Good things to buy at Trader Joe's?

Ruby Red Chai (rooibos) and Bay Blend Coffee. The nuts and dried fruit.
And the frozen Alaska salmon.

Raspberry Lambic
all forms of chocolate
white chocolate morsels during the holidays
Italian espresso roast (decaf & reg)
polenta in the tubes (crazy good)
mint JoJo's at Christmas time

We watch the sodium content on everything, and stay away from high fructose corn syrup.

So excited to read this post--I live in Lexington, KY and we have a TJ's opening this spring. We also have Fresh Market and Whole Foods--all good!

One caveat if you are concerned about sodium consumption: the prepared foods at TJ's, their frozen entrees, mixes, etc., have massive amounts of sodium per serving, routinely several hundred milligrams. This isn't an issue for everyone, but something to be aware of.

I just discovered TJ's Crispy Jeju Mandarin Orange Slices --- they are freeze dried and absolutely delicious.

The frozen tamales, crab cakes, and fish fillets are always in our freezer. Also, the edamame hummus is delicious. I've recently become addicted to their "powerberries" which are chocolate covered acai balls...hard to describe but so good!

Mostly, I'm glad that Trader Joe's finally signed on to the Coalition of Immokalee Workers' Fair Food Agreement last month. I had been boycotting TJs since the early summer and I definitely missed some of their items. That said, it also caused me to explore some other stores like my local organic market and coops more fully. I am back to shopping there now, but I don't think I'll return fully to my old shopping habits now that I've branched out.

I am a convert from Whole Foods to Trader Joe's. I don't buy processed foods so I will say that produce, grains and lentils are much better and significantly less expensive than Whole Foods. Warning: For a family emergency, I purchased mashed potatoes, soup, veggies and chicken from Whole Foods' prepared foods counter. I was shocked to find that they used food coloring and/or sugar in all of their food.

Charley Bear Dog Treats (and there's a cute dog on the package)
The TJ in Napa has horrible wines , but it's next door to Whole Foods which has an amazing wine selection.
Great flowers
truly handmade flour tortillas

I think this guy has a lot of reviews worth looking at! http://www.clubtraderjoes.com

thanks everyone for the suggestions!

yes, how could i forget that terrific puff pastry and frozen choco croissants...

I keep their boxed Indian food in the cupboard for when i am late and starving. All of the premade food is pretty high quality and nice to have in the freezer if you come home exhausted at 8pm. Otherwise I agree with the others- nuts, grains, dairy, meat...no produce unless you need to grab a tomato or onion. I shop there a lot but buy produce at the farmer's market and more unusual ingredients at Whole Foods. TJ doesn't stock things like fish sauce, whole cumin, or tahini, for example

The short list:
Any of the frozen croissants that you let rise overnight and then bake in the morning. They're not as buttery as the ones from Williams Sonoma, but there's no wasteful packaging or shipping.

Their Hawaiian Style potato chips actually taste like potato.

Any frozen Indian entree for a lazy evening.

With all those answers what's not to love.... Beer wine chocolate, Mimi chocolate peanut butter cups , frozen cherries, nuts , almond flour need I go on... Have fun shopping

Oh, I forgot to say their hand-made flour tortillas. I really like them. Ours doesn't get Grade B maple syrup. Too bad. Or wine. I do buy produce there sometimes. The huge boxes of peaches last summer were terrific. Their onions are good. Organic eggs are reasonable. Cats cookies in the big plastic containers are addictive, either the spice or the chocolate.

I've just been to TJs a total of 2 times (none near home), but they have great plantain chips, a zingy peppermint tea tree body wash & shampoo/conditioner, great bread, wine, baby potatoes, yellow grape tomatoes.. & although I've never bought their frozen foods, I believe their Indian foods are great as well.

The pre-marinated fish (chimichurri salmon and soy-miso cod). The giant white beans in light tomato sauce.

Organic red quinoa; Manchego cheese; 19-cent bananas; Pita Bite Crackers; cashews; peanut butter and almond butter with flax seeds; frozen artichoke hearts; frozen pork gyoza (cook in homemade chicken broth, serve over fresh spinach with a bit of hot oil, soy, sesame oil);canned diced tomatoes without added salt; white whole wheat flour; excellent prices on milk as a rule, also cream and half & half which is not ultra-pasteurized; dark chocolate; nice potato chip medley of purple, red, and white potatoes which is unsalted and tastes blissfully of potatoes.

But have to disagree on the cheese and produce. Find that both are not as good as they should be.

I echo the dried fruits and nuts, their apples are usually cheaper than anyone elses, and their large bars of belgian chocolate are good for baking when you don't want to splurge on the really good stuff. I love their tart frozen yogurt and they have popcorn in white and blue striped mini bags (pac kof 6 or so) that I like. Nutri grain bars and whole wheat english muffins. And if you like a sweetened greek yogurt, their vanilla greek yogurt in the purple container is really good.

All the above are good answers. I love to buy cheese, olive oils, vinegars, wine, grains, etc. It's also the best place / price I've ever found for steel-cut oats and dried fruits. While you may have to supplement from another store, I love shopping at TJs. And, their spices are good. Oh, and they have very good triple ginger snaps. :)

Amandajli - loved your question as we, Sarasota, FL, are about to get our first Trader Joe's. Never
having been to one, I was wondering what all the fuss was about; people that have traveled, been to
a TJ's, and shelped back goodies, are estactic!! Made a shopping list from everyone's suggestions and
now will also count the days until it opens. Thanks to all.

The have a wonderful frozen puff pastry, made with real butter. The only other brand I know that uses real butter and not shortening is Du Four.

Cheeses to get: Petite Creme, spreadable goat cheese (in blue, teal, white little container), Australian parmesan.

Amandina biscuits

Speculoos cookie butter (spread)

Milk (delicious, my husband loves it)

Frozen chocolate croissants

Pound plus dark chocolate, best price around.

If you like maple syrup Trader Joe's is the place to buy, nice big bottles, good price, delicious grade B syrup.

Otherwise, I shop there too much to really be able to say, the frozen chicken is good (both the pre-cooked meal in a bag type and the frozen thighs type) as are most of the frozen vegetables (the green beans especially). I always get the Greek Feta. The chewy snickerdoodles are really good, especially if you have a friend with food allergies, but only come 12 to a box. The frozen coconut mochi desserts were great, I'm hoping they come back in the summer.

Tahini spread/dip. It's basically whipped tahini and great for sandwiches.

Roasted Vegetable Pizza (frozen). Has to be doctored up with additional spices but good, quick meal in a pinch.

Tuscan Marinara in a can. Contains only veggies. No preservatives!! (Note: All their canned tomatoes do contain preservatives). Again, good for last minute meals and tastes great.

I second the dish soap. It is biodegradable and the lavender ones smells great.

Sicilian olive oil: Super-fruity & almost as good as Frantoia, which costs double.

Lentil chips: for the ride home. They are completely addictive.

I am not a big fan of any of their breads, but the best one they have is one of their seeded "hearth" breads and all I know is it has a blue and green label. It is one of the only ones that is both honey and soy-free. Only one of the stores in my area carries it.

For the most part I skip the produce. Most of it is flavorless. Although I do have to give them credit for having organic carrots cheaper than most wholesale distributors in NYC.

I tend to never do pre-seasoned meats but tj's has one where I make an exception: garlic and cracked pepper pork tenderloin. It's great for a quick supper. Grill 10 min per side and serve w grilled veggies and salad

We like the white cheddar/gruyere hybrid cheese and the Greek feta cheese particularly out of a nice cheese selection for reasonable prices. I always get the peanut butter stuffed pretzels. The chocolate crossiants that you rise overnight and bake off are delicious. I like the prepared frozen individual spinach lasagne and frozen pot stickers. I love the Thai spiced cashew nuts, so addictive. The hummos is especially good. Ditto if they still have the feta dip.

Tuscan Whole Wheat Bread, Almond Butter with Flax Seed, Fig Butter --
Way better than PB&J.

amanda. www.chowhound.com has an ongoing thread about TJ new items, and threads about what people buy there.also, just fyi, some items are not found in all TJs.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/825978

i find this blog useful and informative ; he tests TrJ products and shows good taste:
http://www.clubtraderjoes.com/

MY TRADER JOE'S SHOPPING LIST:

Frozen:

Stir fry snow pea mix

French green beans(HARICOTS VERTS- stir fry these; do not blanch))

Grilled corn
Sliced Leeks

Chicken spring rolls- both Coconut and Lemongrass types

Tamales- Grn chili and cheese, and Chicken, and Beef- all are excellent

Mini Beef Tacos ( i have detested all their other frozen mexican products- skimpy fillings and poorly flavored)

Tr Joe’s Spinach Pie (not Filo Factory version)

Chicken Tika Masala

Turkey Bolognese

Exotic mushrooms/shiitakes

Edamame

Artichoke hearts(nuke 2 min.; much better than in jar)

Tarte d'Alsace w/ gruyere and ham(what a tremendous product)

Fetuccini nests with Mushrooms

Deli:

Butter Chicken

Cilantro lime noodle salad

Spinach, red chili, flour tortillas

Corn tortillas (much better/more flexible than Whole Foods)

Mexican layered dip

Hoomus 3 Layer

North Atlantic (navy label)smoked salmon

Grated parm in navy blue bag(watch out- this can go moldy)

Parm chunks

Wine soaked Toscana cheese

Aged Old amsterdam gouda w/ black rind

Goat cheese crumbles

Greek yoghurt w/ honey on the side

Greek cilantro yoghurt dip (spread)

Salmon caviar

Pate in mini loaf- shaped crock

Produce:

Clementines Box

Bags of Baby Spinach



Baked Goods:

All scones

Almond croissants

Triple ginger gingersnaps in tub

Dry Goods:

Brown Rice Medley -wonderful components for color and texture

Trotolle Pasta – great shape for catching sauce between its coils

All nuts/ roasted sunflower seeds

Thai chili lime cashews

Raspberry chocolate trail mix

Dark chocolate bars- the single source ,and the larger tr joes 72% bittersweet and extra dark ones( i use all these for baking)

Chocolate coated almonds with sea salt and demerrara sugar

Calcium w Magnesium



Cans and Jars:

Canned hearts of palm( neat addition to salads; though some of theirs are too fibrous)

Thai Coconut, Mojito and Moroccan simmer sauces ( many discontinued now)

Vodka marinara sauce

Salsa with corn and black beans

Salsa verde

Black truffle oil (better than the other cheap[less than $25] ones i've tried)



Crackers and chips:

Stoned wheat thins

Parmesan pita toasts

Blue bag potato chips

Trader Giotto crostini (best crackers for cheese I have found)

Mini multi seed rice crackers

Snap Pea Crisps ( i am completely and helplessly addicted)

I agree on the wine. Decent coffee, great array of frozen food (at ours at least including products that are too expensive for us regularly other places like buffalo and fish we can't find all that readily), great fast party snacks, great froze produce, love the pizza dough, love the cookie dough. I've found the baking mixes sometimes have wonky directions so I have to watch those. Ours has good prepared hummus and salsa and great bread. Produce as others have said is hit or miss. I overall love TJs. It's a reasonably priced alternative to other places in our area.

I think all Trader Joe's are a little different, but I love mine for dairy (including cheese) also, their multi-grain boule and seeded corn crackers, dish soap, laundry detergent (lavender!); it's the only place I can find meyer lemons; their fig butter and apple cranberry butter are amazing. They also have organic kosher chicken and turkey which was a big deal to us when my mother-in-law was alive. Haven't really been crazy about their fish. Some produce is ok--great frozen edamame and artichoke hearts. Sometimes they have huge boxes of blueberries which I always indulge in. I agree that they have discontinued a lot of things I loved--peanut flour, hazelnut coffee, French butter, some breads. Love their chocolate biscotti, and their dark chocolate. Anything chocolate actually. They don't sell wine in ours unfortunately.

We buy a wide variety of the items available. They have much organic produce (within the range of what they sell), great cheeses, frozen entrees, wonderful dips and snacks, organic chicken... I have kids with allergies and have had great success shopping here because many of their packaged goods are relatively free of additives they used to print brochures that told you what was gluten free. Part of why i like going there is because the products move quickly, so are fresh. That being said, i have a friend who no longer shops here because she says they discontinue everything she falls in love with!

I have endless favorites! Some availability varies from store to store but: the frozen croissants that proff over night are delish, I am currently really enjoying their frozen Wonton soup (but cant find it at every store), Their olive oil is affordable and has a nice balanced flavor for cooking, their stocks are good in a pinch if you don't make your own, I get their various goat cheeses frequently, their mascarpone is top notch, their frozen appetizers are great to pop in the oven for impromptu parties. I agree with some of the other commenters- the only down fall is most produce is mediocre (often under ripe) but there are still good staples (apples, onions etc) the best part of Trader Joe's is exploring! There is always something new and fun to try

toasted sliced almonds, diced pancetta, dark chocolate peanut butter cups, quinoa, oatmeal, and their frozen indian lunch entrees. Oh yeah, the little frozen croissants that you leave out overnight and bake in the morning are pretty awesome too.

pizza dough! delicous and makes it very convenient to make your own pizza!

oh yeah, the dried California apricots are usually really good. The shelled pistachios, cashews, walnuts. I like their yogurt selections. The goats-milk yogurt is more reasonable there than elsewhere.

Chocolate anything (especially dark chocolate); bags of frozen artichoke hearts; dried fruit and nuts; hummus; various crackers; mini mint choc. chip ice cream sandwiches; yogurt; and organic dog biscuits.

Also, just got a new flier, touting fig butter. Must investigate.

They have some surprisingly good wines priced below 10.00!

I like getting a lot of my dairy products here (yogurt, cheese, heavy cream) -- cheaper and better quality than at the average supermarket. I also love TJ's for dried fruit, nuts, and certain pantry staples (e.g., everyday olive oil and vinegars).

Oh and Israeli cous cous yes which I haven't been able to find in Whole Foods for over a year. I bought five boxes last time I was there.

Wine! Also they have all kinds of reasonably priced nuts in their trail mix aisle.

lemon curd, all manner of chocolate covered candy, laundry soap, dish soap, grapefruit, cereal, chai

The hummus, especially the masala lentil hummus and mediterranean hummus. The frozen veggies with different marinades (so easy). The fresh cheeses. The various raviolis they have, love the butternut squash ravioli. I buy their frozen fillets of tilapia, tuna and salmon a lot. They come in twos - so easy to pop out of the freezer for a quick dinner.

The produce is... meh. I get my fruit and veggies elsewhere. They always go bad within 2-4 days.

Their grain mix: it has Israeli couscous, split mini garbanzo beans, and quinoa, I believe. I cook it and stir in sliced scallions and Trader Joes sun-dried tomatoes (in the bags) which are the best. A little olive oil and salt. The kids love this side.
The chocolate-covered ice cream bon bons are scrumptious. I also like their chocolate hazelnut biscotti. Their breakfast cereals are good. Seasonal specials are good, whatever they may be (seems to vary from year to year). Last year the Peaberry coffee beans were excellent, but usually I don't go for most of their teas or coffees.

I would just go to Whole Foods Market, higher quality standards. :)