I really like their vegetable samosas (in the freezer section). However, I have absolutely no experience with samosas from anywhere else, so I don’t know how authentic they are. I’m not a big fan of the above-mentioned potstickers; the chicken and pork ones are too anise-y. The vegetable ones are all right, though. There are plenty of different types of sauces at TJ’s you can fry them in.
The honey sesame cashews are amazing. I notice a lot of others have recommended the nut aisle. Yum. The peanut butter is lovely and I’m going to brave the almond butter once I run out.
I still find kippers somewhat suspicious, but at least I know what they are now.
It is in the frozen food section, comes in a pizza type box and has the word, “Cheescake” on the box and nothing else.
Been a few years since I had it, but it reminded me of the good cheesecakes in a NY Jewish deli…and even though it looks small, a very tiny piece will suffice…trust me.
They have instant Chai tea mix that is to. die. for. Also, their tortillas that are so delicious and tender enough to eat on their own. Kettle chips, but I think you can get those pretty much anywhere. And I am a big fan of their juices; I get cranberry juice there for making cape cods. The juice is not sweetened or mixed with anything else, it’s just the cranberry, baby! Cures what ails ya, too. I’ll admit that this is sort of a weird liking of mine though I won’t drink cape cods with any other juice anymore. Too sweet. Their cheese selections are very nice although I have not yet had occasion to buy any. Their liquor section doesn’t impress me much but then I live in California where you can get damn near any poison you like at the grocery store and often 24 hours a day. For specialty stuff I go to this godlike liquor store in Glendale, but now I am getting sidetracked
You were told correctly, Campion from South Pas near Arroyo Parkway. I remember my Mom bringing home groceries from T.J.s when I was around 12 (IIRC, which was 1977) and I would complain because she wasn’t going to Ralphs’. Then somehow I became smart enough to realize how programmed we are by TV advertising and have never since pushed myself away from Joe’s bosom. (Is that a TMI violation?)
The beef tamales and/or chicken with cheese tamales drenched in TJ’s green salsa (from the jar, not the fresh kind) rocks the house. If you go soy, eggless egg salad is good and so is the eggplant hummous. Oh, and blueberry juice. Yumm. And Sir Strawberry strawberry juice right behind it.
Pastille dark chocolate wafers might not be at every TJ’s, but it’s a must for dark chocolate fans. Warning: highly addictive. Also highly addictive: Tofutti Cuties (tofu ice cream sandwiches).
The fresh salmon with cous-cous (sic?). 25 minutes at 350 in the oven.
Frozen fish, especially salmon. They flash freeze the fish on the boat, so it’s about as close to fresh as frozen fish can be.
Chipotle salsa. EEEEEvil cookies (shortbread witha dollop of dark chocolate on top; find them above the freezer cases.) Baby cooked shrimp to toss into summer salad. Whole wheat couscous. The list goes on and on…
For a west coaster stranded on the east coast, TJs is a bite of home.
I think I might sell a leg or something for some. They are BEYOND AWESOME, and I normally dislike using caps. The bruschetta mix was good, and the (honey-almond?) cereal was very good. I ate a box in two days, singlehanded. The Peanut Butter Joe-Joe’s are wonderful. They have ginger altoids (thank you, scout!) and wonderful squodgy ginger cookies.
I have only been once to Trader Joe’s. If someone would browbeat them into opening in Canada I would be everlastingly grateful, and also much fatter. Please instruct them to open up right in my neighbourhood. Thank you.
I am compiling a shopping list for the next time my best friend comes up to visit. She lives within spitting distance of two TJ’s, in Bryn Mawr. 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. Uh, Second Cup hot cranberry drink? Maple syrup> Coffee Crisp.
Where I lived in L.A. there were three Trader Joe’s within two miles, and another one about six miles away. Here? The closest on is in Everett, and my odometer says the store is 84 miles from my house.
When I was in L.A. I’d fill out the little blue cards suggesting they open a store in Bellingham, WA. I’ve phoned them twice since I’ve been here to ask that they open a store in Bellingham. I filled out blue cards and have stated my ZIP code at the Everett store. Bellingham is a college town, and also close to Vancouver, BC., and also has a decent population. It’s the perfect place for a Trader Joe’s!
But they seem to be concentrating on moving east. Jesus hanging ten on a longboard! All I’m asking for is one store that I can go to without having to spend a double sawbuck on gas!
They have a truly tremendous selection of real juices, without all that sugar and other things that are in the regular grocery stores. I really love their Georgia Peach juice and the Blueberry juice. I flavor my iced tea with them.
They also have these DREAMY chocolate covered dried fruit. It’s in the frozen food isle above the open freezers. It’s easy to spot because they are in all different colors, in a round plastic container. The brand name is Davenport Franzen, definitely a must have.
They used to have tofu with herbs in it already, but I haven’t seen that in a while. Their refrigerated pastas are very good, and they have a good selection of sauces. Their beer selection is pretty good.
I second the honey mustard Hawaiian potato chips. Very tasty. The other flavors are good but honey mustard is a must.
I’m really into their spinach dip. It’s not as creamy as others I’ve had, a lot of spinach in it. Unfortunally I haven’t found their tortilla corn chips to be very good. So you might want to pick up a bag elsewhere.
In their bread section they have a chocolate-peanut butter cookie that’s great. It’s called Uncle Sutter’s recipe or something like that.
And I’m really liking their gourmet white bread. It’s actually called Gourmet White Bread. Lots of flavor.
Oh, by the way, they have a nice selection of fresh salads in their refrigerated section. I pick up several when I go and they make a nice light dinner for after work.
In their frozen section, they have orange chicken. You have to fry up the chicken and I add the sauce just as I’m taking them off the stove. That way the sauce gets nice and sticky. I hate orange chicken that’s limp and squishy. This way you can make it as crunchy as you like.
I also make it a point to pick up at least one new item whenever I go. There’s something about the place that makes you want to try new things.
Trader Joe’s truffles are to.die.for. Holy good Lord. They’re imported from France (dark, milk, or cappuccino) and coated with cocoa. They’re the smoothest, most richest tasting I’ve ever had. And it’s less than $4 for a box!
Other recommendations:
Triple ginger snaps
Frozen mango chunks
TJ’s frozen dinner bowls. Much yummier than Lean Cuisine et al, and a lot healthier. And you can recognize all the ingredients as actual foodstuffs!
Flowers. I bought a dozen gorgeous roses (butter yellow with rose tips) for only $7.99
Dried fruits and nuts aisle. They have a lot of no extra sugar added fruit, along with raw nuts (much yummier, IMHO)
Tasty Bites Indian food. THIS STUFF ROCKS MY SOCKS. TJ’s is the only place I’ve ever seen them
Cardboard box roasted red pepper and tomato soup
a lot of other things
I personally adore Trader Joe’s. This is an area of Kroger’s and Farmer Jack’s (along with Meijer) and TJ’s makes shopping truly fun. I like going there and seeing what they have each week. The workers (at mine, at least) seriously seem to love working there. They’re really cheery and not saying, “Goodmorninghowareyoudoingtoday?” glumly while not waiting for an answer. It’s great!
Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you all. I’m moving from New Orleans, which is a food heaven of its own, back to the DC area as soon as we can get the house sold, and you guys just reminded me that I will be moving back into TJ country. Double Rainbow ice cream, here I come! Along with half the rest of the store…
Sorry for so many posts. I have something else to add. TJ’s 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. That’s 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 TJ’s sells as well.
A fantastic meal that’s easy to make, tastes great and it’ll make your entire house smell wonderful. That jasmine rice just smells delicious.
We love both of those sauces, but our sauce lust has lately been redirected to their Cuban Mojito Sauce. In the same aisle, prepared in the same way.
In the frozen food case, try Vegetarian Biryani(sp?). You can make a good emergency meal in 5 to 10 minutes. I usually cook a couple of boneless skinless chicken breasts (chunked) quickly in the wok, toss in the Biryani for 3 or 4 minutes, then add exta golden raisens, peas, whatever, cokk anothe minute, and serve, all within 10 minutes.
If you cook, you can get big containers of very good fresh Basil there.
We always check their cheeses, sausages, and raviolis whenever we go their.
There’s more, but that’s what comes to mind immediatly.
Pick up a copy of their Fearless Flyer for descriptions/hype about many of their products, and always pick up one new thing you’ve never tried before every time you go.
I won’t drink cape cods with any other juice anymore. Too sweet. Their cheese selections are very nice although I have not yet had occasion to buy any. Their liquor section doesn’t impress me much but then I live in California where you can get damn near any poison you like at the grocery store and often 24 hours a day. For specialty stuff I go to this godlike liquor store in Glendale, but now I am getting sidetracked 