Trader Joes Favorites?

[gandycat]

I just did a trip so it brought more things to mind:

frozen indian entrees (the tikka paneer is really good)
frozen roasted corn
homemade tortillas
tri color hummus
tube of biscusts (the kind you bake, they have no trans fat)
the sliced gouda cheese
there's a frozen gnocci that is really good, I can't remember the name but it has red sauce and bits of mozzerella cheese
low sodium tomato soup (in the carton)

Yum!

 

[MEM]

I'm making a trip during my lunch break tomorrow (the one by my work carries a few different things that I like that the one by my house doesn't carry). I have a question about the orange chicken, is it healthy? I mean is it fried or just grilled and glazed? Thanks!

The chicken is breaded and fried (and then frozen). You reheat the chicken pieces in the oven to re-crisp and then add the orange sauce. We make it healthier by adding broiled pineapple chunks and serving over lots of brown rice.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

The chicken is breaded and fried (and then frozen). You reheat the chicken pieces in the oven to re-crisp and then add the orange sauce. We make it healthier by adding broiled pineapple chunks and serving over lots of brown rice.

Great! Thank you!

 

[Schmoodle]

I always stock up on nuts, dried fruit, and cheese, good selection and good prices.
I like their marinara sauce - no sugar added is hard to find. Also their Goddess Dressing is the bomb.
Soy chorizo is really good, and the kids like the soy corn dogs (freezer section).
Mostly I stay away from the prepared frozen stuff though, as we have gotten food poisoning twice (orange chicken and cioppino). I also don't buy meat there, as we prefer to buy from a local butcher. And I think their fresh fruit and veggies are overpriced and not great quality. Much better at the farmer's market!

 

[estherhead]

So a bounce off question: If you were going to pack lunches solely from TJ's for a family from 3 years-36 years with no access to a microwave what would you pack? I'll be near a TJ on Friday and have to pack for Sat & Sun. Maybe wraps? Pita chips & hummus? Oh, and we don't like mayo based things.

Thanks for asking the question & letting me bounce!

 

[NeverlandClub23]

-fresh salsa (I like the hot, rest of the family prefers the mild)
-flax seed tortilla chips (sound weird but really good)

Just picked up both of these and they are OUT OF THIS WORLD good! I got the hot salsa and it is so yummy! My homemade salsa is pretty good but not that good. I also got the veggie & flax seed chips. They are really good, especially with the salsa.

Hansen's Diet Soda (love, love, love the gingerale flavor)

I picked up the Diet gingerale flavor last weekend and really enjoyed it (it has almost a spicier flavor than normal ginger ale, I like it!) and I picked up the Diet root beer today. WOW! So creamy and yummy I wish they could find a more natural way to sweeten them though other than Splenda (but at least I have cut my soda consumption down to 1 every other day).

Also, my Kroger sells these at almost $4 a 6 pack. TJ's has them for $2.70

 

[MEM]

Try TJ's Peach Salsa on broiled/grilled salmon, with a side of their haricots verts.

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

Our family loves the Soyaki marinade. We use it on cheap cuts of steak or on chicken and cook it on the grill. Yum Yum!

 

[ceecee]

I'm making a trip during my lunch break tomorrow (the one by my work carries a few different things that I like that the one by my house doesn't carry). I have a question about the orange chicken, is it healthy? I mean is it fried or just grilled and glazed? Thanks!

Very unhealthy, but good for a treat. High in fat and carbs.
I really like the Chocolate Cat Cookies!

 

[drinkme]

I buy alot from there, but my absolutely favorite thing is their Pea Pod snacks. I forgot the name of them, but they're located with the snack foods (chips, etc.). If you haven't tried them, you MUST buy them!!!!

 

[jessrose18]

Thanks everyone on this thread! I had a Trader Joes right down the road but had never been there. Went twice this week here's what I found that I already love! We have two adults in our family so often cooking vs. out to eat is about the same price, but a bag of orange chicken/fried rice/and a package of chicken egg rolls was only 11 bucks compared to 20 at the local chinese place, and it was delicious!

-orange chicken
-chicken fried rice in freezer section
-corned beef brisket
-spicy mustard
-strawberry licorice (oh my god good)
-price on olive oil was great
-great flowers bought a bunch of tulips for 4.99 and they are beautiful

Here are some others I bought and cant wait to try: sweet potato fries, brocolli slaw and spicy peanut dressing, frozen burritos, 5 layer chip dip, chocolate croissants, chicken sausages sweet apple flavor, and some sushi. I will let you know if any of these are also winners! I found the pricing on some things to be great, while yogurt adn cheeses were more expensive than I would pay, but they were organic and that is not a requirement for me...so another thanks for the suggestions!

 

[JCMHutch]

DH & I go to Trader Joes and have a few items that we always get there:

- Indian Box Dinner (includes Jamine rice, Aloo Mater and one other item). Heat in the microwave and serve. Its perfect for those nights when you get out of work late and just don't feel like pulling together a whole meal. I'll add some pita bread on the side and it is fabulously good.
- DH loves their Jalapeno Hot Sauce. That is a must have in the house and he puts it on everything.
- Cranberry Sauce - the one near us gets it seasonally and it has some jelly in it and whole lot of real cranberries. It is soooo good at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
- Middle East Feast - this is over with the refridgerated items. It's pita bread, hummus, falafal and tabboulah for one. I will grab that and bring it to work for lunch.

There are 2 in Mass that sell wine (some state law here that they could only have 2 liquer licenses). A lot of people I know like the "2 buck chuck" they sell. I don't drink wine so I can't confirm that but my friends like it.

- jen

 

[amandaraye]

their guacamole is the best I can find. Comes frozen, thaws quickly and tastes as close to homemade as anywhere I have tried!

 

[debbiecarr98]

i like the honey sesame sticks, the soy crisps, especially bbq, hummus, saffron used to be really reasonably priced there, havent gotten it in a while, love the frozen fruits, cherries, blackberry and raspberry mix, veggie pizza, the flowers are very reasonable, some of the fresh breads, oh the little mini tacos and there is an apple studely thing thats yummy!!

 

[Figment's Girl]

Just ate the Four cheese as well as the Spinach/Ricotta Ravoli and they were very yummy! Had the Sundried tomato Brats last night and they were also delicious. We'll definitely be buying them again.

 

[ShannonMB]

EDIT - haha, I already posted on this thread. No sense repeating!

 

[ProudMommyof2]

I Love Trader Joe's- ring the bell for:

Barbeque Pork in a Microwavable Bag ( i can't believe no one else put this- major YUM!!!)

Orange chicken

micro popcorn
cat cookies for people
frozen bag of seafood (shrimp, scallops and calamari)
all purpose cleaner( great on granite and stainless steel)
veggie chips

great fresh fruit!

 

[fall08CP]

There aren't any TJ where I currently live but there is one in my parents' town... I seriously load up every time I go visit them!

Great products-
Hummus, plain or garlic
Sweet potato fries
Pita chips, Parmesan or cinnamon sugar
Flax tortilla chips
Organic PB, soooo creamy
Almond butter with sea salt
PB/Almond butter with flax seed- brilliant!!!
Sparkling juices esp pomegranate
Fage greek yogurt- TDF!
Pomegranate seeds
Chocolate covered PB filled pretzels
Dark chocolate pretzels
Chocolate chip dunkers
Chocolate croissants
Frozen veggies- foursome, broccoli
Frozen brown rice
2 buck chuck, white zinfandel
Brownie mix
All of their dark chocolate
Frozen mac + cheese

Did not care for-
Orange chicken (was so fatty I had to dump the bag, though everyone else seems to like it? maybe I got a bad batch )
Raw almond butter
Pumpkin butter
Protein powder
TJ brand greek yogurt
Dried mango
Strawberry yogurt joe's o's cereal- way too crunchy
Chicken salad
This strawberry walked into a bar...
TJ wheat bread- very dry

 

[Evi]

my all time favorite item would have to be the frozen wantons (very easy to make a last minute dinner for 1 being me lol)

my new favorites the greek beans (glass jar area) & potato lentil twists (chips)

 

[cndij]

Bumping this up, anything new to add?