good:
breadpeanut butter (also almond butter)three cheese frozen pizzasole filetssharp cheddar (cheap!)chocolate-covered edamametomato soup (okay, not as good as Amy's)
always disappointing:
anything salsa-relatedproduce
i stay away from the frozen dinners and pre-marinated crap too, and the overpriced meats.
― Tracy Michael Jordan Catalano (Jordan), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 05:09 (fifteen years ago) link
they have nicely prized frozen meats. i prefer whole foods' frozen fishes.
― yur twit (tehresa), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 05:10 (fifteen years ago) link
cheeapest clif bars off the net!
― can u do me a kindness (jergins), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 05:11 (fifteen years ago) link
"good:
bread"
But not good, the plain-old "Whole Wheat Bread" (the one with very small slices) -- cardboardy. Same with the bread that comes in imitation Alvarado Street Bakery packaging.
It's funny how TJ will have like five different brands of the same product that are all TJ's and all knockoffs of other brands, and then they compete against each other.
― Bonobos in Paneradise (Hurting 2), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 05:12 (fifteen years ago) link
classic x100: free samples of coffee
― iatee, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 05:12 (fifteen years ago) link
i always feel sorry for the people who are holding the signs that shepherd the line. at first i thought it was a pretty good lazy job, then i realised that it's queueing, ALL DAY LONG, never getting anywhere. when you're at the bank and there's a massive line, you always rely on that schadenfreude of other people piling up behind you and having to wait longer. but if you're the trader joe linesman ... always at the end of the line.
Suggest Ban Permalink― deveraux billings (schlump), Tuesday, March 10, 2009 10:02 PM Bookmark
I have never seen this
― The Reverend, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 05:12 (fifteen years ago) link
I like the "New Zealand Grass Fed Organic Cheddar" -- very cheap! (not as yummy as Cabot, but, you know, in this economy...)
― Bonobos in Paneradise (Hurting 2), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 05:13 (fifteen years ago) link
i have never bought any of the cheese/fresh meats because the line wraps around the store and makes it impossible to get to anything in that case
― yur twit (tehresa), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 05:22 (fifteen years ago) link
do you live in somewhere with a breezy, unencumbered open plan trader joe's? like one in arizona where they test out new products?
i think there is a bit on the website dedicated to regional variations, if anyone is keen for more idiosyncratic tj innovation
― deveraux billings (schlump), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 05:31 (fifteen years ago) link
I like the "New Zealand Grass Fed Organic Cheddar" -- very cheap!
That stuff's good -- it's a little earthy-tasting, though. I usually just get the Wisconsin sharp white cheddar.
You know what's pretty good, and new I think (at least in my neck of the woods)? The edamame hummus.
― Bianca Jagger (jaymc), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 05:46 (fifteen years ago) link
My favorite of their hummuses is the Mediterranean Hummus
― Bonobos in Paneradise (Hurting 2), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 05:54 (fifteen years ago) link
should be its own thread/poll, but i have come to the conclusion that all other houmouses are bullshit. i have been burned too many times. original is BEST, though red pepper is sometimes acceptable.
― deveraux billings (schlump), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 05:58 (fifteen years ago) link
Do you specifically mean Trader Joe's original or are you just against flavored hummuses in general?
― Bonobos in Paneradise (Hurting 2), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 05:59 (fifteen years ago) link
The cioppino is the absolute most refined, delicious, and clutch frozen dinner I have ever had. Throw it on some spaghetti and you have an even bigger meal.
― throwbookatface (skygreenleopard)
One of my all-time faves too. I put it on rice at first but it's even better on pasta. And you can cook the seafood/sauce in a pan - no microwave necessary.
Also the Chicken Gorgonzola in the frozen section is classic. Make a sandwich with their cibatta.
― nickn, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 06:16 (fifteen years ago) link
A lot of their frozen stuff works in the toaster oven if you can wait around for a little while.
― Bonobos in Paneradise (Hurting 2), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 06:19 (fifteen years ago) link
their veggie meatballs are awesome. also, their wheat tortillas are shit for everything EXCEPT making enchiladas, we discovered today, in which case they are the best tortillas you can possibly buy.
― akm, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 06:35 (fifteen years ago) link
Do the frozen stuff (entrees & such) on the stovetop with a little oil, maybe a little water--set it on medium-low and stir.
― WARS OF ARMAGEDDON (Karaoke Version) (Sparkle Motion), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 06:37 (fifteen years ago) link
best: chocolate covered pretzelschocolate mint hot chocolatechocolate covered fruitlacey cookiesbrie - good price compared to Whole Foodssome of the frozen appetizers - mushroom turnovers I remember being pretty yummy, though I haven't had them in awhilegreek style yogurtdecent prices on fancy brand hard liquorbig jugs of juicespiced apple cider
― what happened? I'm confused. (sarahel), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 07:36 (fifteen years ago) link
agreed - Whole Foods has frozen soft-shell crab. They spent almost a year building a Whole Foods down my block, and I resented it a lot. Then I saw the frozen soft-shell crab. Best sandwich I've ever had was a soft-shell crab prepared burger like. Sorry to derail TJ thread with WF talk.
― what happened? I'm confused. (sarahel), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 07:41 (fifteen years ago) link
I fuck w/ the mushroom turnovers
― as per diddy's twitter (The Reverend), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 07:41 (fifteen years ago) link
i don't really buy stuff from the freezer aisle much, but the frozen naan is classic! dud: i bought some frozen egg rolls recently and they came out kinda mushy and greasy. but classic: frozen puff pastry. and their pizzas aren't half bad, esp. the roasted vegetable one.
i'm stoked that they have the winter loaf fruit and nut bread right now! it's super-delicious, esp. the bits of candied orange peel.
one of my other favorite things is the nitrate-free pastrami, which has a very beefy/briny flavor.
if i buy pre-sliced sandwich bread at all, i buy the milton's whole grain bread or the new repackaged TJ's version of it (it's cheaper).
the cheese selection is somewhat meh, but i'm all about that cotswold cheddar. and i've been keeping little hunks of their grana padano around to grate on pasta, etc.
they used to have these triple-shot cans of iced espresso at a very good price. i'm deeply dismayed that they've stopped carrying them.
― NYSE:JAH (get bent), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 07:56 (fifteen years ago) link
so many things i've had from TJs were good or great the first time, horrible the second. the veggie chorizo, for instance. i hardly buy anything but staples there these days, the occasional lazy can of veggie chili... my wife loves their frozen pizzas. i find them pretty disgusting. they got rid of a lot of my favorite stuff in the past year or so.
quinoa bread - yum. not good for toast, though, just making sandwiches. everything bagels are okay. i'm really straining to think of anything exciting... um, chili-lime pistachios.
the balsamic veggie medley - blarrgh. canned soups - blarrgh.
― WEREWOLF CONGRESS (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 08:06 (fifteen years ago) link
when has something called a "veggie medley" EVER been good?
― NYSE:JAH (get bent), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 08:16 (fifteen years ago) link
they had this half-round of sourdough bread, might've been whole wheat sourdough that was awesome.
― what happened? I'm confused. (sarahel), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 08:31 (fifteen years ago) link
maybe if it was fried veggie medley, it'd be good. However, most things called "veggie medley" tend not to be fried.
― what happened? I'm confused. (sarahel), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 08:33 (fifteen years ago) link
veggie medleys/mixed vegetable mixes are never good, this is true
pretty good -moroccan salted olivesgreek yogurtbaby beetsginger cookies, the small ones that come in a round plastic containersome of the frozen enchiladas (chicken chile verde)relatively inexpensive walnuts, almonds, also almond butter
― football consultant, oakland raiders (daria-g), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 11:16 (fifteen years ago) link
yes:veggie meatballs (addicted to these)garlic hummus dipcoffee
no:produce (obviously)"soy nuggets"
― congratulations (n/a), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 11:51 (fifteen years ago) link
I'm still into soy nuggets, though my girlfriend has gradually lost interest in them.
Other likes, with caveats:
margarita pizza (though it's no substitute for the great goat cheese pizza, which has since been discontinued)
frozen mildly spiced vegetable burritos (though I stopped buying them after I realized how calorie-laden they are)
fresh mild salsa (though it tends to get overly acidic after a couple of days)
I guess I have no complaints about the frozen seafood I've bought there.
― Bianca Jagger (jaymc), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 12:46 (fifteen years ago) link
My gf also just walked into the room and said, "Did you mention BRITISH MUFFINS?" I said no because I don't give a shit about them, but for posterity, I should mention that she eats the cinnamon raisin variety pretty much every day.
― Bianca Jagger (jaymc), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 12:47 (fifteen years ago) link
^different from English muffins?
― f f murray abraham (G00blar), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 13:39 (fifteen years ago) link
Not that I can tell.
― Bianca Jagger (jaymc), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 13:43 (fifteen years ago) link
Wait, I take that back: I guess they don't have Thomas-style nooks and crannies.
― Bianca Jagger (jaymc), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 13:44 (fifteen years ago) link
That's the Welsh influence.
― f f murray abraham (G00blar), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 13:48 (fifteen years ago) link
Undoubtedly.
― Bianca Jagger (jaymc), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 13:56 (fifteen years ago) link
decent prices on fancy brand hard liquor
where do you live that they do this? i want to move there.
― yur twit (tehresa), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 14:12 (fifteen years ago) link
should mention that i've grown past charles shaw (hooray i am old!) but i still like to buy wines at their wine shop cause they're about $3-8 cheaper for most things than the shop in my neighborhood.
― yur twit (tehresa), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 14:13 (fifteen years ago) link
they dont have liquor or wine @ the bk outpost
― rip dom passantino 3/5/09 never forget (max), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 14:13 (fifteen years ago) link
tbh i have not really been feeling tjs lately after eating nothing but stuff from their store all thru college
― rip dom passantino 3/5/09 never forget (max), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 14:14 (fifteen years ago) link
will ride for the chocolate covered peanut butter filled pretzels tho
those Maple Cream cookies are out of control good.
― brotherlovesdub, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 14:34 (fifteen years ago) link
that sounds absolutely disgusting
― yur twit (tehresa), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 14:34 (fifteen years ago) link
chili mango slices <3
These are not being appreciated enough.
― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 14:35 (fifteen years ago) link
I've ventured into Trader Joe's out of curiosity, but I always get frustrated and leave empty-handed. I can't stand the in-no-way-intuitive layout (soy sauce is stocked in the freezer section next to eggrolls?) and there are huge gaps in what they stock (Thai rice sticks were the only non-Italian noodles I could find). But I don't buy prepared foods or snacks, so maybe TJ wasn't meant for me.
― lindseykai, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 14:56 (fifteen years ago) link
ugh, we got the chili mango slices and found them GROSS.
BUT WHY TJ DID YOU STOP SELLING THE CHOCOLATE COVERED PEANUTS? My gf asked, they said they weren't selling. WTF
― dan selzer, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 15:07 (fifteen years ago) link
But I don't buy prepared foods or snacks, so maybe TJ wasn't meant for me.
Possibly. CHILXor dan m. has said the same. I don't really go nuts with all of the snacks and cookies and shit, either, but there are two things that I eat with a great deal of regularity -- cereal and sandwiches -- and TJ's is definitely good for things like cheese, soy milk, condiments, etc.
― Bianca Jagger (jaymc), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 15:10 (fifteen years ago) link
bread talk: quinoa bread is some crumbly shit.the half-loaves of sourdough are great though. i don't really understand wholewheat sourdough, but the white loaves. also the tuscan panes and similar little seeded breads.
i remember someone speaking up for soy chorizo a while ago and being curious, because i don't really go in for faux-meat stuff. but the backlash has dissuaded me. are veggie meatballs good: for real?
also: little cherry tomatoes. can't really find them anywhere cheaper.
― deveraux billings (schlump), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 15:21 (fifteen years ago) link
― dan selzer, Wednesday, March 11, 2009 11:07 AM (16 minutes ago) Bookmark
Someone told me they have some kind of fairly strict system where they rotate out the bottom x% of products (in sales terms).
― Bonobos in Paneradise (Hurting 2), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 15:24 (fifteen years ago) link
If you don't like prepared foods it's true that TJ doesn't have a lot to offer besides staples. It's definitely not a store for true foodies or cooking enthusiasts. Produce at the little green markets in the area is equally cheap and generally better. And Sahadi's and Damascus Bakery are good for specialty items.
― Bonobos in Paneradise (Hurting 2), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 15:27 (fifteen years ago) link
got to chime in for this lemon pepper w/ grinder trader joe's sells. my mom bought it for us randomly and it took my wife and i a couple months to actually try it, but now we cannot live without it. which is a problem because we're running low and we live in a state with no Trader Joe's. Mom?
― tylerw, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 15:29 (fifteen years ago) link
still so sad that tjs discontinued the flax pasta. brown rice and whole wheat is proving to be no substitute. the flax one ended up being just the right consistency -- not to chewy, but still on the firm side that let you know it was a bit more healthy than white flour. one of the managers told me a few months back they'd be trying out another flax variety, but no dice so far.
― robotsinlove, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 15:38 (fifteen years ago) link
less paper plane and more budget airline.
― horizontal, Thursday, 28 September 2023 15:37 (seven months ago) link
Going to try out their porchetta tonight...
― underwater as a compliment (Eazy), Sunday, 24 December 2023 20:56 (four months ago) link
Porchetta worked out great. Had it out of the fridge most of the afternoon, had it in the oven a bit longer than instructed. Tasty!
― underwater as a compliment (Eazy), Monday, 25 December 2023 03:00 (four months ago) link
Damn do I love their pastrami-style smoked salmon.
― underwater as a compliment (Eazy), Tuesday, 2 January 2024 03:18 (four months ago) link
Enjoying snacking on the spicy tempura seaweed and the rosemary nuts
― that's not my post, Tuesday, 2 January 2024 03:41 (four months ago) link
Did they discontinue their jalapeno cheesy bread?!
― Beverly Step On Me Crusher (Leee), Tuesday, 2 January 2024 05:02 (four months ago) link
I’m bummed out over their decision to stop carrying the “Simply Eggless” egg substitute. It was way better and cheaper (by a few dollars) than the Just Egg. It was so easy to work with and never stuck to my cast-iron pan.
― john shopkins (naus), Saturday, 13 January 2024 09:55 (three months ago) link
The Trader Joe's Soyaki sauce is quite nice. However I've been informed by those in the know (i.e. my wife and her friends) that labelling it as a 'Trader Joe san' product is inaccurate, as you can't use the '-san' suffix for yourself in Japanese culture. Instead, it translates as "Dear Trader Joe, from Soyaki" or possibly "Dear Trader Joe, here is Soyaki from Japan".
Perhaps they meant that?
― help me I am in hull (Matt #2), Tuesday, 12 March 2024 15:23 (one month ago) link
The proof
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31L0m5W1imL.jpg
― help me I am in hull (Matt #2), Tuesday, 12 March 2024 15:38 (one month ago) link
The fact that they still do this kind of "ethnic" "marketing" (or mockery, as I would call it) is truly insane afaic.
That said, had a few people over about two weeks ago and the "everything but the bagel" dip literally disappeared in about five minutes.
― butt dumb tight my boners got boners (the table is the table), Tuesday, 12 March 2024 16:03 (one month ago) link
there's also the whole "dismantle the administrative capacity of the federal govt" thing :(
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/mar/10/starbucks-trader-joes-spacex-challenge-labor-board
― 𝔠𝔞𝔢𝔨 (caek), Tuesday, 12 March 2024 16:05 (one month ago) link
well if you choose to boycott TJ's for their stance on the NLRB you can always buy the name brand version of that product. I have been marinating salmon in it for years (and it has its own ethnic marketing spin that as a Jew I have never decided how I feel about)
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71AeHdXtmiL._SX679_.jpg
― Lavator Shemmelpennick, Tuesday, 12 March 2024 16:21 (one month ago) link
As a child, i was forced to attend las vegas for an extended family vacation with cousins. Our parents also made us wear hawaiian shirts like the griswolds for a day. Nobody should be forced to wear a hawaiian shirt at their job.
― 145 feet up in a Jeffrey Pine (Sufjan Grafton), Tuesday, 12 March 2024 16:23 (one month ago) link
Doesn't teriyaki sauce always have soy sauce? A bit like making your own ketchup mix and naming it "Tomatchup"
― 145 feet up in a Jeffrey Pine (Sufjan Grafton), Tuesday, 12 March 2024 16:28 (one month ago) link
yeah you can make it with soy sauce, mirin, and sugar
I think the TJ's one and others throw in garlic and ginger, but you can do lots of variations
― ɥɯ ︵ (°□°) (mh), Tuesday, 12 March 2024 16:36 (one month ago) link
thought the revive might be for this
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/madness-trader-joes-mini-tote-bags-reselling-for-up-to-500-amid-social-media-craze/ar-BB1jI1r3
people are insane
― omar little, Tuesday, 12 March 2024 16:52 (one month ago) link
The Ube Joe-Joes might be too sweet for some tastes but are also rich AF: https://www.traderjoesreviews.com/product/trader-joes-ube-jo-joes-cookies-reviews/
― Costas Mandylorian (Leee), Monday, 29 April 2024 21:37 (one week ago) link
Definitely too sweet for my palette, but the Ube Tea Cookies are the best. Hard not to snack on them, honestly.
― beard papa, Monday, 29 April 2024 23:33 (one week ago) link
Ube pancake mix = win
― a fatal dose of irony (Matt #2), Monday, 29 April 2024 23:34 (one week ago) link
Impressed at the number of folk showing up at Issaquah's Trader Joe's at opening hrs (though sad it's now 9 instead of 8). It's now a biweekly destination for the black forest ham, carne asada burritos, jalapeno sauce, hashbrowns, chocolate croissants, plus the kimbap and strawberry/banana/orange juice. Was also pleased the other week that eggplants were $1.50 each vs. Safeway's $2.
Went by the local PCC on the same trip and the Boulder Canyon avocado oil chips are a new non-TJ's destination-worthy item.
― the body of a spider... (scampering alpaca), Monday, 29 April 2024 23:47 (one week ago) link
black forest bacon, oops
― the body of a spider... (scampering alpaca), Tuesday, 30 April 2024 00:00 (one week ago) link
The chocolate croissants are so so awesome
― octobeard, Tuesday, 30 April 2024 00:12 (one week ago) link
Don't sleep on the garlic olive oil and canned dolmas too
I love the canned dolmas, but haven't seen the quinoa dolmas in a while now (just the ones with rice). The quinoa ones seemed so much lighter, and I wish they would bring them back
I think their prepared sauces and condiments are mostly too sweet, but I recently discovered their fresh 'guacasalsa', which is great, a simple combination of tomatillo salsa, garlic, and guacamole
― Dan S, Tuesday, 30 April 2024 00:19 (one week ago) link
Just discovered the Chunky Garlic & Jalapeno Hot Sauce, which is pretty kickass... acceptable in any kind of cuisine, though it's not really 'chunky'
― Andy the Grasshopper, Tuesday, 30 April 2024 00:32 (one week ago) link
Yeah all their salsas seem to have sugar and that's a no go for me. Haven't found one I've liked.
However their Mediterranean style hummus is killer. As is their tzatziki. Great place to gather the goods for a levantine feast
― octobeard, Tuesday, 30 April 2024 00:58 (one week ago) link