Restaurant Depot

I used to come here frequently and there were some things you just had to tolerate. Now that there’s a new location in Avon…
This RD is a bit of a cluster you-​know-​what. Having to negotiate through pallets and other obstacles make the shopping experience more difficult. The warehouse can be dark and dank at some areas and the customer service is inconsistent. There are some first-​rate pricks working here at times, but there are some nicer folk that help as well. The checkout lines here are always long. Always.
The variety of items seem to be consistent with other RD locations, though you have to check the product here carefully. I’ve found moldy bread here before. Most of the items in the cold room is generally good quality. The prices here can be really good, though I’ve found some items here more expensive than a wholesale like BJ’s (like, randomly, Nilla wafers).

You’re better off eating ramen noodles than any of the produce from this warehouse. You might get away with buying cheese here, but the amount of times I’ve gotten moldy pallets of lettuce from this place would make anyone think twice about coming here.
I’m a restaurant owner, and I actually really wanted to like this place. I gave it a few tries in spite of those first few incidents but like others have said, they always run out of stuff. I’ve showed up right when they open and even then it just looks like they aren’t restocking some of the most basic stuff.
Again — I wish I could say I liked it because the prices are dirt cheap, but the employees are almost as bad as when you walk into a Walmart and nobody knows where anything is. A warehouse like that is just too big to not know your product and train your employees. Needless to say I’ve been taking my business to Chelsea for the past three months, and I’m turning a much bigger profit since I made the switch.

This place is huge, but it’s constantly running out of many items and never seems ro order enough of many more. You’ve got to be careful getting around because some of the employees are dangerous on the pallet jacks and forklifts and they constantly leave aisles obstructed. The massive walk-​in cooler is fantastic during a heatwave, but you don’t want to be caught in there when they decide to leave stacks of pallets blocking both sides when you’re wearing just a t-​shirt like I was today.
Now, the newer employees can be expected to be a bit slow while they are learning the job, but there are a few cashiers that are just downright slow, dumb, idiots or some combination of all three.
And don’t get me started on the bathrooms. I took my sister there with me one day and she couldn’t use the bathroom because the floor was covered in water. The urinals in the men’s room are almost never cleaned, and I’ve lost count of the amount of employees I’ve seen but couldn’t identify (hello bathroom break) that didn’t wash their hands when leaving.
I gave them 3 stars only because the supervisors at the registers are almost all great and try to be as fast as they can, especially Maddie, and get you out as fast as possible.

Please allow me to give you a very bare bones, no BS review.
I own a restaurant/​pub, and I shop here once every couple of months to pick up paper goods/​small wares/​meats/​cheeses/​chemicals that other commercial food vendors cannot touch in regards to price. Selection is great. Price is great. The service, save for a few of employees, is an area that the franchise owners should be looking into.
I waited in line for a half an hour to check out today… and the last few times, also.
So, if you want to save a buck or two on goods for your business, and have plenty of time, this is your Disney Land.
One more thing. Credit card information security has been breached twice in as many years, so use discretion.

Be forewarned! I have had credit card and debit card fraud two times here already. I would recommend paying cash here if you can. The prices are good and it’s worth the trip (25 miles) for me because I can buy bakery goods in bulk in order to make more profit. I love that they have frozen lobster meat for around $ 16 a pound.

For the second time in two years I have received a letter from RD stating that my credit card information has been compromised. Obviously they didn’t learn their lesson the first time and continue to expose customers information. Beware if paying with credit cards.

The place sucks. Any restaurant that wants to serve quality don’t bother. If if want dry goods than I guess it is ok but buying protien here is a big mistake. I would rather pay the extra few bucks to get my product delivered

When you need restaurant quality or size products, this is your go to spot. You must have a membership card to get it, but its pretty easy to get if you work in the industry. We went to buy spices last week and it was a good experience. People were helpful when we needed it and we were able to chat with other customers while we were in line. The place is huge and expansive, but totally has everything you could ever want!

This place is crazy.
I have driven by it a ton of times as my work has an office in the building next door, but never paid much attention to it. I always assumed it was just another BJs or Costco. Boy was I wrong.
This place carries anything you could imagine that is in anyway related to cooking. Need a pallet of fruit or frozen stuff. They got that. Need a crazy huge pot (that was why I was visiting) they have plenty to choose from at rock bottom prices.
While I wouldn’t expect top notch service I think you kind of get what you pay for. Its basically a giant self serve warehouse. The covered parking area was a nice touch though. Do be aware that you need to own a business or non-​profit to be able to shop here so its not open to the general public.

Restaurant Depot is a good 20 minutes from my home and I thank GOD it isn’t closer! The deals were amazing, but you got a be a comparison shopper – some things were less at BJs (paper products, for example) but the place is so overwhelming and you can save SO much money just planning ahead it’s not funny. I’m headed there this week for my baking supplies for my son’s school bake sale that will take place in November. Why buy now? Well, because Restaurant Depot is just a cool place to shop. There is SO much to see. I LOVE that their staff ‘leaves me alone’ to do what I’m there to do. I LOATHE the ‘in your face’ approaches of «Can I help yous» or «Those avacados are from the highest blah blah blah region of Mexico.» I DON’T CARE. I want to stay in my zone, choose what I want and ONLY get assistance if I ask for it. Sorry if that sounds ‘cold’ but unless someone has a «Duh… where am I look?» I really think the Restaurant Depot folks trust that you know your asparagus spears from your halibut. I have called for information and ALWAYS get what I need and pleasantly so. For my money, this place is the BEST. You gotta try it – just go with a lot of time to browse because you’ll find yourself in a trance of curiosity and creativity!

I felt like a rock star in this place. Never have I been treated better while shopping. Every corner I turned there was an employee eager to help me out and point things out for me.
I don’t work for or own a restaurant. I work for a mortgage company and I was stocking up for a company picnic, but I got a good portion of what I needed at better quality and better prices than I would have found at even Costco. Plus, since you have to have a business to get a card and can only buy in substantial bulk, you’re not going to find hordes of soccer moms buying snacks for the kiddies.
The bread selection kind of sucked, but they had tons of fruits in veggies all fresh and ready to be bought (Damn! I meant to grab some of those delicious looking watermelons!)
It’s location right off the highway and covered parking are just added bonuses.
Did I mention how nice the employees are? Seriously, they answered a ton of questions, helped load my car, and one guy even jumped in front of another car that was trying to back up the same time as I was.
My heroes.

The Pros: RD is great for smaller restaurants (such as mine) to get their food and supplies. You can always get stuff delivered through Sysco or Perkins, but it will cost more. The convenience may be worth it for some, but certainly not all. The selection and variety is very good and so is the freshness, for the most part. I’ll still spot a moldy pack of cheese from time to time, but with a massive inventory to keep track of, this is understandable.
The Cons: Don’t expect to make any friends at this place. The employees generally don’t pay you any mind unless you get their attention or get in the way of their speeding forklifts. That leads me to my biggest gripe with Restaurant Depot. It is my impression that none of the employees (with the exception of maybe 2 or 3) actually care that you have a good shopping experience. Not that I’m expecting 5 star service, but this place doesn’t even put forth a 2 star effort. It just seems good customer care and service are not on their list of priorities.
To be fair, fellow customers are a big reason why as I have encountered numerous pompous and rude people who show little to no consideration of other customers in the store. I see pickup trucks and SUV’s parked illegally in handicap spaces on each of my visits. I can only imagine these rude customers rub off on the employees day in and day out. Still, I think they can try harder since not all of us customers are like that.

This place is well run, cheap, and super convienient. Save yourself a lot of headaches (not to mention time waiting in lines and employees with baaad attitudes) by going to Needham and skipping the Chelsea store. I will always make the drive-​its well worth it.