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Buck's Fifth Avenue
- Hours:
Tue-Fri 11 am - 5 pm
Sat 10:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
4 reviews for Buck's Fifth Avenue
4 reviews in English
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Review from Jason S.
6/7/2010
Since 1973 this locally owned spice shop has provided more magic than Harry Potter's pinky.
Looking for essence of Dragon? Maybe some eye of Newt? How about a little powdered Toad toe? Well I am not sure if they carry any of that. It wouldn't surprise me though to find a hidden door in the back that leads to Hogwarts or something. However what they do have is 300 mason Jars full of what seems to be mundane spices...or are they?
I visited this past weekend and had a hard time focusing on just one area. There was so much to see and sniff. All the jars have hand written labels and are priced by the ounce. All you do is just bring the jar of your liking to Anne and she measures out the amount you need even if it's just three Peppercorns.
After spending a good 15 minutes taking it all in I wound up with 12 little bags and $20 dollars worth of product. The prices were fair and the service excellent. It's not surprising that Buck's has been open for so long; I will never shop anywhere else for spices.
Sure Buck's might not be a magical place but I'll be damned if when I didn't sprinkle some pink flakey Murray River Sea Salt on my steak later in the evening and then suddenly bibby boppity boo my ordinary steak became magical. -
Review from Sarah I.
Tucson, AZ
1/5/2007
Like no other place in the world!
Buck's Fifth Aveue is full of hand-labeled mason jars containing more variations of every spice you've ever guessed at, and scads you've never imagined. It is the sort of place where one walks around marveling and exclaiming about what's on the shelves--and hanging from the shelves, and from the ceiling, and leaning against the walls. They had rainbow colors of salt, dark powders, delicate seeds, dried things in packets and eclectic items of decor and cooking equipment strewn everywhere.
Spices are sold in bulk; the amounts you need are kindly weighed and placed into small plastic bags (and they label them so you don't forget what is what!).
Some of my favorite finds:
- foot-long cinnamon sticks
- nutmegs
- tamarind paste
- red Hawaiian salt
- whole dried lemons
- green cardamom pods
- Worcestershire powder
- Pondicherry red peppercorns
- rose water
We talked to the owner(s)? and if they don't have it, they will get it for you. (Their prices are excellent compared to your everyday grocery store; you only buy as much as you need.) You can even send in a recipe and she'll get all the ingredients together and mail them back. Their website is not inclusive, so call or email about anything you don't see. I'll be ordering from them regularly. -
Review from Michael B.
Spokane, WA
5/4/2008
The woman who runs the store is awesome, the selection is great. If you are not sure about a spice she might give you a sample to take home. This is the standard for my spice shops now. I only buy spices here.
If you want great spices for great prices from a local vendor then this is the only place you will ever visit. Heck, even if you only care about one of those 3 things then this is your place.Listed in: My Olympia Neighborhood
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Review from John E.
Olympia, WA
8/22/2008
100% pure awesome. I love the Pike Place spice shop, but this one-woman show is even better. Why?
- She will sell you any amount, even a "pinch". This is great because who wants to buy an ounce or cheese powder or whatever? You can have just enough to make something once or twice, then get fresh spices again.
- She does mail order. Excellent!
- Daaamn good selection, including a lot of way out there but useful stuff. Making your own curry powder or need berbere or hing? She's got you covered.
- Her salt collection is the bomb, including not only the alderwood smoked that is fairly common around here (table salt at Steelhead Diner) but hickory smoked and at least 20 more exotic salts. Yes: Bacon Salt (tm) is here, and you can get just a small amount. I loves me some salts.
You might miss it looking at the spices, but cookware is also for sale here: nice looking woks and cast iron pans in all sizes, as well as some tea ephemera.
Specialties
Foodie Heaven: we sell exotic spices and unusual cookware, procured in limited quantities. If you need a pinch or a pound, we have it. Send us your recipe and we will send you back the spice ingredients.
History
Established in 1970
We have every imaginable spice. All nationalities plus the ordinary. if you don't see what you need, ask and we will get it if we can or make it! We mail order everywhere and sell WHOLESALE to restaurants with NO MINIMUM! Why? Because I had a restaurant for 20 years and resented minimum orders. We don't advertise. Word of mouth is the way to go in order to keep our prices down, down, down. We are very proud and grateful to have been featured in such national magazines as Sunset, Saveur, Cook's Illustrated (2x), Chef's Magazine (for the Trade), Gourmet, Better Homes and Garden's Christmas web-site, and various PBS affiliates. Our spices are fresh and they smell great! There's a world of difference between fresh bulk spices and pre-packaged spices as you might get at the supermarket. All prices stated are subject to change due to the fluctuating market.
Meet the Business Owner: Anne B.
Lifelong entrepreneur and innovator
