# Where have you been hiding, Trader Joe's? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 7, 2002, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-have-you-been-hiding-trader-joes/102387 "2002-04-07T23:43:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![beckwall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b487fb/32.png) [@beckwall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beckwall)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2002, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-have-you-been-hiding-trader-joes/102387/61 "2002-04-13T03:56:37Z")
**Honey Mustard Potato Chips.** [orgasm/] Hummus and mini-pitas. Dinner for $2 or so. Bruschetta. Yummy. Blue corn tortilla chips and corn/black bean salsa. Divine. Great crisp salad in a bag, fresher than fresh and cheap. Frozen chocolate ganache torte. We hack into it, no time to thaw. Rio Claro beer. $2.99 a sixer. Did I mention the potato chips??? ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2002, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-have-you-been-hiding-trader-joes/102387/62 "2002-04-13T05:31:18Z")
Keep the food descriptions coming, folks! I am living vicariously through the rest of you… I have a friend in San Diego that owes me $35, and she said I could take it out in Trader Joe’s products. I may have to email her my shopping list… ---
**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 14, 2002, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-have-you-been-hiding-trader-joes/102387/63 "2002-04-14T00:48:33Z")
Well, no fishes. They were out of halibut. I don’t eat swordfish because I’m concerned they’re being over-fished. But in any case, I’ve made a Trader Joe’s run! A gruelling trip of several _blocks!_ 😃 Oh, I should interject that there is now a _ **third** _ Trader Joe’s within a mile or so of me. 😃 I’m trying the spanikopita. I also got some cheese enchilladas (they were giving out samples – they were good, of course, so I bought some), mussels in garlic and butter sauce, mussles in _sauce Provincial_, and some avocados. Plus: Ground beef Turkey meatloaf Spicy meatloaf Vegetarial ground beef analog Veggie burritos Steak burritos Healthy Multi Grain bread (Mmmmm!) Dolmas (of course) A big can of French Roast (_double_ “of course”) A can of Chock Full o’ Nuts (hey, for $2.29 I can try it!) Some of those ginger snaps everyone is raving about Sliced provalone Soy milk HempPlus granola And of course… Cocoa Almonds! Oh, yasss! Og eat good! ---
**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 14, 2002, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-have-you-been-hiding-trader-joes/102387/64 "2002-04-14T00:51:36Z")
Oh yeah: I also got a pint of sour cream. I had a packet of onion soup that’s been sitting around for a while, and I wanted to make dip. I also got a bag of Krinkle Cut Kettle Chips. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2002, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-have-you-been-hiding-trader-joes/102387/65 "2002-04-14T01:56:43Z")
I won’t give the whole grocery list from my TJ’s run, but I’ll say this: **Dolmas.** _Wow._ You may now return to your regularly scheduled programming. 🙂 ---
**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 14, 2002, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-have-you-been-hiding-trader-joes/102387/66 "2002-04-14T02:07:58Z")
> [@](#): > > **Dolmas.** _Wow._ I take it you liked them? 😉 > [@](#): > > I won’t give the whole grocery list from my TJ’s run, The funny thing is, I just went in for a can of French Roast and some bread… ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2002, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-have-you-been-hiding-trader-joes/102387/67 "2002-04-14T20:13:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Johnny L.A. \* > I take it you liked them? 😉 Just a bit. Thanks for recommending them! I couldn’t find them on my own, so I asked one of the clerks where they were. “Well, they’d be over _there_, unless we’re already out of 'em - they go fast.” Now I know why. And **singular1** , the ginger snaps are about half gone already. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2002, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-have-you-been-hiding-trader-joes/102387/68 "2002-04-14T20:14:49Z")
And I need to mention the pear halves, and the hummus with basil and sun-dried tomatoes… ---
**Author:** ![Ace\_Face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/858c86/32.png) [@Ace\_Face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ace_Face)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2002, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-have-you-been-hiding-trader-joes/102387/69 "2002-04-15T03:35:40Z")
Made a quick TJs run yesterday and picked up some triple ginger snaps for the first time. Easily the best store-bought cookies I’ve ever had (at least that I can recall :)). Ginger snaps were like the “family cookie” where I grew up – glad to find something that comes close to those memories. I also have to second (or third or whatever) the brushetta, the french roast coffee, the shrimp gyoza, the pirate’s booty… what the hell, the whole damn place. [sub]Just stop putting water chestnuts in the stir fry vegetable mixes![/sub] ---
**Author:** ![11811](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/9d8465/32.png) [@11811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/11811)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2002, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-have-you-been-hiding-trader-joes/102387/70 "2002-04-15T11:47:26Z")
**They have Clif bars for $0.99!** ---
**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 15, 2002, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-have-you-been-hiding-trader-joes/102387/71 "2002-04-15T12:22:01Z")
quote\*\*]They have Clif bars for $0.99!\*\* [/quote] Oh Cliff! [Rick] Sometimes it must be difficult not to feel as if You really are a cliff When fascists keep trying to push you over it! Are they the lemmings, or are you Cliff? Or ARE you, Cliff? [/Rick] Sorry. Couldn’t resist. ---
**Author:** ![singular1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@singular1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/singular1)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2002, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-have-you-been-hiding-trader-joes/102387/72 "2002-04-17T10:20:02Z")
Good for you, **RTFirefly**! My mouth is watering just anticipating my TJ run tonite. (I hadda move to Seattle to find out about TJ’s-I used to live in VA myself, in Norfolk, but I left before TJ got there) I’m reviewing this post to make up my list. Gotta recommend the Baby Green Beans in the microwave-in-its-own-bag. It is such heaven 😃 and here’s my shameful ignorance- what’s a dolmas? :o ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2002, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-have-you-been-hiding-trader-joes/102387/73 "2002-04-17T10:29:36Z")
Good thing you’re in Seattle, **singular1** , because the only TJs in VA are right around DC. And that’s a few hours from Norfolk, as I’m sure you know. **Johnny L.A.** described dolmas thusly: > [@](#): > > And let’s not forget the dolmas! Rice, tomatoes and garlic wrapped in olive oil soaked grape leaves. Mmmmm. You’ll find 'em with the hummus and the gazpacho and all that sorta funky stuff, near the salads and the cheeses probably. ---
**Author:** ![singular1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@singular1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/singular1)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2002, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-have-you-been-hiding-trader-joes/102387/74 "2002-04-17T15:17:00Z")
D’oh! Didn’t realize that description went with that item. (it musta been early when I read the post). Thanx alot-Mr. Singular loves anything with grape leaves, so I’ll pick some up tonite on my way home. What good timing-it’s his birthday! ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2002, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-have-you-been-hiding-trader-joes/102387/75 "2002-04-17T15:51:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by singular1 \* > Mr. Singular loves anything with grape leaves, so I’ll pick some up tonite on my way home. What good timing-it’s his birthday! He’ll love 'em, and you too! Happy birthday, Mr. Singular! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2002, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-have-you-been-hiding-trader-joes/102387/76 "2002-04-17T17:52:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BiblioCat \* > \*\* > And the best part is…it’s smack-dab in between a Pier One and a Barnes & Noble! \*\* I hate Towson. I really do. This little strip, however, is just a wee bit of hidden heaven on Earth. ---
**Author:** ![Lisa\_Ann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bc79bd/32.png) [@Lisa\_Ann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lisa_Ann)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2002, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-have-you-been-hiding-trader-joes/102387/77 "2002-04-17T17:59:17Z")
I am going to TJ’s on my lunch hour today! Yay! Can I pick up anything for anybody? ---
**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 17, 2002, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-have-you-been-hiding-trader-joes/102387/78 "2002-04-17T22:54:46Z")
Yes. I’m out of cocoa almonds (already!) and dolmas. ---
**Author:** ![singular1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@singular1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/singular1)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2002, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-have-you-been-hiding-trader-joes/102387/79 "2002-04-18T11:15:55Z")
Oh, the humanity! TJ’s was out of triple ginger snaps!:eek: I feel personally responsible-I talked them up too much and then gloated over them, and now they’re gone.☹ Anyway, thanks, **RTFirefly**! Mr. singular had a great birthday, with dolmas, 100% cherry juice (tart enough to make your eyes cross, but oooo, tasty) and potato chips. It was the first time we’d had any of those, and all were fantastic! (it worked out better than the telescope I got him-surprisingly enough, it was cloudy last nite in Seattle :rolleyes: ) Thank you for starting this thread-it prodded me into wandering thru TJ’s a little slower and finding new things to enjoy! ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2002, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-have-you-been-hiding-trader-joes/102387/80 "2002-04-20T22:06:20Z")
I love their candies! They have so many creative selections, and they’re almost the only place to go for REAL liquorice! I once asked a cashier if they had Kinder Eggs. “What are Kinder Eggs?” “Never mind; if you had them, you’d know 'cause you’d be selling them by the case.” And where else but the Ghirardelli store (which is far afield for me) can I get big, irregular chunks of Ghirardelli chocolate, sold by weight? The last set of eggs I got weren’t date-stamped, though. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-have-you-been-hiding-trader-joes/102387.md?page=3)