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Penzeys Spices
Rating Details »
- Hours:
Mon-Fri. 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Sat. 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
7 reviews for Penzeys Spices
A store that is so specific in what they sell, spices, has to dominate the local market - which they do. Although a chain, the next Penzeys is in St. Louis and they really do it better than the local spice markets I've seen around town.
I couldn't bear to physically be in the store too long because the smell is so overpowering, it upset my stomach. It's like shopping in your grandmother's spice pantry - but not. The styling of the store is minimal - it's just you and the spices and the wooden crates they were "supposedly" shipped in - to give it that real, authentic, vibe, like the merchant just came in from a voyage with the East India Trading Co.
But let me tell you - spices are wonderful to taste and rarely as fun to smell when in concentrated jar-form. I took a whiff of a few spices which seemed to only augment the nausea. But who cares what it smells like or even the crazy reaction my body has to it - so long as it tastes good - right? I was very impressed with their collection of recipes, placed at several station throughout the store in peel-off form for people to take home. But I had to question some of their recipes which called for ridiculous amounts of spices (their chili recipe says to dump in a cup and a half of their chili seasoning - and one jar isn't even that much.) So possibly the Penzey people know all too well what they're doing: selling spices and as much of it as they can - AND if making "amazing recipes" that call for tons of their spices is their goldmine - who am I to complain? I just won't make their chili.
Their free catalogue, which I think is remade every major season, was stuffed with Thanksgiving recipes made by the experts. Spices aren't for novelty, they're for cooks and most of the food prepared with them by these women is quality. These spices are priced higher than the average grocery store jar - but they come from the best of the world's offering: like vanilla from only Madagascar and Mexico, and crystallized ginger from China .
They sell your basic spices, your speciality blends (like hot cocoa spice mix, fajita mix, Polish sausage seasoning aptly named Krakow Nights and honestly, there are hundreds and hundreds of them, all listed on their website. With the most important food day, next to Super Bowl Sunday, coming up: Thanksgiving - you wouldn't be wasting your time to check it out.
I love to cook but spices are another bag all together. It can be daunting adventure and difficult to match what goes with what. Basically, a first date with that person you met on http://Match.com.
Penzeys over in Overland Park is so beautiful. The plainness and simplicity of the store shows its in love with its product-spices. From Turkey to Tuscany, you're bound to find spices you've never heard but somehow dreamed of using. Fleur De Sel, Cassia Cinnamon and the Pure Wasabi were making me have a fit.
I loved the wooden boxes/storage bins for everything. Who needs shelves? Not Penzey's. Wooden crates, gunny-sack type bags and some containers to show off the spices makes the atmosphere so inviting and organic.
The place even offers up a coloring table for kids. And you all know how I feel about coloring. Double cool points.
Penzy's is not a local store, but it definitely has a local feel. The catalogs on the counter give me the impression the store originated as a mail-order business that grew into its brick-and-mortar presence. Considering the store sells nothing but spices, it's a pretty big, but no-frill. Spices are grouped by family, think all varieties of cocoas and vanillas; and by the type of foods they're used in, such as barbecues and curries. Every spice station includes a sample for smelling, a description of its origin, and recipe cards that include that spice as an ingredient.
Even if you're not searching for the perfect steak rub or a certain variety of basil, a visit to Penzy's will stimulate your cooking gene. The store's original blends, such as Sunny Paris, bring fresh new flavors to any dish. And if you have a friend who loves to cook, Penzy's will gift box the spices you choose so you can give your culinary buddy a truly personal gift. And if they make you something delicious with their gift, well that's just icing on the cake.
You think a spice store is boring? Well this one's not. Sitting right in the middle of downtown Overland Park, it's the one stop shop for all your dried spice needs.
I love this place and can easily spend 30 minutes looking around and smelling the spices. They put everything in big jars made for you to open and smell the spice. They have every dried spice I've come across in recipes as well as numerous Penzey's blend for such things as steak seasoning, taco seasoning etc..
Everything I've gotten at Penzey's has been top notch. I can't go back to grocery store spices now, and you won't be able to either.
The service is really friendly as well. The ladies working the store will always try to help you find what you want. They'll also give you some great ideas on extra uses for the spices (taco seasoning on popcorn...yum). Also, the store has recipe cards next to most of the spices so you can really get a good idea how to utilize that spice.
Penzey's is just a great store. I always enjoy stopping in after I go to the farmer's market on Saturdays and taking a leisurely stroll through. But it's also great if you need something really quick. There's always a parking space right in front of the store so it's super convenient.
Cook's Illustrated recommends Penzey's Spices. Is that enough said? Penzeys is great. From Mexican to Indian, not forgetting the Italians, Penzeys delivers.
I love the Vindaloo seasoning and the Bold Taco seasoning. Check it out as soon as you can.
I loved the outlay (word? maybe..) of this store. One side having individual spices, the other having well thought out mixes (alphabetical no less!). The ocd in me gave a little shout of joy and a triumphant smile. Back story, a long time I put my friends spices in alphabetical order and he basically mocked me for it since--can't wait to call him!
Anyways, the store was like stepping into your grandmothers country home with intoxicating smells of spice and herbs and some sweet something you can't put your finger on. Comforting, soothing and simple. I loved the fact they had glass jars so you could smell before buying. They also had cute little suggestions for how to use the spice (something I definitely appreciate). I now know where to go if craving a certain taste, being able to sprinkle it on whatever I see fit (ahh, the beauty of spice).
A star off for lack of friendliness. Nobody seemed to want to say hi to me although I kept smiling in pleasure of the scents. And considering I was the only one in the shop, I'm going to take that personally...sorry...
I'd never been in a store like this before Lois introduced me to it a few years ago. After our visit to the Leopold Gallery we drove over here to check it out. Tam and I had discussed Penzeys several months ago, so as we entered the store I gave her a call and left a message telling her where we were and asking if she needed anything. The store immediately embraces you w/ the scents of so many spices it's impossible to sort them out. They have several types of salt, pepper, cinnamon, herbs and spices of all kinds plus their own blends. There's a section of spices from A-Z. There are recipes on 3x5-size cards free for the taking near the special blends. They sell the spices in small bottles and larger sizes. Prices are reasonable. They do a large mail order business and I signed up for their catalog, although I generally buy my herbs and spices at Lhasa Karnak on Shattuck. After wandering through the store, sniffing bottles and reading recipes, we walked down the block to 10 Thousand Villages, a shop that supports local artisans all over the world. As we were just starting our drive back home Tam called back. Lois pulled into a parking space and I walked down the block back to Penzeys, where I bought her a couple of small bottles of cinnamon (I didn't think to ask what kind of cinnamon and there were 5 or 6 different kinds!) and signed her up for their catalog too. What an amazing store!