Have any of you been to Trader Joe’s? I’ve been in a few times, when I was shopping for 1, and usually would pick up a little something here and there, usually frozen foods. TJ’s is usually lumped in the same category as Wild Oats and Whole Foods, since they tend not to carry the same varieties of processed foods that conventional supermarkets do (no sugar puffs cereal, no foods in neon colors, etc). The other stores, however, cost a lot. They don’t call it “Whole Paycheck” for nothing. But if you shop at the other stores, they start to look like conventional stores dressed up in natural clothing. Not that Trader Joe’s is 100% all natural and all organic – I’m sure if you start looking hard enough you’ll find a preservative or something on one of their labels.
The thing that surprises most people once they start shopping there is that TJ’s is less expensive than a traditional supermarket. Yep, that’s right. Boyfriend was shocked at how little we spent, and we even got a giant piece of salmon for dinner. Now forget about your local Wally World megalomania mart – they may have better prices on regular stuff than the regular stores do, but come on now. Shopping there is a chore. Shopping at TJ’s is fun. The food looks great, yummy, delicious, even when it’s sitting in the frozen food cases. I’m inspired to cook when I’m there, and trust me, that ain’t an easy thing for me to feel.
Boyfriend did have a few criticisms. One, they’re not open 24 hours. In Vegas, all supermarkets are open 24 hours (except for the wild and whole ones). So closing at 9pm like they do puts a serious crimp in the last minute plans to go get some frozen taquitos. Boyfriend also said the the selection was a bit slim. Now, the stores are small – really small, like the tiny supermarket my extended family shops at when they’re spending time at the summer home at Lake Ossipee, NH. But when you go there and really look at the selection, you’ll see that they really don’t lack anything. Everything you need to make a decent meal – not even a health freak meal, I’m talking about a regular decent meal – is there. Besides, who really needs the toaster pastries with purple frosting?
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My biggest problem with TJ is the other people who shop at TJ (in my neighborhood, I’ve met you and I don’t harbor any belief that you are like the TJ customers in my hood who think that they’re better than everyone). Maybe I’ll send Super T there for the next grocery shopping trip. ~ CTG
Oh I love Trader Joes! I wish I could afford the other two, but can’t. TJ’s does have a small selection, but I get all my veggies there and their strawberry cereal bars are wonderful!!!! Oh, and their chips are awesome! I like the veggie chips. And vitamins…oh hell…I like the whole store!!!
CTG – I’ve noticed that if I shop around dinnertime, or when everyone is getting out of work. BF and I went about an hour before closing and while the lines were long, the attitudes were better. The other two store, however, are much worse when it comes to attitudes – especially Whole Paycheck.
Pookie – Perhaps we’ll run into each other sometime at TJ’s! They do have great stuff – I’ve always enjoyed what I’ve purchased there.
` You know what’s awesome? Since most of the stuff is not packed with preservatives, they have to throw out stuff all the time – technically even when it’s still good.
` That way, their dumpster is always full of good stuff. And so, I dive right in!
` That’s right. I’m poor and I steal garbage (and my internet).
` Seriously, why do people throw out so much perfectly good food and not give it to homeless people?
` Mmmmm. Blueberry pastries….
` Told you I was a nut.
` OMG My kitten is licking my nipple right now!! Get out of my shirt!
s e e quine – I guess as long as you’re making an effort to eat healthy that’s a good thing, right?
Trader Joe’s is the best. I keep wishing they will open one closer to me, but they have yet to and so I haven’t been to our closest one (which is about 45 minutes away) in awhile. But it is cheaper and when I was doing hardcore Weight Watchers, I found some fantastic healthy meals there. ONe was this frozen shrimp stirfry that was only 2 points for the entire bag. And it was sooooo good! I also love their spicy hummus and their great selection of Greek Yogurt. They’re a great store because they buy wholesale from the sellers and so they don’t have a giant mark-up apparently.
Allie – Boyfriend is amazed that we are eating better and spending less since we started shopping at TJ’s. But I feel your pain – we have no IKEA, no Container Store, or any of the good stuff like that. And my mom would love to try TJ’s lingonberry scones, but she’s an hour away from the nearest store. Not a trip she’s going to make with a 3 year old.
Trader Joe’s totally rocks! I pass like five other grocery stores (including Whole Foods, which is not my fave — too expensive for everyday) on my way to Trader Joe’s, but it is so worth the trip.