Parmigiano Reggiano

[scott123]

Currently I'm buying it from Trader Joe's for $10.49/lb. The quality isn't spectacular, but it is the real deal, and thus is a phenomenal product.

Anyone have a better source in the area? Would a trip east (Newark/New York/Brooklyn) give me a better deal?

If I find 40 other friends to go in a wheel would that save me any money? Anyone have a good source for wholesale parm in the area?

I love this stuff, but man, the price is killing me.

[Curlz]

Wonder if Costco would sell you a full or even a 1/2 wheel...

[scott123]

Curlz, do you get your parm from there? How much is it per pound?

[richl2214]

The problem with Parmigiano Reggiano is that it is expensive no matter what. Find your nearest Italian specialty store or deli and see what they have it for. A whole wheel is about 80 lbs. Try and ask for greater aged cheeses like 3 years, it's called stravecchio and is more expensive but much better tasting. Likely you are buying cheese aged less than 1 year. It also depends on the time of year its produced. I think spring time production is the best of the bunch.

Have you ever tried Grano Padano cheese? I might suggest that too if you are head over heels for these types of cheeses. It's more popular than PR in Italy.

This summer I'm doing Italy for two weeks and can't wait to hit Emilia-Romagna for the real deal right from where it's made!

Edited February 16, 2005 by richl2214 (log)

[Rosie]

Corrado's?

[chefreit]

The problem with Parmigiano Reggiano is that it is expensive no matter what.  Find your nearest Italian specialty store or deli and see what they have it for.  A whole wheel is about 80 lbs.  Try and ask for greater aged cheeses like 3 years, it's called stravecchio and is more expensive but much better tasting.  Likely you are buying cheese aged less than 1 year.  It also depends on the time of year its produced.  I think spring time production is the best of the bunch.  

Have you ever tried Grano Padano cheese?  I might suggest that too if you are head over heels for these types of cheeses.  It's more popular than PR in Italy.   

This summer I'm doing Italy for two weeks and can't wait to hit Emilia-Romagna for the real deal right from where it's made!

←

That is Grana......

http://www.granapadano.it/

Edited February 16, 2005 by chefreit (log)

[richl2214]

Yes it is....if this board didn't have an edit function I'd have a typo every line. LOL!

[Double 0]

Jerry's on Dean St in Englewood. Much better than Costco, Carrado's or TJ's. Also generally cheaper.

Edited February 16, 2005 by Double 0 (log)

[Montclairite]

I usually buy cheeses, especially Italian cheeses, at Fairway whenever I'm in the neighborhood of one of their stores. Don't recall specifically their Parmigiano Reggiano. but generally they are much more reasonable than other stores.

I haven't tried Corrado for cheese very recently, but as their produce is so poor, I'm not likely to go there for the cheese alone.

[corinne]

Fairway sells grana padano for about $7/pound, reggiano is $12 or so. Zabar's also has a great cheese selection, haven't checked the prices for "grating cheese" as we called it.