Wholesale restaurant supply chain opens to the public for the first time I left with TP, milk, and more (photos/tips)

For the first time in its 40-year history, Restaurant Depot has opened their doors to the public. The wholesale food service supplier has 135 locations in the United States and it just so happens there is one half a mile away from me. I have long wanted to check out, so, after hearing the news on Thursday night, I was in line first thing Friday morning. The promise of in-stock toilet paper, cleaning supplies, and food -- at wholesale prices -- was just too tempting. Here's some of what I saw in my nearly two-hour shopping excursion.

Ok, first, the warehouse is MASSIVE. And it's full of stuff I've never seen sold anywhere else. It makes Costco look like amateur hour.

No, really. These are WHOLE GOAT CARCASSES:

And a freezer case full of COD LOINS (which I later learned are the "filet mignon" of cod fish):

If you need a pallet of Medjool dates, this place has your back:

Or maybe "Crab Meat Seafood Specialties" are more your jam:

A vat of Bubble Gum Flavored Sno-Cone syrup? No problem!

Did you know Chinese food containers were called "Food Pails" in the industry? Neither did I:

Here's a list of some of the more everyday items *I* left with, and what they cost:

-- 25 lbs. of flour for $7.38-- Enough Clabber Girl baking powder to start a bakery $10.65-- Two gallons of whole milk for $6.26-- Five lbs. of fancy shredded jack and cheddar cheese (enchiladas, yo) for $12.40 Read the rest