SEATTLE — It doesn't look like much.
In fact, it kind of looks like a place you should avoid. But this old building behind CenturyLink Field houses Big John’s PFI -- Seattle's best-kept grocery secret.
"It's a little bit of a hidden treasure as we like to say. You have to know somebody who knows somebody to come in here. But once you find it you're a customer for life,” said Holly Cochran, who runs this store along with her sister Kathy Croce Volpone and daughter Margo Cochran.
PFI Stands for Pacific Food Importers.
And Big John? He’s Kathy and Holly’s father, Margo’s granddad, and was a pillar of the Italian-American community, who brought Seattleites extra virgin olive oil and Pecorino cheese back in 1971.
Long before Mediterranean food was a thing.
Big John passed away in 2015, but his family still runs his store his way. Excellent food, in a plain setting. With plenty of customer appreciation parties thrown in.
"We are trying to carry on our dad's legacy, he loved food, he loved people, but most of all he loved family. He loved the fact that our family was involved with PFI and he'd be so proud right now that we are carrying on in this tradition,” said Holly.
The funky building and bumpy concrete floors help keep the bounty on the shelves affordable. A 30 foot cheese counter, Seattle’s longest they say, has 180 different cheeses. Pasta from Italy comes in every shape and color. One entire aisle is devoted to imported tomatoes that can’t be found anywhere else. The olive oils selection gets another entire aisle, and is ‘immense’ says Holly.
The store also has bulk exotic spices, Middle Eastern food, canned fish (something called Sprats is one of PFI’s bestsellers according to Margo) and case upon case of Italian wine coming in at under $10 a bottle.
Plus this: "We have hangover drops in case you drink too much wine,” added Kathy.
Cooks and deal seekers make pilgrimages to this place, and they all know the PFI house rules regarding cheese and olives:
"If you do want the brine you have to bring your own container,” said Holly.
"Okay so there are cheese rules. My dad, when he first got this counter going he said there's a one pound minimum,” added Kathy. "When people would try to question him on the one pound minimum he'd say, ‘I have an idea for you. They'd say 'What?' He'd say, 'Have a party!’"
Today that minimum is a half-pound. But a visit to PFI is still an excellent excuse to have a party.
And we know Big John would agree.
“We're not Whole Foods, we're not Trader Joe's, we're just our own thing,” said Holly.
Big John’s PFI | 1001 6th Ave S # B, Seattle, WA 98134
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