I went to Trader Joe’s at lunch today. I got some seasoned sliced roast beef, two boxes for their excellent frozen French onion soup, a big can of French Roast coffee for home, a smaller can of FR coffee for work, some instant Thai iced chai, a half-kilo box of frozen ground buffalo patties, some sliced fresh papaya, and a box of their incredibly good Cocoa Almonds.
While I shopped I tasted some sliced sausage in veggies and Italian red sauce that they were cooking (they always have something cooking to give to the shoppers around lunch time), two of their bite-sized chocolate chip cookies, and a little of their house-blend coffee.
I just thought I’d share that with those poor deprived Dopers who don’t have a Trader Joe’s near them.
Haven’t been there in a while, but after reading your post, I must get there for some coffee, etc. I had that frozen onion soup, and it’s really good! I sometimes get Dr. Bronner’s soap there, too.
TJ’s is especially good for their wide selection of cheeses. They manage to keep prices down by maintaining store brands and narrowing their selection. They will occasionally have excellent deals on liquor and chocolate. This seems to work particularly well with the ladies.
I am moving from Las Cruces, NM, to Bakersfield, CA (yes, I’m a glutton for heat, apparently). Mostly, I’m excited about being near a Trader Joe’s again. You must try the frozen gyoza. Both the veggie and chicken ones are scrummy. I also love the frozen French green beans. And so many other things. Fizgig + Trader Joe’s = <3 x 10
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TJ’s is especially good for their wide selection of cheeses. They manage to keep prices down by maintaining store brands and narrowing their selection.
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I’m still working on some provolone I got at Costco, but I did almost get some cheese. I don’t know about “narrowing their selection”. The selection is better than most grocery chains I’ve been to.
They had cases of Two-Buck Chuck cabernet sauvignon and chablis. I didn’t look for merlot, as I have almost two cases already.
Got 'em in the freezer. Had some twice since last week.
Yes, the cheese selection is wonderful, but they (rightly) limit the overall selection of food items so that it reduces overhead which allows for lower prices.
I was TJ-deprived for a number of years, and then they moved into the DC area - and then I moved FROM the DC area back into TJ-deprivation. And poor Mr. Butrscotch is LOST without a source for his Double Rainbow ice cream!
Alas, I don’t see them coming to N’Awlins any time soon. This is a TOUGH food market. There’s virtually no chain stores of any type, even grocery stores here, although Whole Foods did just move in and quite successfully. A girl’s gotta hope, though…
Man oh man. Whenever I go to TJ’s I walk out with a batch of calamari steaks.
I’ve been sending packs of the chocolate-covered espresso beans to my friend in the military. He tells me that they got nicknamed “amphetibeans,” though the fact that four of them ate the whole package in one sitting probably has something to do with it.
Ah, the joys of TJ’s. We’ve been doing a lot of their stir-fry meals lately (particularly the shrimp, kung pao chicken, and garlic chicken stir fry meals); they’re quick, easy, and delicious.
We add extra veggies to all of the above, usually sugar snap peas from TJs, or broccoli florets; I also add more TJ’s frozen shrimp to the shrimp stir fry.
The other thing we’ve been doing a lot of lately is their vodka marinara sauce over their ravioli (from the refrigerated section, not frozen). Yummmm.
And I love their peanut butter. I get the chunky, no-salt-added variety. And their cereals; I think the maple nut flakes are my favorite. And their fresh hot salsa. And their breads. And…and…and…have I ever mentioned that I’ve got a bad habit of going into TJ’s for ‘just a few things’ and coming out with three bags of groceries? It’s a dangerous place.
I love shopping at TJ’s–I’ve been working as a personal chef lately, and many of their products have been true godsends. I’ve been quite pleased with their bagged salad mixes; they’re fresher and half the price of what I’ve been able to find at other ‘fancier’ markets.
Another thing they sell that I’ve grown fond of is their boneless & skinless turkey breast tenders. I make a little raspberry-chipotle glaze and broil them in the oven. They’re perfect.
No longer funny mangled Engrish line mutilated back into hilarity. Extra points.
Why thank you.
I’m fairly sure I saw it there, so be sure to look for:
Fromage D’ Affinois
It’s a delightful double cream Brie redeaux as a perfect breakfast cheese with much more character than any Brie.
If they don’t have it, request it, everyone will be glad you did. This is the best all purpose soft rind cheese I’ve seen in years. Be sure to serve it at room temperature on cibatta or baugette and you’ll hit the jackpot.
