Best Restaurant Supply Houses In Denver

Well before warehouse stores were invented, many restaurant supply houses were accessible to the public. These large, crammed-full-of-kitchen-treasures warehouses are where in-the-know home cooks buy commercial-grade cookware, mixing bowls, chef's knives, smallwares, gadgets, small (or not-so-small) appliances and more. Their allure is good products at good prices and knowledgeable salespeople, but no pretty store windows or enticing tabletop displays. Plus owning your own crockery, glassware, flatware and serving pieces means less disposable goods that end up in landfills. Here are some that we promise won't intimidate.

Cresco Restaurant Supply

751 Billings St.
Aurora, CO 80011
(303) 343-3333
restaurantequipment.com
Massive buying power plus personal service equals Cresco, one of six brick-and-mortar stores operated by Resco/Cresco, one of the largest independent restaurant supply companies in the western United States. Staffers are friendly and attentive, but not pushy. Feel free to roam the aisles stocked with everything from a commercial popcorn popper to seasoned cast iron cookware for a fraction of retail price. Restaurateurs can find utilitarian items such stainless steel champagne buckets, stock pots, mammoth cutting boards and wire shelving. Home cooks will be dazzled by the abundant tchotchkes they didn't even know they needed – a hamburger press, carrot curler, or seafood scissors – but now must have. In fact we dare you to stop by and leave without some new culinary "find."

Denver Cutlery

1607 W. 55th Ave., Denver, CO 80221
(303) 433-6010
denvercutlery.com
"Cutlery" doesn't begin to describe the scope of this 40-year-old restaurant supply company, which shows a staggering inventory in 40,000 square feet of showroom space. The selection of pots and pans in various shapes and sizes is staggering. You'll find headhunter-sized stock pots and ones more realistic for personal use. This is a great place to stock up on no-nonsense items for the kitchen at hard-to-beat prices. Prices are the same for the home cook who comes in for a gadget or two as for the restaurant owner buying in bulk. For anyone designing a new kitchen, Denver Cutlery can supply a custom cutting board in any color or size. They carry sturdy metal shelving, suitable for a pantry, office or basement storage. They also have a knife sharpening service.

The Restaurant Source

5005 Washington St.
Denver, CO 80216
(303) 296-1684
restaurantsource.com
The Restaurant Source was started in 1951 and positions itself as a price-sensitive operation that discounts its extensive inventory of more than 8,000 food-service products. Much of the colorful glassware (goblets, tumblers, coffee mugs and the like) will go far in filling out a home kitchen. If you do like the convenience of disposable items, check out their selection of items that are made from recycled materials or are biodegradable, including service items made from bamboo, recycled glass pieces and biodegradable flatware. You have to buy the flatware in fairly large quantities, but if your has a throw-away habit or are the designated shopper for a company party, a school event, fundraising event or other function, you'll go through 1,000 pieces quickly. In addition to kitchenware and tabletop items, The Restaurant Source carries patio furniture and bar supplies.