STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

member · Hermes

Trader Joe's

NCshopper · Hermes

Ooh, lots of good things at TJ's. DH's list:

Gnocchi
Wine
Beer
Salsa
Snacks (their lime chili cashews and lime chili peanuts are GREAT)
Joe-Joe's! (They're cookies like Oreos and omg they are good!)

My list:
Dried blueberries
Risotto
Bruschetta topping
Dough (99 cents gets you a big hunk of pizza dough that you can roll out for pizza or just bake bread with it and it's amazing)
Gelato
Edamame
Frozen (or refrigerated) burritos

TJ's has everything--you probably won't need to go to another grocery store. They have milk, eggs, bread, cereal, veggies, etc.

janey831 · Kate Spade

i heart TJ's.

My list:

whole wheat pitas

hummus-any variety, but i love the original or mediterranean versions

light feta cheese

mushroom risotto

turkey meatballs

puffins cereal---sooooooo good

this snack called papadums or something like that

pirate's booty--although the TJ brand is just as good and cheaper!

whole grain tortilla chips in the salsa flavor

edamame

whole wheat pasta

various soups

blue cheese stuffed olives

i also get milk, eggs, organic butter, avocados, bread, etc while i am there

how could i forget 2 buck chuck!

-- Edited by janey831 at 22:45, 2007-01-22

squishy · Coach

i want to make t-shirts that say ITJ

they have really good and affordable wines, lots of reasonably priced cheeses, fresh/cheap herbs, and i love their ready-made, heatable appetizers (miniquiches, and this puff pastry witha creamcheese blend and caramelized onions). they also have banana chips that are lighter than dried bananas, and slightly sweetened.

you could get all your groceries at TJ's, but the one near me doesn't have the most extensive produce section, and some items are cheaper at my local albertson's. and iirc, TJ's doesn't have household items like fabric softener.

Alikat · Kate Spade

What I buy at TJs:

hummus
tzaziki
salad mixes
baby carrots
crumpets
sourdough bread
frozen naan bread
chicken perogi
nuts
dried fruit
tejava
coffee
morningstar sausage
wine & beer
vaccum sealed curries (indian and thai)
pre-marinated steak
green olives
Kashi cereal (great prices)
Luna bars
frozen veggies
frozen burritos/enchiladas for FH
frozen fish
for birthdays the best ice cream cake ever - Mud Pie

and probably a lot more I can't remember. I love the place and I don't think I've ever spent more than $100 in one shopping trip which is good because I buy a lot.

however, the veggie & especially fruit selection could be more expansive. This is the one thing I don't like about TJs.

-- Edited by Alikat at 22:55, 2007-01-22

wetbandit42 · Marc Jacobs

I always make sure I buy Fage Greek yogurt, TJ's frozen fruit, frozen naan (I am obsessed with this!!), mushroom risotto, corn bread mix, orange chicken, and they have these cinnamon and sugar pita chips that are delicious. It's been a while since I've been there.

Suasoria · Chanel

If I can't get it at TJ's, I probably don't need it! I think the fresh produce thing is regional. In So Cal they are fairly well stocked, but that may not be true everywhere. The new thing is selling fruit loose instead of the multipaks in plastic boxes. Now you can run in for just ONE apple or orange or whatever - finally. Watch for this innovation coming soon to a TJ near you!

Squishy, I get the basic cleaning and personal care products there - bar soap, paper towels, dishwashing powder, laundry detergent, dental floss, spray cleaner (love the green stuff; no-streak something. It smells a little like rosemary). I love their "Spa" shampoo and conditioner too. About the only 'householdy' thing I use regularly but can't find there is ziploc bags.

In addition to what's been mentioned: flour, sugar, salt, and other baking goods. And cereal and rice milk and yogurt and pretty much the whole breakfast thing. And chocolate.

They have some frozen risottos that are not bad. If I need a meal for two in about five minutes, one of those and a salad is always a winner around my house.

ViViDogWear · Kate Spade

OMG! I

TJ's! (and I have easily spent over $100 on trips there).

My shooping cart usually is like this:

- Frozen Edamame (the best!)
- Avacados
- Onions
- Tomatoes
- Fresh Fish/Steak/Pork (I'm so hooked now - the difference from a reg chain store is so noticeable now)
- Dried fruit
- Fresh fruit
- Bread for il Fornaio or Pita bread pockets
- Eggs
- Milk (if I get it)
- Chicken Broth (in the paper box container)
- Wine
- Sea Salt/Pepper/Lemon Pepper (they have ones that come with a built in grinder and their under $2 each)
- Frozen salmon for lunch
- Frozen veggies

As a treat I occasionally get:
- Classic cream cheesecake
- Frozen berries
- Tiramisu Gelato
- Prosciutto
- Lime/Chili Tortilla Chips
- Salsa
- Spinach Dip
- Flowers (great deal!)
- Bruschetta mix (sooo yummy)
- Cheese
- Indian pre-made Curry sauce (Red) in a jar
- or anything else for what I'm making that night (niman ranch bacon, stuff for chili, etc). Their canned foods are good!

lynnie · Chanel

i love when you girls share your tj's lists! the more specific the better!
I always buy:
mandarin orange chicken ($5 and i get at least 3 or 4 meals out of it)
jasmine rice (3 packs- 2 servings each, in frozen section)- great if you don't feel like making rice yourself
sliced raw mangos, frozen mangos when they have it
veggie corndogs (4 for less than $3!, frozen section)
pesto pizza (frozen section)- pesto cheese broccoli tomato slices- everyone loves it when i buy it!
prepackaged salad w/spinach, blue cheese, raspberry vinagarette, pecans and dried cranberries ($4.50- i get 2-3 meals out of it)
french fry shaped sliced sweet potatoes to bake
chopped broccoli florets to dip in..
roasted red pepper hummus- not as much of a fan of this kind of hummus for breads (prefer creamier one)- but its soo great for dipping veggies!
fruit leather
mango and antioxidants smoothie/juice - addictive- $3.79 for 32 oz.
frozen key lime pie
string cheese
tofutti cuties (mini ice cream sandwiches- so cheap and a great treat!)
olive oil, etc is also pretty cheap here!
i'm probably forgetting so much!

i'm not crazy about their packaged sushi however.

luckylily · Gucci

I love TJs too.

My must haves every trip are:

Fuji apples
avocados
whatever berries they have in the store that day
Cantella's Chicken Andouille Sausage
Bag of washed Spinach
Trader Joe's Hummus - I get the big tub that has Regular, Spicy, and Jalepeno Cilatron flavores layered
Light String Cheese
Laughing Cow Mini Babybell Light cheese
Laughing Cow Soft Wedges in the Herb & Garlic Flavor
Crumbled Goat Cheese (for salads)
Citrus Green Tea
Terra Chips
Trader Joe's brand cans of Black Beans, Garbanzo Beans, and corn
Trader Joe's brand portabello mushroom soup (it comes in one of those boxes like soy milk)
Trader Joe's Green Chili Tamales - I often get the Beef Tamales too
About a dozen Luna Bars
refridgerated canned crab meat

I don't buy a lot of meat there, but I'm going to look more closely at the options next time I'm there.

luckylily · Gucci

Lynnie - Are the french fry sweet potatoes in the frozen foods? I *love* anything that involves a sweet potatoe, I need to look for those.

lynnie · Chanel

luckylily wrote:
Lynnie - Are the french fry sweet potatoes in the frozen foods? I *love* anything that involves a sweet potatoe, I need to look for those.

no- they are bagged in the fresh section- $2.19 for a bag at my tj's.

member · Hermes

Thank you girls so much for posting your lists! SO and I went the other day and absolutely loved it! TJ's is so great for prepared and frozen foods! Some of things we got:

* Bagged romaine
* My favorite bagged salad: Spinach, raspberry vingarette, candied walnuts, blue cheese, and dried cranberries

* Blackberries
* Mangos
* Organic Yogurt
* Lunchmeat - prusuitto, salami
* Organic Wheat Bread
* Mandarin Orange Chicken
* Chicken/Veggie Burritos
* Taco Dip
* Mini Chicken Tacos
* Chai Tea Latte Mix
* Peanut Butter Granola Bars
* prepared meal of grilled chicken, cheese tortellini, sun-dried tomatoes, tossed in a light oil - sooo good!
* Pinot Grigio
* Goat cheese
* Tamales
* Granola
* Veggie Corndogs
* Veggie Burgers

I can't wait to go back!

-- Edited by shopchicago33 at 11:33, 2007-01-25

Vanessa · Kate Spade

OMG, I'm a huge fan too!
What I usually get:

Tea: Trader Joe's organic mint melange, pomegranate white tea
Mini whole-wheat pitas
Red roaster pepper hummus
Salsa (corn & black bean)
White corn organic tortilla chips
Wine - they have a lot of yummy wines that are relatively inexpensive, so I usually try a new bottle every time I go. They also have really cheap sparklings: the popular Freixenet, an almond sparkling wine (maybe it's only for holiday, but it's yummy), and a Prosecco for $6.99 or so.
Nuts/trail mix: they have the best and most varied mixes, anything you can think of! I get the simply almonds/cashews/cranberries combo - you get ~10 perfectly-portioned bags to carry in your purse.
Dark Chocolate Chunk cookies with almonds. I am so addicted to these. They are very bad for you, but so delish.
Ginger lemon creme sandwich cookies - awesome with tea
Brownie mix - the name is escaping me pudge-free? I can't remember!
Tapenade, bruschetta, pasta, organic marinara sauce, olives
Ground beef/chicken/prosciutto, stuffed turkey breast

From the frozen section:

edamame, fried rice, shrimp, crab cakes, salmon patties, turkey meatballs, meatless meatballs, veggie chicken nuggets, pizza.
Their frozen burritos are the best. I particularly like the shredded beef one.

I still can't get absolutely everything I need from there sadly... I get my produce from a produce specialty store & my iced tea/coke products/paper & plastic products at super-target or costco. You should see the grocery lists on my fridge - they're separated by store :D

ETA: oops! I guess I was too late! Anyway, I'm glad you liked it! It's an awesome place. I feel so lucky to live right by one!

-- Edited by Vanessa at 14:41, 2007-01-25

member · Hermes

Vanessa wrote:
ETA: oops! I guess I was too late! Anyway, I'm glad you liked it! It's an awesome place. I feel so lucky to live right by one!

-- Edited by Vanessa at 11:37, 2007-01-25

You definitely weren't too late - some of your suggestions look really good! Please keep them coming!

luckylily · Gucci

I'm totally loving reading everyone's list. I'm always in a hurry when I'm at TJ's, so I just grab the usuals and run. But you all have so many things I want to try. I'm making a special list for this weekend, and I'm going to try to take my time.

Grace · Dooney & Bourke

I love TJ's. It's so nice to get natural and organic products without paying tons.

Organic Dark Chocolate
Hummus (never like hummus until I had TJ's)
Asiago Peppercorn sourdough
Look Pa No Flour Sprouted Wheat Berry bread
Frozen fruits and veggies
TJ's version of Naked juice
Sparkling Blueberry juice
Organic Olive Oil
Stash Tea
Crunchy Almond Butter
Great wine selection
Black bean dip
Great nut selection
Lots of cheeses
Organic jams

Non-food products
I really like their next to godliness hand soap, dish soap and laundry detergent (all natural)
Honey Mango shave cream

jaymiek · Coach

Another fan of TJ's here.
I like:
-BBQ Chicken pizza (in frozen foods section)
-BBQ Chicken salad
-Optimum Breakfast cereal
-Caribbean fruit bars
-Chocolate and green tea mochi
-Tofutti Cuties
-Chocolate soymilk
-frozen edamame
-gyoza dumplings
-vodka spaghetti sauce
-regular hummus (so good with pita bread!)
-carrot juice (I usually mix it with apple juice)
-No Pudge brownies
-Multi grain bread
-Butternut squash soup

That's all I can think of for now but i know there are lots more goodies out there!

janey831 · Kate Spade

I am going grocery shopping today and will definitely be printing out this thread and taking it with me!

littlebean · Kate Spade

This topic makes me so sad that I am no longer close to a Trader Joe's!