Northwestern Cutlery Supply Inc
Categories: Cooking Schools, Appliances, Kitchen & Bath [Edit]
Neighborhood: Near West Side810 W Lake Street
(between Green St & Halsted St)
Chicago, IL 60607 (312) 421-3666
- Nearest Transit:
Clinton (Pink, Green Lake)
Grand (Blue O'Hare)
- Hours:
Mon 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Tue, Thu-Fri 7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Wed 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Sat 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. - Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
21 Reviews for Northwestern Cutlery Supply Inc
One of Northwestern Cutlery Supply Inc's Favorite Reviews
This is the Pleasure Chest for all things culinary. But sexier. And sharper. And we know what they have on under those kitchen whites. Seriously, amazing service, great quality products and best of all, we know where the hands touching the merchandise have been!
Kudos all around!
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (4)
Cool (5)
Here's my newest guilty pleasure: professional knife sharpening.
I'm not a big-time professional chef or anything, just a home cook whose idea of a perfect Saturday afternoon involves a strong cup of coffee and a Barefoot Contessa cookbook. And, to be honest, I was a little worried that my standard-issue knife block would be turned away. Not so! They sharpened up those bad boys in about 15 minutes, for $3 or so each.
Freakishly convenient parking lot. Lots of friendly folks. Knife sharpening while you wait. I can think of only one problem. After 15 minutes of browsing, I had a hard time walking out with just the knives I brought in. Those cheap-o bread pans in particular were calling my name!
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
A store for real chefs with real equipment at prices poverty stricken real chefs can afford. You won't find Williams-Sonoma's $80 line of ravioli crimpers here but they do have stainless steel sheet pans starting at around 10 buckaroos and knife sharpening for $3.50 a knife (I think).
The NWCSinc (I'm hoping it catches on) also boasts a small wardrobe section in the back for when your checks get a little too funky and a free parking lot for people who hate the environment. It's directly beneath the Green Line- jump when you see Halsted.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (3)
Cool (2)
As a chef, this place is truly my own personal toy store. There's a great selection of all sorts of great tools of the trade. The knife selection gets me drooling every time. Back before I learned how to sharpen my own knives, this is where I'd go, and they did a fantastic job. The only thing I don't like about them is their proximity to public trans, since it's in that little pocket that's far away from an L stop. Outside of that, this is definitely one of my favorite places in the city.
A cook's dream!
I frequented Northwestern Cutlery often back in the day (okay it was only about 2-3 years ago) and I could spend an hour in there. They don't have the useless avocado slicer that you'd find at William's Sonoma, instead they carry a variety of (useful) tools, pans, uniforms, and knives. I will always remember the day when I went in there and was shocked to see half sheet pans for $5!!!! That is how much they should cost, you shouldn't be paying $20 for a half sheet pan at William's Sonoma. I highly recommend checking this place out, even if you're just browsing.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Cool (3)
My axe had hewn its last victim, while the blunt force carried by the 40lb axehead can still crush bone and rend humans to their fate it was dull.
I beckoned the Axegrinder forward, sincerely convincing him of my fondness for this particular cadaver creator, and he roared. A deep roar one might find through the closest bonds of brotherhood, a respect for honed steel.
He threw the mighty axehead against the wits of the grinder, flecks of sinew and teeth flying off at high speed. A cusp began to form as a perfect wire was burned from the surface of a once dying tool and my strength was once again renewed.
Conveniently large cutting boards for dealing with limbs are cheap!
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (4)
Cool (5)
Careful kid---you'll put your eye out. Or lose a digit. This place has major knives----new, and many that are used from restaurants and such and available for resale at a great price.
To me there is nothing more important than sharp knives in the kitchen (well maybe next to a bottle of vino and Jolene) and this places takes yours, often while you wait and shop, and puts an edge on them that is scary good.
Great selection of general cooking things and great group of knowledgeable people working here. If you are in the market for some knives, talk to these guys (and gals) before you buy. They are happy to give you a million dollar education whether you are plunking down $1000.00 for some serious Japanese cutlery or buying a used utility knife.
This is a great find!
The people at Williams Sonoma sent me here to have my knives sharpened. These guys know what they are doing! They are also fast and a good deal.
Plus, the store has a terrific supply of cookware some unbelievable prices.
What a great store! This isn't Crate and Barrel. No frills or fancy window displays, just great kitchen ware and supplies. Totally unpretentious, a great place to browse, get ideas for your kitchen, acquire must-have items for the serious chef, or get your knives sharpened. My wife was so happy after we went to there with our knives. It took them less than 15 minutes to sharpen the whole set (about 10 knives or so). They did a great job.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Great store. Good staff. Very helpful.
I brought in a hunting/outdoor knife that had seen better days. I almost didn't believe they gave me the same knife back. Just great.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
While this might be the best stop for restaurant owners, it sure wasn't for me. Last summer when I took my Wusthof Santoku (with hollow cut blade) for sharpening I came home with a knife that couldn't even slice a tomato. I was in tears. The next day I took the knife to the store that had recommended Northwestern Cutlery, and they were just as shocked. They felt responsible for their advice, so they gave me a new knife. That Santoku knife required a special cut which apparently the folks at Northwestern were unaware of. Be careful with those specialty knives.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Best kitchen supply in Chicago. Prices are competitive if not cheap, they carry all you need for all sorts of preparation. Really a great place that lives in the shadow of Sur La Table, for those not tuned in to the industry I'm sure. I was pleased to purchase here, and look forward to buying more knives! The food mill is on my list for Thanksgiving mashers. Oh yes.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
If they don't have it, your kitchen probably doesn't need it.
And they sharpen knives while you wait.
A great, local place for common and hard-to-find stuff. Plus they carry a huge selection of Swiss Army knives.
I manage a restaurant and this is where we take our knives to get sharpened and to replace knives when they are at the end of their useful life. Sharpening usually takes 45 minutes or so. They have a large selection and the staff has always been friendly when I have needed assistance. I also get our wine openers here, they have the kind of wine opener that pulls the cork out half way on the first pull then the remaining on the second pull instead of the wine openers that need one long drawn out pull; my waitresses prefer these and they're $12 or so....
They also have parking available in a lot beside the building.
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
Like the Columbia Exposition and Chess Records, Northwestern Cutlery is one of Chicago's great gifts to the free world. It may lack the posh appearance of Williams-Sonoma or Sur La Table (both quality stores, I would add,) but it is THE store to shop if you are looking for great kitchen supplies and even better prices.
They have the best prices in the city on all the major names: All-Clad, Le Creuset, Wustof, etc; but they also have the commercial equivalent brands which cost a lot less and are perfect for serious cooks who can't quite afford the a-list stuff.
Case in point: they are one of the only stores i know of that sell Forschner knives (as good as any knife made and at a FRACTION of the price.)
Also, they will sharpen your knives right there for you while you wait for just a couple of bucks per knife.
The staff is very knowledgeable without being intimidating or "snooty" with the amateur shoppers. I look forward to shopping there whenever I have the opportunity.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Cool (1)
I have to agree with all of the other reviewers. I'm not a chef, or even someone who cooks a lot, but I took my knives here to be sharpened before a Thanksgiving meal I was cooking and became a total convert. I had a ton of different kitchen knives in my house from various roommates, thrift stores, etc, so I brought them ALL here and asked the guy to cut the wheat from the chaff so to speak. He told me about 5 of them were worth keeping. I donated the rest to salvation army, and freed up a lot of drawer space in my kitchen! A word to the wise--the knives are beyond sharp when you get them back. Once on my way home I accidentally grazed one of the blades (just slightly) with my finger and cut myself. Be very very careful! There is a parking lot and usually you can park on Lake street on weekend days.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
I must agree with the enthusiastic reviews so far. I regularly bring my cutlery here for sharpening; for a couple of bucks per knife, they are restored from dull to sharp -- so sharp you can shave hair off your skin with them.
The store also has a large selection of supplies not found in your typical stores. I should add that despite this, the crew there has been top notch, friendly and helpful.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Cool (1)
If you're a cook - either home gourment or professional - you should know about Norhtwestern Cutlery.
Located in the Fulton Market District, Northwestern is a must for those who know the importance of good , sharp knives in cooking. Northwestern offers a wide variety of professional chef's knives in all price ranges and also is one of the last knife sharpening places around. The big grinder is right there behind the counter.
In addition, there's a nice selection of pots and pans, utensils, chef's apparel and other "musts" for the cooking crowd.
Hours:
Monday 9A - 5P
Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 7A - 5P
Wednesday 7A - 7P
Saturday 8A - 4P
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Best Kitchen Store in Chicago! Period!
They are awesome and so hands on. This is where you get your knives sharpened and learn how to hone your knives.
They have a large selection of Le Crueset and it's cheaper than most department stores.
Shhhh, don't tell, I'm getting my husband a knife there for his birthday.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
This is a great culinary supply store! The sales associates are extremely knowledgeable and friendly. When I was in there today the man helping me went out of his way to double check that I had the right product. He also hooked me up with a 10% discount that they had going on that I didn't know about! Their prices are really great and their stuff is excellent quality.
Echoing the other comments--this place is a gem. While it is in an out-of-the-way location for most, in my opinion that is part of the fun. This is the part of town where restauranteurs used to do all their shopping--i.e. for meat, produce, etc. Come here to get your knifes sharpened, to pick up some very reasonably priced cookware (they have the best prices on All-Clad), knives (a great selection and they are very knowledgable on the subject as you might expect), and other unique and often hard-to-find kitchen items (like fish spatulas and real crepe pans!).
If you think Williams-Sonoma is a chef's mecca, you should get wise and shop here alongside people who actually cook for a living (myself not included).
People Who Viewed This Also Viewed...
Related Lists
-
Cook's Best
Chicago is a great food city and for me it's a…
Hot and New
- Cafe Laguardia
85 reviews
Neighborhood: Bucktown
- Sweet Occasions and More!
88 reviews
Neighborhood: Andersonville
- Angelina Ristorante
82 reviews
Neighborhood: Lakeview
- May Street Market
68 reviews
Neighborhood: Near West Side
- Los Nopales
86 reviews
Neighborhood: Lincoln Square