Trader Joe vs Costco

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m curious if some of the TJ haters have actually been in one.
I get all my dairy from there, it’s all rbst free. They have great cheeses.
My kid likes the yogurts so I get those there too.
They have WG bread, WG rice etc that we get there too. Pasta, way cheaper than the grocery store.

It is very clear that all posting have been to TJ. We are not stupid to answer about grocery stores we haven't been to. You, on the other hand....

We’ll see you the one saying it’s all processed crap and frozen dinners? Because if you had been in one you would know that’s not true.

You must be a narcissist. Those who do not agree with every bullshit you say, must be wrong. There is a lot of processed crap and frozen dinners. The fact that you can't understand that others disagree with you, makes you the crazy one.

I go to Trader Joes at least weekly. And while they do have processed/frozen stuff, it IS in fact better than a typical grocery store offerings, in terms of quality and minimal ingredients. I can buy kale vegan pesto that has just a couple ingredients and nothing artificial, literally the same ingredients I would use. Or their frozen falafel or kibbeh, I read the back and it is the same ingredients my Middle Eastern MIL uses.

I’m not advocating for frozen foods and there are likely some not great choices at TJ, but if you do want to buy frozen foods, TJ has a lot of unique options that are very good AND have minimal ingredients that would almost exact to what you would use if making it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m curious if some of the TJ haters have actually been in one.
I get all my dairy from there, it’s all rbst free. They have great cheeses.
My kid likes the yogurts so I get those there too.
They have WG bread, WG rice etc that we get there too. Pasta, way cheaper than the grocery store.

It is very clear that all posting have been to TJ. We are not stupid to answer about grocery stores we haven't been to. You, on the other hand....

We’ll see you the one saying it’s all processed crap and frozen dinners? Because if you had been in one you would know that’s not true.

You must be a narcissist. Those who do not agree with every bullshit you say, must be wrong. There is a lot of processed crap and frozen dinners. The fact that you can't understand that others disagree with you, makes you the crazy one.

I go to Trader Joes at least weekly. And while they do have processed/frozen stuff, it IS in fact better than a typical grocery store offerings, in terms of quality and minimal ingredients. I can buy kale vegan pesto that has just a couple ingredients and nothing artificial, literally the same ingredients I would use. Or their frozen falafel or kibbeh, I read the back and it is the same ingredients my Middle Eastern MIL uses.

I’m not advocating for frozen foods and there are likely some not great choices at TJ, but if you do want to buy frozen foods, TJ has a lot of unique options that are very good AND have minimal ingredients that would almost exact to what you would use if making it.

Kale vegan pesto is processed and crap. Frozen falafel is crap. Do others around you a favor and seek therapy for narcissism. You are wrong and can't even prove your point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m curious if some of the TJ haters have actually been in one.
I get all my dairy from there, it’s all rbst free. They have great cheeses.
My kid likes the yogurts so I get those there too.
They have WG bread, WG rice etc that we get there too. Pasta, way cheaper than the grocery store.

It is very clear that all posting have been to TJ. We are not stupid to answer about grocery stores we haven't been to. You, on the other hand....

We’ll see you the one saying it’s all processed crap and frozen dinners? Because if you had been in one you would know that’s not true.

You must be a narcissist. Those who do not agree with every bullshit you say, must be wrong. There is a lot of processed crap and frozen dinners. The fact that you can't understand that others disagree with you, makes you the crazy one.

I go to Trader Joes at least weekly. And while they do have processed/frozen stuff, it IS in fact better than a typical grocery store offerings, in terms of quality and minimal ingredients. I can buy kale vegan pesto that has just a couple ingredients and nothing artificial, literally the same ingredients I would use. Or their frozen falafel or kibbeh, I read the back and it is the same ingredients my Middle Eastern MIL uses.

I’m not advocating for frozen foods and there are likely some not great choices at TJ, but if you do want to buy frozen foods, TJ has a lot of unique options that are very good AND have minimal ingredients that would almost exact to what you would use if making it.

Kale vegan pesto is processed and crap. Frozen falafel is crap. Do others around you a favor and seek therapy for narcissism. You are wrong and can't even prove your point.

What are you even talking about? I’m not even the same poster. Just a person who likes TJ kale pesto…not sure how that makes me a narcissist. Do you even know what that means? Do you even know what “crap” means?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I get staples at costco. Trader Joes is mostly processed crap with really good marketing

False.

NP no, the pp is absolutely correct. Trader Joe’s is basically a 7-11 for hipsters.

Then explain apples, flash frozen sockeye salmon, pecan halves, maple syrup from Canada, a head of organic broccoli and a quart of milk. And baking powder.

These are the items I pick up at the TJs in bethesda in between MoM’s runs. Does 7-11 carry sockeye salmon steaks, flash frozen on the boat in Alaska? Do you know what they cost per pound? Come June, I am always searching the area for the best price on these once-a-year fish and I’d totally hit 7-11 if they beat the prices at TJ and Costco! Especially the 7-11 on River Rd, which is close ….

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I get staples at costco. Trader Joes is mostly processed crap with really good marketing

Disagree with the Trader Joe’s comments- I am able to do 99percent of my shopping at Trader Joe’s. We eat healthy and not a lot of processed at all. It’s easy to get real, whole food ingredients to cook with.

Really? They have good frozen foods and snacks but the produce goes bad so fast.

DP. I never understand comments like these. How long are you expecting fresh produce to last?! It's SUPPOSED to go bag if you don't use it within a few days.

I've never had a problem with the produce from TJs, but I use things within days.

If you're expecting produce (other than apples, onions, potatoes, etc) to last 1-2 weeks, then you're doing it wrong. Because that's not normal.

+1

I’m a TJ supporter but I stopped buying produce there years ago. Your berries aren’t supposed to mold **the next morning**. Or when you open the clamshell upon arriving home. Your keeper variety apple isn’t supposed to mush in 48 hours. Your bagged spinach isn’t supposed to slime the next day.

Etc etc. We joke that we should unpack the TJs bag when getting home from the store and walk the produce directly to the compost bin to save steps and irritation

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Meat, nuts, beans, rice, fruits, vegetables, eggs, yogurt, hummus…yeah sounds like all processed food at Trader Joe’s to me.

Whereas grocery stores have lucky charms, kool aid, jello, donuts….but you don’t call those stores horrible and filled with processed foods?

The Trader Joe’s haters are weird. What’s your real beef with it? You don’t HAVE to buy the frozen apps and cakes. Just like you don’t have to buy those at Safeway or…gasp, Whole Foods.

My real beef with it is that I like to cook from scratch, and their produce and meat are overpriced. They do not have a good selection of veggies, meats, and fruit, nor do they sell good flour, spices, or oil. When I go to the grocery store, I want to buy potatoes, carrots, meat for roasts stir fries, and ingredients for soups and stews. I can buy all of that at a regular grocery store, and it's much cheaper than at TJ. TJ is not a proper grocery store; it is nothing but frozen meals. I don't eat frozen meals. I do not eat premade salads; I make my salads.
Regarding specialty ingredients, TJ is still a no-go; I can get vegan sour cream that is great at Wegmans. Why would I ever go to TJ? Please convince and show me what am I missing.

A regular grocery store - especially Wegman’s, which you mention—- is more expensive than TJs on every item you list. That’s why some people who are price sensitive like me will swing by TJs first and then round out the list at WF, Harris Teeter or Wegmans.

The fact that you claim it’s more expensive when the whole gimmick is that it’s cheaper tells us all that you don’t go there except that one time when you couldn’t find shallots

[Anonymous]

Anyone feel incredibly short (even if average height) when you step into Costco? Everyone is so tall there!

[Anonymous]

TJ’s is kind of underwhelming. Not impressed with the food there, especially produce. I actually prefer their other business more, Aldi. TJs is good for jumbo eggs though, and their milk is good.

I don’t buy food at Costco other than an occasional lump of Cabot, and maybe a Frankenstein rotisserie chicken if I’m feeling lazy. I hate to think how they raise those behemoths.

[Anonymous]

I love their kale vegan pesto.
I wish they still had carrot miso dressing. I tried to make it but bleh

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Meat, nuts, beans, rice, fruits, vegetables, eggs, yogurt, hummus…yeah sounds like all processed food at Trader Joe’s to me.

Whereas grocery stores have lucky charms, kool aid, jello, donuts….but you don’t call those stores horrible and filled with processed foods?

The Trader Joe’s haters are weird. What’s your real beef with it? You don’t HAVE to buy the frozen apps and cakes. Just like you don’t have to buy those at Safeway or…gasp, Whole Foods.

My real beef with it is that I like to cook from scratch, and their produce and meat are overpriced. They do not have a good selection of veggies, meats, and fruit, nor do they sell good flour, spices, or oil. When I go to the grocery store, I want to buy potatoes, carrots, meat for roasts stir fries, and ingredients for soups and stews. I can buy all of that at a regular grocery store, and it's much cheaper than at TJ. TJ is not a proper grocery store; it is nothing but frozen meals. I don't eat frozen meals. I do not eat premade salads; I make my salads.
Regarding specialty ingredients, TJ is still a no-go; I can get vegan sour cream that is great at Wegmans. Why would I ever go to TJ? Please convince and show me what am I missing.

A regular grocery store - especially Wegman’s, which you mention—- is more expensive than TJs on every item you list. That’s why some people who are price sensitive like me will swing by TJs first and then round out the list at WF, Harris Teeter or Wegmans.

The fact that you claim it’s more expensive when the whole gimmick is that it’s cheaper tells us all that you don’t go there except that one time when you couldn’t find shallots

If you were price-conscious, you would be shopping at Aldi. Why would I buy steak from TJs. Ridiculous. It is a gimmick store.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone feel incredibly short (even if average height) when you step into Costco? Everyone is so tall there!

I feel incredibly thin there

[Anonymous]

You can find processed or non processed foods at both TJ or Costco.

For cost, Costco wins for frequently or heavily used items, cooking for a larger family, cooking for a large crowd. TJ is better for items that you will not go through quickly, frozen dishes that you wouldn’t make from scratch, and smaller serving snacks.

When the kids are away at college, we do Costco once or twice a month. Paper towels, toilet paper, wine, beef, coffee beans etc. TJ for a few frozen meals. Higher end local grocery store for chicken, produce etc. When the kids come back, it’s Costco weekly for milk, eggs, bakery items, bread, bagged salads etc. TJ is great when one decides they are vegan or gf or want something completely different.

[Anonymous]

I went to TJ more before kids left for college. They ate more frozen and snacks. I do not buy produce there. Now it is part of my occasional rotation for some interesting items. For best prices I still go to Aldi.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I get staples at costco. Trader Joes is mostly processed crap with really good marketing

Disagree with the Trader Joe’s comments- I am able to do 99percent of my shopping at Trader Joe’s. We eat healthy and not a lot of processed at all. It’s easy to get real, whole food ingredients to cook with.

Really? They have good frozen foods and snacks but the produce goes bad so fast.

DP. I never understand comments like these. How long are you expecting fresh produce to last?! It's SUPPOSED to go bag if you don't use it within a few days.

I've never had a problem with the produce from TJs, but I use things within days.

If you're expecting produce (other than apples, onions, potatoes, etc) to last 1-2 weeks, then you're doing it wrong. Because that's not normal.

+1

I’m a TJ supporter but I stopped buying produce there years ago. Your berries aren’t supposed to mold **the next morning**. Or when you open the clamshell upon arriving home. Your keeper variety apple isn’t supposed to mush in 48 hours. Your bagged spinach isn’t supposed to slime the next day.

Etc etc. We joke that we should unpack the TJs bag when getting home from the store and walk the produce directly to the compost bin to save steps and irritation

Sounds like you just shopped at a bad TJ. I've shopped at my TJ for years and produce has never gone bad that fast.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It seems like Trader Joe's and Costco have converged in price per unit of food, The Trader Joe's lets you buy fewer units well, Costco requires you buy in bulk.

TJoe's produce perishes within days, in our experience unfortunately. Rather make a one stop at Whole Foods or Mom's or get better quality produce. Or through a neighborhood CSA.