Just found out today that Trader Joe's is opening it's first store in Utah, which is where I live.

Not only are they opening here FINALLY, but it's right down the street from where I work so it will not be out of my way to get to.

This makes me very happy!

What Trader Joe stuff should I try first?

They have some really good cheap wine there.

I've only been to Trader Joe's a handful of times.

The ones here don't sell wine.

PurpleJedi said:

I've only been to Trader Joe's a handful of times.

The ones here don't sell wine.

Are you in a state where you have to go to a liquor store for wine?

Florida is lame. I want a Trader Joe's too!

I find their stuff be a packaging nightmare.

Our store won't have TJ's wine.

Imago, why's the packaging a nightmare?

So many things to get at Trader Joe's! I go regularly.

Here's some things I like there-

Fruit floes - summertime must-have! I like to believe it's "healthier" than giving my kids a typical popsicle, the fruit flavor is intense, and there's interesting flavors like coconut.

Ice cream cookie sandwiches - these are just a calorie bomb, but really good.

Edamame hummus

Garlic aioli mustard - sooo yummy with ham, or sandwich, pasta salad, etc.

Wasabi mayonaise - better than regular mayo when you want that suble kick, but it's not too spicy

Nitrate-free jumbo hot dogs - I cut up and put in meals where one might normally use sausage, b/c my kids like it better than sausage. I don't like hot dogs, but these taste good, good quality.

Bacon cheddar dip - great with their thick, crunchy potato chips.

Jo jo cookies - like oreos, but with real vanilla bean, and candy cane bits around the holidays.

Diner Mac n Cheese - best frozen mac n cheese ever.

Frozen oatmeal - tastes similar to the oatmeal I cook on the stove or in slow cooker, except that I don't have to cook it like that anymore; I just get this frozen one and pop it in the microwave!

Squeaky cheese curds - it "squeaks" on your teeth when you eat it; it's so fresh, creamy and delicious.

Thanks artist76! I'll check those out!

Nothinbutjoy said:

Our store won't have TJ's wine.

Imago, why's the packaging a nightmare?

They're prepackaged crap back in 2006-ish (I haven't payed much attention since then), from what I remember was over packaged.

I was going through a real 'green' phase then, and was horrified at their prepackaged sauces, meals, etc. and how 'ungreen' it all was.

For me, a trip to the farmers market or local fruit stands, etc. was far more 'green'.

But, most folks like them because they're a bit more upscale than a grocer, and they have fun specialty items, so that just wasn't my bag.

These days, I probably wouldn't mind them so much I guess.

imago said:

I find their stuff be a packaging nightmare.

I don't like that they package produce, is that what you mean?

NDRU said:

imago said:

I find their stuff be a packaging nightmare.

I don't like that they package produce, is that what you mean?

That's part of it, yes. They package FAR TOO MANY things

positive things about trader joe.

*only play around my town that sells tahini

*veggies, vegan foods galore.

*alternative folks galore.

*fucking pumpkin bread

*QUINOA

*MOTHER FUCKING TUFURKEY!!

negative

*expensive

imago said:

NDRU said:

I don't like that they package produce, is that what you mean?

That's part of it, yes. They package FAR TOO MANY things

Totally get what you're saying about packaging.

However, when I came back from living in Europe and other places, I was turned off by over-consumation and warehouse-store sizes of everything at typical stores, and appreciated the small packaging at Trader Joe's. Smaller packaging might mean more packaging, but if you waste less food, it's green because you're not using up as much resources to produce food.

You're right that farmer's markets are probably best for produce.

Rococo said:

negative

*expensive

Really? I always find comparable stuff at other stores is more expensive than TJ's.

NDRU said:

Rococo said:

negative

*expensive

Really? I always find comparable stuff at other stores is more expensive than TJ's.

I don't make a lot of money. so to me atleast its a bit expensive, then again i am bit of a cheap o.

artist76 said:

So many things to get at Trader Joe's! I go regularly.

Here's some things I like there-

Fruit floes - summertime must-have! I like to believe it's "healthier" than giving my kids a typical popsicle, the fruit flavor is intense, and there's interesting flavors like coconut.

Ice cream cookie sandwiches - these are just a calorie bomb, but really good.

Edamame hummus

Garlic aioli mustard - sooo yummy with ham, or sandwich, pasta salad, etc.

Wasabi mayonaise - better than regular mayo when you want that suble kick, but it's not too spicy

Nitrate-free jumbo hot dogs - I cut up and put in meals where one might normally use sausage, b/c my kids like it better than sausage. I don't like hot dogs, but these taste good, good quality.

Bacon cheddar dip - great with their thick, crunchy potato chips.

Jo jo cookies - like oreos, but with real vanilla bean, and candy cane bits around the holidays.

Diner Mac n Cheese - best frozen mac n cheese ever.

Frozen oatmeal - tastes similar to the oatmeal I cook on the stove or in slow cooker, except that I don't have to cook it like that anymore; I just get this frozen one and pop it in the microwave!

Squeaky cheese curds - it "squeaks" on your teeth when you eat it; it's so fresh, creamy and delicious.

i feel absolutely spoiled. some folks are just getting tj's while others have none at all. i have TWO within walking distance of my apartment. and both sell wine (hello, two buck chuck!)

the mac 'n cheese, even the low fat, is really good.

i haven't tried their 'jo jos', but i have seen them so i'll make a mental note to try them

i used to always get their mini soy chocolate ice cream sandwiches, very good

the frozen tikka masala dinner. yummy! i also like the butter chicken

we have the frozen mini chicken tamales, a fairly new item which is really good

i like the ham and gruyere french pizza, the chicken/lemongrass and chicken/coconut curry(?) egg roll snacks, mushroom turnovers, and turkey corndogs. they're all in freezer section so when i want a quick snack or dinner, i can just pop them in the oven or nuke 'em. basically, i will try anything that catches my eye. i've had more positive experiences than negative.

also, i too have found my tj's to be very reasonable priced, particularly compared to the ralphs supermarket. at ralphs, a pint of milk is 99 cents, while at tj's i can get a whole quart for $1.19. a pound of butter at ralphs is almost $5, while at tj's it's about $3. eggs are also reasonably priced, and there is quite a selection. the fruit is often better quality for less money, too. i have never spent more money at tj's than at ralphs.

artist76 said:

So many things to get at Trader Joe's! I go regularly.

Here's some things I like there-

Fruit floes - summertime must-have! I like to believe it's "healthier" than giving my kids a typical popsicle, the fruit flavor is intense, and there's interesting flavors like coconut.

Ice cream cookie sandwiches - these are just a calorie bomb, but really good.

Edamame hummus

Garlic aioli mustard - sooo yummy with ham, or sandwich, pasta salad, etc.

Wasabi mayonaise - better than regular mayo when you want that suble kick, but it's not too spicy

Nitrate-free jumbo hot dogs - I cut up and put in meals where one might normally use sausage, b/c my kids like it better than sausage. I don't like hot dogs, but these taste good, good quality.

Bacon cheddar dip - great with their thick, crunchy potato chips.

Jo jo cookies - like oreos, but with real vanilla bean, and candy cane bits around the holidays.

Diner Mac n Cheese - best frozen mac n cheese ever.

Frozen oatmeal - tastes similar to the oatmeal I cook on the stove or in slow cooker, except that I don't have to cook it like that anymore; I just get this frozen one and pop it in the microwave!

Squeaky cheese curds - it "squeaks" on your teeth when you eat it; it's so fresh, creamy and delicious.

My town is getting a Trader Joe's later this year, and I've never been to one... but this is making me very hungry.

I don't eat a lot of prepared foods, so I can't speak to that. But their prices on nuts really can't be beat. And they have some sprouted grain breads that are pretty good.

I live at this store

Unsweetened Kettle Brewed Black Tea

Turkey Corn Dogs

Organic Ketchup

Mini Chicken Tamalitos

Pollo Asado

Toasted Coconut Cookie Thins

Mediterranean hummus

Chile Relleno

Triple Ginger Snaps

100 Calorie Dark Chocolate Bars

Unsalted Roasted Almonds

Sun dried tomato Pesto

Wheat Pitas

Mini hold the cone Ice Cream Cones

BBQ Sauce

Almond Milk

Trader Joe's Rolled Oats & Chocolate Chips Fiberful Granola Bars

Organic Tomato Basil Marinara

Turkey meatballs

Soyaki Sauce

Bite Size Everything Crackers

Mexicali Salad with Dressing

Pesto Pizza

Cuban Style Black Beans

Tea Tree Oil Face Wash

NDRU said:

PurpleJedi said:

I've only been to Trader Joe's a handful of times.

The ones here don't sell wine.

Are you in a state where you have to go to a liquor store for wine?

No...but the last time I was at Trader Joe's they didn't sell it.

I think that NY had some archaic rules concerning the transport of alcohol.

Maybe they do now, but it's been a while since I've stepped foot in a TJ's.

Nothinbutjoy said:

Just found out today that Trader Joe's is opening it's first store in Utah, which is where I live.

Not only are they opening here FINALLY, but it's right down the street from where I work so it will not be out of my way to get to.

This makes me very happy!

What Trader Joe stuff should I try first?

YOU LUCKY FUCK.

Shanti0608 said:

Florida is lame. I want a Trader Joe's too!

co-

I will drive all the way across town for these 2 items..

This... is... AMAZING!!!

[img:$uid]http://eatingatjoes.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/italian-blood-orange-soda.jpg[/img:$uid]

and these...

[img:$uid]http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aooMLxTDbMY/ToUJl_kHmEI/AAAAAAAAOuA/v299l5_AtXM/s1600/IMG_5782.JPG[/img:$uid]

tinaz said:

I will drive all the way across town for these 2 items..

This... is... AMAZING!!!

[img:$uid]http://eatingatjoes.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/italian-blood-orange-soda.jpg[/img:$uid]

DITTO! This stuff is SOOOO GOOD!

PunkMistress said:

Nothinbutjoy said:

Just found out today that Trader Joe's is opening it's first store in Utah, which is where I live.

Not only are they opening here FINALLY, but it's right down the street from where I work so it will not be out of my way to get to.

This makes me very happy!

What Trader Joe stuff should I try first?

YOU LUCKY FUCK.

I KNOW RIGHT!?!

PurpleRighteous1 said:

tinaz said:

I will drive all the way across town for these 2 items..

This... is... AMAZING!!!

[img:$uid]http://eatingatjoes.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/italian-blood-orange-soda.jpg[/img:$uid]

DITTO! This stuff is SOOOO GOOD!

Ooooooo and it's blood orange! Perfect for a True Blood evening!!

Nothinbutjoy said:

PurpleRighteous1 said:

DITTO! This stuff is SOOOO GOOD!

Ooooooo and it's blood orange! Perfect for a True Blood evening!!

Their honey and sesame coated almonds are like crack to me.

[img:$uid]http://www.traderjoes.com/images/fearless-flyer/uploads/article-496/64905-sesame-almonds.jpg[/img:$uid]

tinaz said:

Nothinbutjoy said:

Ooooooo and it's blood orange! Perfect for a True Blood evening!!

V"V