Penzey’s Spices

Penzey’s is everything I never knew that I needed! I first visited their Pittsburgh location and was so excited to find one back at home. Our Cleveland location is far better than the one I first visited. The staff are so friendly and helpful and love to share their favorites in their stock with me. They’re also really great at pinpointing exactly what you’re looking for — I can describe what I’m cooking and what flavor I’m going for and they’ll take me to exactly what I’m looking for.
Since discovering Penzey’s about 6 years ago, not only have I stocked my own spice cabinet but I’ve also given several of their collections as gifts and I always get rave reviews from the recipients.
Some of my favorite Penzey’s spices are:
*Pure Vanilla Extract Double Strength — made with double the vanilla beans
*Penzey’s Cinnamon — a combination of all 4 of the cinnamons they stock
*Vanilla Sugar — I use this on everything! Toast, cookies, baking, hot chocolate, etc. So good!
I’ve slowly switched over from purchasing the cheapie spices and replaced with Penzey’s. Their prices are very affordable and I love that they last so long and can be refilled. Check them out — I guarantee you’ll be happy you did!

My spice cabinet was looking a little bare, so I looked no further than Penzey’s to stock up. They have an amazing selection of spices and spice blends to create pretty much any dish. I was impressed with the amount of inventory they have in store, and liked that you could choose the amount of spices you wanted to buy, as they sell them in a variety of sizes. I ended up with some great sea salt, curry spices (which made a bomb curry, might I add), and some cinnamon and clove to make spiced apple cider. Only qualm was the woman working didn’t offer any assistance or ask if we had questions. Luckily, we knew our way around the spice selection, but for those looking for help, it wasn’t offered. Regardless, I’ll stop by again.

Every amazing meal or baked goods that I may have some little bit of Penzeys in it. Today I went basic-​ish. Chili 3000, Chinese Five Spice, Baking Spice, Star Anise, Mulling Spice & some Tumeric… so glad they are open on Sunday’s even when the market isn’t!

Holy spices! This place has a wide variety of each individual spice. I went in there with some unique spices on my list which they did not carry, but they did have like 6 different cinnamons… and 6 of every other type of spice. They vary in their origin and I’m sure other things. The staff was very helpful in what they do and do not have. She even wrote down my spice suggestion! They are also as inexpensive as any market/​drugstore in my opinion so definitely worth buying!

This is a great addition to the Ohio City artisan area. The service is personal and helpful. I usually stop by here when I’m in the area for the West Side Market.
The selection for herbs and spices here is pretty expansive. We’ve made it a point to come here to buy all of our spices now because we like the selection and the flavor.
As others have mentioned, it’s a chain, but because it’s located in such a unique location (old bank), both the atmosphere + service very much have a local, personal feel.

Yes, it’s a chain, but as many other Unilocalers have mentioned, this location doesn’t feel like one! No sir, it feels much more local-​mom-​n-​pop than that.
I couldn’t agree with Paulius N’s review more. Sure I buy lots of spices at the stands in the market, but if I’m looking for something super-​specific, fancy or exotic, I’m more likely to check out Penzey’s.
Recently I stopped by to grab some mulling spices and holy cow – they had like 6 worldly varieties of every spice I asked for! I didn’t even know I needed West Indies ground nutmeg, Madagascar vanilla beans or Vietnamese cinnamon. But I did!
You can load up on containers, big or small and lots of labels. But don’t expect any more accessories/​tools than that. No micro graters, no cheese cloth, nada. Just spices, spice mixes (which are amazing) and containers.
My next adventure is going to be in salts, for sure.

A store of nothing but spices… Awesome! The staff was super friendly and helpful. I have not tried all of the spices I bought, but I really liked the place. If you like to cook, check them out :)

I love Penzeys. I always shopped online before this store opened, and since I recently moved from Medina to Cleveland, I can hit WSM and Penzeys in one shot! Yes, it is a little more expensive than the spices/​herbs in the grocery store, but the quality and flavor are much better. The cayenne is noticeably hotter than the grocery stores’. I bought sage, and the jar was packed with large rustic pieces – can’t get that in a megamart.
It’s a foodie’s wonderland.

My love affair with Penzey’s started way back when we got a giant gift box of spices and spice blends from a friend as a wedding gift. Shameless Penzey’s plug — this was probably one of the top 3 wedding gift we got so yeah, use that idea for any food people you know getting hitched. You’ll get some props for that one for sure.
Yes, Penzey’s is a chain. But it doesn’t feel like one — this one is in a cool location — old bank building across from WSM. The staff is very knowledgeable about the spices and blends they carry and can give you suggestions and advice on how to make the most of them. The lady there last time told me that if you find a blend you really really like and use a lot, you can save your jar and buy a bulk bag to save a lot of money — nice!
Penzey’s is great all around and they have an awesome catalog/​recipe idea book you can sign up to receive in the mail. Plus, Penzey’s is from Wisconsin — like me! Now I was definitely in everlasting love when I learned this.
Penzey’s is more than a store, it’s a spice universe. Go get lost in the black hole for awhile. You’ll come out poorer, but you will not be sorry, I promise you!

designer spice show
parsley sage rosemary thyme
makes your food better
A nice addition to Cleveland’s Market District. It is like the Williams-​Sonoma of spice stores. Now, the Westside Market does have Urban Herbs, and Narrin’s Spice Stand, both being fine options, but Penzey’s is a bit more esoteric. And therefore, more expensive. Top quality stuff though. You can get anything you need.
Celery seed from India? Check.
Thyme from the coast of France? Sure.
Diesel from a Medina growhouse? Well… Not yet anyway.
Located in the old bank building diagonally from the WSM, the hours coincide with the market, which is a great idea. It would be an even better idea if the Westside Market’s hours coincided with the 21 century, but that’s a whole ‘nother talk show. The store is a pleasure to stop into. Well organized, and a great use of an old space.
Carry on… … And love people. Cook them tasty food.

Stopped into Penzey’s on Saturday with my sister, who was looking to stock up for holiday baking and get some Christmas gifts. I’ve only been in the store a couple times, but it’s definitely an enjoyable experience, even just for browsing. I just happened to be out of sea salt and garlic powder, so I picked up some refills while I was there. They were cheaper than I expected them to be, which was great. They do have a lot of gift boxes for a variety of different cooking styles. Also do yourself a favor and pick up one of their free magazines/​catalogs when you’re in the store. They’re very informative!

Cleveland lags behind in retail. Many national stores never open here or close shortly after opening. Why it is considered such an undesirable market I am not sure, but I am very happy Penzey’s found reason to open two stores in our city. Penzey’s is everything a business can hope to be. Quality products are sold in attractive stores by knowledgeable charming staff members. As important is Bill Penzey who is on my very short list of people I deeply admire. His writings reveal him as an intelligent man whose beliefs are in such things as equality and justice. Sarah Palin will not have a big smile on her face holding big bags from Penzey’s as she did from Chiken F’ng A. I do not question prices as I want him to stay in business a long long time. I buy the bulk of my spices and herbs at his stores and would not consider any place else.

This is my candy store. Amazing variety and you can smell every single spice they sell. The people working there were extremely friendly and knowledgeable.
I am glad I live 4 hours away because I think I would be here every weekend if I lived locally.

If you cook even a little bit you need to check out this place. They have a wide variety of every spice imaginable and even have some of their own special spice blends. They are even open 7 days a week at the W. 25^th location which is a definite plus in my book. The staff is very helpful and knowledgeable. Spices are fresher and much cheaper than you will find at your local grocery store. If you can’t make it here you can always check them out online. They also have a catalog which includes recipes and other tips. This is the kind of store I can easily get lost in. Loved it!

Vast array of quality spices for baking, cooking, and grilling all in one location with recipes and the ability to sniff to your heart’s content.
It’s a great store full of every spice you could ever need to make any dish. Kid you not, from saffron and dutch-​processed cocoa to chilli’s and fenugreek. My favorite were their specialty blends of spices that would perk up your chicken, steak or fish. I took home a few of those to sample on the recipe I found in the store!
I spent a lot of time in the cinnamon section with over five different varieties. I have noticed different recipes call for a specific kind of cinnamon but never know what the difference was. Finally, I could smell them all and figure it out. Some cinnamon has a hint of licorice while another has citrus overtones that make it unique.
They even have great spice sets to give as gifts! Great for birthdays, weddings, showers, house warming, etc. I found the staff knowledgeable and helpful. It’s a very fun store if you like being in the kitchen.

Glad to see you in the neighborhood!
Love buying whole spices and never ever get to the one on the east side so it is a definite blessing that they moved to my stomping grounds.
The location right across the street from the west side market makes for a very enjoyable Saturday or any other day occasion.
The ability to sniff the wares and get a good feel of what your taking home with you is an added plus.
The staff are very friendly and well aware of all the offerings in the shop.
Cooking is my passion along with feeding friends. Fresh spices enhance the taste of any well cooked meal so this place is a definite go to spot.

First, I have to say how thrilled I am that The United Bank Building which holds Penzey’s Spices is in use after probably more than 10 years of being empty. What a gorgeous space for gorgeous things… spices!
I love to cook and bake. When I walk into Penzey’s I the creativity is almost palpable, ready to ooze from my fingers and into making delicious, new creations.
Did you know there were multiple kinds of cocoa; Dutch Processed and High Fat? I didn’t …but I do now, and yes, I own them both. These are WONDERFUL for baking and hot chocolate. Side note: they do sell Hot Chocolate in regular or mint.
You need a kick for your chili? I bought the hottest chili’s they have and oh my, my chili is on fiiiiire!!! Rubs for your meat to make them melt on the grill, pop for your salad, salt and pepper for seasoning, they’ve got it all here. Even if you are not an avid baker /​cooker /​griller, stop in and browse. The ladies who work there are more than happy to help you find whatever you need.

This place is AMAZING! I walked in to the most erotic, exotic, sensual smells I have ever smelled in my life. It hung in the air, kind of like that after sex smell, but WAAAAAAY better. If Heaven has a smell, it would be this store.
My favorite thing from that store was the Vietnamese cinnamon. I must have sniffed about 10 different kinds, and for whatever reason, this one stuck with me. Now mind you, I rarely cook, and when I do, I have no need for the things they sell in this store. HOWEVER, it was highly sexy to be around all of this good smelling stuff.

As you walk by this storefront tucked away inside the Eaton Place on Chigrin Blvd, the sweet & exotic smell of numerous spices naturally draw you in. If you are spice lover then this store is the spice love portion heaven.
My visit was explicitly to find a good quality Saffron and I was pleased to see two varieties of Saffron here and although their prices are comparatively higher (as expected given their location) the quality I found is well worth the extra bit of $.
Apart from the general staples Penzey’s offers specialty spices like Saffron, Adobo to mixed rubs like Various Chili powder mixes, Curry powder flavors, Cajun spice, BBQ 3000, Arizona Dreaming. One look at their online catalog tells you details of these various tasty aromatics and herbs. Their catalog also not only just lists their spices, they provide detailed description and usage of each, they even throw in letters from readers and delicious recipes. A worth while read. Penzey’s doesn’t stock just cooking spices, they stock a great deal of cooking herbs, baking related flavoring extracts and mixes even Hot Chocolate mix
The store is very neatly organized and you can tell a good amount of though was given to organizing alternative placement of strong and light smelling spices. There are aisles of spices from italian, to indian, to european, to american. There is even a sample jar of every spice so that you can smell. Each spice /​mix has a small card providing some suggested usage of each spice. They have even created a gift isle where you can pick from a pre-​set or make your own sets of exotic spices — Peppers of the World, Hot Cocoa Mix sets, etc.
The staff are friendly and very helpful. During my visit I noticed one of the staff patiently and excitedly help out an overwhelmed couple with the right spice choice for a dinner they were planning.

Okay, all right, calm down. YES, The Great Brandino is back for a second and writing a review. I couldn’t help it, as this place hits a home run. Without even entering the store, I’d decided to give it five stars, and an official «Brandon’s Five Star Rating».
So one afternoon when parking for my evening shift at the Flying Fig, I realized I made good time from school and had an hour to kill. I started walking over to the Koffie Café, but suddenly noticed a store, ground level, in the old United Bank Building. «What the hell?» I thought, having driven by there every day for months and having had no idea something was moving in that quick (Crop Bistro is slated to open in the same building soon). So, I re-​jaywalked across Lorain to check it out.
I’d heard of Penzey’s, but never ordered anything from them or was in a retail location. The store is on the corner of West 25^th and Lorain, again in the awesome ancient United Bank Building, which is soon to be developed into a marketplace/​destination. The store is surprisingly large, with soaring ceilings and a nice display of spices arranged in crates+straw, a cool rustic look. They’re organized by types and recipes, and they have a few gift ideas set out conveniently for purchase. I can say without doubt that 50% of my Christmas shopping will be done at Penzeys. Chili set? Check. Gift box with 6 different types of grind-​able peppercorns? Check.
The associates are very friendly and will approach you in a non-​annoying fashion. The store is set up so you can have your space, but the second you look perplexed or have need they’ll be right with you.
The best part? OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. God, I can’t tell you all how important it is to develop not just restaurants for nights, but daytime retail spots that are customer friendly and accessible. They’ll have an entire customer base from the confused and disillusioned West Side Market people alone.
I’ve been going through some nasty rough times lately, but when places like this open in my ‘hood, it makes me remember why I came back. I friggin love Cleveland.