# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2026, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/41 "2026-06-12T17:49:25Z")
[https://www.epi.org/publication/corporate-union-busting/](https://www.epi.org/publication/corporate-union-busting/) ---
**Author:** ![Apodder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/apodder/32/17727_2.png) [@Apodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apodder)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2026, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/42 "2026-06-12T19:58:36Z")
About all I get there is a bag (or two) of the Crunchy Curls lentil snacks. And maybe a bottle of Two Buck Chuck, which ain’t two bucks any more. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2026, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/43 "2026-06-12T22:34:54Z")
Yes, TJ’s natural peanut butter is our go to here. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2026, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/44 "2026-06-12T22:36:56Z")
We also really like their cheese puffs. They’re like Pirate’s Booty but usually have a cheesier flavor. Their caramelized French onion dip is very good, too. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2026, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/45 "2026-06-13T00:18:12Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > I make my own baba ganoush using TJ’s Greek Chickpeas with Parsley & Cumin, Grecian Style Eggplant with Tomatoes & Onions and a little tahini. Pop in a blender and you have a pretty tasty dip. This is brilliant! ---
**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 13, 2026, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/46 "2026-06-13T00:25:25Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > I make my own baba ganoush using TJ’s Greek Chickpeas with Parsley & Cumin, Grecian Style Eggplant with Tomatoes & Onions and a little tahini. Pop in a blender and you have a pretty tasty dip. I made this today. Because I’m me and can never leave well enough alone, I added the juice of one lemon, two chopped garlic cloves, a dash of honey to offset the sourness of the lemon juice and about a tablespoon of olive oil. I also added salt and a pinch of red pepper flakes. It’s great! And I think it will be even better after it sits in the refrigerator overnight. I also bought two of trader Joe’s Demi baguettes to eat with the spread. * * * > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Trader Joe’s Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips And of course I bought a bag of these. And have already eaten about half the bag. They are soooo good. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2026, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/47 "2026-06-13T00:57:20Z")
Definitely take a look at their cheese selection - I suspect cheese is stupid expensive in Hawaii, and any aged cheese will do fine in transit. Butter would too. I like their freeze-dried raspberries and strawberries for baking. Tinned fish has been mentioned. Personally I probably wouldn’t bother with chips, cookies, crackers, etc. unless you really want that kind of stuff and/or the price point on it is really high in Hawaii. Addictive junk food is available pretty much everywhere, and it takes up a fair amount of space. ---
**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 13, 2026, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/48 "2026-06-13T02:03:32Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Because I’m me and can never leave well enough alone, I added the juice of one lemon, two chopped garlic cloves, a dash of honey to offset the sourness of the lemon juice and about a tablespoon of olive oil. I also added salt and a pinch of red pepper flakes. You sound _exactly_ like me in the kitchen. We’d probably have a blast cooking together. ---
**Author:** ![gkster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gkster/32/14107_2.png) [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2026, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/49 "2026-06-13T02:14:08Z")
> [@Disinfectus](#): > > Dried mandarin orange slices I came here to post this! Also the dried green mango slices, dried mango, and dried apple slices. I have all of them in my desk drawer at work. My nephews love the dried mango with chili powder too. Of course, you can get fresh mandarins and mangoes in Hawaii, but the dried are yummy too. ---
**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 13, 2026, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/50 "2026-06-13T02:17:01Z")
> [@gkster](#): > > fresh mandarins and mangoes in Hawaii, but the dried are yummy So true. They are delicious in completely different ways - it’s like grapes and raisins. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2026, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/51 "2026-06-13T02:17:46Z")
My _guess_ is that @CairoCarol can buy dried fruit in Hawaii, so it’s probably not worth going to any trouble to bring it from Trader Joe’s. ---
**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 13, 2026, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/52 "2026-06-13T02:18:22Z")
Hehe. 👍🏽 ---
**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 13, 2026, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/53 "2026-06-13T02:25:27Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > My _guess_ is that @CairoCarol can buy dried fruit in Hawaii, so it’s probably not worth going to any trouble to bring it from Trader Joe’s. You’re not wrong, but brands make a difference. There are dried mangoes, and then there are _dried mangoes_. I would not be averse to grabbing a package of TJ brand dried mangoes, and evaluating whether they’re superior to locally available ones. Possibly not, as we have some startlingly good options for local stuff here … if anyone comes to Hawai’i and wants a snack, I highly recommend [Maika’i Brand](https://foodland.com/maikai-brand/) goodies from Foodland. But hey, what’s the worst that happens? We end up with some yummy dried mangoes that I think we’ll manage to eat no matter what. ---
**Author:** ![Eric1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3bc359/32.png) [@Eric1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eric1)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2026, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/54 "2026-06-13T04:26:32Z")
I think Trader Joe’s flower displays make the store bounce but don’t believe one can take little bouquets on a plane. ---
**Author:** ![gkster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gkster/32/14107_2.png) [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2026, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/55 "2026-06-13T06:31:37Z")
Trader Joe’s has 6 kinds of dried mangoes, all of them reasonably priced. The first 3 have sugar and additives: Green, Soft and Juicy, Chile Spice. Then there are 3 unsulfured and no sugar added: organic, organic Ataulfo, and Just mango. They also have freeze-dried, which I’ve never tried. ---
**Author:** ![zbuzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e19b73/32.png) [@zbuzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zbuzz)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2026, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/56 "2026-06-13T06:35:08Z")
Dunkers. [https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/chocolatey-coated-chocolate-chip-cookie-dunkers-040978](https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/chocolatey-coated-chocolate-chip-cookie-dunkers-040978) Maple Leaf Cookies. [https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/maple-leaf-cookies-098740](https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/maple-leaf-cookies-098740) ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2026, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/57 "2026-06-13T17:00:46Z")
Triple Ginger Snaps. They are to regular ginger snaps as your best barista coffee is to the swill at Dennys. I love to put one in my mouth, let it soften, then filter out the cookie leaving behind the little bits of crystalized ginger. Those I crunch one at a time. [![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRk3z16RJPLX7LrFRPQgn-fRzKlWU457A_IzZt88QKq_pKkVEXcHnFyS6YyxDj7m_t4e0zpjb3lmekkVWpLVmzASKVqMSkqP_KL85I-9t4iF0xqjSHsh5kL91lN8tecp_twPa7eyKujE_O/w400-h369/ginger+snaps.JPG) ](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRk3z16RJPLX7LrFRPQgn-fRzKlWU457A_IzZt88QKq_pKkVEXcHnFyS6YyxDj7m_t4e0zpjb3lmekkVWpLVmzASKVqMSkqP_KL85I-9t4iF0xqjSHsh5kL91lN8tecp_twPa7eyKujE_O/w400-h369/ginger+snaps.JPG) CheeseSticks. It’s a layered pastry that’s been cut into strips then given a couple turns before it’s baked. There’s a bit of cayenne in it for some bite and a delicious cheese flavor. They are substantial – one stick at a time does well for a snack. [![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEO2io8e6ZW5C0KrchJp-m6Ewfn7XDaKi9gffOI5kd3biftCpDwfdG2uD094L4ghqsgqDVWpEW2jgKs8LdoGFJ1Yz35FAQ8mVzuh_2I74wY3zwpjouq5qKe_YHCa5OqxLKTeg0oDTYY7CjxxSTdok8E8wP6j9-hjY1LWmXIBFBwtbGCU0Zj3Lnz4kd/w361-h400/tjcs.jpg) ](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEO2io8e6ZW5C0KrchJp-m6Ewfn7XDaKi9gffOI5kd3biftCpDwfdG2uD094L4ghqsgqDVWpEW2jgKs8LdoGFJ1Yz35FAQ8mVzuh_2I74wY3zwpjouq5qKe_YHCa5OqxLKTeg0oDTYY7CjxxSTdok8E8wP6j9-hjY1LWmXIBFBwtbGCU0Zj3Lnz4kd/w361-h400/tjcs.jpg) ---
**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 13, 2026, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/58 "2026-06-13T17:08:21Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > …one stick at a time… Oh, really…? 🧐 ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2026, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/59 "2026-06-13T17:19:11Z")
YMMV (goddam Discourse) ---
**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 13, 2026, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825/60 "2026-06-13T17:23:20Z")
Yeah, sigh. Mine is likely to vary… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trader-joes-fans-tell-me-your-favorites/1030825.md?page=4)