# What's good at Trader Joes **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 11, 2014, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-good-at-trader-joes/701049 "2014-10-11T16:59:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-good-at-trader-joes/701049/61 "2014-10-21T22:22:08Z")
> [@Not\_A\_Tame\_Lion](#): > > So much good stuff at TJ’s. I just wish they were still the cheap alternative, instead of just an alternative. I’d shop there all the time if I could really afford it. They still are the cheap alternative for some stuff around here. Especially the organic or gluten-free stuff. The other stores charge much more than TJs in these areas. But for your everyday stuff, the prices are similar. And you always pay a bit more for the impulse goodies. Always. ---
**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:** [October 21, 2014, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-good-at-trader-joes/701049/62 "2014-10-21T22:39:14Z")
Yeah, I mentioned upthread that the pecans are much cheaper than at the supermarket. I bought pistachios for the SO (she liked them because they were all firm and easy to open, and the half-the-salt version I bought weren’t too salty), and they cost $7.49. She said she pays 50¢ to a dollar more at the supermarket for pistachios that aren’t as good. ---
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2014, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-good-at-trader-joes/701049/63 "2014-10-22T02:33:04Z")
Dark chocolate covered crystallized ginger. I could eat a whole box of that, so it’s on my “buy it, but give it to the SO to hide and dole out to me” list. Pistachio toffee. Ditto. Their curry sauces (red, yellow, and green) and marsala sauce are great for quick meals around here. Slice/chop veggies, saute, pour in sauce, simmer on low while rice cooks, serve, nom. Cheeses and pre-made salads are a go-to. Their tandoori and garlic naan. Nuts are always a good price, as are spices. Years ago, they had a snack item that was tempura wasabi seaweed chips. So. Good. And discontinued, of course. ---
**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:** [November 27, 2014, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-good-at-trader-joes/701049/64 "2014-11-27T14:59:34Z")
We tried Trader Joe’s Steak & Ale pie last night. It was good, but I thought it was a little bland. Some Sriracha sauce fixed that. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2014, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-good-at-trader-joes/701049/65 "2014-11-28T21:16:36Z")
Dittos on the Triple Ginger cookies and Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s. Maple Pecan Clusters are my favorite all-time cereal. And Grand Slam, the Cracker Jack of the gods. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2014, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-good-at-trader-joes/701049/66 "2014-11-28T23:20:08Z")
Picked up a box of Iced Cranberry Orange Scone Cookies on today’s trip. Oh boy, these things totally taste like Christmas. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2014, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-good-at-trader-joes/701049/67 "2014-11-29T00:26:56Z")
Unique: Charlee’s little m&m size dog treats. Cheap as hell and can’t find them elsewhere. Stuff I especially like my wife buys: Little ice cream cones Their frozen pot pies Pita chips ---
**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:** [November 29, 2014, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-good-at-trader-joes/701049/68 "2014-11-29T01:21:36Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > Their frozen pot pies We like their chicken pot pie better than Marie Callender’s. I think it’s the broccoli. ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2014, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-good-at-trader-joes/701049/69 "2014-11-29T01:35:01Z")
I wanted to put in a good word for some non-food items at Trader Joe’s, since others have covered that well. 1. The dishwasher pods (those wrapped detergent things you put in the hatch) are the best I’ve ever used. They really clean well and keep lime off the glasses. 2. Their selection of soaps, lotions, etc., are all very high-quality and most are without parabens and other stuff people are trying to avoid nowadays. 3. They have a wide range of supplements at good prices. 4. Their flower bouquets are cheap and excellent. 5. Cheap greeting cards! ---
**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:** [November 29, 2014, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-good-at-trader-joes/701049/70 "2014-11-29T01:43:18Z")
> [@Aeschines](#): > > 1. Their flower bouquets are cheap and excellent. And they seem to last longer than other stores’ offerings. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2014, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-good-at-trader-joes/701049/71 "2014-11-29T17:01:58Z")
They just introduced the best non-handmade bread–and the best for toasting I’ve ever seen–thick crumbed and sliced white bread, called Canada something. Why marketing decided on Canada I have no idea. (Thick, inviting, mass-produced white people?) ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2014, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-good-at-trader-joes/701049/72 "2014-11-29T17:58:51Z")
> [@faithfool](#): > > … and goddess dressing. My last three or four trips to TJ were to pick up multiple bottles of this awesome salad dressing. Just outstanding and not at all like [Green Goddess dressing](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_goddess_dressing). It is more like a creamy sesame. > [@Not\_A\_Tame\_Lion](#): > > My all time favorite TJ’s item: the red **Jalapeno Pepper Hot Sauce**. The hot sauce of the gods; not just hot but terrific flavor. Ok, ok. It’s on the list. ---
**Author:** ![sinjin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@sinjin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sinjin)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2014, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-good-at-trader-joes/701049/73 "2014-11-30T01:52:26Z")
One more for the wines, cheapest prices coast to coast. Try the VinTJ’s reds, they are inexpensive and tasty. Their baby back BBQ ribs are among the cheapest you can get and always yummy. I think a slab is 9.99. For frozen food we like the veggie lasagna for cold nights on the road in camper. Very tasty and we are not vegetarians. Oh and chocolate, but I think someone mentioned that 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![sinjin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@sinjin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sinjin)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2014, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-good-at-trader-joes/701049/74 "2014-11-30T01:56:28Z")
I forgot to add; If you hate anything they will refund your purchase price. Really. One of their people recommended a wine to us and we ended up pouring it down the drain. Brought the receipt back and they gave us our bucks back. And if you want to taste any ready to eat food in store they will open it and give you a taste. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2014, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-good-at-trader-joes/701049/75 "2014-11-30T03:51:51Z")
This year, one of their Christmas cookie offerings is Amaratti from Italy. They are much fresher than the stuff I find in my local “gourmet” store. Yum. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2014, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-good-at-trader-joes/701049/76 "2014-11-30T14:57:28Z")
A Trader Joe’s just opened about 20 miles from me this summer, I really want to make another trip out there and splurge. I bought almond butter and a frozen package of Korean BBQ ribs. I was surprised that they turned out to be thinly sliced and only needed a brief cooking on each side, really tasty. ---
**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2014, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-good-at-trader-joes/701049/77 "2014-12-01T20:04:50Z")
Another tasty seasonal thing is their gingerbread mix. It’s unusually dark and spicy for a mix–just the way I prefer. ---
**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:** [December 2, 2014, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-good-at-trader-joes/701049/78 "2014-12-02T05:27:17Z")
> [@turner](#): > > \I’m looking for some cheaper lamb because I make a great gyro sausage.\ Wait, what??? Recipe, please!!! ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2014, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-good-at-trader-joes/701049/79 "2014-12-02T06:12:52Z")
I noticed in their flyer that they are selling a Reese’s peanut butter cup-type concoction except with cookie butter as the filling and dark chocolate coating. I believe I may have to stay away from there for a few months until they are sold out. ---
**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:** [December 2, 2014, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-good-at-trader-joes/701049/80 "2014-12-02T14:48:36Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > Wait, what??? Recipe, please!!! See if you can find the _Good Eats_ episode ‘My Big Fat Greek Sandwich’. It even shows how to make a cooker. > [@psychobunny](#): > > I noticed in their flyer that they are selling a Reese’s peanut butter cup-type concoction except with cookie butter as the filling and dark chocolate coating. So… They’re just like Reese’s except for the inside and the outside? 😛 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-good-at-trader-joes/701049.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-good-at-trader-joes/701049.md?page=5)