Thanks. Yes, I have heard good things about Forschner.

Amazon is currently selling a 3pc Victorinox Fibrox (paring, slicing, chef's) for $43 with free shipping....

I will still definitely swing by NW before making any purchases, though.

This Saturday I am hoping to do dim sum and restaurant supply shopping (except for knives, which I have already bought at NW...very cool) in one fell swoop.

Any other serious supply stores I should check out besides Woks n' Things? Keeping in mind I am not in the service industry, lacking any sort of ID card that cooks and the like generally have...


Thanks!

It looks like Edward Don is no longer open to the public.

I also saw on their website that Northwest Cutlery sells Vollrath pans...the 3-ply Tribute line is a bit pricey (similar to All-Clad), but their lower-end carbon steel (metal handle & no nonstick coating, compatible with induction cooktops & safe under the broiler, requires seasoning) and aluminum (nonstick coating & silicone handles, safe in the oven up to 450 degrees) pans are really cheap, and quite heavy duty.

I bought my pans (Vollrath aluminum w/ nonstick coating) online from Jean's Restaurant Supply, for about the same price as Northwest Cutlery. Jean's also sells knives, pots, gadgets, plus commercial stoves, shelving, etc. My pans are going strong after 3 years of abuse - since they were so cheap (compared to Calphalon, All-Clad, etc.), we beat the hell out of them, and except for a few scratches in the coating, they're still good as new.

Edited to update that Don doesn't seem to do walk-in retail anymore.

Khaopaat wrote:It looks like Edward Don's Chicagoland store has moved out to the west suburbs:

Edward Don & Company
2500 S. Harlem Avenue
North Riverside, Illinois 60546

I feel like I've tried to go to that location before, and it was administrative offices/warehouses, with nothing open to the public. Has that changed?

gleam wrote:I feel like I've tried to go to that location before, and it was administrative offices/warehouses, with nothing open to the public. Has that changed?

I applied a bit of reading comprehension when rechecking their "About Us" page, and I think you're right. They only mention phone, web, fax or via a sales representative (and ordering online requires calling them to get credit approval). Guess they're out of the public retail sales business.

I updated my previous post with this info.

Am I reading this right?

Jean's sells flatware (the last model on the list) for about $4 per THREE DOZEN?

DClose wrote:Am I reading this right?

Jean's sells flatware (the last model on the list) for about $4 per THREE DOZEN?

I see that the Windsor dinner fork (last model on the second page) is $3.38 for 2 dozen.

And yeah, I think that's right, because the trendier (and likely heavier) forged Vogue dinner fork costs $50.75 for 1 dozen.

So I'm assuming the ridiculously-cheap Windsor forks are those really flimsy ones they have in hole-in-the-wall diners...you know, the ones that drunken Einsteins bend into U-shapes at 4am

Khaopaat wrote:

DClose wrote:Am I reading this right?

Jean's sells flatware (the last model on the list) for about $4 per THREE DOZEN?

I see that the Windsor dinner fork (last model on the second page) is $3.38 for 2 dozen.

And yeah, I think that's right, because the trendier (and likely heavier) forged Vogue dinner fork costs $50.75 for 1 dozen.

So I'm assuming the ridiculously-cheap Windsor forks are those really flimsy ones they have in hole-in-the-wall diners...you know, the ones that drunken Einsteins bend into U-shapes at 4am

I've purchased the Windsor forks from the Web Restaurant Store for $4.99/36 forks. I've also purchased them at Gold Brothers on Madison for a similarly good price. These are cheap and bendable. In our office, we provide real dishes and flatware in our break rooms rather than disposable. Given that many people throw the flatware out anyway, I don't want to spend much on it.

Gold Brothers
1140 W Madison St
Chicago, IL 60607
http://www.goldprochef.com
(312) 666-1520

We tried to recreate jpeac2's trip to Northwestern Cutlery and Herzog's today, but were only halfway successful. We didn't make it to Northwestern until after 2pm, which is when they close on Saturdays (good thing we didn't try on Sunday since they never open on Sunday). Luckily we made it to Herzog's before 4pm, when they close. We got good deals on a candy thermometer, a scoop, some squeeze bottles, and one of those tools you use to take things out of hot oil. We were also tempted by the syrup dispensers and the pizza peels. Also, we were hoping to pick up some plain pint glasses, but they were out of them. I should note that the man who helped us was exceedingly friendly. I think they may not get too many people spending only $21.77 because our change from $22 was one of the one dollar bills I had just handed him.

On a short walk west we passed three other restaurant supply stores (including Gold Brothers, which was mentioned above), though some of them may have been exclusively equipment supply stores that don't sell pots, pans, bowls, etc. I don't know since none of them were open! Moral of the story: restaurant people don't shop on the weekends.

Where can one buy a crumber in this town? Preferably up north, and not online.

Pie Lady wrote:Where can one buy a crumber in this town? Preferably up north, and not online.

Northwestern Cutlery has them (I was just there getting my knives sharpened and saw them).

Is there any place that sells Don's plastic wrap to the public? That stuff was the shiznit. I am desperate, as I'm clean out and have to use Equaline now.

Don, why did you close your Elston store!? (Violent fist shaking)

Pie Lady wrote:Is there any place that sells Don's plastic wrap to the public? That stuff was the shiznit. I am desperate, as I'm clean out and have to use Equaline now.

Don, why did you close your Elston store!? (Violent fist shaking)

I'd have to imagine that restaurant supply stores that are open to the public will have an equivalent plastic wrap. Others will likely know better.

Pie Lady wrote:Is there any place that sells Don's plastic wrap to the public? That stuff was the shiznit. I am desperate, as I'm clean out and have to use Equaline now.

Waiting to see what the GFS Marketplace that's being built in the Golf Mill parking lot carries as far as supplies.

Pie Lady wrote:Is there any place that sells Don's plastic wrap to the public? That stuff was the shiznit. I am desperate, as I'm clean out and have to use Equaline now.

Don, why did you close your Elston store!? (Violent fist shaking)

Pie Lady,

I've also noticed that the Edward Don plastic wrap is of a thicker grade.

Evil

Pie Lady wrote:Is there any place that sells Don's plastic wrap to the public? That stuff was the shiznit. I am desperate, as I'm clean out and have to use Equaline now.

Don, why did you close your Elston store!? (Violent fist shaking)

Though the exterior looks like crap, Krasny & Co. (2829 N Clybourn Ave.) has a good bit of stuff. I'd call first ((773) 477-5504).

Don, why did you close your Elston store!? (Violent fist shaking)

Ahhh, Pie Lady, I feel your pain. I loved that place. All manner of stuff, including tons of canning supplies for cheap, complete line of Chefwear pro unis and such. *sigh*

Anyway, check this out - it ran in the Food section of yesterday's Sun-Times. Good timing!

sundevilpeg wrote:

Don, why did you close your Elston store!? (Violent fist shaking)

Ahhh, Pie Lady, I feel your pain. I loved that place. All manner of stuff, including tons of canning supplies for cheap, complete line of Chefwear pro unis and such. *sigh*

Anyway, check this out - it ran in the Food section of yesterday's Sun-Times. Good timing!

Neat article. Thanks for sending!

I got in Alliance at 1:59 last Friday when they were about to close. I was too hot and lazy to go looking for Don so I picked up an 18x2000 roll of wrap from a brand that starts with A for about $16.50. Pretty sweet. I like it as much as Don, I think, but in another 5 years when I run out, I may have to do a wrap-test.

I gather the answer to what I'm about to ask is Northwest Cutlery but just checking - my daughter is new to Chicago, working the line at one of our better joints and needs to get a decent mandoline - is NW Cutlery where she should shop or are there any other spots local chefs frequent?

Thanks!

Siun wrote:I gather the answer to what I'm about to ask is Northwest Cutlery but just checking - my daughter is new to Chicago, working the line at one of our better joints and needs to get a decent mandoline - is NW Cutlery where she should shop or are there any other spots local chefs frequent?

Thanks!

Obviously, NW Cutlery is a good place to go, but I just replaced my mandolin with an OXO Goodgrips V-Blade model (CI test winner) at Bed, Bath & Beyond using one of their ubiquitous discount coupons. Unless she needs a high end du Beyer, I'd consider going that route.

Siun wrote:I gather the answer to what I'm about to ask is Northwest Cutlery but just checking - my daughter is new to Chicago, working the line at one of our better joints and needs to get a decent mandoline - is NW Cutlery where she should shop or are there any other spots local chefs frequent?

Thanks!

I just bought my second Benriner Japanese Mandolin at Joong Boo for $22.95. They are cheap, sharp, and easy to clean. I had my first one for about three years, which I used very often at my cooking job. The only reason I had to replace it is because one of the plastic knobs that holds the cross cut attachments broke off from being banged around. All said, I got great mileage out of it for the price. Northwest Cutlery might have these too, but knowing Joong Boo, I'll wager they offer the best price in town.

Joong Boo
3333 N Kimball Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 478-5566

Wow - thank! she was definitely looking for Benriner so this is perfect.

Just wanted to mention that Lippert in South Holland is closed. I found this out when I went on my annual trip to get aluminum carry-out pans for the challahs I bake and give away each year around Rosh Hashana. Fortunately, I was able to find the same pans at GFS, but I will miss all the other items I would pick up there from time to time.

Suzy

Since Edw Don is gone, I wondered if anyone knew a good downtown or N/NW side place to go for some ceramic escargot dishes. I only need 4, so a case isn't an option for me. I wanted to make some escargot with puff pastry coins on top. I have the shallow aluminum dishes & shells, but thought the puff pastry would be nice. over a Bourguignonne. I have 1 small mini muffin tin(12) that I suppose would work, but thought the 4 indiv. ceramic thingies would be nicer & easier. thanks!

Louisev1 wrote:Since Edw Don is gone, I wondered if anyone knew a good downtown or N/NW side place to go for some ceramic escargot dishes. I only need 4, so a case isn't an option for me. I wanted to make some escargot with puff pastry coins on top. I have the shallow aluminum dishes & shells, but thought the puff pastry would be nice. over a Bourguignonne. I have 1 small mini muffin tin(12) that I suppose would work, but thought the 4 indiv. ceramic thingies would be nicer & easier. thanks!

Once again, GNR Northwestern Cutlery has what you need. Someplace like Sur la Table is another source.

LuvstoEat wrote:Waiting to see what the GFS Marketplace that's being built in the Golf Mill parking lot carries as far as supplies.

oh, that's a good idea, a GFS is 100' from where I work in Schaumburg, I've been in GFS to buy some burgers/dogs prior to a company cookout but didn't look through the supply area.

thaiobsessed wrote:Northwestern Cutlery has them (I was just there getting my knives sharpened and saw them).

Does Northwestern Cutlery sharpen while you wait?

Sweet Willie wrote:Does Northwestern Cutlery sharpen while you wait?

Yes, unless they are completely swamped. I've never been denied sharpening while I wait, but I've seen it happen on one occasion to someone else.

I've only been on Saturdays but, yes every time I've gone they've sharpened my knives on the spot.

Looking for cambros in a variety of sizes (12-24qt), and I don't remember NW Cutlery having a great selection--though could be wrong, so please refresh my memory if not. Amazon's prices strike me as steep.

Is Herzog the best bet in the city? Other ideas? Thanks.