10 Restaurant Supply Stores Regular Shoppers Can Actually Use

Have you ever wished that you could shop where the real chefs shop? Snag that amazing-looking pan set or knives that you've glimpsed the chefs using at your favorite open-kitchen-concept restaurant? Or maybe you want to get your hands on some deli containers, or you want to stock up on some staples like flour, rice, cheese, or condiments in bulk.

You probably assume that you're simply out of luck, unless you want to open up your own food-related business, but that's actually not the case at all. While it's not true for every restaurant supply store, some are indeed open to the public, with no need for you to have a membership attached to a business, or even a membership at all. 

We're looking at 10 such stores with locations around the country, and breaking down why you should go there and what you can expect to buy. We're also looking at how the experiences compare to if you just rolled up to your neighborhood Costco or Sam's Club, and any catches or downsides you'll need to look out for during your shopping trip.

With five locations in California, Colorado, and Nevada (and purchases available online), Cresco Resco has been selling restaurant equipment and supplies for more than four decades. Its stores are open to the public, with no need for a business license (though the chains' customers do include household brand names like Starbucks, Chipotle, and Domino's). 

Here, you can buy everything from knives and cutting boards to cookware and whisks, scales and oven mitts to cast iron. Want your very own popcorn machine, hot dog roller, or cotton candy machine? They've got it. However, Cresco Resco does not sell food, so if that's not what you're looking for, you may want to explore your other options.

Still, if it's high-quality, expert-level cookware you're after, the reviews are positive, with many particularly pointing out the company's high level of customer care. Customers report happily buying mugs, bowls, salt and pepper mills (in case you've ever been tempted to steal a set from a restaurant), and flatware.

How are the prices, though? Well, let's say you want to buy some of that flatware. You can get a set of a dozen stainless steel dinner forks for $9.58. At Sam's Club, you can get a set of 36 stainless steel dinner forks for $7.74. That said, the positive reviews for the Sam's Club forks are mostly praising how cheap they are, noting that they're lightweight and rough cut.

Don't make the mistake of confusing Cresco Resco and Resco Food Service, because the two are absolutely not one and the same. While Resco Food Service does only have one location, in the City of Industry, California, (which is a bit of a downside, particularly when you're comparing it to the other stores on this list) that hasn't stopped Resco Food Service from gaining popularity among social media influencers and foodies.

Opened in January 2024, it's become known as California's "Asian Costco" – and once you check out the reviews and photos, it's easy to see why that's the case. Just like a Costco or Sam's Club, the store is filled with bulk products at wholesale prices, but these are products sourced from all around Asia that you'd never be able to buy at your standard bulk store. In addition to the snacks and grocery items, you can also find kitchenware and fresh produce and meat.

While this store is open to the public and there's technically no need for membership to shop there (unlike Costco or Sam's Club), memberships are available and they come with some extra perks. Available for individuals and businesses, at a cost of $30 and $35 per year, respectively, benefits include lower prices in some instances, early access to promotions, product samples, and cash back rewards.

US Foods is one of the biggest restaurant food distributors in the country, so you've likely seen the company's trucks cruising down the highway or even parked up outside a nearby restaurant. US Foods doesn't only deliver, though. The US Foods Chef'Store is where not just those who work at restaurants, but also the general public, can go in person to browse and buy wholesale food and culinary equipment (no membership required). Better yet, because of US Foods' substantial reach, you can find these stores all over the country, with locations in more than a dozen states.

The range of items on offer is truly impressive here. Dairy, produce, beverages from your favorite brands, refrigerated and frozen apps and entrees, cleaning items — the list goes on and on. Some of shoppers' favorite items include coffee syrups, seasonings and sauces, meats, and produce. 

But how do the prices compare to what you'd get at Sam's Club or Costco? Well, let's say you want to buy a bulk case of Red Bull; for a case of 24, 8.4-ounce cans, you'll pay $41.99. At Sam's Club, the same is $42.48. However, before you think that the price difference isn't dramatic enough to sway you to one store or the other, keep in mind that Sam's Club does require you to pay that annual membership fee to buy even a single item — and that'll cost you at least $60.

Restaurant Depot boasts 170 locations around the country, with future planned locations in the pipeline. While there are some broad swathes of the United States throughout the plains and West that have no locations of their own, most of the rest of the country should have a store within the state or driving distance. (Before you head out on a road trip, though, make sure to check your chosen store's opening hours — they can be limited on the weekend, closing in the mid-afternoon.)

Additionally, it might be worth it to call ahead to ask about getting in without a membership. Technically, Restaurant Depot primarily caters to its business-owner members. However, some locations do offer day passes to the public, with some restrictions. Namely, you may not be able to buy alcohol or seafood, and you might have to pay with cash or debit only. 

Still, if you can get in, some of the fan-favorite deals include certain cuts of meat (like wings or brisket), produce, and pantry staples like baking ingredients. Don't forget to check out the kitchen equipment while you're there, too. As for how Restaurant Depot stacks up against Sam's Club or Costco, shoppers report that prices can be either higher or lower at any of these stores, just depending on what you're shopping for, but generally Restaurant Depot is going to sell items in the largest quantities (which may be a pro or con, depending on your needs).

Taken a gander at some of the other restaurant supply stores on this list and realized that there aren't really any physical locations that you can easily get to? Start browsing the online commercial food service marketplace that is WebstaurantStore, open to everyone. From big restaurant equipment to basic items like cookware and utensils, to food and beverage across tons of categories, you'll find it all. 

However, for its convenience, WebstaurantStore isn't perfect. Customers note that you do typically need to buy items in amounts too large for the typical shopper, shipping can take a while and be very expensive, and customer service is less than great.

Let's look at a few price comparisons. At WebstaurantStore you can buy a 6.6-lb. tub of Nutella for $39.49, which works out to approximately $5.98 per pound/37 cents per ounce. At Costco, you can purchase a two-pack of 33.5-ounce jars of Nutella (so a total of a little over 4 pounds of the spread) for $18.99, or 28 cents per ounce.

Or, let's say you really just want to buy some takeout containers. Both stores offer 38-ounce, black, rectangular, microwave-safe takeout containers, just like you'd get with your typical Chinese takeaway. WebstaurantStore charges $35.49 for a case of 150, while Costco sells a pack of 35 for $19.49. As such, before choosing to shop at WebstaurantStore, compare prices for the individual items you want — and also be sure to check how much that price might increase with shipping.

The Restaurant Store has been around for quite a while, opening in the early 1990s, and now has locations across the East, as well as an online presence. Wares range from the big (fridges, ovens, food displays) to the small (flatware, cookware, food and beverage), and a store account is free and available to the public. 

One thing to note is that the store's return policy isn't exactly forgiving. While you can get a return credit if you return an item after 30 days and it's still in the original packaging, you have to pay the cost of the return shipping, your original shipping costs will not be returned, and you'll be charged a restocking fee that's deducted from the return credit.

Additionally, it's worth pointing out that both WebstaurantStore and The Restaurant Store are owned by the same parent company: Clark Associates Inc, something that shoppers have realized as they notice the very similar deals, products, and even websites. As such, you may notice similar issues across both stores. Still, if it's an in-person shopping experience that you want, and you live close to one of The Restaurant Store's East Coast or Mid-Atlantic locations, it wouldn't hurt to check it out.

Gordon Food Service has more than a hundred locations, primarily in the Midwest and South. The store is open to the public, no membership fees required, but there is also a free rewards program for businesses and organizations.

Compared to Sam's Club and Costco, shoppers report that Gordon Food Service's deals might not be as great, but the stores do come out with some occasional discounts and special promotions that are impressive. For example, one recent promotional deal was $2.99 for a tray of 30 eggs (compared to $8.94 for 60 at Sam's Club). It is, however, just a matter of luck as to whether or not you can find those deals. 

Some of shoppers' favorite items include the beef, frozen chicken tenders, meatballs, flour, and produce (which some find is fresher than what they might get elsewhere, due to the high turnover). The bulk sizes are a bit bigger than what you'd get at an individual consumer-focused store, but if you don't mind breaking down some items into smaller portions, like meat for freezing, that shouldn't be a deterrent.

Ace Mart Restaurant Supply is more regional, with just under 20 stores in Texas and Oklahoma (plus online ordering available). Open to everyone, and dedicated to low prices, this store sells a wide range of products, including cookware, equipment, concessions equipment, chef apparel, etc. — but no actual food. Still, that doesn't stop regional home chefs for loving all of the industry-level equipment that they can find here.

Shoppers appreciate the range of kitchen gadgets and the various basics you can buy whenever you just need another random whisk or serving platter. Many also mention that it's a good spot to stock up on items before an event or the holidays, such as cups or napkins, without the need for an actual membership, like what you'd have to pay for at Sam's Club or Costco. 

Items aren't exclusively sold in unmanageable bulk sizes, either. For instance, if you just want 50 napkins, you can just get 50 napkins, but you can also get 500, if that's what you need.

With nine stores in the western United States, Standard Restaurant Supply is open to all and offers a wide range of cookware (cast iron to woks, cutlery to pizza pans), disposable items, and food and beverage basics like flavor concentrates, sauces, bar mixes, and baking mixes.

The food selection isn't as robust as what you would find at some of the other stores on this list, but then, the food isn't the star of the show here. Instead, what shoppers seem to like most about Standard Restaurant Supply is all in the name — the supplies. They report that the warehouses are huge and filled with racks of all the various cooking equipment. It's nothing fancy, but there's a ton of selection and shoppers find the prices reasonable and mention that you can come in and just buy an item or two — there's no need to buy your kitchenware or coffee syrups in bulk.

Shamrock Foodservice Warehouse has 16 locations throughout the western United States. There's definitely a big focus on the food with this brand, with the store offering a wide array of fresh meats, produce, frozen foods, dairy, bakery items, dry goods, and more. Of course, the typical wholesale restaurant supplies is available, too, such as paper products, chef-approved glassware, and dinnerware — but this might not be the store for you if you specifically want to peruse a seemingly endless display of sheet pans or ladles.

Compared to a bulk store like Costco or Sam's Club, these stores are smaller, but shoppers still find lots to love, with favorite items including the food storage containers, coffee syrups, bulk dry goods (think flour and rice), and frozen foods. Not everything is sold exclusively in bulk, either. You might be able to pick up a 16-ounce box of Barilla elbow macaroni on sale for 50 cents, for example, or a 24-ounce jar of Ragu pasta sauce on sale for $1. But, if you want something in bulk, that's obviously an option as well — like if you suddenly have a hankering for a bag of 70 potatoes, which you can get for the cool price of $29.99.