# My first trip to Trader Joe's! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 22, 2011, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-trip-to-trader-joes/600465 "2011-10-22T18:57:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![papergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/aca169/32.png) [@papergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/papergirl)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2011, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-trip-to-trader-joes/600465/1 "2011-10-22T18:57:31Z")
My son and I drove the 76 miles to our nearest TJ’s (in the rain, naturally) on Wednesday. We had a blast. Some folks have requested a full report, so here we go. I really like the store–good stuff, good prices. Here’s what I got, with attendant notes. 3 kinds of Brussels Sprouts–one ready to saute (and $2.50 cheaper than I can get it here), one in microwavable bag, and one stalk. I burned the sauteed ones already, but the unburned parts were good! Coffee: New Orleans style with chicory, Costa Rican Tarrazu, and Bay Blend. I was so overwhelmed with coffee choices that I just went with pretty labels. We split them and they’re all good so far. Next time I want to try the Kona. Olive oil, lovely cloudy green stuff. Harvest Grains Blend, which just looked interesting Tarte D’alsace pizza thing. Saving for a night when the kids are gone! Chocolate–a small variety Sweet potatoes–just seemed ike a good price Black Licorice-LOVE black licorice! Salami. Ooooooh, good stuff. Really lovely Brie, and raw milk cheddar. Good, good, good. Snacky things–sesame sticks, peanut butter pretzels, savory crackers. Wine for my son–he says it’s good stuff, so I’ll take his word for it. I’m planning another trip in December, and will get a LOT more cheese and coffee and chocolate, plus all the things I didn’t get to try this time. And more licorice, for sure. Can’t wait to go back! Thanks to all the Dopers who suggested things! ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2011, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-trip-to-trader-joes/600465/2 "2011-10-22T19:13:48Z")
Now I’m feeling guilty that there is TJ’s about 3 miles from my house, and I almost never shop there. In fact, there are probably 3 or 4 within a 10 mile radius. They do have good stuff. What wine did you get? I’ve seen a pretty mixed bag when I’ve looked for wine there. They do have a lot of good frozen foods for when you want to make something quick. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2011, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-trip-to-trader-joes/600465/3 "2011-10-22T20:19:13Z")
Coffee: Try the French Roast. It doesn’t have a ‘pretty label’; it’s basically blue with an Impressionist (I think) scene on it. It comes in a big can and a normal can. Trader Giotto’s is my everyday olive oil. I hope you got the triple-cream brie! Those peanut butter pretzels are great. Someone told me they have them covered in chocolate, but I haven’t looked for them yet. ---
**Author:** ![C3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/c3/32/3108_2.png) [@C3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C3)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2011, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-trip-to-trader-joes/600465/4 "2011-10-22T21:53:08Z")
I was in there yesterday and got the pumpkin ice cream - yum. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2011, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-trip-to-trader-joes/600465/5 "2011-10-22T22:25:23Z")
We don’t have TJ’s where I live, but i have been to one and I’ve looked at their website. Please explain what all the fuss is about. We have Whole Foods and TJ’s seems to have much less of everything. What am i not getting? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2011, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-trip-to-trader-joes/600465/6 "2011-10-22T22:30:00Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > What am i not getting? Lower prices than Whole Paycheck? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2011, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-trip-to-trader-joes/600465/7 "2011-10-22T23:00:22Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > We don’t have TJ’s where I live, but i have been to one and I’ve looked at their website. Please explain what all the fuss is about. We have Whole Foods and TJ’s seems to have much less of everything. What am i not getting? Where the selection overlaps, TJs is cheaper (often MUCH cheaper) for a equal or superior quality. You’re right that TJs, are, on average, much smaller than a Whole Foods. OP - neat! Was it about what the other thread had lead you to expect? or different? ---
**Author:** ![Purd\_Werfect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47c2d/32.png) [@Purd\_Werfect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Purd_Werfect)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2011, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-trip-to-trader-joes/600465/8 "2011-10-23T00:05:10Z")
With the cheeses, I highly recommend the Castella Blue, a triple creamed mild blue with outrageous flavor, and the Kerrygold Dubliner cheddar, which is just lovely. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2011, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-trip-to-trader-joes/600465/9 "2011-10-23T00:10:00Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#): > > Where the selection overlaps, TJs is cheaper (often MUCH cheaper) for a equal or superior quality. You’re right that TJs, are, on average, much smaller than a Whole Foods. This, exactly. Good stuff, cheap prices. The only price winner I can think of at Whole Foods is their bulk spice section, hidden away in the supplements aisle. Yes, TJs is smaller, and I wouldn’t want to have that as my only grocery store, by any means, but I try to make a habit of getting certain staples (olive oil, Kalamata olives, jarred roasted peppers, etc.) there at the very least. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2011, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-trip-to-trader-joes/600465/10 "2011-10-23T01:14:11Z")
Ok. That explains. ---
**Author:** ![papergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/aca169/32.png) [@papergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/papergirl)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2011, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-trip-to-trader-joes/600465/11 "2011-10-23T16:08:36Z")
I totally missed the olives…but there are a couple of olive bars in the local health food stores here, so I won"t suffer unduly. I was most excited about the cheese and coffee. Both had great selections and even better prices. I love good cheese, and it is so pricey anywhere here, even at Sam’s (not that I usually want the bulk I find at Sam’s.) ---
**Author:** ![postcards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8e8cbc/32.png) [@postcards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/postcards)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2011, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-trip-to-trader-joes/600465/12 "2011-10-23T16:44:15Z")
76 miles is a bit far to travel with ice cream, but their Coffee Bean Blast and Chocolate super premiums are about the best ice creams of those flavors I’ve ever had. All the pastas are great. The tortillas as well. (Do try the jalapeno/lime ones.) TJ’s is my only supermarket, unless I need razor blades, oven cleaner or some such thing. I even get my dishwasher soap and laundry detergent there. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2011, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-trip-to-trader-joes/600465/13 "2011-10-23T16:52:53Z")
> [@postcards](#): > > 76 miles is a bit far to travel with ice cream, but their Coffee Bean Blast and Chocolate super premiums are about the best ice creams of those flavors I’ve ever had. OTOH, I’m disappointed by the available selection of TJ’s ice cream. But speaking of desserts, try their blue-box cheesecake. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2011, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-trip-to-trader-joes/600465/14 "2011-10-23T17:22:28Z")
Yesterday’s score at TJ’s: Italian country salad Greek salad Roasted vegetable pizza (artichokes, shiitake mushrooms, red peppers) Black bean & corn enchiladas Green chile & cheese tamales Black bean & cheese burrito Slice havarti cheese Spanakopita Paneer tikka masala with spinach rice Cumin & chili chickpeas Asian vegetables with soy sauce Butternut squash risotto Minted peas Teriyaki noodle bowl Maple-agave syrup Potato pancakes Whole wheat British muffins Frozen French toast Very Berry Cluster cereal Roasted gorgonzola crackers Chocolate macaroon cake Salty sweet & nutty trek mix (mixed salted & candied nuts) Simply the Best trek mix (almonds, cashews, dried pineapple, cherries, & cranberries) Pack of 3 mini milk chocolate bars Strawberry lemonade Vanilla coconut milk Greek yogurt, plain Butter Lemon-verbena soap Yum!!! (Well, except for the soap.) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2011, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-trip-to-trader-joes/600465/15 "2011-10-23T18:39:06Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > Spanakopita I can’t help calling that ‘spankin’ a pita’. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2011, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-trip-to-trader-joes/600465/16 "2011-10-23T19:11:30Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I can’t help calling that ‘spankin’ a pita’. Funny thing is that it’s “Spanakopita Spinach Pie” on my receipt, but the actual package labels it as simply “Spinach Pie” with “gourmet spanakopita” in small print in the corner. Anyway, it’s fantastic with some of that Greek yogurt as a topping. ---
**Author:** ![papergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/aca169/32.png) [@papergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/papergirl)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2011, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-trip-to-trader-joes/600465/17 "2011-10-23T19:30:32Z")
I didn’t try any of the frozen things except a couple pizzas. Next time we’ll take a cooler because I thought the burritos, etc looked good. The ice cream…we’ll just eat that in the parking lot. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![ryan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a8b319/32.png) [@ryan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ryan)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2011, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-trip-to-trader-joes/600465/18 "2011-10-23T20:39:40Z")
One opened a couple weeks ago on Staten Island. My next shopping trip I’m going to check it out. There’s a couple \<20 miles away in NJ or Brooklyn, but travel and tolls overcame my curiosity. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2011, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-trip-to-trader-joes/600465/19 "2011-10-23T20:40:22Z")
> [@postcards](#): > > 76 miles is a bit far to travel with ice cream… Hel-LO! Sit in car in parking lot with two spoons. Duh. 🆒