Penzeys Spices

The gals who were at the store we very helpful and able to answer all my questions. I was able to buy two spices that it is difficult to find in the grocer.

Love this store since I was a kid in Wisconsin shopping with my grandma. Very friendly staff & amazing cooking ideas all over store & online. The kids coloring space I always enjoy seeing the upcoming artists. Be sure you get on the email list for monthly coupons of your favorite spices. Fantastic place in downtown Arvada. However they are opening new places all the time, Boulder & I think Littleton CO last year.

I love their roasted garlic, shallot salt, and Fox Point Seasoning. I haven’t tried much else but I love that the last time I went in the lady guessed that I’m a Fox Point addict (guilty as charged). The customer service has been great when I’ve gone, I don’t really like being bothered, I prefer to browse on my own. I maybe get asked if I need help once (if that) per trip. I don’t mind. I can’t wait to try some of their dressing mixes and hot chocolate!

I arrived at 5:40 the Tuesday before Christmas with the intention of buying a few gift boxes for 3 couples I wanted to give something unique. I was not acknowledged at all, although the gal who worked there looked at me several times. She was assisting a guy in picking out items, and I just walked around and looked at things waiting until she was done. Another gal came in and she was acknowledged right away. By the time the gal who worked there finished with checking out the guy, the other gal was in line to checkout so I again just waited for my turn. Finally the worker (owner???) came up to me, but all she said was «It’s 6:00 and we are closing, are you done?»
Really? I guess she did not want my business. I went to Kristos and spent $ 200 there instead, they were polite, friendly, and acknowledged me as soon as I walked in.

Have been a customer for a number of years and have introduced my friends and family to Penzeys Spices as well. I have always been told if I wasn’t happy with the product to bring it back. Well, today, for the first time, I took them up on the offer, with a rather disappointing result. The store clerk that later identified herself as the manager was clearly annoyed with me wanting to exchange 2 spices I didn’t like. I picked out replacements but was still needing to expend a few more dollars credit. It turned 6 pm as I was looking. I was immediately told that the store had closed and I needed to leave. Astounding! As my shopping was cut short, I still had $ 0.36 credit to expend. She snipped that she would just give it back to me in cash. Holy smokes, we are worrying about $.36? I asked if she was the owner as she was walking me to the door to let me out. She replied that she was the manager and bid me adieu. The product is fine. The service today was not. I’m no longer a customer.

Penzey’s is just the greatest! Not only do they have wonderful spices, but you can wander around the store, smell all the spices, and get recipe ideas as well. If you get their catalogs, you’ll get wonderful coupons.

I love cooking and I always leave old town arvada happy!

Despite this being a chain, I still liked it. I do have some spice shops I frequent in the Bay Area (Oaktown!), but this was a unique experience for me. I guess I like the idea that the company hails from the Midwest and isn’t something I could so readily get in CA (although they have a few locations in CA).
The store was HUGE, so well labeled, and nicely laid out. I love that there are smell jars for everything and suggestions for use on each description. I spent a while browsing and came away with the Maharajah curry powder, which seemed more unique and like something I couldn’t get elsewhere, a small bag of Dutch Processed Cocoa Powder, and a Zatar for my auntie. I wasn’t really going to waste my time with everyday cooking spices because I know I can get those easily elsewhere, so I opted for the more unique blends. Since the Zatar is a gift, I can’t say how it’s cooked, but the Maharajah turned some salmon into a beautiful gold color with a subtle and interesting flavor. The cocoa powder is also a gift, so I can’t speak to that either.
My dad’s friend grew up in Arvada and is a great cook knows of Penzey’s, but doesn’t think highly of them. She actually said she prefers spices from King Sooper’s or Walmart because Penzey’s is just overpriced. I might agree with the everyday spices (but I can’t really say because I haven’t tried them) but for more unique spice mixtures or harder to find spices, this place is a pretty solid bet.

I love this place SO much it hurts. Impossible to walk in and not buy something and their gift boxes make the perfect way to mark any special occasion, whether it be birthdays, Christmas, graduation, Tuesday, whatever!

My obligatory visit to Penzeys when we went to the Harvest Festival. But I had signed up for the catalogs, and I had a coupon that got me some taco spice I’m excited to try. Stocked up on the spices I love to use daily.

I got turned on to Penzey Spices about 10 years ago when my brother sent me a gift box for Christmas. I have exclusively used Penzey’s Spices ever since. Luckily, I have always lived near the brick and mortar stores to stock up, but they also have a great catalog business.
The store in Olde Town is convenient for me to run in and restock. You can purchase the gourmet herbs and spices in jars or bags (to refill jars). The bags are cheaper.
I love this place, and if you love to cook, you should love it too.

I love this place! My husband and I will go in here with something specific to replenish, and then end up sniffing so many amazing spices that we come home with way more little jars than we anticipated. The staff provided us with a really long list of salt-​free spices (I prefer these), and they have always been super friendly and helpful. Love having this little shop in Old Town Arvada!

Wow !
Absolutely LOVE this shop !!!

Just a delightful little spice shop in Olde Town Arvada. Go for the olfactory experience ;)
I get so bored with McCormicks & Mrs. Dash, but I get so confused trying to come up with what spices I should put on things. This place is so helpful for someone like me.
I walked in looking for a gift box of spices. Simple enough, right? Pick one that sounds good and snag it off the shelf. That is just not the way things are done here. They want to make sure you are getting exactly what you want. The lady that helped me showed me the gift boxes in my price range and pointed out what some of them are used for. Then, when I picked one, she walked me around the store and had me smell each type of spice I had picked and filled me in on what they could be used for. Awesome! I was getting the gift for someone else, but had to have some of the fish spice for myself.
I especially love that they have several specialty spices that are salt-​free! And, most of their gift boxes include suggested uses for the spices and even recipes, yay!
I shall never buy McCormicks or Mrs. Dash again! In fact, I may just bring my shopping list in here and let them tell me what I should have on what I am cooking, ha ha.

So my recent foray into gourmet cooking at home (yes cooking lessons so I can get my French on) gives me a renewed appreciation for quality spices.
And for high end spices, dear Unilocalians, Penzey’s is priceless. An astonishing array of outstanding spices, al with little tasting jars. Pure inspiration for that next dinner. Interesting mixes and educated spicologists to make suggetions about harmonoious choices.
Do I like Penzys? Um, I spent a pay check here, so yeah, I kinda like it.

The type of person that wanders into a spice shop, is usually also the person who has a heightened sense of smell and a good palate. If you can cook… if you are a good/​fantastic cook… you will like this shop. There jars big enough for you to put most of your face into so that you can fully smell each spice before you decide to buy it. I like that there are also suggestions about what spice compliments which food. Growing up in rural Minnesota, I wasn’t taught much beyond salt, pepper and garlic salt and cinnamon… so I am still learning about them. I picked up their catalog too. which also is full of fantastic looking recipes.
I would like to see more whole spices that I could grind myself. It makes me sad that people use spices that have been in their cupboard for 10 years… buy some fresh spices at Penzeys !!!

I have become obsessed with Penzeys. Walking into this store just makes you want to cook up a storm. I really enjoy the ladies that work at Penzeys as well, they are always so nice and heplful and never try to push sales on you.
I don’t think I have walked out of this place without a purchase, their extracts are amazing and the hot cocoa you can buy is just delicious and not overwhelmingly sweet. I also would recommend the arizona dreaming spice, it is delicious on meat as well as on salads.

This place smells like you are walking into a bazaar in the back streets of India! So amazing!
It’s worth a visit just for the ambient smells, but you’ll be amazed at what you can find.
A friend has been trying the various recipes which Penzey’s places near all the sections of spices, and EVERY ONE is a home run… seriously.
Doubts? Just try Penzey’s cinnamon instead of «Kroger Brand» and you’ll never go back to generic — that’s a promise!
HINT: Sign up for the monthly catalog and you get a free coupon every month for a free jar of spice… a great deal and a great way to discover Penzey’s. The right spices make a HUGE difference in your meals.
P. S. I love the little «faux kitchen» they built in the back… nice décor touch. This place feels like home right when you walk in the door!

One of my favorite stores. I’m like a big kid in a grown-​up candy store when I’m in Penzeys. Prices are the same or better than brand-​name spices in the grocery stores, and the quality is SO much better. Plus, you can smell EVERY single spice in the store to figure out which one is right for you.
Staff are knowledgeable and have frequently helped to steer me toward the right purchase for me. With so many types of curry, cinnamon, pepper, etc. it’s hard for the average cook to know what’s what… but that’s what they’re there for!
HIghlights?
Country french vinaigrette dressing spice mix. Buy it. Immediately. Forego the suggested red wine vinegar and use a good balsamic in the mix instead. HEAVEN.
Giant bottle of Mexican vanilla for less than $ 30. Can’t beat that.
Italian herb seasing– good, fresh, and you can get a lot of it for cheap!
The following spices from Penzey’s are in my cabinet right now, to give you an idea of how awesome they are:
Cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla sugar, Italian seasoning, herbes de Provence, cumin, alleppo red chili powder, Chicago steak seasoning, garam masala, Cajun seasoning, adobo, cocoa powder (dutch process, high fat), Chinese 5-​spice, pumpkin pie spice, allspice, poultry seasoning, coriander, Mexican vanilla, basil, oregano, cayanne, cinnamon sticks, cloves, cream of tartar, dill, rosemary, rocky Mountain seasoning, and I’m sure there are more I’m forgetting.
My next purchases will be some sort of chili seasonings and maybe some special Kosher salts! Oh, and seriously, I’ve never seen fresh vanilla beans as cheap as they are at Penzeys.

Why not take a nice afternoon and go strolling through Old Towne Arvada? You’ll encounter so many cool little shops. Penzey’s is just one of them. My friend Melissa made a big deal about taking a road trip up to Arvada to go shopping for spices at Penzeys. I sorta scrunched my nose up at her. Who the heck goes to that much trouble for spices? King Soopers has a fine selection. But once you get to Penzey’s you’ll get it. It’s calming and soothing and your brain will begin to light up depending on your childhood memories. Do memories of cinnamon & nutmeg make you smile? Do you find your happy place from strong, vivid spices? It’s all there and then some. You’ll encounter spices you’ve never heard of and really interesting blends that are all Penzey’s.
The staff are either helpful — directing you and giving you recommendations OR appropriately aloof, leaving you to browse. The first time I walked in the door, I started planning a series of dinner parties that I figured would get me a spot on the Food Channel as an up & coming talent. You get the picture. It’s a small price to pay to try a new spice that’s the real thing; or bring a new spice blend into your pantry. Buy a gift box for a friend (email me for my address).