Kitchen

[hopi]

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@PA Mom-mom wrote:

I live about 20 minutes from a TJ. I rarely go there except for:

I cured myself from these chips about 2 years ago. 

I have several diseases that have no cure.  You must be miracle worker.

[catmama]

I shop at TJs frequently and have found that I do save quite a bit of money versus the larger national chains.

Their items are fairly priced and of good quality.  I'm a big buyer of their meats, cheeses, dairy products and baked goods. Not too impressed with their produce as a large portion of it is packaged and I don't like buying produce I can't see.

Some of their baked goods aren't tasty, but that way I don't buy them.

One thing of note, during the egg shortage, they limited purchase of eggs to one carton, but they did not raise the price.  Most of the grocery stores around me were charging up to $10 and up a dozen, TJs were still $4.99.  

[Etoile308]

To me there is much to like about TraderJoe's, but it's not for everyday shopping. It is to supplement your grocery list, or for a quick in and out stop for necessities.

The stores by me are always clean and uncluttered.

The employees are always friendly and helpful.

The stores carry some unique items.

The prices are competitive.

They carry some interesting cheeses.

The cut flowers and live plants are always beautiful at a good price. 

But there are drawbacks. The stores are small. That can be a plus or minus. Example: they carry only one type of toilet paper. Their own four pack.Very few brands other than Trader Joe's own items. No row upon row of pasta sauces. Just a handful of their own brand. No fresh bakery, just previously frozen prepackaged. Same with their meat counter. No deli, just prepackaged deli meats. 

I enjoying going to see what's new. I like looking for some of those impulse items. But I limit going there about once a month. That suits my needs.

[Krimpette]

Before I moved away, I used to live about 3 minutes from my TJ's.  I always shopped there as soon as they opened in the morning.  I shopped there just about every week.  I lived alone and their offerings served my needs more than adequately.  But as much as anything, it was always fun to shop there.  They must have hired their employees based on personality.   Living alone, it was a day brightener to deal with their employees every week.

But as others have said, their parking lot was a mess later in the day.  I never had a problem, since I went so early.

[rockygems123]

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@QVCkitty1 wrote:

It seems like every time I see an ad for a food item , it comes from Trader Joe's .  There is no TJ's  anywhere near me. I'm surrounded by Wegmans , however locally it is Walmart or Tops. I'm always intrigued by the TJ offerings, so tell me, is the store really all that. I just saw an ad for harvest stuffing popcorn, and I want it ! Sigh.

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@QVCkitty1 

I think Trader Joe's is pretty special.  They have authentic Danish Kringles for only 9.99 and their flavors change seasonally.  Really want the pumpkin pecan they have now! 

Their pot stickers I can't imagine being much different and they may be better than Perfect Gourmet, only 3.99 for large bag.

Lots of bread items, nuts, spreads, sauces, frozen vegetables, meals, potatoes, produce, candy, Asian food, cheeses, frozen fish.  Cookies are wonderful.  I don't indulge often but these are amazing:

I feel bad telling you this though because you don't have one nearby!  Maybe someday they will build one?  

[okaywitheasypay]

@rockygems123 oh those look good. I bet they have no calories or carbs😁 We used to find the best  pfeffernuss  ever. We haven't been able to find them lately & only around the holidays. I tried a homemade recipe but, it was a big fail.

We have 2 in the city . I like to go when I can as a treat and fun. I shop Aldi's and find it comparable . I do not usually buy veggies or fruit at TJ's. The nuts and breads are great.

I do find the staff and checkout beyond comparison . They treat everyone with respect . Lines move fast and they put the sacked groceries in your cart.

[GingerHead]

For those of you who do have a TJ's, a must try is the

Apple Cider donuts but you have to heat them up in the Airfryer for around 2 minutes....they are sheer heaven this way!

Warmed, the top ever so slightly browned and crisped (very slightly) the TJ's cashier told me to do this when I purchased them and it was the best advice!

Sorry, @QVCkitty1 ....don't look!

[LizzieInSRQ]

I go to Trader Jos about 4- 6 times a year. I LOVE their Body Butter ( really dense and rich) that I use now that I cant get deals on Josie Maran anylonger.

They have a certain cracker that seems to only be available at holiday times, a fruit and nut cracker that m friend uses other charcuterie board, to die for.

I love their chili crisp, Everything Bagel Seasoning, chocolate carmels, chocolate cat cookies, various frozen foods. I'd love their unique beverages Im sure but they dont have zero sugar so I can't drink them really but make good mixers for cocktails lol

They have good cheese prices I think. Really pretty seasonal florals if you are going to someones home. Fun plants at holidays too. This reminds me that it's time to go check out to see what's new or happening. I usually get groceries delivered but I will take my back pain with me for TJs.

[nycalady]

@QVCkitty1 Yes, Trader Joe's is quite special. I go there at least twice a month get the staples we love & check out the great seasonal items.
For about a five year period I moved to an area that didn't have a Trader Joe's & missed it terribly & more than I had anticipated. During that time I would make a three hour trip two times a year to shop there. 

[MJDinVegas]

Hi, @QVCkitty1 !  I haven't read all the responses but am adding my 2 cents.

 I live a mile from Trader Joe's and go there once a week.  Overall, great prices, fresher produce than the big retailers and lots of seasonal/specialty products, cheap but very good wine.  

I buy their Sparkling Water 24 at a time for $0.99 each for 33.8 oz bottles.  Other faves are frozen pizzas some of which are imported from Italy, the best I've had and I'm not a pizza fan, dark chocolate caramels, snack mixes, some bakery items and the produce.  

ETA: They also have some very good, inexpensive beauty items.