Trader Joe’s .. why?

[Anonymous]

I like their bambino frozen pizzas, frozen gyoza, and pad that. Their premade sandwiches are ok, I bring half to work with lunch over two days with some veggies.

[Anonymous]

Why, you ask?

They have good prices. They have some of the same items as Whole Foods at half the price. Why would I pay $9 when I can pay $4.50?

[Anonymous]

Produce tends to be poor. We get jumbo eggs there and little else. It’s the same company as Aldi but presents itself as little higher end.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Produce tends to be poor. We get jumbo eggs there and little else. It’s the same company as Aldi but presents itself as little higher end.

It’s not, actually.
Totally different companies. Affiliated at one point long ago.

[Anonymous]

Bananas are a loss leader. Some of the frozen food and snack food is very good.

Right now there is one a block from my house and I probably stop by once a week. Before I had to drive and probably only went every couple of months because it’s true you can’t do all your shopping there.

[Anonymous]

I do 90% of my shopping at trader joes. We meal plan and cook everything the same week so never an issues with things expiring.

I like that it is a small store and I can get through it quickly. The prices are also really good compared to most other stores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have tried to understand why people shop at Trader Joe’s for years now. Not a single time that I’ve gone have I ever filled a basket or truly understood the reason for its hype.

Everything is seasonal or expires so quickly unless it’s frozen.

+1. I don’t see the appeal. It seems difficult to know what to even try. The frozen food aisle is a hodge podge.

[Anonymous]

For people who don't see the appeal, where do you regularly shop? What do you like instead? Whole Foods? If I were to buy comparable quality items at Whole Foods, I would quickly go broke. If I were to only shop at my regular grocery store, my taste buds would be so bored. Trader Joe's has tasty snack and frozen items, including ethnic selections. They frequently stock new items so you don't get bored of seeing the same thing over and over. They are not as expensive as Whole Foods, and while affordable they cater towards more adventurous taste buds than Aldi, Safeway, or Giant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Produce tends to be poor. We get jumbo eggs there and little else. It’s the same company as Aldi but presents itself as little higher end.

It’s not, actually.
Totally different companies. Affiliated at one point long ago.

That and produce quality is dependent on where you are and which store you shop at.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For people who don't see the appeal, where do you regularly shop? What do you like instead? Whole Foods? If I were to buy comparable quality items at Whole Foods, I would quickly go broke. If I were to only shop at my regular grocery store, my taste buds would be so bored. Trader Joe's has tasty snack and frozen items, including ethnic selections. They frequently stock new items so you don't get bored of seeing the same thing over and over. They are not as expensive as Whole Foods, and while affordable they cater towards more adventurous taste buds than Aldi, Safeway, or Giant.

Yeah but the downside to the limited edition items is you can fall in love with something and you might never see it again. That is a real downside (black currant juice from ~2014, I’m thinking of you).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For people who don't see the appeal, where do you regularly shop? What do you like instead? Whole Foods? If I were to buy comparable quality items at Whole Foods, I would quickly go broke. If I were to only shop at my regular grocery store, my taste buds would be so bored. Trader Joe's has tasty snack and frozen items, including ethnic selections. They frequently stock new items so you don't get bored of seeing the same thing over and over. They are not as expensive as Whole Foods, and while affordable they cater towards more adventurous taste buds than Aldi, Safeway, or Giant.

Yeah but the downside to the limited edition items is you can fall in love with something and you might never see it again. That is a real downside (black currant juice from ~2014, I’m thinking of you).

And shrimp nuggets!

[Anonymous]

I rarely go there because I’m not a fan of their meat or produce and everything else is so processed. I think it’s great for people who like frozen food or cheese.

[Anonymous]

It is fun to shop to shop there because the many of the products are seasonal and constantly changing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Their dairy and flowers and wine are superior to and cheaper than Giant and Safeway. They have things like frozen chopped leeks and cauliflower gnocchi and pork buns, which I cannot find in other store and use often. The workers are nicer than anywhere else.

This post explains why TJ’s has its ardent supporters but is not worth the trip for most people. I don’t care about buying things like frozen chopped leeks or cauliflower gnocchi! I also don’t want frozen foods. So to each their own!

People rave about the cauliflower gnocchi but it’s not good!

Anytime I’ve tried to shop there for a recipe they didn’t carry one of the ingredients. I hate going to a second store.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For people who don't see the appeal, where do you regularly shop? What do you like instead? Whole Foods? If I were to buy comparable quality items at Whole Foods, I would quickly go broke. If I were to only shop at my regular grocery store, my taste buds would be so bored. Trader Joe's has tasty snack and frozen items, including ethnic selections. They frequently stock new items so you don't get bored of seeing the same thing over and over. They are not as expensive as Whole Foods, and while affordable they cater towards more adventurous taste buds than Aldi, Safeway, or Giant.

I don’t need ‘snacks’ like pb filled pretzels or Thanksgiving flavored potato chips. For ‘ethnic selections’ I prefer authentic take-out or to make it from scratch, even if I need to go to an H-Mart/Bestway/I Dian grocery store.