FYI First Trip to Trader Joe's: Thoughts, Suggestions?

[suzy24]

We are making our first trip to Trader Joe's this weekend. Does anyone have any suggestions on items to be on the lookout for?? How are their prices? Do they take coupons, or is all of their merchandise store brand??

[kristen.c]

You might want to call ahead and ask about coupons- some locations take them and some do not. They do have national brands (they carry puffins cereal, pacific stocks and soups for example) but most of their products are store brands.

I'd make a list of types of things you'd like to look for and set a budget. I know that if I go in there without thinking I can easily walk out with all kinds of stuff and spend a ton of money. Do you want to make one big trip? Just check out the merchandise and maybe make a few purchases, and go back bi-weekly? I usually try to steer clear of the freezer section (a little overpriced on things and it's just processed foods in a prettier box) though it can be fun to walk through to check out what's there.

Enjoy your trip and let us know how you made out!

[Domestic Goddess]

I think their prices are pretty good. We get raisins there all the time because they are WAY cheaper there. We get bags of golden raisins and I also buy soy bean butter because it's cheaper than in the grocery stores. They do take coupons, they do not double.
Oh- i also get organgina (orange "soda" drink) there and fruit leather....nuts are pretty good too.

[prayerbear]

The name brands I get there are Tofutti "Better than Cream Cheese", Soy Dream soy milk, Milton and Ezekiel breads, McCann's Steel Cut Oatmeal,Yves good ground (packaged soy meat alternative to ground beef for tacos) found in deli section all because they are cheaper there than at mainstream grocery stores. My TJ's takes q's.

I heard from a couple of employees that they were going to drop all their name brands as of last Jan. 1, but I see they are still there. Maybe it is just until their contracts expire.

The TJ brand products I get are their nuts, canned black beans, and cereal bars because they are cheaper there (unless I find the beans on a good sale). I also like their meatless meatballs (frozen) but my family is not that crazy about them. I like their candied ginger (in nut/dried fruit section) and frozen broccoli because it stays green when I steam it and they have a frozen mixture called soyatash (sp? - corn, edamane, and red peppers) and "greens with envy" (asparagus , spinach, edamane, green beans and broccoli).

My family loves the carrot muffins there but I forget the bakery name. They are large muffins, 4 to a pack and are wonderfully moist....yummm, the best! However they are $3.99 for the package I think so they are special treats occasionally.

One way they keep their prices down however is the way they purchase. If something is not selling...it's gone temporarily or permanently.

Have a good time! It's a nice atmosphere as the employees seem to really like working there and definitely put their customers first.

[derketchup]

Be sure to check the prices on eggs and dairy -- in my area they are significantly cheaper, but that's not nationally true.

Things to consider purchasing: Vodka of the Gods, Cashews, any of their made in italy pasta (so good!), their chocolate, brie, and maybe some 2 buck chuck ($1.99/bottle Charles Shaw label wine).

Have fun, and let us know how it went!

[suzy24]

OK, we FINALLY made it to Trader Joe's. We were suprised by how small it was, but that may have just been our store. They did have a lot of outside brands, but since we shop at the Commissary, the Trader Joe prices were higher.

We bought: wine (I've already had 2 glasses!), stell cut frozen outmeal with brown sugar and maple syrup, honey and oatmeal soap and a raspberry fruit roll-up thingy. I was suprised by how reasonable the prices where. I was disappointed that they did not have frozen organic peaches or shelled edamame. All in all, I think I would go back!! They seemed to have some really great products that we definitely use!

[blackraspberryvanilla]

I also finally made my first trip there this past week and my store was smallish too but I liked it and the prices. I had a ready made sandwich a fruit roll up that was delicious.
The desserts looked to die for!

[derketchup]

Originally Posted by suzy24

OK, we FINALLY made it to Trader Joe's. We were suprised by how small it was, but that may have just been our store. They did have a lot of outside brands, but since we shop at the Commissary, the Trader Joe prices were higher.

We bought: wine (I've already had 2 glasses!), stell cut frozen outmeal with brown sugar and maple syrup, honey and oatmeal soap and a raspberry fruit roll-up thingy. I was suprised by how reasonable the prices where. I was disappointed that they did not have frozen organic peaches or shelled edamame. All in all, I think I would go back!! They seemed to have some really great products that we definitely use!

Weird, my TJ's always has shelled edamame in both the freezer and the reefer...

[prayerbear]

Originally Posted by derketchup

Weird, my TJ's always has shelled edamame in both the freezer and the reefer...

Yep, mine too.