Trader Joe's food review thread

**Updated the wiki with a lot of new stores which are now open or opening soon. A lot of them are on the east coast.**

The TJ Pumkin Bread is simply wonderful. It was nice and moist with a great flavor. It's nice to eat as is or you can make a cream cheese icing to pour over it.

Wasn't fussed though on the TJ Gingerbread as the ginger was too overpowering.

The TJ Chicken Teriyaki from the frozen foods section is another winner. Just chop up the veggies of your choice, or use the TJ frozen stir fry veggies and sautee them in a pan with some of the sauce. The chicken is prepared in the microwave, per the instructions on the package and comes out great. We have it usually once a week.

This place just opened up near me. I got a flyer in the mail for Thanksgiving food and they seem rather expensive.

We just got back from there, their turkey breast, stuffing and squash are yummy...they were sampling it. Its all pre-cooked and ready to go.

Quote from wuzzy : This place just opened up near me. I got a flyer in the mail for Thanksgiving food and they seem rather expensive.

Some of the meat is expensive but soooooo good. On a lot of things though, they're cheaper than the grocery stores, at least the ones in the NW.

Quote from BostonGirl : We just got back from there, their turkey breast, stuffing and squash are yummy...they were sampling it. Its all pre-cooked and ready to go.

DH went tonight to get a pumpkin pie and they were sold out. If I could drive, I would have been able to pick one up this morning or make one from scratch like I normally do.

I Trader Joe's peanut butter. You can't beat it for the taste and price. Also the Mini Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers are very good.

Quote from Zoe Moon : Some of the meat is expensive but soooooo good. On a lot of things though, they're cheaper than the grocery stores, at least the ones in the NW. DH went tonight to get a pumpkin pie and they were sold out. If I could drive, I would have been able to pick one up this morning or make one from scratch like I normally do.

Costcos had tons of pumpkin pies....but they threw us out of there...literally...

Quote from Zoe Moon : Some of the meat is expensive but soooooo good. On a lot of things though, they're cheaper than the grocery stores, at least the ones in the NW. DH went tonight to get a pumpkin pie and they were sold out. If I could drive, I would have been able to pick one up this morning or make one from scratch like I normally do.

I will have to check it out then. I didn't even know it was a grocery store until I read this thread. Thought it was a place that just had food already made and you order it and buy it then leave.

I've added a list to the wiki of all the foods the Loungers have recommended or said to avoid.


Yes, I have way too much time on my hands right now.

We purchased a turkey from Trader Joe's. I've never had a fresh (never frozen) turkey, so I will update on how it is after the holiday. I purchased the Vanilla bread mix and just added wild frozen blue berries and it was great. I love how little these quick bread mixes cost.

Last night, we were short on time and I picked up a pizza dough, a trio of sandwich meat (the packet that has salami, mortadella, and prosciutto), and pepperoni. I made a quick white cheese sauce (with herbs) on the stove and wrapped it all in the dough with mozzarella. It was ready in 20 minutes and we had a wonderful Stromboli for less than $10.00. Hubby loved it and we even have left-overs. I don't know what I would do without Trader Joe's. They even had herbs for sale (live plants) Rosemary, Thyme, and Sage. It was $7.99 and all 3 come in a pot (the pot comes with a ceramic Turkey and a sign that says Turkey Stuffing) and I plan to keep it until Christmas.

Quote from StarNova : I Trader Joe's peanut butter. You can't beat it for the taste and price. Also the Mini Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers are very good.

We go to Trader Joes just for the peanut butter and jelly. It is nice to be able to pay less for them, but not have all of the crap they throw into everything at the regular grocery store. You can't pick up a jar of jelly or preserves without high fructose corn syrup in it period! I only wish they'd make a concord grape kind.

Great TJ recipe! I fed 6 people for $20 with this and still had leftovers:

Ingredients:
Mediterranean style flat bread (9 in a package, I buy 2 for feeding 6 people)
Cous Cous (plain style, in a box)
Hummus
Taskiki (cucumber yogurt, next to the hummus in TJ)
Tomatos
Cucumber (hot house, or the "sweet" type)
Feta Cheese
Spinach leaves

Directions:
1) Cook the Cous Cous (takes about 10-15 minutes for the cous cous to soften)
2) In a small saute pan, put 2 TB of olive oil spread around the pan, on med/high heat and put in a piece of the flat bread. Cook 45 seconds on each side until light brown (careful not to burn it).
3) Place the bread on a plate and add a thin layer of hummus and Taskiki
4) Add cous cous and feta cheese (so the loose pieces stick in the hummus and taskiki)
5) Top with sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, and spinach
6) Enjoy!

Its almost like a Mediterranean tostada. Once you make one you will understand how to make the next one better, and can even fold it like a taco, or just pile everything on and eat it with a fork and knife!

Mad props for the inventor of this!

I just went to the one in downtown Chicago on Ontario St. and MAN do they have a great wine and beer selection. I wish PA would repeal their stupid alcohol laws

Glad you bumped this. I tried the TJ turkey chili with beans last night. It was really nice for canned chili. Didn't have that funky canned meat taste that some canned chilies get. Will buy again.

Okay, now I want a TJ's by me

For Thanksgiving my BIL brought over some things from TJ's and I loved them

Now I want one near me, so I can shop there too