Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a new Trader Joe's that just opened in Springfield. What are your favorites there? How often do you shop there? My impression is that it's all snacks and individual meals. We have a family of 4 with 2 teen boys - any reason for me to make it a regular stop?

(yes I know there was just a TJ vs costco thread, but I don't want to wade through the whole thing for shopping suggestions)

You had a TJs about 10 minutes up OKM, you really never went to that one that's been there for 20 years?

DP. The new Springfield TJ is laid out differently, more like an old-fashioned grocery store than the usual TJ with all diagonals, the way the old Springfield TJ is. That was one nice thing about the old Springfield WF, it was also laid out like an old-fashioned grocery store, with straight lines and sensible aisles. Also the new TJ seems to be aiming more for the full-service grocery store market rather than the more usual random-stuff of a regular TJ.

Anonymous wrote:My TJs go tos are the cooked frozen shrimp that I use for salads, frozen French style green beans, nuts, a few frozen meals, gluten free hamburger buns and pancakes, miso and brown rice stir fry kit, and the lentil curls. I go once a month and stock up.

+1 on the frozen French green beans.

Fresh figs,
Frozen or fresh salmon,
Fresh carne asada,
Tortillas (my kids' like them best)
Frozen burritos,
Frozen naan bread,
Jar of Thai green curry,
Raw cashews (I roast them with no salt),
Dry toasted pine nuts
Frozen spanikopita,
Spanish tapas cheese sampler,
Grated parmesan/romano mixed cheese,
Fresh pizza dough,
Box of whole wheet couscous,
Box of pumpkin muffin mix (Fall only)

My TJs go tos are the cooked frozen shrimp that I use for salads, frozen French style green beans, nuts, a few frozen meals, gluten free hamburger buns and pancakes, miso and brown rice stir fry kit, and the lentil curls. I go once a month and stock up.

Their produce is terrible right now. I usually get bread, yogurt, cheese (really good with lots of options), wine, beer, chicken shawarma and turkey meatballs. Dips and spreads for entertaining. Croissants for the freezer and occasionally their platter of French desserts. They are all about pumpkin right now and I don't love that, but I do stock up on canned pumpkin because it is seasonal

Don’t get the produce except the apples. Always goes so bad so quickly.

I like to go there when I want to try new ingredients. That’s sort of their model – the novelty approach. Also like them when I want new/seasonal appetizer or snack ideas for when I have company. They have great dips.

Their frozen meals are really good for something to bring to the office for lunch. Agree that the it’s not an ideal store for a family that has to feed two teenage boys.

But they have a great cheese selection, they have good breads and baked goods (although they could stand to have more) great ice cream treats.

Also good if you’re doing a brunch due to their selection. People are a big fan of their hashbrowns, which are in the frozen section and look like the McDonald’s hashbrowns.

Last, they have a pretty good selection of seasonal candles and flowers. Their flower selection and quality is excellent.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a new Trader Joe's that just opened in Springfield. What are your favorites there? How often do you shop there? My impression is that it's all snacks and individual meals. We have a family of 4 with 2 teen boys - any reason for me to make it a regular stop?

(yes I know there was just a TJ vs costco thread, but I don't want to wade through the whole thing for shopping suggestions)

You had a TJs about 10 minutes up OKM, you really never went to that one that's been there for 20 years?

Nope! I really never did!

Anonymous wrote:We have a new Trader Joe's that just opened in Springfield. What are your favorites there? How often do you shop there? My impression is that it's all snacks and individual meals. We have a family of 4 with 2 teen boys - any reason for me to make it a regular stop?

(yes I know there was just a TJ vs costco thread, but I don't want to wade through the whole thing for shopping suggestions)

I mean, it’s mostly junk food. It’s basically a 7/11 for Hipsters. But some of it is good. I like the meringue cookies and some of the frozen stuff to have on hand in a pinch.

Oh yeah, the flowers are cheap and pretty. Also the pasta is good quality and well priced. Love the dolmathes
The canned chili is a lifesaver for a hungry teen boy at 9:00 pm who is “still hungry”

Anonymous wrote:We have a new Trader Joe's that just opened in Springfield. What are your favorites there? How often do you shop there? My impression is that it's all snacks and individual meals. We have a family of 4 with 2 teen boys - any reason for me to make it a regular stop?

(yes I know there was just a TJ vs costco thread, but I don't want to wade through the whole thing for shopping suggestions)

Great cats.

I also don’t get produce there or bakery items unless I plan to use that day

Things like cheeses are amazing deals there. Good prices on other basics like pantry items, dairy, eggs, cereal etc.

Love red pepper spread, beefless bulgogi, dried mango, naan and paratha and lots of other things too.

For me it is an occasional stop for variety. I enjoy exploring. I bought more when I had kids at home eating frozen and snacks. I do not think their produce is good (excepts bagged salads). It seems to go bad very quickly.

Anonymous wrote:We have a new Trader Joe's that just opened in Springfield. What are your favorites there? How often do you shop there? My impression is that it's all snacks and individual meals. We have a family of 4 with 2 teen boys - any reason for me to make it a regular stop?

(yes I know there was just a TJ vs costco thread, but I don't want to wade through the whole thing for shopping suggestions)

You had a TJs about 10 minutes up OKM, you really never went to that one that's been there for 20 years?

I stop by weekly for the following items:
Argentine frozen langostinos
Frozen salmon, cherries, and asparagus
Mint tea
Flaxseed meal
Seasonal plants

I love it but we definitely only go for a handful of things. There is no way I could do my weekly grocery shopping there (family of 5 with 3 teens). We like:

Ciabatta rolls and baguette
Garlic pizza dough
Cheese puffs
Salsa
Blue corn chips
Seasonings-i've become a huge fan of most of them
Cookies
Some of the marinated chicken breasts are good

I stopped buying produce there because it's never good.