# What should I buy at Trader Joe's? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 17, 2009, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-buy-at-trader-joes/493482 "2009-04-17T23:40:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2009, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-buy-at-trader-joes/493482/21 "2009-04-18T14:57:18Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > I was going to suggest the Cocoa Amonds, but \*\*Johnny L.A. \*\*says they’ve been discontinued. I tell’s ya, TJ’s is losing their way. IIRC, they discontinue the slowest-selling 15% of items periodically- that’s how I was deprived of the orgasmic food joy that was the hazelnut cream-filled Belgian chocolate seashells… ☹ A quick glance into my kitchen finds the following TJ’s items- Pantry- Cooking sauces- cacciatore and picatta Roasted garlic salsa Marinated artichoke crowns, artichoke hearts, kosher dills Ginger spread Balsalmic reduction glaze Green olive tapenade Gummy vitamins Microwaveable Pasta with meatballs (shelf-stable forever, it seems) Clam chowder Israeli (big) and whole wheat (small) cous cous Wild & basmati rice pilaf Fridge- Pickles, jalapeno-stuffed olives Wasabi mayo, tarter sauce Orangina, sparkling pomegranate juice Various bagged salads and salad veggies Stir fry veggie mix in a bag Small artichokes Freezer- Steamer clams Thai jasmine rice Chopped basil & parsley cubes Halibut, tilapia Creamed corn There’s probably more- like the case of Pellegrino water in the garage, the kid-sized water bottles, etc… ---
**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:** [April 18, 2009, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-buy-at-trader-joes/493482/22 "2009-04-18T15:20:59Z")
They, they … (quivering lip) … ca-ca-ca-cancelled the Belgian seashells too? You mean I have to go back to Canada or Europe for them now? The bastids. That does it, this means War. I think I now hate Trader Joe’s more than I hate Wal-f\*\*\*ing-Mart. The dissappointment, it burns. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2009, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-buy-at-trader-joes/493482/23 "2009-04-18T18:40:33Z")
> [@toadspittle](#): > > We are currently in need of some decent extra virgin olive oil. Their extra virgin California Estate olive oil is very flavorful - that and their white balsamic vinegar make for a fine salad. ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2009, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-buy-at-trader-joes/493482/24 "2009-04-18T18:43:36Z")
Horseradish hummus. If you don’t like it, you can send it to me. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2009, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-buy-at-trader-joes/493482/25 "2009-04-18T18:57:31Z")
Try either version of TJ’s lavash; great for wraps and roll-ups. I love the Chicken Sausage Polenta Lasagna topped with Sun Dried Tomato Pesto, washed down with 2 Buck Chuck Shiraz. ---
**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2009, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-buy-at-trader-joes/493482/26 "2009-04-18T19:10:29Z")
The cheese is always way cheaper than the local grocery store. I always go nuts in the frozen section and have NEVER been disappointed! ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2009, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-buy-at-trader-joes/493482/27 "2009-04-18T20:31:07Z")
Try their Cannels de Bordeaux. They are frozen little custard cake things that are really good sidled up next to Trader Joe’s French vanilla ice cream. TJ granola cereals are really good too. I’m partial to the maple pecan and vanilla almond ones. ---
**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:** [April 18, 2009, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-buy-at-trader-joes/493482/28 "2009-04-18T20:34:13Z")
For frozen food, Prelude to a Quiche is pretty good. So are the Escargots en Brioche, though the could do with less bread and more snail. (The Escargots can be hard to find sometimes. I picked some up last month, but previously I’d been told they’re seasonal.) ---
**Author:** ![bink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/439d5e/32.png) [@bink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bink)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2009, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-buy-at-trader-joes/493482/29 "2009-04-18T21:46:11Z")
Their almonds with 50% salt are wonderful. I also like their glycerin hand soap a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Pyper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Pyper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pyper)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2009, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-buy-at-trader-joes/493482/30 "2009-04-18T22:08:42Z")
Any of their multitude of hummus varieties - roast garlic hummus and cilantro jalapeno hummus are my favorites. Tip: hummus is tasty with carrots! Their Trader Joe’s brand extra virgin olive oil is an awesome deal, something like $3.50 for a good-size bottle. Cheese. Brie with strawberries! I’m a pretty big pasta sauce snob and usually make from scratch, but their Quattro Formaggio jarred sauce won me over. Greek yogurt, honey flavor, with some of their frozen fruit. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2009, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-buy-at-trader-joes/493482/31 "2009-04-19T02:00:31Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > They, they … (quivering lip) … ca-ca-ca-cancelled the Belgian seashells too? > > You mean I have to go back to Canada or Europe for them now? > > The bastids. That does it, this means War. > > I think I now hate Trader Joe’s more than I hate Wal-f\*\*\*ing-Mart. The disappointment, it burns. If you find any, send me a PM. I am dying for them… I just picked up an item tonight that I hadn’t noticed before- little buttermilk biscuits, 6 to a box, cook from frozen. Mmmmmmmmmm, can’t wait to try 'em. ---
**Author:** ![Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tastes_of_chocolate/32/3232_2.png) [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2009, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-buy-at-trader-joes/493482/32 "2009-04-19T02:03:43Z")
Doe’s your local TJ have a liquor store? The Charles Schwab line ofwines are pretty good, and should be in the $3/bottle range. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2009, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-buy-at-trader-joes/493482/33 "2009-04-19T02:17:52Z")
Two Buck Chuck! $1.99, every day! And not as bad as you might think. Common, certainly, but not bad. Oh, and that’s Charles Shaw… 😉 ---
**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:** [April 19, 2009, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-buy-at-trader-joes/493482/34 "2009-04-19T02:20:57Z")
> [@EJsGirl](#): > > Two Buck Chuck! $1.99, every day! And not as bad as you might think. Common, certainly, but not bad. Three-Buck Chuck outside of California. One thing I miss about CA is the ability to go into a TJ’s for some inexpensive sauce. Even at regular supermarkets the hard alcohol was cheaper than it is here – and you could just go in and buy it, instead of having to buy it from the State at an official store. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Devil_s_Grandmother)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2009, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-buy-at-trader-joes/493482/35 "2009-04-19T03:26:00Z")
If you have a cats, the double-wide scratching boxes are highly recommended by 50% of the creatures living in my house. Please do not buy the cat tuna. For humans, I recommend the Mushroom Pasties. Box o’those and salad is a nice dinner on a warm evening. ---
**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:** [April 19, 2009, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-buy-at-trader-joes/493482/36 "2009-04-19T03:40:17Z")
Even as we speak… type… whatever… I’m eating a Trader Joe’s chicken pot pie. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2009, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-buy-at-trader-joes/493482/37 "2009-04-19T03:44:04Z")
I just enjoyed asparagus spears (the little skinny ones), a rib eye steak, and Thai jasmine rice… all courtesy of TJ’s. ---
**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:** [April 19, 2009, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-buy-at-trader-joes/493482/38 "2009-04-19T03:52:36Z")
> [@EJsGirl](#): > > I just enjoyed asparagus spears (the little skinny ones), a rib eye steak… I like skinny asparagus, which TJ’s tends to have; as opposed to my local supermarketmarket, which tends to have thick ones. TJ’s really does have good meat. But since I got my new cookware, and with Spring giving me the urge to cook more (than usual), I’ve been eating less beef. It turns out the corner market (yeah, small village here – one supermarket four or five miles away, and one ‘corner market’ down the street) gets is meat from CostCo. Really good rib eye, and I don’t have a 40-mile round trip to TJ’s. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2009, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-buy-at-trader-joes/493482/39 "2009-04-19T04:19:00Z")
Garlic and Blue Cheese stuffed Olives. Awsome alone or with anything and pretty nicely priced, too. My wife likes the dried mangos. But then again, she married me, didn’t she? ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2009, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-buy-at-trader-joes/493482/40 "2009-04-19T04:55:56Z")
I’ve never been to a Trader Joe’s because the closest one is in Cambridge, and I’ve had no other reason to go there since it opened (I’m sure it’s nice, but sane people don’t drive over 3 hours round trip for groceries), but a coworker who’d been brought in some of their sunflower seed butter. It’s interesting. You should try it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-buy-at-trader-joes/493482.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-buy-at-trader-joes/493482.md?page=3)