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We are getting a Trader Joe's
- Thread starter nancywisc
- Start date
I'm not the "Joe" in question, but with all my raves over the years, they should award me stock in
the company. (alas, it's privately held.) The wine selection is worth a trip (the original "Joe" was a wine merchant). The nuts are worth another trip. And the cheeses yet another.
You'll find the best mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, olives, capers and jams. In the frozen section there is wonderful seafood, gnocchi and the best pizzas. The free range chickens are wonderful. Procsciutto from Germany (?) and the smoked salmon are staples for me. The milk, cream and eggs are top quality and a good bargain. Fruits and veggies are mostly great, but very pre-packaged, so check the undersides carefully and use their liberal return policy if necessary.
Not everything they offer is perfect. The fresh lunch items are hit-and-miss, and some of the house brands are questionable, but worth a try.
Here in California the staff tend to be eccentric but affable. Lots of young folks with tattoos, magenta hair etc., balanced by more conservative retirees and thirty-somethings with PHD's. I hear they are currently owned by a German family corporation that takes extremely good care of their employees while demanding top performance. What a concept!
the company. (alas, it's privately held.) The wine selection is worth a trip (the original "Joe" was a wine merchant). The nuts are worth another trip. And the cheeses yet another.
You'll find the best mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, olives, capers and jams. In the frozen section there is wonderful seafood, gnocchi and the best pizzas. The free range chickens are wonderful. Procsciutto from Germany (?) and the smoked salmon are staples for me. The milk, cream and eggs are top quality and a good bargain. Fruits and veggies are mostly great, but very pre-packaged, so check the undersides carefully and use their liberal return policy if necessary.
Not everything they offer is perfect. The fresh lunch items are hit-and-miss, and some of the house brands are questionable, but worth a try.
Here in California the staff tend to be eccentric but affable. Lots of young folks with tattoos, magenta hair etc., balanced by more conservative retirees and thirty-somethings with PHD's. I hear they are currently owned by a German family corporation that takes extremely good care of their employees while demanding top performance. What a concept!
barbara-in-va
Well-known member
Joe or any other Trader Joe customer, have you tried their house brand butter to bake with?
Up until recently I was able to Cabot butter there for only $2.99 a pound. They seem to have stopped carrying it and I am so disappointed. I also like LOL but it is $4.49-4.99 lb at the "regular" groceries. I am tempted to try the Trader Joes house brand but had such a bad experience with the Kirkland butter from Costco I don't want to ruin any more of my baked goodies!
Thank you.
Up until recently I was able to Cabot butter there for only $2.99 a pound. They seem to have stopped carrying it and I am so disappointed. I also like LOL but it is $4.49-4.99 lb at the "regular" groceries. I am tempted to try the Trader Joes house brand but had such a bad experience with the Kirkland butter from Costco I don't want to ruin any more of my baked goodies!
Thank you.
michael-in-phoenix
Well-known member
I use their un-salted butter for most of my baking and for my Almond Butter Crunch...
...and I've never had a problem.
Michael
...and I've never had a problem.
Michael
Cheese! They have a very nice selection - try their fresh ricotta, it is fabulous! More things
Produce:
Salad Mixes
Baby Broccoli
Haricot Vert
Pomegranate Seeds
Nantes carrots
pineapple chunks
baby apples
lemons
berries
Frozen:
organic corn & peas
haricot vert
gyoza/potstickers
orange chicken
julienned peppers
fish
rack of lamb
Dairy: All of the dairy prices are significantly less than any other market in our area.
Milk
butter
eggs
yogurt (try the greek-style)
sour cream
1/2 & 1/2
non-ultrapasteurized cream (the only place I can find it)
Breads: These may vary depending on your location
Whole Wheat Honey
Middle Eastern Flat Bread
Pita
Buttermilk
Meats:
Kosher Chicken
Neiman Ranch Pork (try the bacon)
Leg of Lamb
Grass-fed beef
Baking:
King Arthur Flour
several types of vanilla
several varieties of sugar
brownie mix
almond flour
Wine & Liqour:
They have a fine selection of wines from around the world at great prices. Standard and off-beat liquors and cordials, nice selection of champagne.
Miscellaneous:
Pizza dough and sauce
Simmer Sauces (Moroccan, Mojo(?), Indian)
Cookies (they have many varieties in plastic tubs, usually down the frozen foods aisle)
Fresh Lasagne Noodles
Freshly Squeezed Juices
Unique Flavors of Bottle Juices ("Just Cranberry" has pucker-power!)
Fresh Flowers
+ a billion others things I'm sure to have neglected to mention. (Can you tell I love TJ's?)
Produce:
Salad Mixes
Baby Broccoli
Haricot Vert
Pomegranate Seeds
Nantes carrots
pineapple chunks
baby apples
lemons
berries
Frozen:
organic corn & peas
haricot vert
gyoza/potstickers
orange chicken
julienned peppers
fish
rack of lamb
Dairy: All of the dairy prices are significantly less than any other market in our area.
Milk
butter
eggs
yogurt (try the greek-style)
sour cream
1/2 & 1/2
non-ultrapasteurized cream (the only place I can find it)
Breads: These may vary depending on your location
Whole Wheat Honey
Middle Eastern Flat Bread
Pita
Buttermilk
Meats:
Kosher Chicken
Neiman Ranch Pork (try the bacon)
Leg of Lamb
Grass-fed beef
Baking:
King Arthur Flour
several types of vanilla
several varieties of sugar
brownie mix
almond flour
Wine & Liqour:
They have a fine selection of wines from around the world at great prices. Standard and off-beat liquors and cordials, nice selection of champagne.
Miscellaneous:
Pizza dough and sauce
Simmer Sauces (Moroccan, Mojo(?), Indian)
Cookies (they have many varieties in plastic tubs, usually down the frozen foods aisle)
Fresh Lasagne Noodles
Freshly Squeezed Juices
Unique Flavors of Bottle Juices ("Just Cranberry" has pucker-power!)
Fresh Flowers
+ a billion others things I'm sure to have neglected to mention. (Can you tell I love TJ's?)
Don't know what happened above...anyway, if you like Indian (m)
food, they sell wonderful simmering sauces (e.g., Simmering Masala Sauce) and packages of frozen naan that you just pop into an oven (or toaster oven) and heat for a few minutes. I saute chopped onions in a little oil, then saute bite size pieces of chicken. When the chicken is browned I pour in several jars of the simmering sauce and let it simmer about 30 minutes. Sometimes I throw in some Trader Joe frozen peas. Pour over rice, make some raita salad and you have a pretty good Indian meal.
food, they sell wonderful simmering sauces (e.g., Simmering Masala Sauce) and packages of frozen naan that you just pop into an oven (or toaster oven) and heat for a few minutes. I saute chopped onions in a little oil, then saute bite size pieces of chicken. When the chicken is browned I pour in several jars of the simmering sauce and let it simmer about 30 minutes. Sometimes I throw in some Trader Joe frozen peas. Pour over rice, make some raita salad and you have a pretty good Indian meal.