Things that you did not know about Trader's Joe and other facts.

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Kyle

Diamond Member
Oct 14, 1999
4,145
11
91
Trader Joe's is a dangerous place because they sell very little real "food". So much of their stuff, at least so much of their best stuff, is snack oriented that you walk in, spend $100 and can't even make a meal out of what you buy. But they're generally really really good snacks.

What is it you can't find there? They have steaks, chicken, pork, veggies, fruit, frozen meals....what are you not finding
 

JEDIYoda

Lifer
Jul 13, 2005
33,986
3,321
126
Trader Joe's is a dangerous place because they sell very little real "food". So much of their stuff, at least so much of their best stuff, is snack oriented that you walk in, spend $100 and can't even make a meal out of what you buy. But they're generally really really good snacks.
there is always one in the crowd!!
 

bradly1101

Diamond Member
May 5, 2013
4,689
294
126
www.bradlygsmith.org
Trader Joe's is a dangerous place because they sell very little real "food". So much of their stuff, at least so much of their best stuff, is snack oriented that you walk in, spend $100 and can't even make a meal out of what you buy. But they're generally really really good snacks.

Huh? We go there every week for all our food, and our diet is heavy on fruits and veggies. Their produce is great and they sell all kinds of meat, chicken (what we get) and fish. I'd be willing to bet less of their store is snack items than a typical supermarket.

Two-Buck Chuck is great for chicken in wine.

If it was all snack food my partner and I wouldn't be slim and trim.
 

Exterous

Super Moderator
Jun 20, 2006
20,569
3,762
126
I don't find their prices all that low for most things, and it's a shame there are no sales because there certainly is the margin for them. This isn't aldi's.

I am sure it varies by area but I agree on certain foods like meat, produce and milk for us. Now they really can't be beat in terms of cheese and wine so that is a definite win
 

IronWing

No Lifer
Jul 20, 2001
72,821
33,837
136
It's a wine store that sells good party food. If you're looking to throw a party and like to drink wine then Trader Joe's is the place to shop.
 

preCRT

Platinum Member
Apr 12, 2000
2,340
123
106
TJ's is a dangerous store, their cookies are as addictive as crack.

205845.jpg
 

BladeVenom

Lifer
Jun 2, 2005
13,365
16
0
6. Some Trader Joe’s products are limited-run, so once they’re sold out, that’s it.

Trader Joe’s will also discontinue products, so there is a constantly rotating selection of items in the store.

That one kind of sucks. You find something you really like, then they'll never have it again.
 

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
59,990
10,469
126
That one kind of sucks. You find something you really like, then they'll never have it again.

It makes shopping more fun though. That's a big reason I like BigLots. They get interesting stuff in every week, and the reduced prices make it more feasible to gamble on something new. When it's gone, it's gone. Nothing lasts forever.
 

ponyo

Lifer
Feb 14, 2002
19,688
2,811
126
That one kind of sucks. You find something you really like, then they'll never have it again.

They sometimes bring it back. It's marketing ploy like McDonald's McRib sandwich. But it does suck when you can't find your favorite products. We love Trader Joe's Stone Ground White Grits. It disappeared for a long time but they recently brought it back. We bought a whole bunch just in case it disappears again.
 

MrColin

Platinum Member
May 21, 2003
2,403
3
81
Stay away from the salmon jerky. I like that they will run unusual things temporarily, some are good, others not so much.
 

gophertron

Member
Apr 25, 2012
50
0
66
TJ's is a dangerous store, their cookies are as addictive as crack.

205845.jpg

Ugh...I think I bought those once cause they were cheap. Bleh, taste like cardboard cookies.

...anyhow, TJs has some very good niche roles, I buy protein powder there, some chocolate, certain wines / beers, and a few other nice ingredients for food that tend to be cheaper there. In Socal, there is also a store called Sprouts which on average I find has a lot more produce available for cheaper, and a better overall selection of stuff. Also has a lot of nifty "buy them by the pound" items like granola cereal, seeds, etc.
 

Dari

Lifer
Oct 25, 2002
17,133
38
91
My wife volunteers for a charity. And one of their sponsors is the company that makes Snapea Crisps. These things are sooooooooooooooo good. I'm not a fan of vegetables but I can't stop eating them. They're at Trader Joes. She said you can get a 10 pack for $3.
 

jaedaliu

Platinum Member
Feb 25, 2005
2,670
1
81
My wife volunteers for a charity. And one of their sponsors is the company that makes Snapea Crisps. These things are sooooooooooooooo good. I'm not a fan of vegetables but I can't stop eating them. They're at Trader Joes. She said you can get a 10 pack for $3.

was in your town last weekend and saw some kids on the High Line eating them!

I've never bought them, but they're in the snack foods (chips and popcorn) aisle if you ever do get them. I think they're more than 10 per bag, though.
 

Dari

Lifer
Oct 25, 2002
17,133
38
91
was in your town last weekend and saw some kids on the High Line eating them!

I've never bought them, but they're in the snack foods (chips and popcorn) aisle if you ever do get them. I think they're more than 10 per bag, though.

Yeah, she just told me that they're more than that. The price I mentioned has something to do with the charity, not sure exactly what.
 

AznAnarchy99

Lifer
Dec 6, 2004
14,695
117
106
Thanks for posting this, has anyone tried TJ's Spinach & Kale Greek Yogurt Dip (#17)?

I loved it and I bought it for weeks straight. Then I got sick of it because I bought it for weeks straight lol. Definitely get the chunky guac too. Some of the best guac I've had and I live in little Mexico.

My buddy worked at TJ's and made somewhere neat $15/hour but hours/shifts were hard to come by. No where near enough for a full time unless you had seniority.

Also they really do take returns on everything. I should of taken advantage of this more often. A lot of the produce goes bad quick or some of them just suck (don't buy strawberries here). I just feel weird returning food.
 

GoodRevrnd

Diamond Member
Dec 27, 2001
6,801
581
126
Oreos taste gross to me now after having mostly JoJos for years. Peppermint JoJos... <3 <3 <3
 

TwiceOver

Lifer
Dec 20, 2002
13,544
44
91
They are opening one 90 miles south of me. Will be a long time before I see one in my town though. Market is locked up between two giants and a small town shop.
 

KeithTalent

Elite Member | Administrator | No Lifer
Administrator
Nov 30, 2005
50,231
118
116
I freaking love Trader Joe's. I wish we had a real one up here, all we have is Pirate Joe's which buys stuff down there and re-sells it up here: http://www.piratejoes.ca/ :hmm:

KT
 

Scarpozzi

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
26,391
1,780
126
The two-buck chuck used to be somewhat decent. The last few times I tried it, it was virtually undrinkable. It's sad because I've had a few bottles in the past that were at least somewhat decent.

For just a little more money, Bota Box is a better investment....it's about $15 and is consistently good for table wine.
 

Newell Steamer

Diamond Member
Jan 27, 2014
6,894
8
0
B-b-but you HAVE to pay someone working that kind of job dirt cheap salaries,.. otherwise the cost will be passed onto the customers!!!