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View Full Version : What Are Your Favorite Trader Joe's Items?



Kieransmom
07-26-2004, 01:29 PM
I've been going to Trader Joes for years and can't believe I missed out on this item. Now I'm curious to what else I'm missing out on!

Last week I passed through the Trader Joes skincare/soap aisle. I always pass it by but decided to go through this week. I noticed they had a bottle of their own liquid Pure Castile Soap. Don't ask me what possessed me but I threw it in my cart. I've got tons of soap at home.

I love it. It's all natural, not tested on animals and it cleans everything from skin to floors. (which scared me at first.) My son has very sensitive skin and he did not rash at all. In fact, his skin feels wonderful after I use it. It cleaned deep down dirt in my jewelry that my sonic cleaner missed. WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE?!?

So what else am I missing out on?

Oh, and I am very disappointed that they discontinued my favorite cold Vegetable Cous Cous Salad. It came in the freezer section in a mint green bag. Anyone know what I'm talking about?

Michelle
Mommy to Kieran, born 5/9/03

billysmommy
07-26-2004, 01:36 PM
My absolute favorite thing there is the key lime cheesecake. I would make a special trip just for this (about 45 minutes) while I was pregnant :)

kelly ann
07-26-2004, 01:57 PM
We like the fresh orange juice and the jarred sauces for quick dinners - creole sauce, red curry sauce, etc.

That key lime cheesecake sounds so yummy. I will have to search for that next time.

llcoddington
07-26-2004, 01:57 PM
We love Trader Joe's! I've been thinking of asking the same question.

Things we love:
1. Trader Joe's brand whole wheat waffles (blueberry ones are good too!)
2. Trader Joe's brand organic pasta sauce
3. bakery breads (our favorite is a french bread with chunks of parmesan and garlic)
4. those chocolate oreo cookies- can't remember what they call them
5. tuna fish
6. trail mix
7. chicken burritos (in the frozen section)

Lana
mommy to Lauren 12/5/03

mharling
07-26-2004, 02:18 PM
Our standard purchases are:

- Potato and cheddar perogis
- Chicken drumettes
- Mini cheese pizzas
- Multi-grain waffles
- French toast
- Veggie Booty
- Chicken breakfast sausage
- YoBaby
- BBQ Pork (just bought this for the first time last week)
- Cuban marinade
- Olive oil (cheap, cheap, cheap!)
- Their version of Triscuits
- British muffins (whole wheat English muffins)
- Annie's Mac and Cheese

ETA - Coffee! Whole bean Columbian for around $4/lb. My coffee-snob dh really likes it.

Mary
Lane 4/03
#2 on the way!!!
http://lilypie.com/days/050302/0/0/1/-6/.png

deborah_r
07-26-2004, 02:20 PM
The bakery section is my downfall. Here goes:

Druid Circles (raisin cookies)
Molasses Chews (yes, more cookies)
Mini Carrot Cakes (oh my, they are so good!)

Away from the bakery...
red salsa (Salsa Autentico?)
house blend coffee (Sumatra/Columbia blend)
tangerine juice
dark chocolate covered raisins


I know their is more, can't think of it all right now...

iluvmy2boys
07-26-2004, 02:26 PM
Waahhhh!!!

:( I miss Trader Joe's SOOO much!!

We LOVED their milk - it had a much creamier taste and even better was that it was organic and cheaper than the milk at the regular grocery store!! I also LOVED LOVED LOEVED their Pure Castille Soap - and I can't find it ANYWHERES?!?!?! Would any of you ladies that frequent Trader Joe's like to stop in and get me some soap and ship it?! I'd LOVE to have a few bottles on hand (since we don't have one near us) cause it really DOES clean EVERYTHING!!!!

I just liked shopping there period - we always had fun in there! also loved their brand of Cheerios and their cereal bars! yumm!!

Wahhh I want to move back to Northern VA so much :(

hobey
07-26-2004, 02:44 PM
What a timely post! I'm running to TJ's after work today so I'm getting some great ideas.

Our normal purchases include:
Fresh Pizza Dough
Fresh Linguine
Penne
Diced Prosciutto (great for pasta sauces)
Masala and Curry Simmer Sauces
Marinated Ahi Tuna (I grill it and put it over salad)
French Sparkling Lemonade
Milk
Yo Baby
Zen Blueberry Bran Muffins
House Espresso
Chocolate Meringues (yummy when crumbled over berries)
Whole Wheat Couscous
Sun dried tomato pesto
All their hummus flavors
Huge Box of Basil
Fresh Italian sausage and their other flavored fresh sausages
I'm sure there's more but that's all I could remember off the top of my head.

Mmmm. It's almost lunchtime here and I'm getting hungry.

Raquel
Nathan's Mom 12/19/03

bunnisa
07-26-2004, 02:51 PM
I could cry, I miss TJ's so much. :( None anywhere around TX. sniff.

Regular Items we bought:

Organic Milk & Eggs
Greek yogurt (amazing, tastes exactly like it did in Greece!)
TJ's Cream Line Plain yogurt for DS (and mixed with vanilla & honey for us)
Dishwashing soap (no soapy smelling residue on pans with this)
Tom's of Maine toothpaste
Granola
Kashi cereal
Trail Mix
Dried fruits: plums, apricots, cranberries, etc
Green Chile & Cheese Tamales
A Shroom with a View (yummy noodles & mushroom sauce, frozen)
Meringue cookies
Best in Show hotdogs (no nitrates/nitrites)
Canned Plum Tomatoes
Canned beans (garbanzo, black)
AWESOME squash-filled pasta (dry)
Great Vodka pasta sauce
Cous cous
Dolmades (Rice stuffed grapeleaves, in tins, really, really good)
Natural Cane Sugar in 2 lb plastic container
Moka Java coffee
Dixie Beer
Wine, wine, and did I mention wine?
Great chocolates during the winter holidays
Ginger Altoids

okay, this is just depressing me. I could go on and on...

I just realized I wrote this list roughly in the order that the items are found in the store ! :) Am I sad or what?

Bethany
It's a Boy!
William Eric
6/03

Sarah1
07-26-2004, 02:58 PM
Frozen turkey meatballs. Quick & easy lunch & dinner item for DD! Just don't cook for the full 4 minutes the directions say if you are cooking only one or two (can you say hockey puck?).

Jeanne
07-26-2004, 03:04 PM
I have absolute favorites that I've been buying for years and am trying not to get too addicted because when they discontinued their Creamy Basil and Garlic Salad Dressing about 4 years ago, I was really at a loss!

Love:
Pure Castile Soap
All the vegetable soaps
Frozen Swordfish Steaks
Frozen 4 Cheese Pizza
Caesar Dressing
Lobster Bisque
Yogurt Cheeses
Parmesan Crackers
Chocolates of every kind but especially the Truffles at Christmas
Blueberry and Mango Juice
Low Carb Savory Bread
Artisan Breads
Salsas
Roasted Yellow and Red Peppers
Marinated Portobello Mushrooms
Frozen berries and broccoli

urquie
07-26-2004, 03:18 PM
i'm so glad you posted this... i've been meaning to also. i always ask people about products they in their cart... "is it really good?" i'm so glad i didn't go yesterday, i have a new list!

- charles shaw wine aka "2 buck chuck." it holds it's own in the wine snob taste tests and it's sooo cheap!
- t.j. brand whole wheat tortillas
- flat bread - like the pita minus the pocket, just like what the greek restaurants serve.
- t.j. clouds, chocolate covered pecans and caramel. these are the best!!!! just like turtles only better!
- t.j. ufo's, little mint chocolate bites
- key lime pie, frozen
- t.j. sesame thin crackers, seems fancy, but it's cheap.
- dried berries
- dried nuts
- t.j. nut butter (for those avoiding peanut butter) especially the cashew macadamia blend
- fresh chicken filled ravioli (no cheese)
- hummus
- t.j. pasta sauces
- fresh flowers, however, the potted orchids don't do very well:(

editted to add-
- t.j. blueberry pomogranite juice, so high in antioxidants! i started drinking this while pregnant when everyone else was drinking wine... now dh and i are hooked.

eta again
- t.j. "chidori fortune-style cookies" little yummy disks

Tondi G
07-26-2004, 03:32 PM
our favs

SoyVey Island teriyaki marinade(so good for kabobs or stirfry)
Beef tamales
Black bean and corn enchilladas (no cheese in these)
cheese enchiladas
my mom swares by their fettuchini alfredo in the frozen section
chicken curry in the frozen section
banana waffles
Gnocchi in the frozen section with their vodka sauce
TJ's has frozen boneless leg of lamb from time to time and it comes preseasoned ... just pop in the oven for an hour or so and it is SO GOOD!
Spiced tortilla chips
organic white corn tortilla chips
Salsa Authentica (Red jarred salsa)
Pirates Booty
SnapPeas (DS Loves these!)
fruit leathers
JUICES

That should do it for now.... I know we buy a ton more things there though!

~Tondi and Mason 7/8/01

heidi_timms
07-26-2004, 04:31 PM
I live two hours from TJ's now-boo hoo! I miss having it close! Every now and then I bring my cooler bag and stock up when we are near the closest store!

Cream Whole Organic milk (for DD)
Cans of organic whole beans (for DD
Cheese sticks (without RBST growth hormones!)
Mango Tea by the jug for me!
Frozen chicken tamales


~Heidi
Mom to Kailey
4/03

lisams
07-26-2004, 05:37 PM
I have grown to really love TJs! We get most of our groceries there now:

produce
spaghetti sauce
pasta
cheese/milk/sour cream/cottage cheese/butter (most organic at good prices)
pancake mix
rice
organic chocolate syrup
applesauce
mini blueberry muffins
banana bread
tortillas
tortilla chips
salsa
variety of frozen heat and serve meals (we just got the frozen marinated chicken breasts - they are precooked, super easy and yummy!)
Joes Os
fruit leather
unfiltered organic apricot nectar juice (DD loves, but she has to use her sraw cup because it clogs up her sippy spouts)
organic frozen OJ
cat cookies (for DD, not cats)
pretzels

I'm sure much more...
ETA:
breakfast bars
eggs
meatloaf
4 cheese pizza - yummy
cranraisins

And, we are big fans of Dr. Bronner's Castille soap, I didn't know TJs had their own version of it! I use it for mopping and scrubbing the tub (add vinegar and baking soda).

Lisa

californiagirl
07-26-2004, 05:40 PM
I adore Trader Joe's but most any health food store or camping store should have Dr. Bronner's liquid castile soap, a cleaning substance and light reading for those dull moments all at the same time.

icunurse
07-26-2004, 06:04 PM
We love a lot at Trader Joes, but some of our favorites:
Druid Circles (oatmeal raisin cookies)
Fat Free Pizza Sauce (you'd never know it)
Raisin Bran Crunch cereal
Charles Shaw Wine
Dubliner Cheese (oh-so-good)
mini-pitas

Traci
~Connor's Mom~
http://lilypie.com/baby1/050204/1/0/1/-6/.png (http://lilypie.com)

nathans mom
07-26-2004, 06:50 PM
soy very teriyaki marinade (as someone else said, fantastic!)
ginger snap cookies in plastic tub
Kiss My Face Pear handwashing soap. wish it came in jugs for easy refilling, I just keep buying more and more dispensers!
chocolate covered orange slices

so many products to consider, I'll have to print the other suggestions and try them!
Nathan's Mom

Kieransmom
07-26-2004, 08:19 PM
Ooh, yes. The Chocolate Cat Cookies are great! I don't like the cinnamon ones but DS and DH do so I buy them too.

Michelle
Mommy to Kieran, born 5/9/03

barbarhow
07-26-2004, 08:23 PM
We live 3 hours from them and so when I hit it I can't get any frozen stuff. :-( My favorites are many but they include:
Shampoo and conditioner. seem to work fine
Lotion
Nuts! The best price anywhere.-especially the wasabi peanuts
Jarred sauces
Olive oil
balsamic vinegar
greeting cards!!!! What a deal.
Cheese-I usually get a bunch before we have a party.
So many more things......

Oh yeah-I have yet to try it but I hear they make a 3 buck chuck (wine) $3/bottle that isn't too bad. I haven't yet tried it-am awaiting a delivery of some from my aunt...

Barbara-mom to Jack 3/27/03

Kieransmom
07-26-2004, 08:32 PM
These are a new discovery and a favorite too;

Salmon Medalions- They look like hockey pucks of Salmon with a green stuffing inside. Yummy


Michelle
Mommy to Kieran, born 5/9/03

http://lilypie.com/baby2/030509/1/5/0/+10/.png[/img][/url]

ethansmom
07-26-2004, 09:15 PM
We LOVE these with their roasted garlic marinara! YUMMY!

mum1day
07-26-2004, 09:21 PM
I have to say, the best thing I have ever found at TJ's is their bag of peppers, melange e trois. They are 99 cents. I use peppers a lot and this is the best deal going. I buy them 15 bags at a time because they are ALWAYS sold out.

Natasha
Mum to Giuliana (3/1/04)

sb1177
07-26-2004, 09:40 PM
I like everything there!

My absolute favorite are the dried mango slices. That's my main reason for shopping there.

C99
07-26-2004, 10:14 PM
I only shop at Trader Joe's. Seriously, it's my weekly grocery run. I do go to other stores here and there for things they don't carry (like cheap basil and fresh tomatoes...the Mexican markets are better for that stuff around here), but the bulk of my shopping is at TJ's.

I love:
- apricot and raspberry jam shortbread cookies
- Captain's Cookies
- Gorilla Munch
- So This Strawberry (Blueberry/Fig) Walks Into a Bar
- Trader Giotto's cheese bambino pizzas
- rosemary ham
- shredded cheese (parmesan, mexican, mozzarella)
- chunk chicken in a can (great for chicken salads)
- McCann's Irish oatmeal
- bags of pasta for 69 cents each
- Greek yogurt

Vajrastorm
07-27-2004, 01:13 AM
A few that haven't been mentioned...
Green Tea Gelato
Tiramisu Torte
The chocolate!!!
Milton's Whole Grain Bread
Marinated Tri Tip
Trader Joe's O's (instead of Cheerios)
Tuna for Cats

californiamom
07-27-2004, 12:54 PM
Am I the only one that LOVES their pizzas? Yummm!!!

zen_bliss
07-28-2004, 04:22 AM
how is it possible that no one has yet listed the
GHIRARDELLI TRIPLE CHOCOLATE BUNDT CAKES?
i found these by accident because my friend always buys the mini carrot cakes to share and i wanted to get us something else cause i just hate the filmy feeling they leave. lo and behold, what did i discover discreetly tucked next to them! 4 for $3.99, no hydrogenated fats, just lots of chocolate: chocolate cake, chocolate frosting, chocolate chips.

nearly all of our grocery shopping is done at TJs. and have you noticed how HAPPY the employees are?

falafel
cheeses (no rennet!)
bean & cheese burritos in the 'salad' section
vegetarian 'meats' -- meatballs, corn dogs, morningstar farms sausage & boca ribs
french village cream line yogurt
cream cheese
organic tofu
tangerine juice
frozen lemonade (w/ gerolsteiner mineral water for a refreshing fizzy summer drink)
rooibos tea
decaf green tea (big pitcher of iced green tea always in the fridge)
frozen berries, mango, pineapple for smoothies
frozen asparagus, broccoli, spinach, artichoke hearts, peppers for cooking
frozen cubes of garlic & basil (brilliant!)
tomato basil sauce
nuts of all kinds
dried fruits
sundried tomato & olive pesto spread
sprouted wheat bagels (sesame & granola)
handmade tortillas
olive bread
olive oil
argentinian shrimp when avail -- sweet, like lobster. mmmm
cioppino
canned trout
mini cheese corn cakes
seaweed-wrapped rice snacks
whole wheat pasta
organic hearts of palm
chocolate mochi (dough covered ice cream)
pizzas
pierogis
tortelloni
gnocchi

the only things i prefer to get at whole foods (if not at farmers market) are eggs & produce.

i really, really miss the tasmanian smoked salmon. had it nearly every day while PG. the salmon they have now does not compare.

new_mommy25
07-28-2004, 06:01 AM
Carrot Cake!! It's about $3.00 and so deliciously yummy. I also buy almost all my cheese there. The parmesean is the best price I've seen. Other staples are basil, milk, half and half, yogurt cream cheese (so good!) and Go Go Grahms.

Jen in Chicago
07-28-2004, 01:36 PM
I have been putting together my list lately b/c we are moving and I will need to drive futher for TJ's:
Sausages- We grill them all the time, I don't have a favorite flavor, they are all good.
"breadlike" buns for the sausages
Joe's O's
Frozen French cut green beans
Frozen Pizza's
Frozen fish, again, not a specific kind, they are all good
JARRED hearts of palm
Annie's Raspberry Dressing
Marinara Sauce- basic basil marinara
White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
Rosemary Mint Shower Gel
Jasmine Rice
Cereal Bars- A favorite snack for Jude
Booty!
Wheat Pretzels
Hummus with horseradish
Hearts of Romaine lettuce (lettuce, hearts of palm, rasp dressing and blue cheese is our standard salad)
Wine- Papio(sp) is a recommendation we love from there
Clemintines when they are in season (MUCH better than the other groceries)
Pine nuts
Spices- their prices are dirt cheap!
Frozen Chicken Fried Rice- Jude will eat this with some coaxing
Frozen Gnochi (sp) dinner- could dinner be easier? I don't think so!

urquie
07-28-2004, 02:22 PM
finally, another rooibos drinker! dh and i fell in love with it in namibia and have had the hardest time finding here, even though it keeps getting stories in the news and mags. i've been special ordering it, three pounds at a time, at a store 300 miles away and nice mom delivers it on her visits. :) do they have more than one type at tj's? i'd love to find another high quality source.

were you talking about the fresh falafel kit with the pita, hummus, and salad, or is there another type i should be looking for? i know they use to have a great dry mix, but i haven't seen it for years.

Dcclerk
07-28-2004, 02:54 PM
Between Costco and TJ's, I don't have to go to any regular supermarkets. The following are ALL must-haves for me:

Quiche (DS LIVES on these things)
Yobaby
Diet Hansons
Chocolate covered frozen bananas
Cornmeal pizzas (in refrigerator aisle)
Shredded cheeses
Milton's bread (mult-grain, though I miss the raisen bread)
Tomato sauce starter
Salmon skewers (they last longer than a lot of fish and never taste "fishy")
Crushed garlic
Vanilla paste
Sun-dried tomato hummus
Nuts and dried fruit (I usually change this up)
Hand-tossed flour tortillas
Cuban black beans
Risotto
Sun-dried tomato torta
Turkey apple sausage
Thai peanut sauce
Sparkling lemonade
Stuffed bell peppers

The list really does go on for me... :)

urquie
07-28-2004, 03:44 PM
what is vanilla paste used for?

Mom2Miri
07-28-2004, 05:31 PM
A few that might not have been mentioned yet...

Crumpets
Sparkling Grapefruit Soda (DH loves this)
Sesame wraps (tortilla shape made of sesame seeds and a sweet honey/sugar base)
Tofutti Cuties (non dairy "ice cream" sandwiches)
Valrhona bars
Truffles - served them at a party and people swore they were homemade
Ghirardelli Chocolate Chunks
Rice Milk/Soy Milk for DD

Helen & Mirielle 2/25/03

tina-t
07-28-2004, 05:50 PM
Frozen soft shell crabs!!! Yum!
Pre-packaged salads
Dry roasted edamame

pritchettzoo
07-28-2004, 06:08 PM
Use it like you would vanilla extract. It's got all these vanilla bean seeds in it and is soooo yummy! Here's some more info:
http://www.nielsenmassey.com/vanillainformation.htm

I have found it at Williams Sonoma and Whole Foods.

Anna

pritchettzoo
07-28-2004, 06:09 PM
There aren't ANY in the South. Ugh! I've been only a few times when visiting friends in Seattle and it was love at first site.

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

Anna

Kieransmom
07-28-2004, 09:05 PM
Caroline-
What is the Rosemary Ham? That sounds good!

Michelle
Mommy to Kieran, born 5/9/03

http://lilypie.com/baby2/030509/1/5/0/+10/.png[/img][/url]

Kieransmom
07-28-2004, 09:13 PM
I'm curious to know what the Vanilla Paste is.

NM, just read other post!

Michelle
Mommy to Kieran, born 5/9/03

http://lilypie.com/baby2/030509/1/5/0/+10/.png[/img][/url]

beckyr88
07-28-2004, 09:56 PM
Not Caroline, but the Rosemary Ham is in the deli meat section, and it's just sliced ham for sandwiches spiced with rosemary. A real favorite here! Totally addictive. DD even mooches some when I make DH's sandwiches. Esp. delicious if you make the sandwich on a fresh baguette!

While I'm at it, some other favorites that haven't been mentioned are:
-Chocolate chips (best and *cheapest* by far than other brands)
-Frozen chicken quesadillas
-RITTER SPORT candy bar--the kind with the cookie inside--yum
-canned whole tomatoes--has a whole basil leaf, makes great pizza sauce
-Various frozen food--I am not really cooking yet since pregnant, and poor DD+ DH are living on TJ's frozen food.

I made a big trip there today and live close enough to drive the cart home, which I did! I let DH carry the bags upstairs while I drove the cart back! Only felt a *little* dorky, but it worked!

C99
07-28-2004, 10:25 PM
We get stuff from the East Coast (MA) distribution center, so we don't get the Ghiardelli chocolate bundt cakes, like you do in CA. There are a few things that I have found are different b/w SF and here, and which I miss about the SF store.

jbowman
07-29-2004, 01:05 AM
The cheap bags of pasta are THE reason to go IMO!

zen_bliss
07-29-2004, 02:02 AM
urquie, frozen falafel, with yogurt sauce! seriously garlicky, though, look out. the rooibos is the organic kind in bags in the yellow package.

i love getting turned onto little surprise finds there, i'm so glad this thread got started. i've been 'stalked' for 'where did you get that??' for falafel, garlic cubes, and the cute duo of frozen creme brulee.

bad newsflash -- tonight it was just 'triple chocolate' bundt cakes, same price same packaging, but not ghirardelli! nooooooo i hope the ghirardelli comes back!

more:
greek triangles pasta. hi fat, calcium, iron for baby! DD eats them like little sandwiches. cheese, spinach, olives, sundried tomatoes.
gyoza (i am insanely addicted to the chik'n ones, the ginger soy sauce is divine, baby can plow through 4 of these! Dh likes the shrimp version)
tasty bites indian entrees (in nonperishable pouches)
rice dream
unbleached coffee filters
cappucino foam in whipped cream can (i don't actually buy this but one of our local trader joes in studio city has, i kid you not, a free self-serve coffee & beverage sample bar, and though the stuff sounds gross, it is yummmmmyyy)
frozen asparagus
plantain chips (in chip aisle, not dried fruit)
veggie sticks (veggie potato 'fries')
chocolate covered cherries
toffee logs (and i usually hate toffee)
99¢ daffodil bunches in season

Kieransmom
07-29-2004, 07:49 AM
Those little Creme Brulees are great for store bought! I forgot about them.

Michelle
Mommy to Kieran, born 5/9/03

http://lilypie.com/baby2/030509/1/5/0/+10/.png[/img][/url]

DebbieJ
10-11-2004, 01:55 PM
Bumping for JulieL

~ deb
Mommy to my sweet boy
B born 12/03
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/10023.jpg http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/10029.gif

JulieL
10-11-2004, 02:52 PM
Thank you!