Sapphires,

I am glad you asked and am interested to hear what others have to say. There is one about 1/2 hour from my house and I was in that area last week and wandered around for awhile. I bought some organic, vegetarian baked beans which we really liked (no HFCS). Also some vegetarian low fat refried pinto beans "salsa style" and Cuban style black beans which we have not tried yet. Also a jar of cacciatore simmer sauce for chicken/pork and a few barrel shaped cans of soup (French onion and minestrone). Have not tried any of those yet.

The produce did not tempt me - I have several good fruit/vegetable markets nearby. The breads did! And if it hadn't been so frigid outside I would have treated myself to one of their beautiful orchid plants.

Oh, and also bought a large container of Fage whole milk Greek yogurt. I love that stuff - can't find it anywhere nearby.

seagrass

*Pistachios
*Savory thin mini Crackers (a sesame cracker) they come in a larger cracker too, but I like the minis.
*Sesame Sticks
*Cambozola cheese (semi soft brie type veined with blue cheese)
*Capers
*Morella Cherries (next to the jams)
*Creme Fraiche
*Sun Dried Tomatoes
*Rice Pilaf
*Greek style Yoghurt
*Saffron (great price)
*Two Buck Chuck wines
*Hand lotions
*Yellow kitchen sponges (the kind that are thin until you wet them
I could go on and on...I do most of my grocery shopping there and love to just browse up and down the aisles

Here's what I usually get:
Dried monmorency cherries
Spices (cheap and good)
Balsamic vinegar
EVOO
Grapeseed oil
TJ Barbecue sauce
Organic ketchup
Artichoke hearts
Joe-Joe's (TJ's healthier version of Oreos)
Dark chocolate covered raisins
Graham crackers
Cereals-just tried Whole Grain Chocolatey-filled Cereal Bites
Moka Java Coffee
Semi-sweet chocolate chips

I only go when I'm in Ohio visiting family so I generally don't get anything frozen or refrigerated. They do have some wonderful cheeses at great prices. Let us know what you think!

Sweet Potato Frites

tracey, I only go when I'm at Elery's, so I usually don't get the refrigerated or frozen stuff either.

I really like:

Pound Plus Chocolate
Cereals
Tuscan Beans (in a can)
Papadums (in the snack aisle)
Grade B maple syrup usually cheaper than anyone
Peanut butter filled pretzel nuggets
Flavored pistachios
Flax seed tortilla chips

I make my own yogurt but Elery likes the greek stuff he buys there. He also likes their wine selection, although here the two buck Chuck is actually Three Buck Chuck. The Monkey Princess and Bruvver love the cookies shaped like cats, birds, various animals.

Annie

It seems we find something new to try every time we go there, but the repeat winners are:

Candied ginger (yum!)
dried fruits of all kinds
grape seed oil
olive oil - I like the Greek stuff
Good price on McCann's Irish Oatmeal
3 buck chuck - my fave is the the rose
simmer sauces - various types nice to have on hand for a quick dinner
chicken gyoza - frozen - also nice for a quick dinner

New Mexico Pin Coffee

A couple of my newer favorites are the ham steak (it's about a pound, from the Niman Ranch, & has excellent flavor), & the frozen biscuits (six to a box). They also have very good stuffed pork chops & chicken breasts.

TJ has good prices on nuts (cashews, pecans, almonds, peanuts, available, salted, non-salted, light salt, roasted & raw) & dried fruits, too.

The lemon loaf is excellent, & good for morning coffee or dessert.

They're also known for their wine selections & prices, & prices on selected liquor.

Kathleen

I've never been to a Trader Joes (gasp!!), since we don't have one close by. I recently found out that Trader Joe's is owned by Aldi's, and we do have an Aldi's that I shop at. It's within a 20 minute drive from our house. I like Aldi's because of the "badged" house brand items, and also because of the ridiculously reasonable price. So I'm wondering: are many of the products carried at Aldi's also carried at Trader Joe's, only badged with the Trader Joe's label? Inquiring minds want to know ;o)

nuts
blocks of chocolate for dipping
organic sugar
vanilla
roasted red peppers
Greek yogurt
dried bananas
low sodium deli turkey
cheeses
eggplant hummus
Judy's Breadsticks (sunflower seed studded whole wheat bread)
mini pita bread (so cute)
21 Seasoning Salute
wine
coffee beans
truffle oil (seasonal)
naan
maple syrup
graham crackers
chocolate truffles
cheese puffs

We go for milk and eggs. It's close and cheap. Makes my dad writhe in jealousy as he loves TJ's and thinks of it as a treat. The amounts of booze and junkfood my parents buy at TJ's is embarrassing..."but it's 2 hours away from where we live and the two-buck Chuck is THREE bucks there!"

I'm gonna look for the graham crackers now though. I hadn't seen them!

Their flour tortillas are the closest to home made that I've ever found in a store.

I love the Trader Joe's Hummus quartet, and the fresh mozzarella is the cheapest around.

Bread
Fresh-cut flowers, plants
TJs Habanero Lime Salsa, TJs Vegetarian Chili, Cream Cheese, shredded cheese to make dip for Chips/Tortillas
Wine -- NOT 2-buck Chuck
Milk, Eggs, Yogurt, Cottage Cheese, Cheese
Cereals
Frozen: fish filets, Sweet Potato Fries, vegetables, Streudel, fruits and berries
TJs Ice Cream -- especially their Mint Chip!
Some frozen prepared foods -- as the whim suits me
Tejava Ice Tea
Lavander Sachet bags, Scrubbers, Dish Soap, shampoo
More, I sure, depending on my needs.

Yea - get all the stuff listed above.....

And several cases of 2 Buck Chuck - we like the Merlot, Cab. and Chardonnay the best

Alexa

In addition to the above mentioned...I love thier

orange champagne vinegar
cheapest crumbled feta and goat cheese around
orange cranberry scones
mini challah
kettle corn popcorn (it is addicting!!!)
frozen creamed spinach (however, the calories will kill you!
frozen juice bars...i love the mixed fruit ones

My one hate is the frozen vege enchillada..the girl told me that everyone loves them ...I found them completely inedible...not just bad...but horrible!
I can't think of anything that I have had there.

Picatta sauce - jar - great for a quick dinner w/ leftover grilled chicken breasts - I add a can of artichoke hearts-serve over angel hair pasta
Sweet Potato fries - frozen (dedtired mentioned)
Wasabi peas
Sesame sticks
Gorgonzola roasted crackers
Roasted Red pepper soup - in a carton - add nothing - just heat.
Stuffed Olives - 2 kinds - garlic & blue cheese - jars
Marinara sauce - jar
Alfredo sauce - jar
Sour cream - can't remember the name - Red & wht container - cheap & thick

A guilty pleasure I discovered recently - TJ's Gourmet Fried Onion pieces. Ingredients are onions, vegetable oil (canola and palm), wheat flour and salt.

Looks like Wegman's has the same product, but I don't know which one is cheaper.

Sue

Alexa, do you drive to an out-of-state TJ's?
(So the rest of you know why ask, Alexa and I live in Pennsylvania, where wine is only in stores run by the nanny state. So no wine at Trader Joe's.)

What I buy there:
Greek yogurt -- not TJ's Greek style, but the real Greek stuff
"soft whole wheat bread" - but I have a love-hate relationship with it; the flavor is excellent but it's often underbaked.
Monte Pollino olive oil, but they only have it sometimes
canned beans
beef broth concentrate in little packets
Havarti cheese
whipping cream that's not ultra-pasteurized
triple gingersnaps

I'm going on Monday. It's an hour away so I don't go very often. I'll be studying this thread for new ideas.

I looked over many of the fresh beef labels yesteday, and I couldn't find one that didn't say 'natural, no anti-biotics, no hormones, vegetarian diet'. All of them. I could have missed a package, but my impression is all of their beef was 'clean'. I have seen grass fed product on the shelves.

I have been buying their packaged instant oatmeal but am planning on making my own 'packets' - from their ingredients (oatmeal, cinnamon, dried blueberries, maybe agave nectar/maple syrup).

I buy many items: I love the White balsamic Vinegar, TJ fat free Balsamic Vinegarette, Eggplant Garlic Spread, Honey Wheat Pretzel sticks, Sun Dried Tomato Brushetta, Swiss Almond crunch Cookies, TJ Mini Choclate Chips, Fruit sticks (like roll-ups), Vegetable Fried Rice, Chicken Shu Mai, Ground Buffalo STeak Burgers, Vegetable Egg Rolls, Tri Sampler Goat Cheese, Corn and Chile Tomato-Less Salsa, Fire Roasted Tomato Salsa, All frozen Vegetables, Pumpkin Butter, Red Pepper Spread w/Eggplant & Garlic, Trader Giotto's Spaghetti Lunghi (extra long spaghetti) I actually have everyting I named right now in the frig or pantry I now go bi-weekly to our location Im really getting addicted! Im actually going this morning!

I like their Salsa Verde, and their Double Roasted Salsa is one of the best jarred salsa's I've had. If you get this, make sure it's the Double Roasted and not the Fire Roasted. Here's a

Their Chimichurri Rice is fabulous! It's in a bag in the frozen section. Sometimes I stretch it by adding 1 cup cooked white or brown basmati. Just stir it in at the end.

mrsmarv: While the high-level ownership is closely related, the products offered at Aldi's is completely different from TJs. Aldi is a completely different experience and has benefits of it's own.

My favorite TJ products include:
Dried fruits, nuts
spices
jarred Indian simmer sauces
Plugra butter (cheapest around!)
Frozen veggies (green beans are the BEST)
Jarred marinated mushrooms (the only ones I can find w/out peppers)
pasta
varietal rice (wild, brown, jasmine, basmati, etc)
oils
gluten free products (with flavor, thank you!)
seasonal stuff (this year it was Mexican Hot Chocolate cookies)

And the topper? Chocolate covered, peanut butter filled pretzels! *swoon* If you must try one thing, those will make you go back for more!

Dislikes? Discontinuing products without too much notice. I'm not a fan of their produce. Their cheese selection is pretty good but you have to watch what you buy; it goes bad FAST!

We have to drive 2 hours to the closest TJs (better than over 5) and go about once every three months. Bring a cooler to pick up some dairy if you're far away.

Triple Ginger cookie thins (really delish)
Cheeses-Port Salut, Compozola,most of their blue cheeses are good, mascarpone
Creme Fraiche
Spicey hummus
capers
Dijon mustard
Roasted unsalted nuts
DH likes Chas Shaw merlot(3$ here)
most of their organic dairy products are good

That's all I can think of now but I sure have expanded my list by reading this thread. Thanks a lot

Regular TJ purchases:

Multigrain vegetable lasagna (frozen)
Chicken burritos (frozen)
Brown basmati rice
Parmesan cheese, grated
Meyer lemons (in season, the only place I can get them locally)
Flaxseed and soy tortilla chips
Whole wheat pitas
Nutty Chocolate breakfast bars (kids love 'em)
Marinara sauce
Whole wheat pastas
Smoked salmon (fresh)
Ak-Mok crackers - Stone ground whole wheat sesame flats
Menage a trois sliced sweet peppers (frozen)
Marinated tuna or mahi mahi steaks (frozen)
Canned beans and tomatoes
Fage Greek yogurt
Harvest grains blend
Orange champagne vinegar Makes a wonderful dressing
Sweet & Spicy Pecans - Serve on a salad w/ above dressing and strawberries!

Kari

Thanks so much for all the suggestions. I don't know where to start.

Sapphires

Shelley, If you still have a package of bamboo rice, would you report back the carbs in a serving please? DH loves rice but he is diabetic. I have heard--but nothing specific--that it is low in carbs.

Thank you.

TJ's carries a GLUTEN FREE chocolate cake! It is yummy and worry free! A special treat for me. They also carry a variety of other products that make life easier -- pizza that doesn't taste like cardboard and GF tortilla (rice flour).

3 that weren't mentioned that are often or always in my cart. I only go every 1-3 months because the two "close" to me are 1:20 or 1:30 AWAY.
The frozen Pineapple...
Almond Meal...
and the General Tso's sauce...

I also love the Camomile/Lavender hand soap.

I buy Envirokidz cereal there..It's cheaper than anywhere. I love the Ketchup.
I get a few boxes of the Pad Thai for my teen son. Brown Rice Pasta (again cheaper than anywhere and I like it better than Tinkyada.)

oooh and I LOVE the italian chopped salad...

May I just add that I have never purchased anything @ Trader Joe's that we did not devour and love! There is a TJs about 2 miles from my home. We received gift certificates for Christmas!

Enjoy!
Dee

Weed: aye caramba that chimichurri rice is spicy, GF!!! Now I'm afraid to open the double roasted salsa.

I'm there at least twice a week (it is close). I buy a lot of what has already been mentioned. Never had a problem with any of the fresh vegetables or fruits. I buy their blue cheese, crumbled feta and fresh mozzarella. I love their caponata. I always seem to have an opened jar in the fridge. I get unsweetened vanilla almond breeze (great for low-carbers). I also use their soaps - body - clothes and dishes.

For those who didn't see the link, I divided up and listed what several posters on GW's Cooking Forum like to buy at Trader Joe's, separated by ----s
----
organic, vegetarian baked beans which we really liked (no HFCS). vegetarian low fat refried pinto beans "salsa style"
Cuban style black beans which we have not tried yet
cacciatore simmer sauce for chicken/pork
breads
beautiful orchid plants.
Fage whole milk Greek yogurt
----
*Pistachios
*Savory thin mini Crackers (a sesame cracker) they come in a larger cracker too, but I like the minis.
*Sesame Sticks
*Cambozola cheese (semi soft brie type veined with blue cheese)
*Capers
*Morella Cherries (next to the jams)
*Creme Fraiche
*Sun Dried Tomatoes
*Rice Pilaf
*Greek style Yoghurt
*Saffron (great price)
*Two Buck Chuck wines
*Hand lotions
*Yellow kitchen sponges (the kind that are thin until you wet them
I could go on and on...I do most of my grocery shopping there and love to just browse up and down the aisles
----
Dried monmorency cherries
Spices (cheap and good)
Balsamic vinegar
EVOO
Grapeseed oil
TJ Barbecue sauce
Organic ketchup
Artichoke hearts
Joe-Joe's (TJ's healthier version of Oreos)
Dark chocolate covered raisins
Graham crackers
Cereals-just tried Whole Grain Chocolatey-filled Cereal Bites
Moka Java Coffee
Semi-sweet chocolate chips
----
Sweet Potato Fries
----
Pound Plus Chocolate
Cereals
Tuscan Beans (in a can)
Papadums (in the snack aisle)
Grade B maple syrup usually cheaper than anyone
Peanut butter filled pretzel nuggets
Flavored pistachios
Flax seed tortilla chips
cookies shaped like cats, birds, various animals.
----
Candied ginger (yum!)
dried fruits of all kinds
grape seed oil
olive oil - I like the Greek stuff
Good price on McCann's Irish Oatmeal
3 buck chuck - my fave is the the rose
simmer sauces - various types nice to have on hand for a quick dinner
chicken gyoza - frozen - also nice for a quick dinner
----
New Mexico Piñon Coffee
----
ham steak (it's about a pound, from the Niman Ranch, & has excellent flavor
frozen biscuits (six to a box
stuffed pork chops & chicken breasts.
good prices on nuts (cashews, pecans, almonds, peanuts, available, salted, non-salted, light salt, roasted & raw) & dried fruits, too.
The lemon loaf is excellent, & good for morning coffee or dessert.
They're also known for their wine selections & prices, & prices on selected liquor.
----
nuts
blocks of chocolate for dipping
organic sugar
vanilla
roasted red peppers
Greek yogurt
dried bananas
low sodium deli turkey
cheeses
eggplant hummus
Judy's Breadsticks (sunflower seed studded whole wheat bread)
mini pita bread (so cute)
21 Seasoning Salute
wine
coffee beans
truffle oil (seasonal)
naan
maple syrup
graham crackers
chocolate truffles
cheese puffs
----
milk and eggs
----
Their flour tortillas are the closest to home made that I've ever found in a store.
----
I love the Trader Joe's Hummus quartet, and the fresh mozzarella is the cheapest around.
----
Bread
Fresh-cut flowers, plants
TJs Habanero Lime Salsa, TJs Vegetarian Chili, Cream Cheese, shredded cheese to make dip for Chips/Tortillas
Wine -- NOT 2-buck Chuck
Milk, Eggs, Yogurt, Cottage Cheese, Cheese
Cereals
Frozen: fish filets, Sweet Potato Fries, vegetables, Streudel, fruits and berries
TJs Ice Cream -- especially their Mint Chip!
Some frozen prepared foods -- as the whim suits me
Tejava Ice Tea
Lavander Sachet bags, Scrubbers, Dish Soap, shampoo
----
Yea - get all the stuff listed above.....
And several cases of 2 Buck Chuck - we like the Merlot, Cab. and Chardonnay the best
----
orange champagne vinegar
cheapest crumbled feta and goat cheese around
orange cranberry scones
mini challah
kettle corn popcorn (it is addicting!!!)
frozen creamed spinach (however, the calories will kill you!
frozen juice bars...i love the mixed fruit ones
My one hate is the frozen vege enchilladao
----
Picatta sauce - jar - great for a quick dinner w/ leftover grilled chicken breasts - I add a can of artichoke hearts-serve over angel hair pasta
Sweet Potato fries - frozen
Wasabi peas
Sesame sticks
Gorgonzola roasted crackers
Roasted Red pepper soup - in a carton - add nothing - just heat.
Stuffed Olives - 2 kinds - garlic & blue cheese - jars
Marinara sauce - jar
Alfredo sauce - jar
Sour cream - can't remember the name - Red & wht container - cheap & thick
----
TJ's Gourmet Fried Onion pieces. Ingredients are onions, vegetable oil (canola and palm), wheat flour and salt.
----
Greek yogurt -- not TJ's Greek style, but the real Greek stuff
"soft whole wheat bread".
Monte Pollino olive oil
canned beans
beef broth concentrate in little packets
Havarti cheese
whipping cream that's not ultra-pasteurized
triple gingersnaps
----
I looked over many of the fresh beef labels yesteday, and I couldn't find one that didn't say 'natural, no anti-biotics, no hormones, vegetarian diet'. All of them. I could have missed a package, but my impression is all of their beef was 'clean'. I have seen grass fed product on the shelves.
----
White balsamic vinegar
TJ fat free Balsamic Vinegarette, Eggplant Garlic Spread, Honey Wheat Pretzel sticks, Sun Dried Tomato Brushetta, Swiss Almond crunch Cookies, TJ Mini Chocolate Chips, Fruit sticks (like roll-ups), Vegetable Fried Rice, Chicken Shu Mai, Ground Buffalo STeak Burgers, Vegetable Egg Rolls, Tri Sampler Goat Cheese, Corn and Chile Tomato-Less Salsa, Fire Roasted Tomato Salsa, All frozen Vegetables, Pumpkin Butter, Red Pepper Spread w/Eggplant & Garlic, Trader Giotto's Spaghetti Lunghi (extra long spaghetti)
----

I like their Salsa Verde, and their Double Roasted Salsa is one of the best jarred salsa's I've had. If you get this, make sure it's the Double Roasted and not the Fire Roasted. Their Chimichurri Rice is fabulous! It's in a bag in the frozen section
----
Dried fruits, nuts
spices
jarred Indian simmer sauces
Plugra butter (cheapest around!)
Frozen veggies (green beans are the BEST)
Jarred marinated mushrooms (the only ones I can find w/out peppers)
pasta
varietal rice (wild, brown, jasmine, basmati, etc)
oils
gluten free products (with flavor, thank you!)
seasonal stuff (this year it was Mexican Hot Chocolate cookies)
Chocolate covered, peanut butter filled pretzels!
----
Triple Ginger cookie thins (really delish)
Cheeses-Port Salut, Compozola,most of their blue cheeses are good, mascarpone
Creme Fraiche
Spicey hummus
capers
Dijon mustard
Roasted unsalted nuts
DH likes Chas Shaw merlot (3$ here)
most of their organic dairy products are good
----
Multigrain vegetable lasagna (frozen)
Chicken burritos (frozen)
Brown basmati rice
Parmesan cheese, grated
Meyer lemons (in season, the only place I can get them locally)
Flaxseed and soy tortilla chips
Whole wheat pitas
Nutty Chocolate breakfast bars (kids love 'em)
Marinara sauce
Whole wheat pastas
Smoked salmon (fresh)
Ak-Mak crackers - Stone ground whole wheat sesame flats
Menage a trois sliced sweet peppers (frozen)
Marinated tuna or mahi mahi steaks (frozen)
Canned beans and tomatoes
Fage Greek yogurt
Harvest grains blend
Orange champagne vinegar Makes a wonderful dressing
Sweet & Spicy Pecans - Serve on a salad w/ above dressing and strawberries!
----
GLUTEN FREE chocolate cake! It is yummy and worry free! A special treat for me. They also carry a variety of other products that make life easier -- pizza that doesn't taste like cardboard and GF tortilla (rice flour).
----
frozen Pineapple...
Almond Meal...
General Tso's sauce...
Chamomile/Lavender hand soap.
Envirokidz cereal
Ketchup.
Pad Thai
Brown Rice Pasta
Italian chopped salad
----
blue cheese, crumbled feta and fresh mozzarella. I love their caponata. Unsweetened vanilla almond breeze (great for low-carbers). I also use their soaps - body - clothes and dishes.

The above was how I relayed our TJs suggestions over to the Kitchen Table forum. I couldn't resist being an enabler for someone who was blessed with a new Trader Joe's in their neighborhood!

I've been trying their frozen stuff a little more since my kitchen's been torn up for a remodel, so I'm glad to see this again!

I've been enjoying the turkey meatballs. Easy portion/calorie control and a decent lunch with a glop of TJ's marinara (a good, plain basic sauce that can be doctored or heated straight out of the jar if you're kitchenless). I fed some to my dad who didn't realize they were turkey, so even my mom was impressed. I'm not saying they're homemade, but they're good for frozen!

i did not realize we are so spoiled in the SF bay area, i have 3 TJ 20 minutes or less to choose from depending on city traffic

I like the butternut bisque in the carton, and the peppermint teabags are my favorite from anywhere.

We love the TJ cornbread mix. It is moist, has lots of corn kernels in it, and is just sweet enough. They run out of it every year at Thanksgiving, I assume because people use the cornbread in their turkey dressing. Good stuff!