My first trip to Trader Joe's

soonersis · ‎08-12-2010

Thanks for your wonderful suggestions for what I should buy at Trader Joe's on my first trip there yesterday. It was such fun, and while the store was smaller than I thought it would be, it has a great selection of MANY products. I got quite a few that were suggested by you and some that weren't. I got a bag of organic Granny Smith apples at a very good price. For my best friend's birthday coming up I got her a jar of the pomegranate body lotion, one of the milk chocolate pounder bars, a box of the dark chocolate sea salt caramels, and a box of the Kona coffee cookies.

My sister-in-law got me a box of the dark chocolate sea salt caramels for Christmas last year and they were the best candy I've ever eaten so I got some of those for me as well as one of their 72% dark chocolate pounder bars. One thing I did not read about but came across was their honey dark chocolate covered thin mints. These only have 3 ingredients and are delicious!

I got one of the cookie butter cheesecakes for the family when we get together at Christmas.

Thanks to the many who suggested the pork belly. I fixed some of it for supper last night and both my husband and I loved it. Picked up a couple of bags of their tri-color quinoa at a great price, and got some Kerry Gold butter at a good price.

Got some darling greeting cards for 99 cents.

It was a 35 minute drive which isn't too bad so I see more trips there in the future. Overall I really liked their store and think they have some great prices.

HonnyBrown · ‎11-23-2013

I am so glad you liked it! When I lived in LA, they were my regular grocer store, but here it's a once a month trip.

I was one of the ones who suggested the pork belly. My hubby gets real excited when I go to TJs, just for that!

The next time you go, if they have them, pick up the Thomcord Grapes.

Get your flu shot...because I didn't.

Mary Bailey · ‎03-09-2010

I'm so glad you were happy with your items.

I drive past a TJ every day on my way home from work. It's all I can do to drive by and not stop in for a "little something, something".

Yahooey · ‎07-09-2010

I'm so glad you had a great time. I always have a semi sweet chocolate w/almonds pounder at my disposal. It is a staple pantry item. All of the TJs by me are small, jam packed with unusual items.

Lynneuk · ‎03-10-2010

How do you use the pork belly? Sounds good but I'm not sure what to do with it,lol.

Caitlinh429 · ‎06-25-2014

cookie butter cheesecake

soonersis · ‎08-12-2010

On 12/1/2014 Lynneuk said: How do you use the pork belly? Sounds good but I'm not sure what to do with it,lol.

I sliced about half of it in 1/2 inch slices. I browned both sides in a skillet (only took a few minutes on each side as it's already fully cooked). I ate it with a mixed green salad with feta cheese, pecans, cranberries, and red onions. Made a great meal!

Jackielee · ‎03-04-2014

I was there the other day and, since I love amaretti cookies, they had a beautiful tin with different flavors of the cookie that I'm thinking about going back and getting. They have some wonderful things for the holidays! I'm lucky as my Trader Joe's is about 5 minutes away.

Beebee2 · ‎03-09-2010

It's so much fun when people report back and tell us their experiences, I think. I, too, am curious about the use of the pork belly. Hopefully, someone will give us a recipe or two.

Thanks for your report, soonersis.