This weekend I went to Trader Joe’s for the very first time! One FINALLY opened close to me on Friday, and I was really excited to check it out. I had heard the hype for a very long time, and after going there I have to say, I think the place is worthy of it.
Leading up to my big trip, I did my research. I wanted to make sure I knew which ‘must-have’ items to get. There are a few obvious ones… like the Cookie Butter and 2 Buck Chuck, but there is a long list of extremely popular items.
Since I wanted to know what was good at Trader Joe’s.. I decided to email Nathan, since he has a blog aptly titled What’s Good at Trader Joe’s. Nathan got back to me that same day, linking me to his “Pantheon” list. Out of the 570 items that he’s blogged about (so far) only 35 have made this elite list. He also recommended I try their frozen Indian Dishes. I got the Coconut Oil Spray, the Chicken Curry Salad, and some other items based on his suggestions. He has TONS of stuff on this blog, so if you want even MORE Trader Joe’s… you should check it out by clicking here.
Another big help was this Huffington Post article about the 17 top selling items at Trader Joe’s. A few of them I had seen on other lists, like the Corn Relish, Triple Ginger Snap cookies, the Marcona Almonds with Rosemary, and the Spinach and Kale Greek Yogurt Dip. I ended up buying A LOT of the stuff on this list, since it looked so good.
Now that I knew what I wanted to buy… the next big issue was deciding when I should go. Since it opened Friday, everyone told me I was CRAZY to go this weekend. But I just couldn’t wait. I figured I would go Sunday morning, since NOTHING is busy in Pembroke Pines early Sunday morning. (Trader’s Joes or not) My hubby still said there was no way he was going, so I went by myself… which was probably best since I didn’t need kids distracting me from my very important must-buy list. Anyway, I got there at about 9am and it was perfect. There were people in the store, but not that many. It didn’t feel hectic at all and I was in and out without any issues.
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| Empty store, prepared salad and dips, pumpkin mania, cheapie wine! |
I was impressed by the prepared salads and dips. I got a Super Spinach salad for lunch with quinoa, chickpeas, edamame, and some ginger miso dressing. It was REALLY good. I bought my hubby a spicy chicken thai noodle salad which was also good, he heated it up… but I’m pretty sure it was ment to be served cold. (and I think it tasted better that way) The bagged organic spinach was noticeably cheaper than at my other favorite organic supermarket. Actually, a lot of stuff was way cheaper. I know some people say they don’t see a huge difference when comparing Trader Joe’s to the other place, but I did.
I saw tons of interesting items, but I basically stuck to my must-try list for this trip. I was THRILLED to discover tons of pumpkin flavored items, but I only got the Pumpkin Spice Chai Tea and the Pumpkin Butter.
So far everything we have tried is really good. The Speculoos Cookie Butter is worth the hype. (at least in my house!) I could swim in the Chicken Curry Salad, but after seeing how much fat and calories are in it, I’m afraid this will be the one and only time that I purchase it! I was also surprised how much the whole family liked those Ginger Snaps. The cold brew coffee concentrate is good, but it doesn’t compare to the Starbucks Iced Coffee that made our family favorites last month.
So there you go, I am a new Trader Joe’s fan! We will be using a lot of the stuff I got for lunches and dinners this week, so I will be tweeting and Instagramming any honorable mentions! (and if anything sucks, I will definitely tell you that too)
What do you think of Trader Joe’s? Worth all the fanfare or just another grocery store?
We are HUGE Trader Joe's fans. I like the produce and I buy as much organic produce as possible there. Favorites include the frozen organic fruit and frozen kale (for smoothies), the vanilla coffee, almond butter (much cheaper than in other places), their oat bran muffins (berry) are delicious, turkey bacon wrap, and pacific salad (low fat and healthy – just add a little more dressing). We use their Mirepoix (chopped celery, carrots and onions) for a soup starter and their version of Spaghettios are better than the real version. I do wish that they offered more wild fish (unfrozen), but their organic chicken is good and somewhat reasonable.
Nancy, I should have emailed YOU before going! What an awesome list of suggestions! I will def be checking out these items! Thank you so much for your comment. (and I agree with the chicken breasts, I bought some and I thought the price was pretty good)
I just LOVE Trader Joes!!! Unfortunately the closest one to us is 1hr 45 min away -_- but whenever I'm near one its always a must stop!!!
I am def a new fan! I saw so much more that I want to try too! But you have a Wegner's… and I dont! 😉
I need to check out Trader Joe's. I want to try the $3 wine.
I bought 2 bottles, I will let you know what I think! 🙂
Awesome. I might have to make a new Pinterest board just for this. I haven't been to a Trader Joe's in years. There's one a reasonable distance from my house. You have inspired me!
A pinterest board is a really good idea! If you get it up and going email me so I can follow it! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great week!
We love Trader Joe's. My kids especially love the sample station, because there is always something super yummy to taste! Although it is not super healthy my kids love, love, love the orange chicken. To die for!!
YES! The orange chicken was also recommended to me by others, so you know I bought it! We will prob try it this week when we are short on time or forget to prep dinner. (which prob means tonight! ha!) Have a wonderful week!
Last year, they had some flavored olive oils I bought to put as part of a Christmas gift. There was only one left so I didn't get to try it. I love all of their specialty items.
Such a great idea.. I am going to bring olive oils to holiday parties this year to give as hostess gifts instead of wines. (since I ALWAYS do wine!) I will check those out!
Now you know about it…and you will have to go back! We love Trader Joes too. Their frozen edamame beans are the best! We just had those a couple of days ago, cooked according to package directions and then mixed with a little olive oil and seasoning salt. Yum! We will have to try the cookie butter. Thanks for the recommendation.
My daughter loves edamame, so I need to get those! I saw so many other things that I want to try.. I can't wait! Have a wonderful week and thank you for stopping by!
I wish we had one. (sad face)
I'm sorry, I wish you had one too. 😉 Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful week! (let me know if you need me to send you some cookie butter to cheer you up!) 😉
You may have just started a new addiction. Trader Joe's is amazing. My husband thinks I have a problem.
Glad you have one near you. They always have new and fun things all the time. Lots of experimenting to be done 🙂
Yes! I already feel like this is going to be a problem. I was talking about it ALL day Sunday after I got home. My hubby was like, "ok.. ok.. i get it you are excited about Trader Joe's!" Ha!
great store. been going for DECADES (i'm from california)! but 2 buck chuck (their 3$ wine) is no bueno.
I bought two bottles of it, and I havent tried it yet.. but I already had my doubts! 😉
Yay-you finally got to go! We love Trader Joe's!! I was there the other day and an employee told me they have 65 pumpkin items this year…not sure if he was serious or not… Anyhow, when you take the kids, don't forget to see if they have a hidden stuffed animal at your store for them to find for a treat (at my store they get an organic sucker and an apple.) I've been tweeting some of my faves too-but I definitely have some not so faves as well. I also agree with Nicole though, the two buck chuck isn't very good-luckily they have plenty of other wines to choose from.
I believe it about the 65 pumpkin items! I saw a LOT! You know I heard about the stuffed animal search so I am going to do that with the kids the first time I bring them with me. I never knew I would be so excited about a grocery store!!
I love trader Joe's!! They have such fun stuff! Glad you got to go and enjoy yourself 🙂
Yes I am already planning my trip back! ha! I hope you are having a wonderful week so far! 😉
i have never been, it looks like a fun spot though
It was worth the hype, but I went 35 years without ever going to one.. and I think I was ok. 😉 Have a great week!
Lauren–I am SO happy you got to experience your first TJ's shopping trip! I worked for Trader Joe's for five years (just recently left the company in April) and let me tell ya, they really are as great as they seem. It is a wonderful company, inside and out! If I were to suggest one of my favorite items (from all 5 years I've worked there) they (look, I already made this a plural statement because I cannot pick just one item) would be the balsamic glaze and the garlic olive oil. Agh, one more… their organic white shells & cheddar is amazing too. I take some frozen veggies and add them when I need an easy, quick meal for my daughter. I'm going to have to keep a list going for you of my fave things so I can let you know for your next trip! xo
It was very exciting!! Also I am obsessed with balsamic glaze.. I put it on EVERYTHING (including cottage cheese!) so I will have to buy it. I am writing down everything else you suggested too and I cant wait to go back! 🙂
I actually have not been to Trader Joe's yet! We even had one close by when I lived in the city, but it wasn't as close as the Whole foods. I'm not sure where the closest one is by my new place, but this post may have motivated me to go!
It is so different than Whole Foods, you should really check it out if it is nearby! Have a wonderful week and thank you for stopping by! 🙂
Love Trader Joe's! The products I can't live without are the crumbled goat cheese, spaghetti sauce with mushrooms, corn salsa, garlic salsa, frozen black bean enchiladas, $5.99 prosecco, shredded Brussels sprouts. In a few weeks, the pre-cut bags of sweet potatoes come out. Perfect for roasting.
I just took a picture of your comment so I dont forget anything you suggested! I did get the corn salsa, so I am looking forward to trying that on taco night this week! Thanks for taking the time to comment and have a wonderful week! 🙂
I love Trader Joes but, don't get there as often as I'd like to. If you like cheesecake they have a great frozen one that tastes like homemade. We also love their trail mixes, coffee and Madeline s. Most of all their fresh veggies! Happy you got a new store nearby! Thanks for stopping by the blog btw! Theresa @DearCreatives
I LOVE cheesecake! I will keep that in mind for next time! I got a bunch of trail mixes too, since I love throwing those in the kids lunches! Thanks for stopping by and it was a pleasure reading your blog! 🙂
I'm a HUGE Trader Joe's fan. I have one very near my house which is REALLY nice, too.
yes, this is one is close enough to me to be a problem. Ha! Have a great week and thank you so much for taking the time to comment!
I love TJ's! They don't have everything I need for groceries, but the food is usually pretty good and a good value.
I know! I have to go to like 4 different stores now to get everything I need, esp since I try to get the best prices! #firstworldproblems 😉 Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful week!! 🙂
Nice Haul! I live for TJ's frozen food section. I could honestly buy one of everything and live on it for a year. My favorites are the boxes of Indian 1 serving curry meals and naan, seafood stew, Risotto (butternut squash and asparagus) and their dessert = plus all the appetizers. They also have great deals on bags of spinach and kale. I'm actually not a fan of the 2 buck chuck. It really tastes cheap. Happy grocery shopping.
I got one of the frozen vegetarian Indian dishes, I havent tried it yet, but it looks amazing! I will have to try those risotto's! Thanks for stopping by Jenn… have a great week! 😉
I love Trader Joe's. Unfortunately, we don't have one in our city. I have to visit my son in Nashville to go.
http://joycelansky.blogspot.com/2014/10/beauty-on-beach.html
Yes now that I have one, I think I would be very sad to let it go! 😉 Thanks for stopping by!
I've actually only been to Trader Joe's a few times. I love their dried strawberries. They are THE best healthy snack ever! #Momtimethurs
If you're new to Trader Joe's, you might like my blog, in which I review one TJ's product every day: http://exploringtraderjoes.blogspot.com/