ISO dates

December 19, 2006 7:41 AM

Where can I find good quality dates? I recently went to a local Islamic temple open-house and they had free dates which were so good I realized I had never had a decent date before. Thanks to God I am now a date convert, but the local stores carry a pale shade of the real thing.
posted by stbalbach to food & drink (16 comments total)

Look for a Lebanese or Turkish grocer, or just go ask the folks at the temple where they got theirs, if possible.
posted by Mister_A at 7:46 AM on December 19, 2006

Sorry I couldn't resist. I like Fresh Direct's dates, if they deliver to your nabe.
posted by allkindsoftime at 7:47 AM on December 19, 2006

Most people have only had the pitted kind sold by Dole for baking...terrible! Local availability depends on your area. In Houston most of the Kroger's have good medjool dates from California (medjool are the big ones originally from Morocco). Also, if you have a Whole Foods in your city they probably have a few kinds of dates in their bulk foods section. Do you remember the size of the dates you had?
posted by Burhanistan at 8:16 AM on December 19, 2006

Can you ask the place where you tasted them where they got them?
posted by winston at 8:20 AM on December 19, 2006

My dad mail orders them. The name escapes me, but they are mighty tasty. I'll try to find out for ya.
posted by evilelvis at 8:29 AM on December 19, 2006

The prices on this site for medjool and deglet noir dates are a bit more per pound than what I usually pay in local stores, but if you can't find them in your town...
posted by Burhanistan at 8:35 AM on December 19, 2006

Last year I wanted to make bacon wrapped dates for a holiday open house and was searching all over the city of Albuquerque for Medjool Dates. I finally found them in bulk at Wild Oats.
posted by FlamingBore at 8:54 AM on December 19, 2006

This time of year I've been able to find pretty nice medjool dates at costco.
posted by Good Brain at 9:04 AM on December 19, 2006

I've found some good ones at Trader Joe's.
posted by JJ86 at 9:07 AM on December 19, 2006

Hadley Fruit Orchards in Cabazon is where my family has bought dates since the Depression and they have topnotch produce. We're lucky enough to drive past their store frequently but out of towners can order over the internets.
posted by buggzzee23 at 9:18 AM on December 19, 2006 [1 favorite]

The best dates I ever had were labeled Black Sphinx. Mmm, dark, soft, creamy, a far cry from those dry wizened brown things!

Google tells me they come from the Arizona Date Gardens, but fails to turn up ordering info.
posted by ottereroticist at 9:39 AM on December 19, 2006

Go here; it's near Landmark Mall, just off 395:

Mediterranean Bakery
352 S Pickett St
Alexandria, VA 22304
[phone]

posted by MrMoonPie at 11:41 AM on December 19, 2006

You want medjool dates. They're soft and very sweet and they almost melt in your mouth.
posted by textilephile at 12:06 PM on December 19, 2006

he said he just gets medjool dates from CA

they are tasty and I had a bizarre aversion to all things fruits growing up but I love em (and all fruit now!)
posted by evilelvis at 2:58 PM on December 19, 2006

Thanks all, learned a lot here. I went with buggzzee23's suggestion since it sounds like a cool hometown place which specializes in dates and they have a sampler pack with 4 or 6 different types of dates, a perfect introduction to the world of dates.
posted by stbalbach at 6:43 PM on December 19, 2006

If you'd like to try another SoCal delicacy, check out Graber Olives.
posted by buggzzee23 at 10:56 PM on December 19, 2006