Going to Trader Joe's for first time...

[pixiewings71]

YAY you got the sponges! lol Those things are so awesome, I do need to get another package of them but resisted yesterday when I went in. I did get some cheese (havarti, yum!), hummus, the garlic naan that was suggested by someone else and I got the chicken pot stickers, fried rice, chow mein and orange chicken and for dinner last night we had Chinese, everyone loved it all. It was super good and the orange chicken was much better then I remember it being!! So those will be regular TJ's items for us now.

 

[My2Cinderellas]

keep the suggestions coming! Our store opens Nov 5th, the closest one is currently over 4 hours away so I expect things will be completely nuts at first. Can't wait!!

 

[Jennifer in MI]

Hi! OP here. I went to Trader Joe's yesterday and am in love Does anyone work there or know of anyone that works there? They are opening one up near me in the next couple of months and I am seriously considering applying for a PT job!! Anyway - just wanted to follow up after all your great suggestions. This is what I bought:

organic white tortilla chips
chicken and vegetable dumplings (frozen)
wonton cucumber vegetable dumplings (frozen)
garlic naan (frozen)
chicken cilantro mini wontons (frozen)
TJ's chunky salsa
kettle potato chips
low fat granola vanilla almond
fig cereal bars
artisan ciabatta rolls
red pepper, eggplant and garlic spread
green olive tepenade
some assorted fruit bars
coffee cake baking mix
lavendar salt scrub
lavendar soap
pop up sponges
whole wheat bagels

So thanks for all your suggestions!!! Can't wait for my store to open!!

The dumplings are a FAVORITE everywhere we go!!!! I take them to the kids' baseball picnics, karate events, etc, etc. We never have leftovers!! And, at our last party, the kids were ALL talking about them.

I do have a friend who works there. A few actually. They LOVE it! They give benefits at 20 hours, I believe. I've considered applying for their 4 am - 9 am shift!

 

[minniebeth]

njsweetP, enjoy your items! My family likes the cucumber wontons, the garlic naan, and the fig cereal bars too!

It's always fun trying new things!

 

[sbpebbles]

ok because of this thread I think I've got to check this place out..we only have two here in WI both roughly a hour away..how long should i expect my first trip in to take? should i plan a good part of the day? lol

 

[pixiewings71]

ok because of this thread I think I've got to check this place out..we only have two here in WI both roughly a hour away..how long should i expect my first trip in to take? should i plan a good part of the day? lol

Our TJ's is very small, it doesn't take me long to get my shopping done. About 30-60 minutes.

 

[*BTMRR*]

ok because of this thread I think I've got to check this place out..we only have two here in WI both roughly a hour away..how long should i expect my first trip in to take? should i plan a good part of the day? lol

One reason I go to Trader Joe's for a lot of my regular shopping is that it is small--I get overwhelmed in the mega supermarkets where if you forget something it takes forever to backtrack.

I'd say if you go at a non-crowded time, allow an hour or so to do some browsing. If you go at a busy time (right after work or anytime on the weekend), add some time and plenty of patience. These stores can get really packed! They do open up checkout lines immediately when needed so that helps. I can get my shopping done in 20 minutes at a non-busy time, if I just pick up my usual things and don't browse, but you'll want to browse on your first visit.