Trader Joes

[Terry]

Hey all,
Who has a Trader Joes and who actually shops at it?

Here in CO, with our liquor laws, we cannot shop at it as there are none.

I miss them. I miss everything about them.

[AquaGirl]

Hi Terry - we live in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. There are several Trader Joes in the area and we shop there about every other month. I don't do my regular shopping there, but go for some specialty items. I love their different ethnic simmer sauces. Makes for really easy dinners. Good quality and price of their nuts, especially pecans and almonds. Too bad you don't have one in your area. Did you see the article in the news several weeks ago about TJ's management? It was very interesting.

[djmom]

We have one right down the road. I shop there about once a month.

I like their frozen berries-we have them all the time on yogurt for breakfast with granola. My girls like their potstickers and orange chicken.

We like the nuts and I like the wine. They have a very inexpensive Malbec that is great for drinking at home. Good crackers, cheeses too.

I would go more often if they had better produce and meats. Just not real impressed with that part of the store.

[California Girl]

There are 3 Trader Joes close to me! I also go now and then just to get special items, and I usually find something new every time! I love their roasted almonds!

[chicagoans]

Love Trader Joe's! I'm at the local one about every other week, maybe more. I like just about everything they carry, but haven't been able to completely replace my shopping at the big chain grocery store.

I especially like the people who work at our local store. I've had really good suggestions for recipes and wine. And once the cashier asked if I was having a dinner party, because I was buying lots of food. I explained that I was making some meals for a neighbor on bedrest with a high risk pregnancy, and the cashier ran and got me a bouquet of flowers to give to her! Really sweet - and the kind of gesture that makes you want to keep shopping there.

[toni]

Love Trader Joe's, but nowhere near us unfortunately , have to shop there when visiting friends in DC or Columbus-or they'll bring us stuff when they come to visit us. Liked the nuts, cereals -they had a great vanilla almond one, cheeses, almond peanut butter, mmmm. Prices were VERY reasonable.

[pipanale]

We have one nearby that's been open about a year now.

Food: They have some fun stuff that looks to be cheap, but if you do the math, it's mind-bogglingly expensive at times.

Wine: Oh...the wine...so lovely. We, of course, have $3 Chuck, but, snob that I am, I prefer the $4 Blue Fin wines. they also have a lovely $6 prosecco.

Fine wine? No. Certainly better than you'd expect at the prices? Yup!

[Xislandgirl]

I love Trader Joes but don't get there often since it is about 30 minutes away.
Ours doesn't selll wine

[Chet]

We shop TJ's for dry goods and frozen products. Veggies and meats come from Harris Teeter. Our local wine store has a world class selection... http://www.cellar.com/

OH! Look at that ticker... gotta think about packing.

[bubblybrenda]

No TJs in Canada but I do cross the border at least every 2 to 3 weeks specifically to go to TJs in Bellingham, WA. Their prices are about 50-70% cheaper than what I would pay for similar items up here so it's worth the trip. They do sell wine but I can't bring it across the border. TJs gets about 80% of my grocery shopping business and I do the remaining 20% in Canada. Not to mention I can gas up my car down there for about $15/tank cheaper too so it's worth my time every couple of weekends for the significant cost savings.

[lark22]

I live in a semi-urban area and don't own a car -- luckily I live across the street from Trader Joe's! I shop there about 4 times a week or more (because it's so close, I tend to do small meal-centric shopping trips).

Some faves: Pumpkin bread mix, jarred tomato & basil marinara, frozen Indian entreés, boxed tomato & roasted red pepper soup, BBQ pop chips, canned bean salad, frozen french toast, frozen quinoa & veggie mix, frozen meatless meatballs (not a vegetarian, but these are great).

The frozen carmelized onion & ham pizza/tart is FABULOUS.

Love the Tuscan balsamic salad dressing.

Also a fan of the frozen berries & fruit (I use them to make smoothies -- no need for added ice!)

If your Trader Joe's carries the frozen chocolate croissants, get them!! You let them rise overnight and bake them in the morning -- crazy-good.

So many other faves, but these are a few things that came to mind

[Betty]

Love Trader Joes, Delaware store does not sell liquor. Love the Low Fat Low Calorie salad dressings, especially the Spicy Thai Peanut and the Champagne Pear gorgonzola Vinegrette. They also make a frozen fruit popscicle called the Caribbean Bar, 60 calories and fabulous!!!!! The sweet and spicy pecans are also delish!! I think when we move to St John it will be the store I miss the most from the states!!! Great flowers and orchids at great prices!

ps None of the "Trader Joe" licensed products contain HFC (high fructose corn syrup)

[jmq]

TJs finally came to central NJ.
Love the TJ Pomegranate Limeade mixed with Cruzan Citrus flavor rum and a splash of Triple Sec = a nice sweet/tart taste and best Rum Punch.
Oh, and the Trader Jose beer at $5.99 for a 6 pack might be better than Corona.

[pipanale]

Oh, and the Trader Jose beer at $5.99 for a 6 pack might be better than Corona.

Double your fun (or almost) and buy LaPlaysa beer in cans for something silly like $3.99 per six. sure, it comes in a can and you have to drink it fast while it's ice-cold, but it's cheap!

In fact the have some cheap beers that are surprisingly not horrible.

And if that's not an endorsement, what is?

[spindrift]

We divide our weekly shopping between Trader Joes and Whole Foods only. We prefer to have natural and organic choices as much as we can.