# Help me make a Trader Joe's shopping list!
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-trader-joes-shopping-list/296274
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [March 25, 2005, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-trader-joes-shopping-list/296274 "2005-03-25T23:11:57Z")
**Posts on this page:** 19
**Page:** 3
### Author:  [@Bumbazine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbazine)
#### Post date: [March 27, 2005, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-trader-joes-shopping-list/296274/41 "2005-03-27T21:06:57Z")
> [@Lissla Lissar](#):
>
> Or, if any kind soul would like to ship me cookies and almonds, I would gladly send them money and a Canadian product of choice.
**Lissla,** meet me in the MMP tomorrow or Tuesday. š
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### Author:  [@anu-la1979](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anu-la1979)
#### Post date: [March 27, 2005, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-trader-joes-shopping-list/296274/42 "2005-03-27T21:28:43Z")
\*Frozen grilled chicken strips for my salad. I donāt have the time or inclination to make a really tasty grilled chicken strip topping for my salads and the ones from Tyson at the regular supermarket taste vile to me.
\*Frozen mango & frozen tropical fruit. I started making my own fruit yoghurt for snack by defrosting a bit of frozen fruit and adding it to a 1/2 cup fat-free yoghurt with a half-teaspoon of honey. Yummy and cheap.
\*Soups for lunch: I love the tomato-red pepper soup.
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### Author:  [@gfloyd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gfloyd)
#### Post date: [March 27, 2005, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-trader-joes-shopping-list/296274/43 "2005-03-27T22:33:23Z")
Make sure you get their salesā flier. Iāve rarely been disappointed with what Iāve gotten there. Their low fat cilantro dressing is to die for, if you donāt mind garlic. Their cookies are great and their frozen meals are very tasty.
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### Author:  [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2005, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-trader-joes-shopping-list/296274/44 "2005-03-28T02:25:22Z")
I love you, **Bumba**. Have I told you recently how sexy you are?
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### Author:  [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2005, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-trader-joes-shopping-list/296274/45 "2005-03-28T02:44:35Z")
Iām addicted to their fresh-squeezed orange and grapefruit juices. Taste a hundred times better than Tropicana for about the same cost. Also their granolas, and Vanana yogurt. Havenāt tried the frozen fruit chunks yet, because smoothies are one of those things I just never bother making for some reason, but will probably try them the next time I want blueberry muffins in the middle of winter and the ones in the grocery store are pitiful-looking and $4 a half-pint.
Goat cheese! They have a couple of domestic brands which are just fine for most purposes, and which I can never find anywhere else. And they sometimes carry a goatās-milk Brie which will knock your socks off.
I agree, though, that their produce prices are very high (at least compared to the produce market half a block from my house). But they are the only non-bakery Iāve found around here that sells halfway decent bread.
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### Author:  [@gardentraveler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gardentraveler)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2005, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-trader-joes-shopping-list/296274/46 "2005-03-28T03:39:21Z")
In addition to what everyone else saidā¦ frozen veggies. I got to do a side by side comparison of TJās frozen asparagus with a supposedly premium brand from a regular grocery store today. It was sad. The ones from TJās were small and thin and tasty. The others were pretty taste-free and had a couple of woody pieces that should never have made it into the bag.
Alsoā¦I love their green chile and cheese tamales.
GT
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### Author:  [@Moonchild](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonchild)
#### Post date: [March 30, 2005, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-trader-joes-shopping-list/296274/47 "2005-03-30T07:31:33Z")
Three-cheese marinara sauce. Omigosh.
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### Author:  [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)
#### Post date: [March 30, 2005, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-trader-joes-shopping-list/296274/48 "2005-03-30T12:03:30Z")
> [@Lissla Lissar](#):
>
> Do they have Total yogurt yet? I remember it was pulled because of FDA licensing problems. The regular wholemilk yogurt was really good, too.
>
> I think the nearest TJās over the border is six hours away.
My Trader Joeās still has a little sign up saying itās not available yet.
Iāll let you know if I notice the yogurt reappears.
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### Author:  [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)
#### Post date: [March 30, 2005, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-trader-joes-shopping-list/296274/49 "2005-03-30T12:10:03Z")
I have enjoyed reading this thread about the imaginary **Trader Joeās**. Wouldnāt it be wonderful if such a cornucopia of comestibles really existed?
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### Author:  [@badbadrubberpiggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/badbadrubberpiggy)
#### Post date: [March 30, 2005, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-trader-joes-shopping-list/296274/50 "2005-03-30T13:39:38Z")
mmmmmā¦Trader Joeās. Iāve actually never bought anything there I didnāt like, and this thread has reminded me that I should do my grocery shopping there this weekend. I live so close to Whole Foods (about 2 blocks away) that I forget about the much better Trader Joeās thatās only about a half an hour walk from my apt!
Iāll second (or third, Iāve only had time to skim the thread) the vote for the frozen foods. Good stuff, reasonably priced and healthy! So much more flavor than other āhealthyā and low-fat stuff you get at Shaws or other regular grocery stores.
Minor hijack: IIRC, **kittenblue** , didnāt you recently have some type of gastric bypass surgery? I may be thinking of someone else, but if thatās you, howās that going for you?
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### Author:  [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)
#### Post date: [March 30, 2005, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-trader-joes-shopping-list/296274/51 "2005-03-30T14:19:48Z")
> [@don't ask](#):
>
> I have enjoyed reading this thread about the imaginary **Trader Joeās**. Wouldnāt it be wonderful if such a cornucopia of comestibles really existed?
They do! They do!
Hm. I thought it would be nice if an attractive Australian woman read my posts, fell in love with me, and lured be to Australia. But Iām jonzinā for Trader Joeās now, because 85 miles is too far for regular trips. If the nearest TJās was _thousands_ of miles awayā¦ :eek:
Anywayā¦
I havenāt had the caffeine to go back and read the previous posts. Has anyone mentioned the **Tamales**? I canāt decide which I like better: the green chile and cheese tamales, or the beef tamales. Theyāre both good.
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### Author:  [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)
#### Post date: [March 30, 2005, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-trader-joes-shopping-list/296274/52 "2005-03-30T14:39:34Z")
Whoaaā¦ there is another Trader Joeās opening in Cleveland? Where at? Iām an eastsider so Iāve been to the one on Woodmere, but Iām right on the lake so Itās kind of too far south to make it a regular trip. Is the new one on the near west side?
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### Author:  [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2005, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-trader-joes-shopping-list/296274/53 "2005-04-02T04:54:30Z")
> [@DorjƤn](#):
>
> Whoaaā¦ there is another Trader Joeās opening in Cleveland? Where at? Iām an eastsider so Iāve been to the one on Woodmere, but Iām right on the lake so Itās kind of too far south to make it a regular trip. Is the new one on the near west side?
It opened in Crocker Park in Westlake today (just off I-90ā¦one block south).
And this is what I bought:
Beef Shepherdās Pie (the last one they had)
Pork Potstickers (need suggestions on how to serve these!)
String Cheese
Ginger Chews Candy
Asian Mushroom Blend
Broccoli Quiche
Spinach Quiche
Canned Artichoke Hearts
Honey Mustard Potato Chips (and yes, they are addictive)
Two-Buck Chuck Chardonnay ($3.39)
Gorgonzola and Pear Pizza
Chicken Portabella Wrap (ate half for dinnerā¦very good)
Mini Babybel Gouda (for my daughter, and a dollar cheaper than Tops supermarket)
Fresh Guacamole (the one with the N-number thing)
Artichoke and Cheese ravioli
Snow Crab Ravioli with Dill
Sweet apple Chicken Sausage
The place was packed to the doors at 6:30 pm, and full of people I donāt know, but (bizarrely) I scored a parking space from a friend from church, and one of my best friends left just five minutes before I got there.
I spent more than I planned, but I have food for a week, and none of it is boring! It was hard to read labels in that crowd, but oddly enough the item I bought with the highest sugar content was the frozen mushrooms! 10 grams! Even the ginger candy was way lower! They had sold out of a few specials like gelato and Haricort verts, but most everything else was still well-stocked. I donāt know if the crowds had been like that all day, but it was packed! And the comment I heard most often was ānow I wonāt have to drive all the way to Legacy on the east side anymore!ā so apparently I was the only one holding out for the local store to open!
And yes, whoever asked, I had gastric by-pass last summer and have lost 90 pounds so far. Iām doing well, but am getting frustrated with the protein sources Iāve been using, so I was really looking forward to some new tastes! As one of the other by-pass patients explained to us, āyou canāt eat much, but thereās no reason it shouldnāt taste fabulousā. So tomorrow I will have some Chicken sausage for my breakfast, the second half of my wrap for lunch, and probably the Snow crab ravioli for dinnerā¦can any one suggest a sauce? If I eat well at each meal Iām less likely to want to snack inappropriatelyā¦the wrap has kept me happily unhungry for hours now!
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### Author:  [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2005, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-trader-joes-shopping-list/296274/54 "2005-04-02T06:01:51Z")
> [@bclouse](#):
>
> I have something else to add. TJās has several simmering sauces. My favorites are a couple of Indian sauces. One is a Masala and the other is a spinach.
>
> Pour either into a skillet pan with a cup of water and cut up pieces of chicken or firm tofu.
>
> Cover and let it simmer for about an hour. The jar says 10-15 minutes. Thatās just not enough time unless you like your chicken under cooked and the sauce to be really runny.
>
> I add in peas the last few minutes and serve over jasmine rice that TJās sells as well.
>
> A fantastic meal thatās easy to make, tastes great and itāll make your entire house smell wonderful. That jasmine rice just smells delicious.
We love their simmer sauces, too! We solved the āreally runnyā problem by not adding any water at all, and simmering for 30 minutes. Or, you could do what I did last time I used the Punjab Spinach sauce, and it wasnāt enough sauce for the amount of chicken I was cooking; I added some water to a small (6 oz) can of tomato paste and mixed that in, and it was awesome ā a _much_ better way to expand the sauce than plain water alone, since it adds body and flavor.
Not mentioned and on my list of yummies is their āCat Cookies.ā And no, theyāre not for cats, theyāre for people. š
We also love their frozen spinach pie and the Cioppino Seafood Stew (in bags in the frozen fish section).
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### Author:  [@bclouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bclouse)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2005, 9:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-trader-joes-shopping-list/296274/55 "2005-04-02T09:19:29Z")
> [@Shayna](#):
>
> We love their simmer sauces, too! We solved the āreally runnyā problem by not adding any water at all, and simmering for 30 minutes. Or, you could do what I did last time I used the Punjab Spinach sauce, and it wasnāt enough sauce for the amount of chicken I was cooking; I added some water to a small (6 oz) can of tomato paste and mixed that in, and it was awesome ā a _much_ better way to expand the sauce than plain water alone, since it adds body and flavor.
That sounds really good. Iāll have to give it a shot. I like to add carrots and fresh tomatoes as well. It sure beats Hamburger Helper. But I do like my Cheeseburger hamburger helper every once in a while. Very white trash. š
And congrats to you Kittenblue. Welcome to the Trader Joes family. Itās the only place I shop for groceries anymore. And just curious, howās the parking situation there? It seems that every TJs around here (L.A.) has terrible parking. Not enough space and just hard to get in and out of. But that doesnāt stop me.
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### Author:  [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2005, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-trader-joes-shopping-list/296274/56 "2005-04-02T12:56:22Z")
> [@bclouse](#):
>
> And congrats to you Kittenblue. Welcome to the Trader Joes family. Itās the only place I shop for groceries anymore. And just curious, howās the parking situation there? It seems that every TJs around here (L.A.) has terrible parking. Not enough space and just hard to get in and out of. But that doesnāt stop me.
TJās is located at the very end of the still-unfinished ālifestyle centerā so it has a huge parking area right by the front door, and two or three parking garages (all free) just a short distance behind it. I donāt anticipate having to wait for a space the next time I goā¦it was just the opening day crowds. And until the rest of that block gets built (Sur le Table hasnāt even broken ground yet) the lot is only for TJās customers and construction workers. Parking is rarely a problem here in the Cleve. suburbs, unless you define a problem as having to walk more than 20 spaces to get to the door.
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### Author:  [@Moonchild](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonchild)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2005, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-trader-joes-shopping-list/296274/57 "2005-04-12T05:18:26Z")
Okay, youāve probably shopped at TJās numberous times, **Kittenblue** , but tonight we had some terrific stuffed red peppers (stuffed with ground turkey and whole grain rice) and it is off-the-charts delicious. A must-try!
Moonchild
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### Author:  [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2005, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-trader-joes-shopping-list/296274/58 "2005-04-12T15:26:36Z")
> [@Lissla Lissar](#):
>
> Do they have Total yogurt yet? I remember it was pulled because of FDA licensing problems. The regular wholemilk yogurt was really good, too.
>
> I think the nearest TJās over the border is six hours away.
ITāS BAAAAACK!
Saw some last week in teh Trader Joeās near my office.
Just now remembered to come back to the SDMB & post about it.
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### Author:  [@singular1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/singular1)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2005, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-trader-joes-shopping-list/296274/59 "2005-04-12T19:57:40Z")
I have to add a rare cautionary note: do NOT try the chicken or turkey pot pies. I knew someday I would find something Trader Joeās didnāt do right, and I found five boxes of it, three of which will probably get thrown out. They are _awful_! I was shocked! The Suace is thick and gummy, there is way too much dark meat in it, and the crust (upper only) falls apart in the box, leaving only the inner disk intact while the edges lay in the bottom of the box and have to be piled back on. The taste is pretty nasty, too. Mr. singular and I were sorely disappointed. Weāll stick with Marie Calanders.
But that is the only bad thing I have ever gotten there. The frozen asparagus spears are heavenly, triple ginger snaps are ambrosia and the Ahi Tuna Stir-Fry is quick and easy and very, very good.
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