The TRADER JOE'S Thread

[MarkGrace]

The Costco thread getting bumped reminded me that I needed to start a Trader Joe's thread. Given that there's two of us in the Grace household, Costco isn't terribly practical (though we do buy some things there), so we shop quite a bit at TJ's since it seems to be aimed more at smaller families.

Staples:

Olive oil - seems to be pretty good quality for the price
Joe Joe's - vanilla bean is good, but get the candy cane version at Christmas
Triple Berry O's - favorite cereal right now, love the dried fruit
Mac and Cheese - really good for microwavable stuff
Mini mint mouthfuls - ice cream sandwiches slightly larger than an oreo
Basil plant - usually buy one every year; fresh basil year round for $5!
Sweet potato fries - great paired with steak for steak frites
Ridge cut potato chips - salt & pepper flavor; love these soooo much
Tomato and roasted red pepper soup - great with a grilled cheese

Anyway, that's what I can think of for now. Post your TJ finds here.

[falafel]

The Costco thread getting bumped reminded me that I needed to start a Trader Joe's thread. Given that there's two of us in the Grace household, Costco isn't terribly practical (though we do buy some things there), so we shop quite a bit at TJ's since it seems to be aimed more at smaller families.

Staples:

Olive oil - seems to be pretty good quality for the price
Joe Joe's - vanilla bean is good, but get the candy cane version at Christmas
Triple Berry O's - favorite cereal right now, love the dried fruit
Mac and Cheese - really good for microwavable stuff
Mini mint mouthfuls - ice cream sandwiches slightly larger than an oreo
Basil plant - usually buy one every year; fresh basil year round for $5!
Sweet potato fries - great paired with steak for steak frites
Ridge cut potato chips - salt & pepper flavor; love these soooo much
Tomato and roasted red pepper soup - great with a grilled cheese

Anyway, that's what I can think of for now. Post your TJ finds here.

Since I've lived in Las Vegas, I have not visited TJ's. The closest one to me is in a sort of strange place, not near anywhere I frequent. I should really try to make it there.

Last Christmas, my boss gave me a box of fudge dipped candy cane Joe Joe's. They were SO GOOD I ate the whole box by myself in about 24 hours. That is reason enough to go back this holiday season.

I also remember really liking the tub of mini-chocolate chip cookies. I love the way they just melt/disintegrate in your mouth when you suck on them. Man, those are tasty. It's been a while since I've had them. I hope they're still there.

[MarkGrace]

Tried the pumpkin pancake mix. Another TJ's winner!

[RobinFinderson]

We do most of our shopping at Trader Joe's. Lately our menu has been very simple, and TJ's has met all of our needs. Here are some of the things we get there regularly:

Basic things we could get anywhere: Milk, eggs, butter, flour, sugar, salt, pepper.

Other basic things where TJ's has a few slightly nicer than average versions of things: Cheeses, sandwich meats (for me and Little Robin), beer, wine, coffee, olive oil, crushed tomatoes, bread, tofu.

TJ's is well loved by a lot of people that enjoy buying pre-prepared foods. We almost never buy this stuff, but will pick up a freezer pizza once a week for LR. At some point he will be hungry, and it will be easier to toss a pie in the oven than do anything else. But otherwise we stay clear of the pre-prepared stuff (usually all calorie bombs anhow).

Fruits and vegetables: We buy a ton of this stuff every week. Maybe half our groceries. We usually pick up about 10 apples, 10 oranges, a watermelon or two (trying to stretch out summer), sometimes a pineapple, blueberries (when they have them), dates (basically candy), Just the Leaves lettuce in a bag (perfect for sandwiches), potatoes, carrots, broccoli, onions, cabbage salad (chopped in the bag). We end up buying a lot of bagged vegetables. It is really convenient to be able to buy a little bag of french beans, pre-washed and cut, that I can simply drop into the steamer. TJ's has a lot of these nice little veggie bags. They are only a little bit more expensive than buying them loose, but the convenience can't be beat.

And that is about it for our regular stuff.

[RobinFinderson]

Here are two specialty items to pick up around this time of the year:

Par Baked Filone: You finish baking it in your oven, and it comes out with the perfect moistness, softness, crustiness and texture.

Pumpkin Butter: This only comes out around Halloween, but we usually get enough to last through December.

Try the two together, with a little fresh butter. Excellent.

[MarkGrace]

Bump for the candy cane joe joe's! Yum!

[YOhio]

I like their Maple Syrup.

[WashingtonCoug]

I don't understand why there is not a Trader Joe's in Utah. That's a crime!

[Flystripper]

Tried the pumpkin pancake mix. Another TJ's winner!

yep this is good!

[Fiyero]

The closest thing to Trader Joe's that I've found in the SLC region is the Archer Farms product line at SuperTarget. On first glance I thought it was their generic line but I guess not; their variations are items not seen elsewhere and usually cost a premium. Buffalo mac and cheese. Pumpkin cinnamon strudel pancake mix. Madagascan Bean Vanilla ice cream. Mission fig and Kalamata olive tapenade.

[YOhio]

Bump for the candy cane joe joe's! Yum!

I think Joe-Joe's are just a bit less tasty than Western Family generic Oreo's.

[WashingtonCoug]

The closest thing to Trader Joe's that I've found in the SLC region is the Archer Farms product line at SuperTarget. On first glance I thought it was their generic line but I guess not; their variations are items not seen elsewhere and usually cost a premium. Buffalo mac and cheese. Pumpkin cinnamon strudel pancake mix. Madagascan Bean Vanilla ice cream. Mission fig and Kalamata olive tapenade.

Have you ever tried anyone of those? Are they any good?

[Fiyero]

Have you ever tried anyone of those? Are they any good?

They're fine, as far as pre-packaged, processed foods go. For example the sauce packet in the Buffalo mac and cheese is a blend of cheddar, bleu, and gouda cheeses.

[MarkGrace]

I think Joe-Joe's are just a bit less tasty than Western Family generic Oreo's.

Seriously? Maybe I need to try the WF generic then. Do they have a candy cane version? That's really the only time I buy joe joe's.

[YOhio]

Seriously? Maybe I need to try the WF generic then. Do they have a candy cane version? That's really the only time I buy joe joe's.

Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating. I just don't like Joe Joe's that much, even the candy cane version.