This weekend, Utah is getting it’s first ever Trader Joe’s, opening here in Salt Lake City, and it’s located only 10 minutes from my home, so I obviously want to go check it out when I get the chance.
I have been in Trader Joe’s a handful of times on visits to the Bay Area, where a friend turned me onto a very tasty mango salsa that they sold, but since I was on vacation, I really didn’t look around at the groceries too much, usually just making a bee-line to the beer cooler to get an exotic 6 pack or two to keep in the hotel room and a bag of chips to go with the salsa, so I am not familiar with the vast majority of their offerings. (sadly, the T.J. here will only be allowed to sell 3.2% beer)
Anything I should be on the lookout for? Tasty snacks, frozen appetizers, little treats not to be missed?
Ditto on the cashews. Persian cucumbers, herb salad mix and champagne pear dressing. Most of the frozen fish, the cioppino frozen soup, selection of cheeses. Good source for lamb rack (although too pricey IMHO) and boneless leg of lamb. Korean short ribs with jasmine rice (easy packets in the freezer section). Garlic fries… the list goes on. Probably my favorite snacks there are the Wasabi Wow (?) trail mix- the one with wasabi peas and cranberries and the mediterranean hummus with pita chips. Enjoy! Wish I had one so close!
Check out the cheese offering, TJ’s typically has many good cheeses at a decent price. The Blue Castello Purd Werfect mentioned is great, and if you like brie, try the St Andre’s.
I’m very fond of their mushroom turnovers (see boxes in the frozen appetizers section) and way too fond for my waistline of the Gorgonzola Crackers. If your store carries wine, my current favorite is the Peachy Canyon Incredible Red. It’s less than $10 and pretty good.
I’ve only tried a couple but the Trader Joes organic teas are pretty awesome. In particular mango black tea is one of my favorites.
I normally hate and try to boycott anything organic and instead try to buy the most genetically modified shit covered in the most hard to pronounce chemicals, but what can you do, it’s good.
Just walk in, close your eyes, and pick something.
Pretty much everything I’ve ever tried was good. If you don’t like it , you can return it–no questions.
I started working at a TJ’s here in New York in July; I’m always finding new good stuff.
Chicken Pot Pie Bites. Mac and Cheese bites. (Frozen appetizers.)
Also in the frozen section, try the chocolate and/or coffee ice cream. The best, ever.
Cookies: Joe Joe’s: aka Better than Oreos
Bread: Try the naan, wholewheat, tandoori or garlic.
The Christmas candy is in stock now. Best so far: Caramallows. Chocolate-covered marshmallows on a caramel base.
I’ve found they’ve always had better prices on shallots than anybody else; it’s the most boring thing to suggest but good to know if you cook.
In the orange juice section there’s a whole half gallon of pineapple juice for a great price.
In the frozen food section look for the fusilli and the tortellini. (Yellow and red boxes respectively.) In Washington at least they’re less than 3 bucks, full of veggies, and are delicious for lunch.
If you do microwave frozen lunches at work, Trader Joe’s has a lot of tasty ones. I especially like the Indian and Mexican offerings. They are better and cheaper than the usual Lean Cuisine type stuff.
