in a two pack.  This is where i get my wings from - in a 40lb box and then break it down to dozens.  RD is also a great source for a huge selection of aluminum foil sizes, cling wrap, and disposable drip pans.  The kitchen tools section at the front of the store is pretty good for some stuff.  I'm a fan, but in no way do they replace Costco for me.


    Phoenix 
  • Photo Egg
    Photo Egg Posts: 12,137
    Kelso said:
    Photo Egg said:
    Check out your local store before you make a decision. Selection varies tremendously from store to store.
    How is our local Houston store as far as selection? Worth a membership?
    Membership to RD is free if you have a tax ID # or some other affiliate.
    Location on west side near belt 8 is better than main Houston location.IMO
    Some locations have fresh seafood and meat counter. Ours do not. Both locations are very out if the way for me so I seldom shop there.
    Thank you,
    Darian

    Galveston Texas
  • blasting
    blasting Posts: 6,262

    Btw, they are anxious to give you a membership.  When I went in, the lady at the front asked if I had a business.  I replied yes, but that it had absolutely nothing to do with food service.  She didn't care - told me to go shop, and come back in 10 minutes for my membership card.  
    Phoenix 
  • mEGG_My_Day
    mEGG_My_Day Posts: 1,661
    Thanks all for your advice  - I do have a tax ID that has nothing to do with food service.  I think I’ll try that route first (and I’ll bring a fleece)
    Memphis, TN 

    LBGE, 2 SBGE, Hasty-Bake Gourmet
  • nolaegghead
    nolaegghead Posts: 42,109
    yeah, they don't care as long as you follow their lax rules
    ______________________________________________
    I love lamp..
  • kingsmoke
    kingsmoke Posts: 151
    Gordon Food Stores have no membership fees. Comparable to Restaurant Depot. 
    Grand Rapids , Mi
    LBGE -  28Blackstone - Saber grill
  • mEGG_My_Day
    mEGG_My_Day Posts: 1,661
    Just to follow up - I went to RD today.  I gave the attendant an IRS letter assigning a tax ID for a small company I’m envolved with.    I told her I don’t resell food, but I do company picknicks and cookouts.  She didn’t blink twice.  I filled out a one page app, and she gave me a card.  I do have to pay sales tax, which I should in this circumstance.
    Memphis, TN 

    LBGE, 2 SBGE, Hasty-Bake Gourmet
  • nolan8v
    nolan8v Posts: 400
    edited September 2018
    What has been the cost per pound for these plate ribs at RD? My local butcher  quoted me $12.99 per pound for the 8 - 10" bones (unopened & untrimmed). I don't know if this is high, low or normal.
    "You can live in any city in America, but New Orleans is the only city that lives in you."
    Chris Rose 

  • nolan8v said:
    What has been the cost per pound for these plate ribs at RD? My local butcher  quoted me $12.99 per pound for the 8 - 10" bones (unopened & untrimmed). I don't know if this is high, low or normal.
    That is Very high. You are in SRF territory at $13lb. $4-$5 seems to be the number for good ones down here. 
    Keepin' It Weird in The ATX FBTX
  • I've been very happy with the RD in Jacksonville, FL. Just renewed my KCBS membership so that I can get back into RD. I have a consulting business but I am not in the food industry so I pay taxes on my purchases.  I've bough knives, pans, butcher paper, spices  and some other items but the large quantities on some when bought by the case keep me from buying.

    Meat has been good. Especially the pork butts.
    Marshall in Beautiful Fruit Cove, FL.
    MiniMax 04/17
    Unofficial BGE MiniMax Evangelist
    Facebook Big Green Egg MiniMax Owners Group


  • blasting
    blasting Posts: 6,262
    Just renewed my KCBS membership so that I can get back into RD. I have a consulting business but I am not in the food industry so I pay taxes on my purchases.  

    My business has nothing to do with the food industry either.  I was very upfront about this, and they had no problem issuing me a membership.  I also pay taxes on my purchases and do at RD as well.  fyi

    Phoenix 
  • GregW
    GregW Posts: 2,678
    For anyone in the Birmingham AL area, RD is free.........no membership required.
    With that being said, don't expect a really nice store, it's a little rundown.
  • blasting said:
    Just renewed my KCBS membership so that I can get back into RD. I have a consulting business but I am not in the food industry so I pay taxes on my purchases.  

    My business has nothing to do with the food industry either.  I was very upfront about this, and they had no problem issuing me a membership.  I also pay taxes on my purchases and do at RD as well.  fyi

    I wish I had known that earlier this week. I would have tried it and maybe saved myself $40.
    Marshall in Beautiful Fruit Cove, FL.
    MiniMax 04/17
    Unofficial BGE MiniMax Evangelist
    Facebook Big Green Egg MiniMax Owners Group


  • RedSkip
    RedSkip Posts: 1,400
    @nolan8v  RD near me was $4.98/#.  It came in a four pack vacuum sealed.  I paid around $80 for the 16# meaty delight.


    Large BGE - McDonald, PA