What are your favorite "finds" at Trader Joes?

The post below reminded of this thread that I wanted to kick off some time ago...

What are your favorite "finds" at Trader Joes?

I'll kick it off:

Soy Chips! I love them and they border on being healthy! They are tasty and satisfying enough I don't even both with salsa. Now if I could only not finish the bag once I've opened it!

I'm also love the Mango Chicken sausage, as mentioned below, and the frozen Spanikopita is the perfect easy appetizer, again bordering on being healthy!

So what are your favorites?

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Posted in reply to the post by auroramagiceyes:

I start out with the noblest intentions..... My roommate is making us black bean soup tonight so technically there is nothing I actually need from Trader Joe's I'm just there for company but then Corona beer is on sale....Hey my cousin is coming over to have soup with us tonight and he loves Corona beer I'll get him a six pack (that's a noble deed) so now I've got a basket and a six pack of Corona and ooooooooooh the Mango Chicken Sausages those were delicious in that stir fry I made last week i think we need a repeat of that dinner......


So there I am not needing anything from Trader Joes with a basket in my hand with a six pack of Corona and Mango Chicken Sausages I guess that isn't too bad well what to we have here Extra Virgin Olive Oil and its on sale well were almost out at home that's a practical need. It is this point that story fades to black...... Because the next thing I know I'm checking out with a full basket of food including three boxes of different frozen appetizer treats and a bar of pound plus Belgium milk chocolate with almonds (for my cousin again, of course fully knowing he'll share with us) oh and heavy whipping cream for my big can of dark french roast coffee.......


Is Trader Joes one of those vortex's of the universe where you walk in with no intention of getting anything and the next thing you know your holding a basket of goodies with no knowledge of how they got in there.......

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Some of my faves (I can only think of a few right now) are the chili lime cashews, cranberry relish goat cheese and gorgonzola crackers. All "bordering on healthy"! Also, I can make a quick emergency meal out of the frozen pasta or rice medleys by adding more veggies, meat and spices.

There are quite a few things I adore from TJ's, including spicy italian sausages, pumpkin butter, thin little spicy spinach "pizzas" and peanut butter filled pretzels. Indian cooking sauces in jars are a good start on flavorfilled dinner. Dairy is good and reasonably priced. I buy the frozen chicken thighs, an excellent choice for coooking for one, and when added to frozen french green beans, nantes carrots, petite peas, sweet onion, garlic, arame seaweed and a rice blend with wild and wehani and cooked together, after brief saute, for 35 minutes makes an easy and delicious one pot hearty winter meal. The frozen blueberries are the best. I enjoy their peanut butter and jams.I know there are so many more I am neglecting to include, oh yeah the toasted slivered almonds are great. A fun place to explore. I have realized from compiling this list that I tend toward wanting more spice in my life. Happy munching. Mindy

Van Houten's powdered chocolate from Holland. 100% pure with no junk in it, no sugar. Tastes great as hot chocolate and the colorful metal can is nice to use for keeping things such as pens and pencils, etc. Van Houten's has only been available during the winter months.

The salmon, any of it that they may have.

Their selection of beers and wines is good (or at least I like the variety available there). For example, Mackerson's is a dark beer with a taste I prefer to Guinness.

There's a lot of other great stuff there. These days, though, we rarely shop at Trader Joe's. Now we frequent Oliver's to get the yummy and exotic foods.

Pretty much any thing in on the shelf above the frozen foods section, who ever decided on that placement design is brilliant. From the chocolate covered sunflower seeds to the English pistachio nut toffee........

So Barry when are we having a Trader Joe's potluck party at your house?

Too many to list. That's what's so wonderful about Trader Joe's. Over the years, more and more basics are available. While I try to support independents, this is one chain I can get behind.

I think my favorite deal is the cheese. So many types at amazing prices! Goat cheese is my new staple. Olive oil, maple syrup, breads, frozen sustainable fish... the list of faves goes on and on.

Another bonus: the staff is really competent and friendly. On a stormy day this week, a staffer was stationed outside the door with a traffic vest and umbrella, asking if we wanted help to the car. Nice! :thumbsup:

I have long maintained that TJs isn't a grocery store so much as a munchies market. As I am in almost constant craving mode, due to my medicine's side effects, I too often graze the joint. My favs include the ridiculously overpriced PARMESAN CRISPS, their brand of OYSTER CRACKERS, the milled soaps from France, the dried PINEAPPLE SLICES, fresh CARROT JUICE, frozen CRAB CAKES, and some of the FROZEN SOUPS.
These are the items I actually buy, if I didn't have nearly superhuman self control my cart would be overflowing with cookies, chocolates, licorice in many forms, plastic containers of small fruits coated in chocolate, health bars, a panoply of frozen meal components and a few of the impulse items strategically strewn around the check-out area.
TJs ought to open a few stores over here in Saigon, I am sure they would be swamped quickly.

Funny that someone mentioned that MacEsson dark beer. I consider that the king of beers. TJ used to buy a container every six months or so, then they started to stock it continually and one day, it all disappeared, never to return. No other place sells it but one of those big liquor outlets said they could special order it for about five times the price of TJ's. Now it's just a memory, unless TJ makes another buy.

My two other favorites are the organic sour cream and the three pound heavy dark chocolate bars for the lowest price in the world. What a bargain!

Paul Palmer

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Posted in reply to the post by Valley Oak:

...
Their selection of beers and wines is good (or at least I like the variety available there). For example, Mackerson's is a dark beer with a taste I prefer to Guinness.
...

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I love that Trader Joe's allows me to buy lot of foods that would not be affordable otherwise.. in fact, since the whole foods came to Sonoma, I find I spend way too much on food, since I am lured in there by the selection, but the prices are skewed in the other direction..

I buy raw or roasted almonds, trail mix, giant olives with peppers in them, cheeses, almond milk, olive oil, soy sauce, frozen quiches, pizzas, lasagna.. makes the bachelor life-style bearable.. I buy wine there, about half the time..

On the down-side, I find the produce section annoying. Too much packaging, and sealed bags, etc., and I'd like more organic and local produce. I suspect the low prices reflect heavy reliance on overseas sources, which require lots of petro-fueled transportation.. but I may be wrong, maybe it's convenient for local producers to dump products under off-brands?

Goat cheeses ..best prices anywhere.
mozarella balls...in tub..yum
Mate tea..again great savings.
Mochi Ice cream...super cheap compared to any sushi bar price for the same.
European rye bread...old style heavy-ish wheat free, square loaf, sliced.
Nuts are all priced well, raw also available.
small round rice crackers..I like salt and pepper flavor
the new doggie cookies in the box seem pretty healthy and my girl loves them.
The flat,rectangular foccaccia can be sliced in half through the middle (doubling quantity and making it thinner)and used to make FANTASTIC foccaccia /pizza..use TJ: pesto, roasted peppers in jar,pine nuts ,chopped basil,sundried tomatoes..yum. ( this is best served and eaten hot, not good once cooled)

I have a great friendly connection with the long haired,bearded, full time wine guy at the santa Rosa ave store. I forget his name. He's an old "dead head" guy who's really friendly and helpful.

bon apetit

Their triple ginger snap cookies, cheese and chile tamales, wasabi peas (hit that for some spice in your life!)
Good prices, organic choices--go Joe!

Hi Everyone. I find that the spices and seasonings are a great deal. Cinnamon sticks for $1.99 - wow!!! Even my mother thinks TJ is a great store and that is saying something. I usually treat my family whenever I go shopping there --- there is no one bad item in that store.

You can't beat Two Buck Chuck for the price... the taste is not very consistant, but still, a fantastic price!

The Trader Joes Blended Scotch for $9.99 is a wonderful deal, but not always available.

The selection of Breads is very nice. I especially love their sprouted wheat breads.

The milk, cottage cheese, eggs, cheese, nuts, raisins, cereals and all the other staples are consistant and priced well too.

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On the down-side, I find the produce section annoying. Too much packaging, and sealed bags, etc., and I'd like more organic and local produce. I suspect the low prices reflect heavy reliance on overseas sources, which require lots of petro-fueled transportation.. but I may be wrong, maybe it's convenient for local producers to dump products under off-brands?

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As to that inconvenient downside--I have a little bit of insider knowledge in that I used to work for a food mfr. here in Sonoma County that sold to TJ's. They negotiate a low price by buying a pallet or more of your product at a time. They pay for the private labels that the mfr. applies. They were one of our favorite wholesale accounts: paid on time, no hassles. The products all go (went? this was years ago) to a giant warehouse in SoCal. In some ways, central distribution is a little better, carbon footprint-wise, as opposed to hundreds of suppliers' smaller trucks making deliveries to ind. stores.

It would be fascinating to find out what percentage of their goods are domestically produced. I don't think there's a *whole* lot of stuff coming from overseas, produce-wise. Aside from the year-round grapes, tomatoes and basil (these last two might be from Mexico or greenhouses), they seem to feature mostly in-season stuff. And slowly, they've started offering loose apples, lemons, etc., so there's hope about the plastic issue.

Earlier, I forgot to mention the California slab apricots. Their dried fruits and nuts are incredibly affordable compared to any other store.

I second the annoyance over TJ's produce section. I've bought things there that seem like they've been frozen or something.

Favorite TJ's items:

-Niman Ranch uncured bacon
-Niman Ranch pork chops
-raw imported Roquefort cheese
-New Zealand grass-fed cheddar
-affordable creme fraiche!
-grade B maple syrup
-wild-caught salmon and snapper
-cheap wine for cooking

Thank you, Bird Watcher.. I appreciate this inside info.. ; )
Don't get me wrong, I love TJs.. and I really appreciate the abundance of affordable yummy foods.. like I said it makes it possible to eat much more interesting and diverse foods than I could otherwise afford..

Thanks again for the clarification! ; )

Scott.

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Posted in reply to the post by Bird Watcher:

As to that inconvenient downside--I have a little bit of insider knowledge in that I used to work for a food mfr. here in Sonoma County that sold to TJ's. They negotiate a low price by buying a pallet or more of your product at a time. They pay for the private labels that the mfr. applies. They were one of our favorite wholesale accounts: paid on time, no hassles. The products all go (went? this was years ago) to a giant warehouse in SoCal. In some ways, central distribution is a little better, carbon footprint-wise, as opposed to hundreds of suppliers' smaller trucks making deliveries to ind. stores.

It would be fascinating to find out what percentage of their goods are domestically produced. I don't think there's a *whole* lot of stuff coming from overseas, produce-wise. Aside from the year-round grapes, tomatoes and basil (these last two might be from Mexico or greenhouses), they seem to feature mostly in-season stuff. And slowly, they've started offering loose apples, lemons, etc., so there's hope about the plastic issue.

Earlier, I forgot to mention the California slab apricots. Their dried fruits and nuts are incredibly affordable compared to any other store.

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Anytime I find a favorite...It DISAPEARS!!!...I hate when that happens!...But, I still luv' em and shop there - 'cause well, they still have some of the basics...Like good bread and crackers, and all that jazz...and they are close by...

My favs. that disappeared....

Mediterranean Yogurt (plain)...SUPER thick - great for anything - sauces, dips, you name it...and kids would eat it straight - it was soooo good - it had NO sugar in it...(The 'greek style' will have to do)...
Have NEVER seen this anywhere else...

Goat swiss cheese...Who's got Goat Swiss Cheese out there?....Have NEVER seen this anywhere else...

Turkey patties...very tasty good, frozen section - 4 to a pack and was a really good deal...Great for burgers and such...They should have NEVER gotten rid of those...

Multi-grain crackers, and Ak-maks are my favorite crackers...

Yeah, the other good sausages are the Apple Maple, and the Italian...

Those Wasabi chips are pretty darn good...Anyone try them?

Two things:

Thai peanut sauce (which I'm eating as I type this with my veggie stir fry lunch) it is that delicious decadent kick that gives simple dishes like my veggie stir fry an awesome boost!


and one of those ~Oh no they didn't~ finds well oh yes they did!


Dark Chocolate Covered Pomegranate Seeds

Yeah they taste as decadent and naughty as that sentence reads.....The beauty of these little wicked things is that a little bit goes a long way, you have a few and get that satisfaction of real dessert.

Do not pass up these two yummy finds:

World's Biggest Olives (a little expensive, but delicious).
Cornbread Mix in a box (tastes like homemade).

Pearl, you're right about the cornbread mix! I tried it on a lark around Thanksgiving time. You don't always know which items will be fabulous, but most are at least good. It was GREAT. And you can add goodies to the batter like chopped peppers or whatever.

Their canned crab meat is a steal when you're lusting for quick crab cakes. I always keep a can in the pantry. Even the tuna packed in olive oil is an affordable luxury.

I haven't tried the giant olives, but will now. Have gotten their pitted Kalamatas in the past; no complaints even tho' the food critics I read say never buy pitted Kalamatas. Hell, it's worth skipping the time and mess!

I bought baby bok choy in a cardboard tray last week--progress! One less plastic container. I think TJ's is progressing...

Had their frozen entree Chicken Tikka Masala tonight after a hard day of physical labor: AWESOME! The aroma is still permeating the kitchen. I prepared it by conventional oven directions. Rice and stew are in separate compartments. When I can't have Sebastopol's Himalayan Tandoori version, this one will do!

I think this kind of thread is important, because while TJ's offers LOTS of great things, occasionally you come across a loser.:wink: Let's share!

I don't remember if I, or perhaps someone else posted this, but TJ's has made a pledge towards a more sustainable fish policy.. this is very good news, as it shows that they are responding to public pressure to respect the dwindling fish supply, and to stop supporting unsustainable fishing practices.

Trader Joe's Announces Sustainable Seafood Policy | Sustainable Food | Change.org

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Posted in reply to the post by Bird Watcher:

Had their frozen entree Chicken Tikka Masala tonight after a hard day of physical labor: AWESOME! The aroma is still permeating the kitchen. I prepared it by conventional oven directions. Rice and stew are in separate compartments. When I can't have Sebastopol's Himalayan Tandoori version, this one will do!

I think this kind of thread is important, because while TJ's offers LOTS of great things, occasionally you come across a loser.:wink: Let's share!

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Also, I hope this is not redundant.. Whole Foods now has organic fair-trade pineapple; I had a great talk with Scott, (I believe he is the Sebastopol produce buyer), in the produce section. WF is working with farmers to develop new supply chains of organic and fair trade pineapples.. (I believe this is in Costa Rica). Again, this is a great indicator of positive changes in some of our favorite stores, to improve how food is grown and where it comes from.

Whole Story Blog Archive Introducing Pineapple With A Purpose

Talk to Scott in the produce section of the Sebastopol Whole Foods, he is a cool guy.

Scott Hales. (not the same Scott, of course.. : )

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Posted in reply to the post by hales:

I don't remember if I, or perhaps someone else posted this, but TJ's has made a pledge towards a more sustainable fish policy.. this is very good news, as it shows that they are responding to public pressure to respect the dwindling fish supply, and to stop supporting unsustainable fishing practices.

Trader Joe's Announces Sustainable Seafood Policy | Sustainable Food | Change.org

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Posted in reply to the post by Bird Watcher:

Had their frozen entree Chicken Tikka Masala tonight after a hard day of physical labor: AWESOME! The aroma is still permeating the kitchen. I prepared it by conventional oven directions. Rice and stew are in separate compartments. When I can't have Sebastopol's Himalayan Tandoori version, this one will do!

I think this kind of thread is important, because while TJ's offers LOTS of great things, occasionally you come across a loser.:wink: Let's share!

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I love the Vegetable Panang Curry!!! It is very authentic Thai, made in Thailand. 12 oz. and only &2.89. Spicy!! Yumm, even Vegan, but u do not have to be a vegetarian to enjoy it.

What I noticed when I shopped there last week, most of their prepared foods (that I looked at) don't contain high-fructose corn syrup. That was a big surprise. Like catsup, popsicles, pizza

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Posted in reply to the post by hales:

I don't remember if I, or perhaps someone else posted this, but TJ's has made a pledge towards a more sustainable fish policy.. this is very good news, as it shows that they are responding to public pressure to respect the dwindling fish supply, and to stop supporting unsustainable fishing practices.

Trader Joe's Announces Sustainable Seafood Policy | Sustainable Food | Change.org

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Their frozen Indian Butter Chicken is WONDERFUL as well.

My biggest issue with Trader Joe's is the high amount of sodium in many of their products ... 350 - 800+ mg of sodium per serving.

W

I like the Spinach Lasagna and the Chicken and Cheese Tomales. But I read labels carefully, since I've found a lot of their products contain High Fructose Corn Syrup. And all the chips are made with genetically modified corn.

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Posted in reply to the post by wbreitman:

My biggest issue with Trader Joe's is the high amount of sodium in many of their products ... 350 - 800+ mg of sodium per serving.

W

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Generally, I cook from scratch, but the sodium content is huge in the majority of prepared foods in this country; fortunately, it's a tide that will soon be turning:
Food Companies Pledge to Reduce Sodium

Meanwhile, we have nutrition labels that give us a heads up before we buy.
:):

don't consider myself much of a "foodie" but have come to appreciate the difference between frozen chicken (when sold in those 10 lb. bags at L--ky's or S---w-y) and frozen beef (when buying a hamburger). The meat is tougher (i've learned to tell the difference, and yuck).

Look for boneless, skinless chicken on sale from time to time, at same stores, the prices are very good, periodically. Harris Ranch beef is the best.

Frozen entrees from TJs are very good, they do a great job creating and producing them -- save a lot of time to have a good meal at home.

Purchased TJs giganto carrot muffins (carrot cakes) with cream cheese icing that were very good; think i'll go back for more...

TJs Sourdough English muffins have a good tang, a different sourdough tang from all other brands i've eaten! Is it the SoCal flora?

Chocolatey Cats Cookies (for people!)
A girl can get hooked on those......

Strawberry, Blueberry, Apple, and Fig Cereal Bars are very tasty, made with organic grains, sweetened with organic cane sugar, 2g protein per bar, and no hydrogenated oils (very bad).

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Posted in reply to the post by hales:

I don't remember if I, or perhaps someone else posted this, but TJ's has made a pledge towards a more sustainable fish policy.. this is very good news, as it shows that they are responding to public pressure to respect the dwindling fish supply, and to stop supporting unsustainable fishing practices.

Trader Joe's Announces Sustainable Seafood Policy | Sustainable Food | Change.org

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I like TJ's, but for a private company to take 2 years to turn the ship around on sourcing products seems almost like non-action to me. And the link from the article to their website where the announcement was supposed to be was "not found". The article (published March 31, 2010, only a few weeks ago) says:

"Although not explicitly acknowledged by Trader Joe's, this announcement comes after months of intense lobbying by environmental groups..."

It seems like pretty weak pledge, and I think they can do better. Being picky about what you're buying (voting with your $$) is the best way to put pressure on a company or industry to change. Do research, know what's sustainable, read labels, and buy only that!

2BWacco says:

Harris Ranch beef is the best.

Their label and their PR is very nice, but have you ever passed their feedlot on the I-5, near Coalinga?? It makes your eyes burn and nose shrivel from five miles away. At any one time there are about 100,000 cattle standing there, ankle-deep in their own muck, packed nearly as badly as the 101 at rush hour. Google "Harris Ranch feedlot" and you'll think twice about Harris Ranch beef.

My room-mate and I decided to do Indian food last night for dinner so we trekked through Trader Joe's found a collection of very different curries and mixes (one looked like we were cooking an MRE) but in the end the food was awesome.

About half way through the meal we realized we didn't cook any meat, which should have been obvious since we ate dinner for two for less then ten bucks.

How ironic I stumbled across this video on TED last night....

I just posted this with another comment about a horrible hair cut I got today . . .

Found one of the best pre-prepared frozen meals I've ever tasted at TRADER JOES (San Rafael).

CHICKEN GORGONZOLA. Has lots of sauce for your veggies and pasta or potato you might serve with it. Chicken is substantial. Includes: portabella mushrooms, diced tomatoes in gorgon... cheese sauce. (doesn't taste like cheese to me). Just delicious.

PUMPKIN PIE. I really like this one for $4.99. It beats the one at Costco twice the size for $7.

Trader Joe's Organic Corn Flakes; Price varies some but they cost less than all others that I can find anywhere, organic or not. Sometimes they don't have them stocked; they have re-stocked them after not having them so if you can't find them once; don't give up just look for them the next time you go.
I have seen them in Trader Joe's in So. Cal and in Santa Rosa too so I don't think it is limited regionally.

Also the Trader Joe's Organic Unsweetened Soy Milk @ 1.69 per Quart; the best price anywhere for Soya Milk of any kind and the "carton" has the screw lid that doesn't leak and it doesn't have to be refrigerated until after opening. :thumbsup:

If you like dark chocolate and brandy....

The 'Brandy Beans'....Very yummy....They only have them this time of yr. for the holidays...

The green curry sauce is great. You need to doctor it up a little with a chopped onion, jalapeno and some peanut butter and maybe cilantro, but then, all you have to do is throw some chicken or tofu in to simmer. It's terrific. For God's sake, buy the frozen chocolate croissants. They're incredible. You leave them out over night on a cookie sheet to rise, then slide them into a hot oven the next morning. Sift some powdered sugar on top and everyone will love you. They're as good as France, no kidding. They also have these new, triple chocolate biscotti that are fantastic. I always check the "what's new" cupboard and see what's up. The produce is....eh?, and the meat is boring. Most of the cheese, you can get at Costco for a whole lot less, especially at Christmas. Oh, yeah, the blueberry preserves. They taste better than any other brand, period. I once bought six different kinds at Safeway, just to see if I could get some that I liked as well, and none of the upscale brands even came close. They're called "Simply Blueberries", I think. Something like that.

Can't wait to try your suggestions. I agree about the produce. As for the meat, I mostly agree, but the Carne Asada strips in marinade are great. We had an impromptu gathering one summer evening, tossed them on the BBQ and served tortillas, salsas and other toppings. Beer, too, but not sure if Corona. :wink: