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

[karenos]

Another TJ's fan here.

Some faves of ours are:
granola
cereal bars
roasted corn salsa (fresh in the refrigerated section)
crackers
cereal (joe's o's and puffins)
single serving annie's easy mac
pasta
cookies (their chocolate covered dunkers are yummy!)
joe joes
bread
produce

We especially like that the prices are reasonable and they (for the most part) use all natural ingredients. The only thing I would change is that the closest one to me doesn't sell alcohol.

Enjoy!
Karenos

 

[maleficent1959]

I have to agree with all of the food listed here. Another favorite is the Corn and Chile Tomato-less Salsa. It's more like a relish and sooooo good.

Those darn Peppermint Jo-Jo's are addictive. My sister buys the Peppermint Jo-Jo's cheesecakes and keeps them for hostess gifts over the holidays.

There's a good blog where the guy rates TJ's wines. It's called Quaffability.

We sure miss them from Phoenix. It's cheaper than our co-op or Publix. Now when I visit friends and family they know a trip to Trader Joe's is on the docket.

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

I travel 2.5 hours to visit the one in Indianapolis! Man, I wish we'd get one here. It'd be perfect in the place CompUSA left.

 

[daisax]

I love peppermint flavored everything but the Jo Jos were a disappointment for me -- tasted like peppermint extract! I don't remember another time in my life when I ate ONE cookie and threw the rest out. But maybe it was a bad batch or something.

Still, I love Trader Joe's -- love the chimichurri rice, the nuts and candies (dark chocolate covered almonds with SEA SALT!) and choc covered cranberries! I like the green chili sauce and the produce is good (there is a cranberry gorgonzola salad dressing that's out of this world!)

They also usually have beautiful (and affordable) cut flowers, and the staff is amazing. I bought some super cheap (?2.50) shampoo there that was wonderful, and they often have lotion by the register to try. (They often give samples in the store of food, too)

I will warn you that the plastic packaging is not always very strong -- be careful opening chip bags, and such, since I've had them virtually EXPLODE open with little pressure.

I go every few months -- the prices are so reasonable you can fill 2-3 large paper bags for under $30 (at least if you buy what I buy!)

 

[Cindy B]

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.

I know what you mean. We probably go to the same Trader Joe's. That whole plaza is a NIGHTMARE! I also wish it sold wine. I'm patiently waiting for Wegman's to get on the ball with that.

 

[momrek06]

We have a Trader Joe's and a Whole Foods very close to each other here in the OC but I find I like Whole Foods allot better than TJ's!!!

 

[olena]

They're not bad. I like Harry's Farmers Market better, which has been taken over by Whole Foods.

 

[PamOKW]

I'm another one who doesn't get the overwhelming allure of Trader Joe's. Maybe stores are different in other parts of the country. I enjoy going there and find some unusual treats to try from time to time but nothing spectacular. I think they have good prices on cheeses and snacks -- tasty and less expensive than regular grocery stores and they have unusual things in the frozen cases. I don't think I'd get expectations too high -- stores are usually not that big and I can't imagine spending more than 2 hours tops....I'm usually out in about 15 minutes. I'd certainly go and check it out but don't set the bar too high.

 

[suzimar57]

we have both a Trader Joe's and a Whole Foods near us

the parking at TJ is a nightmare - they share the mall with Office Max, and there are limited spaces - was just there yesterday, you've got to drive very carefully there! - the frozen hors d'ouevres are really good!

the parking isn't any better over at WF - but the store has much more variety, lots more to chose from over TJs

 

[DISshopkeeper]

Hi Mare!

I love their salted peanut butter filled pretzels! I don't buy them often because I cannot STOP once I start on them.

Chocolate Chip Mirangue (sp?) Cookies! I don't buy them often because I cannot STOP once I start on them.


Black Pepper Cashews!

Their Guacamole (Avocado's #1 Guacamole) is one of my faves! And you can freeze it, I ALWAYS have some on hand.

Check out the sauces/salsas, etc. They are yummy and cheap and some of them are diet-friendly!

Their sweet/hot mustard is great as a hostess gift with a bag of pretzels and it's reasonably priced, too!

Frozen hors'deourvres are good, too. Haven't tried one yet that I don't like.

 

[Michelle67]

If prepackaged foods with no additives or preservatives appeal to you, then you will love TJs. Everything packaged under their label is free of them. They also have lots of good organics, but I like it because even if they don't have something in an organic version, at least I know it is next-best, kwim?

Some of the things I love there; their triple ginger cookies, chocolate covered coffee beans, my husband loves their cheese pizza (says it tastes more like NY pizza, which we just don't get here), frozen asparagus dip with their multigrain crackers, frozen single-serving quiche, their yogurt, some of their different sauces (tomato sauces, Asian sauces, etc), the orange chicken someone else mentioned, cinnamon pita chips...around Christmas they also have amazing lovely large boxes of chocolates that teenage girls go ga-ga over. At least, the ones I know do. Something about handing a hormonal young lady a three-foot box of quality chocolates. My small kids love their dried fruit aisle, and especially love trying the more exotic things like dried hibiscus flowers. I also get Z bars for them by the case there, way cheaper than I can buy them anywhere else.

I could go on and on but I'll stop....

 

[yeartolate]

We have a Trader Joe's and a Whole Foods very close to each other here in the OC but I find I like Whole Foods allot better than TJ's!!!

I like Whole Foods, but they are way too expensive.

 

[TDC Nala]

Three Buck Chuck! (Because of taxes we don't have 2 Buck Chuck)

(Also known as Charles Shaw wine)

My local TJ had a sticker up that said "Charles Shaw for President," too bad they didn't sell those.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I went and did not care for it. The store was small that I went to so maybe that had something to do with it.

We are not into pre-packaged frozen food so that is part of it as well.

Now if you are a single person, I think it would be great. But a family of 4, no.

 

[Lintasare]

Man do I love Trader Joes. There are so many great things that I can't even begin to list them all. I love their frozen foods. So many items and so easy to make. The lemongrass chicken sticks are phenomenal. I also love their potstickers, the mandarin orange chicken, the gorgonzola gnocchi, their mac and cheese, their frozen seafood blend. I could go on and on.

 

[Barb D]

Haven't read the rest of the responses, so I'll just list some of my favorites off the top of my head:

Scones (especially lemon ginger and cranberry)
Pork roast
Frozen pizza (spinach, and pesto)
Soft mints in a little blue tin (love the tin!)
rose soap (I have allergies to most scented things, but not this)
chocolate covered cashews (DH loves them)
chocolate covered raisins
mini-meringues
licorice
corn salsa (great on ANYTHING)

Not a big fan of the chocolate bars at the counter

 

[chirurgeon]

I haven't read this entire thread. We have a list of things we get at Trader Joe's. We love the Mandarin Orange Chicken, the breaded frozen chicken breast, the Tarte Alsace. The tarte is almost as good as what you get at Chef de France. The frozen meatballs are also great. The hummus is fantastic too.

Kim

 

[Papa Deuce]

I have gone. I like the place. Will never go again unless I just cant get what I want anywhere else... I spend too much money there.

 

[Papa Deuce]

.....

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

I don't see it that way.... on SOME things they have good prcies, but in my area I think they are on the pricey side....

 

[Jeafl]

Hi Mare!

I love their salted peanut butter filled pretzels! I don't buy them often because I cannot STOP once I start on them.

Check out the sauces/salsas, etc. They are yummy and cheap and some of them are diet-friendly!

I agree about the peanut butter stuffed pretzels, they are addictive!

They also have a great General Tso's sauce that I throw over stirfried chicken and vegetables that my family loves! It comes in a bottle and goes a long way.