Mantry is a subscription box that describes itself as “the modern man’s pantry.”
Boxes feature artisan and small-batch food items from across the US.
The first box a subscriber receives will be sent in a wooden crate. Subsequent shipments will be sent in a mailer (to reduce packaging waste).
Mantry sent us this box at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
The Subscription Box: Mantry
The Cost: $49
COUPON: Receive a free Jerky Kit with a 12-month subscription! No coupon required - just link here.
The Products: Artisan foods for the modern man’s pantry sent every other month.
Ships to: US only.
Check out all of our Mantry reviews and the Food Subscription Box Directory!
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
Good to know: Mantry has gift cards available to print out and hand to dads on Father's Day so it's a perfect Last-Minute Gift for Dad!
This month’s theme is “Grill Fest 2.”
Each box comes with a fold out card detailing the producers behind the food included and where in the US they’re based.
This box also contained a note from Mantry’s curator.
Hak's Chipotle Bourbon BBQ Sauce (15.5 oz)- $8
No grilling themed box would be complete without barbecue sauce! This sauce is the creation of Sharon Hakman, a contestant from the first season of FOX’s Masterchef. It’s gluten free, non-GMO, and made with all natural ingredients and no preservatives. Mantry posts recipe on their website that coordinate with each box shipment, and they recommend using this sauce to make Sticky Chipotle Bourbon Ribs.
Ashley's Blueberry Vinaigrette from Well-Fed Farm (8.5 oz.)- $16
This dressing is made from a combination of organic, high-quality ingredients: olive oil, balsamic vinegar, wild Maine blueberries, Maine maple syrup, garlic, Maine honey, mustard, lemon juice, and salt & pepper. It’s sweet, tangy, a little salty, and perfect for summer salads.
Miss Marjorie's Steel Drum Plantains (6 oz.)- $8
Miss Marjorie’s plantains are one of the signature items served at Marjorie Restaurant in Seattle. They can be eaten alone, paired with cheese, or dipped into sauce. Mantry recommends serving them alongside homemade Piri Piri Grilled Pineapple Salsa.
Stacy's Sweet Spot Bodacious Bacon Beer Brittle (3 oz.)- $7.99
This brittle is a 2015 Good Food Award Winner, which basically guarantees that it’s going to be delicious. (And it is.) It’s made with “Parkway Brewing’s Raven’s Roost Porter, Rube Mountain Farm Natural Cured Bacon, Homestead Creamery Butter, Indian Springs NC Pecans, Tejas Chocolate’s Dominican Cocoa Nibs, with a touch of locally grown habanero & a dash of sea salt.”
True Gentleman's Jerky The Sinsa (2.25 oz.)- $6.99
I’ve tried this jerky before (thanks to Jerky Snob), and I’m a fan. The Sinsa incorporates the flavors of Korean BBQ. My favorite thing about True Gentleman’s Jerky, though, is that they include a bit of dental floss in each pack. How thoughtful!
The Chili Lab Piri Piri Chili Salt (4 oz.)- $12
This salt has a medium level of spice and a fresh herbal kick. The Chili Lab recommends using it “as a finishing salt on tuna tartare or a baked potato, or add it to white wine-steamed clams.” I love spicy salt, and this one has great flavor and nice heat.
Back in February, Mantry announced that they planned to introduce some changes to their subscription model. Instead of shipping monthly at a cost of $75 per shipment, they would switch to a bi-monthly shipping schedule and lower their cost to $49 per box. This change has been in effect for several months now, but this is my first review since February, so I thought it was important to mention.
New subscribers all receive a welcome packet after signing up for a subscription.
Mantry kindly sent me one, so that MSA readers could preview what’s inside.
My pack contained a set of four paper coasters.
Alaska Pure Alder Smoked Sea Salt (2 oz.?)- $5?
It also contained a generously sized packet of smoked salt.
The welcome letter explained that using high-quality ingredients (like the salt) is a great way to improve your cooking.
Magazine Subscription- $25?
Also included in the packet was a card that contained a code that could be redeemed at pickyourmagazine.com for a free magazine subscription of your choice. (No credit card required!)
Lastly, Mantry included a discount code for Salted, a website that offers online cooking courses.
Altogether, quite a nice little gift bundle!
Verdict: It’s been awhile since I last reviewed Mantry, and I’m pleased to see that their curation is still on point. They’ve always had a knack for sending incredible artisanal products from small domestic producers; however, I previously struggled with the cost to value ratio of their boxes. I was excited to see how the changes they announced in February would impact on the subscription, and I’m pleased to see that the value has improved greatly. The retail cost of the items in this month’s box totals $59, which is great considering the $49 cost of the box.
Have you tried any of the products in this month’s Mantry? What do you think about their re-vamped subscription model?
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