Why Locals Love Bolton & Hay
Bolton & Hay in Des Moines, Iowa, stands as a cornerstone for chefs, restaurateurs, and passionate home cooks alike, offering a comprehensive selection of restaurant and baking supplies designed to elevate any culinary endeavor. Located conveniently at 4333 Park Ave, this long-established supply store strikes the perfect balance between practical quality and expert service, making it an invaluable resource for both startup businesses and seasoned professionals.
What truly sets Bolton & Hay apart is the dedication and knowledge of its staff. As several customers have enthusiastically shared, their team members—especially Lori—go above and beyond to ensure every need is met. Crystal Lowrey’s experience exemplifies this exceptional service: after a detailed phone consultation, she felt confident enough to make a two-hour trip to the store, where Lori’s warm welcome and efficient assistance turned a routine purchase into a smooth and pleasant experience.
The store’s inventory is impressive and thoughtfully curated, catering to a broad spectrum of culinary needs. From commercial equipment, utensils, and flatware to china, glassware, janitorial supplies, and specialty bakeware, Bolton & Hay truly covers every aspect of food preparation and service. Joe Charter Music’s heartfelt recommendation speaks volumes about the quality and authenticity of their products—including American-made cast iron pans—and the pride they take in celebrating over a century of business.
Besides being a well-stocked supplier, Bolton & Hay offers great value, with many items priced reasonably without compromising on longevity or performance. For those who prioritize durability over aesthetic flashiness, Jeremy Phillips points out that the store offers tools built to last, an essential factor when outfitting a busy commercial kitchen or the serious home cook’s space.
Long-time customers like Bob Scrivner appreciate not only the product quality but also the personal connection and reliability that Bolton & Hay provides. Their willingness to ship supplies even across states demonstrates a commitment that extends far beyond a simple transaction, fostering a relationship of trust and loyalty.
Whether you’re setting up a new restaurant, upgrading your bakery’s equipment, or simply looking to equip your kitchen with professional-grade tools, Bolton & Hay offers an inviting, knowledgeable, and well-stocked environment that feels like more than just a supplier—it’s a partner in your culinary success.
For anyone in or near Des Moines seeking top-tier baking and restaurant supplies backed by authentic expertise and genuine customer care, a visit to Bolton & Hay is a must. Their legacy of quality, service, and value makes them a standout choice in a competitive industry.
See the Space & Food
What Makes This Place Friendly
- Kerbside pickup
- Delivery
- In-store pick-up
- In-store shopping
- Language assistance
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Gender-neutral toilets
- Quick visit
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Real Reviews from the Community
- Mar 6, 2026
We own a small restaurant about two hours away, we called before we made the trip to make sure they had what we needed! Lori answered all our questions, and had us all set up to to pick up our equipment before we made the trip! She was wonderful to work with! When we arrived she greeted us immediately and made the transaction very smooth! Lori and all the staff were very knowledgeable and had us loaded and out the door within a few minutes of arriving! Great job to all and thank you for getting us up and running again! We truly appreciate your amazing customer service!
- Feb 26, 2026
They offer a lot of supplies for any start up business or just those who want to prepare their personal kitchen like a pro chef. Many of the prices are very reasonable.
- Feb 22, 2026
Commercial Restaurant supply, commercial equipment supplies, utensils, commercial flatware , China , glassware , janitorial supply are all just some of the things you can explore at Bolton & Hay restaurant supply! 100th anniversary. I bought my large cast-iron pan made in America there last week and had a great experience with the staff. I recommend visiting their new show room at 4333 Park Avenue Des Moines Iowa 50317 , Best commercial refrigeration, best cooking equipment, best Restaurant supply Des Moines!
- Feb 20, 2026
Restaurant quality with good prices. Some people want the pretty or fancy looking tools and that's fine. I was shopping for someone who wants something that will work for a long time
- Feb 14, 2026
As a couple who's love language is feeding others, we have shopped at many speciality food type stores across the nation and many restraurant supply stores. We always love to go to Bolton & Hay - they have treated us great for many years. We have even had them ship supplies to us when we lived in Atlanta. I just walked in to their store 5 minutes before closing for the holiday to grab some more gloves. No problem, Lori and the team greeted me. Oh and we love their mascots Sonny and Cher.
- Feb 13, 2026
While this new location is on a more traveled street, I preferred their East Des Moines location. Complaints would be low lighting and the lack of a handicap entrance. I had also hoped for a larger selection of table/sauce dishes and knives The plus was friendly staff.
- Feb 7, 2026
Don Hammer is a special person who you can trust and feel comfortable with. He's amazing.
- Jan 28, 2026
My first visit there I was greeted and welcomed, and ever since I've become a fan of Bolton & Hay! They are customer-focused and have a wide variety of commonly used commercial items in bulk or single selections, all for reasonable prices. If they don't have what you are looking for--ASK THEM. They might be able to find what you need, just have to order it. I found quite a few things I would like to return for--all I needed was a big mixing bowl--so I know that I'll be back!
