topic Re: Trader Joe's in Community Chat

Trader Joe's

SXMGirl — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 23:54:43 GMT

I plan on stopping in at TJ tomorrow and it will be my first visit. We do not have one close, but I got an early ortho appointment and it is very near their market. What are the best items to pick up while there? I have already heard about the frozen chocolate croissants. Other than those, what do you like?

Re: Trader Joe's

Mom2Dogs — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 00:35:02 GMT

@SXMGirl We have a Trader Joe's about an hour from our house.

My husband likes their wine - for me, I have yet to be impressed with the store and what they offer. We plan on stopping in later this week when we are in the area, he'll get his wine and I'll look around to see if anything looks interesting.

Let us know what you end up buying.

Re: Trader Joe's

DiAnne — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 00:36:12 GMT

They have very good prices on nuts and cheese. Also frozen food you do not see at other markets.

Re: Trader Joe's

alice87 — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 00:41:31 GMT

I buy food there. Belgium chocolate is great, good selection of cheeses, including goast and sheep cheeses, a lot of gluten free staff, wines at good price, fresh fruits if you don't need a lot of them. I love fruits and veggies selection, their celery and cauliflower is the best. Ice cream, including dairy free versions.

People love frozen deserts from there, nuts and seeds are pretty good, good selection of oils.

Re: Trader Joe's

Zaimee — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 00:43:06 GMT

They have excellent potato pancakes, French onion soup, butter chicken and garlic nan (Indian food). All frozen so bring a freezer bag or cooler if you have a long drive.

Re: Trader Joe's

chessylady — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 00:45:30 GMT

You must try their Orange Chicken in the frozen aisle, just like a Chinese restaurant. I am also obsessed with the Norwegian style crispbread with seeds.

Re: Trader Joe's

msgb — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 00:47:02 GMT

I am fortunate--I have one about 1 1/2 miles from my house.

The croissants are delicious. Their frozen blueberry waffles. The meat lasagna (also in the frozen section). My husband and I make our own pizza with the premade pizza flats and their pizza sauce. We like a number of items that are in their freezer section. Also my husband likes their chocolate pudding (and he is not toothless) it is by the milk (in our TJ's). Also their cinnamon rolls (also in the refrigerated area). We have bought their fresh fruit because they are usally the store that has the best of the fruit. I buy only one string cheese and it is from TJ. They have seasonal potato chips. We purchase some of their dried fruits as well. My mother likes their nuts and seeds. They have tea that are seasonal as well. Their cards are usually about a dollar and we have some at out house at the ready to be able to send off to any one for an event.

Enjoy.

Re: Trader Joe's

KaySD — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 00:54:03 GMT

TJ has hundreds of great things, all across the store and in every category. Hard to say what you'd like unless you are more specific. Good news is, if you just browse you'll see interesting things wherever you look.

For shelf stable things, check out the sauces and condiments aisle, and the cracker and chips.

Wine drinker? You will be spoiled for choice even if you want decent wine under ten bucks. Or under five bucks.

Personally, I'd take a cooler and plunder the frozen food. Excellent frozen seafood at good prices, lots of unusual appetizers, many different entree dishes.

Or or you might do well stocking up on house and beauty products. I swear by their hand creams, candles, dish soap, supplements...I could go on.

There are plenty of special and more pricy things--cheeses and cold prepared food--but you can save a lot of money sticking to the basics, and get better quality as well.

Have fun!

Re: Trader Joe's

patbz — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 00:54:33 GMT

I love a lot of what TJs sells; unfortunately we live over 3 hrs from the closest one! We never miss a chance to load up when we can. My new obsession is their "Brookies"(brownie on the bottom, chocolate chip cookie on top). I also frequently buy their cream in a plastic bottle, their German wines and beers, their wraps and their imported cheeses.

Re: Trader Joe's

Porcelain — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 00:55:14 GMT

Frozen food and snacks.

Re: Trader Joe's

Eileen in Virginia — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 00:59:17 GMT

I love their dark chocolate covered caramels and their one pound candy bars. When our local TJ's first opened, the candy bars were labeled Ghiradelli. Then they were sold under the TJ label.

Re: Trader Joe's

proudlyfromNJ — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 01:20:19 GMT

Definitely check out frozen foods. My favorite part of the store. Ours doesn't sell wine. There is one in NJ that I know of that can sell it, but it's not near me.

Re: Trader Joe's

suzyQ3 — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 01:28:59 GMT

If you love coffee, you have to try their Cold-Brew Latte frozens bars. I have to eat one every day. Bonus -- only 45 calories if you are a calorie watcher.

Re: Trader Joe's

suzyQ3 — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 01:33:05 GMT

Oh, and they have the best price for real Parmesan cheese wedges from Italy (Parma Reggianno (sp?).

They carry packages of Kumato tomatoes. If you ever try one, you will be addicted.

Love their frozen Gyoza.

I'm sure I'll think of more. We are very lucky to several in our area, one just up the street.

Re: Trader Joe's

IdahoGram — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 01:41:53 GMT

Our TJ's is about a half hour away, but I make the drive monthly to stock up on several things we like. Alfredo Sauce, Mustard, Dried Pastas, Cheeses, Orchids and plants or fresh Flowers, Orange Chicken, Fried Rice (freezer). There are soooooo many great things to try. Go with an open mind and remember you can try anything while in the store and return anything your unhappy with, it's their policy.

Re: Trader Joe's

Dusty1 — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 02:00:57 GMT

I don't go very often. It is a little overwhelming & always busy.

I like the TJ Olive Oil. It comes with it's own spout.

The TJ brand eye cream is so nice & it's only $5.99! It is my favorite hydrating eye cream.

Re: Trader Joe's

Sooner — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 02:07:01 GMT

Peaches in a glass jar and those peanut butter cup things in the plastic box. That's about all I really like there. And the Christmas cookies in season.

Re: Trader Joe's

scatcat — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 02:26:05 GMT

I live a few miles from a Trader Joe's so the wow factor isn't as great for me. We like their steaks, frozen steel cut oatmeal, just had their orange chicken for dinner tonight. Mine usually sells danish from O&H Bakery in Racine WI for $8 which is a great deal.

I always have their marinara sauce and rice pilaf on hand. Their Meyer lemon bread mix is seasonal and i always buy like 8 boxes.

They are a good place to go to before you host book group - cheese, nuts etc. their wine is good but name brand wine (like Kim Crawford) is cheaper at Costco or Binny's.

They were crazy strict during high covid time. Easier to break into the Capitol.

Good Luck!

Re: Trader Joe's

Flatbush — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 03:31:21 GMT

Frozen string beans,frozen broccoli, and sour dough bread. I havn't had a chance to purchase frozen garlic, but when I get there I am going to try that. Greeting cards too.

I also like their candies.

Re: Trader Joe's

lkat — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 03:54:17 GMT

@Flatbush The frozen garlic is great! We use a lot of garlic and sometimes run out of fresh, great to have the frozen stuff available. It's so easy to use and saves having to clean the garlic press if we need crushed garlic.

@SXMGirl I have a relative that works at TJ's so we use a decent amount of their products. Like other's have mentioned, their frozen stuff is good, lots of stuff you can't find other places. I especially love their Everything but the Bagel seasoning, jicama wraps and feta tomato soup. Their organic ketchup is great too, way better than Hunts/Heinz, etc. Great selection of cheese and wine.

My husband has a sweet tooth and loves a lot of their sweet things. He also always buys the mango juice to use in smoothies. If you google, there are a ton of articles about the most popular items.

I always check out their flowers too. They have a great selection, the prices are awesome and the bouquets usually last a couple of weeks.