Well, I've tried 3 things on that list. We didn't care for the chili mango, but my Mother insists that I buy 2 or 3 boxes of the triple ginger gingersnaps whenever I go there, she loves them. So do I, but I try to not keep them in the house, I send them all to Mother, LOL. She weighs about 90 pounds, so she can use the calories. She sometimes dips some in dark chocolate, double bonus. I bought her a big bar of the Pound Plus dark chocolate, she likes that. I also bought the chicken/green chili tamales (or were those enchiladas, I don't remember). The grandkids gobbled those up so fast I didn't get a taste.

We have a Trader Joe's in Grand Rapids but it's always so busy that I can't actually shop there. I go in, dodge carts and people, try to find Cookie Butter and tomato paste in a tube and fig butter, but I've never located any of those things. I did buy Elery some hot/salsa type thing that I've already forgotten the name of, he said to buy more next time I go. Not that I'll be able to get within 20 feet of the shelf anyway. So I've been twice, it's just too annoying and time consuming and crowded. I thought the crowds would dissipate somewhat, at least during the week since the place opened in September. It's gotten no less busy, though. There's no parking and the store is small so I park at Dave & Busters next door and take my life into my hands walking across the parking lot. The employees are friendly, cheerful and wonderful, though.

Annie

I've tried 13 from that list and didn't care for 6 of those.

Favorites are the Mini Dark Choc. Mint Stars, Unexpected Cheddar, and Tarte D'Alace. Dh used to like the Triple Ginger Snaps until he discovered the Triple Ginger Thins.

So-so were the Chile Spiced Mango and Savory Thin Mini Crackers. Didn't care for Gone Bananas, Green Olive Tapenade, Corn & Chile Salsa, Chesse & Green Chile Tamales, or Spanakopita. The Roasted Seaweed made me gag.

Have a bottle of the Balsamic Glaze in the fridge. I forget how I used it the first time, but there it sits. Any suggestions?

Well, of the 44 items I have tried 2 of them, the chocolate chip cookies and the Gorgonzola crackers. Neither impressed us.

I do make a stop there for bitter orange marmalade for Dad, the multi grain crackers, sliced frozen leeks and pearl onions. Most of the other items they showed on the list I can get at the grocery stores, often at a better price. I guess the novelty has worn off for me.

Only a couple on that list; the corn and chili salsa, and the olive tapenade. I do buy their greek yogurt, but not the flavored. We have a few TJ's within a few miles in either direction, but I only find myself shopping at one maybe once or twice a month. While they have some fun stuff, munchies etc. (their pre-made pizza dough is one of my go fors), I certainly would not use for everyday groceries.

Back in the '90s when our boys were young, we shopped there more often for some of the quick snacks and treats, but to me it seems most of their products are geared toward a busy single working person who really dosen't cook, but prefers to heat up prepared meals.

I read an article in the paper last week that when a TJ's opens the home values within a 2-3 mile radius go up 10%...that's just crazy.

There definitely isn't a shortage of prepared or frozen meals, but there's also a nice selection in other areas. I shop the produce section once a week (along with Whole Foods and Fresh Market). Also buy the majority of my cheeses at TJ's. Keep a stash of their organic frozen corn, peas, and wild blueberries in the freezer. Dh likes their pumpernickel pretzels and pita chips. Love their Salsa Autentica.

I am a regular TJ's shopper but most of the things on that list have never made it into my basket. I admit that I am not a fan of the cookie butter that I have heard so many rave about. I just found that it tasted like sugar. Last time I tried to buy the chile and cheese tamales, they did not have them. Instead I grabbed the sweet corn tamales and uggh, I really, really did not care for those. Of course, these lists are often hugely subjective.

Annie, almost every TJ's I have gone to, whether it was when I lived in California 10 years ago or here in New Mexico, have had parking lots that are just too small. Even though I do like the stores, I will not go if it is at a time of day when I am pretty much assured of having trouble parking my truck (but I will send DH after work because he drives a small car which is easier to do circles in the parking lot in).

I've tasted nine of them, three are things I've bought and would buy again, none are on my list of favorites. Lots of weird stuff on that list. More frat boy flavors than good cook flavors. I didn't include pretzel thins in my nine because the list had chocolate covered ones. No. I do sometimes buy regular pretzel thins... One of the guys thinks they look like toys his old aunt would make...

Crazy that home prices would go up, but I do know people who work crazy hours who, if they know there's nothing to make for dinner at home, go to Trader Joe's and buy something ready made along with groceries. TJ's are apparently better than what the other stores have ready made, and certainly cheaper. I'm always shocked at how little I spend at TJ's even when I manage a full shopping.

They don't have rutabagas. They just don't. On the other hand, if I'm not looking for vegetables that they just don't have--and they do have a lot of things like English peas (shucked) and endive--I can get most everything I want for a standard shopping there. I'd rather go to my butcher than buy any packaged meats, and TJs meat quality isn't as good, but there are some things that are okay. The free range organic chicken parts tend to be tough, so I make sure to counter that. Otherwise the quality is fine. Things like that. Actually, their medley little tomatoes tend to be hard and lacking in flavor--probably picked too unripe--even though they look the same as what they have elsewhere. Their Persian cucumbers are the best, however. Their packaged breads are better than anywhere else. Like with any other store, you have to know the stock and try things, and learn what works for you, but you can do a whole shopping there, if it's not too exotic, even though that's not the point of it.

I've mentioned this before, but I'll say again for those who don't know: Trader Joe's is not a supermarket. It is a specialty store that was originally designed as a way to bring a broad range of foods from around the world, as well as gourmet selections, to people with educated tastes and teachers' salaries. That's why almost everything is house brand--to keep down the costs. That's also why there are a lot more packed, produced foods than base ingredients.

I shop at TJ's regularly and have only bought two of those items - chocolate chip cookies and triple ginger snaps. The ginger snaps are especially good and I buy them regularly, but nothing else on that list interests me. I do not buy prepared meals - I buy ingredients and make the meals myself, but TJ's is very popular with Sony employees (It's 1-1/2 blocks from Sony Studios where DB works), and people there can buy a nice lunch for cheap. However, there are a lot of great restaurants in downtown Culver City within walking distance of Sony, and so they've got a lot of competition.

One of my favorite things at TJ's is their Mocha ice cream (I forget the name of it), and I also like their Kona cookies. I do like buying cheese there because it is less expensive, but I get a much better selection at Bristol Farms. I do buy bittersweet chocolate for making various candies and desserts at TJ's because it is much cheaper. I buy produce there, if I happen to be shopping there, such as onions, avocados, spinach, chilies, berries, and fruit.

Lars, My first exposure to TJ's before it was outside of CA was on Supulveda Blvd. I would stop in each month on my way to LAX way back when you could bring a bag of groceries on board. It just drew my attention because I thought is was just a small neighborhood grocery...well I guess it was back then.

I've shopped at TJ's twice and never cared enough for the products purchased that I was willing to drive the 20+ miles to shop again. In fact, we wondered what all the hoopla was about TJ's.

I like Trader Joe's, but never shopped there before I moved a block away from one. I'm now about five blocks away from two. WalnutCreek, I wouldn't drive 20+ miles to shop there! If I were in town, I can imaging stopping in for items others don't have, or for the price, but I think the reason people used to make a fuss about it is that decades ago they had lots of organics when few others did, and much better selections of harder to find interesting things for much better prices. Regular chain supermarkets have caught up a lot on both those fronts.

Of course, TJ's also treats their staff well, always have many people working and lots of help. They empty carts, and bag for you, and help you out to your car if you wish, and they do it all with a pleasant demeanor and friendliness (it's policy). So if you're not so far away, it's a nice place to shop. I will say that it also takes awhile to get used to their offerings and learn what you like, and be ready to accept when not enough other people liked it for it to continue to be offered. The worst is the parking lots. I don't know why, even when there's a big, modern parking lot, TJ's is always crazy!

I first learned about TJ's on this forum back in 2000/2001 when their chile lemon pistachios were all the rage. They've long since disappeared.

No TJ's in the south back then. On road trips we shopped at stores in Boston and Indianapolis.

I mounted my own campaign trying to promote our city and even suggesting a location. About 6 years later the stars aligned and we finally got a TJ's ... the first in Louisiana. It's only a mile from the house. Parking isn't the nightmare so many talk about. Maybe it's because the store is in a brand new shopping center.

I would gladly drive 20 miles to shop at one, but fortunately don't have to.

Our new TJ's is a nightmare parking lot too; they always have two employees directing traffic. But at least I don't have to drive 8 hours to Atlanta. I only go Tuesday or Wednesday at 11:00am in hopes of encountering the smallest crowd.

I have not bought any of those items and shop at TJ's about once a month, a major shopping trip for me as I live a full hour away. Mainly though, I prefer cooking my own food, although not all, and find the convenience products too expensive and not nearly as good as what I can make. Especially desserts, cookies and main dishes. Who can't easily make a great cookie? Or hummus? Or chili? Some of the simplest of items.

I do regularly buy garlic naan bread, shrimp potstickers and vegetable fried rice.

The naan is turned into quick pizzas, the potstickers are just yummy and way to time consuming to make and the fried rice is also yummy, cheap and a great base for more vegetables and proteins. All three are good value for time cooking and price.

I do buy lots of staples there and overall, think tj's is awesome. Going Wednesday!

Cathy, there are two Trader Joe's on Sepulveda, but the one near the airport in Westchester is the one we usually go to, as it is the closest to us. There are a couple in Manhattan Beach that are also fairly close (and less crowded), but we more often shop in Culver City if not in Westchester. The other store on Sepulveda in Mar Vista is also very close to us.

tishtosh, the TJs in Ann Arbor was always busy, but it was located in a shopping center, so parking was shared with a lot of other businesses and there was always a space, although sometimes not really close. This one, though, fronts a very busy 4 lane road. There is a restaurant next door, but no adjoining parking lot. The Dave and Buster's is behind it, but you have to cross an access road to get from their lot to TJs lot, it's just horribly designed.

I do like to shop at TJs, and they have things I can't get other places. That's where I found Dubliner cheese the first time, I was in Chicago visiting Peppi. It's also where I learned about the chili lime pistachios, I was in California then, visiting Elery's son and grandkids (and Lars/Jessica/Gina/Diana/Ann/Scott/et. al). I also get snacks for the motel room when in Chicago at TJs, because I'm not trying to park there anywhere. So, I like TJs, I won't drive 60 miles to get to the closest one but do make an effort to stop when I'm close.

They also have lots of gluten free items that Amanda likes, so that's worth a stop when I'm close just by itself.

Annie

Especially desserts, cookies and main dishes. Who can't easily make a great cookie? Or hummus?

You could say that about anything. I've never bought a TJ's dessert, but the girls next door gave us one of their chocolate babkas. Too rich. I bake cookies occasionally, but dh also likes a few selections from TJ's. That's fine with me. I use their butter waffle cookies for lemon cream sandwiches in the summer. Love a variety of hummus flavors and don't feel like making my own all the time. Actually prefer the selection at Fresh Market vs TJ's.

Remember, a lot of TJ's stuff is for people on the go. Going to the beach after work? Grab a bottle of interesting water or juice (or sixpack of imported beer if alcohol is allowed), a bag of trail mix, a container of hummus, a jar of salsa and a bag of longboard chips. Instant happy hour. Dog ate your lunch? Get a salad and/or a wrap sandwich. On your way to a meeting where they'll eat anything so long as it's sweet and kosher? A big tub of cookies is just right.

I only go to TJ's if I'm in Hyannis for something - usually a medical appointment. It's about 40 minutes from me. Over the years I have learned my way around the place, but not enough to make a pilgrimage. I don't bake, and I don't have a sweet tooth so none of those products have interest or value to me. I do have a fat tooth, though, and their cheeses are half what my local supermarket charges for the very same thing so I do head for the cheese case while I'm there. I also love their frozen potstickers, and the roasted red pepper/tomato soup in the box. Pacifica brand of the same product in the organic section of the normal grocery store is twice the cost. Also, since I confess to not liking to bake, I love their cornbread and gingerbread mixes. Their orchids are also a great price.

seagrass

Seagrass!!! I'm so happy to see you again, I was thinking about you the other day, during that last big blizzard.

I remembered, too, that I really like their eggplant/red pepper spread. It's nearly identical to the ajvar that I get at the Mediterranean Market, but that's out of the way too. It seems that all I do in Grand Rapids anymore is take people to doctor's offices!

Annie

Big grins, Annie. I love reading your posts and watching your kids and grandkids grow up. We filled our bathtub with water, got out the emergency candles/flashlights, etc.. but didn't get hit too hard and only had intermittent loss of power.

seagrass

I too go to Trader Joe's on a regular basis, as I have multiple in various routes I regularly take. However, I admit that I go there less now that there is a Sprout's nearby. Of the frozen, prepared stuff, I like the garlic naan, the pumpkin ice cream, the mochi ice cream, the channa masala, roasted corn and chicken potstickers.

I buy lots of cheese, some wine, nuts, fresh veg, and in rush, roasted garlic or olive hummus and salsa especial (though usually I just make my own in the same style). The salted caramels are good and so are the everything pretzel thins. The prices are good on much of the organic stuff and on some of their imported stuff.

They contract out a lot of their food products to well-known manufacturers -- but there are many duds in the mix. There is a whole thread on Chowhound dedicated to TJ's and their changing mix of food products.

Annie, I'm with you on the ajvar. In fact I've renamed my Cathy's Red Pepper Bisque to TJ's Red Pepper Bisque since I found ajvar at TJ's.

I did finally stop in a TJ's in Manhattan last week.

I think i may have purchased a lovely orchid...but the line was crazy. 30 check-outs so maybe it moves fast, lol. I just poked around a few minutes.

I get it, i really do. Especially with a full house and needing good fast foods and snacks. Just not a need i have at all. DH would not be happy if i sent him to pick up a few things, haha.

I like TJ's but would never stand in that kind of line for anything. All that time in line and those folks could have spent it cooking something from scratch! I go first thing in the a.m. and ours is practically empty, plus the shelves are all freshly stocked. If you go in the evening, esp on weekends lots of things are sold out.

I've tried 3 products. I shop at TJ's about every week.

The packet of seaweed makes a good evening snack.

The little frozen quiches are good.

The spanakopita is ok.

I like their chocolate truffles. My daughter (lives in Houston....and I live 45 miles away in the boondocks), brings me some every time she comes to visit.

I head down to TJ about once every two months and stock up on favorites. They have a lot of unsalted or low sodium products I use regularly. I especially like their unsalted natural peanut butter and almond butter. My husband likes their blueberry preserves too.

I also pick up their nut snack bags: the unsalted, toasted almonds; the almond, cashew, & cranberry trek mix; and the almond, cashew, & dark chocolate mix. These make good snacks and are low enough in sodium to fit my husband's needs. I always have some dry toasted & unsalted almond slivers on hand along with the dry toasted & unsalted pine nuts. At Christmas I buy their walnuts for baklava. I keep all the nuts in my freezer.

I also always buy a couple of jars of marinated artichoke hearts and sun dried tomatoes packed in oil. They sell a decent sodium-free bread, but I prefer to make my own low sodium bread. Their frozen artichokes are pretty good, and I try to keep at least one package of the roasted corn in the freezer for adding to Mexican style salads. I used to stock up on Dorot frozen garlic and basil cubes too, but now my local grocery stores carry them.

As far as produce, I like their small Persian cucumbers. For some reason, my local grocers rarely carry them. I've made their frozen croissants too. They were fine but not something I'd buy regularly. Same with their dark chocolate coated coffee beans and cranberries. Never on my list, but I always buy one or two cheeses. I think their selection is pretty good. And during the holidays, they often have great prices on butter, so I'll stock up on unsalted and freeze.

They sell low sodium broth, but I prefer other brands that I can get locally. I do, however, like their reduced sodium liquid chicken broth concentrate. It's in individual pouches, so it's shelf stable. Each packet makes only one cup.

And I always stock up on their canned tuna. They've got a half-salt variety and a no-salt variety. I buy equal amounts of both and combine them when making tuna sandwiches, etc. Just enough salt to taste pretty good.

Bad news...the HG's new kidney doctor's office is on the opposite end of the county from me and couldn't be further away.

Good news...the office is 2 blocks from TJ's. I can drop him off then head over to shop. I have asked the HG to make appointments on Tuesday's or Wednesday's 10:30 or 11:00 am.

Sue, a lot of people mention the Persian cucumbers. Guess I need to pick up a pack next visit.

Dh keeps a stash of their unsalted toasted almonds.

Cathy, nice that you found a silver lining. ;)

I wouldn't stand in that line either. Around here, the most I ever have to wait for is two, though if it's a single line for all checkers, and there are six checkers, that's the same as a dozen people in line. Maybe in the work>home hour before a holiday it might be worse. But New York is just different in so many ways! We don't line up for very much here, but it's also true that most people are driving, and if you can't park you can't get in line. :)

CindyMac, they're just normal Persian cucumbers, 5-6 per box. But they're nice and fresh and firm. Other stores near me have them, but not as nice usually. I like them for making cucumber salads. I use the finest setting on a paddle mandoline. No peeling required.

I like the nut packets too. It's a little more packaging, but I love the grab and go part. I don't like to keep a lot of containers of nuts open, because they absorb moisture. Then I have to use a container or bag for my handful of nuts, and there always seems to be a little mess involved. TJ's has the best nuts.

We like the Persian cucumbers but they definitely seem to spoil quicker, no matter where I get them. Yeah, that line would be a killer for me but I bet if I were in Manhattan, there would be many other places I would like to buy things.

This list is so odd. I shop at TJ's almost every week and I buy or like very few of the items on this list! I would be darned if I had to stand in line for 30 min to check out. Since TJ's began in the L.A. area, we have a goodly number of stores. Parking still stinks in most locations, however there are alternative stores and times to shop. Cathy, I'm thrilled that you don't have to drive all the way to Atlanta to find those fun food items!. Good way to make lemonade out of lemons!

In addition to some of their produce ( the Kumatos are great!), their pricing on items like Lactaid milk and all dairy products is also very good. We buy cheeses (DH loves their Quatro Fromaggio blend and I use plenty the grated parmesan/romano cheese blend), the dairy products and some juices are definite winners. My grands like Hold the Cones and DH really likes their edamame hummus and their new pomegranate walnut hummus type dip. I buy their green Lindsay olives, marinated and unmarinated artichoke hearts, fresh bruschetta and 3 of their vinegar's. The white balsamic, the small square jar red balsamic and their delicious orange vinegar! Orchids and flowers are definite faves. My dad loved the same ginger thins, but DH prefers the dark chocolate lace cookies. I'm sad that the lost their supplier for meringues.

I also discovered a new seltzer drink -- Spindrift Seltzer in grapefruit or raspberry-lime. They are delightful change from the usual sparkling water with lemon or lime. I could go on, but most of the items I like and buy are NOT on that list!

No shortage of TJ's "favorite" lists.

Favorite items at TJ's

Thanks, CindyMac! I should be going to Trader Joe's right now, but I don't feel great and would rather talk about it. :) The Kitchn's list is more general, and I agree with a lot of it: Nuts, dried fruit and chocolate. They don't have the very best olive oil but I do like the Kalamata EVOO in the picture. I'm not a big peanutbutter fan but I like TJ's the best and it's the one that does the peanutbutter cookie popovers best. Not my top go-to's but I agree, as well, about the ginger snaps and frozen naan.

Favorite things they no longer have: Whole Wheat Tuscan bread, dried sweetened hibiscus flowers, and almondina bark. Also, "Chewable Oranges" vitamin C, which they still have but changed the formula on (sucrose rather than dextrose) so they're way too sweet now -- I get the dextrose ones at Whole Foods.

I also looked at Popsugar's list. I agree on the broccoli slaw (shredded and bagged--no dressing)--better than when I make my own. Mostly because I don't have easy access to horse broccoli stems.

Other favorites: Sparkling blueberry juice (seems to be better than the name brands), enchilada sauce (for throw togethers with no time to make sauce), ice cream Bon Bons, prepared salads, roasted chestnuts (no worms!), Midnight Moo chocolate sauce, and low sodium vegetable broth (though I've finally learned how to make good no-salt vegetable stock). Others have also said cheeses, and I concur, but should make special mention of the ricotta and fresh mozzarella. They're quite good for grocery store cheese.

Our favorites at TJ's are their cornbread mix and the triple ginger cookies. We also buy cheese there, as there is always a good variety of high quality cheese in right-sized pieces at very good prices. We have not liked any of the frozen prepared foods we have bought there well enough to buy them again, but I'll have to try some of the mocha ice cream that someone mentioned above.

I've tried 16 items. I've not been there in a long time since I've been under renovations. Now that I'm cooking again, I'll return.

Thanks for the link to remind me of what I've been missing!

There is a TJ's 1/2 mile from my work so I usually go on my lunch break. No way would I ever wait in line 30 minutes to check out! Fortunately I don't have to.

I have tried 3 of the items on the list. I like the Chai Latte mix and the Honey yogurt, but they are full of sugar so I rarely buy them. I don't buy a lot of pre-made items.

My favorites are the lowfat granola with almonds ( add some to my morning yogurt), Butter is usually only $2.99 per pound so I buy that. I can get a large flat of fresh blueberries for $6.99. Tim likes the Caramel Cashew Cookies and the Swedish Butter Waffle cookies are good, also. The sprouted wheat bread is wonderful, their mozarella is the best, and our TJ's has pretty good meats.

Sometimes I buy the shrimp spring rolls for my lunch and I really like those as well.

Linda