Unbelievable!!! TJs first announced they were coming to the Denver Metro area in 2000, getting a lot of people very excited. Nothing happened!

Two of my friends said they also heard it on the news last night and this morning.

I hope it's true.

Lee

Oh yes, thanks for sharing this DLynn - your post prompted my call to my friends.

I'm in NJ, and closest TJ's is NOT on "my way" when running most errands. BUT if I'm even remotely in that area, willing to go a little further to shop there. Parking lot is lousy, store is usually crowded with "yuppies" who don't know supermarket courtesy... like where to leave your cart while looking at stuff... NOT right in the middle of the aisle.

BUT there are a few things that I'll usually picj up or stock up on. TJ's extra virgin olive oil (HATE, HATE the term "EVOO), solid tuna in olive oil, and pure maple syrup... very good quality/flavoe and great price. Once found solid tuna in a jar that was outta this world... only found it ONCE!?!

"...like where to leave your cart while looking at stuff... NOT right in the middle of the aisle."

No kidding!

The TJ here is small and almost always crowded. To my surprise it attracts a very senior group of folks. Yup, even older than me. ;) By a lot. Perhaps it's the smaller packaging and well-made prepared foods. They block the aisles, too! Everyone blocks the aisles!

TJ's also has previously frozen Ahi tuna that is very good - it is one of the few fish that I will buy that has been frozen (not counting shrimp, crab legs, etc).

Recently I have been buying their tamales in the deli section. I had bought frozen ones that I did not like, but the fresh ones are exceptionally good. It is also a good place to buy orchids. The ones I have bought there and are out of bloom are doing very well in my back yard orchid area, which I might need to expand.

I only buy olive oil at Surfas restaurant supply, and for everyday oil, I use a French brand that is excellent. For salads and dipping, I use a Spanish brand, but I cannot remember the name of it now. Before that I was getting olive oil at the Farmers' Markets, and I might go back to that for some variety. I used to buy TJ's olive oil, but I really prefer other sources now. I think my cousins in Denver sell olive oil at their Italian deli.

I read that part of the hold up in Colorado was that TJ's sells liquor in all of its stores, and that goes against Colorado law. Will they at least be able to sell wine? I think you will be very happy once they finally do open, even if they are not allowed to sell liquor.

Lars

I'm sure that the archaic liquor laws, which persist to protect the small independent liquor stores, have been a large part of TJs reluctance to open here. But liquor sales are not allowed in several other states where TJs has a presence. Here they would be allowed to sell liquor in ONE store in the state as long as there is separate check out counter. That applies to everything except 3.2 beer which can be sold in every grocery store. So we have one World Market, one Safeway and one King Soopers that sell wines and liquor. A couple of Sams Clubs and Costcos have attached discounted liquor stores with separate outside entrances and of course check out counters where no food items can be sold.

Lee

They opened a TJ's 1/2 block from my office. I'm such a happy camper. We've begun exploring some of their ready to heat meals and DH really likes the Greek Chicken with Orzo, the Chicken Asada and last night he enjoyed the Tikka Masala. I added some FRESH English Peas mixed with freshly sauteed onion and he had a complete meal. Warning the Tikka Masala is spicy, but DH liked it. His favorite is the Asada, but the Greek Chicken is a close second. It's a nice alternative when I'm working late and after my 40+ min commute can put dinner on the table quickly.
I usually buy ground turkey or chicken to saute for myself, since I'm limited with food sensitivities.

I live in Massachusetts. The TJ's where I shop doesn't sell any wine. I've never had Two Buck Chuck.

It took me awhile to catch onto the lure of TJ's and still I don't buy many of their products but their cheese case is most definitely worth stopping there when I'm in the area. The cheeses are fresh and cost just about half what my local grocery store gouges us for.

We've also found coffee there that we can both agree on, and I do like the tomatoe and roasted red pepper bisque.

And when the temperatures are safe to transport orchids from the store to the car, I'll definitely be bringing some of those beauties home.

seagrass

Lucky you! My sister gave me a big bag of TJ's goodies for Christmas: jar of bruscheta, really good corn salsa (no tomatoes), box of small parmesan crackers, etc. I'm happily working my way through them one by one. But I still haven't made it to the TJ's in Chapel Hill. Maybe I can take my mom there one weekend soon.

Teresa

The closest TJ's to me is about a 2 hour drive. I've only been there once, but my impression is that their produce is excellent (and often cheaper than the chain supermarkets). As far as the wine goes, I bought several cases and have to say that I find their cheap reds are better than their cheap whites. Their '2 buck chuck' (actually, around $3) cabernet is fairly drinkable, but their pinot grigio and sauvignon blanc are pretty lousy. YMMV.

The first TJ's in Houston is due to open in July. They are actually buiding it. Right now! But it's about 40 minutes from my house (assuming no traffic which almost never happens) so I don't know how often I'll be going. My girlfriends and I have an outing planned for July to go up there and visit our friend who lives near there and all have a field trip. I'm going to bring an ice chest.

The second one is going to be about a 7 minute drive from my office but no eta on when it will actually open.

I'm gettin' there!

I was at TJ's yesterday. It's about an hour away so I don't get there often. I saw the "English peas" too, but they just looked like any other shelled peas. Are they different?
Thanks to someone on this forum for mentioning those cubes of frozen basil. I'd never have found them if I hadn't been searching.
I'm in Pennsylvania and there is no wine in the TJ's here.

One of the things I wanted most wasn't there, again, and I'm afraid maybe it's gone for good: the little packets of very concentrated beef broth. The chicken was there but not beef. It actually tastes like beef, and I need it!
I bought myself a bunch of Dutch irises and they are cheeing me up while I wait for the snowstorm.

Here's a review of their "Moon" wines, a step up from Two Buck Chuck.

Poke around or search Trader Joe's wines and get more, I think there's a Two-Buck Chuck review, too.

Here is a link that might be useful: TJ wines

Yay! Our TJ's opened in November, about and hour and 15 away. We've been three times, and have been trying the frozen foods (couldn't bring frozen home from Portland/Seattle). So far the vanilla ice cream and sweet potato fries are favorites (my homemade sp fries are never crisp). The ready-made salads are nice $3.99 lunch.

So far early Sunday morning is the best time to beat the crowds.

I buy 2BC once in a while. It's fine. It's nothing special but perfectly fine for an occasional glass or a splash in the piccata sauce or stock pot.

Here's more on the wine.

Here is a link that might be useful: What to do with Two/Three BUck Chuck

re: what to do with two (.99) buck chuck: at least years ago in the sf bay area, the idea was to go with a couple of friends (and wine glasses), buy one bottle, open it in the parking lot and if it appeared to be good, run back in and buy a case or two or...

If it was bad you walked back in and checked out a second style, if it was good then you walk..uh. staggared back in and loaded up on that one.

Yes! I've had friends who have done that, and called/emailed and let everyone know what to buy!

It's bulk blended wine, and the quality changes by the batch.