Restaurant Depot

[Mache]

People have mentioned Restaurant Depot as a good source of brisket, ribs, and butt from time to time on the forum. I checked their website and they require a membership to purchase products from the store. Their membership requirements state:

Restaurant Depot is wholesale only. To qualify for a free membership account, on your first visit you need to show a valid reseller's permit (business license) or tax-exempt certificate (for a non-profit organization) and show proof that you are authorized to purchase for said business or organization.

I, and I believe a lot of people, aren't running a food-based business, nor am I a non-profit (although it probably feels like it much of the time if folks have a similar experience as I do to family life).

How do folks get past this requirement to shop at Restaurant Depot?

-- Mache

 

[T Perkins]

I think if you are a member of KCBS you can shop there as well. KCBS membership is $35/yr I believe.

 

[Jerry N.]

Per the KCBS web site:

Joining KCBS has its privileges!

One-day shopping pass at any Restaurant Depot location when you present your KCBS membership card.

Also, you can be creative. If you help out any non-profit organization that has say a yearly cook out. Offer to pick up the food and to do so, you'll need their information and authorize you to be their purchaser. This can be a win-win. A few times a year you help them by picking up the food (probably help cook given that you're a member here) and you'll benefit from being the buyer year round.

 

[Dave Russell]

Great idea, Jerry!

I work for a nonprofit and just got our new RD ad. ;-) They have pork back ribs on sale. ;-)

 

[John Solak]

I think any business license will work. My Wife had a cleaning business license and I used that to get in.

 

[Shawn Gardner]

I always thought you needed the KCBS membership and coupon too but when a new one opened up here in the Twin Cities we went in with these things. The woman at the door said they were not needed and that anyone can get a free one day pass. Well I went back again 2 months later and again, the same thing. It seems this one is open to the public and you just need to get a one day pass each time you come in. You may want to just call the store and see what they say.