Whether they’re purchasing mugs and cups or serving platters, most restaurants prefer to buy their dinnerware wholesale, with the option of making smaller orders to replace breakage. Few retail stores offer dinnerware with the combination of appearance and durability needed by commercial eateries, so most restaurants purchase commercial dishes from Chefs’ Toys. We’re leaders in commercial equipment for the food industry.

The type of restaurant dishes used depends on the nature of the business. China dinnerware is popular, while porcelain is used for fine dining plates. Stoneware dishes suit many informal dining settings, while melamine dishes make excellent restaurant tableware for family dining. Glass dinnerware and bamboo dishes add visual interest.

Stoneware and melamine are the most durable commercial dishes on the market. Stoneware, made from non-porous ceramic, is thicker than porcelain, and well-designed for the rigors of a high-volume restaurant.

Melamine dinnerware is made from shatter-resistant plastic and comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns. Melamine often mimics the appearance of china. Although food-safe, melamine is not oven or microwave-safe but has attractive price points.

The best brand for restaurant plates depends on your desired commercial dishes. Chefs’ Toys carries restaurant dinnerware from a diverse group of respected brands, including:

• Alani porcelain dinnerware
• Arcata
• Ariane plates
• Carlisle
• Front of the House
• GET Melamine
• Tria China
• Venu dinnerware
• Vertex China
• Ziena dinnerware

When selecting restaurant plates and other commercial dishes, ask the following questions:

• Are restaurant plates the right size for your portion sizes?
• Does the size, shape, color, and pattern of restaurant dinnerware complement your food?
• Do you have the storage capacity for a particular style of plates?
• Do you need commercial dishes capable of withstanding the heat from ovens and serving passes?
• How comfortably can serving staff carry the plates?
• How durable is the dinnerware? Can it withstand constant use in high-volume environments?
• How “timeless” is the dinnerware’s style? Will it go out of fashion quickly?
• Is commercial dinnerware the right size for your dishwasher?