What can you tell me about Trader Joe's?

[niklynn1]

A new Trader Joe's just opened near me today. First, what do you think about their prices--is it a budget buster, or are they reasonable?

Second, what is worth going there to get? Is there anything in particular you really like?

Thanks!

 

[NonScents]

Lucky you, none near me now.
When I was in Balto, I enjoyed that store. They have good bread and baked goods. Lots of natural and organic produce, meats, cheeses. They have their own brand and many items you don't find in the typical supermarket.
Prices are not cheap but not crazy either, especially for the high quality of what they have.
Give it a try, I think you will become a fan.
Look on their website traderjoes.com to get an idea.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

The BBQ Teriyaki Chicken is amazing--and very reasonably priced. Paired with their broccoli florets and jasmine brown rice makes an affordable meal for four.

 

[TLuvsD]

dark chocolate covered carmels are awesome! I like the frozen eggplant cutlets, too. D loves their salads. Their pasta is excellent quality and a great price. You really need to try stuff and see what works for your family. They likely have a 'tasting hut" towards the back of the store, different items to taste when you go in.

 

[disneyeveryyear]

Actually last night we had their frozen beef bourignon (sp?) served over their pappardelle noodles. Very yummy.

We buy their honey nut Joey o's cereal, and their equivalent of frosted mini wheats.

The frozen chix chow mien is also good and nice to have for a quick dinner.

My daughter really likes the chi pot stickers.

I love the IQF seafood.

I picked up some of the organic mixed greens and they were quite good especially with their chopped 8 veggie blend. It adds a wonderful crunch to your salad.

Some other favorites

Three cheese spaghetti sauce
Joe Joe cookies (like oreos). My husband thinks the vanilla ones are better than oreos
Blister peanuts -salted
Chix broth
Beef broth
Sourdough bread
My friend's dog loves the dog treats

I know there are more that I do not remember right now.

One of the best things for me is that I know that none of the items contain high fructose corn syrup. They don't allow it in the store so I do not have to spend all day reading labels.

 

[soontobewed07]

I find there prices reasonable especially cereal Milk and eggs.

Our family LOVES Trader Joe's and I can do a grocery shop there for the week.

Favorites:

Orange Chicken (frozen section)
Choc. Croissants better than Disney
tater tots
Frozen pizza
Meatless Corn Dogs (DS LOVES these and says they are as good as meat ones)
White Cheddar Mac and Cheese (similar to annies)
Chocolate Lava cakes
Bagels ( these need to go in the fridge)
Cream cheese so Yummy!
Pasta sauces we love them all especially the alfredo

 

[kellia]

The nearest one here is an hour away, that is probably a good thing! I am ready for another trip just to get some more of their spiced apple cider, it was SO good!

Our must haves are: Edame (sp?) chips, simmer sauces, teryiaki sauce, pot stickers. We are new to them, so we keep trying different things each time. Love their $2 buck Chuck (blush) and Reisling, too.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

DO NOT buy Trader Joe's peanut butter filled chocolate covered pretzels.

It only leads to disaster and getting up in the middle of the night to finish off the entire bag.

 

[DuckMom]

The frozen chicken tikka rocks! A friend and I load up our coolers and drive three hours to replenish our freezer when we run out. I think the meals are as good as take-out Indian and much cheaper. DH and I will heat those up and eat them on nights when the kids go to bed early. I also really like the simmer sauces (especially General Tsao's and the yellow curry). The pretzel bread is dangerous, but awesome and the mini oatmeal chocolate chip cookies can be polished off in one sitting between my boys and I. I also buy the two buck chuck and use it in sangria and with mulling spices for mulled wine. I can't actually think of anything I haven't liked that I have tried there. I am jealous that you have one close to you!

 

[MickeyWatcher]

How I miss Trader Joe's!!! I'm from CA, and they don't have them here in TX. You are lucky to have one near by!

 

[hurleysweety]

I LOVE trader joe's! I wouldn't say its a budget buster, but it can be if you buy all the convenience foods - but that is with any grocery store. Because of their location to me, I don't shop there as often anymore.

Back in high school, my mom would shop at a regular grocery store, and then buy certain items at TJs. My favorites include the mini tortellini and mini ravioli - so good even without sauce. My dad LOVES their dark chocolate, apparently it was really good quality for the price compared to other stores.

They have a frozen pai thai dish that is very yummy, as well as a few other frozen favorites that have already been mentioned. Unlike mainstream frozen foods, the food quality is very high and is definitley better for you. Orange chicken is definitley my favorite - maybe even better than a few chain restaurants.

Oh, and you can't beat the cheap wine - I'm not a big wine connoisseur by any means, but I think it tastes good! I've had friends bring it to dinner parties, and no one has ever complained.

 

[superme80]

Their lemon bars are out of this world!!!
Gorgonzola crackers are awesome!
Pasta is good!!!!
I Trader Joes!

 

[cocodog]

Looking forward to a Trader Joe's run today! Only one in SC, and it's about 1.5 hours away. I will be buying honey/ oatmeal soap, almond thin cookies, frozen orange chicken, triple cream brie, and wine-- among many other items. LOVE it! The organic items are quite spend-y, but we don't eat organic. I think the other items are VERY reasonable, and many can't be found any other place. ENJOY!!

 

[mommyof2princesses]

I so love my Trader Joe's! We don't have one in the city we live in now, but I do travel an hour to go to one! Awesome prices and great food! Their frozen fish is very good and priced awesome! And, there prices are the same wherever you are in the country. We love their breakfast bars, orange chicken, fried rice, yogurt, cheeses, feta, organic beef, burgers, milk, and so muc more! and their wine is great too! And their prices can't be beat on most items!

 

[olwyngdh]

In theory, Trader Joe's can be about the same price as other grocery stores--they usually have a cart set up with equivalent products from other stores showing the costs of each. Personally, since I do most of my shopping at the Commissary, I use trader joe's for things I can't get anywhere else--sauces, healthy snacks, not-so-healthy snacks, really good imported cheeses, allergy safe foods and things like that.

I also like to go at lunchtime the try it snacks are wonderful!

 

[dis-happy]

Looking forward to a Trader Joe's run today! Only one in SC, and it's about 1.5 hours away. I will be buying honey/ oatmeal soap, almond thin cookies, frozen orange chicken, triple cream brie, and wine-- among many other items. LOVE it! The organic items are quite spend-y, but we don't eat organic. I think the other items are VERY reasonable, and many can't be found any other place. ENJOY!!

Where do you live? They just opened one in Greenville last week.

 

[kathmzh]

I love their soups, frozen veggies and I always buy their multi-grain tortilla chips. My mother buys all her vitamins and supplements there. I also keep an eye on their floral dept -- I have gotten some very pretty and unique things, especially around the holidays, for good prices. Enjoy!

 

[niklynn1]

Where do you live? They just opened one in Greenville last week.

I live in Iowa, and they opened one in West Des Moines yesterday!

I stopped in briefly last night, but it was as if the entire state of Iowa was crammed into a store the size of a postage stamp, so I didn't stay long. I made it out with a tub of Cranberry and white chocolate "dunkers" though, which I am enjoying with my coffee this morning. Delish! I will have to wait for it to calm down a bit before I go back and look for some of the items you all have mentioned here!

 

[dis-happy]

I live in Iowa, and they opened one in West Des Moines yesterday!

I stopped in briefly last night, but it was as if the entire state of Iowa was crammed into a store the size of a postage stamp, so I didn't stay long. I made it out with a tub of Cranberry and white chocolate "dunkers" though, which I am enjoying with my coffee this morning. Delish! I will have to wait for it to calm down a bit before I go back and look for some of the items you all have mentioned here!

As it gets closer to the holiday season keep an eye out for the TJ-brand peppermint oreos. FANTASTIC!!!!!

 

[hoosiergirl7]

And, there prices are the same wherever you are in the country.

This is not true. I was introduced to TJ's when I lived in the DC area in the early 2000's. Then my DH's job transferred us to So Cal where the company was founded and based. I found that things such as produce and dairy were A LOT cheaper in CA vs. the DC area. Two Buck Chuck was also cheaper in CA. It was 2 Bucks vs 3 Bucks outside of CA. Now I believe it's the same price everywhere.

To answer the OP's question they care a huge variety of things including organic foods. Some of it is more expensive but most of it IMO is reasonably priced. We love their pastas in the dairy case - lobster ravioli, pesto tortellini and others. Some are slightly more than the Bertolli brand you get in regular stores but most are cheaper. We only buy natural peanut butter and I buy it for $1.79 a jar at TJ's. WAY, WAY, WAY cheaper than regular grocery stores. We also love their Roasted Garlic Marinara pasta sauce ($1.99/jar) which in some reviews has been rated one of the best tasting pasta sauces. Most pasta sauces at your local are between $2.50 & $4/jar. A bag of mixed organic vegetable are $1.69. The Orange chicken is $4.99 a bag. It will easily feed 2 adults & 2 small kids. The JoJo cookies are good. Prices on nuts are more reasonable than the local stores. Their selection of imported cheese & hummus is really good. We love their cereal bars. They used to carry chewy granola bars but haven't seen them in a long time :-(

Check it out and see what you find. Our TJ's is about a 25 minute drive from the house so we only go out there about every 3 weeks but we sure stock up when we do.