Trader Joe's Addict

[RUSTYSMOM]

Any other Trader Joe's addicts out there? Wendy mentioned an artichoke salsa in an earlier posting which made me wonder who else shops here and has favorite items to recommend?

There cheeses are all great and priced well, we love Pirates Booty (low fat puffed cheese snack), I buy all of my nutes, oils and vinegars there. Great selection, quality and price!

[mightyh]

I know this thread is only going to serve to make me "homesick" for DC (and make me hungry). I have emailed Trader Joes many times to encourage them to go online... Or come to SW Illinois. But back to the topic...

I loved Pirate's Booty and several of the candy selections (bad, I know--and I'm not even a candy person): chocolate covered cranberries and the chocolate raspberry fruit sticks. Also in the snack department, the peanut butter filled pretzels--heavenly. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif I got started on all of these during times when they were put out as free snacks.

(I feel like I am really going through the aisles right now)

I love their frozen brie en croute... always tried to keep some in the freezer for unexpected guests. Their frozen lunch entrees were also great... especially anything Mexican by "Trader Jose." We also would buy buffalo burgers there for "hamburger" nights--just be careful not to overcook them cause they can get tough.

Their dates (in the produce section) were so huge and sweet!! I am normally not a date fan, but love these.

GREAT flavored chicken sausages! And awesome cheap wines... we loved all of the Barefoot wines, esp Barefoot Zin. We actually won a wine-tasting contest at a party with that submission once http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Their pumpkin butter is to die for--a seasonal item, though, so stock up if you want some in the spring and summer. We also liked their peach mango salsa and their fresh salsa (in the refrigerated section). Dried blueberries and apricots were good, too.

My husband pretty much bought out their selection of Kashi cereal and they had just introduced chocolate kashi (which he snacked on dry) as we were moving. He also liked their coffees pretty well.

For a quick dinner prelude, we could pick up their butternut squash soup.

The dog LOVED their peanut butter doggie treats.

That's all for now. I look forward to drooling over everyone else's replies to this... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

I think we should start a letter writing campaign to plead for internet sales of non-perishables....

[This message has been edited by mightyh (edited 11-01-2000).]

[greta]

i, too, am a trader joes addict.
some of the things i love:
canned mostly unsplit pea soup (pea soup made w/ garbanzo beans)
dried berry assortment (blueberries, strawberries and cherries)
blueberry meusli
cranberry meusli

i also enjoy the frozen prepared food for when i don't feel like cooking! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

the prices are generally better than regular grocery stores. for example, kashi, soy milk, rice milk, etc are much cheaper.

[Wendy w]

Hi RUSTYSMOM and fellow TJ addicts!

I am the ultimate Trader Joe's addict!!!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif I go there at least twice a week and it is extra convenient as there is now one around the block from where I work so I can go during lunch! I happened to buy Pirate's booty yesterday and I love it!!!

Other items that I purchase are: the artichoke hearts, the fat free plain yogurt (great for making yogurt cheese!), the yogurt cheese, feta, instant mashed potato cups (for when I'm too lazy to pack a lunch), http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif, wines, olive oil, vinegars, salad dressings (love the roasted garlic!).

One of my favorite items is a rice mixture with basmati rice, dried vegetables and seasonings. It is so versatile! I make chicken soup with it or cook it with wine, broth, or lemon juice and add chicken, fresh tomatoes, feta, kalamata olives and artichoke hearts!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif Heaven!

I am also in favor of them going online. Whenever my sister comes out from Michigan, Trader Joe's is one of her shopping destinations-along with a visit to See's candy. When I went to see her last summer, I made a gift basket of some of my favorite TJ products.

Wendy

[This message has been edited by Wendy w (edited 11-01-2000).]

[LIsaP]

Something no one has mentioned yet is Trader Joes Roasted Red peppers-I have been putting them in every thing lately-they are GREAT!
I love shopping there-they have some many neat sauces, pastas, etc and the prices are great!
I got a 3.99 bottle of wine last week that was better than some 5 times that price that I have had!

[BarbaraL]

I'm in northern New Jersey (live in Verona, work in Nutley) -- can anyone tell me if there's a Trader Joe's near me? Someone at a Weight Watchers meeting mentioned getting something at Trader Joe's, but I didn't have an opportunity to ask where it was. Not listed in the phone book. Thanks.

[lsdesign]

I have recently moved to southern NH and have gotten Trader Joe flyers in the mail. After reading these testamonies and lists of good food things I think I'll have to go. Thanks for posting this, RUSTYSMOM!

[BarbaraL]

I'll try this again, since my post hasn't appeared. Can anyone tell me where there's a Trader Joe's in northern NJ? There must be one around (someone at a Weight Watchers meeting mentioned shopping there), but I don't see it listed in the phone book. This thread has gotten me intrigued!

[LB]

my TJ favorites:

edamame
frozen salmon
mooshu rolls (haven't seen them in a while)
ginger granola (spicy!)
honey-wheat pretzel sticks
dried bananas
frozen pad thai

[greta]

here's the trader joes map for those of you who are looking for one in your area:
http://www.traderjoes.com/tj/locations/

[LSB]

Years ago when I lived in Pasadena, CA I got totally hooked on Trader Joe's! Then after several years without it (in CO and NY) I moved back to the Washington DC area a couple of years ago and saw a sign for a new Trader Joe's opening right at the end of my road! I have definitely renewed my addiction to Trader Joe's. I love their cheeses, fat-free caramel popcorn, salsas, frozen entrees, multi-grain waffles, roasted red peppers, olives, crostini crackers, oh, I could go on and on! I also always buy rice and pasta there as it's so much cheaper. Wine and beer are so reasonably priced - I too love the Barefoot label and the San Andres merlot ($3.99 a bottle) is pretty good too.

BarbaraL: they have a website www.traderjoes.com. (http://www.traderjoes.com.) There are stores in NJ - that should help you locate one!

Louise

[mightyh]

Here are their locations in NJ:

Marlton
300 P Route 73 South (North bound side of Route 73), across from Burlington Coat Factory.
(856) 988-3323
The store is open 9AM to 9PM.

Wayne
1172 Hamburg Turnpike, next to the Preakness Shopping Center.
(973) 692-0050
The store is open 9AM to 9PM.

Westfield
155 Elm Street.
(908) 301-0910
The store is open 9AM to 9PM.

Westwood
20 Irvington Street, next to the A & P Liquors.
(201) 263-0134
The store is open 9AM to 9PM.


For anyone else who is wondering about locations, go to www.traderjoes.com (http://www.traderjoes.com)

They're slowly expanding... just about to venture into Chicago it sounds like.

[Wendy w]

Barbara,

Try calling 1 800 shop tjs. I don't know if it is the same there as it is in CA.

Wendy

[BethR]

I'm another DC-area Trader Joe's addict. We moved to the far western 'burbs in the spring so I don't make it there as often but I stock up whenever I'm there! My kids favorites are chocolate schoolhouse cookies and VRUT apple-carrot juice. The whole family loves Pirate's Booty with a passion. They have a great fresh bruschetta sauce, and I love their wine selection (just tried the Black Mountain merlot -- it was great) and coffees. Their prices are very resonable, especially on things like big bags of Basmati and wild rice. They had wonderful little advent calendars with chocolates behind each door for (I think) a buck each last year -- hope they sell them again this year. And their truffles and chocolates "bagettes" were great gifts.
Beth

[Mamasue]

Addict...don't know if I am addict but I love some of their items...must be in denial. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif Hehe. I visit their store at least every other week or once a month.

Standard purchases: frozen vegetables, such as, mixed mushrooms (wonderful mix of a few different mushrooms); green beans (thin and sweet); stirfry vegetables (wonderful assortment); chai tea powder; oregon chai tea liquid (love them both so I can't just choose one); fruit jelly candy; low fat cat cookies (both chocolate and cinnamon); italian pastas (when on sale for 69 cents a package); frozen crab cakes; fried rice with chicken; dried berries (when I need them).

I have heard that their frozen fish is great, so I would like to try the next time. I have tried the "phoney bologna" and didn't care for it. Kettles potato chips are very good.

The store that I frequent has Weight Watcher next door. What is very helpful and a great idea is that next to certain items will be the points for that product (per serving).

I am sure that I will think of something else that I purchase. There have been items that I didn't care for and just found out that they stand by their products....if you find that you don't care for something, you can bring it back for a refund. That is how confident they are about their products.

[Susann]

Two things...
First of all, at the risk of sounding completely stupid, what is Trader Joes? I gather it is like a gourmet food shop?

Second of all, I saw mention of pirates booty. Have you ever tried vegie booty (great name, I know!)? It is also very good!

[KristaMB]

Susann,

You guessed right! The key for me is that it's a really inexpensive food shop! As others have mentioned, they have great wines, a wide selection of cheeses, a good frozen foods section, healthy and reasonably priced cereals, etc.

I usually go there once a week to stock up on my favorite foods. I always buy my Cliff Bars there because they are only 89 cents, whereas all the other stores sell them for up to $1.79 each. There frozen fish is also tasty, and much cheaper than at the supermarket.

BethR, I saw the advent calendars there last week but didn't pay attention to the price.

[Laura B]

OK - I have to ask. What is Pirates Booty????

[SoCal]

Count me in as a Southern Califonia TJ's lover! Their frozen fish is always tasty (not like the 'fresh' seafood departments in the grocery stores). The prices for the dairy products are certainly less expensive than the grocery stores as well as the prices on the canned goods. My neice loves when I send her care packages at college with goodies from TJ's (the cups of soup, mac & cheese, mashed potatoes, oatmeal,...I could go on and on!). They have great frozen dinner items like Funghi Tortelloni with White Wine Mushroom Sauce, Spinach Lasagna, Enchiladas, Pizzas, etc. I've just discovered the frozen shelled Edamame which are wonderful as a cold snack item. Has anyone tried the Key Lime Pie?? It's really tasty! Thanks for the topic Rustysmom!! I'm sure I'll think of more to post! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[Beth]

Okay, count me ticked. I got sold on Trader Joe's when I lived in CA. Now I'm in TX, and I find they skipped all the way to the East Coast! I hope they will look at mail order or on-line shopping. I'm not getting back to CA enough.

For those of you who are not familiar with Trader Joe's, it is a funky, earthy, bucking all the mega-store trends kind of store with basic grocery items as well as gourmet. Kind of a Whole Foods meets MacFrugal, meets corner store kind of place. Not full-service or full-selection, and the selection may change, but what you get will be value priced and dependably good.

[Wendy w]

Laura,

It just so happens that I have a bag of Pirate's Booty in my desk http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif. They are like cheese puffs but made with white cheddar, rice and corn. They are 120 calories per serving and 2.5 fat grams, 0 saturated fat.

In fact my bag is almost empty. However, with most low fat foods, one can develop a false sense of security and I am afraid if I keep eating these that I will have even more "booty" than I already do! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif

Wendy

[venus]

Susann, I love Veggie Booty http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif It's good stuff.

I never, ever get to go to Trader Joe's because the nearest one is about an hour from me by train and I don't drive http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif Maybe they will take pity on me and put one in downtown NYC http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Mandy]

I love Veggie Booty too! I've never had the Pirate Booty, I'm sure I can get it at the same place I get my veggie booty.

[Wendy w]

This is really funny!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif I never really thought of how many people like Pirate's Booty! A couple of weeks ago, on a whim, I decided to try it because I needed a lowfat snack to keep me away from the vending machine in the afternoon.

I have never heard of Vegetable Booty-either my TJ's doesn't carry it, or I haven't been looking too hard. Will definitely need to try it!!

Wendy

[Susann]

Wendy-What a coincedence-I have a bag of vegie booty at my desk!! The bag reads "With concentrated spinach and kal." 120 calories 2.5 g fat 22 g. carbs. They have a website-www.robGourmet.com.

[BethR]

I guess I'm a Pirate's Booty purist -- I tried the Veggie Booty once from the sample bowl and didn't really care for it. Just a few weeks ago I spotted Fruity Booty -- there was no sample bowl so I bought a bag. We were disappointed with it -- no one in the family liked it at all! I guess we're such Pirate's Booty addicts, nothing else will do!
Beth

[valeriek]

You have all inspired me to visit the local Trader Joe's again. I usually stop in when I'm in the neighborhood (several in the DC area), but I've never tried the Pirate's Booty. I love their prices on cheeses though, and I got some great Olive Oil there. I have to be more adventerous and try more of their products!

[hmerz]

I have to be quick because I need to run and catch the bus to pick up some Pirate's Booty at my nearest Seattle Trader Joes. I've never even tried it but I'm sure I'm already addicted.

[KimberlyE]

We shop TJ's for Rice Dream, Wine, Canned Artichokes, Basmati, Balsamic Vinegar, etc. And I love their rosemary dinner rolls. Never tried the Pirates Booty but will pick some up next time I'm there.

[maccmedia]

Hi! I am definetely a Trader Joe's addict. And Pirate's Bootie is one of my favorites too. My kids love it and gooble it up as they would the orange cheese curls. I buy many of the products already mentioned. A new favorite discovered this year is Red Pepper Spread with Garlic and Eggplant ($1.49/jar). It is really good spread on a wrap with veggies and sometimes TJ's Red Pepper Hummus ($1.79). They have the best prices around on Kashi cereal. They carry a variey of chocolate for baking and great chocolate bars for gifts. They have a lot of low fat cheeses you just don't see anywhere. All of this makes me think I will just have to make a trip there soon!

[BetsyF]

I don't know how I lived before TJ's came to Phoenix! I am there at least three times per week. I love the rices, cheeses, prepared salads, wines, certain spices, some produce (red bell peppers, small eggplant, fresh basil), olive oils, vinegars, certain marinades, teas, crackers, and my dogs love the dog foods and dog treats. Obviously, I could go on and on. Lots of things you can find elsewhere but TJ's prices are much, much better.

[This message has been edited by BetsyF (edited 11-04-2000).]

[Mamasue]

Went to Traders today....didn't need to but it was on the way home. Told hubby that I only wanted to get two things. Hehe. No way, Jose! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

I had to try the Pirate's Booty that everyone was talking about and have to say....WOW....these are better than cheese curls and less fat too! I also bought something new, Mexican cocoa mix. Had to get two more jars of peach halves in light syrup...these are delish...just like fresh canned peaches. Lets see...irish instant oatmeal, more chai tea mix, and italian bread.

[HARRYET]

It's strange how things happen, I received the TJ's brochure in the mail, then ended up shopping w/a friend at the new Nordstroms Rack that just opened and low and behold there is a new TJ's in the same strip mall, so I ran in and picked up some vanilla beans to make my own vanilla! after reading all the vanilla posts i felt I needed to try this, hopefully it works, I can't keep vanilla in my house! Anyway I'm rambling but do love TJ's particularly the frozen fish for my husband, it's hard to get good fresh fish here http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif

BetsyF, I thought I was the only desert rat on the bb, but see you are in Phoenix as well, I'm in NE phx, cave creek, what about all this rain! yugh! Ann

[emilycat]

I have no clue where to get Pirate Booty around here, but have any of you had Skinny chips? They come in all flavors, and 1 1/4 cups have something like 60 calories. They're really good; I just haven't had them in a while and don't really buy snack food anymore (it wouldn't last very long if I ever got bored http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif )