Trader Joe's...have you been to one?

[MaryAnnDVC]

A new Trader Joe's opened nearby, and my friend and I have big exciting plans to go this week. But I don't really know what's different and great about it, altho I know people seem to love it.

What do you like, and what should I keep a lookout for?

TRADER JOE'S TRIP REPORT...POST #64.

THANKS FOR ALL THE SUGGESTIONS!

 

[Cindyluwho]

Everything about Trader Joes is amazing!! The quality of the food, the prices, the choices - it's wonderful! There's one just a few blocks from my house and it is the best!!

 

[Alex2kMommy]

Absolutely! I'm a fan!

Their pre-packaged foods are surprisingly good. I bought their key lime pie (frozen) one time, and I swear it was one of the best I've ever had (and I'm a bit picky about my key lime pies!)

The little munchies and desserts are great. I also love the personal-sized quiches, there are several yummy flavors. My mom and aunt adore a teabag that makes wonderfully sweet (unsweetened) iced tea. I've tried some of the cookies and other snacks, too. They also have gourmet chocolates, wonderful coffee beans, and a bit of fresh dairy and produce as well, but I don't recall buying the fresh stuff there. I've heard others rave about the quality of it over the local grocer, though.

Definitely worth a look-see!

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Been going for years.

DW likes their individual salads, she can take them to work!

COFFEE BEANS!!!!!! great coffee.

Kitty food, cheap, (wet and dry) and kitty likes it!, Good dog treats.

usually have good frozen fish. (I can plank them on the grill!)

for quiick meals, they have a lot of good frozen foods that you can microwave.

The buffalo burgers are really good! almost no need to put anything on them!!

The angus burgers are great.

Fresh meat is usually really good, (try the stuffed pork chops!)

The fresh fruit and veggies are usually of good quality. They carry all kinds of nuts, a lot of them raw (no salt!) good for munching. Good bakery products!

(yeah, its our favorite grocery store)

 

[bavaria]

Trader Joe's is German owned by one of the Albrecht brothers (who own the two ALDI companies)

They have a lot of 'foreign' food packaged under their own name. They sell my favourite Bavarian cheese for cheaper than at home. Things like Bonne Maman tartlets and DeStrooper cookies, but under their brand.

I love shopping at Trader Joe's as it is more like home to me. Plus they have excellent prices.

I have been to many in several states and do be aware that each store sells slightly different inventory, so if you hear about something it may not be in your local store.

 

[audrabolster]

I live for trader joes. They have a lot of organic foods for less than what Whole Foods would charge. They have a large assortment of wines and cheeses!

My FAVORITE thing is their canned brushetta. I buy that, and a package of their pizza dough and add a little bit of cheese. MMM!

 

[CapeCodTenor]

I personally don't shop there, but the wife does and she likes it. They have this great orange chicken that is to die for.

 

[Tinkerbelle'sMOM]

Their hummus is awesome! And the apple pie...yum!

 

[Kathi OD]

I personally don't get the attraction of Trader Joe's. Maybe if ours was a little closer or sold wine, or the parking situation wasn't such a nightmare....but as it stands now definitely not worth the effort.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Ooooo...it sounds so good.

I'm going to take notes from this thread. And I'm thinking we should give ourselves more time there than we had planned. The first time we went to an IKEA, we opened and closed the place...ate breakfast, lunch and dinner there.

Ours doesn't sell wine either, but I'm not a wine drinker.

 

[Piecey]

I NEED to get there again and buy some Puffins!

 

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

We shop there, a lot!

We can get French cheese there for really cheap, juice, meats, eggs, milk, everything. We do a big trip at least once a week!

 

[yeartolate]

Psssst...the Peppermint Joe Joes are back. After they are gone....the sell for triple the price on Ebay.

The ginger bread mix is back too.

The feta/carmelized onion appetizers are a huge hit at every party. I try to replicate them, but cannot.

 

[agnes!]

Our sells wine (and for *cheap* too!)

Their coffee is really good, I'm especially fond of their 100% Colombian.

They have the BEST crackers, ever, their Trader Joe's "Multograin" crackers.

Ours carries really good protein bars called "think thin", good price and don't taste like chalky chemicals.

The only thing I don't like is that so much of their pre-cooked or packaged meals (frozen ones especially) are very high in sodium.

agnes!

 

[Saphire]

I couldn't begin to list all the things I like there, so I will just mention a few. They sell delicious fresh baked breads, and I have tried them all. They have a huge selection of cheeses from all over the world. The prices are excellent.

I always make a trip there before Christmas, and find many fun and unique things for Christmas stockings. Like chocolate covered blueberries, dried fruit, all kinds of nuts, specialty teas and hot chocolate, cookies in a cute tin, etc.

Just go there when you have some time, grab a carriage and stroll through each aisle. You will find lots of great things to try. Enjoy!

 

[Master Mason]

The sell cooking sauces that I really like, marsalla, mojito, curry and some others. I just put them in the crock pot with some chicken and let it cook, makes for a really tasty easy meal.

I buy the 2 buck chuck wines for cooking.

In the frozen section they have gnocci in a cheese sauce that is really good. As are all of the frozen dessert items I have tried from there as well.

 

[sha_lyn]

I've been there 2 times and I really don't get the attraction. However the nearest one is about 18 miles away in an area I rarely go to. If one was much closer would probably go there, but I can drive 3 miles and get the same items at publix and kroger for just pennies more.

ETA: I also buy a lot of items through a natural/organic co-op where I am able to get many of the same items TJ carries for cheaper.

 

[KirstenB]

They're affordable for organic foods, and special diet foods, like gluten free, casein free, etc. In the freezer section, I love the Mandarin Orange Chicken, just throw in some rice, and it's yummy. I like their vegan burritos. My only complaint is the parking lot is insanely small for the one here in Richmond. I try not to go on weekends.

 

[ckay87]

Our closest Trader Joes appears to be about 50 miles from me, in King of Prussia. I do think I'll make the drive one of these days, based on everyone's praise here. Maybe I'll meet my Philly friends and do a girls night out (yes....to grocery shop. Man, we are old. )

 

[minniecarousel]

I like lots of stuff there but - the absolute best steal there is their soups in cartons. They are low in fat, and many are low in sodium. There are great flavors like Tomato & Roasted Pepper, Butternut Squash, Carrot. At regular grocery stores, the smaller boxes of Campbells Gold Soup cost more and aren't nearly as good.

Their frozen brown rice is sooo convenient. You get 3 packages in the box, they microwave in 3 minutes. It's perfect rice.

I look through their baked goods for the ones low in fat and high in fiber. They need to go into the freezer right away, as they mold quickly (few preservatives).

One of their meat items is turkey tenderloin, wrapped in bacon. Terrific! and barbeques quickly. We got some frozen scallops there last time that were small and so sweet. I usually stay away from the small ones, but we're glad we tried these.