# Trader Joe's fans, tell me your favorites **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 11, 2026, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825 "2026-06-11T17:39:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/1 "2026-06-11T17:39:40Z")
We’re going to California for my son’s PhD ceremony (yay, sneak brag and owning it) and there is a Trader Joe’s in town, an unimaginable luxury for us rural Hawaii dwellers. What do you recommend that I buy and bring back? I will check a bag so liquid is okay. No produce, of course, and any fresh food needs to be able to survive about 12 hours in a suitcase without refrigeration. What should we buy? ---
**Author:** ![Dropo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Dropo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dropo)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/2 "2026-06-11T17:42:29Z")
> **[Trader Joe's Powerberries](https://www.whatsgoodattraderjoes.com/2013/02/trader-joes-powerberries.html)** > > Whatever are Powerberries? Let me tell you, I've eaten an entire bag and I'm still not quite sure. But I can tell you this: they're covere... ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/3 "2026-06-11T17:48:11Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > needs to be able to survive about 12 hours in a suitcase without refrigeration. Unfortunately, the frozen aisle is where TJ’s really shines. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/4 "2026-06-11T17:53:03Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > Unfortunately, the frozen aisle is where TJ’s really shines. This. Their frozen pizzas score a rare trifecta: Good, Cheap, and Quick. Otherwise, the dried fruits and nuts are pretty good. I like their “Blister Peanuts”. ---
**Author:** ![teelabrown](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teelabrown/32/8412_2.png) [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/5 "2026-06-11T17:55:20Z")
Their store brand of sardines and tuna are topnotch. Around here, they sell small “ciabatta” baguettes, each one about the size of a generous submarine sandwich roll. They’re sealed inside a thick plastic bag and keep fresh a good while, though they need a bit of toasting before serving. They’re made in Canada and can rival any fancy bakery baguette. Their store brand English muffins are my favorite, and they’re fork-split. All their nuts are high quality and low in price. Their canned artichoke hearts are the only ones I buy, because they have little or no citric acid added. I don’t want the hearts to taste tart in a lot of recipes I make, so I only buy TJ’s. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/6 "2026-06-11T18:02:20Z")
They have a wide assortment of very good crackers that you can use alone as a snack or with cheese, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Briny\_Deep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/briny_deep/32/17188_2.png) [@Briny\_Deep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Briny_Deep)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/7 "2026-06-11T18:08:06Z")
The peanut butter-filled pretzels might be the best of their kind. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/8 "2026-06-11T18:14:41Z")
Great comments, keep 'em coming. Re frozen stuff, we might try getting a bunch of things and insulating we’ll, so go ahead and suggest. No ice cream, but we might take a chance on pizza and the like. We can keep things frozen at our son’s place until we leave. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/9 "2026-06-11T18:24:07Z")
For non-refrigerated, non-frozen foods I’m a big fan of the smoked trout, furikake snack mix, the garlic jalapeno hot sauce, lemon sheet cake, & sweet onion pretzel twists. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/10 "2026-06-11T18:31:43Z")
They have a cheese, “Madrigal Swiss” which is actually a Made in France knockoff of ordinary Swiss cheese. But it’s extra good strongly flavored Swiss cheese. And not a stupid high price either. Yes, it’s refrigerated. But I’m sure it’ll travel fine. If you enjoy eating cheese as a snack and Swiss cheese in particular, a wedge of the stuff won’t sit around your kitchen for long. So you shortening its fridge life from 3 months to 2 won’t matter a bit; it’ll be long gone before then. 🧀😁🧀 ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/11 "2026-06-11T18:41:39Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > smoked trout This is one of the better items to fly home with. Small, shelf stable, and not easy to get or even substitute elsewhere. I think I could eat three or four cans at a sitting. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/12 "2026-06-11T18:52:56Z")
Gotta get some of this:[**Unexpected Cheddar Cheese Spread with Hatch Chile**](https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/unexpected-cheddar-cheese-spread-with-hatch-chile-076839) And if you like sweets, [don’t get this](https://traderjoesrants.com/2024/04/23/trader-joes-dark-chocolate-bark/)… it will just leave you craving more. 😋 Dark Chocolate Bark ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/13 "2026-06-11T18:55:51Z")
Their triple ginger snaps are great. In the frozen section I love their various dumplings and gyoza. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/14 "2026-06-11T18:57:53Z")
I used to hoard their natural peanut butter when I was eating totally sugar free. It was soooo much cheaper than any other grocery store. I’d still buy it as my regular peanut butter but I don’t eat that much peanut butter and I prefer the non-natural type that doesn’t separate. But if you dig natural PB, check it out! ---
**Author:** ![kitap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kitap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitap)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/15 "2026-06-11T19:22:01Z")
I’m a sucker for their frozen vegetarian samosas. Their miniature peanut butter cups are also good. ---
**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:** [June 11, 2026, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/16 "2026-06-11T19:22:07Z")
[https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/chili-lime-flavored-rolled-corn-tortilla-chips-061420](https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/chili-lime-flavored-rolled-corn-tortilla-chips-061420) > Trader Joe’s Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips are spicy, ire-zest-tible little scrolls made from stone ground corn masa. Compared to similar snacks available elsewhere, these gluten free Chips are cut & rolled a little thicker for additional crunch. I like these tightly rolled corn chip chili lime hot can’t stop eating them thingies. Did I mention they were hot and spicy? They might even cause pain, but you have to keep eating them no matter what. Google tells me you can also get these at Walmart. But where’s the sport in that? ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/17 "2026-06-11T19:22:45Z")
The Whole Grain Dijon Mustard, which is almost completely whole grain mustard seeds. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/18 "2026-06-11T21:00:09Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > [https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/chili-lime-flavored-rolled-corn-tortilla-chips-061420](https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/chili-lime-flavored-rolled-corn-tortilla-chips-061420) > > > Trader Joe’s Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips are spicy, ire-zest-tible little scrolls made from stone ground corn masa. Compared to similar snacks available elsewhere, these gluten free Chips are cut & rolled a little thicker for additional crunch. > > I like these tightly rolled corn chip chili lime hot can’t stop eating them thingies. Did I mention they were hot and spicy? They might even cause pain, but you have to keep eating them no matter what. > > Google tells me you can also get these at Walmart. But where’s the sport in that? Oh, yes these are so good too! And the dark chocolate peanut butter cups. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/19 "2026-06-11T21:05:51Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > Oh, yes these are so good too! I hadn’t known of them before this thread. But with these endorsements I’ll hit TJs on the way home today for a bag. My general attitude to TJs is their snacks are great. Too bad the 1- to 2-pound containers amount to single-serving packages. For me at least; doesn’t matter what it is, it’s nearly impossible to stop eating it / them before the bag, tub, or [whatever] … is empty. Curses! But so addictive / tasty. ---
**Author:** ![Fair\_Rarity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fair_rarity/32/153_2.png) [@Fair\_Rarity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fair_Rarity)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/20 "2026-06-11T21:12:37Z")
I don’t like biscotti but I LOOOOOOOVE their chocolate hazelnut ones. And the above mentioned peanut-butter-filled pretzels? They’re covered in chocolate. It’s not the season but their holiday gingerbread people are my all-time favorite ginger snacks. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825.md?page=2)