The specialty foods Boston has to offer can make or break a unique or upscale restaurant. Many business owners within the hospitality industry rely on a one-of-a-kind selection of menu types to retrieve raving customer reviews and stir up publicity. Meanwhile, others may depend on elements such as the restaurant ambiance, attentive wait staff, or prime location.
In this article, we’re going to take a close look at several Boston specialty food distributors. Then, you’ll be equipped with more information to support your purchasing decisions. Before you know it, you’ll be able to acquire everything you need for your restaurant business!
Specialty Foods Boston Restaurants Might Use
In the restaurant industry, specialty foods typically refer to goods that are of high-quality or super unique. Specialty foods might be difficult to find, let alone purchase in bulk. That's why it’s so important for there to be specialty food distributors near all the major restaurant hubs of the nation. Some popular specialty foods that Boston restaurants might use include:
- Artisanal breads
- Premium produce
- Specialty cheese
- Gourmet popcorn
- High-end candy
- Premium seafood
- Premium meat products
So where will you find such products? In the next section, we will go over a handful of wholesale distribution companies that service restaurants in Boston. Check it out!
5 Places to Purchase Boston Specialty Foods Wholesale
Ready to stock up on all types of specialty products? Consider buying from one (or more) of the suppliers below:
1. Specialty Foods Boston
Location: Boston, MA
Various types of chefs source their specialty ingredients from Specialty Foods Boston. Not only does Specialty Foods Boston supply unique products, but the company itself specializes in a niche market.
Instead of zeroing in on the food and beverage industry as a whole, they focus their efforts solely on hard-to-find items. Since 1989, they have been the go-to supplier for the creative chefs of the New England area. You know, the ones who can whip up a gourmet meal from random ingredients they have on hand.
Instead of selling to everyone, including fast food chains and national franchises, Specialty Foods Boston often draws a fine line. The staff will think nothing of turning away business if the partnership doesn't align with their mission and commitment to specialty dining.
Do you run a high-end eatery or food service manufacturing company? Some of the products that you can purchase in bulk from Specialty Foods Boston includes:
Most Notable Product: Specialty Foods Boston goes the extra mile to obtain fresh produce from local growers, most of which might be hard to come by.
2. Baldor Specialty Foods
Location: Chelsea, MA
If you're on the hunt for a premier food distributor, Baldor Foods is right for you. From artisanal products to specialty foods for all your recipes, you could probably stock up on everything you need just from this one specialty supplier.
Baldor Foods maintains their commitment to sustainability efforts and fresh ingredients. So, if you operate one of the eco-friendly restaurants in Boston, Baldor Foods can provide you with everything you need to bring your menu to life. Plus, you can feel certain that everything will taste delicious!
Restaurants, food service brands, and retail stores often purchase the bulk of their inventory from Baldor Foods. Their diverse product line consists of the following items:
- Produce
- Meat
- Poultry
- Dairy
- Cheese
- Baked goods
- Seafood
Most Notable Product: Baldor Foods is recognized for their fresh, locally-sourced produce more than anything else.
3. Katsiroubas Bros.
Location: Boston, MA
As one of the most recognized premier wholesalers in New England, Katsiroubas carries a huge selection of specialty products. They also lead the industry by offering custom distribution to clients in the region.
Katsiroubas has been a family-owned business for over 100 years. After providing restaurant professionals with high-quality goods for over an entire century, their core values are evident in every partnership. The Katsiroubas team works tirelessly to ensure that each customer is receiving the best, safest products on the market.
As of August 2024, Katsiroubas has accumulated over 3,000 different products. See the list below to get an idea of what they sell:
- Olives
- Mayonnaise
- Monin syrups
- Fresh pasta
- Pickles
- Raviolis
- Saffron
- Sauces
- Tortillas
- Sun dried tomatoes
- Frozen hors d’oeuvres
- Portion control products
Most Notable Product: Katsiroubas states on their website that their roots are in produce. However, Katsiroubas is also known for their diverse selection of specialty foods.
4. Chex Finer Foods
Location: Mansfield, MA
Specialty and all-natural foods are what Chex Finer Foods is all about. Not only does this Boston specialty food distributor source ingredients from local suppliers, but from all around the world. As a result, they're able to offer the best products from regions where there are optimal conditions.
The team at Chex Finer Foods works closely with their clients, making sure that they purchase products that will best suit their business. Speaking of which, the following items are just a handful of products a restaurant can purchase wholesale from Chex Finer Foods:
- Snacks
- Confections
- Beverages
- Pantry staples
- Health and wellness items
Most Notable Product: Chex Finer Foods is most known for their vast selection of gourmet snacks and confections, which include an array of artisanal goods.
5. Seacrest Foods
Location: Lynn, MA
By combining diligent labor with stellar communication, Seacrest Foods has been able to sustain a massive customer base since 1984. Seacrest Foods distributes a wide variety of imported Artisan products that might be challenging to find elsewhere. They also source local ingredients from nearby farms and manufacturers.
Restaurants, specialty grocery stores, and gourmet retailers can source most of their products from Seacrest Foods. Several categories from their product catalog include the following:
- Cheese and other dairy products
- Salty snacks, like chips and pretzels
- Sauces, spreads, and condiments
- Gourmet oil and vinegar
- Bread, bakery items, and mixes
Most Notable Product: Despite offering a vast selection of specialty products, Seacrest Foods is known for their cheeses more than anything else.
Frequently Asked Questions About Specialty Foods Boston
Would you like to learn more about specialty foods Boston has in store? If so, we’ve got you covered! Review the selection of frequently asked questions below for additional information on the topic at hand.
What Are Some of the Best Boston Specialty Food Distributors?
Some of the best Boston specialty food distributors include:
- Seacrest Foods
- Katsiroubas Bros.
- Chex Finer Foods
- Baldor Specialty Foods
- Specialty Foods Boston
What Are Some Specialty Food Stores In Boston?
Some of the specialty food stores Boston has to offer include:
- Formaggio Kitchen
- Bacco's Fine Foods
- Foodie's Markets
- Salumeria Italiana
- American Provisions
- Lean and Green Gourmet
- South End Food Emporium
- Cardullo's Gourmet Shoppe
What Are Some Popular Specialty Food Products Made In Boston?
Some popular specialty food products made in Boston include:
- Oysters
- Fried clams
- Lobster rolls
- Boston cream pie
- Boston baked beans
- New England clam chowder
Where Can I Find Artisanal Cheeses In the Boston Area?
You can find artisanal cheeses in the Boston area at the following stores:
- Curds & Co.
- Gather and Graze
- Formaggio Kitchen
- Bacco's Wine & Cheese
- Crane River Cheese Club
Where Can I Buy Vegan Specialty Foods In Boston?
You can find vegan specialty foods in Boston from the following retailers:
- Cocobeet
- Lulu Green
- Rhythm 'n Wraps
- Whole Foods Market
- Beatnic Vegan Restaurant
- Jennifer Lee's Gourmet Bakery
Specialty Foods for Specialty Restaurants
When you have unique and high-quality ingredients, it doesn’t seem so daunting to operate a unique and high-quality restaurant. Now that you’re aware of a handful of specialty distributors from the Greater Boston area, you can begin updating your menu to establish one of the most sought-after eateries in the city.