Penzey’s Spices

If you are a lover of cooking and food in general this is the place you need to try. They have spices and herbs from A-​Z. Everything you’re looking for and then some.
They even have sample jars in from of each selection for you to see and smell before buying. I have tried several new spices just from the sample jars alone.
Also If you sign up for their catalog they send you a coupon for a free spice. You cant beat that!

My grandfather always swore by Penzeys Spices and I saw the joy that they brought to him, so when I moved from home after college I stocked my spice cabinet with nothing but! Fortunately I’ve lived in major cities to be close to a brick & mortar Penzeys, but once you’ve found a favorite you can order online (most times they have a shipping deal). The Kenny Road location is close to me but with their limited evening hours, I can only ever make it on the weekend (which is fine by me!) The store is a foodies’ haven! Herbs, upon spices, upon blends, oh my! And free recipe cards! The ladies who work there are helpful if you need assistance, but not aggressive in their sales pitch. For spices and herbs I use regularly, I buy the plastic bags and refill the glass jars as it is a much better value. I date the bottle or bag with a sharpie when purchased, and although Penzeys recommends to replace their product after 6 months, I can attest that the shelf life is much, much longer! Products I can’t live without include Buttermilk Ranch Dressing mix, Black & Red (Black Pepper + Cayenne), Mural of Flavor (salt-​free herb mix) and my most recent discovery Fox Point (an oniony mix I like to sprinkle on popcorn!)

Absolutely love this place! There are so many not just regular spices but spice blends and ways to customize gifts. You can smell all of the spices which can be soothing or a kick in the sniffer depending on what you’ve popped the lid on. One of my all time favorite spices now is berbere which is a cayenne (spicy) and fenugreek (maple) blend and I use it on everything. I never would’ve found it if not for Penzey’s!

How have I not reviewed Penzey’s? My mom turned me on to this place many years ago and told me not to buy spices at the grocery because you don’t know how fresh they are. Penzey’s is a very cool store with so many selections and so much to look at that you have to take time to browse. I keep a list of what I need so I don’t forget anything when I stop in.
If you are on their mailing list (sign up by the register) you get their catalog in the mail that includes a coupon for a freebie (mug or a spice jar) and recipes.

When I first moved here over ten years ago I was intrigued by this spice store which I passed on my way to work. A whole store? Of spices? Really? I finally stopped by one day and was so glad I did. There were shelves and shelves of spices, herbs, salts, and extracts. Some I had heard of. Some I didn’t.
For each spice, herb, etc. there is a written description along with a glass jar containing that item. This allows you to open the jar to view and smell the item. (I have purchased many unknown spices from Penzey’s based on the smell alone.)
The first time I visited Penzey’s I wanted to buy everything in the store. Instead I wisely purchased only what I needed along with one new item. That has been my habit ever since. Every time I go, I try something I have never had.
I have also taken various friends and co-​workers to Penzey’s. Every person I have taken absolutely loves it and soon becomes a regular shopper.
I highly recommend getting on their mailing list either off their website or at the store. At least quarterly, I receive an offer for a free spice or herb. Sometimes you will need to make a $ 5 or $ 10 purchase. Other times, it is completely free.
Enjoy!

I really like this place and I find myself using the spices purchased here more and more.
We were introduced to Penzey’s by our realtor and told it was a must visit store. After about a month here, we finally found it and have been going back about once a month since.
I’ve slowly been expanding the types of spices we’re buying, both as replacements and as new adds. My current favorites are the mixed spices from Paris and Italy, both add a ton of flavor to old dishes, like mashed potatoes or scrambled eggs.
I do recommend you go online and sign up to receive their newsletter, as you will then start getting offers for free product. Yesterday we received a free jar of black pepper with a $ 10.00 purchase, which made the visit worthwhile!
The store is easy to find, smells great once you get inside and the staff is always eager to help!

Love this place! I’ve got almost every blend they carry and most of the single herbs and spices. I also go and buy duplicates and things I don’t need because of their gorgeous associate (Ange).

Penzey’s is wonderful for those who enjoy cooking or baking! They have a wonderful selection of not only spices, but also a variety of blends, gift boxes, and even several hot chocolate mixes. The quality is good, and they carry a lot of spices that are difficult to find in grocery stores. For most items, there are even multiple options to consider, like a good half dozen different types of cinnamon (and do you want it ground or as sticks? Those are options too).
There are also multiple size options, from ¼ cup jars to 16 oz bags, which is so helpful if you are tentatively trying out a new recipe that uses a spice you’re not sure you’ll use again, as you can get just the small jar.
The gift sets are really nice, ranging from 4 mini jars to large crates packed full of goodies. It’s also neat that they cover a wide variety of interest — kitchen basics, salad, baker’s, grilling, and some fun sets for wedding gifts.
The blends cover a lot of food options too… sandwiches, pasta, a frozen pizza blend, tacos, fajitas, salads, and more!
Staff is friendly, there is a good-​sized parking lot, and it’s a fun looking building!

This is a wonderful place for trying new spices. The staff are very knowledgeable and helpful. Being able to buy small amounts of spices in little bags means I can try new and exotic flavors I might not otherwise try, I find the prices very reasonable. My favorite thing here are the spice blends. The Penzey’s Forward is my favorite all-​around flavor enhancer. I use it in most of the things I cook. They also have a terrific catalog of spices if you sign up for their mailing list which comes with lots of tasty recipes and sometimes even coupons for free spices! In addition, they carry really great gift boxes with assortments that are perfect for teachers, wedding showers and other occasions. You name the spice, they have it at Penzey’s!

One of my favorite stores. The spices are a little expensive but well worth it as you dont have to use very much. They have a monthly magazine as well that gives away a free spice per month most of the time. I highly reccomend the chili powders, they are all delicious along with the fajita and taco seasoning and for fish the north woods seasoning.

I discovered Penzeys after I received their Penzeys Cinnamon (a blend of China, Vietnamese, Korintje, & Ceylon cinnamon) as a baby shower favor. I made a trip out to the Kenny Road Store and fell in love with the cool mid-​century round building and all of the wonderful spices inside!
My kitchen is now incomplete without their cinnamon blend, Arizona Dreaming, whole nutmeg, Krakow Nights, and pacific sea salt.
Do yourselves a favor and sign up for their mailing list; in addition to being incredibly informative and containing multiple recipes and inspiring stories of cooks from all walks of life, the catalog usually comes with a coupon for a free or free w/​purchase spice!
This location is staffed with pleasant and helpful employees. There is a newly remodeled kids’ art area that is made to look like a pirate ship– definitely my daughter’s favorite part of the store. If you love to cook or bake, you’ll love this place.

Great place. Spice up your life!

Its a candy shop for cooks.
There are so many to choose from it can get a bit overwhelming but the staff are always very helpful and knowledgeable and willing to help you with whatever questions you have and also suggest things to help out as well.
Definitely sign up for the mailing list as you will receive a quarterly magazine that also includes a coupon for a free jar of spice, sometimes there is a minimum purchase.

Do you like to cook? Then you need to go to Penzey’s! It’s housed in an old but very cool looking bank building from the 1950’s. (For trivia buffs, it was a Buckeye Federal Savings and Loan in it’s previous life.)
This store has everything you can imagine. Looking for an exotic spice? Do you need Viet Namese Cinnamon instead of Indonesian Cinnamon. Got it here! Got to have some ginger? Which kind? Powdered China Ginger, Cracked China Ginger, Sliced China Ginger Root, Crystallized Ginger… get the picture?
They have sample jars with the spices in them so you can open and smell them to get the idea of what each spice is. Each spice comes in several sizes too. Another great thing is that they have everything displayed in alphabetical order around the store so it’s easy to find what you are looking for.
They also have some wonderful blends for those who prefer something ready to go. I tried the Arizona Dreaming and have tried it on veggies and in stews. Gives everything a great robust flavor.
They also have gift boxes if you want to buy a gift for that foodie friend or family member you know. I’m thinking Christmas, birthdays and great hostess or wedding gifts here. Beats giving someone another toaster!
And the prices you ask? Reasonable for the type of store it is. Plus the quantities you need to buy are small so you can buy several without breaking the bank.
For anyone who cooks and I mean really loves cooking, this place definitely needs to be one your list of places to check out next time you are in Upper Arlington.

Amazing place with a WIDE variety of spices, which are organized by type (salts, peppers, herbs).
I am pretty sure they have every type of spice or herb know to man. They also have a GREAT collection of rubs, seasoning mixes, and kits.
They also offer a lot of different sizes of spices, which is good for trying out different ones. I think their smallest sizes range anywhere from 2.00 to 5.00 depending on what you get. Which I think is pretty good. Their larger packs are also in the same price range, so I normally get the bigger sizes. You can always share the excess. :)
Another amazing thing about Penzey’s is their collection of salt-​free options. Which is great for a lot of older people trying to watch their sodium intake. I got a nice haul of salt-​free options for my grandparents. They won’t have to sacrifice flavor!
The only reason its a ⁴⁄₅ is because the lady who was at the shop was not as helpful as I would have liked her to be when I first went. Seemed like she became friendly only when I was buying things. D: Maybe she was just having an off day? Who knows… Don’t let that stop you from coming here!!! Another reason fo the ⁴⁄₅ is because, I was hoping they’d have a good selection of sugars, like ‘The Tea and Spice Exchange’ in Cincy does. But, I guess it is mainly for SPICES. lol
There are SO many things to try here. I wish I had enough time and money to try them all!

LOVE Penzey’s Spices!!! If you like to cook and try new things, this place will become your friend. They have a wide variety of spices, and great cook books. Sign up for the newsletter it has great tips and recipes.
One of the greatest things is that the spices come in different size containers, that way it saves on your wallet!

For one reason or another, the spice suppliers in my neighborhood don’t float my exotic-​smelling boat. Penzey’s rubs me the right way, so I’m glad it’s not too far away.
It’s a great place to find whole spices. They have tons of variety. Want cinnamon? They have like five kinds for you to choose from.
Don’t know what something is? There are big jars you can open up to get a whif of an unfamiliar spice or blend. Speaking of spice blends, I’m not usually a fan, but theirs are really good. I like «Arizona Dreaming» on popcorn/​everything.
Its a great value for the quality. Sign up to get their catalog and you’ll get coupons for free stuff.
My only complaint is that they close kind of early.
If you like to cook, or love a cook, it’s worth it to pay a visit.

If you love to cook and love food and flavors this is the place to come. I have shopped via catalog here for years but coming to the store is a sensory treat. You can sample any spice and pick up some catalogs too. The recipes alone make it worth having the catalog. This place is wonderful for picking up a unique gift too.
I heard there will be a store in Louisville soon. I can’t wait, and I would work there if I could get paid in spices! This is a gem!

I used to get my spices from Penzey’s back in St. Louis and was resigned to having to order them via the mail when I moved to Cbus. But then I discovered they had one here — Happy Happy Joy Joy!
Any spice you can imagine is probably in here not to mention the recipes you can take home free with you (there is an applesauce raisin cake in my cupboard waiting to be made right now). I was in need of ground up rosemary (until I can grow my own again) as hubs hates tasting the ‘sticks’. Couldn’t find it anywhere else BUT here! Irish lamb stew was saved! My supply of jerk seasoning is now restocked as well.
Sometimes its just fun to wander around in here to see what they have and to imagine what culinary delight you could create. One of these days I’m going to pony up and get some saffron and make saffron rice… yummm!

Love this place. It’s a cooks dream. If you need a spice, Penzy’s has it. I am going to make an Indian dish tonight and it called for Cardamom pods. Well you know Kroger or Wally World didn’t carry it, so I took the drive over to Penzy’s. Not only did they have cardamom pods but they had 3 different kinds of pods at a very reasonable price too.
I love going around and smelling all of the spices they have out in the jars. Makes you wish you were Emeril or Bobby Flay as the place definitely inspires you to want to create wonderful fragrant dishes.
They have a great website too in the event you want to shop from the comfort of your own home. They have wonderful sets of spice boxes/​gifts that would make a great gift for the foodie you know. I know I would love to get a gift set from here. The quality is top notch too and fresh. It’s been awhile since I’ve been to Penzy’s and I don’t know why I waited so long to go back.
Give them a try, you can’t go wrong.