Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Big John's PFI

    4.3 (171 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Big John's PFI Photos

    Business Info

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Big John's PFI

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Inside
    Julie E.

    Slipped in this gem just before they closed for the night. We have European stores in Portland but nothing this big. Excellent selection of groceries from Europe. Picked up some organic European flour, pastas I'm dying to try, pasta sauce from Brooklyn, gifts and more. Huge wine and cheese selection. If you're craving something from Europe, they likely have it here. Staff was friendly and attentive. Much bigger inside than you'd expect. We will be returning and can't wait to try our haul of Yums.

    Panforte
    Anne C.

    Every time I go here, I'm more and more enamored of the goodies that can be found at Big John's PFI. Reasonably priced castelvetrano olives in bulk - both pitted and whole? Picholine olives? Greek olives? Soooo many choices and well priced too. Fennel salami? yes! Amazing walnut leaf-wrapped pecorino? Delicious! Came here before the holidays to look for panforte for a dear relative who loves this chewy, nutty, fruit and honey Italian dessert - and they had so many possible options. They also had torrone, panettone, pandoro, gianduiotti - all things on my personal holiday shopping list. And I couldn't resist picking up some calissons, some pate de fruits, and cassis syrup for New Year's kir royales. And a bag of Kolsvart Swedish Fish that was elderflower-flavored and pike shaped. I also come here for my favorite Hengstenberg German pickles, French mustard, and a 5 kilo bag of Italian "00" pizza flour. They also have many specialty flours in bulk, a huge variety of malt balls, that divisive (either you love it or you don't) salted black licorice, bulk spices, and so much more. The only con: parking is extremely difficult and some things are seasonal, so, patience and timing is sometimes required.

    Earnie G.

    I can see how this place has hidden in plain sight all these years. Glad to see it getting some local press. But it is certainly tucked away in a hard to find place. If you go, know that you will need to go around the back to find the entrance and parking. If you go around the south side through the paid parking lot, you will get to the free lot for the store. You will also realize you could have entered from the street on the north side, and you can use that entrance once you realize it's there. This kind of reminded me of a lower rent, slightly smaller version of DeLaurenti Food & Wine. It's more basic and definitely less fancy in its digs, but it's good. They have a good selection of the items they carry. They do not carry as broad a selection as DeLaurenti. In some cases, their depth of selection is deeper than DeLaurenti's, in other cases it is not close. It's an interesting assortment of things. The packaged specialty foods selection here is great, but I need to compare prices with DeLaurenti to see if it's worth the trip or not. The cheese counter is impressive and has more cheeses than just about any other place in Seattle. Maybe Metropolitan Market or Central Market have a bit more, but I doubt it. And the cheeses they carry are stellar. The cheese counter is reason enough to return. Deli meat selection is lacking a bit. Chocolate section is tiny. Overall, this is a great place and worth a return visit (or two, or ten, or a hundred).

    All the cheese!

    See all

    8 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Me H.
    131
    925
    1017

    18 years ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 0
    Love this 8
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Opal D.
    217
    2331
    249

    11 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of R B.
    1
    35
    12

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rick S.
    386
    294
    1540

    13 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mark G.
    90
    506
    197

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jon L.
    878
    2581
    42715

    16 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    19 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    19 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Premium Italian grocery. Going back to slow try everything they have. Great customer service and very knowledgeable about what they carry

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of K T.
    0
    222
    16

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Expensive but can find a lot of Italian food items not always easily found in Seattle. The new location much more convenient.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of DF H.
    46
    52
    517

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 8
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 8
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bud F.
    0
    13
    0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 2 of 5

    Ask the Community - Big John's PFI

    Review Highlights - Big John's PFI

    I also have to get olive oil, tapenades, cans of crushed tomatoes by the case, bulk spices and grains....

    Mentioned in 41 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Cheese Shops 2,078 times last month within 10 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Salumi

    Salumi

    4.4
    (1.6k reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    I am glad my brother found this spot for lunch within walking distance of our stay. It is so cute…read moreand quant. The place is simple and clean. I ordered the caprese sandwich and my brother got the porchetta sandwich. The bread is crispy but soft on the inside. I saw the guy cutting up the tomato as we sat to wait for our sandwiches. You order at the kiosk and then sit to eat. The ingredients are super fresh and worth waiting for the sandwich.

    Salumi is a solid sandwich shop in the heart of downtown and a convenient stop if you're exploring…read morethe nearby stadiums and attractions. We ordered the Meatball Sub and Eggplant Sub with marinara sauce. Both sandwiches were flavorful and satisfying. The meatball sub was hearty and comforting, while the eggplant sub had a rich marinara sauce that worked well with the sandwich. We were especially disappointed that the Cubano was sold out, as it was one of the main reasons we stopped by. The only drawback was the price--at around $20 per sandwich, it felt a bit expensive for what you get, especially considering it was just a 6-inch sub, even though the quality was good. We visited during a FIFA World Cup match, so the line was quite long, but it moved steadily and efficiently. No complaints there. The atmosphere is casual and straightforward, with indoor seating only. Its downtown location near the stadiums makes it a convenient spot for a quick meal before or after an event. Overall, a good sandwich shop with quality food, though the pricing keeps it from being a must-visit. I'd still come back to finally try that Cubano.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Braised Porchetta Grindhouse
    Braised Porchetta Grindhouse
    Front counter

    See all

    Front counter
    Beechers Handmade Cheese

    Beechers Handmade Cheese

    3.8
    (46 reviews)
    10.2 mi
    $$

    My pre-flight ritual is stopping by the Wendy's here but I also got to eat some of my partner's mac…read moreand cheese hehe. Food: (4/5) I'm not the biggest fan of mac and cheese in general because it gives me flavor fatigue sooo fast, but this one was really good! I've had Beechers at the famous Pike location many years ago and don't remember it being so delicious. I have no idea what exactly my partner ordered, but it was soo creamy and just the right amount of cheesy. It was so steamy that it stayed hot for a good amount of our flight as well. This is definitely something I would like to start getting more often, especially as a comfort food before something that can be physically taxing like a long flight.

    I have to say, Beecher's Handmade Cheese in the airport is overrated. For a place that gets so much…read morehype, our visit was a disappointment. The food fell short across the board: Tomato Soup: It was way too sour, lacking any of the rich, balanced flavor you want in a classic tomato soup. Mac & Cheese: While they call it the "World's Best," it was just way too cheesy to the point of being overwhelming. Instead of being creamy and balanced, it felt heavy. To make matters worse, the guy serving us really wasn't very friendly, which only added to the subpar experience. Between the letdown dishes and the service, it's definitely not worth the airport premium. And it's the airport and the tables were filthy.

    Photos
    Ordering counter
    Ordering counter
    Small Mac and cheese for over $10
    Small Mac and cheese for over $10
    Beechers Handmade Cheese

    See all

    Due' Cucina - Capitol Hill

    Due' Cucina - Capitol Hill

    4.3
    (884 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$

    The good: portions are large and prices are lower than expected. Financial and tiramisu were very…read moregood. Takeout was quick. The meh: carbona focaccia sandwich was a salt lick. The short rib ragu and bolognese were 2x pasta to sauce, which was surprisingly dry given they were swimming in oil. Pasta is obviously homemade and tasty. Next time we'd plan to eat in the restaurant rather than doing takeout.

    This place is more of a fast-casual pasta spot than a traditional sit-down restaurant, which I…read moreactually liked. You walk in and order at a self-service kiosk, and there are plenty of options to customize your pasta. You can choose from different pasta types and sauces, which makes it easy to build exactly what you want. We ordered the short rib pasta and the carbonara, along with a cannoli for dessert. After ordering, you seat yourself and they call your name when the food is ready. We had no problem finding a table for two. There seemed to be a lot of takeout orders coming through. Both pastas tasted fresh and were cooked al dente, just as advertised. The carbonara was creamy and flavorful. The short rib itself was good, but the pasta and sauce were a bit separated, so the pasta didn't absorb as much flavor as I expected. The cannoli was very filling and had a hint or orange in it. Overall, it's a good spot if you're looking for quick, customizable pasta. Just keep in mind that it's more of a fast-casual place rather than a full sit-down service restaurant.

    Photos
    Ambience
    Ambience
    Suppli Al Telefono
    Suppli Al Telefono
    Suppli Al Telefono

    See all

    Suppli Al Telefono
    Beecher's Handmade Cheese

    Beecher's Handmade Cheese

    3.6
    (158 reviews)
    5.2 mi
    $$

    I love that Beecher's is like the only place in this state other than the airport where you can buy…read moreDeep River snacks' mini bags of jalapeño chips. I'd been looking for them everywhere, and I was so glad when I spotted them at Beecher's a few years ago. Whenever I have a craving, I can just stop by the mall and pick up a bag! Regarding their food, I wish they listed all ingredients on the menu. I love their lasagna, but it has spinach in it, which I'm intolerant to, so the first and last time I ordered lasagna at Beecher's was a pretty painful experience. During my most recent Beecher's trip a few weeks ago, my boyfriend ordered a grilled cheese and their salmon mac and cheese. I had a few bites of both, and they were delicious. The grilled cheese was perfectly crispy, and I loved the crunch it made when I first bit into it. The gooey-ness of the cheese in the macaroni was also incredible, and I loved the texture. I'm sure I'll come back soon! I would probably be more inclined to drop by during every mall trip if they had better coffee. Every time I order an iced mocha, it's overpriced and absolutely disgusting. The flavours are never incorporated, and every time I think it will be different, it's the same.

    I finally get to try Beecher's, The famous cheese shop, a beloved institution known for its…read morehandcrafted cheeses and cheese sandwiches. I first found out about Beecher's when I was at Pike's Place and noticed the super long line for Beecher's. I didn't have time to stand in the line so I skipped it during March 25 visit. My daughter tried and mentioned how good mac was. Yay. fast forward to this recent visit to Bellevue Square and what a bonus & treat! Beecher's was here at the mall, but the junk part is I was full from snacking at the other mall and we are having a late dinner in about 11/2 hours. I want to try everything which I couldn't, I went for the mac & cheese that everyone raves about, but I couldn't do the grilled sandwiches, this will have to wait til next trip. The mac & cheese is available in classic, meat ball & salmon and comes in 2 sizes , 8 oz and 16 oz. I wanted to try the meat ball but they were sold out. I got the salmon, happy dance before I took my first bite & the verdict: That was some good mac & cheese, this is what I call mac & cheese. I can't compare other mac & cheese to this. Its my first time trying mac & cheese with salmon and it was actually unique and so good, loved the flavors, the hint of lime, dill, cheese, penne pasta, smoky salmon, & sauce. Tip., there's no bread crumbs on mac & cheese but ask for the fresh croutons to add to your mac & cheese. **Remember stop by here instead of dealing with the lines at Pike's Place. This is the best impromptu, unplanned visit ever!

    Photos
    Bellevue Square Location
    Bellevue Square Location
    World's Best Mac & Cheese
    World's Best Mac & Cheese
    Mac and cheese

    See all

    Mac and cheese
    Flight Wine + Chocolate

    Flight Wine + Chocolate

    4.9
    (43 reviews)
    1.3 mi

    This has been on my list of places to go for years. Decided to make an excuse (anniversary) and…read morewent all in. Inside has a clean, more modern feel, but still comfortable. You can choose to sit on the main floor, outside, or upstairs. Got a flight of red wine, a flight of whites, and a flight of chocolate (which comes with a glass of wine specifically as a pairing. This was my favorite wine). AND a free snack bowl was provided! The workers did an excellent job. They brought out the wines one at a time- describing each one in detail, even pointing out which were their favorites. The service was very personable, which is something I don't always get at other places that do wine tastings. The chocolates were melt in your mouth, with unique flavors, making it extra fun. I must note- getting the flights that we did was pricey, but I know, most wine tastings and fancy chocolates are going to be expensive. I also wish there was a little more chocolate in the flight. It was difficult to cut up and share. However, this was a wonderful experience that I'm happy to have tried once, and they deserve the 5 stars!

    Flight is an intimate wine bar in a quieter part of Capitol Hill. The decor is chic with red…read moreaccents and comfortable seating throughout. When we were seated we were given menus and the staff walked us through each flight offered. They even provide complimentary gluten free snack mix! We ordered two first class flights and a chocolate flight. The first class is a red flight, but starts with champagne (yes real champagne). I've never had champagne to start a flight and I absolutely loved it. The flight was well placed with each wine growing bolder. The staff were extremely knowledgeable and took time to explain each wine to every table. The chocolate flight was the best chocolate I have ever had, the chocolatier was even serving our wine and brought out the chocolates as well. He explained every piece and where each ingredient was from. The chocolate flight came with a port that paired well with every chocolate. This wine tasting room is thoughtfully curated and you can tell with every glass and piece of chocolate.

    Photos
    Chocolate flight
    Chocolate flight
    Flight Wine + Chocolate
    Flight Wine + Chocolate

    See all

    Big John's PFI - cheese - Updated June 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...